Chapter 6: Could You Write Me a Letter of Guarantee?

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Red Flag Commune, Office of the Educated Youth Affairs.
Xue Mingliang carried his briefcase into the office. Before he could even warm his seat, he was informed that someone was waiting at the door.
The moment he saw the visitor, Xue Mingliang’s eyes widened dramatically. He hurriedly stood up, almost knocking over a freshly brewed cup of hot tea.
“Qingye, when did you get back?!” Xue Mingliang grabbed the visitor in a tight embrace, patting him several times on the back. “Tch, you’re getting stronger by the day!”
Seeing his old classmate Gu Qingye’s face light up with a smile, he responded, “Just got back yesterday, coincidentally on home leave.”
Back in the day, Xue Mingliang and Gu Qingye had enlisted together, but unfortunately, Xue Mingliang failed the physical exam. Every time he saw Gu Qingye, he was filled with envy.
Xue Mingliang pulled up a chair and casually closed the door behind him.
“Tell me what’s on your mind. If it’s something I can handle, you know I’ve got your back!”
He knew Gu Qingye was a busy man, so this visit must be important. Having known each other for over ten years, there was no need for formalities.
“Do you have the latest batch of educated youth files?”
Xue Mingliang paused, surprised. “The youth files?”
Before Gu Qingye could answer, he leaned in, covering his mouth and lowering his voice. “Don’t tell me there’s a problem with someone?”
What could possibly bring Gu Qingye here in person? Xue Mingliang was startled by his own speculation.
Gu Qingye chuckled softly. “Not what you’re thinking.”
Xue Mingliang studied him for a long moment, seeing nothing unusual.
“If it’s really serious, just give me a heads-up without breaking any rules. I’m a bit timid and can’t handle shocks well.”
Gu Qingye sighed. “Honestly, it’s nothing. I just want to understand something personally.”
Xue Mingliang nodded knowingly. “Confidentiality rules, got it! Wait here, I’ll get it for you. Oh, do you want me to find an empty room for you?”
Half an hour later, Gu Qingye closed the files and fell into deep thought.
Her father was a professor who studied abroad; her mother was a doctor. Raised in the capital, she was a true pampered young lady, exactly as he had imagined.
So Lu Youyou was indeed set up?
Outside the conference room, Xue Mingliang stood guard like a sentinel. When Gu Qingye emerged, he immediately leaned in, still whispering as if sharing a top secret.
“All done? I kept watch; no one passed by just now.”
Gu Qingye almost smiled and patted him twice on the shoulder. “Thanks!”
“No problem, all for serving the people!”
As Gu Qingye descended the stairs, he ran into a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit.
The man stopped upon seeing him, scrutinized him briefly, and then asked, “Are you Captain Gu?”

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Gu Qingye quickly searched his memory but didn’t recognize the man.
He extended his right hand. “Hello, I’m Gu Qingye.”
The middle-aged man smiled warmly and introduced himself. “I’m the commune’s propaganda officer. I visited Qiaoshan Village before and saw your family portrait on the wall. Truly impressive—seeing is believing!”
“How’s Comrade Lu Youyou doing in Qiaoshan Village? I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had a chance to visit her.”
The familiar name stirred something in Gu Qingye’s mind.
“You know Comrade Lu?”
“Our families have long been acquainted. Since she came to Red Flag Commune as an educated youth, it’s only natural I look after her.”
The man continued, “I trust leaving her with your family. Your parents often lament never having the chance to repay Old Master Lin’s kindness. Oh, by the way, Old Master Lin is Lu’s grandfather. He was a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert, unfortunately passed away early.”
So when Lu Youyou said “old ties,” she meant the Gu family had once been deeply indebted to her grandfather?
Gu Qingye pressed his lips tightly, a burning heat twisting in his chest like molten lava.
He had never known his own parents and brother had repaid kindness with betrayal.
Leaving Red Flag Commune, Gu Qingye made a stop at the county hospital.
His old classmate working there said that Gu Shuchen’s illness couldn’t be treated locally; perhaps a big city hospital could help.
Was this the reason his parents and brother drugged him?
No one considered that if things went wrong, his military career might end then and there.
Maybe in his parents’ eyes, everything he had fought for with his life wasn’t as important as Gu Shuchen.
As they neared Qiaoshan Village, the rooftops of the educated youth’s quarters came into view when suddenly—
“Brother Gu!”
Lu Youyou waved vigorously, her feet aching from standing. Villagers had told her Gu Shuchen went to the city early that morning, and she had been watching here since evening.
Gu Qingye hadn’t expected Lu Youyou to be waiting for him.
Her clear, penetrating eyes only deepened the cruelty of his family’s betrayal, and he seemed to carry an indelible guilt.
Lu Youyou’s face showed six parts shyness, three parts fear, and one part boldness. Just as she was about to confess bravely, Gu Qingye spoke first.
His voice was solemn and resolute: “Comrade Lu Youyou, if your feelings haven’t changed, I am willing to take responsibility.”
Gu Qingye had made up his mind. He would repay his family’s debt, protect Lu Youyou when she was afraid, and take her away if she agreed.
As for the lingering mysteries, he believed he had never been afraid of anything in his life.
Surprised beyond words, Lu Youyou was so moved she couldn’t speak.
It was the least emotional “proposal” she had ever heard, but that didn’t matter—her life was saved!

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Congratulations to this sacrificial pawn—your life has hope too!
“When can we get our marriage certificate?” Lu Youyou almost blurted out.
Gu Qingye couldn’t help but smile. He had never met a girl like her—shyer than the shy, bolder than the bold.
“We have to submit a marriage application first. Once approved, we can get the certificate.”
“Ahem, I know that. I meant how long it usually takes?”
Lu Youyou steadied herself, reminding herself the mission wasn’t over yet; she couldn’t fall apart.
“About a week if everything goes smoothly.”
Not bad, she could tolerate that.
“So, does that mean we’re officially dating now?” Lu Youyou hesitated, still unsure. “Brother Gu, wait a moment.”
Her two braided pigtails whipped back and forth like the wind, then suddenly Gu Qingye saw a pen, a few sheets of stationery, and a brand-new Little Red Book appear before his eyes.
Lu Youyou held the book with both hands, closed her eyes, and steeled her resolve. “Brother Gu, could you write me a letter of guarantee? You can write it on this.”
Having sworn by Chairman Mao, surely he wouldn’t break his word, right?
Gu Qingye was momentarily stunned. A faint smile crossed his usually stern face.
He stood at attention and saluted Lu Youyou.
“Rest assured, Comrade Lu Youyou, I will never break my promise!”
In the end, Gu Qingye carefully signed the letter of guarantee word by word. Lu Youyou watched with eyes curved into a crescent moon. Unfortunately, her happiness was short-lived, as good things always seemed to come with a “but.”
“Comrade Lu Youyou, I must return to the army tomorrow.”
What?!
Lu Youyou’s hand holding the guarantee letter froze. She swallowed hard. “Th-then... what am I supposed to do?”
“I’ll submit the report as soon as I’m back. Once it’s approved, I’ll send you a telegram,” Gu Qingye said apologetically. “But I might not be able to come and pick you up.”
“It’s okay, I understand. You’re a soldier after all.”
Lu Youyou smiled brightly, but inside she was quietly crying.
What else could she do? She couldn’t stop him from leaving!