3: Chapter 3 Visiting Old Master Guo

"From the capital?" The old man straightened up a bit.

"What is your name? I need to let them know inside."

"Li Dakang. Li as in plum, Da as in arrival, Kang as in healthy."

The old man grabbed the old-fashioned rotary phone on the table, dialed a few numbers, and once connected, his voice immediately dropped an octave: "Hello, is this Director Guo's residence? It's Old Wang the gatekeeper... Yes, yes, there's a young man here from the capital named Li Dakang, saying he's here to see you... Alright, I understand."

After hanging up, the old man's face crinkled into a smile, and he gestured inside: "Go on in, go on in. Building 6 is at the very back, the third building on the right, the one with Chinese roses planted in front. Director Guo said he's waiting for you."

Li Dakang handed him another cigarette. This time, the old man took it with both hands and carefully tucked it into his pocket: "Thanks, Little Li, take care."

Walking into the residential compound, he discovered a whole new world inside.

Although they were all red-brick buildings from the sixties with somewhat mottled walls, every path was swept spotlessly clean, and the plane trees on both sides shaded the sky.

Several elderly men holding birdcages sat on stone stools playing Chinese chess, the pieces slapping loudly against the board. Seeing Li Dakang walk by, they all looked up and took a few extra glances.

The young man was wearing a Dacron shirt, looked fresh and clean, and carried gifts without being ostentatious, unlike the spoiled brats who often came by.

In front of Building 6, just as Old Wang the gatekeeper had said, it was covered in various Chinese roses—red, pink, yellow—blooming vigorously, their fragrance wafting halfway down the path.

Just as Li Dakang reached the second floor, he heard a hearty laugh coming from Room 201, mixed with the sound of opera playing on a radio.

He straightened his collar and gently knocked on the wooden door.

"Coming!"

A crisp female voice came from inside, carrying a touch of the gentleness typical of Jiangnan accents.

The door opened, and a woman in her early forties stood at the entrance, wearing a floral dress, her hair permed into stylish waves, her expression gentle and amiable.

She looked Li Dakang up and down for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "You must be Dakang, right? I'm your Auntie Guo Yue, come on in!"

"Hello, Auntie Guo, sorry to intrude." Li Dakang bowed slightly.

"Oh, don't be so polite with your auntie!"

Guo Yue took the items from his hands and chided him playfully: "You came, that's enough, why bring so many things?"

As she spoke, she called into the house: "Dad, Dakang is here!"

In the living room, an old man was rising from the sofa.

He was tall, and although his hair was completely silver, his back was straight as a ramrod. His dark blue Zhongshan suit was ironed perfectly, and the wrinkles on his face held the weight of time. Only his eyes, bright as stars in an autumn pond, radiated a vigorous light. It was none other than Elder Guo Mingxian.

"Grandpa Guo!"

Li Dakang stepped forward quickly and grasped the old man's hand tightly with both of his.

When his fingertips touched the deep scar on the web between the old man's thumb and index finger, his heart stirred. His grandfather, Elder Li, had once told him about this scar—it was left from blocking a bullet for him on the battlefield back in the day. That was a bond forged in life and death.

"Good lad!"

Elder Guo patted Li Dakang's arm forcefully, with considerable strength: "The last time I saw you was at the Old Chief's eightieth birthday. How time flies, it's been nearly ten years!"

His voice was loud and resonant, carrying the distinct cadence of a soldier, not at all like someone in their seventies.

Li Dakang helped Guo Mingxian sit down and took a sandalwood box from the gift bag. Opening it, he revealed a delicately packaged tea canister: "My grandfather specifically asked me to bring this for you. He said it's the Dahongpao tea you love most, freshly picked this year."

Elder Guo picked up the tea canister, his fingers tracing the pine and crane pattern carved on it, his eyes slightly reddening: "The Old Chief still remembers my little preference..."

On the living room wall hung a yellowed old photograph. A young Guo Mingxian in military uniform stood ramrod straight behind Elder Li. Both were grinning, the sunlight falling on their faces, full of youthful spirit.

Back then, Guo Mingxian was Elder Li's guard company commander. He was a sharp shooter with excellent combat skills and had a bright future in the military.

But later, his parents grew old and sickly. To fulfill his filial duties, he resolutely applied for a transfer and returned to Jiang Province.

Elder Li was reluctant to let him go, but he understood his filial piety. He personally made arrangements for Guo Mingxian to join the Jiang Province Department of Agriculture, where he eventually retired honorably as the Director.

The Provincial Department of Agriculture later built a new residential compound with much better conditions, but Elder Guo refused to move, saying he was used to living in Xingyuan and the neighbors were all old colleagues, which made it feel warm and familiar.

"Dakang."

Elder Guo composed himself, sat up straight, and his gaze became serious: "I heard you're coming to work in Jiang Province?"

"Yes." Li Dakang also straightened his posture.

"I want to work at the grassroots level to gain experience. My grandfather often said that young people should spend more time working on the ground."

"Good! That's ambitious!"

Elder Guo suddenly slapped the sofa armrest, his voice rising sharply, which gave Guo Yue, who was bringing over tea, a start.

"Dad, keep your voice down, you'll scare Dakang."

Guo Yue set down the teacup and smiled helplessly: "Dakang isn't one of the soldiers you led back in the day."

"I'm just happy!"

Elder Guo laughed heartily, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunching up like a flower.

"The young kids these days all want to squeeze into government agencies and sit in offices with air conditioning. But Dakang, he's different—he's actively asking to go to the grassroots level. He truly is the Old Chief's grandson!"