Chapter 64

Jiang Tiantian walked over, grabbed a corner of the red cloth, and slowly pulled it off the table.

A large color television gradually appeared in front of the entire village.

“Wow…”

“What is that?”

“That looks like a television?”

“It doesn’t look quite like the ones I’ve seen in the city—seems even bigger?”

Jiang Tiantian raised an eyebrow. As expected, experience counts!

Her father really knew how to put on a show, creating one surprise after another to keep the excitement going.

Cha Chengye pointed at the table and introduced, “This is a large color television. Even in the city, it’s a rare thing.”

He paused briefly, giving everyone time to take it in.

Seeing the villagers’ faces full of curiosity and admiration, he continued, “And this beside it is a VCR. Do you know what a VCR is?”

“It’s a machine that can play movies directly.”

“With this, we can watch movies on the television.”

“In the future, the village will also have a TV signal receiver installed. Every night at 7 PM, the activity center will broadcast Xinwen Lianbo (News Simulcast) on time. Anyone interested can come and watch.”

“What do you all think—good idea?”

Something this great?

This was for the entire village?

“Yes!”

“This is amazing!”

The crowd erupted into excited cheers.

Cha Chengye continued, “But all of this is provided to the village completely free of charge by Comrade Jiang Tiantian, so that every villager can enjoy it.”

“What do you all say—should we thank her?”

“Yes!”

Clap, clap, clap…

A round of applause rang out, this time coming from deep gratitude.

Perhaps some villagers had reservations about Jiang Tiantian before.

But after tonight, she had undoubtedly become the most beloved figure in the village.

The villagers all had the same thought: See? As expected of a girl from the provincial capital.

Generous and big-hearted!

That brat Cha Jiuzhang sure had good luck. After everything, he ended up with a great wife.

Standing amidst the applause, Jiang Tiantian felt a little embarrassed.

Compared to the charity projects she had done before, this was really nothing.

Yet, it was the most touching experience she had ever had.

She thought—maybe this was the difference between strangers and family.

She bowed deeply to the crowd.

Immediately, the applause grew even more enthusiastic.

Cha Chengye raised his hand to quiet the crowd and continued,

“Comrade Jiang Tiantian is also working on another project. She is helping the village committee collect and organize the history, traditions, and cultural stories of Chajia Village.”

“In the past, our ancestors passed things down by word of mouth. Many things were never recorded, or they’ve been forgotten over time.”

“This is a rare opportunity for the village to preserve and summarize our heritage.”

“We must leave something for future generations, don’t you all agree?”

“Yes!”

The villagers nodded in unison.

Cha Chengye took the opportunity to instruct them,

“So, in the future, if Comrade Jiang Tiantian approaches you, I hope everyone will cooperate and provide her with information.”

“Can you do that?”

The villagers shouted in unison, “Yes!”

Such a small matter? That was nothing!

Besides, this was genuinely for the good of Chajia Village.

Many villagers had grown up listening to their grandparents’ stories.

But as they got older, they had gradually forgotten many of them.

If someone could gather all the stories and legends of Chajia Village, it would be a huge benefit for preserving the village’s cultural heritage.

Jiang Tiantian blinked.

Damn! The village head really knew how to work the narrative!

In an instant, he made her task sound so official and prestigious.

Cha Chengye was very pleased with everyone’s response.

He picked up a VHS tape from the table, handed it to Jiang Tiantian, and said quietly, “This is the first movie you’re treating the village to tonight.”

Jiang Tiantian took a look—it was Shaolin Temple, a martial arts film that had just been released earlier this year and had taken the country by storm.

But most villagers had probably never seen it.

She nodded, smiled, and took the microphone from Cha Chengye. Then she bowed deeply again.

Standing straight, she declared,

“No need for too many words. I, Jiang Tiantian, am now a part of Chajia Village. If Chajia Village prospers, I will have a better life too.”

“Isn’t that right, everyone?”

Laughter erupted from the crowd. “Yes!”

Jiang Tiantian raised the VHS tape in her hand. “This is the latest movie of the year—Shaolin Temple. The village head has said that tonight, everyone will get to watch it.”

“Do you all want to see it?”

Yet another surprise tonight!

Coming here was totally worth it.

“Yes!”

“Woohoo!”

The villagers cheered excitedly.

Jiang Tiantian pressed her hands down to quiet the crowd, then smiled and said, “Tonight is just the beginning.”

She suddenly raised her voice, speaking with firm conviction,

“I believe that as long as we all work together, one day, every household in Chajia Village will have its own big color TV.”

“And that day isn’t far away.”

“Do you all agree?”

“Yes!”

At this moment, every villager shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the night sky.

It was a roar from the depths of their hearts, an expression of their longing and hope for a better life—finally shouted out without hesitation.

Clap, clap, clap…

A wave of enthusiastic applause erupted. The villagers were moved and inspired.

Yes.

The best days were still ahead.

As long as they worked hard, the future was promising!

Without even realizing it, from Cha Chengye to Jiang Tiantian, the entire atmosphere of the event was completely in their control.

Every villager was captivated by the vision of a better future they painted, their enthusiasm and motivation fully ignited.

At this moment, their hearts burned with excitement!

Cha Jiuzhang stood at the back of the crowd, his gaze subtly focused on the woman on stage.

It was as if every move, every word of Jiang Tiantian had some kind of magic, completely drawing him in.

He watched as she stood on stage, confident and natural, effortlessly steering the crowd’s emotions.

Her ability to inspire and influence even left him in awe!

Cha Chengye, meanwhile, was beyond pleased. His face had worn a satisfied smile the entire time.

He felt incredibly proud—look at that! What a wife his family had found! Such vision, such eloquence!

Taking back the microphone, he announced, “Alright, I declare tonight’s village meeting officially concluded.”

“All group leaders and the committee members I called earlier, please head to the office.”

“For the rest of you—get ready for the movie. You have 20 minutes. If you need to bring your kids, go get them now.”

“In 20 minutes, the movie will start. Due to space limitations, let’s have the elderly and children sit in the front. Parents, please help maintain order.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you, village head!”

The villagers quickly dispersed—some fetching their children, others rushing home to grab chairs so they wouldn’t have to sit on the ground.

Jiang Tiantian handed the VHS tape to Dazhu, assigning him to manage the screening.

“Sis, don’t worry. I already figured out how to work these machines today. No problem at all.”

Jiang Tiantian patted his shoulder. “I trust you. Do your best!”

Some of the village women who were close to Jiang Tiantian stayed behind to chat excitedly with her.

Everyone was thrilled tonight.

—-

By the time Jiang Tiantian managed to slip away from them and step outside the village committee building, she saw Cha Jiuzhang waiting by the door.

Bathed in the faint bluish night light, he smiled gently.

Seeing her come out, Cha Jiuzhang walked up and naturally took her hand.

“Let’s go home together.”

“Aren’t you staying for the movie? Mom and Grandpa are still inside.”

“No need. I already watched it in the capital.”

“Oh!”

Jiang Tiantian had almost forgotten—he was still a scholar from Beijing.

And so, the couple strolled home at a leisurely pace.