Chapter 99 Update

Lin Xiang learned the truth on the second day.

That stinky man He Hongyuan clearly admitted that he was seconded to the Capital Military Region for training, but he didn't tell me.

It makes me feel sentimental and sad.

Damn it! She doesn't want to deal with this bad man anymore!

Early in the morning, Little Coconut discovered that something was wrong with his parents.

Mom accompanied grandma in front of the sewing machine to study clothing styles, and Dad was serving tea and water beside her; Mom was selecting vegetables, and Dad also came over to select vegetables with her. Finally, Mom glared at Dad and said fiercely: "Then you select them all by yourself!"

Dad obediently selected the vegetables, but he had to look at Mom from time to time.

At noon, when cooking in the corridor, Dad was directed by Mom to cook. He flipped the spatula and admitted his mistakes at the same time.

"I was wrong. That's what happened last night. I can't say it out loud."

"I actually wanted to say that, but you just came up and..."

Mom glared at Dad and pinched his arm, but it didn't seem to hurt because Dad smiled.

Little Coconut felt dizzy from watching this and couldn't help but pinch his arm. Hiss, it clearly hurt!

Oh no, my dad is stupid!

Dad is still admitting his fault: "It's all my fault, don't be angry."

"How about you pinch me again? Hit me again?" It was still a little hot in the capital in early September. He Hongyuan was wearing only a thin short-sleeved shirt. As he bent over to cook, his broad back was outlined by the tight shirt, making him look majestic. He smiled, "My back is still a little itchy from the pinching you gave me last night. Have your nails grown longer?"

Lin Xiang patted him on the back and said fiercely, "I should have been tougher last night!"

Little Coconut tilted his head and looked carefully for a long time, and finally concluded that his father was even less capable than himself.

At least if I did something wrong, like secretly eating candy, it was easy to coax my mother.

Look, Dad has been coaxing Mom for the whole morning, but Mom still hasn’t forgiven Dad.

At lunch, He Hongyuan announced the secondment again. Lin Xiang, who knew about it in advance, was calm, but He Guifang was excited: "That's great, you two don't have to be apart for so long! If I had known earlier, I would have had a big meal today, don't you agree, Linlin?"

Little He Lin didn't quite understand what her father was doing on secondment, but her grandmother was happy, and she was happy too, so she nodded obediently: "Yes!"

The whole family was happy, and Lin Xiang packed her bag that afternoon to return to school for classes the following Monday.

He Guifang was busy making clothes, and kept muttering in the house: "Xiangxiang, you must take care of your health when you go to school. Eat well. When you come back on Saturday, I will make you some soup to nourish you!"

"I see, mother, don't get too tired from making clothes."

He Hongyuan took his daughter downstairs to see his wife off. When they reached the gate of the military academy, Lin Xiang sat on the bicycle and said to the daughter, "Linlin, say goodbye to your mother."

Little Helin ran forward and raised her hand and waved to signal her mother to lower her head.

Lin Xiang lowered her head and moved closer to the child. Her cheeks were immediately wet, and a sweet and soft kiss was placed on the child.

With a pat, little He Lin stepped back: "Mom, goodbye, mom, study hard!"

"Okay." Lin Xiang rubbed the child's head.

"Drive slowly on the road." He Hongyuan followed and stopped in front of the bicycle to instruct his wife.

Lin Xiang stared at the man with a half-smile, happy that they didn't have to be separated for a long time, but also angry that this bad man didn't tell her the truth last night.

She imitated the way a lady waved before kissing her, and motioned the man to lower his head.

He Hongyuan's eyes lit up slightly, and he lowered his head and moved closer.

But there was no kiss as expected, only the voice of his wife whispering in his ear: "Are you still expecting me to kiss you now? You wish! Let's go~"

He Hongyuan: "..."

Lin Xiang, carrying a shoulder bag, rode her bicycle through the tree-lined path. The breeze blew her red dress, creating a bright arc.

Behind him, an adult and a child were having a conversation.

Little Coconut raised his head and stabbed his old father in the heart: "Dad, why doesn't Mom kiss you?"

He Hongyuan: "...children should not interfere in adult matters."

