Reborn in 1977

The next day, at 6 a.m., Chen Fan woke up on time without needing an alarm.

His former dream was to sleep until the afternoon and directly have dinner, but now that he had the means, he couldn't fall asleep.

However, it did fulfill the saying of sleeping until you wake up naturally; he just didn't know when he could count money until his hands cramped.

After getting up, he didn't rush to wash up but went to a slightly wider area to do a set of morning exercises, and then practiced several sets of Qigong.

Half an hour passed, and Chen Fan slowly finished his exercises, standing still, but his body was trembling imperceptibly. Before long, his whole body was steaming, as if he had practiced the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

In fact, it was simply that his body temperature rose, evaporating the sweat from the surface of his body, and the low ambient temperature caused the steam phenomenon.

It's just like how your hands naturally steam after washing them in winter.

This phenomenon is unlikely to be seen in summer.

After finishing his exercises, Chen Fan washed his face, brushed his teeth, changed his clothes, and went to the cafeteria.

The guesthouse cafeteria was in the flat building in front, with the door facing the small courtyard. It wasn't yet 7 a.m., the time for breakfast, so naturally, no one was inside.

He wasn't in a hurry, so he sat with his hands in his pockets on the bench closest to the window, chatting with the people inside through the counter, "Master, what's for breakfast this morning?"

The masters who were busy inside couldn't help but turn to look at him.

Sitting upright with a straight back, wearing a blue liberation cap, a dark blue wool coat, a royal blue Zhongshan suit underneath, and shiny black leather shoes on his feet.

Hey, what a handsome young man.

A middle-aged woman in her forties immediately perked up, carrying a rice bucket and pouring rice porridge into a rice pot soaking in hot water. Then, she threw the rice bucket aside and shouted to Chen Fan, "Young man, which unit are you from?"

Another slightly younger woman held a basket of fried dough sticks and placed it next to her, "Judging from your accent, you're not from the provincial capital, are you? The guesthouse isn't receiving outside guests these days. Are you here to attend the Writers Association meeting?"

Chen Fan nodded with a smile, "Auntie is right, I'm from Yunhu, here for a meeting. I just arrived last night."

Before he finished speaking, a burst of laughter rang out in the kitchen.

The woman carrying the rice bucket slapped the shoulder of the woman holding the fried dough sticks, laughing especially loudly, "Hahahaha, he called you Auntie!"

The younger woman's face flushed slightly, "Young man, you have a sweet mouth. I'm almost 50, probably older than your mother. You should call me Auntie."

Chen Fan sat on the bench, chuckling. His gaze swept across the window sill, so they were having fried dough sticks and rice porridge this morning?

No, there was also the aroma of steamed buns and馒头.

The food was pretty good.

The slightly younger woman spoke again, "Young man, are you married yet? Do you want Auntie to introduce you to someone?"

An uncle in the inner kitchen came over, carrying several tall steamers and putting them down. He turned his head and said, "Sister Liu, are you looking for a son-in-law again?"

He shook his head as he spoke, "I don't think it'll work out."

Sister Liu was immediately annoyed when she heard this, "Why won't it work out?"

The uncle chuckled and said, "Your family's conditions are good. Out of the five people in your family, three are working, and the remaining two haven't graduated yet. But he's not bad either."

He turned to look at Chen Fan, "Look at him, a wool coat, a silk-cotton blend Zhongshan suit. It doesn't look like ordinary tailor's work. At the very least, it's high-end ready-to-wear sold in department stores. This outfit alone can be exchanged for a Forever brand bicycle, do you believe it?!"

Chen Fan looked down at his clothes. Were they that expensive?

This outfit was a gift from the machinery factory, from the same batch as the color TV and air conditioner. Anyway, he hadn't seen the same style and fabric in Yunhu Department Store, so he didn't know how much it was worth.

But nowadays, an ordinary Dacron shirt in a department store costs more than ten yuan. This outfit probably costs at least two hundred yuan, which is almost enough to exchange for a bicycle, and even have some left over.

Of course, that doesn't include the bicycle coupon, otherwise, it wouldn't be enough.

Hearing the uncle's words, the remaining two cooks in the kitchen couldn't help but look at Chen Fan in surprise.

Wearing two hundred yuan? What kind of family conditions did he have?

Seeing everyone's surprised expressions, the uncle said triumphantly, "That's not all. Sister Liu, don't forget what kind of people are staying at the guesthouse now? Besides the leaders from the Culture, Propaganda, and magazine offices, there are only the writer representatives attending the meeting.

