Reborn in 1977

Chapter 75: Drawing a Pie, I'm Very Skilled

After a satisfying meal, Zhang Wenliang was sent off.

Captain Yang patted Chen Fan's shoulder, burped contentedly, and said with emotion, "The team arranging you here is something I wholeheartedly welcome. Although we won't allocate you a residential plot or let you earn work points, you can live in this educated youth spot indefinitely. Plus, you're the brigade's broadcaster, earning 10 work points a day, which is easy and a hundred times better than earning work points in the fields."

He paused and added, "As for the political review certificate, you wouldn't need it if you weren't going to school or joining the army. It just means you can't become a formal worker or cadre, which is a bit of a disadvantage.

Frankly speaking, if Chief Zhu helps you find your family one day, I'd hate to see you leave. People with your abilities are rare in the production team.

If you're still willing to stay then, I can issue any kind of certificate for you, and any conditions can be discussed. If we can't find them, don't worry. Work diligently for a few years, and when you really need it, I'll go to the brigade and vouch for you. Just relax and work hard here."

Drawing a pie, huh? I'm very familiar with that. I was almost stuffed with it in my previous life.

However, Chen Fan still looked grateful and tearful, "Thank you, Captain, I understand."

Captain Yang patted his arm again before walking back.

Manager Huang said to him, "You can go a little later tomorrow morning. With Master Liu directing, his family will take care of all the preparations. You can go around 11 o'clock to cook a pot of dishes."

He was referring to the construction of Huang Laosi's house.

Chen Fan nodded, "I understand."

Accountant Liu also chuckled, "We'll really be like one family in the future. Work hard."

After saying that, he waved his hand and left.

Chen Fan stood there, waiting for them to walk away before snapping out of his daze and turning to enter the courtyard.

At this time, Jiang Lili had already begun busily cleaning up the dishes.

It must be said that people these days can really eat.

Eight dishes and a soup, plus three casserole pots of rice, were completely wiped out, with Chen Fan's contribution being less than a tenth. The rest was all eaten by Captain Yang and the other three.

Only a little bit was left in the five-jin wine jar. Fortunately, Captain Yang said he would take care of it, saving Chen Fan the trouble of buying wine.

Taking the dishes to the kitchen, Chen Fan noticed that Jiang Lili hadn't finished her food.

She had finished the rice, but most of the dishes were left over, placed in the cupboard.

Chen Fan waited for her to come in, wearing a sullen face, and said, "You only ate so little food, is it because I didn't cook it well?"

Jiang Lili quickly put down the dishes, waving her hands repeatedly, "No, no, this is the best food I've ever eaten."

Saying that, she lowered her head, "It's just that I can't eat so much. Anyway, the temperature is low in winter, so I can save it for tomorrow."

Chen Fan tilted his head and thought for a while, then suddenly sighed, "Ah… I was originally thinking of saving a little on tonight's meal and just making stir-fried fatty pork with cabbage, but unexpectedly, it was another big feast. Tomorrow we'll be eating well at Uncle Huang Si's house too. Why is it so hard to save money?"

Then looking at her, "Let me tell you, you must finish your food tomorrow morning, otherwise you'll ruin my saving plans for the evening, and I won't let you off."

Jiang Lili burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Okay."

"Hey, that's right."

Chen Fan put the dishes into the large pot, scooped a few more ladles of hot water, and said with a smile, "Eat, drink, and be merry, cross that bridge when you come to it. If there's good food today, let's eat it first. Even if we go hungry tomorrow, at least we'll have had a good meal."

Jiang Lili looked at him, pursed her lips and smiled, and said softly, "Thank you."

Chen Fan glanced at her, "What are you thanking me for? You were busy before and after today, and I haven't even said thank you yet."

Jiang Lili lowered her head, "You're so smart, you must know what I mean."

Chen Fan paused his hands, then continued washing the dishes, laughing softly, "The wind from above blows east for a while and west for a while. Now the wind direction has changed, and who knows, one day you might turn the tables, rise to the top, and become a cadre back in Yunhu. Hey, when I come begging at your door one day, don't pretend you don't recognize me."

Jiang Lili looked at him with a smile on her face, "I won't."

It was unclear whether she meant she wouldn't become a phoenix, or that she wouldn't pretend not to recognize him.

This small village was too isolated. There were no newspapers or broadcasts, only the brigade headquarters had them, but she couldn't go there. She only knew about the downfall of bad people last year and the possibility of changing winds from listening to the educated youths from the Nanhugong Commune.

But when will it be implemented, and when will it be her family's turn? She had no idea, so how could she talk about rising to the top?

After a pause of two seconds, she suddenly came back to her senses and quickly walked over to snatch the rag from Chen Fan's hand, "I'll do the dishes, you go and rest for a while."

Chen Fan took two steps back, looked at her and smiled, "Alright, I'll go clean up the house."

This kept them busy until evening. By the time the washbasins and baskets were cleaned and the water tank was filled, the sky had already darkened.

Chen Fan took a bath and, instead of going to bed as usual, turned on the light and began reading a book under the bright light.

The light switch was a pull cord, and the switch box was installed high up. A rope hung down, and pulling it turned the light on and off.

The light bulb was only 20 watts and was an old tungsten filament bulb, far from being comparable to the advanced LED lights of later generations, but it was much better than a kerosene lamp, and there was no black smoke.

The soft light shone on the pages of the book, as if coating the book with a layer of yellow. Chen Fan read each word carefully until he couldn't help but yawn, then put the book away in the cabinet and went to bed.

…

The next morning, Chen Fan heard movement in the courtyard, so he turned over and got out of bed, walking out while yawning.

At this time, Jiang Lili was in the courtyard sweeping the floor with a long bamboo broom. Hearing the sound of the door opening, she turned to look at him, "You're up."

Chen Fan was stimulated by the cold wind outside and yawned again, becoming much more awake. He laughed, "I'll go over and see the excitement early."

Jiang Lili smiled and lowered her head to continue sweeping the floor.

These things had never concerned her.

Chen Fan stood there and watched for a while before washing his face and brushing his teeth. Then, after greeting Jiang Lili, he left the courtyard and walked forward.

Before he even reached Huang Laosi's house, he could hear the sound of hammering. When he walked in and took a look, it was already bustling with activity.

More than a dozen people had taken off their cotton-padded jackets, some wearing only a coverall, and some even revealing their undershirts, digging and shoveling. Trenches had already appeared on the ground, and piles of broken bricks for the foundation were stacked beside them.

When Huang Laosi saw Chen Fan, he immediately greeted him, first patting the dust off his hands, then taking out a pack of economy cigarettes, pushing one out from the bottom and handing it to him, "Master Chen, you're here so early?"

Now Chen Fan also knew a little about the rules here. He had to accept the cigarette whether he smoked or not. He took one out of the cigarette case and said with a smile, "I came over to see after getting up. Uncle Si, where are you cooking?"

Huang Laosi pointed to a room diagonally opposite, "They're still preparing, no rush. Master Liu hasn't even come yet. You can go over there and sit for a while, and start when it's time."

Chen Fan looked and remembered that the woman from yesterday seemed to have come out of this room, so he nodded and smiled, "Okay, I understand."

After a pause, he added, "I'll watch the excitement here, is that okay?"

Huang Laosi laughed loudly, "If you don't mind the mess, you can watch all day."

Saying that, he raised his hand and waved, "Then I won't entertain you."

Chen Fan, "You go ahead and get busy."

Then he stood around with his hands in his pockets, looking around.