Rebooting 60, let's go on a rampage with the orange cat!

Every morning, the intersections of old Beijing streets would be bustling with all sorts of artisans: photographers, barbers, and instrumentalists. They carried their own dreams, hoping to find their own opportunities in this city.

At that time, Houhai was already bustling with people, but it was not the bar street it is today. Instead, it was a row of open-air teahouses and tea stalls selling large bowls of tea for one cent a bowl.

On West Chang'an Avenue, fuel was in short supply at the time, and some buses had large gas canisters on their roofs to use as fuel. Water trucks were also spraying water on the streets... All of this filled Shi Huai'an and his group with curiosity.

Liu Chuyang borrowed a camera, and they took photos at each scenic spot to commemorate the occasion.

There is a bicycle parking area in front of Zhengyangmen Gate Tower, filled with old-fashioned bicycles. Although living conditions are difficult, the city exudes a strong socialist atmosphere.

The streets and alleys are filled not only with the aroma of steaming biscuits in the early morning, but also with people's yearning and anticipation for a better future.

Back then, there were very few private cars and buses. The overhead wires were the same as those used for trolleybuses. The streets were practically a kingdom of bicycles, especially during the morning, noon, and evening rush hours, when the dense crowds of people riding bicycles were a spectacular sight.

At that time, there were also state-run taxi companies in Beijing. At that time, taxis were mainly dispatched by telephone reservation. They generally used old-fashioned German Beetle cars, while high-end cars used Polish Warsaw cars. The price was 0.5 yuan per kilometer, which was quite a luxury experience at the time.

The next day, when Liu Chuyang led them to Tiananmen Square, the square was filled with people dressed in black, blue, and gray clothing. Some were holding rallies, while others were tourists. The square was teeming with people.

The inscriptions on Tiananmen Gate read "Long Live the People's Republic of China" and "Long Live the Great Unity of the People of the World."

Their group arrived at the Monument to the People's Heroes and Martyrs in the square. The monument is 37.94 meters high, with reliefs of the heroes engraved on both sides of the body, and decorated with a relief wreath composed of five stars, pine trees and flags.

The front (north side) of the monument is engraved with eight gilded characters inscribed by Mao Zedong: "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes"; the back is inscribed by Zhou Enlai, based on the inscription drafted by Mao Zedong at the First Plenary Session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The inscription reads: "Eternal glory to the people's heroes who sacrificed their lives in the People's Liberation War and the People's Revolution over the past three years! Eternal glory to the people's heroes who sacrificed their lives in the People's Liberation War and the People's Revolution over the past thirty years! And back to 1840, eternal glory to the people's heroes who sacrificed their lives in all the struggles against internal and external enemies, for national independence and the freedom and happiness of the people!"

Shi Huai'an silently prayed for the people's heroes to live forever. She knew that in the future, the country would become better and better, and prosperous.

Shi Huai'an led his family in laying flowers and bowing before the Monument to the People's Martyrs. They stood for a long time gazing at the surroundings, deeply moved, and Shi Renmei was even moved to tears.

After lunch, Liu Chuyang led them toward the world-famous Great Wall. At that time, the Great Wall was not yet developed, there was no entrance fee, and not many people went there.

The moment everyone stepped onto the Great Wall, a sense of grandeur and magnificence washed over them. As far as the eye could see, the winding wall resembled a giant dragon coiled among the towering mountains, its imposing presence breathtaking.

Keep in mind, this was in the 1960s! Tourism was far less developed then, and the number of tourists visiting the Great Wall was relatively small. Therefore, there weren't bustling crowds on the Great Wall; only a handful of people strolled along. This allowed them to appreciate the magnificent scenery of this great structure more leisurely.

Standing atop the Great Wall, Shi Huai'an and Li Huaiyuan couldn't help but open their arms and shout loudly into the distance.

Their voices echoed through the empty mountains, as if releasing all the joy and excitement in their hearts. At this moment, they forgot all their worries and fatigue, completely immersed in the magnificent scene before them, their excitement overflowing.

Huai'an took out several rolls of film she had bought and handed them to Liu Chuyang, asking her to take as many photos as she wanted. She thought to herself that when she went out alone in the future, she would definitely use the digital camera in her space to record everything about this era—what precious visual materials that would be! Of course, for convenience, she would still need to buy the most advanced camera of this era, so as not to arouse suspicion…

In the 1960s and 70s, a Seagull brand camera cost 160 yuan, equivalent to a month's salary for a high-ranking cadre of grade 13. A roll of Gongyuan brand 120 film cost 1.80 yuan, and the processing fee was 0.30 yuan. A roll of film contained 12 exposures, and the printing fee was 0.06 yuan per exposure.

On the third day, we went to the Summer Palace. There were a variety of cultural performances in front of the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace became a popular place for citizens to escape the summer heat.

Kunming Lake was originally the Tonghui River, a waterway for the Yuan Dynasty's capital city's grain transport, and a waterway for Yuan, Ming, and Qing emperors to visit the Western Hills. It was also the water source for the capital city during the Qing Dynasty. Later, it was built into a royal garden and is now a paradise for the people.

