"Dad, Dad, what is television?"
In the Western-style building on the Bund, a toddler and Chen Hao watched Chen Yang, who was fiddling with the antenna behind the big-butt television set, their fingers in their mouths, watching with curiosity.
The two little ones were a bit older now, over two years old, a stage where they were both loved and annoying, even Shen Xue had trouble managing them. They were like two little shadows, following her everywhere.
"Yanyan, Haohao, don't suck your fingers, they're dirty."
"Come, Dad will tell you what a television is, see this switch, turn it on."
"Look, Dad will do magic for you."
Chen Yang turned on the switch. The not-so-large screen flickered with a few snowflakes, and the television speaker emitted a crackling sound of electricity.
Chen Yang fiddled with the antenna, searching for a signal. After a while, the snowy screen shook, and figures appeared!
The sound came from the television, and Chen Yang finally lowered his somewhat sore arm.
The signal from the television produced by the Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory was still a bit weak, requiring a lot of antenna adjustment to receive it.
"Wuwuwu, Baba..."
"I'm scared..."
Before Chen Yang could even watch the TV, the toddler hugged his thigh. As soon as he squatted down, the little one buried herself in his arms.
When the big-butt iron block suddenly made noise, the little one was touching the TV with her hand. The sudden sound startled her.
"Yanyan, be good, don't be scared, don't be scared. This is the TV Dad bought, let's watch TV."
"Haohao, come here, Dad will take you to watch TV. Look, this is a person, so beautiful, just like when we watch movies and operas. Now Dad has brought the stage into the house, and you can watch it at home."
Chen Yang had taken the two little ones to watch movies and opera troupes before.
When he put it like that, the two little ones were no longer as scared. Watching the figures on the black-and-white television screen, they were quickly engrossed.
In those days, televisions were scarce, and there were few programs and TV series on the air. Many television stations would close down on Tuesday afternoons.
Tuesday afternoons were probably the most painful time for children born in the 80s and 90s, as they couldn't watch TV.
Shen Xue came over with baby Chen Peng, glanced at the TV Chen Yang had fixed, and also watched intently.
Regardless of whether they had seen it before, they were simply fascinated by the novelty.
It's hard for people now to understand the excitement of any TV series attracting an entire courtyard, or even half a village, to gather around and watch.
The main reason was the extreme scarcity of entertainment activities. They had virtually no entertainment. Even a movie or an opera performance would draw people from ten miles away.
Therefore, no matter what TV series it was, there was no shortage of viewers at that time. As long as there was something to watch, everyone was happy to watch, and they would even get involved in commenting. In those days, people who followed TV series came with their own peanuts, melon seeds, and stools.
Sometimes, they even had to offer some melon seeds to the host and take up space to watch TV. Without giving something in return, they felt embarrassed.
Chen Yang looked at the black-and-white images on the TV. Accustomed to the colorful, high-definition images of the future, he found it a bit hard to adjust.
However, Shen Xue and the two little ones didn't seem to mind at all. Even the toddler who had been crying earlier wiped away her tears and watched with rapt attention.
"Yanyan, Haohao, you can't sit so close to the TV, you need to be further away."
Chen Yang pulled the two little ones about four or five meters away from the TV and then placed two small stools.
Children were still young, and their eyesight was not fully developed. Watching too much TV could lead to myopia.
"You can use it to entertain the children, but don't let them watch too much. Pengpeng must not stare at the TV, it's bad for his eyes."
As the first television rolled off the production line, Chen Yang naturally took it home without hesitation.
First, he wanted to check the quality of their own product, and second, he wanted to entertain Shen Xue.
Every day, she had to take care of three children. Even though he had hired an aunt to help with grocery shopping, cooking, and childcare, Shen Xue was still quite bored.
Listening to the radio too much could get tiresome. Bringing a TV over would allow Shen Xue to watch it and relieve her boredom.
"I understand."
"This television is quite expensive, isn't it?"
Shen Xue glanced at Chen Yang. She naturally understood her husband's intentions and knew that he bought the TV because he was afraid she would be bored. But this TV was truly magical; such a small screen could fit so many people.
"It's free. It's produced by our own factory. When our factory can produce color TVs in the future, I'll buy you a big color TV."
Hearing Chen Yang's words, Shen Xue couldn't help but burst into laughter. She felt happier than ever. The entire Shen family brigade didn't have a single television, but she now had one, and in the future, she would have a big color TV. How could she not be happy?
"Baba, I, want one too, I want one too."
The toddler babbled, imitating the characters on TV. The current program was "The Legend of Chu Liuxiang."
Listening to her tender little voice, Chen Yang found it both amusing and helpless.
With the TV set up, the Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory would soon begin mass production of televisions. After all, they still owed Chen Yang a significant amount of foreign exchange, so they had to produce TVs quickly to repay Chen Yang's money as soon as possible.
"Okay, okay, okay. When Dad buys a big color TV in the future, I'll install one in each of your rooms so you can watch as much as you want."
Watching TV was not something children should do excessively, but promises had to be made, otherwise, the little ones would fuss.
"Yay, yay, Dad is the best."
The children ran around the TV, while Chen Yang picked up Chen Peng from Shen Xue's arms. This little one was now chubby, and quite heavy in his arms.
"I'll take you to the department store later to buy a stroller and a walker for the children. It must be too tiring for you to carry Pengpeng all day."
Those who take care of children know how tiring a six-month-old baby can be. They cry and want to be held often. Carrying them all day makes both arms sore.
"What stroller? Why waste money on that?"
"Can't we just find a carpenter to make a few? If Dad were here, he could go to the mountains and chop down some bamboo to make them."
Shen Xue glanced at Chen Yang, who was holding the baby. She knew her husband cared about her, but things in the department store were not cheap. Although she knew Chen Yang could make money, she had been frugal for so many years due to her past poverty.
"That's no help. Dad isn't here, and finding a carpenter will cost money. Buying lumber will also cost money. It's better to just buy ready-made ones, and it's more convenient."
"Don't be afraid to spend money. I earn money to spend on you and the three children. The money I keep at home, you shouldn't be reluctant to spend. You should buy good things for food, clothing, and daily use. Your husband can make money. If you don't spend it, who do you expect me to spend it on?"
Chen Yang held his youngest son in one arm and wrapped the other around Shen Xue's waist. A man's sense of accomplishment came from earning money to spend on his wife and children.