Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

In the cold wind, the two finally waited for the bus to go into the city.

The carriage was packed with people. Li Xiangyang let Li Xiaoyun sit by the window, while he stood to the side, like a mountain shielding her from the shoving crowd.

Li Xiaoyun looked up at him, a smile playing on her lips.

Upon arriving in the county town, a cold wind carrying scattered snowflakes swept over us.

There weren't many pedestrians on the street, but a long queue had formed in front of the cinema in the distance.

"Let's go take a look."

Li Xiangyang took Li Xiaoyun's hand and walked quickly towards the cinema.

Two movie posters were displayed at the entrance of the cinema: one for "The Flower Girl" and the other for "The Mountain School Teacher".

Many people crowded in front of the poster and discussed it.

"I've heard that 'The Flower Girl' is really good."

"That's right, my cousin queued all night to buy a ticket."

Looking at the surging crowd, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but worry, "There are so many people, I don't know if we can get tickets. Which show do you want to see?"

“Xiangyang…” Li Xiaoyun looked at the poster for “Mountain School Teacher” and said softly, “I want to see this.”

Although "The Flower Girl" was more popular, Li Xiaoyun's eyes were fixed on another poster.

Li Xiangyang nodded: "There aren't many people here, so we should be able to buy one."

There was still plenty of time before tickets went on sale. Li Xiangyang turned to Li Xiaoyun and said, "You wait here, I'll go buy something."

A little while later, he returned carrying a small bag of popcorn.

These are snacks unique to movie theaters; their sweet aroma wafts far and wide.

Popcorn back then wasn't as sophisticated as it is in later times. It was made in an iron pot, and each batch was made in small quantities, costing one cent per bag.

"Here you go." Li Xiangyang handed the popcorn to Li Xiaoyun.

Li Xiaoyun held the paper package, the warm air passing through the paper into her palm.

She gently picked up a corn cob and put it in her mouth, the crispy corn flavor spreading between her lips and teeth.

"You eat too." She handed the paper package to Li Xiangyang.

This scene was witnessed by a young couple ahead of them in line. The girl tugged at her boyfriend's sleeve: "Look at them..."

The boy scratched his head sheepishly and turned to walk towards the stall.

Li Xiaoyun blushed and was about to speak when the ticket window suddenly opened.

The crowd surged forward, shouts rising and falling.

"Don't push, don't push!"

"Hurry up, they'll be sold out if we're any later!"

Li Xiangyang protected Li Xiaoyun, standing steadily in the line.

When they arrived at the window, the ticket seller was about to put up a sign that read "The Flower Girl is Sold Out".

"Are there any tickets left for 'The Mountain School Teacher'?" Li Xiangyang asked quickly.

"And two cents a ticket," the ticket seller said casually.

Li Xiangyang took out four cents and exchanged it for two tickets.

Li Xiaoyun took the ticket and carefully put it in her pocket, afraid of wrinkling it.

It was the afternoon showing, and the theater wasn't crowded. Most of the people there were there to see "The Flower Girl," but they left disappointed when they learned that the tickets were sold out.

Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun found a nice spot to sit down.

The theater was dimly lit, and the projector was making a loud rumbling noise.

Li Xiaoyun stared at the screen with anticipation, like a little child.

As a beam of light shone on the screen, the film began.

It tells the story of a young female teacher who came to teach in a remote mountainous area.

Li Xiaoyun was captivated by what she saw, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling.

Li Xiangyang, however, would steal glances at her profile from time to time.

The light and shadow from the screen danced on her face, making her seem as if she were enveloped in a hazy halo.

As the movie ended, a hint of moisture glistened in Li Xiaoyun's eyes.

The female teacher on screen is not just a character, but more like her ideal self.

"How is it?" Li Xiangyang asked in a low voice, holding her hand.

“Very good,” Li Xiaoyun wiped her eyes, “After watching this movie, my dream of becoming a teacher has become even stronger.”

"Are you hungry?" Li Xiangyang looked around. "Let's go get something to eat first, and while we're at it, we can exchange some shopping vouchers to buy Uncle Wang a gift."

After leaving the movie theater, Li Xiangyang took Li Xiaoyun to a state-run restaurant.

"Li Xiangyang, come over here!"

As soon as the two entered, Director Zhang recognized Li Xiangyang at a glance, greeted him warmly, and then his gaze fell on Li Xiaoyun.

Li Xiaoyun was slightly reserved and subconsciously tightened her grip on Li Xiangyang's hand.

"Is this your girlfriend?" Director Zhang asked with a smile. "She's quite a beautiful girl."

"Hello!"

Li Xiaoyun blushed and greeted him in a low voice.

"Uncle Zhang, I came here today to ask you for a favor. Could you help me exchange some shopping vouchers?"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, Li Xiangyang asked in a low voice.

"Sure, no problem with that, but the price..."

"The price is negotiable, we're practically acquaintances..."

Alright!

After they finished speaking in hushed tones, they were both quite satisfied.

Director Zhang quickly helped Li Xiangyang exchange his shopping voucher and warmly said, "Why don't you eat here later? I'll get you a good seat."

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of steaming food. Looking at the price list, Li Xiaoyun hesitated, "Maybe we should go to a smaller restaurant instead; this place is too expensive."

Li Xiangyang grasped her hand: "No, we've finally managed to get out of the city. Listen to me, let's eat here."

Under Director Zhang's arrangement, Li Xiangyang led Li Xiaoyun to a quiet private room at the back of the restaurant.

Director Zhang clearly took good care of Li Xiangyang, specially choosing a window seat for them.

"Let's order." Li Xiangyang pushed the menu in front of Li Xiaoyun.

Li Xiaoyun carefully flipped through the menu, the price tags making her hesitate.

"How about we just order some braised pork?"

After looking at it for a while, Li Xiaoyun hesitated before speaking.

Li Xiangyang laughed: "No way! Today I'm in charge. Order whatever you want to eat."

Although Li Xiangyang said that, he wanted something expensive, but Li Xiaoyun refused to agree.

In the end, they ordered braised pork, vegetables and tofu, a fish soup, and two bowls of rice.

The food came quickly.

Li Xiaoyun ate very politely.

Halfway through the meal, Director Zhang personally brought over a dessert.

"Try it," Director Zhang said with a smile. "This is one of our restaurant's signature snacks."

Li Xiaoyun said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's too much trouble for Uncle Zhang."

“Not at all,” Director Zhang said generously. “Xiangyang and I hit it off immediately. Come eat here often, and I’ll give you a discount.”

As I stepped out of the restaurant, a cold wind swept over me once again.

Li Xiaoyun pulled her cotton-padded coat tighter around herself and asked curiously, "Xiangyang, why is Director Zhang being so hospitable to us?"

Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Just as Uncle Zhang said, we hit it off immediately. I sold wild boar to him once before; he's a nice guy, gives fair prices, and can get all sorts of tickets."

"You know the situation now, without tickets, you can't buy anything. Luckily, I know Uncle Zhang. Let's go to the department store now and pick out some gifts for Uncle Wang Jingyun and Wang Ying."