Gulou Street remains a bustling city center, while Nanluoguxiang has evolved into a food street. This nearly 800-meter-long alley is located in the Jiaodaokou area on the east side of Beijing's central axis and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.

The old hutongs are a maze of interconnected alleyways, where many famous people once lived. Of course, most people just wandered around curiously from the outside of the hutongs. Occasionally, people in uniforms would speed through the hutongs on motorcycles, which was quite a novel experience for everyone.

As the saying goes, "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is no true hero, and he who has not eaten Peking duck has a real regret." So, Shi Huai'an brought his family to the renowned Quanjude, ready to savor that mouthwatering Peking duck feast.

As soon as you step into the shop, you are greeted by a rustic and elegant atmosphere. The shop's unique decor, with its antique tables and chairs and exquisite carved screens, makes you feel as if you have traveled back to an ancient restaurant.

Shi Huai'an enthusiastically ordered her food. First, she ordered a golden-brown, fragrant roast duck for only 9 yuan. Next, she ordered spicy diced chicken; the tender, juicy chicken paired with the spicy and flavorful seasoning was enough to whet her appetite just by imagining it, and this delicious dish cost 3.35 yuan. Then, she ordered a vegetarian dish—shiitake mushroom and bamboo shoot slices, refreshing and not greasy, for only 2.1 yuan. Of course, no meal is complete without meat, so a braised fish fillet was also on the menu, costing 1.5 yuan. As for soup, Shi Huai'an chose Shandong sea cucumber soup, its rich and delicious flavor leaving a lasting impression, but this soup wasn't cheap, costing 2 yuan! Finally, for her staple food, she opted for simple rice, a bowl for only 0.03 yuan, a mere 3 cents.

Soon, one dish after another was served. Everyone eagerly picked up their chopsticks and began to enjoy the sumptuous feast. The roast duck had crispy skin and tender meat; wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber strips, and sweet bean sauce, each bite was bursting with flavor. The spicy chicken was spicy yet flavorful, whetting the appetite. The shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots were refreshing and cool, offering a refreshing sensation to the taste buds. The braised fish was cooked to perfection, the fish tender and flavorful. The Shandong sea cucumber soup was a nourishing delicacy, every sip bursting with the fresh taste of the sea.

After a satisfying meal, Li Huaiyuan patted his round belly contentedly and exclaimed, "This roast duck was absolutely delicious! I must tell all my friends when I get back, so they can all be so envious of me!"

Xiuzhi, standing to the side, saw that Huai'an had paid 18.1 yuan in the bill and couldn't help but click her tongue and shake her head, saying, "An'an, this meal was delicious, but it was really too expensive! Duck meat is more expensive than gold. This meal cost your father almost half a month's salary."

However, Shi Renmei was quite optimistic and said with a smile, "We rarely get to travel, so we should make the most of our time. Having the opportunity to visit the capital and sample the local delicacies makes my life worthwhile!"

"Mom, isn't money meant to be spent? Since we're already here, it would be a shame not to try it. Don't worry, I can earn even more money in the future, so you can spend it however you want," Shi Huai'an comforted her with a smile.

Liu Chuyang smiled and said, "The roast duck here is very famous in Beijing. Sometimes when special foreign guests come, ordinary people are not allowed to enter. We're lucky today..."

On the fourth day, I went to the Forbidden City. At that time, the Forbidden City was still under renovation. The entrance fee was only five cents per person. The Forbidden City looked desolate and quiet. The few tourists I encountered in the huge palaces and imperial gardens were mostly staff members carrying folders and moving between the buildings, maintenance workers working in different buildings, and groups of ethnic minorities dressed in their traditional costumes.

In the quiet, dark halls, the display stands were covered in dust, with no lighting and most exhibits lacking necessary explanations. Of the nearly one thousand halls in the Forbidden City, only a very small number are well-preserved, and these are limited to the halls located along the central axis.

The further away you are from there, the more dilapidated the buildings become, with broken walls and ruins everywhere, and weeds and small trees growing half a meter high on the rooftops. However, if you know what you're looking for, the Forbidden City can show you countless treasures from the entire history of China.

No matter what your interests are, you can find everything you desire, from bronzes, porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, important literary and scientific works and treasures to the various clocks collected by the last empress dowager...

Looking back, that magnificent palace, once the residence of the emperor, is now like a desolate garden, scarred and ravaged, a sight that evokes deep sighs.

The once magnificent carved beams and painted rafters have lost their former glory, and the vermilion gate has become mottled and worn due to the erosion of time; the lush flowers in the courtyard are long gone, replaced by weeds and withered leaves.

Some of the exquisite pavilions and towers have collapsed, leaving only ruins, seemingly silently recounting their former glory and splendor. Strolling among them, the stone paths beneath my feet are covered in moss, and with each step, I feel the weight and vicissitudes of history. Gazing at this desolate scene, a myriad of emotions well up within me: all things in this world, no matter how glorious and splendid they once were, ultimately cannot withstand the torrent of time, and will inevitably decline and decay…

In the afternoon, everyone went to Dongfeng Market on Wangfujing Street, formerly known as Dong'an Market. After the "Destroy the Four Olds" movement was launched, Wangfujing Street and Dong'an Market were the first places to be damaged.

