Chapter 23 Watch movies
"Comrade Xu Xiao Jiao, you have made a name for us in Meilin Village. I, the old branch secretary, bask in glory with you."
When they went to the town to report together, they happened to encounter the county leaders’ arrival. When they heard that their village had done a good job in the planting training and increased grain production by 30%, they immediately received him and praised him for his achievements.
In Old Wang’s whole life, he had never seen such a high level leader.
Just now, the people couldn't fit in the house and it was as lively as a market in later generations. Now that the people dispersed, Xu Xiao Jiao's buzzing head calmed down. Song Wei Ping noticed that she was a little afraid of the noisiness. So he poured her a glass of honey water to drink.
Xu Xiao Jiao drank honey water and greeted the village branch secretary, "It's all thanks to the branch secretary. If you didn't find out that I have this usefulness, I wouldn't be able to make these contributions. Besides, you saw the training manual. My family’s Elder Brother Wei Ping helped me tidy it all up. If I was alone, I wouldn't be able to do it so well."
The branch secretary nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good. We are doing building. We need husband and wife comrades like you who help each other. This time, the county leader asked you to train students from the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers college. You can't refuse."
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't intend to refuse. Being able to go to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers college and see the characteristics of this era would be interesting.
"I’ll go."
The branch secretary was even more satisfied, "Okay. I knew that Comrade Xiao Jiao wouldn't shy away."
But Song Wei Ping had his own thoughts, "Can I go with her?"
When Xu Xiao Jiao heard this, she nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, can Song Wei Ping accompany me? He isn’t at ease with me being so far away."
The branch secretary was a little put on the spot, "It's okay for him to go, but you are on a business trip. Not to mention the full work credit, you will get a subsidy of 80 cents a day and have accommodation arranged. If Ping boy goes with you, you can't live in it. You can only find a place to live by yourself."
Seeing that Song Wei Ping frowned at this, he hurriedly added, "But don't worry, the organization had arranged everything. This time, I will go with you. Also the female director comrade from the town. I know her well. She’s a warm hearted person. She is also a worker, peasant, and soldier college’s student and is doing an on-the-job study. Because she have a job, she goes to study for fifteen days every other month. It so happened that the leader arranged for you to share a dormitory with her. Rest assured."
"What's more, your training time this time isn’t long. Just go by our village’s training at the beginning of the year. It’s for the agricultural students who are about to graduate. They are all going to be the backbone of each production team. This way, they’ll spread our planting techniques to the public. Xiao Jiao, it's a wonderful thing!"
The branch secretary was a person who had experienced the famine years. He knew that a few grains of grain could sometimes save lives. To allow other farmers produce more grain made him overjoyed.
Hearing this, the arrangement was quite thorough. Song Wei Ping nodded. Basically, there was no problem.
After the branch secretary left, the family relaxed and began to cheer.
Xu Xiao Gang jumped up all of a sudden, "Elder Sister, you are going to be a teacher at the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers College! Oh! My elder sister is so amazing!"
When he gets to school, he must tell other students to make everyone envy him.
Although Wu Chun Hua couldn't read all the words, she kept looking at the red pennant hanging in the middle of the Song family’s hall. She kept reminiscing, "Oh, our family had never been so famous in all our lives. My daughter is powerful."
Grandmother Song unconditionally supported her words, "Ain’t that right. The gongs and drums were loud. How lively. During the feudal period, when someone became a top scholar, the one who announced the good news was like this. Our Xiao Jiao is blessed. "
Xu Xiao Jiao couldn't help jumping for joy when she saw Grandmother and her mother talk to each other and look happier than earning the honor by themselves. This kind of atmosphere where you have achieved achievements and the family was proud of you was very satisfying ah.
"Hey, Song Wei Ping, why don't you praise me." Xu Xiao Jiao turned her head and asked Song Wei Ping quietly.
Song Wei Ping had been looking at Xu Xiao Jiao. Hearing this, he couldn't help but reach out and rub her head, "You are amazing. I feel a little inferior."
