An Moxue said, "Huzi, Xiaoshanzi, this is my Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma. You can call them Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma as I do."
The two men quickly bowed and greeted each other as juniors, saying, "Hello, Uncle Ma and Aunt Ma." In fact, they both knew Old Ma and Aunt Ma, but they had never met them in person and had only exchanged greetings. Standing in front of them, they were still very reserved, especially Old Ma, who seemed to be looking at them naked, which made them dare not have any ulterior motives.
Old Ma, however, knew these two well and was aware of their work, especially their service to An Moxue. Otherwise, how could those things in the cellar in An Moxue's backyard in Anle Village have remained untouched for so many years without anyone knowing?
Seeing Aunt Ma's enthusiasm for seeing fellow villagers, An Moxue smiled and said, "They are the grandson and great-grandson of Granny Wei from Changle Village. They both got into Kyoto University. Hu Zi is even in my class, and Xiao Shan Zi is studying mathematics."
When Aunt Ma heard that they were Granny Wei's grandson and granddaughter, she greeted them warmly and said, "Come over for meals often! We're from the same village, and our homes aren't far apart. I haven't seen Granny Wei for many years. How is she doing?"
Hu Zi hurriedly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie. We will definitely bother you in the future. My grandmother fell ill a few years ago, and by chance, she received help from Comrade An and recovered. Although she has not had a very good life these years because of her status, she has managed to live a comfortable life. Especially now that the class distinction theory has been abolished, things are much better."
Aunt Ma sighed, "As long as we're alive, things will get better and better, especially with these two promising young men. I'd be laughing in my sleep. The best is yet to come!"
An Moxue said, "Let's go! Let's go eat."
With that, the group got into the car, closed the door, and An Moxue drove them to the nearest state-run restaurant.
Perhaps because of the start of the school year, this restaurant was close to Kyoto University. When An Moxue and her group arrived, several groups of people were already seated inside.
An Moxue walked to the counter, glanced at the blackboard, and said, "Waiter, please bring one plate of each of today's dishes, two jin of pork and scallion dumplings, two bowls of rice, and four bottles of beer. Thank you."
The waiter asked, "Would you like to pay with a receipt?"
An Moxue said, "No need, I'll pay for everything."
"Hello, the food costs 12.3 yuan, the beer costs 2.2 yuan, and the total is 14.5 yuan."
An Moxue paid the money and received her pick-up card. The waiter said, "Your number will be called in a bit. Just come and pick it up. You can take your beer and glass now."
After ordering, An Moxue took her beer and sat down at the table. She said softly, "Now restaurants don't need receipts for payment anymore. Receipts will gradually disappear from the market. When we first arrived in Kyoto, state-run restaurants still required receipts! In just one month, many places have clearly changed."
Old Ma also said, "Many people who have been exonerated have returned to the city, but their houses are still occupied by others who refuse to move out. In the past few days, there have been disputes and conflicts in several courtyards around here. Those who refuse to move seem to be unaware of the policy changes and are still attacking others based on their class background. Some are actually scared, while others are not afraid of trouble and have reported to the police, standing their ground to the end."
Aunt Ma said, "Not only that! There are also educated youth who went to the countryside! The policy has been relaxed, and many have found ways to return to the city. They don't have jobs, and some families don't even have a bed. There are quite a few families in the neighborhood making this noise. These days, even if we don't go out to see the sights, we can't keep up with all the noise."
Old Ma said, "This city has suddenly become much more lively, but there are also more conflicts, and the public security isn't as good anymore. There are a lot of problems! You all need to be careful. Don't think that everything will be fine just because you're at school. Who knows what might happen? Be more vigilant."
Aunt Ma whispered, "There are still people on the streets stealing and selling things, and they get caught by the inspection team and chased after them. I think they're all quite young, probably mostly educated youth who have returned to the city. Some of them get caught and beaten black and blue on the spot, and I heard they're even locked up for 'education'."
Old Ma glanced at the three of them and said casually, "You guys should think twice before you act. Although the policies seem to be changing, there are still plenty of monsters and scoundrels around."
Tiger and Little Mountain felt that Old Ma was speaking to them, so they had no intention of refuting him and humbly nodded in agreement.
"Number 18! Number 18! Your food is ready! Your food is ready!"
Upon hearing this, An Moxue realized that the table was being called and got up to get the food, but Hu Zi and Xiao Shanzi stopped her. "Comrade An, please sit down, we'll go get the food." The two of them got up to get the food.
Old Ma watched the two figures walk away and said with a chuckle, "These two are quite perceptive, they have the tact and understanding of Granny Wei."
Aunt Ma chimed in, "Yes, she's quite talented. To get into Kyoto University under such difficult conditions, she'll definitely amount to something in the future. I just wonder what her character is like? If she's like Granny Wei, she'll be pretty good."
An Moxue asked curiously, "Uncle Ma, Auntie, are you very familiar with Granny Wei?"
Aunt Ma said, "We had some contact when we were young, but we lost touch after that, and then we lost touch again when the movement started. They're back, and we're getting ready to eat. I haven't had beer in years, so I'm going to try it today. Pour me a glass."
"Alright! Pour everyone a glass. If you like more, we'll order more later." An Moxue smiled, picked up the bottle, and gently lifted it with her chopsticks, causing the cap to fall off.
When Old Ma and Aunt Ma saw her skillful and practiced movements, they knew she must have drunk a lot of this wine before, and their eyes lit up with laughter. It seemed that people from the North, regardless of gender, all had a similar capacity for alcohol.
An Moxue filled everyone's cup with wine.
The two brothers returned carrying two trays.
Tiger said, "Comrade An, you're treating this meal. Next time, we brothers should definitely treat you to a meal to express our gratitude."
"Okay," An Moxue replied. "Let's sit down and eat! Come on, let's have a drink to wish us all the best in our studies!"
"Okay." Several people raised their glasses in celebration.
Looking at the food on the table, the two brothers knew that An Moxue had ordered all the dishes for the day. They said somewhat embarrassedly, "Comrade An, it's really just a simple meal, enough to fill our stomachs. There's no need to order so much good food."
Over the years, the two brothers have experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships and the fickleness of the world. Although they are now not short of money thanks to An Moxue, their requirements for food are very simple: as long as they can eat their fill. They always want to keep a low profile and are afraid of attracting trouble by being ostentatious. Even if they love a certain food, they will restrain themselves a bit, always worried that something bad might happen.
Even now, despite having successfully enrolled in school, they still can't let go of their inherent caution and prudence, constantly restraining themselves.
They admired An Moxue's carefree and unrestrained nature, but dared not do the same.
An Moxue noticed their awkwardness and said with a smile, "You have to finish all the food today! We can't waste any!"
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