Little Coconut: “...Huh”

++++

In Lin Xiang's sophomore year, the school's Economics and Trade Department began to intentionally provide students with some opportunities for out-of-town practice and learning, such as the previous National Commodities Fair and subsequent small and medium-sized exhibitions. This is a convenience of being in the capital, and it is also an opportunity that is rare in other places.

In October 1979, the weather was getting colder. After the National Day, Lin Xiang got a chance to go out for a research trip. The 32 students in the class were divided into four groups and went to major department stores, supply and marketing cooperatives, and friendship stores to prepare research reports.

Lin Xiang, three roommates and four classmates were drawn to the largest friendship store in the capital.

A prestigious university like Kyoto University has a high social status and can provide many opportunities and conveniences. Lin Xiang and her team members were able to enter the Friendship Shop, which has an extremely high threshold, thanks to the school's extracurricular homework.

Unlike department stores or supply and marketing cooperatives that provide daily necessities for domestic residents, Friendship Stores cater exclusively to foreigners.

There are many kinds of goods inside, and most of them are rare brands. You may not even see them in department stores, not to mention that you need foreign exchange certificates to enter, which is even more difficult to obtain.

When eight students from the Department of Economics and Trade of Kyoto University entered, they were shocked by the dazzling array of foreign products.

"What is that? Chocolate!"

"It's still called Chocolate with Liquor Filling, written in a foreign language."

"What kind of cheese is that?"

"There is also black water with the word Coca-Cola written on it."

Lin Xiang saw many famous brands that became classics in later generations, including the most popular happy water - Coca-Cola.

Glass bottles of Coca-Cola are placed in rows on the shelves, and the black cola water inside is particularly eye-catching. For most people who have never heard of or drunk it, it is always a source of curiosity.

The manager of the Friendship Store gave each of the eight Kyoto University students a bottle of Coca-Cola and a piece of chocolate with liqueur filling, and then guided the students to conduct a survey to understand the business model of the Friendship Store.

Two male students in the class were heavy-handed. They were shaking a Coca-Cola while listening to the lecture. After opening the lid, they heard a bang and the soda with white steam came up and splashed all over their hands.

"Oops, I forgot to tell you, this Coca-Cola is very strong, you can't shake it like that."

Lin Xiang and the others laughed as they watched the two male classmates busy wiping their hands. Then they touched the back of their heads and said, "This is a nuclear weapon!"

Everyone was used to drinking Arctic Ocean soda and other domestic brand juices, so this was the first time they drank Coca-Cola.

The refreshing and sweet taste rushes into your mouth, giving you an especially refreshing feeling. If you drink a sip of it iced in the summer, the taste is even more amazing.

Lin Xiang drank the familiar Coke and felt moved!

It's full of memories of the past!

It was also here, while chatting and researching with the manager of Friendship Store, that we all learned that Coca-Cola re-entered the Chinese market this year. As to why not many ordinary people know about it, it is because Coca-Cola is now only sold in Friendship Stores and foreign-related hotels with a large number of foreigners, and is not available to the general public.

Hearing this, Lin Xiang's excitement of seeing the Coke she loved drinking before traveling through time disappeared instantly. Due to her occupational disease, her first reaction was that if Coca-Cola were ever sold to the general public, it would definitely have a huge impact on domestically produced soft drinks.

Foreigners came to the Friendship Store to shop. They bought Coca-Cola at 40 cents a bottle without any problem. Feng Qiuyue was shocked when she saw this: "This 40 cents a bottle is almost as much as three bottles of Arctic Ocean."

Zhong Lihua likes fresh food: "It tastes different. This is really delicious. But it's a pity that you need foreign exchange certificates to buy it."

When leaving the Friendship Store, Lin Xiang went to ask the manager for a few more questions. When she heard that Coca-Cola was planning to build a factory in China, she couldn't help but feel alert.

It has only been a short time since 119 Coconut Juice gained its foothold. How long can it and other domestically produced soft drinks withstand the impact?

After completing this extracurricular research assignment, the students of the Department of Economics and Trade returned to school to complete the research report. Lin Xiang took the opportunity to write another letter to Factory 119. The letter mostly contained suggestions for improving production technology, and suggested that they could strive to learn more from other large-scale soda factories with a longer development time and more advanced production technology.

Zhao Jianjun has always been a person who listens to advice. Go somewhere else to study? It's very simple!

