Reborn in 1977

By 8:30 in the morning, the thick fog had dissipated, and the blanket of snow over Lujia Bay was bathed in a golden hue under the sunlight.

After finishing breakfast, Chen Fan, holding the Zisha teapot he had cadged from Old Ba's place, pulled up a chair and sat on the veranda, leisurely sipping tea to aid digestion.

The panda, having just finished its bamboo, was lying on the fence, staring at him expectantly.

Chen Fan glanced over, shrugging helplessly, "If I take you out to play, you're afraid of children. Do you still want to go?"

The panda shuddered at the thought of being surrounded by children last time, and quickly shook its head.

Then it continued to stare at him expectantly.

Chen Fan stood up, slowly walked over, and patted the three big heads, "Be good, go play in the snow yourself. I'll give you a bath tonight."

The panda blinked, then suddenly opened its mouth and bit down, getting stuck in the fence gap.

Changchang and Shuishui turned their heads together, looking at their mother blankly, wondering what game she was playing.

At that moment, a series of hoofbeats sounded beside the house, and Yang Ju led two horses over. A saddle had already been placed on the back of the small mare, but only a small cotton quilt was draped over the back of the pony.

Approaching, Yang Ju said, "Teacher, there's only one saddle at home, so I put it on the small mare. I found a thin cotton quilt to drape over the pony."

Chen Fan looked back, casually handed her the teapot, reached out and patted the pony, and smiled, "It's okay, I'll make another one later."

There wasn't a real saddle in the entire Lujia Bay. This one was made by him a year and a half ago. Fortunately, the material was good and the craftsmanship was excellent; it hadn't broken after being used for so long.

As for the horses in the production team, people usually rode them, but they didn't use saddles, just wrapped a layer of soft padding on the horse's back and hung stirrups on both sides.

When Zhou Zhengdong's family came before, they were riding with this kind of gear.

As the two were talking, Yang Mei, Huang Ying, and others came out of the storage room, each carrying something.

Before long, several frames were set up on the threshing ground, with a bamboo pole across them. In less than ten minutes, the bamboo poles were covered with strips of preserved meat, sausages, fish… and other preserved goods.

After returning last night, Chen Fan saw the New Year's goods in the storage room. These were not bought from outside; he didn't have that many meat coupons.

When he independently separated his household before, didn't Team Leader Yang assign him a pig-raising task? Because he was the only one in his family, he only had the task of raising one pig every four years, and that task pig had already been completed and handed over last year.

So the two pigs raised by Yang Mei and the others last year were completely preserved. Half a month ago, Team Leader Yang invited Master Zhu from the food station to come to the door and turn the two large spotted pigs into these preserved goods.

Master Zhu didn't even charge a labor fee, only taking a set of pig offal, saying that he wanted his family to taste Teacher Chen's pig, otherwise he wouldn't even have wanted the offal.

Chen Fan walked through the preserved goods, thinking, when should he go to town and treat Master Zhu to a big drink?

As for these preserved goods, last night he still thought there were too many, but at that time Huang Li was saying beside him, "I don't know if these things are enough to last until after the New Year. If they are not enough, we can get some from home."

Chen Fan was thinking, how could so many things not be enough?

Yang Mei said beside him, "During the New Year, many people will definitely come to Teacher's house to pay New Year's greetings. Otherwise, let's come back on the second day of the New Year."

So, in Chen Fan's silence, their New Year's schedule was happily decided by the several of them.

Chen Fan waved to Yang Ju and the others, "You guys do your own thing, you don't need to stay here all the time."

They didn't say anything, just took a few steps back, watching the two people and two horses slowly descend the slope with smiles.

Bypassing the educated youth compound and stepping onto the country road, Zhou Yali looked at the fields on both sides, feeling refreshed and happy, and shouted, "Ah…"

"Chirp chirp…"

Zhou Yali looked up at the sky, seeing three white gyrfalcons and a gray hobby circling overhead, and immediately chuckled.

Chen Fan was riding on the pony, still as steady as Mount Tai even without a saddle.

Zhou Yali shook the reins, waited until she was closer to Chen Fan, then smiled and said, "You can't see scenery like this in America. Most of the farms in America are industrialized operations, and the farmland is very vast, unlike here…"

She suddenly got stuck, "Old brother, how did that saying go? It's about the farmland being very neat, but there are small roads connecting them, and you can hear people's voices from afar?"

Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly, "Fields and paths connect, and the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard."

Zhou Yali clapped her hands, "Ah, yes, yes, that's it."

Saying that, she clenched her hands, her face full of longing, "What a beautiful pastoral scene!"

