Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 192 That’s okay
When the class ended, Chen Fan didn't need to pack up his things himself; two quick-witted students had already volunteered to do it for him.

One held a wine bowl stained with blood, the other held a sharp dagger, both displaying the bearing of a dragon and a phoenix.

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. "This wine is useless, throw it away."

Wolong was still somewhat reluctant to part with it; it was only half a bowl of wine, but since the cotton ball had been used to wipe the little pig's testicles, he dared not drink it and could only regretfully fall to the ground.

A bloodstain bloomed on the snow, like the piglet's lost youth.

Back in the front yard, I found it bustling with noise and excitement.

Yang Ju ran up to him excitedly and said, "Teacher Chen, all the parents of the veterinary students have come to wish you a Happy New Year."

All?
Chen Fan was a little confused.

It wasn't because the parents came to wish him a Happy New Year. Although he wasn't exactly a respectable teacher, he was mentoring a group of young people studying veterinary medicine, so he could be considered their mentor. According to old customs, he was even a half-grade higher than the school's teachers. It was only natural for the students' parents to come and wish their mentor a Happy New Year.

But why all at once?

He was even prepared to receive one person each morning and one person each afternoon.

Otherwise, how would we pass the time during such a long holiday?

Now it's all over, they just send a single call and that's it. What are we going to do for the rest of the days?

Other people's homes are joyful and peaceful, while yours is desolate and quiet?
Perhaps it won't be too deserted, after all, three new neighbors moved in today, and it should be quite lively from now on. But why did they choose to move into Jiang Lili's room?
With a series of questions popping into my head, before I even reached the door, a group of people heard the noise and came out of the "reception room" that had just been set up that day.

That is, the room next to his.

Captain Yang took the lead, walking towards him with his hands behind his back, his face beaming with a smile brighter than a flower, "Little Chen, you're done with your work."

A group of people followed behind him, all greeting him.

"Happy Chinese New Year, Teacher Chen!" "Happy New Year, Teacher Chen!" "Teacher Chen..."

Teacher Chen felt dizzy and her ears were ringing. Without thinking, she clasped her hands and nodded in response, "Okay, okay, Happy New Year, Happy Chinese New Year, everything is good."

The parent at the front handed him a cigarette, smiling broadly, and said, "Teacher Chen, my child is learning from you. If he misbehaves, feel free to discipline him, or just tell me and I'll do it!"

Another parent seemed to be challenging him, pulling out a thin rattan whip and shaking it a couple of times. "Teacher Chen, I heard you don't have a pointer yet, right? This was made by my great-uncle. It's guaranteed to last ten years, and we'll replace it if it breaks. You can use it to tap the blackboard, hit hands, or spank—it saves you a lot of effort!"

(This kind of horsewhip)
Chen Fan took the horsewhip, which was over a meter long, and lashed it in the air. It let out a sharp "whoosh" that was chilling to hear.

His face froze instantly. If this were to hit someone... well, never mind, let's not hit anyone.

He dared not let the parents continue speaking.

The first one was just beaten, the second one pulled out a whip, and there were still 10 people behind him. Wouldn't the last one be reduced to ashes?!

He quickly replied, "No, no, the students are all studying very hard. They even had a quiz yesterday, and their results were all quite good..."

In short, they only say nice things. First, they praise good grades; then they praise those whose grades are slightly lower for their good behavior; then they praise those whose performance is not outstanding for their good attitude; and finally, they praise their attitude... there's never a bad attitude.

After finally calming the parents down, the conversation was steered to various amusing stories from the brigade.

Chen Fan had cigarettes tucked behind both ears, another between his fingers in his left hand, and a cigarette burning in his right hand as he chatted with the parents about everyday matters.

Thank God, he didn't know any of them except for Captain Yang, Accountant Liu, and Warehouse Keeper Huang.

Those students didn't even bother to introduce their fathers.

By the way, where are the students?

He turned around, and sure enough, all 12 students, under Huang Ying's arrangement, had entered that storage room.

This storage room was temporarily converted into a "banquet hall" to receive the group of students, while Huang Ying, Liu Dan, and Yang Ju busied themselves with entertaining them.

Jiang Lili stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do.

With his back to everyone, Chen Fan winked at her and coughed lightly, "Xiao Jiang, go check if the food is ready."

