Sha Zhu's Rebirth in the Courtyard: Starting with Hitting Someone in the Head

Chapter 69 Me and My Motherland

In December 1956, slogans advocating joint public-private ownership were everywhere on the streets, red banners were hung in a row, and drums and gongs were beaten at the factory gates to celebrate the successful completion of socialist transformation.

Newspapers were filled with news every day about which companies were going to form joint ventures and which were actively applying for them. Lou Bancheng's photo, which had been featured in the Beijing Daily, was also published again.

Newspapers also criticized certain capitalists for openly cooperating while secretly resisting, thus undermining socialist transformation.

Lou Bancheng sat in the study without speaking, the cigar ash in the room long and forgotten to be flicked.

When He Yuzhu went to the supply and marketing cooperative for his mission, he passed by a bulletin board where someone had posted a big-character poster attacking those capitalists who were not cooperating.

The Lou family took the initiative to apply for a joint public-private partnership and was featured in the newspaper as a model. However, in special times, no one can say for sure, and a few big-character posters could make you a target.

Lou Xiao'e is fifteen years old and in her third year of junior high school, an age when she is most vulnerable to gossip.

She was easily labeled as a capitalist's daughter, someone who grew up on exploitation. He had heard such things far too often in his past life. In this life, he would protect Xiao'e and not let her suffer any injustice.

He Yuzhu returned home and took out a pen and paper. He wanted to write a song for Lou Xiao'e, a song that would shut everyone up. She was fifteen years old, had a good voice, and played the piano well; all she lacked was a decent piece of work.

This song must have a righteous spirit, a sincere love for one's country, and a top-notch theme, leaving no room for criticism from anyone who hears it. The lyrics cannot be slogans; they must be a person's heartfelt words to their country, gentle yet firm.

He wrote the first line on the manuscript paper: My country and I are inseparable.

On Sunday afternoon, He Yuzhu brought egg tarts to the Lou mansion. Lou Xiao'e was painting with Yushui when she saw He Yuzhu come in. She threw down her paintbrush and ran over to get the egg tarts.

"Brother He, today's egg tarts are sweeter than last time."

"Yushui, take some egg tarts to Aunt Lou. I need to talk to your sister Xiao'e about something." He Yuzhu sat down on the sofa, took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and placed it on the coffee table.

Rainwater took the egg tarts upstairs, muttering to herself: "You stinky brother, you've turned your own sister into an outsider."

Lou Xiao'e licked the egg tart crumbs off her fingers, picked up the manuscript paper, read it from beginning to end, and recited the lyrics.

"My country and I are inseparable. Wherever I go, a hymn flows forth. I sing of every mountain, I sing of every river. Wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, small villages graze on the road."

After she finished reading the first paragraph, she looked up at Brother He, then looked down again and continued reading.

"My motherland and I are like the sea and a wave. The wave is the sea's child, and the sea is the wave's support. Whenever the sea smiles, I am the vortex of that smile. I share the sea's sorrows and joys."

She finished reading, her fingers tracing the edge of the manuscript, a strange light in her eyes. She stood up, walked to He Yuzhu, and pressed the manuscript to her chest.

"Brother He, did you write this?"

"You wrote it. You should tell everyone that. I hope this song can be your talisman, and even more so, the Lou family's talisman, do you understand?"

Lou Xiao'e lowered her head, and after a long while she raised it again, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face as she nodded.

He Yuzhu looked into her eyes. "This song isn't a slogan, it's from the heart, and you can't find fault with it at any time. Practice hard, and sing this song at the New Year's Day performance. From now on, no matter who asks you, just say that you wrote the lyrics and music yourself, and that it's all from your heart. From now on, no one will call you a capitalist's daughter; you'll be a progressive youth, a patriotic youth. This song will be your proof."

Lou Xiao'e nodded vigorously, pressing the manuscript paper tightly to her chest. "Brother He! Thank you!"

On New Year's Day, the school auditorium was packed with people.

The principal, the director of teaching affairs, and several leaders from the district education bureau and the district cultural center were seated in the front row.

