Reborn in 1977

Chapter 290: Don't worry, I'm here.

The wires were connected, the speakers installed, and the projector was in place.

Waiting for the generator to roar to life, a beam of light pierced the dimness and projected onto the large screen. The noisy playground suddenly fell silent, everyone staring intently at the screen.

Many flickering spots of light appeared on the screen, indicating that the film hadn't started rolling yet. Once the film started, the picture would appear, but those spots… would still be there.

Su Yujun, with the help of a few others, placed over a dozen dishes on the table, brought two jars of wine, and prepared to start feasting.

There were over a dozen dishes, but not many different kinds, because there were two tables, so they prepared two servings of each dish, one for each table.

Peanuts, spiced salt soybeans, boiled broad beans, cold shredded lettuce, scrambled eggs with salt, cured pig liver, steamed cured sausage, and finally, a pot of turtle meat.

Now, turtle meat had almost become a specialty of Lujiawan. When guests came, whether for the team or individuals, most would prepare a serving.

Although this item was less common now, it wasn't completely gone. There just weren't as many to sell, but getting one or two to treat guests was still no problem.

Looking at the dishes on the table, Chen Fan secretly thought he'd been reckless, he should have come without eating.

However, he felt he could still eat two more bowls.

Just as he was about to speak to Ye Shubao, who was sitting next to him, the movie finally officially started.

The first film being shown was a classic that never got old, "Southern Expedition, Northern War."

Of course, from the current point in time, the film re-released in 1974 was definitely considered a new film, and it immediately attracted the attention of almost everyone. The huge playground was silent except for the sound coming from the loudspeaker, and in the brief pauses, you could only hear the whirring of the projector.

Chen Fan looked around.

Good heavens, aside from this wine table, as far as the eye could see, there were quite a few people drinking while watching!?

Almost all the drinkers were men, and mostly older men. They didn't use chairs, but sat on the ground, three or five people gathered together, with a small bowl in front of them.

The bowls didn't contain anything fancy either. The better ones had spiced salt soybeans, peanuts, pickled radish, kimchi, or fresh boiled broad beans, still giving off a fragrance even when cold. The worse ones had just a lump of black fermented soybeans, and they didn't even use chopsticks, but took a bean with their hands and put it in their mouths, enough to have a couple of sips of wine.

There were quite a few people like this, all around, and the surrounding people were used to it, obviously accustomed to it.

However, whether it was the drinking men or the women and children focused on the movie, everyone was intently staring at the screen, seeming to lighten their breathing.

The only two exceptions in the entire place were Chen Fan and the projectionist surnamed Xu.

If this projectionist didn't have a square face, instead of a horse face, Chen Fan would have thought he'd seen a ghost.

Projectionist Xu had naturally seen this film many times, so he didn't even bother to look up, but just drank and ate.

Chen Fan noticed that in the way he looked at the people around him, there wasn't the arrogance of the legendary "Eight Great Workers," but was very peaceful, seemingly without a trace of looking down on the rural people.

Whether it was real or fake, Chen Fan secretly nodded, this was someone worth befriending!

Projectionist Xu suddenly raised his head and, noticing that Chen Fan was looking at him, smiled and said, "Teacher Chen, have you seen this film before?"

Not only have I seen it, I watched it three times in elementary school, twice in middle school, and later, after I started working, when I was bored and disgusted by those traffic-grabbing movies and TV series, I specifically looked for old films to watch, and watched it several more times.

But I can't say that.

Chen Fan raised his wine glass and smiled, "I haven't seen it, I want to watch it too, but I can't let you drink alone, come, let's have a toast."

Projectionist Xu immediately grinned, picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Chen Fan's, "Teacher Chen, you're too kind."

After taking a sip of wine, he put down his glass and said, "It's okay, you watch yours. With such good dishes today, I might as well eat more."

But the sound of the two of them talking directly woke up the people at the table.

Secretary Yang and Su Yujun couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. Seeing the new movie, especially a large-scale war film, they even forgot to entertain the guest, they really shouldn't have!

The few people immediately raised their glasses to toast Projectionist Xu.

The noise at the wine table attracted the dissatisfaction of many people, but when they saw that they were entertaining the projectionist, they all turned their heads away.

You certainly couldn't blame the projectionist, he was showing three full-length films today, without even showing the previews, going straight to the movies, how could you blame him? Wouldn't that be inhumane?

And you couldn't blame Teacher Chen either, what happened earlier had already spread. If it weren't for Teacher Chen, would there be three movies to watch today? Dare you blame him? Wouldn't that be inhumane?

