Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 1382: Bittersweet Memories 7

Chapter 1382: Chapter 1382: Bittersweet Memories 7

Although it was New Year’s Eve, there was not a hint of the festive spirit in the military compound.

It had been like this all year, with the most exciting event probably being the performances of the cultural troupe. Even when performing revolutionary dramas, everyone watched with relish, because this was the only form of entertainment left.

Lu Jiang had told Feng Qingxue that he wouldn’t attend the performance today, but Feng Qingxue didn’t find him in his office either.

"Sister-in-law? Are you here looking for Comrade Lu Jiang?" A soldier on duty, whom she didn’t recognize, saw Feng Qingxue nod and quickly said, "Everyone is in the cafeteria reminiscing over the past hardships and thinking about the sweet future. You can find him there."

Reminiscing over hardships and thinking about the sweet future?

Feng Qingxue, carrying this question, found the cafeteria where Lu Jiang often ate, just as she heard the political department head, He Chunming, calling out vigorously.

At his command, many high-ranking officers, including Lu Jiang, picked up their bowls and started eating the ’reminiscing and thinking’ porridge heartily.

The so-called ’reminiscing and thinking’ porridge was a mix of porridge made from tree roots, wild vegetables, tree bark, dried sweet potatoes, broken corn, and wheat bran. Each person was given a large bowl of it to eat, and there was plenty more available without limit.

Lu Jiang caught a glimpse of his wife and was anxious to go back, but he couldn’t show it; he couldn’t eat too quickly.

Reminiscing over hardships and thinking about the sweet future meant reflecting on past difficulties and looking forward to a better future. This meal had to be savored slowly. How could one reminisce and think if they were to gulp it down in haste?

Although Feng Qingxue didn’t understand what food her husband was eating, she knew it must not taste good; otherwise, he wouldn’t have that expression.

Others might not notice, but who knows a husband better than his wife? Lu Jiang generally maintained an expressionless face around others, and people didn’t particularly try to analyze his thoughts. Feng Qingxue was different; she could guess what he was thinking from his subtle expressions and some of his behaviors.

"Of course it doesn’t taste good. It’s bitter, astringent, and rough on the throat." As soon as the ’reminiscing and thinking’ assembly ended, Lu Jiang immediately stood up and met up with his wife, hurrying home. Hearing his wife asking if it tasted good, he replied softly, "Let’s go, let’s go. I’m still hungry, just waiting to eat our family’s New Year’s Eve dinner."

He had only eaten a bowl of the ’reminiscing and thinking’ porridge for the sake of enjoying the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The couple walked into the family courtyard, passing by the doors of other people’s homes, and heard sharp and enthusiastic criticism coming from inside.

Lu Jiang pulled his wife forward and whispered, "Let’s go, don’t listen."

"What’s going on? It’s the New Year." Feng Qingxue, who had never experienced this, was puzzled.

Lu Jiang coughed, "This is the family meeting before the New Year’s Eve dinner. Just because our family doesn’t have it doesn’t mean others don’t."

Feng Qingxue understood and frowned, "What’s all this about?"

"It’s not only the military that does reminiscing and thinking. Various government agencies organize a big ’reminiscing and thinking’ assembly, and the countryside probably has it too, organized by the commune. People are selected from different teams to participate; it’s just that we have never experienced it."

...Feeling uncomfortable, I’ll come back and update in the evening, at least four Chapters, maybe a bit more, requesting votes, end-of-month call for monthly tickets.