Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 674: Importation of a Newborn
At one o'clock in the afternoon, Chen Fan casually made a bowl of river fish noodles. After eating, he picked up his suitcase in one hand and three small birds in the other, got in the car and set off.

The airport is about a 40-minute drive from the city center, so there's plenty of time to get there now.

He drove at a leisurely pace, bypassing the city and taking the roads on the outskirts of the city. Before long, he arrived in the suburbs, and the airport was getting closer and closer.

The suburbs on the outskirts of the provincial capital were actually communes and production teams, and their conditions were similar to those of Nanhu Commune. The only difference was that they were closer to the city center, making it very convenient to go to the city.

But that's about it.

So when Chen Fan passed through a small town and looked at the town through this street, he felt as if he had returned to Nanhu Town.

The road is lined with various shops, as well as post offices, clinics, banks, and other businesses. There is even a sign pointing to a primary school at the entrance of one alley, indicating that the school should be inside the alley.

At this point in time, there is only a month and a half until the Chinese New Year. Although stores have not yet started supplying New Year's goods, such as fireworks, firecrackers, New Year pictures, artificial flowers, etc., there has also been no increase in the supply of cigarettes, alcohol, candy, and the like.

But the streets already had a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year.

Many people who looked like members of the production team lingered in groups of three or five in various shops, selecting all kinds of goods.

Normally, the shops aren't this bustling. Only before the Spring Festival, when people are preparing for the New Year, do they go shopping in groups or go to the market.

This is also one of the biggest differences between the Spring Festival now and the Spring Festival celebrated by people after the new millennium.

Since the beginning of the new century, with abundant resources and convenient buying and selling, many rural Spring Festival customs have changed.

For example, many people would prepare cured meat and fish one or two months in advance, but later most of them became too lazy to do it and simply went to the market to buy it. Perhaps only some elderly people still persist in this practice.

That's not the case now. Most families start preparing all sorts of New Year's goods more than a month in advance. The reason for this is that preparing New Year's goods takes time, and on the other hand, there are fewer supplies and money and coupons are also tight, so they can only buy a little today and a little tomorrow to gradually gather enough.

For adults, it's a mix of trouble and joy; for children, it's simply a pre-New Year "ritual."

When it's time to prepare for the New Year and make new clothes, it means the New Year is almost here!
You can wear new clothes, set off firecrackers, and eat meat to your heart's content for a few days...

Chen Fan drove slowly down the street, watching this scene with a slightly dazed expression.

It seems like it's been a long time since I've seriously prepared for anything?
Does becoming lazy mean that people will become lazy once they have everything they need and a comfortable life?
Just like how people later stopped preparing for the New Year with seriousness.

Chen Fan shook his head, came back to his senses, and thought to himself that he should take life more seriously in the future and not let his apprentice do everything. Sometimes, participating himself could be a good life experience.

We can't keep slacking off and wasting our time on trivial things!
Just as he was reflecting on his actions, the car drove to the end of the road, turned a corner, and saw a large open space next to the road. The snow on the side had not yet melted, but there were quite a few people gathered on the open space.

Just a quick glance was enough to tell that a market was being held here.

"There are markets in the provincial capital?"

It's not the first or fifteenth of the lunar month, nor is it a Sunday, so why are we going to a market for no reason?

Chen Fan muttered to himself, checked the time, and saw it wasn't even 1:30 yet. He parked his car on the side of the road and got out to check.

A car pulled up, attracting the attention of many people around. The administrator wearing a red armband stared at him for a long time.

But no one stepped forward to question them.

This place is close to the provincial capital and is also one of the roads leading to the airport. In the past, when people went to the market, cars would stop here temporarily, and people would just come to browse and buy things.

With experience, these administrators become much more relaxed.

Of course, not everyone receives this treatment.

If someone is wearing a tattered cotton-padded coat covered in patches, carrying a worn-out bundle, and has a completely unfamiliar face, then I'd feel bad.

There were two right in front of him, so the administrator had no choice but to look away from Chen Fan and go up to ask them questions.

The busier the market, the more critical safety issues become, and the more vigilant the administrators will be.

Chen Fan sensed that the gaze fixed on him had moved away, and instinctively glanced back. Finding that the administrator had shifted his focus, he didn't think much of it and continued walking forward.

After strolling around for a while, I felt that this place was similar to the market in Nanhu Commune, mainly selling various rural items, and of course, agricultural products as well.