He Yuzhu stood at the back of the auditorium, leaning against the wall, surrounded by students and parents who had arrived late. Some were standing on tiptoe to look at the stage. The first few performances were choral singing and dancing, and the applause was sparse. Some people were talking quietly with their heads down, while others were looking around.

The curtain was drawn back up, revealing only a pedal organ and a girl in a red sweater on stage.

Lou Xiao'e sat down on the piano bench and placed her hands on the keys.

The audience fell silent. She took a deep breath and her fingers fell. The intro was simple and clean, with a few chords unfolding.

She started singing.

"My country and I are inseparable. Wherever I go, a hymn flows forth. I sing of every mountain, I sing of every river. Wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, small villages graze on the road."

The voice wasn't loud, but it silenced all the whispers in the room.

Some people in the front row took off their glasses to wipe them, while others sat up straight.

Her voice was clear and bright, without any embellishment.

"My dearest motherland, I will always be close to your heart. You speak to me with your motherly pulse."

Some people in the audience covered their mouths. Even a female teacher shed tears.

"My motherland and I are like the sea and a wave. The wave is the sea's child, and the sea is the wave's support. Whenever the sea smiles, I am the vortex of that smile. I share the sea's sorrows and joys."

When she sang "Sharing the joy of the sea," she slightly raised her head, her ponytail swayed gently, and the light shone on her face, making her eyes sparkle.

He Yuzhu leaned against the corner of the wall, his hands in his pockets, his fingers clenched into fists.

"My dearest motherland, you are the sea that never runs dry. Forever give me your clear blue waves and the song in my heart."

After the last sentence, the auditorium was silent for several seconds. The principal and leaders in the front row stood up and applauded, then the people in the back rows stood up, and everyone stood up. The whole hall erupted in applause.

He Yuzhu stood at the very back, a satisfied smile on his face.

Lou Xiao'e stood up and walked to the center of the stage. She stood in the spotlight, her red sweater glowing like fire. She bowed deeply to the audience, her ponytail slipping down her shoulder.

The applause grew louder.

A few days later, the Beijing Daily published a full-page report titled "My Motherland and I: An Original Song by a Female Middle School Student, Expressing the Patriotic Feelings of Youth in the New Era."

The newspaper included a photo of Lou Xiao'e sitting in front of an organ, wearing a red sweater, a ponytail, and looking focused in profile. The report stated: "This patriotic song, with lyrics and music independently written by Lou Xiao'e, a third-year junior high school student in this city, has a beautiful melody and sincere emotions. It expresses the deep feelings of the youth of New China for their motherland and is an excellent literary and artistic work that has emerged under the socialist education policy."

When He Yuzhu went to the Lou Mansion again, Tan Yali stood up from the sofa as soon as he entered the living room. She pulled him to sit down, her eyes a little red.

"Zhu Zi, we understand what you mean, protecting the Lou family from the wind and rain. Xiao'e is where she is today because of your protection step by step."

Lou Bancheng came out of the study, a cigar between his fingers, and sat down opposite He Yuzhu. He didn't say thank you, but went straight to saying:

"Zhu Zi, you're twenty this year, and Xiao'e is fifteen. You told me before that it was too early to propose marriage, but today I want to hear your own thoughts."

He Yuzhu looked up at Lou Bancheng, then at Lou Xiao'e, who had run down from upstairs and was standing at the bottom of the stairs.

She was biting her lip and looking over.

He put down his teacup, stood up, and said in a steady voice, "Uncle Lou, Aunt Tan, I'm twenty this year, and Xiao'e is fifteen. In three years, she'll be eighteen, and I'd like to formally propose marriage. I'll come to marry her three years from now. In this world, besides you two, she's the one I care about most."

"Okay, it's settled then."

Lou Bancheng stood up, walked over, and patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder. The hand landed very lightly, but felt very heavy on the shoulder.

He Yuzhu knew the significance of this song, and when the wind came, he hoped that this song would be the first wall that would block the Lou family from the strong wind.

If this can't stop them, then they'll have no choice but to flee to Hong Kong.