"I just can’t stand the way she acts," burst out Yang Wenying, her temper finally getting the better of her. "Every time I see Hai Lan, I’m reminded of Su Yun. No wonder people say that like attracts like—they truly are born to be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. What bad luck has befallen the Meng Family? Such a good man marrying a woman like her."
Qiu Bai, frightened, quickly covered her mouth, "Keep your voice down. Do you think you can talk about our president like that? Have you no sense?"
Yang Wenying also realized that she had misspoken, regardless of what she thought of Su Yun. At the very least, Meng Xingzhi was a leader worthy of her respect; how could she casually gossip about leaders behind their backs?
"Just cool off. I’ll suspend Hai Lan from training for three days!" Qiu Bai was utterly disappointed with Hai Lan after the incident that morning.
The dancer she had pre-selected to be the lead would no longer be a possibility for her.
The place Su Yun was sent down to during those years was called Liyang County. The siblings took the sleeper train all the way there, arriving dusty and tired.
When they got out of the train station, people from the Liyang County Office, as well as those sent by Su Hai, were waiting outside with a jeep.
After greeting each other, both parties got into the vehicle and left together.
On the way back to the county guest house, the office director gave a detailed account of the investigation results.
"Director Su, our county underwent reorganization in 1971, and the boundaries of the original surrounding three counties were expanded. The place you’re looking for went by a name that was used twenty years ago and is no longer in use. A more in-depth investigation will be needed."
Su Yun turned pale, her hand trembling as she clung to Su Hai’s.
She hadn’t expected that the little village she was sent to had long since disappeared!
The office director continued, "In 1975, there was a severe famine in the north, and many people starved to death. Some others fled south. The person you are looking for may well no longer be here."
Whether they were dead or had fled, the office director did not dare to say, because the expression on Su Hai’s face was terrible, as if he wanted to strangle him.
He was one of the men raised by Mr. Su, part of the direct Su Family line. He had been injured at a rescue site in his younger years and had to retire early from the military.
It was Mr. Su who later arranged for him to work at the county office, giving him hope. And the proudest achievement of his life was discovering the war hero Xu Qigang.
That was their pride of Liyang County!
"No matter what, we must find them."
"Yes! May I ask whom you are looking for? If we know the name, our search will be more directed."
Su Hai looked at Su Yun, "Go on! Don’t tell me you don’t even know the person’s name!"
"The name is... Qin Youmin, 53 years old this year, a retired veteran," Su Yun said, lowering her head, her voice filled with pain and suppression.
"That’s great! We have a registry of retired veterans in our office; we’ll definitely be able to find him," said the office director, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Thank you! Also check with the civil affairs bureau," Su Hai added.
Su Hai’s inability to find the person promptly was causing the Su Family to gradually lose patience.
At breakfast, Su Huai’an sipped his porridge and said, "Dad, I heard you went to the Song and Dance Troupe?"
"You’re quite well-informed, aren’t you!" replied his father.
"Hahaha... It’s not surprising that young leaders like places with many beauties, but for someone your age to go there, it’s no wonder people are talking."
"You little brat, you dare to mock your old man," Su Jiang pretended to scold his son, while Mr. Su, leaning on his cane, smacked his son with it.