This side is full of all kinds of small animals: chickens, ducks, geese, and piglets.

There were definitely no large, fat pigs available; those were reserved for special sales and not allowed to be traded freely. However, there were two stalls selling cattle and horses, with many people gathered around the stalls, haggling over prices.

Chen Fan glanced at it briefly before looking away without interest.

Turning to the other side, this area is almost entirely filled with various kinds of vegetables.

Further ahead is the handicrafts sales area, where you can find homespun cloth, handmade cloth shoes, and furniture such as tables, stools, chairs, and cabinets that you made yourself. Needless to say, the appearance is simple and durable.

One of the stalls was even selling straw sandals?

Although he also sells raincoats and straw hats, Chen Fan could only silently admire him for taking out straw sandals to sell in the dead of winter.

He stood there looking around; the "dining area" was just ahead.

The stalls, steaming with heat, are either steamed bun shops or noodle stalls, and there are also stalls selling all kinds of homemade snacks.

So there are already vendors selling New Year's goods at this time of year?

Chen Fan shook his head, regretfully not seeing the person carrying the ancestral soy sauce jar.

Didn't you often find antiques at early rural markets, like household soy sauce jars, chicken feeders, dog food containers, and cat bowls...?

He visited many production teams in Nanhu Commune and went to the market several times, but he never found such a good thing even once.

Am I destined to never have windfall gains?

He shook his head and sighed twice before preparing to leave.

Just as I reached the edge of the market, I suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums.

Without any shouting, as the rapid sound of gongs and drums rang out, the people there quickly and automatically cleared a space.

Chen Fan was tall enough that even standing behind the crowd, he could see everything clearly.

There was an old man wearing a tattered cotton coat, carrying a mottled red lacquered box on his back, and banging a gong incessantly in his hand.

In his hand, he held several ropes. At the other end of each rope was a dog and three monkeys.

It turned out to be a monkey show.

Seeing the crowd gathering, the old man didn't say much, but put down the box, opened it, and took out some props.

Although he brought three monkeys, only one was performing; the other two were tiny monkeys, only the size of cats.

Everyone else's attention was on the monkey show. As the monkeys tumbled, circled, and twirled around, bursting into laughter from time to time.

These days, entertainment is scarce, but a monkey show can keep people coming back for more.

After the monkey finished its performance, the dog took its place. After a few more performances, the monkey jumped onto the dog's back, and the dog carried the monkey, almost like riding a horse.

Upon seeing this, people spontaneously cheered and applauded.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the old man picked up the gong, turned it upside down, bowed in a circle to the crowd, and held up the gong plate to ask for a reward.

At that moment, most of the people dispersed, but some generous ones dropped coins into the plate.

If someone drops a penny or two, the old man will bow extra in gratitude.

When the gong was turned to Chen Fan, he took out a coin from his pocket and gently placed it on the plate.

The old man was stunned. It was a piece?!

What a grand gesture!
He quickly looked up and saw a young man dressed smartly, clearly an official. He dispelled his doubts and bowed repeatedly to express his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for the honor, young comrade."

Chen Fan smiled and said softly, "Where are you from?"

A hint of caution flashed in the old man's eyes. He rolled his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "I come from Sichuan. The autumn harvest is over, but the harvest wasn't very good, so I came out to make a living before the New Year."

He paused for a moment, then added, "The team provided a letter of introduction before I left, so I was given permission."

Chen Fan smiled but didn't say anything.

He's no longer the clueless person he was when he first arrived in this era; he's seen it all now. Whether it's performing or doing business, or begging for rice, there's no introduction letter the production team can't issue.

(The certificate for begging for rice couldn't be produced. It said, "When one place is in trouble, help comes from all sides. We share the burden of the country and rely on our own efforts," and it had the seals of both the production team and the commune. And they really only wanted rice, not money.)
Moreover, he wasn't the administrator, so whether the old man had the necessary permits or not was completely irrelevant to him.

By this time, the crowd had mostly dispersed. Chen Fan looked around and whispered, "Old comrade, I've seen other monkey shows use macaques. Why did you bring two golden monkeys?"

While everyone else was watching the monkey show, he was watching the two little monkeys.

Its fur is yellow all over, its face is a bright blue, its two big, round eyes are full of grievances, and it has sexy thick lips and an upturned nose. It is clearly a baby golden monkey.

Can this thing be used for monkey shows?
The old man was stunned when he heard his words. He looked back at the two little monkeys huddled together, and when he turned back, his face was full of bitter smiles. "Comrade, you don't know, I've been tricked!"