Chen Fan, "Read more books if you have nothing to do. What you said is generally used for the Spring and Autumn period, spring plowing and autumn harvest, farmers are busy in the fields, occasionally straightening their backs to shout, and there is a response from afar. Look at this place, it's all white snow, and the field ridges are buried. Where is there any connecting fields and paths, or the sounds of chickens and dogs?"

Zhou Yali's face darkened, "Then what do you say it is?"

Chen Fan chuckled twice, turned to look at the snow-covered wilderness, and smiled, "It could be 'Opening the door in the morning, the mountains are full of snow; the snow clears, the clouds are light, and the sun is cold,' or 'Smoke does not rise from the forest hut, and the city is approaching the end of the year. The sun shines on the pine trees and snow, and the mountain stream brings the evening wind.'"

Zhou Yali pouted, muttering softly, "The hillocks here are only a few dozen meters high, how can there be any mountain stream bringing the evening wind. Besides, it's morning now, and if there's wind, it's morning wind."

Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly, and he patted the pony's neck. The pony immediately neighed and started running forward.

When Zhou Yali saw this, she quickly shook the reins, "Giddy up. Old brother, wait for me."

…

After a short trot, they quickly arrived at Team 5.

Passing through the poplar forest, which only had bare branches left, several dogs ran over, wagging their tails in greeting.

Chen Fan made a few chirping sounds, greeted them, waved and chatted with the villagers who came out of the gate after hearing the sound, then patted the pony's back, and the pony turned right into an alley.

Zhou Yali sat steadily on the horse's back, and after turning the corner, she spurred her horse to ride alongside Chen Fan.

She looked at a lonely small house in front and asked curiously, "Old brother, who lives here?"

Chen Fan smiled, "One of my teachers."

Zhou Yali stuck out her tongue, "You sure have a lot of teachers."

She knew of three masters in Beijing, a professor from Jiangnan University, and the one living here would be the fifth.

Chen Fan guessed what she was thinking and laughed softly, "If you really want to count, my first teacher was Vice Team Leader Xiao of the brigade headquarters. He was the one who introduced me to kung fu. The one living here is my second teacher. I learned the art of Qin (a Chinese musical instrument), chess, calligraphy, painting, and some other miscellaneous subjects from him."

Zhou Yali widened her eyes, "Calligraphy, chess, painting, and music? He taught you those skills? Then this gentleman must be very impressive!"

Although she didn't quite understand the level of her younger brother's calligraphy, chess, painting, and music, she knew it was very high, even praised by Elder Ba.

Then wouldn't the teacher who taught her younger brother be practically a god?

After a few words, they arrived at the door.

Chen Fan dismounted and waited for Zhou Yali to safely get down before going forward to knock on the door.

The door was quickly opened, and when Fourth Master Lu saw Chen Fan, his eyes lit up. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhou Yali, and a strange look suddenly appeared in his eyes, then his gaze shifted to Chen Fan.

Chen Fan knew what he was thinking as soon as he saw it, so he coughed dryly, turned around, gestured for Zhou Yali to come forward, and said with a smile, "Fourth Master, this is my cousin."

Then he said to Zhou Yali, "This is Fourth Master Lu, you can call him Fourth Master like me."

At that moment, Zhou Yali returned to the appearance of a refined lady, stepping forward gracefully and bowing slightly, "Hello, Fourth Master, greetings to you, I wish you good health and longevity."

Straightening up, she realized something and suddenly looked at Chen Fan.

You brought me to see your teacher, shouldn't you bring a small gift?

Chen Fan grinned and chuckled, but didn't say anything.

At this time, Fourth Master Lu was all smiles, nodding at Zhou Yali repeatedly, "Good, good, very thoughtful."

Then he stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation, "Come, please come inside."

After entering the house, without Fourth Master Lu having to do anything, Chen Fan took two cups himself, rinsed them with hot water first, then rummaged through the cabinets to find a few things and brewed two cups of flower tea.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Yali understood.

It turned out that this place, like the capital, didn't require gifts.

Could it be that they would even bring something later?

Fourth Master Lu ignored Chen Fan and started chatting casually with Zhou Yali with a smile, "Your home is in America? Where is your ancestral home? Shandong? Shandong is a good place, with outstanding people, but I've never been there.

Later, your ancestors went to the Northeast, oh, I know, '闯关东' (Venturing into Northeast China), those were difficult times, if it wasn't to survive, who would bring their families to venture into the Northeast?…"

Chen Fan held his teacup, pulled up a chair, and sat aside, watching Zhou Yali answer Fourth Master Lu fluently with a gentle and demure demeanor.

