Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei took pictures all the way with his newly bought camera.

By the time we got off the bus, we had used up a roll of film that was supposed to take 36 photos.

He considered that not only is film not cheap now, but developing photos is also a huge expense, so he didn't just keep taking pictures like he would with a smartphone.

Otherwise, they definitely wouldn't have only shot one roll of film.

It was almost one o'clock in the afternoon when Xu Bei walked back to the shop from the station.

Xu Juan also came from home to help out at the store.

Seeing that there were only two customers in the store picking out socks and that the store wasn't busy at all, Xu Bei picked up his newly replaced film camera and took some candid photos of his mother and her companion.

Zhao Fengying, Xu Li, and Xu Juan were all extremely surprised, and after they came to their senses, they all asked questions.

"Hey bro, where did you get that camera?"

"Brother, did you borrow it from someone?"

Xu Beishun readily admitted, "Yes, I borrowed it from a friend."

Zhao Fengying asked curiously, "What kind of friend is he? He's so generous, willing to lend out such an expensive thing as a camera."

"It's that guy who deals in wooden products. I met some new friends through him yesterday, and we even had drinks together." Xu Bei's ability to make up lies was improving day by day, and he could now smoothly blend a bit of truth into his lies.

Zhao Fengying immediately believed her. "Then you have to be careful holding it, don't let anyone drop or bump it. Also, you didn't even tell me before taking pictures, I heard film is expensive."

As she spoke, she subconsciously tidied her hair and clothes.

Xu Li also started fixing her hair in front of the mirror on the counter, echoing, "Yeah, I wonder if it'll look good when it comes out after we style it before the photoshoot?"

Xu Juan was even more annoyed, "I didn't even change my clothes, and I didn't comb my hair properly. Brother, how many more pictures can we take with that film roll?"

Xu Bei immediately reassured his sister with a smile, "Don't worry, we can still take plenty of pictures."

Then, with a confident tone, she said, "You are all naturally beautiful. You look good whether you dress up or not. In particular, these candid shots are more natural than those taken while waiting to be photographed. You'll see when they're developed."

The mother and her two daughters were delighted to be praised, but they still felt somewhat embarrassed in front of the customers.

The two middle-aged women, who weren't first-time shoppers, also chimed in without hesitation, "The young man is right, you are indeed good-looking."

"Yeah, that's right. And when I go to a photo studio, I don't even know how to smile anymore. They're definitely not as good as candid shots."

Xu Bei was very satisfied with their conversation.

But now everyone knows that film and photo developing are very expensive, so he couldn't just suggest taking a couple of photos for a customer who was still a stranger. He simply rounded down the bill when it came time to pay.

That pleased the two of them so much that they left happily.

Once only their own family members were left in the shop, Zhao Fengying and the others relaxed and let Xu Bei take a bunch of group photos and individual pictures.

Later, some of them even ran outside the store.

Xu Bei specially took a group photo of his mother and the others with the shop sign and storefront, to be printed out and put in an album later.

After all, it's the first store we opened, so it's very memorable.

Just as they were taking pictures, Sister Liu, who lived two houses away, heard the commotion and came out of the tailor shop.

"Oh dear, are you taking pictures?"

Xu Bei was quite grateful to the kind-hearted Sister Liu, especially since they had a good relationship from doing business together and often visited each other, so he naturally greeted her.

"Yes, Sister Liu, I borrowed a camera from a friend, and I still have some film left. I'll take a couple of pictures of you too."

Sister Liu quickly waved her hand to refuse, "No need, you guys take your pictures, those film rolls are quite expensive, I'll just watch the fun."

Zhao Fengying understood her son's thoughts, and besides, she was also very grateful to the woman. She immediately stepped forward and warmly took Sister Liu's hand, saying, "Sister, it's alright. We can't possibly finish taking pictures ourselves. We're quite close by, not strangers, so don't be so formal."

Xu Li chimed in, "Yeah, Sister Liu, we won't take many pictures of you. What's wrong with snapping a couple in front of your shop? You can look at them later when they're developed!"

Sister Liu hadn't taken a photo with the shop since she opened it, so she was immediately interested. "Then I'll be honest and not stand on ceremony with you. But you don't need to take two photos, one is fine."

Holding the camera, Xu Bei said with a smile, "Sister Liu, you must take two photos, one outside the shop and one inside."

Sister Liu thought for a moment, since she had already done a favor, one more photo wouldn't make a difference. She nodded with a smile, "Okay, then I'll take two photos."

So, Xu Bei first took a group photo in front of the tailor shop, and then followed them into the shop.

Because the tailor shop was half the size of their own shop, and with sewing machines, overlock machines, and tables crammed together, Zhao Fengying and the others didn't come in with them.

Sister Liu chose to sit next to the sewing machine and pose as if she were working, chatting casually with Xu Bei while pressing the presser foot.

"I've been so busy with work before the New Year that I haven't had a chance to chat with your mom. She came and made a scene the other day, and then nothing happened. I hope she doesn't come again sometime."

Xu Bei said magnanimously, "Who knows? We'll deal with whatever comes our way. In any case, we're in the right, so we're not afraid of any more trouble."

Sister Liu agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Indeed, they're already getting a divorce. Can't they even borrow money to open a shop and make a living? Don't worry, the neighbors all think you're right; the others are the ones at fault."

Xu Bei didn't really care what others thought, but that didn't mean her mother and the others didn't care, especially since they saw each other all the time. "Sister Liu, I'm relieved to hear you say that. Come on, I think this is okay, face the camera. Hey, say cheese."

Although Sister Liu didn't understand why she had to say "eggplant," she did as she was told, and then belatedly realized that her smile had become even brighter.

"You're really something, kid. The moment you mentioned eggplant, you grinned from ear to ear."

Xu Bei smiled modestly, "I learned it from someone else. Well, Sister Liu, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go back now and bring it to you when it's washed."

Sister Liu also stood up. "Oh dear, thank you so much. I'm a little embarrassed. If you need anything in the future, just let me know. Don't be shy."

Xu Bei, holding the camera, smiled and said, "Sister Liu, you're being too polite. We certainly won't stand on ceremony with you when we need something."

"Alright then. Let's treat each other like family."

Sister Liu escorted Xu Bei all the way to the shop door, and only returned to the tailor shop with a big smile after watching him walk a distance away.

Xu Bei took nearly twenty photos in just a short time.

I plan to save a few photos for my brother-in-law with the remaining film, and take some more when I get home.

Therefore, after returning to the store, I fiddled with the camera for a while and then put it away in my bag.

Just as he finished packing up and joined his mother and the others in their animated discussion about where to take good photos at home, a familiar figure suddenly appeared outside the store...