As he said this, he couldn't help but wipe his face. "A few days ago in Hubei, I ran into a fellow villager who was also a monkey trainer..."

As he recounted his story, Chen Fan understood his predicament. Simply put, he got drunk and was tricked into buying two useless little monkeys. He didn't even know if the monkeys were caught by a fellow villager or if he had been tricked into buying them himself.

Unlike macaques, golden monkeys do not have the ability to perform, and they are particularly gentle. Even if they are whipped, they will only cover their heads and cry. They cannot learn the skills taught by monkey trainers at all.

It's like these two monkeys are a waste of the old man's time; they're not only useless, but keeping them is also a waste of food.

So, at Chen Fan's suggestion, the two of them reached a friendly agreement, and everyone was happy.

The old man took the 40 yuan and, as if he had gotten a great deal, quickly left with his box, his beloved monkey, and his dog, afraid that the young man would change his mind.

As for the useless golden monkey, it naturally ended up in Chen Fan's hands.

After the old man left, Chen Fan led the two little monkeys into the car.

Once the car door is closed, it's time to set rules for them.

"Don't catch birds, don't move around. As long as you behave, you'll get food and lodging and won't get beaten."

The two little monkeys were bewildered, but upon hearing that they would no longer be beaten, they were overjoyed and shouted with delight, forgetting even their curiosity about why the big monkey could speak monkey language.

The two monkeys were untied and sat obediently in the passenger seat, their eyes fixed on the three bird heads in the bread below.

Five pairs of eyes met, and just like that, from car to plane, they were all packed into bags and flew all the way to the capital.

……

When they arrived in the capital, it was already dark, so Chen Fan didn't rush to find Zhou Zhengdong.

I took a taxi back to the city as usual. Since I had three birds and two monkeys with me, I didn't go to my master's place and went straight home.

He also wanted to see if Liu Juan and Ma Lan were really as reliable as Master Zhang had said.

The car stopped in front of his house, Chen Fan paid the fare, and got out of the car with his luggage.

He carried a pigskin bag containing gyrfalcons in his left hand, and two small monkeys in the large backpack slung over his shoulder. With his right hand, he released his suitcase, took out his keys, and opened the door.

Pushing open the small iron gate, the huge house was completely dark.

He had just brought his suitcase in and closed the small door when a dog rushed out and barked at him.

Chen Fan glanced at it and thought, "Hmm, it's a half-grown black dog."

The so-called five black features are a black head, a black body, a black tail, black feet, and a black tongue.

Although it is quite special, it is one of the purebred Chinese rural dog breeds, and it holds a very special place in folk culture, namely, it is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the home.

In terms of breed, the Wuhei dog is slightly better than the two local dogs, Duoduo and Qiuqiu, from Lujiawan.

But when did we get a dog like this in our house?

Chen Fan remained silent as he watched the five black dogs barking wildly, only looking at them with gentle eyes.

Seemingly sensing Chen Fan's meaning, the dog gradually stopped barking, moved its legs a few times, and then sat down, sticking its tongue out at him.

Chen Fan smiled slightly and barked at it a few times, causing the black dog to wag its tail.

Just then, Liu Juan's voice came from the front yard, "Xiao Hei, Xiao Hei?"

Upon hearing the sound, the dog immediately turned around and glanced back, then looked back at Chen Fan before reluctantly barking and running back.

Seeing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

As expected of the legendary guardian dog, it even remembered its owner under its influence. Amazing!

The barking returned, and Liu Juan jogged after it. When she saw Chen Fan, she exclaimed, "Is that Brother Chen?"

Chen Fan waved and greeted him, "It's me."

Then he walked towards the front door of the house.

Liu Juan turned around and called out, "Ma Lan, Ma Lan, Brother Chen is back."

He then ran ahead of Chen Fan, ready to open the door.

When they arrived at the door, they were embarrassed to find that they hadn't brought their keys.

Fortunately, Chen Fan had brought his key, so he opened the door directly. Liu Juan took the suitcase from him, went inside, turned on the light, and then quickly went to make tea.

A moment later, someone brought over tea and placed it in front of Chen Fan. Then, looking at the three gyrfalcons that jumped out of the bag and the two little monkeys huddled together, he was so surprised that he opened his mouth wide and couldn't speak.