There is no one in this world that he cannot handle. Everyone who comes is a brother or sister!

119 took the initiative to send telegrams to large and well-known soda factories such as the Arctic Ocean Soda Factory, the Shanhaiguan Soda Factory, and the Second Soda Factory, hoping to learn and exchange ideas at the factories and promote the improvement of production technology.

Some soda factories were generous enough to welcome 119 Food Factory to their location, while others showed some resistance.

Zhao Jianjun took a few of his assistants with him to travel around the country, taking time out to learn and communicate. He used his eloquence to build relationships and establish friendships with people, and discussed difficult problems related to production technology with them. He even bought two sets of relatively advanced equipment and brought them back with him. His harvest was quite fruitful.

In addition, kumquat water, mango juice, and guava juice produced by 119 are also gradually supplied to the whole country. Zhao Jianjun is also looking for suitable fruit planting bases of various types, imitating the coconut planting base, to ensure a stable supply of raw materials for fruit juice.

After receiving the reply from 119, Lin Xiang could see through every word that the 119 factory was heading towards a better future. At the same time, she felt worried. She suddenly remembered that the Arctic Ocean, which now dominates the capital's soft drink market, had actually disappeared for a long time in later generations and was not as glorious as it is today.

Not to mention that the top local soft drinks in different regions also seem to have declined in later generations.

Will 119 continue to develop? Or will it be like other domestically produced sodas, which, after experiencing a period of rapid development in the 1970s and 1980s, will be overturned by the tide of the times and become a piece of history in people's memory?

Lin Xiang carefully recalled but still could not remember how the now glorious domestic soda disappeared in later generations. However, when he thought of the Coca-Cola he saw in the Friendship Store that day, he felt a sense of crisis in his heart.

The last time I went to the National Commodity Fair as a volunteer, I got to know some employees from the Industry and Commerce Bureau and the Central Grain and Oil Corporation. After a few days, we were able to talk to each other and had a good relationship.

Lin Xiang then went to ask around and heard that Coca-Cola was indeed planning to build a factory, but the first choice was Shanghai, but it was unsuccessful.

The reason was that a boycott of foreign products broke out in Shanghai. After all, it was less than two years since the end of the great movement, and many people were still immersed in the criticism of petty capitalism. It was simply unreasonable to learn that such foreign products were to be built in China.

After all the opposition, Lin Xiang heard that the plan was aborted.

In December 1979, Lin Xiang finished her final exams, which also marked the end of her sophomore year. On her way home, she heard that Coca-Cola seemed to be applying for a site to build a factory in Beijing, and she was afraid that there would still be some negotiation involved.

When they reached the gate of the military academy, heavy snow was falling. Lin Xiang wrapped herself in a cashmere coat and quickly went upstairs. After entering the house, she could feel the hot steam.

The mutton hotpot was bubbling. He Guifang cut the mutton slices and put them on two large plates. He Hongyuan prepared the other vegetarian dishes. Little Coconut sat there obediently, swinging his legs, waiting for the meat and vegetables.

"Mom, come and eat hot pot!" Little Coconut waved excitedly.

"Okay." Lin Xiang took off her hat and scarf and hung them on the hanger beside her. She took off her cashmere coat, shook off the snow before hanging it up again. She washed her hands and sat next to the lady.

The cold winter is a good time to eat hot pot.

The mutton rolls are cooked in the boiling pot, turning from red to gray, and then rolled in the dipping sauce, making the meat tender and delicious.

He Hongyuan was boiling meat rolls for his family, especially picking up meat for his daughter from time to time. At this time, he said, "I have completed my two-year training. Next week is the final exam and training exercise. After that, I have a one-and-a-half-month vacation. It happens to be your winter vacation. Why don't we go back to the island?"

"Okay!" Lin Xiang and He Guifang said in unison.

After two years, everyone missed their relatives and friends on the island.

Lin Xiang ate mutton and excitedly began to plan her itinerary: "Let's go back and stay for more than a month. It's a good opportunity to look around and take it as a vacation. I haven't seen Yuezhu and the others, as well as Minmin and Yaqing for a long time. I only met my old colleagues from 119 once last time, but I don't know what the factory has become after the expansion. I have to go back and take a look."