Xu Xiao Jiao felt the weight on her head and subconsciously wanted to squint her eyes. She asked, "You're afraid you won't be good enough for me."
"En."
Xu Xiao Jiao moved closer to him, "Be at peace. It’s only just the beginning. In the future, your achievements will definitely be higher than mine. At that time, ten of me will not be able to keep up with one of you. You can't disdain that I’m not good enough for you."
"I won’t." Song Wei Ping shook his head. If he could become that powerful, she must be better than him.
The atmosphere in their house was peaceful and happy. While the other side was full of bad air.
"What's the big deal? Even if they talk until flowers pop out, they’re still farmers!"
Han Guang Hui and the other educated youths walked back with red faces and red ears. Zhao Yan Yan was indignant.
Li You Hai wanted to say a few words. Don't such a downer. If it weren't for you now, would we have lose such face as adults? Zhao Yan Yan spoke too fast. She threw everything out of her mind when she saw the drums and gongs. He had heard it; they were obviously heading to Xu Xiao Jiao's family to congratulate. But she had to ask loudly if they were congratulating them on taking the college entrance examination.
It provoked the group of villagers into laughters,
Embarrassing. Simply embarrassing.
"Enough!" Han Guang Hui shouted, "Still don't find it embarrassing enough? If you don't want to go to work during this time, honestly study in the dormitory! Don't come out to embarrass yourself."
Zhao Yan Yan didn’t want to be outdone, "How am I embarrassing? Isn’t it because you are incompetent? If you learn that book well and give everyone a training, we are the ones who are basking in glory now. You are useless!"
Seeing that Han Guang Hui was furious, Chen Xue immediately came out to act as a good person, "Alright, alright, stop arguing. It's nothing. Let's study hard. When we get admitted to college, those who don't look at us with a straight eye will be buttering up to us. Yan Yan, let's study hard."
Zhao Yan Yan snorted, "Xiao Xue, you are right, let's go. Let's go back to studying. Let those people see"
But it was difficult for her to learn, because she didn't know most of the knowledge.
After being stuffed in the dormitory for a few days, she heard that the village was going to show a movie at night. So she rushed to urge a few people to watch it. Because time was tight, Han Guang Hui didn't want to go.
Naturally, Xu Xiao Jiao and the others went without saying. The autumn harvest was basically over. It was time for rest. The whole family watched the movie together.
As soon as the curtain was set up in the threshing yard, Xu Xiao Gang had already run back and forth with other children a few times. He went to his own house to rush Wu Chun Hua. Then he ran to his elder sister's house. Before even entering, he could be heard, “Elder Sister, are you ready yet? I'm going to get us a seat first. Hurry up."
Xu Xiao Jiao raised her voice and said, "Alright, alright, I know already. It hasn't started yet. What's the rush?"
Xu Xiao Gang stretched his head to look at her, "You were painting your eyebrows and eyes when I came here. Now you're doing your hair. You still aren't finished. You girls are troublesome."
Xu Xiao Jiao looked at her younger brother with pity while comparing the pins on her hair, "Hmph, Xiao Gang, this thought of yours. Be careful that you won't be able to find your wife in the future. "
Straight man!
Xu Xiao Gang puffed out his small chest confidently, "Won’t happen, Elder Sister. I am tall and strong now. Our mom said, I will definitely not lack a wife in the future."
You understand nothing, Xu Xiao Jiao grumbled. She dismissed him away, "Hurry up and find your seat."
Xu Xiao Gang imitated the tiger's whining and was about to run off when Song Wei Ping caught up with him and stopped him outside the door. He handed Xu Xiao Gang a bag of peanuts and melon seeds. He instructed him, "You sit with Grandmother and Mom. Occupy a separate seating area for your elder sister. Have to be farther away from you and in a larger space."
Xu Xiao Gang didn't understand, "Why, Elder Brother-in-law? We could talk when we sit together. How lively that would be."
Song Wei Ping took out a few milk candies from his pocket and handed them to him, "Just listen to brother-in-law."
