Chapter 82 Taking Photos

The captain saw that her face was a little pale, but not frighteningly pale.

Xia Zhizhi yawned, wiped away the tears that had seeped out, and began to talk nonsense: "I just feel heavy, my breathing is not smooth, and my chest is stuffy and I am short of breath. Everything else is fine."

I don't know what this means, and I don't know whether it is good or bad.

The captain didn't worry too much. People with poor health always have all kinds of problems. Looking at her condition, she won't die for a while, so she should be fine.

He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Xia Zhiqing, I came to see you for no other reason than to ask you about the progress of the article you mentioned earlier."

He added: "I'm not rushing you, don't worry, I just came to ask if there is anything I can help you with."

From then on, Little Iron Egg appeared in the newspapers.

Later, the educated youth appeared in the newspapers.

Comrades from the Agricultural Machinery Station were reported in the newspaper.

Even his second son was getting embarrassed catching moths.

The article about catching moths was published in several newspapers across the country, and the attached photos were different. If I had known this, he would have worked overtime that night. With him as the team leader, what else would there be for others?

It’s a pity that we don’t know everything in advance. When will it be our turn?

This Xia Zhiqing has published a lot of various articles. Can you give me an accurate number? I am so anxious waiting!

This person is somewhat rebellious. When Xia Zhizhi has inspiration, she likes to write something. When no one urges her, she writes very quickly, writing a little here and a little there.

Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to work overtime even after having enough sleep.

I promised to write an article for the captain, but for some reason, I just didn’t want to start…

It's just like those lazy authors on novel websites a few decades later, who say they are busy with work recently and have no inspiration, and have no time to write, so they can't update, but in fact they are secretly watching Tik Tok and playing games. These are all excuses.

Don’t ask, asking is procrastination.

She shook her head and said, "Captain, I have written this article, but I always feel that it is not quite right, and I can't tell where it is. I have to revise it. After all, you are different from other comrades. This is related to the reputation of our village!"

I lied to you. Actually I didn't write a single word.

"Oh, that's okay, just take your time to revise it." It's already written, so it shouldn't take too long to revise it.

The captain smoothed his clothes and said, "Xia Zhiqing, do you think you are free today? How about we take the photo first? It's not that I'm in a hurry, but I'm afraid that by the time the article is finished, I won't be free. Wouldn't that delay it?"

Xia Zhizhi raised her head and took a closer look at the team leader. He was dressed neatly, a blue Dika sweatshirt and a white shirt, and also a pair of new Liberation shoes. The good guy didn't mind the heat at all, and dared to wear rubber shoes in this weather. If he took off his shoes when he got home, his feet would be so smelly that he would be beaten by his wife.

I don't know where the oil was found on the hair. It reflected the light under the sun and a fly would fall down if it stood on it.

What she wanted to write about was the image of an old village chief who was hardworking and honest. But no one knew what this captain was thinking. He dressed like a traitor, which was out of place.

In fact, it’s not surprising. Most people in the village have never taken a photo in their lives, especially those of the village chief’s age. If they want to take a photo, they must dress up carefully, right?

Xia Zhizhi thought his aesthetic was offensive, but seeing his hesitant expression on his old face, she couldn't refuse him.

I had no choice but to say, "That's fine. I'll take a picture for you today."

It’s up to her to take the photos and decide whether to use them or not.

She took out her camera from the house and pointed to a tree nearby. “Take two pictures there. You can see our village hall from behind.”

The captain took out an enamel pot from somewhere, cleared his throat, and wiped his hair. He asked, "Xia Zhiqing, do you think it's okay for me to stand here?"

"Okay, that's it." Xia Zhizhi said perfunctorily. As long as he likes it, it's fine.

The team leader was a nice person and was usually considerate of these educated youth from outside the city. Xia Zhizhi didn't dislike him and it was easy for her to take two photos, which made the old man very happy.

She took several photos of the captain while he sat and stood.

After all, it's rare for her to dress up, and people of her generation can only take a limited number of photos in their lifetime, so taking a few more photos is a piece of cake for her.

After the photoshoot, she even lied and praised him: "Looks good, really good looking, very energetic, very upright, just like that young man."

People who dress up carefully will be full of confidence, both men and women. After hearing her praise, the captain left happily.

Not long after, there was another knock on the gate.

Xia Zhizhi opened the door and took a look, and was almost frightened.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the captain's wife.

Her surname was Yang, and the educated youth called her Aunt Yang. She was a nice person and a typical female comrade of that era, hardworking and amiable.

Aunt Yang had a red headscarf on her head and a red floral jacket on her top. Her lips and cheeks were painted red. She grinned at her and said, "Xia Zhiqing, we have disturbed you again."

My goodness, he is dressed like this in such a hot day and has put on such a scary makeup. No wonder he is unrecognizable.

Xia Zhizhi thought that she might be here to take a photo with her, after all, she wouldn't dress so cautiously on a normal day.

Asked: "What's the matter, Auntie?"

"I'll ask you to take a photo for me. Don't worry, I'll pay you the same as I would to a photo studio."

Aunt Yang tugged at the hem of her clothes, a little embarrassed, and said, "My husband said he had time today and insisted on asking me to take a photo. Oh, I am so embarrassed at my age."

After saying this, Aunt Yang touched the headscarf on her head uncomfortably.

They had a really hard life. When they were young, they witnessed the Japanese invasion of China. The three northeastern provinces were the hardest hit areas. Many family members died or were scattered. Those who survived and grew up were the chosen ones.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, famine hit just two years after we got married. It was extremely difficult to raise a child, and we had to tighten our belts all the way to survive.

In just these two years, my children have grown up and life has become better, but looking back, I have grown old too.

The headscarf on her head, the rouge on her lips, and the red jacket on her body were all bought for her by her children after they started working. They were usually kept at the bottom of the box. This was the first time she brought them out to meet guests.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Xia Zhizhi said considerately, "What's wrong with taking a photo? If you don't want to take a photo now, you can wait until you are old and can't walk anymore."

When posing, Aunt Yang's movements were even stiffer than the captain's. After all, this was the first time for a young lady to ride in a sedan chair.

Xia Zhizhi complimented her: "Auntie, you are dressed very smartly today. Smile, that's all. It's very good."

Xia Zhizhi took two photos of her alone, and two group photos of her with the captain.