He Guifang immediately thought about what to bring: "Let's bring more things from the capital. We have to send what needs to be sent. I told Feng Li last time that I have to let her try the roast duck when I have the chance."

"Okay, you guys make the arrangements." He Hongyuan looked at his mother and daughter-in-law, who were so excited that they couldn't wait to leave tonight. On the contrary, Xiao Yezi was unusually calm, concentrating on eating mutton with his chopsticks. "Linlin, we want to go back to the island. Aren't you excited?"

Little Coconut chewed with his little mouth, his eyes wide open, and looked at his father with a watery face: "I want to eat the meat first, and then I will get excited later."

He Hongyuan: "..."

A week later, He Hongyuan finished his two-year study and training and had a rare vacation.

After packing their luggage, the family set out on a chilly morning, preparing to return to the island to visit and celebrate the New Year!

......

After a five-day and four-night green train journey, the group finally set foot in Phnom Penh after two years.

On the train station platform, Shen Jianming and Zhou Yuezhu were looking around until they saw a familiar figure. They suddenly waved their hands: "Aunt, cousin, cousin's wife! Linlin!"

Zhou Yuezhu hadn't changed much in two months. Lin Xiang walked over quickly with the child in her arms, looked her up and down, and exclaimed in amazement: "Look at her, she's already a mother, how come she hasn't changed at all?"

"Cousin, you are joking again!" Zhou Yuezhu gave birth to a son two months ago. After eating nourishing confinement meals for a month, her face became a little rounder, making her look more gentle and lovable.

He Guifang was most pleased to see the younger generation having children, so she asked about the situation of Yuezhu and Xiaoshen's children. The group went to the island in great excitement.

Zhou Shenghuai and Feng Li had already prepared dinner at home. When they heard some noise outside, they hurried out to greet them. The two families happily met each other again.

He Guifang and Feng Li, the former sisters-in-law, have a good relationship and get along well with each other. They have also exchanged letters in the past two years. Feng Li, who has just become a grandmother, took He Guifang to see her grandson, hugged little Yezi and touched his head, and chatted with He Hongyuan and Lin Xiang.

Zhou Shenghuai was much more reserved. During the greetings, he mostly expressed his affirmation of Lin Xiang's university life, his concern, and his approval of his nephew's further studies.

"Do you really want to be seconded to the Capital Military Region?" Zhou Shenghuai really hopes that his nephew can return to the island as soon as possible. He is young and promising, and is the most recognized type of military talent today, ranking among the top in both theory and military strength.

"Well, I'm going to gain some experience." He Hongyuan became more calm. "I've learned a lot and seen a lot in the past two years. Now I know that I was lacking in many areas before."

"It's good to have this kind of ambitious consciousness." Zhou Shenghuai looked at his older nephew who was becoming more and more promising, and then thought of his younger nephew who was particularly unsuccessful.

He knew all about the trouble Zhou Hongfei had caused earlier, and he also knew that his second brother's efforts were in vain in the end. His nephew was sent to jail, and his second brother and his second sister-in-law's family also had a quarrel, and their relationship was now strained.

The family that seemed so happy before was torn into pieces.

Now, the second elder brother Zhou Shengqiang is alone in the Northwest Military Region, while his wife Wei Minhui and son Zhou Hongfei stay in her mother's home in the capital. I heard that they have ignored each other for almost half a year.

Only Wei Minhui tried to mediate, but the two sides were now at loggerheads, and no one would listen, resulting in a stalemate.

Looking at the present, my second sister-in-law He Guifang's family is harmonious and happy, her son and daughter-in-law are promising, and her granddaughter is lively and lovely.

What a fate!

"Third Grandpa!" Little Coconut returned to the island and had some vague memories, but she was young before and her memory was not clear. Now she followed her mother to call for help, and she shouted very loudly.

"Hey!" Zhou Shenghuai grabbed a handful of candy for the child. Thinking about how his family was doing well and how he now had grandchildren, he didn't want to worry about other troubles.

The two families sat down to eat and talked as they ate, as if they wanted to break down and mix the past two years of life into every word and sentence.

......

"Congratulations!"

"Xiang Xiang!"

After dinner, Zhang Huafeng, Yan Min's family, Jiang Weijun, and Song Qingya's family also came. Before they arrived, Sheng'er arrived first.