See, how could the Zhou family, a wealthy family that has been passed down for more than half a century, have a crazy girl? Only now does she show some of the airs of a young lady from a wealthy family.

Fourth Master Lu asked, Zhou Yali answered, from America to Shandong, from Shandong to the Northeast, and soon they talked about the Zhou family's business back then.

"So you are a descendant of Boss Zhou of Shenglongchang?"

Fourth Master Lu was quite surprised when he heard Zhou Yali mention the business founded by Grandpa Zhou, "Thinking back then, Shenglongchang was a well-known merchant in Tianjin and Shanghai. I even bought things from Shenglongchang during those years in Shanghai. Shenglongchang's northern goods were of good quality and low price, and it was well-known.

It's a pity that after the Northeast fell, Shenglongchang closed its doors not long after. At that time, many people were guessing whether they had encountered some difficulties. I didn't expect that they had gone overseas to America."

After a pause, he shook his head with a smile, "At least the family is still there, which can be considered a blessed family."

Chen Fan and Zhou Yali looked at each other, both somewhat surprised.

They didn't expect that this could be connected after so many twists and turns?

But that's also true, if the Zhou family's business had really taken root in Tianjin and Shanghai, it would definitely have been frequented by wealthy people.

As the young master of a landlord family, and having spent time in Shanghai, it was normal for Fourth Master Lu to have some interaction with them.

After chatting for a few words, Fourth Master Lu found an excuse, got up and went into the house.

Chen Fan looked at Zhou Yali, then looked back at the half-closed door, his eyes rolled slightly, he stood up and made a gesture, then walked in.

Closing the door casually, Chen Fan looked at Fourth Master Lu rummaging in the cabinet, walked over and whispered with a smile, "Fourth Master, what good things are you looking for?"

Fourth Master Lu turned back and glanced at him, humming twice, then continued to rummage in the cabinet, while whispering, "Last time you came, you said you would bring your wife over for the New Year, I had everything prepared, but you brought a cousin."

He took a jade pendant in his hand, closed the cabinet door, turned to look at Chen Fan, "Are you trying to fool me, old man?"

Chen Fan's face fell, "How could I? People have to go home for the New Year, but it doesn't matter, she will definitely come over on New Year's Eve, I will bring her to see you then, okay?"

The custom here in Yunhu is that if a man and woman are engaged and have confirmed their marriage relationship, even if they are not yet married, the woman must go to the man's house to spend New Year's Eve and eat a reunion dinner together, to show that they are as close as a family and will never regret it.

However, there are still some differences from real couples, that is, they cannot stay overnight and must return to their parents' home on the same day.

This is also the reason why Jiang Lili came to accompany Chen Fan on New Year's Eve last year.

So in a few days, Jiang Lili will still come to Lujiawan, as for whether Tian Tian will come, it is uncertain.

Hearing Chen Fan say this, Fourth Master Lu's face looked a little better. After feeling better, he even joked, "Then tell me, how many are there?"

The corner of Chen Fan's eyes twitched slightly, "I was just joking with you last time, and you took it seriously. Do you think it's the previous dynasty? If it was really the previous dynasty, I would bring ten or eight over and empty your little treasure."

Fourth Master Lu smiled, lowered his voice and said, "If you have the ability, let your wife have ten or eight babies, and you can still empty my old coffers."

Chen Fan's eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement, "This method is not bad!"

Then his face fell again, "Unfortunately, I am a cadre and must abide by the regulations. There will be penalties for having too many."

Before 1978, having children was allowed "at most two", but from January 1, 1979, it became "preferably one", and the one-child policy started from this year.

Moreover, because it was easier to manage, this policy was first implemented for cadres and employees with established positions, so in those years, almost all enterprises and institutions had only one child.

If you violated it, it was not just a matter of fines. In places with strict enforcement, you would even lose your job.

Fourth Master Lu curled his lips, "Just pay the fine, I'll make it up for you."

Chen Fan took a deep breath and gave a thumbs up, "Fourth Master is generous."

The two mumbled and walked out of the room, and Zhou Yali immediately turned her gaze over.

Fourth Master Lu smiled and walked closer, handing the jade pendant over, and said with a smile, "It's our first meeting, and you are also a descendant of an old friend, I'll give you a little meeting gift, don't dislike it."

Zhou Yali was at a loss, instinctively looking at Chen Fan.

Saying that she is a descendant of an old friend is indeed a bit far-fetched.

She only went to buy things twice, and it wasn't even bought from Grandpa, so does that count as an old friend?

Chen Fan smiled and made a gesture, "This is Fourth Master's kindness, accept it."

Only then did Zhou Yali take it with both hands and bowed slightly, "Thank you, Fourth Master."