Although there are 197 writers in the province, each region only has 2 representatives, for a total of 22 representatives from the 11 regions in the province."

He turned to look at Chen Fan and grinned, "This representative, you said you were from Yunhu just now, so you should be the representative from Yunhu, right?"

Chen Fan was surprised in his heart. Weren't all the writers coming to the meeting?

Hearing the uncle's question, he gently shook his head and smiled, "I'm a new author, not a representative."

As a result, the uncle was even more surprised, carefully looking Chen Fan up and down, "I heard that only one new author was invited to this meeting, so... you are Luwan Chen Fan?"

Chen Fan looked at him with a surprised expression. He guessed so accurately. Could he be a blind student?

What was with only inviting one new author?

No wonder He Qingsheng was so confident last night. It turned out that he hadn't invited anyone else at all.

Seeing that he didn't deny it, the uncle couldn't help but say, "You're really Chen Fan? So young!"

The others in the kitchen couldn't bother to be busy and gathered together at the window to watch the excitement, whispering loudly,

"Oh my, he's Luwan Chen Fan? He's so young?"

"Director Wang said last time that Chen Fan must be at least in his thirties. This looks like he's not even 20, right?"

"He's so handsome, I've never seen anyone better looking than him. Alas, Xiao Liu, you must hurry."

"Good looks, high income, and a writer. Especially this temperament, he looks like a cultured person at first glance. Xiao Liu, don't blame me for being blunt, your daughter is probably not good enough for him."

Sister Liu actually nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I also think she's not good enough."

Chen Fan maintained a pursed-lip smile. After a while, when they finally stopped talking, he stood up and walked over, "Masters, it's 7 o'clock, can I get food now?"

Only then did the masters react, and they rushed around in a flurry, quickly moving all the food to the front of the window and placing it well.

That Sister Liu didn't mention introducing him to someone anymore, and warmly greeted him, "You representatives who come to the meeting don't need tickets, free food and lodging. What do you want to eat? I'll get it for you."

She was busy introducing, "For thin food, there are two types: porridge and soy milk. For dry food, there are fried dough sticks, steamed buns, and馒头. There are also pickled radish and泡菜. You can eat as much as you want, but you can't waste it."

Chen Fan was happy to hear this, "Okay, then two fried dough sticks, 3 steamed buns, and please get me some pickled radish and泡菜, just put it on a plate. Then, please get me a bowl of porridge."

Sister Liu was helping him get bowls and plates to fill with food while looking at him in surprise, "Can you finish this much?"

The fried dough sticks and steamed buns of today are different from those of decades later. Those fried dough sticks are thicker than some girls' arms, and almost the same length. One steamed bun can fill a bowl. Normally, one fried dough stick and one big steamed bun are enough, but he wants two fried dough sticks, 3 steamed buns, and a big bowl of porridge!

Chen Fan smiled and picked up the full plate, "It's about right, I'll eat first, and add more if it's not enough."

He didn't go far, just sat at the nearest table, and regardless of the five people in the kitchen standing in a row to watch, he ate like a whirlwind.

In the end, he took a steamed bun and waved goodbye to the masters, walking out while eating.

When he returned to his room, he hadn't seen a second person go to eat breakfast yet.

Chen Fan thought about it. Since the meeting was tomorrow anyway, why not go out for a walk today.

So he took his money and tickets, and of course, didn't forget to bring his identification and letter of introduction. Then, he locked the door and walked to the front hall.

Behind the front desk, Xiao Peng was dozing off with one hand supporting her chin, but her eyes were always half-open, and she wasn't really asleep.

Seeing Chen Fan coming over, she immediately opened her eyes and stood up, "Writer Chen, you're up so early? Have you had breakfast yet?"

Chen Fan smiled, "I'm used to getting up early in the countryside. I've had breakfast."

Then, looking at her, he asked, "Aren't you off work yet?"

Xiao Peng smiled, "I'll hand over the shift at 8 o'clock, and then go back to rest after having breakfast."

"Oh."

Chen Fan responded and said, "Editor He told me yesterday that the meeting will be tomorrow. I don't know if there are any arrangements for today."

Xiao Peng immediately shook her head, "There are no arrangements on the schedule here. Besides receiving the reporting representatives, there is nothing else to do."

Only then did she notice Chen Fan's attire and asked with slight surprise, "Writer Chen, are you going out?"

Chen Fan laughed, "Don't always call me Writer Chen, it sounds weird. Why don't you just call me by my name."