The men clenched their fists excitedly and patted each other on the shoulders, while the women held hands and hugged each other, their faces full of joy.

"Come on, let's take a look at the students from Peking University!" Yan Min is now the deputy director of the cultural troupe. He is dressed in a military uniform and looks heroic. He took Lin Xiang's hand and spun around, looking at her carefully. "Oh, they are really different. You can tell they are cultured at first glance!"

Lin Xiang smiled: "Don't tease me."

Song Qingya was a sophomore at a university in Haining Province. She politely exchanged a few words with Lin Xiang.

At their feet, the children of the three families were also playing together. He Lin and Jiang Sheng were of similar age, and would soon be five years old, while Zhang Huafeng and Yan Min's daughter were only two years old. The two older friends held the hands of the younger ones and played.

Lin Xiang reminded her daughter: "Linlin, Xiaosheng, you are the older brother and sister, you must take good care of your younger sister."

"Know!"

"I know!" Little Helin was so happy to become a big sister. She excitedly told her sister the story of the picture book.

Lin Xiang and He Hongyuan's house is now occupied by other military families, so their family lives in Zhou Shenghuai and Feng Li's house, so they can keep each other company.

Back on the island, the family compound was full of familiar faces. The news that Captain He's family had returned spread like wildfire. Anyone who heard about it came to chat, reminisce about the past, ask about their life in the capital, and finally play with Little Coconut.

"We are staying in the capital, come and have a look!"

"Xiao Gang, you should also get some of our cleverness and study in the capital."

People everywhere are both longing and yearning for the capital. When someone comes to the capital, it is basically big news and everyone wants to come and see it.

Lin Xiang met Sister Guazi, Kong Zhenzhen and others in the courtyard. Qiu Hongxia and her daughter warmly thanked Lin Xiang for pointing out the matter of Xiang Dongkai, the bastard, and insisted on inviting her to have dinner at their home.

He Hongyuan was busy reminiscing with his comrades and was unable to come. Qiu Hongxia warmly entertained Lin Xiang, her mother-in-law and her daughter.

The banner about Guazi sister's daughter Zhang Yafen getting admitted to university is still there half a year later, except it has been moved from the doorstep to the living room wall, and it's extremely popular.

Other families put award certificates on the walls for their elementary school children, but Sister Guazi hangs banners on the walls for her college daughters.

Zhang Yafen was embarrassed and laughed: "Mom, other people might laugh at us if they see us."

Qiu Hongxia didn't take it seriously: "Who dares to make a joke! My daughter has been admitted to university, I can hang this banner until I am buried! If you have the ability, others can also get admitted to university!"

Lin Xiang was so amused that she asked her daughter, "Linlin, if you get into college in the future, do you want your mother to hang this for you?"

Little Coconut shook his head: "No, Mommy, just give me some candy as a reward."

It's over, even a five-year-old kid thinks this is a bit childish.

But when the family finished their meal and returned to Aunt Feng's house, He Hongyuan also came back from visiting Brigadier General Yang. Hearing about Sister Guazi's actions, he was actually somewhat moved: "Linlin passed the exam, so we failed too."

Lin Xiang and Xiao Yezi looked at He Hongyuan at the same time, their eyes showing how childish he was!

The island was not too cold and the climate was pleasant. Every day, the sea breeze blew gently, carrying a light salty smell. Lin Xiang ate the long-lost fresh seafood, the kind that she could eat with her belly open.

Walking on the bluestone pavement, accompanied by the straight coconut trees, she looked back at the 119 Food Factory.

The 119 Factory No. 2 in my memory appeared before my eyes again, the same, yet different.

Director Zhao had a unique idea and hung a big red banner at the entrance of the factory - warmly welcoming Comrade Lin Xiang, an outstanding employee of our factory, back home.

Lin Xiang's eyes welled up, she sniffed, pointed at the more imposing gate and said, "Why is this big iron gate golden?"

Kong Zhenzhen reported: "The factory manager had it painted gold, saying it would look magnificent."

There have also been significant changes in the factory area, with expansion of area, addition of factory buildings, and increase and upgrading of equipment. Everything indicates the rapid development of 119 in the past two years.

"Xiao Lin, welcome back to take a look." Zhao Jianjun couldn't wait to show this capable general around, "Let's go and take a look at our production line!"