Jiang Lili noticed his look and quickly realized what he meant, "Oh, oh."

She turned and went into the kitchen. If Chen Fan hadn't called her over, she would still be standing there dumbfounded.

Yang Ju, who was standing at the door of the storage room, immediately said upon hearing Chen Fan's words, "Teacher Chen, the food is ready. Please sit down, and we will serve the dishes."

Now Chen Fan is starting to wonder if Captain Yang knew in advance that a lot of people would be coming, which is why he sent Yang Ju and the others to help.
But with so many people, is there enough food for everyone?

……

The 12 students were seated at one table in the storage room.

All the bamboo beds in the room were moved to the wall, leaving a large empty space in the middle. Two square tables were then placed side by side, which could seat 12 people.

The other reception room was treated the same way, but instead of putting the two square tables together, they were separated into two separate tables.

There were 12 parents, Captain Yang and 3 others, and finally Chen Fan, making a total of 16 seats.

The original chairs at the educated youth settlement were insufficient, so Yang Ju and her colleagues borrowed several benches from the village.

After Chen Fan saw that the students were all settled, he returned to the restaurant that had been temporarily converted from the "meeting room" surrounded by the parents.

What followed was another round of polite concessions.

Chen Fan pulled Captain Yang, "Captain, please take a seat of honor."

Captain Yang grabbed his arm and pulled him inside, saying, "You're the host today. Come on, sit here."

Then the two sat side by side, and the banquet officially began.

Several girls were busy serving dishes. The first dish was a mixed fish stew in a large earthenware pot, followed by braised pork with radish, stir-fried pork skin with cabbage, steamed cured fish, stir-fried lotus root slices with scallions, spicy lotus root cubes, grass carp stew with radish, and braised pork with cabbage. Steamed meatballs and fried lotus root sandwiches were also served. Finally, a bowl of egg and tofu soup was brought out, piling the table full and even creating "two layers," with the dishes stacked on top of each other.

The 12 dishes impressed everyone, who secretly nodded in approval and praised Teacher Chen for his generosity!

Captain Yang then produced two bottles of Yunhu Daqu liquor from somewhere and, together with Chen Fan, poured wine for the guests. Accountant Liu and custodian Huang were also seated at another table, busily serving guests as hosts.

They got along so well, just like brothers.

After a round of toasts, everyone praised Chen Fan highly.

From working with soft-shelled turtles to becoming a broadcaster, and then opening a veterinary class, he spoke of himself as an omnipotent superman, making Chen Fan blush.

Fortunately, everyone was quite drunk and in high spirits, and no one was in much better shape than anyone else.

It wasn't until after several rounds of drinks and dishes, and knowing that Chen Fan and his friends had work and classes to attend in the afternoon, that they finally left, satisfied.

After seeing Captain Yang and the others off, Chen Fan finally let out a long breath, scooped up a handful of snow from the woodpile, and slapped it on his face.

I'm awake!
He then walked back, looked at the four girls who were cleaning up the mess, and asked curiously, "Where did that lotus root and tofu come from?"

Yang Ju smiled happily, "I took it from home."

Chen Fan pursed his lips and asked again, "Did your dad also bring you those cigarettes and alcohol?"

Yang Ju shook her head. "No, it's a New Year's gift they brought for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Huang Ying immediately said, "They brought a total of 8 bottles of wine, 8 cartons of Donghai cigarettes, two baskets of eggs (the eggs haven't been counted yet), a bottle of oil, a chicken, and two packets of sugar."

Chen Fan's mouth dropped open. "So many?"

烟和酒一听就是一对，一瓶云湖大曲要1块5，一条东海烟要1块6毛6，这就是3块1毛6，其他人送的估计价值也差不多。

Where is he going to find so many things to give back as gifts?
Do they all send home pottery made by themselves?
It seems not impossible.

Just as Chen Fan was silently making plans, Jiang Lili, who understood his thoughts best, whispered from the side, "These are New Year's gifts from students to their teachers, and there's no need to return them in person."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan's lips immediately curled into a grin.

Ah, that's okay.

I was too busy yesterday and didn't update. I apologize for not updating! o(╥﹏╥)o I'll definitely make it up in a couple of days.

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(End of this chapter)