So without a doubt, the brigade leadership and cadres led by Secretary Yang, as well as Su Yujun and others, became the object of muttered complaints, being cursed out one by one in some people's hearts.

However, apart from the wine table, everywhere else remained silent.

Interrupted by Chen Fan, Secretary Yang and the others finally shifted their attention back from the movie, at least they could multitask, watching the movie while chatting with Projectionist Xu, so as not to neglect him.

At this time, Chen Fan curiously asked Ye Shubao, "What did Projectionist Xu mean by not showing the previews?"

Before Ye Shubao could answer, Projectionist Xu, who had been paying attention to Chen Fan, laughed and said, "The so-called previews are actually some shorter documentaries and propaganda films."

He picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Chen Fan's, took a sip of wine, and continued, "You asking this question shows that you've never watched an outdoor movie in the countryside."

Chen Fan grinned awkwardly, not knowing how to answer.

How could I say I've seen it? Although that was already the late 90s.

Projectionist Xu ate a broad bean and said with a smile, "Did you see a lot of outsiders coming over just now? Even now, there are still people rushing here?"

Chen Fan nodded, then suddenly realized, "Showing the 'previews' is specifically to wait for them?"

Projectionist Xu nodded and said softly with a smile, "In name, the movie starts at 6 o'clock, but under normal circumstances, the projectionist has to leave at least half an hour to show some 'previews.' The content is mainly current affairs news produced by the News Documentary Film Studio, such as 'Ode to the Heroes of Zhenbao Island,' or the deeds of Mr. Li. The main purpose, in fact, is to extend the time, waiting for the masses coming from afar."

As he spoke, he pointed around, "Experienced projectionists know, they start showing the main feature only when they see that almost everyone has arrived."

At this time, Team Leader Zhang interjected, "I remember you used to have a rhyme when showing the main feature, but in recent years, you've said it less."

Projectionist Xu laughed and said, "I've come here so many times, everyone must know it, so I'm too lazy to say it."

But Chen Fan was a little curious, "What rhyme?"

Projectionist Xu put down his chopsticks and demonstrated, "There are many machines on the projection stand, only a small square table, everyone don't crowd around and touch, you can't escape if you damage the machine."

Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle when he heard it.

This sounds just like those guys from the '90s who went door-to-door selling rat poison!

The few of them chatted and laughed, and time passed without them realizing it.

Suddenly, there was a commotion on the playground. Before Chen Fan could turn his head to look, Xiao Liewen, who had been watching the movie, turned around and said, "Is it time to change the reel?"

Xu Fangying didn't say a word, tossed aside his chopsticks and wine glass, and ran to the back.

During the reel change, the people who had been focused on watching the movie earlier all perked up.

Children ran back and forth in front of the screen, making guns with their hands and constantly making "biubiubiu" sounds, resembling the brave soldiers fighting on the screen.

The women seized the time to discuss the plot, but as they chatted, it turned into a discussion of whether the division commander or the political instructor was better looking. In the end, they concluded that neither of them was as good-looking as Teacher Chen from their team, and they didn't know which hussy would get lucky.

The older folks chatted about the war years, and as they talked, it turned into a grievance session. One by one, fueled by alcohol, they were filled with righteous indignation, regretting why they hadn't followed the main force back then.

So-and-so took two kitchen knives and joined the main force, and now he's a regimental commander somewhere. If he can do it, why can't we?

The surroundings were full of noise, but Xu Fangying remained unmoved, concentrating on changing the film.

The experienced master was indeed experienced. In a few minutes, he changed the film and the movie started again.

He made sure there were no problems before walking back to sit down and said, "One reel of film can only play for 45 minutes. We have to change the reel every 45 minutes. A movie requires two or three reel changes, which is hard work."

Without a word, Chen Fan raised his wine glass, "Hard work, hard work, come, let's have a drink."

Xu Fangying didn't think it was hard work anymore, picked up his wine glass and drained it.

After putting down his wine glass, Xu Fangying, perhaps due to the alcohol, or perhaps because he had opened the floodgates, was clearly talking more at this point. "This year is considered good. Many movies have been unbanned and can be shown. In the past few years, it was just those few movies over and over again."

As he spoke, he started counting on his fingers, "'The Red Lantern', 'Shajiabang', 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy', 'Raid on the White Tiger Regiment', 'Reconnaissance Across the River', 'Sparkling Red Star', 'Tunnel Warfare', 'Mine Warfare', just those few over and over again.

