ushernet Chapter 353 - 351: Extra Episode 1
Chapter 353 - 351: Extra Episode 1
Gu An was squatting amidst a mess of copper wires and capacitors, holding a screwdriver that was polished to a shine.
In the Gu Family Courtyard, five-and-a-half-year-old Gu An was squatting amidst a mess of copper wires and capacitors. He held a shiny polished screwdriver in his hand, with a smear of black engine oil on his nose.
"An An, aren’t you done dismantling the radio Uncle Jiang sent you?" Lin Wan Yi was wearing a tailored moon-white qipao, sitting in a rattan chair under the porch. She was flipping through a German original medicine book, her fingers occasionally lightly brushing the pages.
Gu An didn’t look up, his voice crisp yet carrying a maturity beyond his age: "Mom, the radio can only broadcast others’ words, it’s boring. I want the whole community to hear our family’s voice."
Lin Wan Yi laughed, not taking it seriously. This child has been obsessed with mechanics from a young age, able to dismantle alarm clocks at three, repair flashlights at four, and every time Jiang Zhou visited, he would want to take him straight to the lab.
At the other end of the yard, Gu Ning was holding a custom-made wooden bucket, talking to a plant in the corner that had withered.
"Little grass, drink this sweet water, and you must bloom."
That was thrown away by Vice Commander Wang last month. It was said to be a precious orchid "Da Feng Su" brought from the south, but due to unsuitable soil, it died, leaving only a half-decayed root. Vice Commander Wang was so distressed he couldn’t sleep well for half a month, finally sighing and throwing it beside the trash can.
Gu Ning secretly picked it up and dripped a drop of Spiritual Spring Liquid diluted a hundred times into it daily.
Meanwhile, on the playground of the compound, the company was conducting daily training under the sun. The loudspeaker was supposed to play the "March of the Athletes," but suddenly, a sharp electric current sound pierced the sky.
"Zi zi... zi zi zi..."
Zhao Tiezhu, who was leading the team for training, stopped in confusion and looked up at the loudspeaker on the power pole.
Suddenly, an old, hoarse, and heavily accented singing voice spread throughout the entire military district without warning.
"I... am merely... a carefree person... from Wolong Ridge..."
Each word sounded like it had been squeezed out of a broken bellows, not only wildly off-key but also carrying a mysterious confidence.
On the playground, dozens of soldiers preparing to run staggered, nearly falling to the ground.
"Who is that? Sounds worse than a pig being slaughtered."
"Shh! Listen to that voice... it sounds just like our Commander Gu."
Inside the Gu Family study, Gu Zhen Guo was wearing a white vest, eyes closed, shaking a folding fan, and practicing his voice in front of an old tape recorder, completely unaware that his proudly prized (though arguably terrible) hobby had been broadcasted live to every corner through his grandson’s modified "high-power transmitter."
Gu An contentedly looked at the dashboard in his hand, his little hand pushed the lever.
The sound on the broadcast got louder, even adding echoes with heavy reverb.
In the family area of the compound, Aunt Wang, who was washing clothes, was so shocked she dropped her washboard. In the canteen, clerks ready to serve lunch looked at each other.
"Old Gu’s voice, surely... a decade of awakening minds as usual." Political Commissioner Zhou happened to pass by the playground, suppressing laughter and rubbing his ears.
Five minutes later, the iron gate of the Gu Family Courtyard was pushed open.
Gu Yanshen strode in, still wearing his officer’s uniform that he hadn’t had time to change. His gaze swept over the copper wires on the ground, finally landing on Gu An.
"Gu An." Gu Yanshen called him.
Gu An shrank his neck, swiftly turned off the power switch.
The blaring "Wolong Ridge" abruptly stopped.
"Dad, I was just testing the signal coverage rate." Gu An stood up, dusted off the dirt on his pants, and looked innocent, "Uncle Jiang said scientific research requires practice."
Gu Yanshen hadn’t spoken yet when Gu Zhen Guo in the study room finally realized something was wrong. He rushed out, clutching his folding fan, his old face flushed red: "An An! Where did you just send my recording?"
