Chapter 830
The Fifth Textile Factory of Beidu
Chapter 830 The Fifth Textile Factory of Beidu
The little girl shook her head, tears streaming down her face, mingling with the dirt on her cheeks. "I don't know where they live... I only know they were educated youth from Beidu... Later they went back to the city... My aunt said she was going to sell me to a man with a child... I was scared, so I ran away..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ruixue, who had been standing not far away, changed her expression.
She walked over quickly, grabbed Lu Qiaoge's arm, and whispered, "Qiaoge, don't ask anymore. I can roughly guess what's going on with the child."
Lu Qiaoge stood up and looked at Qin Ruixue.
Qin Ruixue sighed, her breath dissipating in the air. She lowered her voice and explained, "This kind of thing happens too often here... Back then, many educated youth went to the countryside, got married and had children there. Later, many of them returned to the city through connections or job recruitment, but many of them abandoned their rural partners or children. This child's parents must be in that situation."
Then, looking at the little girl, he gently asked in Lu Qiaoge's voice, "Little sister, can you tell us your parents' names?"
The little girl said, "My dad's name is Zhao Zhigang, my mom's name is Hu Dan, and my name is Zhao Xiaojing..."
Qin Ruixue was about to press for more information when Lu Qiaoge stopped her, saying, "Get in the car first, it's too cold here."
Although she could provide energy to the little girl, it wasn't a good place to talk.
However, Lu Qiaoge was unsure whether the little girl would go with her.
So Lu Qiaoge pointed to the jeep in the distance and said, "It's too cold here. I'd like to take you in the car so we can talk in detail. Is that alright?"
Just then, a gray pigeon landed on the jeep with a flock of pigeons. Not only pigeons, but also large and small sparrows landed on the roof.
The little girl's eyes lit up, and she unconsciously moved closer to Lu Qiaoge, because she felt that being with this beautiful older sister was the warmest thing, and it didn't seem so cold anymore.
The little girl nodded vigorously: "Yes...yes..."
So Lu Qiaoge took the little girl's hand and led her into the car.
The gray pigeon cooed a few times and asked happily, "Little master, would you like us to help you find Zhao Zhigang and Hu Dan?"
By this time, Xiaohui and the others had already taken flight. The two sparrows also spread their wings, but they didn't get far before landing on nearby trees.
Lu Qiaoge glanced at the excited Xiaohui.
It seems this is the first time Xiaohui has taken the initiative to ask for this; usually, it's Xiaocangcang who says it.
So Lu Qiaoge nodded and said to it in her heart, "Go, but be careful."
A flock of birds flew away happily, radiating outwards from the present moment as the center point.
Qin Ruixue naturally followed her back.
Xiaohui and the others flew so fast that Qin Ruixue didn't notice.
She only knew that she hadn't finished asking the question she wanted to ask earlier.
However, we already know that the little girl's father's name is Zhao Zhigang, her mother's name is Hu Dan, and her name is Zhao Xiaojing.
Qin Ruixue really wanted others to see that she was trying her best to be a good person.
But actually, she's only a bad person when it comes to Gu Jingwen. As for everything else... she hasn't really offended anyone.
But it's pointless to say that now.
After all, if it weren't for Lu Qiaoge, there would have been a life-or-death difference between them.
Qin Ruixue said eagerly, "I've remembered your parents' names. Could you tell me roughly where they live, or what your grandparents and maternal grandparents do for a living? Just tell me whatever you can remember. I'm free right now. I'll help you find your dad and mom, okay?"
Although Zhao Xiaojing was only twelve years old, she knew that you couldn't just mention two names when looking for someone.
She has been trying to recall a lot these days.
“My grandparents work in a textile factory. My maternal grandparents work in a food factory and a neighborhood committee, respectively. There’s a really big crabapple tree in front of my grandpa’s house. I heard my dad say that many families live in the yard, and the houses are very small. Oh, and the textile factory is the Fifth Textile Factory…” Qin Ruixue’s face lit up with joy.
This information is so comprehensive that you can find the person without much effort.
She looked at Lu Qiaoge excitedly, too embarrassed to urge him to drive, but her eyes conveyed this meaning.
Lu Qiaoge also called over Xiao Cangcang: "Go tell Xiaohui and the others that Zhao Zhigang's father works at the Fifth Textile Factory..."
Xiao Cangcang accepted the order and left.
Lu Qiaoge frowned slightly, glanced at Qin Ruixue, and said directly.
“It’s 1978 now. Some of those educated youth from back then have become workers, some may have become officials, and some have long since remarried. If we send our children there now, it’s like reopening old wounds. What if they don’t acknowledge us, or kick our children out to protect their own reputation? That would truly ruin them!”
Although Lu Qiaoge's words were harsh, they were a sharp and incisive reflection of reality.
She didn't hide it from Zhao Xiaojing.
These are facts that the child needs to know and understand.
In this special era, it was not uncommon for educated youth returning to the city to abandon their rural children, which is an extremely sensitive social issue.
My father has one family, my mother has one family, and I'm the only one left. It feels like I'm superfluous.
Lu Qiaoge even remembered this song...
Qin Ruixue was stunned, but it was an angle she had never considered before.
Qin Ruixue felt somewhat ashamed. She had thought that if she had gone to find Zhao Xiaojing rashly, or even secretly just now, she might have given her a surprise.
She would be so embarrassed if they really got married!
Qin Ruixue remained silent.
Grandma's suggestion that she learn from Lu Qiaoge seems to have some merit now.
Lu Qiaoge looked at Zhao Xiaojing, who was very upset by what she had said, and remained silent for a moment. She said, "We can't go directly to her parents. We need to find out more about her first."
Qin Ruixue asked, "So what do we do now?"
Lu Qiaoge said to Qin Ruixue, "Sister Ruixue, you stay here with Xiaojing, I'm going to make a phone call."
Lu Qiaoge walked quickly to the nearby post office and called her second aunt.
Lu Yun's school was also nearby. One of her comrades' mothers worked at the Beidu Nursing Home, which was under military administration, but it should be returned to civilian control in a dozen years.
The conditions here are quite good; Company Commander Wu's mother works here.
Judging from this child's situation, either her parents really don't want her anymore, or there are some special circumstances.
But regardless of the outcome, there's something wrong with leaving them abandoned in the countryside.
If Zhao Xiaojing could really get into this nursing home, her future would be secure.
Because the children here are mostly children of martyrs, they are all well taken care of.
Moreover, her second aunt's comrade-in-arms, a highly respected senior, made Lu Qiaoge feel at ease entrusting Zhao Xiaojing to her care for the time being.
After the call was connected, Lu Qiaoge briefly explained the situation.
Lu Yun agreed, saying that Lu Qiaoge would drive them over, and she would meet them at the gate.