The smoothly operating soda production line was proceeding in an orderly manner. Lin Xiang watched the various milky white and yellow liquids being bottled, sealed, and packaged. Everything was so orderly.

Except for the new employees who joined the factory later, more than half of the workers in the factory knew Lin Xiang, and they all called her Director Lin enthusiastically, as if Lin Xiang was still working here yesterday and was just here to check the production situation as usual today.

Even the documents posted on the walls of the workshop were the production safety guidelines that Lin Xiang had summarized four years ago.

The office building had the smallest change in the factory. Lin Xiang revisited her old office and had lunch with her old colleagues in the cafeteria. Sister Luo still worked in the cafeteria and gave Lin Xiang the most meat. She even showed partiality in front of the factory director and other directors: "Xiao Lin, I gave you the most meat!"

Zhao Jianjun laughed: "Sister Luo, you are so partial, am I giving you any preferential treatment?"

Sister Luo shook her spoon and said, "Director, you can't act so arrogantly. You are a leader and you have to be the same as the workers."

The people around him also laughed.

Pan-fried hairtail, stir-fried pork with chili peppers, fried prawns... everything tasted familiar. Lin Xiang savored the aroma: "The taste of our cafeteria must not have changed! It's still so delicious!"

Ma Defa, who hurried over, heard this and laughed, "That really hasn't changed. I come here every winter and summer break to eat for free."

He also went to get a meal and joined in.

Lin Xiang frowned: "I envy you. There are advantages to being close to you."

——

It feels really good to not have to work or study and just vacation on an island.

When I wake up every day, I can see the calm blue sea in the distance. The south is not too cold and can even be considered warm and comfortable. The surrounding area is shaded by green trees and it is still like spring. There are plenty of fish, shrimps and crabs. I can casually bask in the sun in the afternoon and chat with my neighbors. I can visit the 119 Food Factory from time to time.

When Factory 1 Director Huang and Secretary Tang heard that Lin Xiang had returned to the island, they invited her to come over and have a chat. They even politely asked her not to just tell Factory 2 about any news she had, but to also take care of Factory 1.

After all, we are in the capital, and we are most informed about all policies and guidelines.

Lin Xiang smiled and said, "Director Huang, Secretary Tang, I don't have that much ability, but don't worry, if there is something, Director Zhao is not someone who would hide it."

Secretary Tang's face changed. "That old Zhao is not one to hide anything, but every time he wants to reveal the news, he has to ask me to beg him. He won't tell me unless I beg him! He even asks me to light a cigarette or drink. Is he a human being?"

What a reversal of fortune! Lin Xiang thought, now Director Zhao has Secretary Tang in his hands!

The relaxing and pleasant winter vacation on the island passed quickly, and when the day of return came, Lin Xiang and his family received many special products, all of which were dried seafood, for them to take back to the capital to eat.

When we boarded the ship to leave, our relatives and friends saw us off at the dock.

The sky was azure blue, and the golden sunshine covered the entire sea, sparkling with water. Only a passenger ship passed by, stirring up pure white splashes of water. The people on the dock waved their hands, and the people on the boat also waved their hands, looking at each other from afar.

In 1980, Lin Xiang returned to the island and left again, about to start her junior year.

++++

Two years later.

January 1982, Capital, Beijing University.

The first batch of college students after the resumption of the college entrance examination held their graduation ceremony.

This is also the only class of college students who entered in the spring and graduated in the winter.

The graduation ceremony of the Department of Economics and Trade was held in the department auditorium. Students took turns to go on stage to receive congratulations from department leaders and receive graduation certificates.

Lin Xiang stood on the podium, shook hands with the department leaders, and heard congratulations on her graduation, as well as the words: "After graduation, I will strive to be a person who is responsible for myself, kind to others, and useful to the country and society."

Lin Xiang took the graduation certificate and said seriously: "Thank you, Director. I will remember it."

The six people from dormitory 305 gathered together and took a group photo by the cold and windy Kyoto University Lake with the help of a camera taken by a school newspaper reporter with whom they had good connections.

It was fate that brought us together over the past four years. Now that I am graduating, I feel very reluctant to leave.

