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Xu Damao fiddled with the camera by himself, occasionally directing the audience not to sit haphazardly and block the projector's light.

A special stool was placed near the screen; this was prepared for the leaders.

However, Xiao Shan knew in his heart that the leaders were just joining in the fun.

It shows that he stands with the masses.

It's probably impossible to make them sit here freezing for more than an hour to watch a movie.

Among the crowd, Xiao Shan also saw He Yuzhu and his wife Li Caijuan.

It seems that movies still have a lot of appeal!

Since it was his arch-rival Xu Damao showing a movie, He Yuzhu still came to watch.

Xiao Shan walked over and said to He Yuzhu, "Brother Zhu, Happy New Year! You and your wife came to see a movie!"

"Xiaoshan, Happy New Year!" He Yuzhu greeted Xiaoshan with a smile. "Caijuan wanted to watch a movie, so I brought her here! Let's find a seat quickly, or there won't be any left."

Xiao Shan nodded: "Okay, Brother Zhu, you guys should sit down too!"

In order to find a better location, Xiao Shan went directly to Xu Damao, who was tinkering with the machine.

"Brother Mao, your command is really impressive."

Upon seeing Xiao Shan, Xu Damao smiled and said, "It's Xiao Shan! Come on, sit next to me, this is the best spot to watch the movie!"

"Then I'll benefit from Brother Mao's generosity!" Xiao Shan naturally didn't stand on ceremony with Xu Damao.

Xu Damao laughed and said, "We're brothers, let's not talk about these things. Let's have a drink sometime."

"No problem, I'm ready anytime."

Today's movie is the military education film "Tunnel Warfare".

Although Xiao Shan had watched this movie many times before he traveled through time, he still enjoyed it immensely.

Especially with Xu Damao providing commentary on the film, it's a completely new experience.

Although Xu Damao's character is not very good, his projection and narration skills are unparalleled.

No wonder the steel mill leaders still had Xu Damao screen the film for such a big event today.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of the courtyard house, at the home of the deaf old lady.

Yi Zhonghai knocked on the door and came in: "The old lady is alone!"

"Little Yi is here, please have a seat." The deaf old lady greeted him with a broad smile when she saw that it was Yi Zhonghai who had come in.

After Yi Zhonghai sat down, he asked the deaf old lady, "Grandma, the New Year is just around the corner. Have you decided where you're going to spend it?"

Upon hearing the hidden meaning in Yi Zhonghai's words, the deaf old lady immediately said, "Young Yi, just tell me what you're thinking."

Yi Zhonghai organized his thoughts for a moment, then said to the deaf old lady, "Grandma, my idea is that we invite more families to celebrate the New Year together this time, so it will be more lively."

Seeing the deaf old lady listening attentively to his thoughts, Yi Zhonghai continued, "I plan to invite Zhuzi and his wife, as well as Yushui, along. Since Zhuzi got married, his wife hasn't interacted much with the people in the courtyard, so it'll be a good opportunity for them to get to know each other."

"Let's invite Dongxu's family too, so the four of us can celebrate the New Year together and have some fun."

After listening to Yi Zhonghai's idea, the deaf old lady smiled and said, "Little Yi, your idea is good, but it won't be easy to organize!"

"Zhu Zi's wife is a person with her own opinions, and she may not be willing to spend the New Year with him."

"Give it a try! If it works out, we can all get together for a lively New Year celebration. If it doesn't, we'll just celebrate on our own."

Yi Zhonghai nodded: "That's enough! The Zhu family and the Dongxu family have gone to the steel mill to watch a movie. I'll go find them after the movie is over."

"But Xiao Yi, you said it's more lively with more people, but have you forgotten someone?" The deaf old lady looked at Yi Zhonghai and said slowly, "Xiao Shan only lives alone! If you're inviting people to celebrate the New Year together, you have to invite him too, otherwise someone will complain and you'll be in trouble."

Yi Zhonghai felt utterly disgusted.

During this period, he had a very bad impression of Xiaoshan.

However, the old lady is right. He is called Jiajia or Hejia, but not Xiaoshan, which makes him easy to be criticized.

If it's about inviting people to join in the fun, Xiaoshan is the one who should be invited the most, since he lives alone.

