Reborn in 1977

Chapter 58: The Secret is Out

The next morning, Chen Fan, dressed in his new clothes, found himself in a dilemma.

This clean set of new clothes, especially this hard-to-get green army uniform, topped with a brand-new army overcoat and clean rubber-soled Liberation shoes, would be perfect for a blind date. But to go out and kill softshell turtles?

What if they get dirty and smelly?

He could wear his old clothes, but he had washed them this morning and they hadn't dried yet. If he didn't wash them, Jiang Lili would definitely help him wash them, but he was embarrassed to keep bothering her.

Moreover, he had even washed clean that cotton-padded jacket of unknown origin, planning to return it to Captain Yang when it dried.

So, was he really going to wear his new clothes?

What a struggle!

What was even more agonizing was that Chen Fan never thought he would worry about getting his new clothes dirty one day!

Thinking about later generations, who didn't have ten or eight sets of clothes? Even if new clothes got dirty, no one would care. They could just buy another new set.

Had he been assimilated after only a few days here?

As Jiang Lili walked out of the room holding something, she saw Chen Fan squatting under the eaves, his expression changing constantly. She couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Chen Fan snapped out of his thoughts, stood up, and smiled, "Oh, nothing."

Then, his eyes darted around, and he pointed outside, saying, "I thought I heard some noise over there. I was wondering what the village is doing?"

But in his heart, he thought, 'Forget it, new clothes are going to wear out eventually. I'll just wear this set today.'

It was just a bit flashy.

Hearing Chen Fan's words, Jiang Lili turned her head, listened carefully for a moment, and said with a smile, "Oh, they're probably putting up the telephone poles."

Hearing her say that, Chen Fan remembered that when he went to Team 7 to work yesterday, many households had piles of long wooden telephone poles in front of their doors. Those were brought back from the commune for stringing telephone wires and loudspeakers.

Too bad he had to go to Teams 8 and 9 to work today. He wouldn't be able to watch the excitement.

Or maybe he could just go over there to watch the excitement.

Jiang Lili looked at him, suddenly took a deep breath, and handed over the item in her hands. "Chen Fan, this is…"

Before she could finish speaking, the courtyard door was suddenly knocked on, then creaked open, and Warden Huang walked in carrying a large cloth bag.

Seeing the two of them, his steps faltered, and his brow furrowed slightly. "What are you two doing?"

Jiang Lili was so startled that she withdrew her hand, holding the item and lowering her head in silence.

Chen Fan glanced at her and realized that she was holding a pair of new cotton shoes, but the cotton shoes were clearly not the size for her small feet.

He didn't have time to think too much. He got up and walked towards Warden Huang, smiling, "Warden Huang, you're here! Come in, come in and have a seat."

As he spoke, he made an inviting gesture.

Warden Huang chuckled, "Ah, I won't sit down. Things are still busy up there. We're putting up telephone poles today, and they can't do without me. I have to hurry over."

He gestured to Chen Fan, "Let's talk inside."

When they reached the eaves, he looked at Jiang Lili, who still had her head lowered, and then at the cotton shoes in her arms. "For Master Chen?"

Jiang Lili's fair face instantly turned red, and she didn't dare to raise her head. "I… I…"

Seeing this, Chen Fan quickly smiled and said, "I asked her to help me make them. The weather is getting colder and colder, especially at night when I'm sitting inside reading. My feet get too cold, so I asked Comrade Jiang if she could make me a pair of cotton shoes.

Comrade Jiang is so kind and good-hearted. She took pity on me and agreed. She just finished them and was bringing them over when you arrived."

Warden Huang nodded in realization, "Oh, so that's how it is. That's good."

After a pause, he instructed Chen Fan, "No matter who asks you, that's what you say."

Chen Fan nodded repeatedly, "That's how it is anyway. Of course, I'll say that."

Warden Huang walked further into the room. "Didn't we say a few days ago that we'd make you some clothes and shoes? They're done. We'll bring them to you. They've all been washed clean and dried, so you can wear them directly."

As he spoke, he walked to the bedside, upturned the cloth bag, and poured out a pile of clothes and shoes.

Then, he walked to the table and sat down, took out a small notebook and placed it on the table. "Here's a cotton-padded jacket, a pair of cotton-padded trousers, a pair of cotton shoes, and two sets of unlined clothes and two pairs of cloth shoes. They're all made of homespun cloth, so they're not worth much, but they're warm and comfortable to wear. Try them on. If there are no problems, just sign here."

Chen Fan couldn't stop smiling. He didn't even bother with polite words for these things that had been agreed upon in advance. He immediately nodded and smiled, "Okay, I'll try them on right away."

He immediately took off his army overcoat and put on the homespun cotton-padded jacket.

Then, he turned around, covering himself, and chuckled, "Just right, it fits perfectly."

The cotton-padded jacket had two layers. The inner layer was the cotton-padded core, and the outer layer was a cover, so you could just wash the cover when you needed to.

Although it was woven from homespun cloth, it wasn't ugly at all. It was a classic blue-and-gray pattern that wouldn't be out of style even decades later. It's just that homespun cloth is too soft and easily wrinkled, and it's easy to deform over time, making it not very good-looking when worn.

But if it's just for wearing while working, homespun clothes are just right.

Warden Huang stood up and looked at it, nodding in satisfaction. "It's just a little loose. If the weather gets colder, you can add a cotton vest or sweater inside, and it will be just right."

He also turned to look at Jiang Lili, who was standing at the door, and said meaningfully, "Little Jiang knows how to make clothes, right?"

Hearing him speak to her, Jiang Lili suddenly came back to her senses and quickly nodded slightly. "I… I can."

Ready-made clothes were too expensive these days, costing more than ten or even dozens of yuan a piece. So most people bought cloth and asked a tailor to make them, or simply made them at home.

She had watched her mother make clothes since she was a child, and her mother had taught her by hand, so naturally she knew how to make them.

Warden Huang smiled and said, "Since you've already helped him make a pair of cotton shoes, and he has cloth and cotton here, then help him make a cotton vest, so he can work more easily."

Jiang Lili nodded timidly, "Okay, okay."

Chen Fan was also not polite, grinning and smiling, "Then I'll have to trouble Comrade Little Jiang."

Warden Huang suddenly looked at him strangely. "You're only 16, and she's 17. You're calling her Little Jiang?"

Chen Fan's expression instantly froze. 'Crap, I let it slip.'

Although Jiang Lili still had her head lowered, her eyes were wide open, and she secretly glanced at Chen Fan. '16? Not 18?'

Warden Huang looked at the two of them, too lazy to bother with these trivial matters. He shook his head and said to Chen Fan, "Sign if there are no problems."

Chen Fan quickly came over to sign.

After signing, Warden Huang tucked the notebook into his pocket and strode out.

As soon as he left, Jiang Lili raised her head, puffed out her cheeks, and stared at Chen Fan, looking just like a little goldfish.

Chen Fan originally wanted to explain, but seeing her like this, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Jiang Lili's cheeks flushed, she glared at him, angrily placed the cotton shoes on his bed, and when she turned to leave, she passed by him and gave a fierce "Hmph" before stomping away.