After a pause, he said, "If there's nothing to do today, I'd like to go out for a walk. Hey, I'd like to ask, do you know if there's a wild game restaurant in the provincial capital?"

Xiao Peng immediately smiled and said, "Is it Yeweijiu Restaurant? Of course, I know it. It's the most famous restaurant in the provincial capital. Even when Changjiang Hotel has VIPs staying, they have to ask them for help, transferring wild game and chefs to help with the cooking."

Chen Fan was a little puzzled. He remembered that Lao Peng clearly said it was Yeweican Restaurant?

But listening to Xiao Peng's explanation, it seemed that it should be that one.

Seeing Chen Fan's thoughtful look, Xiao Peng explained, "Yeweijiu Restaurant used to be called Yeweican Restaurant. However, back then, it was just a small shop with only two storefronts. It didn't sell much food. The most famous was the wild game broth noodles, and then there were the fried sparrows. It was very famous in the provincial capital before liberation, and even the newspapers reported it.

Later, with the public-private partnership, the scale expanded a bit, and there was also a new location, so it was renamed Yeweican Restaurant.

Our provincial capital divides the scale of restaurants very clearly. According to the number of tables and the size of the restaurant, they correspond to restaurants, dining halls, and restaurants from small to large. Restaurant is the largest.

The current Yeweijiu Restaurant has more than 80 employees, as well as its own hunting team, fleet, and motorcade.

Their current shop is a two-story building. The first floor is the hall, which can accommodate hundreds of tables at the same time. The second floor is a private room, with a full ten private rooms, specializing in receiving foreign guests and VIPs.

When you travel in the provincial capital, Yeweijiu Restaurant is indeed a must-go place. Even eating a bowl of wild game broth noodles counts as having been there."

After she finished speaking, Chen Fan couldn't help but smile and said, "You are very familiar with that place. Do you often go there to eat?"

Xiao Peng curled her lips and shook her head repeatedly, "Can't afford it, can't afford it!"

After a pause, she smiled again, "The cheapest wild game broth noodles in Yeweijiu Restaurant are much more expensive than outside, costing 1 yuan a bowl. It's only because most people can afford it that many people go to eat it. I only go there to eat noodles. I don't even dare to think about other wild game dishes."

As she spoke, she made a gesture, her eyes widened, "A roasted pheasant costs 12 yuan! Can you believe it?!"

Chen Fan blinked. A 12 yuan roasted pheasant didn't seem too expensive.

Quanjude's roast duck also costs 8 to 10 yuan each, and this is still the takeaway price. If you eat it in their restaurant, it starts at 12 yuan each, and it's still in short supply.

But thinking about it, a fat chicken only costs three yuan, and a whole chicken pot in a restaurant costs less than 10 yuan. The pheasant has no oil and not much meat, so just eating it fresh costs 12 yuan, which is indeed a lot.

And the wild game broth noodles actually cost 1 yuan a bowl. Other people's noodles are sold by the "jiao", and theirs have already reached the "yuan".

No doubt, it is definitely a high-end consumption place.

But fortunately, with Chen Fan's income, he can still afford to have a meal there occasionally.

Just as he was thinking to himself, Xiao Peng rummaged through the drawer and handed him two tickets, "Here."

Chen Fan looked at the tickets in her hand and couldn't help but find it strange, "What is this?"

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Although wild game broth noodles are expensive, there are still many people who love to eat them, so the Finance and Trade Office in their district specially issued tickets for broth noodles."

As she spoke, she handed it forward again, "Without this ticket, you can't buy broth noodles."

Chen Fan took the ticket with a strange expression and asked, "Is it only broth noodles that require a ticket?"

The reason for asking this is because the ticket really says "Yeweijiu Restaurant Broth Noodles 1 Bowl".

Xiao Peng nodded, "Most people buy broth noodles, so you have to buy them with a ticket. However, there are also cheap foods on the first floor, such as their fried sparrows, which are very good, only 3 cents each, and there are also sparrow noodles, but the taste is not as good as wild game broth noodles, and few people would specifically run to eat this.

As for the flavored delicacies on the second floor, because not as many people buy them, you don't need a ticket. You don't need any meat tickets or food stamps. You can just pay money."

Chen Fan looked at the ticket in his hand and smiled, "Sounds pretty novel."

But he was wondering in his heart, broth noodles 1 yuan? Sparrows only cost 3 cents each?

Little sparrows have too little prestige.

