When the news spread that Xie Yan was going to take photos of the villagers with Tiananmen Square in the background, the whole village instantly erupted in excitement, like a calm lake being stirred up by a boulder.
After many elderly women found out, they also wanted to take a photo of their parents, but since taking a photo requires submitting a paper, many people brought eggs and money to plead for leniency.
Qian Hong actually wanted Xie Yan to take a couple of pictures of her parents, so she came over and told Xie Yan about it.
After Xie Yan found out, he discussed it with Yu Yue and took Chaochao to her grandmother's house. They even brought two rolls of film to take pictures there.
As for the villagers, they will take photos of the elderly whenever they can bring them over.
After Qian Hong spread the news, the older women and sisters-in-law who came over were overjoyed. Those who lived nearby went over to tell her about it that very night, while those who lived far away went back to their parents' homes early the next morning.
Although it costs two cents to develop a photo, it's Tiananmen Square!
For those of them who have been trapped in their small villages their whole lives, seeing Tiananmen Square in person is an unattainable dream.
Now that I can have a photo with Tiananmen Square in the background, what's a little extra effort? I can grit my teeth and sell a few more eggs at worst.
So everyone was willing to take the photo. Even Yu Shan, who couldn't go to Beijing, privately asked Xie Yan to let him have a photo taken too.
Xie Yan still hoped that Yu Shan would go to Beijing with them next year so they could take photos directly at Tiananmen Square. However, Yu Shan couldn't let go of everything on his side, and seeing that he couldn't be persuaded, Xie Yan agreed to let him take the photos.
Finally, the giant photo of Tiananmen Square that Xie Yan had been eagerly anticipating arrived.
The news spread like wildfire, and the villagers, young and old, flocked to see the spectacle like bees drawn by the fragrance of flowers. Xie Yan took the opportunity to display the photos for everyone to see, and then asked Mao Dan to pass on a message to Yu Shan, informing everyone to gather at the wheat field after lunch for a photo shoot.
After lunch at the thank-you banquet, I brought my camera and the Tiananmen Square backdrop that symbolizes hope and dreams to the event.
The sight before him warmed his heart; the threshing floor was already packed with people, so crowded that it was impossible to move.
Many elderly people who came to take photos dressed up carefully, wearing their most presentable clothes, with their hair neatly combed. Whether standing or sitting, their eyes were full of solemnity and expectation as they waited quietly.
Mao Dan held Chao Chao's hand tightly. Seeing so many elderly people, his eyes widened like copper bells, and his face was full of surprise.
He had never even seen many of the elderly people before, and his big eyes looked around curiously.
Unable to stay still, he grabbed Chaochao's hand and ran into the crowd to spread rumors. When they returned, he already knew who those unfamiliar old people belonged to.
As if he had discovered some important information, Mao Dan began to explain it to Xie Yan in a rapid-fire manner.
When it was time to take photos at the thank-you banquet, he was still standing to the side, puffing out his chest with a proud look on his face. When he encountered unfamiliar elderly people, he had to explain to them that the person taking the photos was his uncle.
Chaochao followed Maodan, looking quite arrogant.
The two little ones stood next to Xie Yan like two guardian angels, attracting people around to come and play with them whenever they had a chance.
Upon seeing so many people, Xie Yan did not hesitate at all and quickly began taking photos of the elderly in the village, prioritizing them from oldest to youngest and the most seriously ill.
Pressing the shutter once, the crisp "click" of the camera seems to freeze the dreams of the elderly, recording this precious moment.
Xie Yan also used all his knowledge to not only capture the characteristics of each elderly person in the photos, but also to perfectly integrate them with the Tiananmen Square background. When the photos were developed, people who didn't know the situation thought they were really taken in Beijing.
After the photos were taken, some elderly people with mobility issues or poor health left with satisfied smiles, supported or carried by their children.
Meanwhile, the elderly people who were still relatively healthy stayed where they were, their eyes full of anticipation, waiting to receive their negatives, as if that was the closest connection they had to their dreams.
During this waiting period, the elderly people discussed it privately and unanimously hoped that Xie Yan would help develop the photos when he went to the commune.
They all said they could give the money right now.
Xie Yan looked hesitant and said frankly, "I can't say for sure when I can go. Maybe you'll go before me?"
An elderly man, chosen by the group, smiled kindly and said, "It's alright, we're not in a hurry. You can come anytime and help us wash it."
“We’ve brought all the money, we’ll give it to you now.”
After thinking for a moment, Xie Yan felt that the villagers did not often go to the commune, and helping to develop the photos was a small favor, so he nodded and agreed.
Seeing that Xie Yan had agreed, the old man immediately organized everyone to pay the money.
Xie Yan borrowed Mao Dan's notebook and pen and carefully wrote down everyone's names on the spot.
Because there were many elderly people, the photo shoot at Xie Yan's banquet took another day to complete.
After Xie Yan developed the photos, he distributed them to the villagers one by one according to the registered names.
Many elderly people's eyes instantly welled up with tears when they saw their photos, their emotions surging. They never imagined that in their ordinary lives, they would have the opportunity to be photographed alongside Tiananmen Square, which they considered so sacred.
Some even said with tears in their eyes and trembling voices that they would take this photo as their funeral portrait, which shows that this photo is of far greater significance to them than they imagined, and is a precious memory of their lives.
As the controversy surrounding the photos gradually subsided, the village returned to its usual bustling state.
That day, after the family finished eating together, Yu Yuehui gently patted her belly and sighed, "Oh dear! I feel like my appetite has improved recently. Everything tastes delicious. I need to control myself a little."
Xie Yan, who was leisurely drinking water, suddenly stopped in his tracks upon hearing this, a thought flashing through his mind—his wife's period hadn't come yet this month.
He was startled, his heart suddenly raced, and he immediately put down his water glass, stood up, and took three steps at a time to walk to Yu Yuehui's side. He carefully placed his hand on her pulse, his eyes full of concern and trepidation.
Of course, he didn't know what he was so anxious about.
Yu Yuehui was taken aback by Xie Yan's sudden action, her heart pounding. She asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with me? Am I sick?"
"No way! I don't feel unwell at all, I just ate a bit too much."
She had never heard of anyone eating a lot when they were sick, but seeing Xie Yan's serious expression and noticing that no one else was there, she started to feel nervous.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
