After the group photo was taken, it was time to line up for family photos. The cafeteria staff didn't push forward; they still had work to do. The ones in the most hurry were newlyweds or couples who had only been married for a few years.
Usually, they hold one person's hand and carry another in their arms.
The mischievous boys who used to run wild all over the village are now all clean and tidy.
Actually, these kinds of photos are easy to take, and the speed isn't slow. We still have two rolls of film left, which should be enough to take family photos for the whole village.
Usually, a family takes three photos: one of the whole family (young and old), one of the young couple holding the child, and one of the elderly couple also holding the child.
Zhang Hongmei didn't stay there to watch the commotion; instead, she went to the old principal's house.
"I'm so sorry, I'm completely dizzy, but I keep feeling like there's something I've forgotten."
"It's alright. I know now and I won't ask any more questions. You're a cautious, intelligent, and reasonable girl. You know what you should do."
Zhang Hongmei smiled bitterly, realizing she knew nothing at the moment and had been in a daze the whole time.
“I fully support your decision to go abroad. We should learn from each other’s strengths and make up for each other’s weaknesses. If the country wants to become prosperous and strong, it needs young people like you who dare to work hard and make a difference.”
Life away from home will definitely be tough at first, but you'll get used to it after a while. I figure you won't be going alone. Being a stranger in a strange land, but having someone who understands you makes it less lonely.
"Yes, there are fifteen people going together this time, I won't be sad."
The principal's elderly wife came out with a small wooden box, sat down next to Zhang Hongmei with a smile, opened the box and took out a pair of amber bracelets.
He took Zhang Hongmei's hand and put the wristband on her wrist.
"This is your dowry from your grandmother. Although it's not fashionable anymore, it can be passed down. It was given to me by my great-grandmother when I got married."
Today I'm putting it on your hand. I remember she once said she hoped my marriage would be as gentle and warm as this. Today I'm giving those words to you as well.
Zhang Hongmei was conflicted. She really didn't want to accept gifts from others, but looking at the old lady's kind smile, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Good child, please accept this. It's a token of your grandparents' affection."
Zhang Hongmei ultimately did not say the words of refusal.
"Good child, I don't know or understand your thoughts, but I sincerely hope you can come back soon, and I hope your future life will be smooth and happy."
Zhang Hongmei patted the old lady's hand and said, "Grandma, don't worry, everything will get better and better. I believe my future life will be just as you expect."
"Yes, that's how you should be confident."
Zhang Hongmei chatted with the two elderly people for a while longer before going home.
Zhang Shouyi was already waiting for her at home. Xiao Li and Wang Ying could handle the photography, so the two decided to go up the mountain to take a look.
But they were stopped by the stone as soon as they stepped out.
"Sister Hongmei, Grandma wants you to come over."
"What's wrong? Stone?"
"It's nothing, I just wanted you to take a picture too."
"Okay, Stone, did my third uncle and aunt take any pictures?"
"Not yet. My dad said that we'll wait until everyone else has finished taking their photos, and if there are still people handing in their papers, then our family will take ours. Actually, we're still missing three people in our family."
Zhang Hongmei also knew that Liu Jianguo and Er Ya were both in the city, but Daya's whereabouts were unknown.
"Then you can let the three uncles and three aunts take the pictures, and you can even enlarge them and hang them on the wall."
"That's true, but we still have to wait. Hopefully, there will still be some papers left to hand in."
“I reckon there should be enough. There are only 63 households in our village. If each household takes three sheets, that's 189 sheets. Plus, there are two rolls to submit. That should be enough for your parents to take the photos.”
Zhang Shouyi followed behind them. Luckily, he had asked Xiao Li to take photos of the dinner ceremony first, otherwise it would have been troublesome.
The brigade headquarters was bustling with activity. Everyone greeted Zhang Hongmei and her friends warmly as they entered. After all, they had watched this girl grow up, and she was genuinely kind to everyone.
Wang Ying ran out and said, "Hongmei, we might not have enough papers to submit."
"Wang Ying, drive to the county and check out the photo studios there. If they have these rolls, buy them. If not, it would be even better if you could get them to bring their cameras over."
"Okay, I'll go right away. Even if we invite Hongmei, we probably won't be able to take photos today."
"It's okay, you can talk to them and see if the driver can come over tonight. We can take the photos tomorrow and then send the driver home."
Wang Hongxi came out at this time, "Hongmei, I'll go too. I think I'll be easier to talk to than this girl."
"That would be great, Uncle. It would be even better if you could invite them over. But if they really don't want to come over, could we rent a camera?"
"I'll go take a look and then decide."
Zhang Hongmei picked up the used exam paper and looked at it. Being an amateur, she couldn't see anything wrong with it. It was unlikely that such exam papers would exist back in her hometown. Oh well, Liu Jingzhang's father had brought all of them with him. She would definitely remember to send back a lot more when she got abroad, since these things couldn't be measured in money.
Zhang Shouyi stood by Zhang Hongmei's side the whole time, and from a distance, the two really did look like a perfect match.
Zhang Hongmei followed him into the room where the photo was taken. When Xiao Li saw the leader come in, his usually expressionless face finally showed a relieved expression.
Zhang Shouyi coughed lightly. "How many more photos haven't been taken yet?"
"The leader has about sixty more."
Is the lighting alright now?
"We can take all sixty photos."
"Okay, you've finished taking your photos. Wang Ying went to the photo studio to ask the photographer for help. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow. Everyone should try to take one photo at a time first, since this camera is good. If we can get the photographer to help us, then everyone will have a great time tomorrow."
They're all from the same village, so there are actually less than thirty households without photos. If each household got one, that would be fine.
Everyone understood that there were definitely some people who were dissatisfied, but they were all too concerned about saving face and no one said it out loud.
However, I took one photo at each place before moving on to the next one.
In the end, all the families had a group photo taken, and there were thirty photos left.
Zhang Hongmei found Liu Maocai and said, "Uncle, there are still thirty photos left. It's a bit late today, and the lighting isn't good enough. If we can't find a photographer tomorrow, I think the rest should be used to take photos of the elderly in the village."
"Yes, you're right. Let's call it a day. It's already four o'clock, time to start cooking. I'm just hoping Hongxi and the others can find a chef. Everyone's so enthusiastic. I'm afraid they'll have complaints if we don't get to cook for the rest of the day."
"Well, our village chief is so eloquent, we should be able to get him to come. We really hope everyone has a great time tomorrow."
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