Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 47 - 047 Expose in Public One More Time (Seeking Sponsorship)

Chapter 47: 047 Expose in Public One More Time (Seeking Sponsorship)

At around five o’clock in the afternoon, Li Xianglu started to fry the raw melon seeds. It wasn’t much, just about two pounds, seemingly last year’s stock, but they started to emit a fragrance once exposed to heat. The Qin Family of three also came out early with their small stools.

The old man greeted them and asked the three to wait, bringing Li Xianglu along for company. Meanwhile, the Qin Family’s Fatty was impatiently jumping around, urging them to hurry fearing they’d lose good spots.

Once the seeds were roasted, Li Xianglu switched out the cloth bag that previously held red beans to use for the seeds, keeping some aside for the old man. But the old man waved his hands, mentioning his poor teeth prevented him from eating these snacks.

So, Li Xianglu took all the seeds, and along the way, the Qin Family’s Fatty was anxiously wanting to eat them but they were too hot to handle, blowing on them continuously.

By then, the sky had gradually darkened. When they reached the drying yard, they found many people had already arrived, including some from the neighboring Jishui.

Based on past experiences of watching movies, the front rows weren’t considered the best viewing spots; the seventh or eighth rows were ideal. But since there was no slope, everyone had to sit in a line, concerned about people blocking the view in front. Hence, most people rushed to the front while Li Xianglu and her group, arriving not too late, chose a spot in the middle. Considering the ease of exiting for restroom breaks, Qin Shouren suggested sitting closer to the aisle. The Qin Family’s Fatty, however, dissatisfied, took his stool and went off to find his friends.

Thus, Li Xianglu ended up sitting with Qin Shouren and his son.

By this time, the outer layer of the seeds had cooled down. Li Xianglu held the bag open, continuously shaking it to cool the seeds inside.

Unaware of the time but noticing the sky had turned dark, Li Xianglu heard a ’ping’ sound and turned to see Qin Xi beside her, opening a pocket watch and saying with a slight smile, "Ten minutes left."

But Li Xianglu stared at the pocket watch, frowning, somehow feeling she had seen this watch before.

Qin Xi, noticing her dazed look following his pocket watch, paused slightly and explained, "This is a pocket watch, used for checking the time."

Li Xianglu was taken aback by his words and didn’t respond, her face twisted as she turned back to flipping the seeds, realizing perhaps her original self might not even know what that was.

Qin Xi, uncertain of why she suddenly turned cold, silently turned his head away too.

The movie "Tunnel War" started soon, a film propagating the immense power of the people’s war, with many humorous scenes like the enemies being smoked out or falling into traps and getting killed by locals, drawing rounds of applause from the audience.

Li Xianglu was particularly interested in Wang Xiaozhong, who played the antagonist. In those days, playing such roles was tough – liberation had just occurred, followed by ten turbulent years, and people’s mindsets were not yet progressive, often critiquing the actors personally, forgetting they were just portraying characters.

Halfway through the movie, Li Xianglu nudged Qin Xi next to her and said, "Brother Qin, I need to use the restroom. Please watch my stool."

Qin Xi nodded, and Li Xianglu handed over her bag of seeds and bent down to leave.

It was convenient on the side; after passing just three or four people, she was out.

Li Xianglu glanced around; the area was the drying yard and there were only a few trees around, not many convenient spots for relieving herself, and it was a bit far to go back. Although there was moonlight, the terrain in Central Shaanxi consisted of mountain roads, and a wrong step could cause trouble, so she headed towards a row of abandoned kilns.

She crouched down beside a kiln to relieve herself after ensuring no one was around.

Li Xianglu, a bit afraid of the dark, was about to stand up when she heard a burst of loud footsteps approaching.

Li Xianglu’s heart skipped a beat, and she shuffled towards the darker part inside, then carefully pulled up her pants. She suddenly wondered why she was hiding—it was just another person coming, why not confidently walk out?

Just as Li Xianglu was about to move, she heard two people start talking, and she reluctantly crouched down again, feeling like someone eavesdropping from around the corner.

The man spoke first, angrily, "Qin Miao, you are shameless! I saw everything!"

The woman replied in a distressed tone, "It was a misunderstanding, please don’t get me wrong, you know I have always been..."

The man interrupted furiously, "Always been what? A virgin? Stop lying, I saw you two together, how many times have you slept with him?"

The woman started sobbing, "No, I haven’t, you are framing me, you know who he is, he molested me, I was resisting, and you saw it and still say this to me!"

After a pause, seemingly hearing the woman crying, the man continued after a while, "I was too angry, I was blinded by what I saw then."

The woman added, "I have always only loved you, he said if I accepted him, he would secure a return spot for you, I was hesitant, and then he embraced me," her voice breaking into sobs.

Then, the man shouted, "Qin Miao!" before the two shadows came together.

Li Xianglu in the darkness curled her lip, thinking the woman really knew how to spin words, even considering sacrificing herself for ’true love’.

But this Qin Miao, she felt strangely familiar, wasn’t she that lady from the literacy class? What was her relation to Qin Xi and his family?

Eventually, after the man apologized and the woman playfully acted spoiled, the couple left.

Li Xianglu also emerged from another kiln, and just as she stepped out, she saw a silhouette heading her way.

Li Xianglu panicked and ran towards the west side, but ironically, it turned out running caused more trouble. The person approaching was the woman from before, who loudly asked, "Who are you?"

Li Xianglu dared not answer, quickly running back to the drying yard in the dark. Luckily, it was crowded with many people standing around. Li Xianglu calmed her breath and slowly walked in.

Just entering the drying yard, she saw Qin Xi’s tall figure by the roadside, juggling two little stools, walking a few steps forward as he saw Li Xianglu approaching, panting with raised eyebrows, yet he did not inquire further.

It turned out Qin Xi, worried as Li Xianglu had been away for a while, was about to go look for her. Now that she had returned, and the movie wasn’t over yet, Li Xianglu had no desire to continue watching. At this moment, she just wanted to leave quickly in case the other person returned and created trouble.

Qin Xi, although puzzled, cooperated and agreed. He wasn’t interested in the movie either, so after greeting Qin Shouren, he left with Li Xianglu.

Along the way, Li Xianglu, whether tripping over a rock or stepping on a twig that made a noise, frightened herself and let out cries repeatedly. Qin Xi couldn’t help but ask, "What happened earlier?"

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