Many people asked, 'Huh? Do you only have these few movies? Don't you have anything else?'

I want something else too!

He slammed the table and said, "They only watch it two or three times a year, and they feel bored and uncomfortable. What about me? I watch it more than 300 times a year. No matter how good the movie is, I'm sick of it!"

Chen Fan tried hard to maintain the expression on his face, but he felt like he was about to lose it.

So he quickly said, "Come, come, let's drink, let's drink."

Xu Fangying picked up a piece of turtle meat and suddenly asked, "I heard that you invented this turtle meat too?"

Chen Fan blinked. Could he use the word "invented"?

However, he understood what Xu Fangying meant, so he smiled and said, "Not really. Eating turtle has been a tradition in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian areas for hundreds of years. I'm just borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha."

Xu Fangying raised his wine glass, "That's very good too. I like this turtle meat very much. It's better than chicken. Come, let's toast to you."

Chen Fan clinked glasses with him, his eyes a little worried. He said that they were going to show three movies today. Don't get drunk before then?!

He looked at the others, hoping to find some help.

Well, Su Yujun, who had been calling Xu Fangying a brother just now, was biting his chopsticks and forgot to let go; Secretary Yang, who claimed to have seen the world, was holding his wine glass and didn't know who to toast; Ye Shubao stretched his chopsticks into the dish, picked up some air and put it in his mouth, then raised his wine glass and clinked glasses with the air, drinking happily; Xiao Liewen was staring at the screen, forgetting to eat, just smoking non-stop.

The only one who still knew how to eat was Zhang Wenliang, who was sitting at the end. He simply turned around to face the screen, his fists clenched tightly, as if he had traveled back to the time and space of that year, fighting alongside thousands of veterans.

How could Xu Fangying know Teacher Chen's worries? It was rare to meet a great writer who was praised by both the leader and the leader's leader, and this great writer was also very compatible with him, and spoke even better than him, so why not drink like crazy?

So, under Chen Fan's worried gaze, one scoop after another of wine was ladled from the wine jar, one cup for you, one cup for me, if we're brothers, let's drink it all!

Another 45 minutes passed, and Xu Fangying stood up and swayed. "Teacher Chen, I'm going to change the film. We'll continue drinking when I get back."

Chen Fan's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "Xu Fangying, I'm very curious about showing movies. Can you teach me how to change the reel?"

Without a word, Xu Fangying said, "What's there to it? Come here, I'll teach you how to change it."

Then he turned around and staggered towards the projector.

Chen Fan quickly ran in front of him and whispered, "I heard that learning a hundred times is not as good as practicing once. How about this, you instruct me, and I'll do it, how about that?"

Xu Fangying now simply regarded him as his own brother. Did he even need to ask about such a small matter?

He immediately pointed to the copy in the box, "Let me tell you, changing the film is very simple. First, take the reel off the machine, then put this reel on, but you can't put it on directly, you have to turn it. I'll teach you, you have to turn it like this first, then turn it like that..."

In less than two minutes, Chen Fan learned how to change the film.

He accompanied Xu Fangying to continue drinking, and as they drank, the first movie finally finished.

It wasn't until this time that Secretary Yang and the others came back to their senses.

"Oh, this movie is well made, that division commander acted very well!"

"The division commander acted well, but the role of the political commissar cannot be ignored either."

"Squad Leader Chen is similar to my old squad leader back then, daring to fight and daring to risk his life. It's a pity that he risked his life too much and died."

"Actually, that soldier named Li Hu is also very good, with flesh and blood, worthy of our entire militia to learn from him, and we must also be a steel knife for the motherland!"

As they chatted, Secretary Yang was the first to notice something was wrong, "Hey, why hasn't Xu Fangying gone to change the film yet?"

Su Yujun looked at Xu Fangying, who was holding his wine glass, holding his chopsticks, but looking down in thought, and whispered, "Xu Fangying, Xu Fangying?"

Seeing that Xu Fangying didn't respond, he turned his head and gently pushed him.

Well, Xu Fangying fell on the table with a thud and even started snoring.

Everyone felt numb at this.

Secretary Yang, "He got drunk after only one movie, what are we going to do?"

Xiao Liewen, "Alas, we shouldn't have let him drink first."

Just when everyone was at a loss, the movie suddenly started again, and it was a new movie.

Turning around, they saw Chen Fan walking over and sitting down, smiling and saying, "Don't worry, I've got it."