Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 175 - 171 days off, monthly ticket 840 additional updates

Chapter 175: 171 days off, monthly ticket 840 additional updates

The courtyard doesn’t have central heating, but during the last renovation, heating pipes were installed underground. There was already underground heating in ancient times, so it’s not really a surprise. However, heating from the outside would consume too much coal, and at that time, coal was still rationed. But Qin Xi somehow managed to get a batch of coal, almost half a truckload, enough for three meals, so there was no need to worry about coal anymore.

Qin Zhen had returned three days ago, and he had completely changed his style. He wore skinny bell-bottoms with a trench coat and long hair, which angered Qin Xi so much that she dragged him to the barber shop, where his hair was cut into a crew cut, and his bell-bottoms were forcibly changed to light silk cotton pants. His thin trench coat was also replaced with a thick military cotton-padded jacket.

He looked much more presentable now, but Qin Zhen was not happy about it. Everyone dressed like that these days, why couldn’t he? Even Chou Xiang was wearing bell-bottoms, why couldn’t he?

By the time they got home, it was already four in the afternoon. There were plenty of vegetables at home. Li Xianglu just washed up a bit and started kneading the dough, which actually was taken out from a Storage Ring. Previously kneaded in large quantities, she just kneaded it briefly and placed it under the bowl, then went to help Qin Xi wash cabbage and chop green onions. Qin Zhen wanted pork with green onions, and Grandpa wanted some with cabbage. They decided to make both types since there was no shortage of food at home.

Mr. Li and Qin Zhen were watching TV, while Li Xianglu and Qin Xi brought the flour and dumpling fillings to the dining table in the living room, making the dumplings while chatting and watching TV.

Li Xianglu was quick with her hands, and soon she had wrapped sixty of each type. Qin Xi called Qin Zhen to boil the water. He was watching TV and was unhappy when he heard this, but out of respect for his older brother, he reluctantly got up. As soon as he stepped out, he heard someone knocking on the door and grumpily asked, "Who is it?"

There was no response before the knocking continued. Even though Qin Zhen was a university student, he was still quite arrogant. Already in a bad mood, he huffed and went to open the door. As he opened it, he pushed his hand out.

The person outside took advantage of the motion to quickly pull him out by the sidelining his hand, pressing him down on the ground before Qin Zhen could react.

Just as Qin Zhen was about to yell, he heard the visitor say, "Qin Xiaopang, you’re not up to par. You’ve gotten so plump in no time, and you can’t even handle one move!"

Qin Zhen, who was about to get angry, became excited when he heard the visitor’s voice, "Li Xiaosan! Wow, why did you only come now? I’ve missed you so much!"

The two robust young men hugged each other tightly, and after a moment, Qin Zhen stepped back and examined him. Li Home’s Li Xiaosan had grown tall and strong, wearing a green military uniform, which completely transformed his aura. Qin Zhen touched his clothes enviously, almost having enlisted in the military himself.

Inside, people were anxiously waiting and saw no one returning. Li Xianglu, irritated, took a strainer and went out. As soon as she stepped out, she saw a familiar face walking towards her. Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, she exclaimed, "Third Brother!"

Li Jianqing greeted her with a big smile, and the person behind also came out quickly, first taking the strainer from Li Xianglu’s hands. The siblings held each other’s hands for a long time without speaking.

On the side, Qin Zhen interrupted, "Alright, let him in quickly, can’t you see he’s carrying a big bag?"

Li Xianglu glared at him and quickly invited, "Come on, let’s go inside and meet Grandpa."

Mr. Li also heard the noise outside and thought it was the An Family’s youngsters bringing something to eat again, so he didn’t move. However, when he saw Li Jianqing enter, he was surprised and happily stood up to settle him down.

Li Jianqing had enlisted in the army in April 1977 and now it was already late January 1979. Nearly two years had passed without seeing him, and everyone was very excited.

Qin Xi was boiling dumplings, while Li Xianglu took out the cooked pork belly and stir-fried it with onions and dried chili peppers, then deep-fried some peanuts, drizzled some vinegar on top and served it. It had been a long time since everyone had gathered, so they all wanted to have a drink.

Not long after, there were four large plates of dumplings on the dinner table, two dishes, and a bottle of Moutai.

Mr. Li hurriedly called out: "Come on, let’s start eating, we old folks should have a drink too."

Li Jianqing had grown fatter and taller, the originally dark-skinned and thin person had now become darker and stronger, even his height had shot up, nearly catching up with Qin Xi, and was about the same height as Qin Zhen, which was about 1.8 meters. In Northern Guanzhong, the men are generally tall, so Jianqing’s height was not unusual, but in these times, it’s hard to even gain weight, let alone grow taller, so Li Xianglu was delighted to see Jianqing’s changes, and was busy serving dumplings for everyone.

The way Li Xianglu made dumplings was different from most people today, she did not like those with little filling, but preferred those with thin skin and plentiful filling, feeling like eating a meatball with each bite, very satisfying.

Qin Zhen also liked such dumplings, the dumplings at school mostly had too much dough and too little filling, he couldn’t help but talk while he ate.

Seeing how well his sister and the Qin Family got along, and seeing how Mr. Li adored his sister like in the olden days, Li Jianqing felt relieved.

During the drink, everyone loosened up, and Li Jianqing mentioned that he had been promoted to a non-commissioned officer a few days ago, moving up a rank, and he wouldn’t need to be discharged this November.

Upon hearing the news, everyone was thrilled and took a drink with Li Jianqing. However, Li Xianglu expressed her concerns: "Third Brother, your educational background isn’t sufficient. If possible, you should apply to study further."

But Qin Xi shook his head soothingly, patting her head, and said, "In the military and civil services alike, studying and training are based on a selection system. Once you go for further studies, promotion is inevitable. Now that Jianqing has just become a non-commissioned officer, the chances of him going for further studies are slim."

Li Xianglu frowned slightly in worry, but Li Jianqing smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I know my education level is low. I’ve been self-studying high school textbooks while at the military school, and this autumn, I plan to apply for the college entrance examination, which doesn’t need a leader’s recommendation!"

Qin Xi nodded in approval, and Mr. Li was also delighted, saying, "Good, good child, you have ambition. The fact that you could study amid such intense training shows your determination!"

Getting affirmation from Mr. Li, Li Jianqing was very pleased and excitedly stood up to salute Mr. Li, making everyone laugh.

Beside them, Qin Zhen jokingly said, "Li Xiaosan, did you come back on a family visit leave this time?"

At that, Li Jianqing’s expression softened a bit, then he sat down and replied, "Yes, family visit leave, for a month. I plan to visit my sister, then return to Guanzhong."

Hearing that her third brother first came to see her, Li Xianglu happily said, "Then stay until after the New Year before leaving!"

PS: I’m stepping out, and will continue writing after returning at 5:30.

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