CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 156: A LIFELONG COMMITMENT

The days for grain delivery were just a few, and the current mainstream thought was that sooner was better than later.

Thus, when the queue reached the grain depot, it was already a long line.

All were from various production brigades coming to deliver grain.

Kao Shan Village had a tractor, yet even so, they mobilized tractors, ox carts, horse carts, and donkey carts all together.

It was always a bit easier than carrying it on their backs.

But some brigades were poor, not to mention tractors, they barely had any livestock, purely relying on manpower to transport the grain to the depot, leaving everyone sprawled on the ground gasping for air.

Qin Jiu watched this scene, his gaze swept over the people lying on the ground, then blinked at Kao Shan Village’s tractor.

"Aunt, how long do you think it will take for every production brigade to afford a tractor?"

Afraid of causing trouble, he spoke so softly it seemed the wind could blow it away.

Yi Chichi heard, "At most ten years."

She said confidently, after the economic reform and opening-up, by then you could buy not just tractors, but also private cars.

Qin Jiu, ... ten years?

It’s not that long.

"Do we have to wait here?"

Looking at the brigade leader speaking with the Red Flag Brigade people, the child tightened his grip on her hand.

Yi Chichi felt it, "Nervous?"

"A bit."

He was actually scared, after all, his identity wasn’t very good, afraid of causing trouble for his aunt.

"Then let’s go first."

In front of Yi Chichi, the child never hid his emotions.

So, understanding his worry instantly, Yi Chichi led him to find Uncle Yaozi.

"Uncle, Xiao Jiu and I are going to the supply and marketing cooperative."

Uncle Yaozi’s response was to pull out two banknotes and some tickets from his pocket and stuff them into her hand.

"Help bring back some things."

Before he could finish speaking, names like tobacco, alcohol, and candy popped out of his mouth.

"... can’t guarantee there’s stock."

"Buy whatever there is."

That’s doable.

Then, Yi Chichi, with money and tickets in hand, led Qin Jiu to the supply and marketing cooperative.

The place was crowded, and upon seeing the spectacle inside from the entrance, the big and small duo were startled.

Two minutes later, Qin Jiu’s small mouth opened slightly, "Aunt, should we still go in?"

There were too many people, not even a place to step.

He worried that they would be submerged by the sea of people inside.

Yi Chichi frowned, if possible, she didn’t want to go in.

However, they needed to replenish supplies and bring things for Uncle Yaozi, so they had to enter.

Sighing, she tightened her grip on Qin Jiu’s hand, "Once we’re inside, don’t let go, no matter what, don’t let go."

"Okay."

Then, the aunt and nephew charged into the crowd with an unstoppable determination.

"Excuse me, please make way."

They shouted while squeezing through, but it didn’t help much, since everyone was so crowded they couldn’t move.

Finally, after managing to purchase everything and emerge, well, Yi Chichi’s appearance had deteriorated to where she looked no different from a madwoman.

Her hair was a mess, her clothes were wrinkled, and her feet and toes suffered terribly, having been stepped on countless times.

She stood at the doorway, gathering herself for quite a while before feeling better.

"Let’s go, this place is too frightening."

It was quite frightening.

Recollecting the chaos inside the cooperative, Qin Jiu expressed lingering fear, "In all the years I’ve been alive, I’ve never been this crowded."

His little adult-like tone made Yi Chichi burst into laughter.

Feeling mocked, the child shouted "aunt," and Yi Chichi couldn’t help but pat his head.

"You’re only going to celebrate your seventh birthday, where did those many years come from?"

"It’s still many years."

This stubborn little child, oh well, "Mm, many years."

With the backpack slung on her back, she asked, "Want to watch a movie?"

They passed by the cinema on their way and saw on the blackboard that Tunnel Warfare was showing today.

Having been in this world for so long, she hadn’t watched a movie yet, she wanted to feel that atmosphere.

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, the child who initially wanted to refuse and advise her against spending money said, "If Aunt wants to watch, then I’ll watch."

"Let’s go!"

This was going with the flow.

Since this was the case, she naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Actually, when she came with Wang Nan and the others before, she wanted to watch then, but was too shy to speak up.

Because Wang Nan and the others thought it was too extravagant, she was willing to treat, but Wang Nan and the others were still unwilling.

They bluntly told her they were poor and couldn’t reciprocate.

So, she had no choice but to give up.

Today, she finally caught the chance.

A movie ticket cost five cents, Yi Chichi spent ten cents on two tickets, and seeing that there was still time before the show, she took Qin Jiu to the state-run restaurant across the street for a meal.

Quite extravagant, it had meat, fish, and vegetables, the cost was 1.52 yuan plus four taels of national grain coupons.

A half-grown boy would eat an old man out of house and home, lacking oil and water, Qin Jiu, this little kid, had stuffed his belly round.

Even so, the dishes weren’t finished, mainly because the portions were large.

Plus, she had ordered two more portions of sweet and sour pork, so, let’s pack the leftovers.

The untouched sweet and sour pork was for Qin Jiu to bring back to his grandpa and them, the leftovers she would eat herself, or if Wang Nan and the others didn’t mind, they could all eat together.

After settling the items, she took Qin Jiu back to the cinema.

With half an hour before the movie started, the big and small pair aimed to find a seat ahead of time.

Originally thinking there wouldn’t be many people, who knew once inside, they realized they overestimated, as many others had the same idea, good seats were taken, leaving her no choice but to reach the right corner with Qin Jiu.

The indoor lighting was dim, only two light bulbs were hanging, front and back, casting a faint glow.

In front of them sat a young man and woman, the man in a crisp military uniform, sitting upright, the woman...

"How long can you stay this time?"

Just when she thought the back of the woman’s head seemed familiar, she heard her speak.

At the sound of her voice, Yi Chichi’s eyes widened, it was truly Liu Lan.

Qin Jiu also recognized her, not rushing to greet her, instead he looked at Yi Chichi, then pointed at Liu Lan, silently saying, "Sister Liu Lan."

Yi Chichi nodded, it was indeed her.

She raised a finger to her lips signaling silence, and the child nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

Then, the big and small pair eavesdropped on the young couple’s conversation.

"Two months."

The young man’s voice was deep and magnetic, with the potential for voice acting, it was the kind of resonant bass that could seduce ears.

"That long?"

Liu Lan’s heart filled with an indescribable joy, laughter spread from her eyes and brows all across her face.

"When I returned, my leader assigned me a task that must be completed..."

The man hesitated to say more, and in her heart Yi Chichi clicked her tongue, Liu Lan’s betrothed was skilled at this.

"What task?"

Liu Lan was curious, and Yi Chichi sighed, silly girl, what task could it be, it was obviously about marrying you and completing a lifetime commitment.

How could she be so naive, following his words and entering his trap.

The young man paused, then said helplessly, "A lifelong commitment."

Liu Lan turned to look at him in surprise, was it as she thought?