Back then, the No. 3 trolleybus route ran from the Beijing Zoo to Beijing Railway Station, passing through Wangfujing Street. It was a relatively crowded bus route at the time.

Wangfujing Department Store is known as the "First Store of New China". The store has nine entrances. There is a saying that if you can't buy it at the department store, you shouldn't go anywhere else.

It is said that when it opened on National Day in 1955, the place was packed with shoppers. When it closed that night, two large baskets were filled with shoes that customers had lost in the crowd.

Master Zhang Binggui, who sold candy, was a star salesman at the time. His candy counter was hailed by the people as the "Ninth Scenic Spot of Yanjing" (a famous ancient Chinese city in Beijing). He could grab a handful of candy, casually tell them the weight, and then weigh it on a scale with perfect accuracy, also readily stating the price.

This is the legendary "one-grab-and-one-catch" and "one-mouth-and-clear" technique. In the blink of an eye, the tightly bound and beautifully made candies are handed to the customer. Customers who came to see Master Zhang's skills even broke the glass counter.

Shi Renmei was a long-time employee at the food processing plant, practically a colleague. Just like modern-day fans chasing after celebrities, he squeezed in front of Master Zhang to buy candy, and even asked Liu Chuyang to take a picture of him and Master Zhang while he was buying candy, pressing the shutter button a few times so he could show it off to his colleagues later.

Through chatting with Huaiyuan, Huai'an learned what the family members lacked, so he squeezed in front of the counter and bought them gifts: watches, pastries, fashionable fabrics...

Li Huaiyuan was quite surprised by how quickly Huai'an spent money. While helping him carry the bags, he said, "Huai'an, have you struck it rich? Aren't you afraid your aunt and uncle will scold you for wasting money by buying so much?"

Huai'an chuckled as she packed her things without answering. Xiuzhi covered her mouth and laughed, "An'an manages the money in our family. She's our lucky charm; she can spend it and earn it too."

Li Huaiyuan couldn't help but gasp, "If I bought this much, my mom would probably beat me to death..."

Shi Huai'an counted the items, took out a watch and helped Huaiyuan put it on, saying, "Hehe~ Are you envious of me? Who told you not to be the one who sent me away?"

Huaiyuan quickly withdrew his hand to take off the watch, saying, "This is too valuable, I can't accept it."

Xiuzhi smiled and said, "An'an gave it to you, so please accept it and don't be shy."

Huai'an pressed down on his wrist and said sincerely, "Fifth Brother, please accept this. I will be studying here for eight years and can only go back during winter and summer vacations. During the rest of the year, I will have to ask you to take care of my parents. Please visit them as often as you can."

This was the first time Huai'an had called him "brother," and he was momentarily stunned. His eyes reddened as he said, "Sixth brother, you don't need to tell me. I will go to see Uncle and Aunt. Don't worry."

Xiuzhi put her arm around Huai'an's shoulder and said, "An'an, don't worry about studying in the capital. Your father and I are in good health and will take good care of ourselves. As for you, you've never left us before. Although I know you're very capable, things aren't as easy outside as they are at home. You also need to take good care of yourself. We all need to stay safe and sound."

"Mm!" Huai'an nodded. At this moment, Shi Renmei and Liu Chuyang also returned with a large amount of candy and snacks. They excitedly shared their experiences.

On the fifth day, before the morning sun had fully illuminated the earth, Shi Huai'an and her group arrived at the train station early to see her parents and the other two off on their journey home. Her feelings were complex; she felt both reluctant to part with her loved ones and excited and nervous about starting a new life.

A few days ago, Shi Huai'an called and asked the train conductor, Yue Tong, to book sleeper tickets for them to go home, so that his family members could get a good rest during the long journey.

Train conductor Yue Tong specifically informed Huai'an over the phone that, during interrogation, the couple with the child confessed that they had no sons of their own, only three daughters. They had purchased a child from a relative, intending to raise it. However, the relative's family had not reached an agreement on the matter; the wife did not approve, and it was the in-laws' decision made without their consent. Although they were not child traffickers, buying and selling children is still a violation of the law.

On the platform, Shi Huai'an held her mother's hand tightly, her eyes slightly red. Her father gently patted her shoulder, telling her to take good care of herself. She agreed, but tears welled up in her eyes.

As the train slowly pulled into the station, the moment of parting finally arrived. Shi Huai'an forced back her tears, smiling as she waved goodbye to her parents and the others. Only after the train had gradually disappeared into the distance did she turn around and silently wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Afterwards, Shi Huai'an returned to the guesthouse, put most of his luggage into his storage space, and carried only a small suitcase. He and the orange cat Duoduo headed towards the school.

For her, this day was both a farewell and the beginning of a new journey.