"Wang Ming, please give us this film. We will take it to the photo studio to develop it ourselves and each of us can keep one as a souvenir." Zhong Lihua discussed with the school newspaper reporter.

"Okay, I'll give you the negatives!"

Zhong Lihua is a local and volunteered to develop the photos: "Once I get them developed at the photo studio, I'll give each of you one. You have to check them every year!"

"good."

Feng Qiuyue, as the eldest sister in the dormitory, said: "We can't lose contact even after graduation. We should get together more often when we are free!"

"That's for sure!" the other five responded.

At the gate of Kyoto University, graduates are going their separate ways. They came with large and small bags, and now they leave with large and small bags.

Lin Xiang had no luggage except a shoulder bag, which was quite light. She had moved all her things back home over the past two months.

Under the vermilion lacquered palace gate, He Hongyuan was waiting with He Guifang, who was holding her granddaughter, to take Lin Xiang home.

"Our Xiangxiang has graduated. It wasn't easy!" He Guifang thinks her daughter-in-law is the most amazing. She was able to be admitted to Peking University and now graduated successfully. It's amazing.

Lin Xiang smiled widely: "Yes, it's been four years. Time flies."

"Mom!" Little He Lin, who was over six years old, pulled her mother's hand and said excitedly, "Mom has graduated, when will I graduate?"

Lin Xiang: "..."

The girl who just entered the first grade of elementary school last September is already thinking about graduation!

It takes more than ten years to graduate from university.

He Hongyuan pointed at the gate of Jingda University and said to the daughter, "Do you want to study here like your mother in the future?"

Little Coconut shook his head: "No, I still want to go to kindergarten!"

Old father: "..."

My Special Unattractive Girlfriend

The family of four went to a roast duck restaurant for dinner that night to celebrate Lin Xiang's graduation from university.

Jing City's roast duck is famous throughout the country. The skin is crispy after roasting, and the duck meat inside is tender and moist. The duck meat is coated with sweet bean sauce and placed in a thin layer of dough. It is then paired with shredded green onions and cucumber strips, rolled into a roll and put into the mouth.

When you take a bite, the crispy duck skin, tender duck meat, sweet sweet bean sauce, fresh scallions and crisp cucumber are intertwined and mixed, bursting with taste buds in your mouth, instantly giving you a great sense of satisfaction.

A roast duck costs eight yuan, which is definitely a high price nowadays. However, after the reform and opening up, some ordinary people who were quick to start small businesses have become more wealthy and dare to eat lavishly.

Lin Xiang had just eaten a roast duck roll made by her husband, and then her girlfriend fed her another roast duck roll: "Mom, eat!"

Lin Xiang, who couldn't stop drinking, finished a bottle of coconut juice. When she was about to order another drink, she suddenly found that the store had started serving Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

The waiter introduced enthusiastically: "This is new. It was only sold in Friendship Stores before. Only foreigners could drink it. Now we can buy it, but it's a bit more expensive, 40 cents a bottle."

The price of Arctic Ocean soda and other fruit juice sodas only increased to 0.20 yuan a bottle last year, but there is still a big price difference from Coke.

But the most surprising thing was that Coca-Cola actually started selling overseas.

"Then let's try it." He Hongyuan looked at his wife lost in thought, while his daughter-in-law looked at him eagerly, and ordered four bottles of Coca-Cola in one breath, "Let's see how it tastes."

Children always like carbonated drinks the most. Little Helin burped after drinking Coke, but she thought it was sweet and delicious.

After Lin Xiang took a sip, she suddenly remembered something.

She finally remembered why the domestic soda brand that is now popular everywhere disappeared for decades.

If I remember correctly, with the deepening of reform and opening up, domestic soft drinks would also develop rapidly, but everything came to an abrupt end in the 1990s.

Sino-foreign joint ventures, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, through joint holdings, seized dominance when domestic soft drink brands had no idea about capital development, kicked domestic soft drinks out one by one, and then restricted domestic soft drinks with various terms, making it difficult for them to produce and sell normally. In the end, they completely occupied the market.

In today's roast duck restaurants, many people have various types of domestically produced soft drinks on their tables, such as Arctic Ocean, Shanhaiguan Soda, Laoshan Cola...which will disappear for decades in the future.

And in this life, will the emerging 119 coconut juice be among them?