So even though he was unwilling, Yi Zhonghai nodded and said, "Okay, I'll listen to the old lady."

After the movie ended, Xiao Shan went straight back to his courtyard house.

Xu Damao went drinking with his superiors, while He Yuzhu and his wife went shopping.

On his way home, Xiao Shan saw Jia Dongxu's family and greeted them with a smile: "Brother Dongxu, you and your family went to see a movie!"

"Okay!" Jia Dongxu nodded.

Xiao Shan turned his gaze to Bang Geng: "Bang Geng, why don't you call me uncle?"

“Uncle Xiaoshan,” Banggeng said honestly.

Because of the suppression from Jia Dongxu, the Bang Geng is still quite well-behaved.

Xiao Shan reached out and ruffled Bang Geng's bowl cut into a messy bun: "Bang Geng is such a good boy!"

Xiao Shan and the Jia family chatted as they returned to the courtyard, where they ran into Yi Zhonghai.

Xiao Shan looked at Yi Zhonghai and said with a smile, "Uncle, didn't you go to see the movie? Tunnel Warfare, what a great film, it's a pity you didn't see it."

"I've seen it before, but it seemed too crowded today, so I didn't try to squeeze in!" Yi Zhonghai said with a forced smile.

Then he said to Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, I need to discuss something with you!"

"Master, what is it? Tell me!" Jia Dongxu asked Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Xiao Shan and Jia Zhangshi beside him, and mentally organized his thoughts: "Dongxu, this is what I'm thinking. It's almost Chinese New Year, and it would be quite boring for just the two of us, your aunt and me, to celebrate together. So I was thinking of inviting a few more families to celebrate together."

"I plan to invite the deaf old lady from the backyard, Zhu Zi's family, and Xiao Shan. Together with our two families, we can celebrate the New Year together and have a lively time."

When Jia Dongxu heard Yi Zhonghai mention that the five families were celebrating the New Year together, he couldn't help but frown.

For him, spending the New Year with his master and mistress was nothing special.

But he wasn't really willing to spend the New Year with so many families together.

But seeing his master's expectant eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

When Jia Zhangshi heard Yi Zhonghai's plan, her face turned dark.

She had always known Yi Zhonghai's purpose in taking Jia Dongxu as his apprentice, so naturally she didn't want her family to spend the New Year with Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

After all, once you start something like this, it's hard to refuse later.

If Yi Zhonghai and his wife spend every Chinese New Year with their own family, wouldn't that just add a burden to their son?

However, Madam Jia realized that her son would find it difficult to refuse Yi Zhonghai, so she had no choice but to step in and help him.

Jia Zhangshi coughed tactically, then said to Yi Zhonghai, "Uncle, why don't you four families celebrate the New Year together? There are five of us in my family, and it's already chaotic enough. Besides, five families are too many, and there's no room for a table. Rather than sitting at separate tables, it's better to celebrate the New Year at home by yourselves."

Seeing his mother step forward to make excuses for him, Jia Dongxu also spoke up at the right time: "Master, my mother is right! There are five people in our family, and things are already chaotic enough. Let's not celebrate the New Year together! After the New Year, I will invite Master and Mistress to our house for dinner."

Having heard what Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu had said, Yi Zhonghai had no way to force the issue.

So he could only sigh and say, "What you said makes sense. I didn't think it through! I'll ask Zhu Zi again later and see what he thinks!"

Seeing that the Jia family refused, Xiao Shan also spoke up: "Uncle, what Dongxu said is right. Why don't I just stay home for the New Year? It's not good to bother others during the New Year."

Yi Zhonghai didn't feel any regret about Xiao Shan's rejection.

He never wanted Xiao Shan to come along.

Now that Xiaoshan has chosen not to come, that's even better.

Chapter 75, It's Chinese New Year! (Please subscribe!)

However, Yi Zhonghai still wanted to maintain his old-fashioned persona: "Xiaoshan, it's no trouble at all! It's more lively when everyone's together. You're a bit lonely at home all by yourself!"

Unfortunately, Xiao Shan saw through Yi Zhonghai's hypocrisy at a glance.

If you're really worried about being lonely, why have you never invited the original owner of this body to spend the New Year with you before?

This year, I suddenly invited several families to celebrate the New Year together, because I wanted Jia Dongxu and He Yuzhu to take care of you in your old age!