If there was something delicious, Xu Xiao Gang didn't have a bottom line. AHe was watching a movie anyway. He put the candy in his pocket and ran away, "Got it."
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't hear what Song Wei Ping said to him, "What did you say to Xiao Gang?"
Song Wei Ping acted nonchalantly, "It's nothing. Just told him to get a spacious spot, lest you get squished."
Xu Xiao Jiao was satisfied, "You're thoughtful."
She complained about Xu Xiao Gang, "When Xiao Gang grows up, you have to enlighten him a bit. I’m afraid that he won't be able to find a wife. He actually called me troublesome. What does he, a kid, know? This is my most basic respect for entertainment. Besides, it’s the two of us. This is a date. How can I not dress up properly when we go out to play? Should I be unkempt? I’m as beautiful as a flower. When you take me out, how face-garnering it’ll be? Isn’t that right, Song Wei Ping?”
Song Wei Ping didn't display any impatience from the beginning to the end. He even helped her choose the hairpin she liked. Hearing this, he nodded, "En, there's no rush."
Xu Xiao Jiao was even more satisfied.
Song Wei Ping put Xu Xiao Jiao's favorite fried peanuts and melon seeds into the prepared basket and filled a red date water for her. Then a soft cushion and a handkerchief was added.
Everything was packed. Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua had already left together. He wasn’ in a hurry and sat at the table reading an English book.
Today Xu Xiao Jiao changed to a song he hadn't heard before and hummed softly. It sounded nice. He didn't focus on the book very much. He was thinking about how to make her more comfortable after going to the movies. As she said, this was a date between the two. He should make her happy.
Xu Xiao Jiao was very happy. She had watched a lot of movies, but it was the first time for her to watch such a large open-air movie. It was very novel.
In the golden autumn of September, the evening breeze was blowing. The field was exuding the aroma of wheat grains. Unknown autumn insects were singing one after another. Walking on the road was very emotional.
The threshing ground was even more lively. The rows of seats were neatly arranged. The movie was about to start and most of the seats were filled. Everyone chatted to pass the time. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Song Wei Ping saw Xu Xiao Gang and the others in front at a glance. He signaled Xu Xiao Jiao not to squeeze in, "Wait a minute. Let me ask Xiao Gang where he reserved a seat for us."
Xu Xiao Gang was bragging to the kids around him about his elder sister going to become a teacher at the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers College tomorrow. Now he became lively and cheerful and his tongue was slippery. WIth a few sentences, he boosted how awesome his elder sister was and aroused cries of exclamation from the several children.
Before Song Wei Ping called him, Wu Chun Hua waved to Song Wei Ping. She smiled fondly. Her own brat didn't know the reason why Wei Ping wanted to occupy separate seats. She and Grandmother Song understood immediately.
"Wei Ping, don't call Xiao Gang. Mom knows where your seats are." She stretched out her hand toward the other side, "Right there. There are a few young couples over there. You two go over there and have a good talk .”
She was worried that her daughter wouldn’t be enlightened. Fortunately, Wei Ping was warm-hearted and knew how to have alone-time with Xiao Jiao. She didn't know how the two of them were doing now. Must ask her daughter again when she has time.
"Understood. Thank you Mom." Song Wei Ping knew that Wu Chun Hua understood his thoughts. His face became hot for a while.
Wu Chun Hua smiled and waved her hands, "Go, go."
Song Wei Ping walked back with light steps.
Xu Xiao Jiao was waiting for him to come back when she heard someone calling her.
"Xiao Jiao! Xiao Jiao! Come here quickly." It was Zhou Ping Xiang.
Seeing that she wasn’t far away from her, Xu Xiao Jiao didn't go over, "I'm waiting for Song Wei Ping."
Zhou Ping Xiang came earlier than her. She smilingly called her, "I know. I saw Xiao Gang when he occupied the seat. It’s right here. Come quickly."
Xu Xiao Jiao saw that Song Wei Ping had already strolled over and motioned her to wait.
Song Wei Ping walked up to her in a few steps, "Come. There are too many people at Xiao Gang's side. He reserved the seats for us at another place. Let's go over there."
