From the History of the Republic of China to Raising Children in the 1970s

39

Secretary Gao saw that he was confused, and did not keep him in suspense, and quickly said: "You are Comrade Fu Boyang's high school classmate, right?"

When Li Chengye heard this name suddenly, he was still a little unresponsive, and then he realized that the current Secretary Fu was Comrade Fu Boyang's father, Comrade Fu Boyang who died in the fight against the flood, one of his high school classmates, and also one of his good brothers.

The atmosphere became a little stagnant when the name was mentioned. Although Li Chengye had seen many deaths and lives, he still felt a little sorry for that young life. He said after a pause, "Yes."

In his memory, Li Chengye had indeed been to Fu Boyang's home a few times, but he only met Fu's mother and never met Secretary Fu. He certainly had never dealt with Secretary Fu's secretary. Besides, it has been so many years. Even if he had met her accidentally, he should have forgotten it long ago!

Perhaps aware of Li Chengye's doubts, Secretary Gao explained: "Secretary Fu has a photo of you and Comrade Fu Boyang in his hand. He has always kept it in his office, so I know you guys. You see, there is not much change from the photo."

Secretary Gao has indeed never met Li Chengye, but he has a very good relationship with Fu Boyang. The reason why he knows Li Chengye is that Fu Boyang told him about him. The reason why he knows Li Chengye is indeed because of the photo. This photo can be said to be a very precious thing to Secretary Fu, and it is also the only photo of Comrade Fu Boyang.

Li Chengye naturally remembered what the photo was. It was taken by several people together in the year of their graduation to commemorate that period of friendship. He has one in his hand. In this era, no one would take photos unless they were married. Fu Boyang had already died, and that photo might indeed be his last photo.

Li Chengye had figured out the matter, and said with some regret: "Things have changed!"

Secretary Gao also looked a little sad, "Comrade Boyang is so young and already..."

He didn't say the rest, but both of them understood the unfinished meaning behind it.

The two sat together and chatted for a while, mostly talking about Fu Boyang. Secretary Gao had been with Secretary Fu for a long time and had a good relationship with Fu Boyang, so he was very nice to Li Chengye. The two of them had become more familiar with each other after this conversation.

However, the meeting was about to start, and Secretary Gao had to go to work. He left after talking to Li Chengye for less than ten minutes, leaving Li Chengye alone in the room drinking tea.

Within a few minutes, several more people came in. They were all secretaries of the leaders of various factories, but Li Chengye didn't know any of them.

They should know each other. As soon as they came, they found a place to sit and chat, and looked in Li Chengye's direction from time to time.

Li Chengye just sat there and didn't mean to go over and get to know them immediately.

Just as Li Chengye thought, there were five people sitting together, all of them were secretaries of several factory secretaries in the county, Secretary Gong of the mining factory, Secretary Cheng of the textile factory, Secretary Zhang of the clothing factory, Secretary Xiao of the food factory, and Secretary Xiong of the meat processing factory.

They were all acquaintances, and seeing a stranger in the room, they were very suspicious.

Secretary Gong: "Who of you knows this person? I have no impression of him at all?"

The other four shook their heads, indicating that they did not know him.

Secretary Zhang: "Hey, is this the new secretary of Secretary Chu from the steel factory? I just saw the steel factory's car in the yard."