The reason they still invited me is probably just to avoid being criticized by others!

"No need, sir, I'm used to spending the New Year alone!" Xiao Shan waved his hand firmly.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai naturally didn't say anything more: "Alright then!"

Then he turned around and went back to his room.

Xiao Shan also headed towards the backyard.

When Jia Dongxu's family returned home, Jia Zhangshi said rather indignantly, "That old Yi is really something, why did he suddenly think of celebrating the New Year together? With so many people together, where would we find a big table?"

"Mom, Master probably doesn't want the New Year to be so quiet and lonely, he wants it to be lively!" Jia Dongxu said to Jia Zhangshi.

Madam Jia pursed her lips and said, "Let's make it lively! I think it's not that simple!"

After a brief pause, Madam Jia Zhang said to Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, you must also be careful around your master. Don't listen to him in everything, understand?"

"Mom, I know what I'm doing!"

That evening, Yi Zhonghai knocked on He Yuzhu's door.

He Yuzhu ushered Yi Zhonghai into the house and asked with some curiosity, "Uncle, what brings you here so late? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Zhu Zi, has Cai Juan gone out?" Yi Zhonghai did not find Li Cai Juan in the room.

He Yuzhu pointed outside: "Go to Yushui's room and talk to him! Does Grandpa need something? We're related, just say it directly!"

Hearing He Yuzhu's words, Yi Zhonghai felt much better.

Even though he got married, Zhu Zi hasn't changed.

It was still the same pillar he knew.

So Yi Zhonghai smiled and said to He Yuzhu, "Zhuzi, the New Year is coming soon, and I'd like to celebrate it with several families. It'll be more lively with more people."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu looked somewhat embarrassed.

Yi Zhonghai knew he was doomed just by looking at He Yuzhu's expression.

It's estimated that He Yuzhu wouldn't want to spend the New Year together either.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's disappointed expression, He Yuzhu quickly explained, "Uncle, if it were any other year, I would have agreed."

“But this is the first year of my marriage with Caijuan. My master sent word that I should bring my wife and sister to his place for the New Year.”

"He also gave me some pointers on my cooking skills to see if I've improved over the years."

Hearing He Yuzhu's explanation, Yi Zhonghai felt much better.

He Yuzhu going to spend the New Year with his master is considered a way of showing filial piety to his elders, and it's a legitimate reason.

So Yi Zhonghai nodded: "Zhu Zi, you have to go! Our institute values ​​respecting the elderly. Your master has been teaching and imparting knowledge to you, so you should spend the New Year with him and show him your respect."

"Alright, Pillar, I'm leaving now. You stay here by yourself."

After leaving He Yuzhu's house, Yi Zhonghai went straight to the house of the deaf old lady in the backyard.

At this moment, the deaf old lady was squinting, sitting in a chair and resting with her eyes closed.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes: "Xiao Yi, how are things going for the New Year?"

Upon hearing the deaf old lady's question, Yi Zhonghai sighed and said somewhat disappointedly, "Grandma, the matter was not accomplished."

"It's not unexpected. Zhu Zi has a wife, and the Jia family of five is doing quite well. I guess they all want to spend the New Year alone!" the deaf old lady said calmly.

Yi Zhonghai recounted his experience of calling for help to the deaf old lady.

After listening, the deaf old lady smiled and said, "Since they are all unwilling, it's fine if it's just the two of us! Zhu Zi's family doesn't have any elders now, and his master is doing this out of kindness. Xiao Yi, don't take it to heart."

"Grandma, I'm overjoyed!" Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and said, "Zhuzi's respect for his master shows that he's a filial son. His nature hasn't changed, but I can't figure out his wife's character."

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

The time came to the last day of 1958, Lunar New Year's Eve.

On New Year's Eve, Yan Bugui's family had a rare treat.

"Dad, this is such a rare treat! We can finally eat white flour buns again! And we can finally have some meat dishes!" Yan Jiecheng said to Yan Bugui, looking at the food on the table.

Yan Jiefang grabbed a steamed bun and stuffed it into his mouth.

The old man smiled and said to Yan Jiefang, "Eat slowly, don't choke. One steamed bun for each of you. If you're still hungry, you can have cornbread, one for each of you too."