He took the lead and turned around to walk toward the seats. At a glance, he saw Zhou Ping Xiang grinning like a trumpet flower.
Song Wei Ping: ...
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't realize that Song Wei Ping hesitated for a moment. She spoke in excitement, "I know. Next to Ping Xiang, right? Ping Xiang called me just now. Let's go over there quickly."
As soon as the two got closer, Zhou Ping Xiang latched onto Xu Xiao Jiao's arm and chatted with her, "Xiao Jiao, you are so beautiful today. What a coincidence! When I came to occupy seats, I saw Xiao Gang come to put the stools. When I asked, he was reserving for you. So I put mine with yours so that we can chat."
Xu Xiao Jiao was delighted, "Perfect, we’ll chat. Song Wei Ping brought something delicious to eat. Here."
Hearing this, Song Wei Ping silently opened the cloth bag in the basket and handed over the melon seeds.
Xu Xiao Jiao grabbed a handful and handed it to Zhou Ping Xiang. She asked her, "I thought you would come to watch it with those educated youths."
Zhou Ping Xiang first thanked Song Wei Ping politely. Then she moved the stool closer to Xu Xiao Jiao, "Since Chen Xue moved here, the dormitory had been filled with bad air. They don't want to see me. I don't want to talk to them. When they came, they were arguing. Who knows if they will come."
She was timid. With Xu Xiao Jiao and Wang Gui Yue, it was better. Now that Wang Gui Yue had married and moved out, they don't see each other so frequently. So she was only more comfortable with Xu Xiao Jiao.
She didn't want to talk about the messy affairs among the educated youths and changed the topic to chat with Xu Xiao Jiao.
The two spoke one after another. When they talked about something interesting, they laughed and giggled together. Couldn’t get any more happier.
Seeing Xu Xiao Jiao and Zhou Ping Xiang's wiggling eyebrows, delicate movements, and bright smiles when they talked, Song Wei Ping sighed softly in his heart. Without complaining, he acted as her waiter.
When the movie started, everyone concentrated on watching the movie. Song Wei Ping had some sense of presence.
He handed the peeled handful of melon seeds to Xu Xiao Jiao and asked her, "Is it cold?"
Xu Xiao Jiao put all the melon seeds in her mouth and bit down happily. She replied in a hushed voice, "My body isn’t cold, but my hands are a little."
Song Wei Ping grabbed her hand like it was natural and rubbed it, "It's a bit cold. Shall I warm you up?"
His palms were burning hot. As soon as Xu Xiao Jiao’s hands were on them, she found it comfortable. She was a little reluctant to take them out. So she nodded, "Okay, let's warm it up for a while."
This movie made Xu Xiao Jiao happy physically and mentally. Although the plot of the movie was old-fashioned, they were the most frequently shown movies in the 1970s and 1980s. Left, she had Song Wei Ping's considerate service. Right, she had Zhou Ping Xiang’s companionship. It couldn’t be any more perfect.
When the show ended, Zhou Ping Xiang and Xu Xiao Jiao wanted to go back together.
Seeing that Xu Xiao Jiao was about to agree, Song Wei Ping held her back, "Don't want to catch fireflies? The moon is good today. I'll take you to catch them?"
Xu Xiao Jiao's eyes lit up, "Okay."
She also sent an invitation to Zhou Ping Xiang, "Ping Xiang, do you want to catch fireflies with us?"
Zhou Ping Xiang hadn't made up her mind yet when she sensed Song Wei Ping shooting his gaze over. She subconsciously shook her head, "I'm not going."
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "Oh right. Then go back and have a good rest. The college entrance examination is soon. Do your best!"
Zhou Ping Xiang left in a daze. She belatedly remembered that tonight, she seemed to be a light bulb all night.
Seeing that Zhou Ping Xiang had left, Song Wei Ping quietly breathed a sigh of relief, "I'll go tell Grandmother and the others and let them take the basket back. Wait for me."