He thought for a while, then looked at Xiao Peng, shook the ticket in his hand, "You gave me the ticket, so you don't have any yourself?"

Before Xiao Peng could speak, he smiled and said, "Or, I'll hire you as a guide and invite you to Yeweijiu Restaurant for dinner?"

Xiao Peng was indeed a little tempted when she heard this. That's Yeweijiu Restaurant, she hasn't eaten there for a long time.

But after thinking for two seconds, she still shook her head, "No need to be so polite, it's just two tickets. And I just finished a night shift, I really don't have the energy to go out."

She picked up the paper and pen on the table, wrote an address, "This is the address of Yeweijiu Restaurant, it's on the main road, it's very convenient for you to drive there. But,"

She looked at the wall clock and chuckled, "It's only 7:30 now, they only serve breakfast, and you just had breakfast. Why don't you go and visit other places first, and then go there for lunch."

Chen Fan nodded and smiled, "Okay."

After saying goodbye to Xiao Peng, he went out to the car and slowly drove out of the yard.

When I arrived yesterday, it was night, and many things could not be seen clearly. Now, looking at the provincial capital again, sure enough... it's just like that.

Where can a city in the 1970s be good?

Even the provincial capital of Jiangnan Province has very few buildings taller than 5 stories.

Compared with Yunhu, which is also an ancient city with thousands of years of history, some places in the provincial capital are even slightly inferior.

But one thing is true, the roads in the provincial capital are indeed much wider than Yunhu, and the entire urban area is two or three times larger.

Besides these, it seems there is nothing else.

No wonder Yunhu area will be dismembered in the future, with such a little brother below, the provincial capital has no face.

Driving out of the alley and onto the main road, most of the buildings along the road are two or three stories high. The first floor is the storefront, and it is not clear whether the second and third floors are residences or offices.

Not long after getting on the main road, I saw the Cultural Square, which I had circled several times last night, covering an area of about half a football field.

At the northern end of the Cultural Square is an auditorium-style building, which is the Workers' Cultural Palace.

At this time, the road was full of bustling crowds, most of whom were riding bicycles to work.

At this time, there are no bicycle lanes. Almost everyone is riding in the middle of the main road in a grand manner. Even the buses full of passengers can only follow behind with a hum, and dare not honk their horns at all.

As a result, Chen Fan's little jeep mixed in with the bicycle team, and naturally couldn't speed up.

It was not easy to wait for the convoy in front to enter one unit after another in batches, and new bicycles joined in front.

Chen Fan was not in a hurry either, driving slowly and observing the street scene along the way.

Like Yunhu, the provincial capital is also a hilly landform, with countless ups and downs along the way.

Then up a slope, the buildings here suddenly became taller.

Chen Fan looked out the window in surprise, looking at the "high-rise buildings" with a full 8 or 9 floors. Because it was a little far away, he couldn't see the plaques hanging at the entrance of the building, so he didn't know what unit was so awesome.

After driving forward for a while, the road gradually narrowed, and the high-rise buildings were gone, replaced by low-rise houses.

These houses are of varying heights. The low ones are bungalows, and the high ones are only two stories high, and they are very close to each other. Looking from a distance, they are dense and similar to the urban villages of decades later.

This should be the old residential area of the provincial capital.

Anyway, he had nothing to do, so he parked the car on the side of the road and plunged into the alley.

As a result, in less than ten minutes, he came out of it again, with a bit of bad luck on his face.

The living conditions here are too bad.

As soon as he walked into the alley, he could smell a stench. In this old residential area, there was not even a sewer, and sewage was flowing everywhere.

Every other section of the road, there is an obvious dry toilet that was dug later. When Chen Fan passed by, there were still many people queuing to pour urine buckets.

That smell directly forced him to another alley.

This alley is slightly better, wider than the previous one, and can even accommodate a light truck to enter and exit.

Then he saw a light truck pulling a water tank slowly moving in, and after driving dozens of meters further, it stopped. One person got out of the cab, pulled up a thick water pipe and aimed it at a pool less than two meters high to release water.

Almost instantly, several figures appeared next to the pool, which was empty just now. In less than a minute, the crowd surrounded the pool, and there were people queuing behind each person.

Chen Fan walked over and took a look. It turned out that they were taking water with buckets.

So there is no tap water here yet?

After watching for less than a minute, Chen Fan couldn't help but walk back.

Still a provincial capital, just this?

However, I remember that some residential areas in Shanghai are also like this. I don't know if it's true.

Well, when I go to Shanghai in a while, I must go and see!