"Grandpa, everyone in the compound praised your singing for its power." Gu An lied with a straight face, "Uncle Zhao was stunned listening to it on the playground just now."
Gu Zhen Guo was dazed for a moment, suspiciously looking at his grandson: "Really? Did they really find it good?"
"Really, louder than the original on the radio."
Lin Wan Yi listened and shook her head, this child had impeccable logic, and the talent for coaxing people runs in the family.
Half a month later, the military district’s annual horticultural bonsai competition was held in front of the auditorium.
This was the "second battlefield" for retired old cadres, competing not only in flowers but also in dignity.
Vice Commander Wang pushed his reading glasses, looking at his newly purchased azalea, beaming with pride.
"Old Gu, I heard your little granddaughter picked up that pot of rotted-root orchid to nurture?" Vice Commander Wang lowered his voice, with a hint of jest in his tone, "It was completely dead, fine for the child to play with, you shouldn’t take it seriously."
Gu Zhen Guo, who had been mocked by old comrades for the "broadcast incident," snorted: "My granddaughter said it will live, then it will surely live."
As they were speaking, Gu Ning wore a tender yellow jumper skirt, holding a blue and white porcelain pot, and trotted up to the display stage with short steps.
The originally noisy venue fell silent.
In the blue and white porcelain pot, an orchid of deep green appeared, its leaves sharp like swords, topped with three crystal-clear flower buds. One of them had already bloomed, the petals displaying a rare semi-transparent texture, and the elegant fragrance instantly swept through the entire venue.
"Is...is this Da Feng Su?" Vice Commander Wang’s eyes widened, he strode to the stage, trembling with his hands wanting to touch but daring not to, "Impossible! The roots were all rotten, how can it bloom such top-quality petals?"
Several retired experts from the provincial agricultural science institute also gathered around, marveling at the flower pot.
"This scent... pure but not bland, has it mutated? The value of this pot of flowers might trade for a row of tile houses!"
Gu Ning looked up with her little face, her voice sweet and sticky: "Grandpa Wang, it was just thirsty, I gave it some good water."
Lin Wan Yi stood outside the crowd, watching her daughter’s pure eyes, knowing full well it was not just good water, but the essence of Spiritual Spring after the space upgraded.
"Old Wang, thanks for the hand." Gu Zhen Guo now stood straight, like a victorious rooster, "My granddaughter nurtured it personally, no objections for the grand prize, right?"
Vice Commander Wang was heartbroken, now knowing that if the flower could live like this, he should have guarded it himself.
In the evening, the sunset dyed the Gu Family Courtyard orange-red.
Gu An was inside researching the newly arrived color TV, Gu Ning was grooming Little Grey.
Lin Wan Yi leaned against Gu Yanshen, looking at the vibrant courtyard.
"Gu An just repaired the Li family’s radio next door today, and even collected five yuan repair fee." Lin Wan Yi softly said.
Gu Yanshen held her hand, his thumb brushing her delicate palm: "This boy sure has a business sense."
"Ningning’s pot of flowers has now become the treasure of the compound, many old chiefs lining up to learn flower gardening tips."
Gu Yanshen bowed, kissed her forehead: "Just like you, clever."
As they spoke, Gu An ran out from inside, holding a densely drawn blueprint: "Dad, Mom, I studied the color TV’s cathode ray tube, I think Uncle Jiang’s design can be improved further. Can we buy a generator?"
Gu Yanshen looked at the blueprint that already resembled an industrial design prototype, clearly taken aback.
Lin Wan Yi simply tenderly stroked her son’s head.
In this opportunity-filled 1980s, their family’s legend was just beginning.
"Mommy, Little Grey says it wants to drink sweet water too." Gu Ning cuddled the enormous wolfhound and came over.
Lin Wan Yi took the hands of the two kids, looking at Gu Yanshen: "Come on, let’s go inside for dinner. Tomorrow, there’s still more excitement waiting."
Outside the compound walls, rows of tall white poplars swayed in the breeze, witnessing the most steady and brilliant steps of this family amidst the tides of the era.