Chen Fan waved his hand, and the three birds flapped their wings and flew up, circling around the room before landing on the second-floor railing and remaining still.

The two monkeys huddled together, looking at Chen Fan with innocent eyes, "Hungry."

Just then, Ma Lan walked in from the south gate. Before she even arrived, she said loudly, "Brother Chen is back! Haven't eaten yet? I'll make some."

Through the open gate, Chen Fan could also see the scene of the small building at the other end of the garden. Surprisingly, only one room had its lights on.
He looked away and smiled at Ma Lan, "Thank you for your trouble. Keep it simple."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Is there any meat left at home?"

Liu Juan looked a little embarrassed. "No, no."

Ma Lan quickly said, "There are fish in the garden ditch."

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly. He had deliberately fished for those fish in Houhai and put them in the canal. If he wanted to feed them to the gyrfalcons, he might as well let them catch fish on their own.

He then said, "Then forget it, just cook two bowls of noodles."

He then opened his suitcase, took out a paper package, and placed it on the table. "Heat this up. Also, boil a few eggs and prepare some raw vegetables for the monkeys."

He waved to the gyrfalcon again, and the three birds immediately flew away to find something to eat.

Ma Lan picked up the paper package and smelled the aroma of meat even before opening it. She couldn't help but marvel at how Brother Chen was, always carrying meat with him.

Little did she know that this was an airplane meal that Chen Fan had snatched on the plane. While others ate one serving, he took advantage of his good looks and the cuteness of the two monkeys and three birds to pack two more servings.

While others fly to collect souvenirs, he flies to pack food; it's become a routine, and you get used to it.

Ma Lan went to the kitchen to busy herself, while Liu Juan was kept behind by Chen Fan to ask about the situation at home.

Liu Juan: "Grandpa Zhang and the others are all doing well. The three grandpas often come here to sit for a while, but they haven't brought anyone back with them. Ma Lan and I have always lived here, and apart from occasionally going home, we don't do anything else."

As she spoke, she looked at the five black dogs lying on the ground, "This is Xiao Hei. Grandpa Zhang was worried that it wouldn't be safe for the two of us girls to live here, so he specially brought it back."

Chen Fan looked at Xiao Hei, and Xiao Hei immediately wagged its tail.

Seeing this, Liu Juan was filled with surprise. "Xiao Hei is usually very fierce and barks at strangers. We don't dare to take it out. I didn't expect it to be so friendly when it met you for the first time, as if it knew you were the owner of this place."

Chen Fan smiled and didn't say much, "This dog is not bad."

He gently rubbed Xiao Hei with his foot, then looked at Liu Juan and asked, "Are you two sharing a room?"

"what?"

Liu Juan was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to her senses and remembered that Chen Fan had said before that they could each choose a room, and then she understood what he meant.

Then her face flushed slightly, and she said, "Your house is very big. One room is enough for us. It will be warmer and we'll feel more at ease."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fan frowned slightly.

It wasn't because of them, but because she had said before that Master Zhang was worried about their safety and specifically asked for Xiao Hei, and now she said that living together would make her feel more at ease.

So, are there even more security problems outside now?
Upon further inquiry, it was indeed the case.

Liu Juan pursed her lips and said softly, "Actually, as long as you don't go to remote places, you'll be fine most of the time. And try not to go out at night, and there won't be any problems."

Chen Fan nodded slightly, paused for two seconds, then changed the subject, looking around, "You don't have heating?"

Liu Juan exclaimed "Ah!" and quickly stood up, saying, "We just lit a small stove in our room, we don't have a boiler. I'll go and light one now."

The house was equipped with domestic heating when it was built. The boiler is in the small building in front. Chen Fan doesn't usually live here, so they don't use the boiler. Now that the owner is back, they naturally have to turn on the heating.

As for whether the house is too big and wasteful, Chen Fan had already considered this. The home heating system also has valve control. By simply opening the corresponding valve, the space used for heating can be reduced, thus minimizing waste.

While Liu Juan was tending the boiler, Ma Lan had already prepared dinner and brought it over on a plate.

Chen Fan and the two little monkeys each held a bowl and began to eat, slurping their food.

After they had eaten their fill, the two monkeys finally relaxed and sat down on the table, smiling at Chen Fan.

As expected, food and lodging are provided, and there's no chance of getting beaten up. I must stick close to this powerful ally!

Chen Fan looked at the monkey, then at the dog, wondering to himself, "Does this count as adding a new member to the family?"
(End of this chapter)