Chen Lan took the change from the salesclerk and, after a thank you, left the department store without browsing further, carrying the bag of red sausage.
Emerging from the department store, Chen Lan noticed the sky was already darkening, predicting it would be night soon. She checked the system time with her mind and found it was nearly seven in the evening.
"No wonder that salesclerk was rushing me," Chen Lan thought.
Seeing it was still early, Chen Lan walked leisurely down the street. Presently, an older sister pushing a small wooden cart approached her, calling out, "White sugar popsicles, cream popsicles."
Suddenly hearing the long-lost cry, Chen Lan felt as if she had returned to her childhood. The sound stimulated her eardrums and taste buds, making her involuntarily swallow. She felt a strong urge to eat one.
When Chen Lan was young, her family didn't have much money, and she rarely had any pocket change. Every time she heard this call, she would secretly swallow her saliva. This reaction was likely an instinct from deep within her.
So, Chen Lan walked forward, took out the change from the salesclerk from her pocket, and said to the older sister, "Sister, I'll buy one yuan worth of popsicles."
The older sister, though a little excited, kindly asked, "Little sister, can you finish one yuan worth of popsicles? You shouldn't eat too many cold things; it can cause a stomach ache."
Hearing the older sister's words, Chen Lan felt even more strongly the simplicity and kindness of the people of this era. It was getting dark, and if the older sister couldn't sell all her popsicles today, she might have wasted her entire day and even lost money.
At the same time, Chen Lan belatedly remembered that prices were still relatively low in the 1970s. She then asked, "Sister, how much are your popsicles?"
The older sister smiled and replied, "White sugar popsicles are three cents each, and cream popsicles are five cents each. Little sister, why don't you try one of each?"
Chen Lan nodded without thinking. Then, the older sister opened the small wooden cart, which was insulated with a small quilt. She quickly lifted the quilt, glanced inside, and then swiftly took out two popsicles with different packaging from the cart.
Holding the popsicles in one hand, the older sister quickly covered them with the quilt and then closed the lid of the wooden cart!
Chen Lan handed the one-yuan bill to the older sister, took the two popsicles, and impatiently tore off the wrapper. The popsicles emitted a faint fruity aroma, and a white mist slowly rose and spread over them.
Chen Lan eagerly took a bite. The icy sensation spread through her mouth, down her throat, and into her stomach. A wave of cool relief seemed to rise from her feet, causing every pore of her body to contract, and the hairs on her arms stood on end!
The refreshing feeling was exhilarating in the sweltering heat. Chen Lan felt a surge of happiness and contentment! While waiting for her change, she thought, happiness is truly simple.
Just then, a few children ran out from nearby homes to buy popsicles. Of course, many other children, with no pocket money, could only watch enviously, their mouths watering.
Seeing this scene, Chen Lan couldn't help but recall her own childhood. She said to the older sister, who was still giving her change, "Sister, don't worry about the change. The remaining money should be enough to treat these children who didn't bring money to one popsicle each!"
The older sister nodded repeatedly and replied, "It's enough, more than enough. Little sister, thank you! You are truly kind!"
Chen Lan waved to the older sister and quickly turned to leave. She then heard the older sister's calls, "Children, hurry over! That kind auntie is treating you to popsicles! Come quickly! Here, San Zhuzi, come here, this is for you, eat up! Da Niu, you too, come here, here's yours..."
Chen Lan heard the children's cheers and happy laughter from afar, and her heart was filled with excitement. Excitement is indeed simple.
The sky gradually darkened, and households began to close their doors and windows. The number of pedestrians on the street dwindled. Chen Lan, wearing her infrared glasses, continued walking unhurriedly.
After Chen Lan knocked the pre-arranged signal of three short and one long knock on the door, it was immediately opened from the inside. The room was pitch black, but fortunately, Chen Lan's infrared glasses allowed her to quickly adapt to the darkness.
Chen Lan thought that Uncle Qian and his wife must have been waiting anxiously. Just then, she heard Aunt Qian softly ask, "Daughter, is that you!"
Chen Lan smiled and replied softly, "Auntie, don't be afraid, it's me. Are you both ready? Do you need to go to the outhouse first?"
Aunt Qian replied softly, "You know, I really do. Come on, Old Qian, accompany me."
Hearing that Aunt Qian needed to go to the outhouse, and it was too dark to see outside, Chen Lan immediately took a flashlight from her system storage, quickly pressed the switch, and handed it to Aunt Qian.
It took Chen Lan nearly an hour to finally settle Uncle Qian and his wife in the back of the old Dongfeng and then climb into the driver's seat.
Chen Lan didn't dare to delay any longer. She thought, "I need to get away from this troublesome place as soon as possible."
She immediately started the car and drove quickly, leaving the city of Changchun and heading for the outskirts. The dirt road in the suburbs was bumpy and difficult to navigate, so Chen Lan finally slowed down and drove forward slowly.
In the back, Uncle Qian and Aunt Qian, who had been tense all afternoon, finally felt a great weight lifted off their shoulders. They had already fallen asleep from the bumpy ride.
Chen Lan drove slowly throughout the night. As dawn broke, she arrived at the familiar old spot at the foot of the mountain where they always parked.
Seeing that it was still very early, Chen Lan decided to take a nap in the car. She would wake Uncle Qian and his wife when it was fully light to head back to the valley. This would also allow Uncle Qian and his wife to rest more, as they still had two large mountains to climb.