Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 290 Don't worry, I'm here.
The power cord was in place, the speaker was installed, and the projector was in position.

As soon as the generator started running, a beam of light pierced the darkness and projected onto the large screen. The once noisy playground instantly fell silent, with everyone staring intently at the screen.

Several shimmering dots appeared on the screen; that was because the film hadn't started spinning yet. Once the film started spinning and the image appeared, those dots... would still be there.

Su Yujun, along with a few others, placed more than a dozen dishes on the table and brought over two jars of wine, ready to begin their meal.

There were a dozen or so dishes, but not many varieties. Since there were two tables, two portions of dishes were prepared, one for each table.

Peanuts, salt and pepper soybeans, boiled broad beans, cold shredded lettuce, salt-fried eggs, cured pork liver, steamed sausage, and finally a pot of turtle meat.

Now, turtle meat has almost become a specialty dish in Lujiawan. When guests come, whether from the team or individuals, a portion is usually prepared.

Although these things are less common now, they are not unavailable. It's just that there aren't many to sell. It's still no problem to get one or two to entertain guests.

Looking at the dishes on the table, Chen Fan thought to himself that he had been reckless; he should have come over without eating.

However, he felt he could eat two more bowls.

Just as he was about to speak to Ye Shubao, who was sitting next to him, the movie finally began.

The first movie shown was an old film that I never tire of watching, "The Battle of the South and the North".

Of course, at this point in time, the film remade in 74 is definitely a new film, and it immediately attracted the attention of almost everyone. The only sound in the huge playground was the sound coming from the loudspeakers, and during the brief pause, the only sound was the projector turning.

Chen Fan looked around.

Well, besides this table, there are quite a few people drinking while watching?!

Most of the people drinking are men, and most of them are older. They don't use chairs; they sit on the ground in groups of three or five, with a small bowl in front of them.

The dishes in the bowl weren't anything fancy. The better ones were salt and pepper soybeans, peanuts, pickled radishes, and kimchi, or perhaps fresh boiled broad beans, which still had a pleasant aroma even when cold. The less desirable ones were just a lump of black fermented soybeans. You didn't even need chopsticks; you just picked one up with your hand, put it in your mouth, and you could drink a couple of sips of wine with it.

There are quite a few people like this, all around, and the people around them are used to it.

However, whether it was the men drinking or the women and children focused on watching the movie, they were all staring intently at the screen, seemingly even breathing more quietly.

The only two exceptions were Chen Fan and the projectionist surnamed Xu.

If the projectionist hadn't had a square face instead of a long face, Chen Fan would have thought he'd seen a ghost.

Having seen this film many times, Xu naturally didn't even look up, continuing to drink and eat without a care in the world.

Chen Fan noticed that the way he looked at the people around him did not have the arrogance of the legendary "Eight Great Officials," but was very peaceful, and seemed to have no intention of looking down on rural people.

Whether it was true or false, Chen Fan nodded secretly; this person was someone he could befriend!

Xu Yingxiang suddenly looked up and found Chen Fan looking at him, so he smiled and said, "Teacher Chen, have you seen this movie?"

I've seen it more than once. I watched it three times in elementary school, twice in junior high, and later, when I was bored after starting work and disgusted by those popular movies and TV series, I started looking for old films to watch, and watched them several more times.

But I can't say that.

Chen Fan raised his glass and said with a smile, "I haven't seen it, but I'd like to. However, I can't let you drink alone in silence. Come on, let's have a toast."

Xu Yingxiang immediately beamed, picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Chen Fan's, saying, "Teacher Chen, you're too kind."

He took a sip of his drink, put down his glass, and said, "It's alright. Look at you, the food is so good today, I'll just have a little more."

But the sound of their voices startled the people at the table.

Secretary Yang, Su Yujun, and the others couldn't help but feel a little ashamed. Seeing the new movie, a large-scale war film at that, they'd even forgotten about their guests—it was truly inappropriate!
Several people immediately raised their glasses and toasted Xu Fang.

The noise at the dinner table drew dissatisfaction from many people, but when they realized it was for entertaining the projectionist, they all turned away.

You can't blame the projectionist, right? They're showing three feature films today, no appetizers at all, straight to the main movie. How can you blame them? Are they even human?
You can't blame Teacher Chen; the incident has already spread. If it weren't for Teacher Chen, would we have had three movies to watch today? You dare blame him? Are you even human?
Therefore, without a doubt, the brigade leaders and staff headed by Secretary Yang, as well as Su Yujun and others, became the targets of their resentment. In some people's minds, they cursed them one by one.

