Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

The eleventh day of the tenth lunar month is auspicious for: moving into a new house and setting up a bed.

Early in the morning, Chen Xiangdong carried all his belongings and opened the door to his new dormitory.

The window frames are still the old wooden frames, but they've been repainted green and the glass has been replaced. Sunlight streams through the windows into the room, giving it a warm and cozy feel.

After the walls were repainted and left to air out for a few days, the pungent smell of lime finally dissipated.

According to reports, Chen Xiangdong had nothing but a set of bedding, a cotton-padded jacket and trousers, a washbasin, and a toothbrush.

After placing the bedding on the wooden bed against the wall, Chen Xiangdong put his hands on his hips and looked around the dormitory, which was less than ten square meters in size.

Besides the bed, there was a slightly worn wooden table under the window, and two chairs.

This was much better than he had imagined, far superior to the woodshed.

In his past life, he lived in that dilapidated woodshed for four years, but now, after only a little over a month in the troupe, he has been upgraded to a newly painted staff dormitory.

Just as Chen Xiangdong was sighing over the different fates of his two lives, Qin Pangzi's loud voice rang out from afar: "Dongwazi, come lend a hand!"

He looked outside and saw Fatty Qin carrying an iron pot in his left hand and a tin stove on his right shoulder, heading this way. He was taken aback and asked, "What are you going to do?"

As he spoke, he came out of the dormitory, took a few quick steps and took the tin stove. He saw Fatty Qin chuckle and say, "What are you doing? Aren't you moving into a new house? Aren't you going to perform in the countryside tomorrow? I'm taking a day off today, and Yu Baoliang is taking care of things in the kitchen. I came here specifically to warm up the pot for you and celebrate your new house. Look, I brought the pot and stove with me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Dezhu's laughter rang out behind him: "Dongwazi, come and see, your master has gotten you a washbasin stand."

The two turned their heads and saw Liu Dezhu carrying a washbasin stand, walking over happily.

"Oh dear, Master, why are you spending this money? How can I accept such an expensive item?" Chen Xiangdong looked at the shiny red lacquered tin washbasin stand, which was obviously bought from a supply and marketing cooperative. It was made of thickened iron pipe and must have cost at least eight or nine yuan.

"This is nothing. My apprentice is moving into a new house. How could I, as his master, not show some appreciation? I'll put this in your room." Liu Dezhu smiled and went into the house. He glanced inside and found it empty. He said, "I'll go back to the room and get a few large nails to hammer some nails into the wall. It'll be more convenient to hang clothes and hats in the future."

Chen Xiangdong placed the tin stove at the dormitory entrance, and Fatty Qin put the iron pot on it. He left a sentence and turned to walk towards the front yard: "Wait, I've already talked to He Jianshe's wife. I ordered a big rooster from the food station. Stewed chicken for the new house, good luck and prosperity. We'll have chicken for lunch."

Watching Liu Dezhu and Fatty Qin walk away in a hurry, Chen Xiangdong couldn't help but feel a little touched. He scratched his head and chuckled to himself.

Before long, more people arrived at the dormitory on the east side of the compound. Feng Zhengxiao carried a bag of braised pig's trotters, and Fang Zhengsheng brought two bottles of Xi'an Special Qu liquor, commonly known as the Red Scarf liquor. Chen Xiangdong had anticipated all of this.

But besides them, there were three other people he hadn't expected: Hu Xiaolian, He Jianshe, and Lu Meiyin.

There were only two chairs in the dormitory, which was not enough, so He Jianshe and Liu Dezhu went and brought six more chairs.

Qin Pangzi had just chopped the chicken into pieces when four dishes were already laid out on the table: braised pig's trotters, cold pig's head meat brought by He Jianshe, lamb shank meat from Hu Xiaolian, and pressed meat bought by Lu Meiyin.

Looking at the table laden with delicious dishes, Chen Xiangdong rubbed his hands together and said, "I'm so sorry, it's just a move and everyone's gone to so much trouble..."

He Jianshe waved his hand with a smile: "Alright, kid, why are you being so polite with us? You rushed into the fire to save my niece a while ago, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank you. Let's take this opportunity to have a couple of drinks together."

"Yes, yes," Hu Xiaolian grinned, "We're family, so let's not talk like outsiders."

Several people sat around the table chatting and laughing, while only Fatty Qin was busy adding firewood to stew chicken at the dormitory entrance.

"My dear, my dear, I have received your letter!"

Ma Dongmei, a female actress in the troupe who was close to Lu Meiyin in private, shouted in this direction from the front yard. Her voice was high-pitched and bright, and could be heard clearly from halfway across the yard.

"Oh, here it comes!"

Lu Meiyin paused for a moment, then got up and walked to the front yard. She took the kraft paper envelope from Ma Dongmei, glanced down at the sender's name, and frowned slightly.

Ma Dongmei leaned closer and asked curiously, "Who is this Sun Zhan Dou?"

Lu Meiyin stuffed the envelope into her pocket, her eyes slightly evasive: "N-nothing, just an acquaintance."

After saying that, she turned around and walked back, her steps a few seconds faster than before.

"Braised free-range chicken with scallions is here!" Fatty Qin sang in a fancy voice as he carried in a basin full of stewed free-range chicken, steaming hot, with scallion segments floating on the glistening broth, filling the room with an enticing aroma of meat.

Feng Zhengxiao sniffed the air, nodded and smiled, "Just by smelling it, I can tell this dish is authentic. It tastes exactly like the one my brother-in-law used to make."

Fatty Qin wiped his hands with a rag, sat down next to Feng Zhengxiao, and said smugly, "Hehe, it's all thanks to my second uncle's expertise. My dad's braised chicken with red onions was famous throughout the surrounding area. It's a family recipe, so it has to be authentic."

"Don't brag yet, let me try it and see if it's really authentic."

Liu Dezhu chuckled, picked up a piece of meat, blew on it, and popped it into his mouth. After just one chew, his eyes lit up: "Hmm? Fatty Qin, you've been keeping your cooking secrets! This chicken stew is so flavorful and aromatic, it smells amazing! How come I've never seen you make this in the cafeteria before?"

Fatty Qin rolled his eyes at him: "Can't you do math? How much is chicken per pound? How much is pork? You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge. I'm in charge of the meals for more than a hundred people in the troupe, so I have to be very careful with the money."

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, He Jianshe quickly coughed and said, "Stop being so cheeky. Today is Dongwa's housewarming day. I suggest we all have a toast to wish Dongwa a prosperous and successful future."

"good!"

The group of people all laughed and agreed, and stood up one after another.

"Thank you all for remembering me. I won't say anything more, let's have a toast!" Chen Xiangdong raised his glass with a smile.

Let's have a drink!

Of the eight people present, everyone except Lu Meiyin drank a little. There were only two bottles of Red Scarf liquor, which, when divided equally, amounted to less than three ounces of liquor per person.

For the men of northern Shaanxi, this little bit of wine is just enough to moisten their throats and pass through their mouths.

The group chatted for a while until after 3 p.m. before breaking up. In the end, they finished all the drinks and left nothing on their plates and bowls.

.........

Lu Meiyin returned to her room, closed the door, and then hesitantly took the letter out of her pocket. She tore open the seal, unfolded the letter, and the contents immediately made her frown in disgust:

Comrade Lu Meiyin:

I hope you are well. Reading this letter is like seeing you in person.

Since that day we met, my longing for you has been like the wild grass in the mountains, unstoppable...

Lu Meiyin got goosebumps after reading only half of the letter.

She spat at the letter, tore it into several pieces with a "crack," crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the wastebasket at her feet.

"Watermelon rind!"