This time he came back in a short while. He brought a small transparent can tied with a string. Xu Xiao Jiao took it and looked at it. A few holes were made by nails on the bottle cap.
"Wow, Song Wei Ping. You had prepared it long ago?"
Song Wei Ping hummed in confirmation. He led her to the other side of the threshing yard. Gradually, they moved away from the crowd who were returning to the village, "Go over there. There are a lot of haystacks over there. I’ll catch them for you and put them in bottles."
"Okay." Xu Xiao Jiao obediently followed him, "But I'm leaving tomorrow. Say, will they die from being left at home for a long time?"
The breeze carried over her fragrance. Gradually there were only their footsteps. Accompanied by the chirping of autumn insects, Song Wei Ping responded in a gentle voice, "I'll catch them for you when you come back."
Xu Xiao Jiao praised him generously, "Song Wei Ping, you are so nice."
Majority of the children who grew up in the village had caught fireflies before.
Since Song Wei Ping said he would catch fireflies for Xu Xiao Jiao, he wouldn't fool her. He folded a few handfuls of grass and put them together. With swift hands-eye coordination, he patted the flying fireflies. The fireflies fell to the ground.
Xu Xiao Jiao cheered, "Wow, you caught it."
How interesting, "Song Wei Ping, I want to catch them too."
Song Wei Ping handed her the grass in his hand and folded another for himself. He taught her, "Be light with your hand. Too heavy, the fireflies may be hurt. Don't hit the ones that are too high. Hit those that fly low. Careful of falling."
Xu Xiao Jiao repeatedly hum in response. Filled with excitement, her cheerful voice rose from time to time.
It wasn't difficult to catch fireflies. The two of them got into formation. Shortly later, there were more than a dozen fireflies in the bottle. When gathered together in the bottle, they were like a small lantern.
Song Wei Ping heard that Xu Xiao Jiao’s pants from running. So he stopped, "Are you tired? Go over there and rest."
Xu Xiao Jiao carried the can and imitated Song Wei Ping's movements. She sat down against the haystack. It felt unexpectedly soft and comfortable.
Like Song Wei Ping said, the moon was very good tonight. There were many stars. Because of their running around, the fireflies that were initially lying on the grass in the field all flew up and danced in the moonlight.
"Song Wei Ping, it's so beautiful." Xu Xiao Jiao leaned against the haystack, looking at the scene in front of her.
"Like it?"
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "En, I like it."
Song Wei Ping's hand, which was supporting his body, was very close to her. Hearing this, he squeezed the straw under his palm, "I will bring you here often in the future."
Xu Xiao Jiao was curious, "Did you often come here to play when you were young?"
Song Wei Ping nodded, "There are a lot of haystacks and straw stacks here. Many of them were empty and had big holes. Many children like to come here to play hide and seek."
Xu Xiao Jiao found it very interesting to hear, "Is there a hole in the one we’re leaning on?"
Song Wei Ping nodded and looked to his other side, "There is one."
"Is it big?" Xu Xiao Jiao wanted to get in and experience it.
Song Wei Ping was afraid that there was something inside. So he took the firefly can and went in. He scanned around with the can. The haystack they were leaning on was big. There was plenty of space inside. He turned around inside, "I'm going out. Come in and try."
Xu Xiao Jiao couldn't wait and urged him, "Hurry up."
As soon as Song Wei Ping stuck out his head, Xu Xiao Jiao heard footsteps from far and near.
Then there was a sweet voice, "Oh, why did you bring me here? Let's walk home slowly and talk. Dad and Mom will worry if I get back too late."
Following this, a man's voice sounded, "What's the fun in talking? Come here, I'll show you some fun."
"Just got married and you bullied me."
"Silly wife, am I bullying you? I can’t wait to dote you."
As the footsteps got closer, the voices of the two became clearer.
Xu Xiao Jiao could already vaguely see two figures. It was so greasy.
Ah, how embarrassing!
Xu Xiao Jiao pushed Song Wei Ping into the hay hole and slipped in as well.
She whispered into Song Wei Ping's ear.
"Shh, don't talk."
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