However, apart from the dinner table, the rest of the place remained completely silent.

Distracted by Chen Fan, Secretary Yang and the others finally managed to pull their attention away from the movie. At least they could multitask, watching the movie while chatting with Xu Xiang, so as not to neglect him.

At this moment, Chen Fan asked Ye Shubao curiously, "What did Xu Yingying mean when he said we wouldn't serve appetizers?"

Before Ye Shubao could answer, Xu Yingfang, who had been watching Chen Fan closely, laughed and said, "The so-called appetizers are actually just some short documentaries and promotional videos."

He picked up his glass, clinked it with Chen Fan's, took a sip of his drink, and continued, "The fact that you asked this question means you've never seen an open-air movie in the countryside."

Chen Fan grinned awkwardly, unsure how to respond.

Can I say I've seen it? Although it was already the late 90s.

Xu Yingxiang ate a broad bean and said with a smile, "You saw a lot of people from out of town coming here just now, right? There are still people rushing here even now?"

Chen Fan nodded, then suddenly realized, "Serving the 'appetizer' was a deliberate act of waiting for them?"

Xu nodded and chuckled softly, “Nominally, the movie starts at 6 o’clock, but usually the projectionist will set aside at least half an hour to show some ‘appetizers.’ The content is mainly current affairs news produced by the newsreel studio, such as ‘Ode to the Heroes of Zhenbao Island’ and ‘The Deeds of Mr. Li.’ The main purpose is actually to extend the movie time and wait for the latecomers from afar.”

He pointed around as he spoke, “Experienced projectionists are always ready to start the main feature once they’ve seen enough people.”

At this point, Captain Zhang interjected, "I remember when the main feature was shown, you guys had a little rhyme, but you haven't been saying it much lately."

Xu Yingxiang laughed and said, "You've all come so many times, everyone must know by now, so I'm too lazy to say it again."

Chen Fan was a little curious, "What rhyme?"

Xu put down his chopsticks and demonstrated to him, "There are many machines on the projection stage, but only one small square table. Everyone, please don't crowd around and touch them, or you'll damage the machines and be in trouble."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle.

This sounds a lot like those rat poison vendors who went door-to-door in the 90s!
The group chatted and laughed, and time slipped by unnoticed.

Suddenly, there was a commotion on the playground. Before Chen Fan could turn around to look, Xiao Liewen, who had been watching the movie, turned around and said, "Is it time to change the film?" Without saying a word, Xu Yingxiang threw down his chopsticks and wine glass and ran to the back.

While the movie was changing, everyone who had been focused on watching it suddenly came to life.

The children ran back and forth in front of the curtain, making guns with their fingers and making "biubiubiu" sounds, just like brave warriors fighting on the curtain.

The women seized the time to discuss the plot, but as they talked, the conversation turned to whether the teacher or the instructor was prettier. In the end, they concluded that neither of them was as good-looking as Teacher Chen from our team. They wondered which slut would end up getting the job.

The older folks, on the other hand, talked about the war years, and the conversation turned into a grievance session. Fueled by alcohol, they were filled with righteous indignation, regretting that they hadn't followed the main force back then.

So-and-so joined the main force with two kitchen knives, and now he's a regimental commander somewhere. If he can do it, why can't we?
Despite the surrounding noise, Xu Xiang remained unmoved and focused on changing the film.

The old master is indeed an old master; in just a few minutes, he changed the film and the movie started again.

After confirming that there were no problems, he came back and sat down, saying, "A reel of film can only be played for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, you have to change the reel. You have to change the reel two or three times for a movie. It's hard work."

Without saying a word, Chen Fan picked up his wine glass and said, "You've worked hard, come on, have a drink."

Xu Yingxiang didn't feel tired anymore and picked up his wine glass to drink it down.

After putting down his glass, Xu Fangxiang, perhaps due to the effects of the alcohol or perhaps because he had started talking more, became noticeably more talkative. "This year is relatively good; many films have been unblocked and can be watched. A few years ago, it was just the same few films over and over again."

As he spoke, he started counting on his fingers, “The Red Lantern, Shajiabang, Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, Raid on the White Tiger Regiment, Crossing the River to Reconnoiter, The Shining Red Star, Tunnel Warfare, Mine Warfare, it’s just the same few movies over and over again.”

