Did the Song family’s thoughts even matter now?

Elder Song found their commotion annoying and bypassed them completely, calling Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen to meet in his study… This was a rare privilege, as Song family women generally weren’t allowed in Elder Song’s study.

Though Xia Xiaolan didn’t know this detail, Elder Song’s gesture served as “backing” for the mother-daughter pair. Even before meeting him, she felt goodwill toward Elder Song.

Of course, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t forgotten that Elder Song, busy as he was, was meeting them because of Tang Hongen.

—Uncle Tang must be truly valued by Elder Song.

In Guan Hui’e’s stories, Xia Xiaolan had only heard about Tang Hongen’s persistence in “truth” – his steadfast support for Elder Song’s side. Today, she finally experienced firsthand Elder Song’s high regard and protection for Tang Hongen.

With this mindset, Xia Xiaolan met Elder Song.

In his seventies, Elder Song was of medium height with an unbowed back. Though thin, his complexion was ruddy. Beyond the age of learning standard Mandarin, his speech carried a regional accent:

“Comrade Liu, we meet again.”

Liu Fen found the Elder’s warmth endearing and couldn’t help smiling:

“Yes! We meet again! How has your health been lately?”

Asking about health right away was common in the countryside.

It was common in cities too.

Only in official circles was it different.

Peers superiors and subordinates would ask about work instead.

Elder Song had few superiors but many subordinates… Apart from old friends who had weathered battles together, few would ask about his health. A leader’s health wasn’t exactly classified, but it wasn’t appropriate for most people to inquire about.

Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have asked – she knew better.

Liu Fen remained completely unaware of these “unwritten rules.” Though she had changed significantly, she hadn’t learned these protocols yet.

Fortunately, Elder Song had met her before and knew what kind of person she was. He genuinely appreciated her sincerity and answered earnestly:

“My health is quite good. I can eat and sleep well, and I practice martial arts every morning and evening.”

Really?

Liu Fen was skeptical.

If his health was truly good, why did he keep recuperating at Xiangshan?

Though she didn’t voice her doubt, her thoughts were written all over her face.

Elder Song didn’t explain further.

Sometimes “recuperating” wasn’t about actual illness but rather what the situation required. Some matters were challenging even for Elder Song to handle.

Tang Hongen quickly changed the subject, “You’ve met Fen, this is her daughter Xia Xiaolan, whom I’ve mentioned to you.”

Feeling Elder Song’s gaze upon her, Xia Xiaolan straightened her back even more.

“Hello, Elder Song!”

If she were bolder, she could have called him Grandfather Song.

But Xia Xiaolan wanted to remain reserved, avoiding appearing too slick and embarrassing Tang Hongen.

Elder Song looked at her twice, “Different from what Hongen described.”

Xia Xiaolan immediately became curious about how Tang Hongen had described her to Elder Song.

Elder Song chuckled, “Want to know? I won’t tell you.”

Xia Xiaolan nearly collapsed – Elder Song’s playfulness could throw out her back!

After the Elder’s joke, the atmosphere indeed relaxed. Having spoken with Liu Fen last time, he was more interested in Xia Xiaolan now. He didn’t care much about academic excellence.

Had he seen few accomplished scholars?

Without exceptional intelligence, one wouldn’t even qualify to speak in his presence.

Xia Xiaolan’s modest earnings weren’t impressive either.

Elder Song regularly met with leaders of major state-owned enterprises.

What interested Elder Song was Xia Xiaolan’s attitude.

When the “Reform and Opening-up” policy was implemented, leaving aside broader environmental changes, some ordinary citizens made money through private enterprise.

But these people lived in fear, as policies fluctuated between strict and lenient, especially unstable in recent years.

Only Xia Xiaolan, from the few words Tang Hongen had mentioned, showed no fear at all.

Even many intellectuals wavered.

Even those qualified to make policies hesitated.

Without precedent, uncertain whether their approved policies benefited the country and people, they naturally became indecisive, exercising extreme caution!

As for Xia Xiaolan, was she truly like a fearless calf facing a tiger?

Elder Song’s question made Xia Xiaolan break into a cold sweat—his sharp insight immediately grasped the key point. Of course, she wasn’t afraid, because she knew the course of history.

Despite any twists and turns along the way, the broad direction of history wouldn’t change. “Reform and Opening-up” would remain a firm national policy for years.

But how could she explain this to Elder Song?

Making up a story would be easy, but lying to Elder Song would be foolish – he’d see through it immediately.

After some hesitation, Xia Xiaolan decided honesty was best, but phrased in terms Elder Song could accept:

“Because I have no way back.”

Elder Song showed interest, gesturing for her to continue.

Xia Xiaolan spoke frankly: “Poverty drives change – without change, starvation awaits. At such times, even the most timid find the courage to take desperate measures! With no retreat possible, one can only grit their teeth and forge ahead… Isn’t the country the same? Cities are poor, rural areas even poorer, which is why leaders like you proposed Reform and opening up. Whether it’s right or wrong, I don’t know, but I can see the changes around me. After the household responsibility system, farmers’ lives improved – that proves it’s not wrong!”

No young woman had ever dared discuss national policy before Elder Song.

Even Song Minglan, his granddaughter, wouldn’t dare.

Though Elder Song supported “Reform and Opening-up,” Xia Xiaolan’s words weren’t mere flattery.

Based on her personal experience, these words came from genuine feelings, naturally avoiding sycophancy.

“Hongen was right, you are indeed very bold.”

This was Elder Song’s evaluation of Xia Xiaolan.

As for further comments, Elder Song certainly wouldn’t express them.

Unknown whether Tang Hongen had said more, or if detailed information about Xia Xiaolan had been placed on Elder Song’s desk before meeting her and her mother, Elder Song seemed thoroughly familiar with Xia Xiaolan’s situation. He asked her several more questions about manipulating public opinion for promotion, whether she made donations and other matters that made Xia Xiaolan break into a sweat.

Fortunately, Xia Xiaolan had a clear conscience about these matters.

She simply answered truthfully, being concise and honestly sharing her thoughts.

Finally, they discussed her planned scholarship program.

Elder Song showed interest, not in college students teaching, but in them going to grassroots levels.

He turned directly to Tang Hongen, ignoring Xia Xiaolan:

“Eliminating poverty shouldn’t be top-down but bottom-up. Educated, cultured, and idealistic college students should go deep into grassroots levels. Could they bring new perspectives, using their knowledge to help local areas escape poverty and achieve prosperity? This experience would in turn train these students, preventing their knowledge from remaining purely theoretical.”

Huh?

That sounded familiar.

Not exactly like the Knowledge Youth Going to Mountains and Countryside movement, but somewhat similar to the future “College Graduate Village Official Program.”

However, Xia Xiaolan remembered that was supposed to happen after the millennium – was it happening early again?!