Many ordinary people asked, "Huh? You only have these few movies? Nothing else?"

I want something else too!

He slammed his fist on the table and said, "They only watch a movie two or three times a year and then get tired of it and feel uncomfortable. As for me? I watch it more than 300 times a year. No matter how good the movie is, I still feel like throwing up after watching it!"

Chen Fan tried hard to maintain his facial expression, but he felt he was about to break down.

He quickly said, "Come on, let's drink!"

Xu Ying picked up a piece of turtle meat and suddenly asked, "I heard that you also invented this turtle meat?"

Chen Fan blinked. "Can I use the word 'invention'?"
However, he understood what Xu Yingxiang meant, so he smiled and said, "No, it's not that. In the Jiangzhe and Fujian regions, eating soft-shelled turtles has a history of hundreds of years. I'm just passing on what's already been said."

Xu Yingxiang raised his glass, "That's great too. I really like this turtle meat; it's better than chicken. Here, let me toast you."

Chen Fan bumped into him, looking worried, and said, "We're showing three movies today, don't get drunk beforehand!"

He then went to see other people, hoping to find some help.

Well, Su Yujun, who was just calling Xu Yingxiang his brother, is now biting his chopsticks and has forgotten to let go; Secretary Yang, who claims to have seen the world, is holding up his wine glass, not knowing who he's toasting; Ye Shubao dipped his chopsticks into his bowl of food, picked up a piece of air, put it in his mouth, then raised his wine glass to clink with the air, drinking with great relish; Xiao Liewen is staring at the screen the whole time, forgetting to eat his food, just smoking incessantly.

The only one who still knew to eat was Zhang Wenliang, who sat at the very end of the table. He simply turned around and faced the curtain, his fists clenched tightly, as if he had traveled back in time to fight alongside thousands of veterans.

Xu Yingxiang had no idea of ​​Teacher Chen's worries. It was rare to meet a great writer who was praised by even the leaders and their superiors. Moreover, this great writer was very compatible with him and spoke even better than he did. So why not drink as much as he could?

So, under Chen Fan's worried gaze, ladles of wine were poured from the wine jar, one cup for you, one cup for me, if you're brothers, drink it all!

Another 45 minutes passed, and Xu, the projectionist, stood up and swayed slightly. "Teacher Chen, I'm going to change the film. We'll continue drinking when I get back."

Chen Fan's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "Xu, I'm quite curious about showing movies. Could you teach me how to change discs?"

Without saying a word, Xu Yingxiang said, "What's the big deal? Come here, I'll teach you how to change it."

He then turned around and staggered toward the projector.

Chen Fan quickly ran ahead of him and whispered, "I've heard that practicing once is worse than learning a hundred times. How about this, you give the instructions, and I'll do it, okay?"

Xu Ying now treats him like a half-brother, so why would he need to ask about such a small matter?

He immediately pointed to the copy in the box and said, "Let me tell you, changing the disc is the simplest thing. First, take the disc off the machine, then put this disc back on. But you can't put it in directly; you have to spin it. I'll teach you. You have to spin it like this first, then like that..."

Within two minutes, Chen Fan had learned how to change the film.

He continued drinking with Xu, and as they drank, the first movie finally finished.

It wasn't until this moment that Secretary Yang and the others came to their senses.

"Wow, this movie is great! The division commander's acting is superb!"

"The division commander acted well, but the role of the political commissar cannot be ignored."

"Squad Leader Chen was much like my old squad leader back then, daring and willing to fight. Unfortunately, he went too far and died."

"Actually, that soldier named Li Hu was also very good. He was a real person, and all of us militia should learn from him and become a steel blade for our motherland!"

As they chatted, Secretary Yang was the first to notice something was wrong. "Hey, why hasn't Xu gone to change the film yet?"

Su Yujun looked at Xu Yingying, who was holding a wine glass and chopsticks but had his head down in thought, and called out softly, "Xu Yingying, Xu Yingying?"

Seeing that Xu did not respond, he turned his head and gently nudged him.

Well, Xu Yingxiang slammed his fist on the table and started snoring.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Secretary Yang, "He got drunk after just one movie. What should we do?"

Xiao Liewen sighed, "I shouldn't have let him drink first."

Just when everyone was at a loss, the movie suddenly restarted, and it was a new film.

Turning back, I saw Chen Fan walk over and sit down, smiling as he said, "Don't worry, I'm here."

(End of this chapter)