Reborn in 1977

The minivan crawled along the streets of Shanghai in 1978, barely faster than a tortoise.

There was no helping it; the streets were full of bicycles, making it impossible to go fast.

As everyone knows, China became the "Kingdom of Bicycles" in the 1980s, boasting the largest number of bicycles in the world.

In fact, as early as the 1950s and 60s, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai had already become seas of bicycles. Especially Shanghai, where both Forever and Phoenix bicycles were manufactured; each year, the largest portion of the production was allocated and remained locally, making Shanghai one of the easiest cities to buy a bicycle back then.

Some people compare bicycles before the 1970s to luxury cars of later generations, which isn't entirely wrong, but that mostly applies to places below the county level. In big cities like Shanghai, people only recognized cars; bicycles were just ordinary means of transportation.

Moreover, in 1994, when the country advocated for individuals to purchase cars, the "ebb tide" of bicycles first occurred in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, rapidly declining within a few years and being replaced by motorcycles and cars.

It was at this time that townships began to achieve bicycle freedom, a significant difference indeed.

Chen Fan drove, weaving through the bicycle traffic, and soon turned into a dense shikumen alley.

Chen Fan asked for directions twice and parked the car at the entrance of an alley, then slung his bag over his shoulder and led Liu Lu inside.

Located on West Nanjing Road, behind the bustling streets, rows of narrow, small shikumen houses were densely packed together, with electrical wires running haphazardly between the houses, along with bamboo poles carrying drying clothes, occupying the limited space.

Walking in here, a cool breeze swept over, and the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.

Chen Fan followed the address on the note, searching for the house number one by one, until he reached the end of the alley and stopped in front of a shikumen courtyard.

He took two steps back to look at it. This was a standard shikumen building, with blue bricks, gray tiles, and red window lattices, seemingly in its original condition when it was first built. Compared to the half courtyard Anquan bought, it had an entire厢房 (xiāngfáng - wing room) section.

Moreover, there were no overhead electrical wires or bamboo poles for drying clothes. If he wasn't mistaken, this shikumen courtyard should only house one family.

Only then could they take all their clothes to the drying platform, instead of several families squeezing together and having to pick out a bamboo pole.

Chen Fan took out a mesh bag containing two cans of fruit and a bag of brown sugar from his bag, stepped forward, and knocked on the door. Soon, a slightly aged voice came from inside, "Coming."

The courtyard door quickly opened, and a silver-haired old lady appeared, curiously looking at the two of them, speaking in Shanghainese with a Ningbo accent, "Who are you looking for?"

Ningbo dialect is similar to Shanghainese, both belonging to Wu Chinese, but with differences in details. Chen Fan could still understand it fairly well.

He crossed his hands in front of him, leaned forward slightly, adopting the manner of an old Shanghainese gentleman, and said gently, "Grandma, does Mr. Wang Zekai live here?"

The old lady nodded slightly, "Yes, he does."

Then asked, "Who are you?"

Chen Fan smiled, "Oh, my name is Chen Fan, and I was introduced by Mr. Ba Jin."

When the old lady heard Mr. Ba's name, her expression immediately softened, and she let them in with a smile, "Please come in quickly. My husband is at home. I'll go call him."

She welcomed Chen Fan and Liu Lu in, closed the courtyard door, and then led them to sit on the rattan sofa in the living room and poured them two cups of tea before going upstairs to call for him.

In less than two minutes, an old man with a full head of silver hair but a vigorous spirit walked over.

Although it was a hot summer and he was at home, the old man was still wearing a beige shirt and blue trousers, and it didn't look like he had just put them on.

Everyone knows the three essentials for old men in Beijing hutongs to cool off in the summer: a vest, shorts, and a large palm fan. Actually, old men in Shanghai are similar, especially when they are at home, they also wear a vest. Some people even wear this when they go out.

So, judging from his attire, this old man was a meticulous person.

Chen Fan pondered for a few seconds, figured out how to interact with this Old Wang, and naturally changed his temperament.

It was roughly the kind of attitude Bao Zong had towards Uncle.

Wang Zekai walked forward, sizing up the two people who had already stood up. Seeing that Chen Fan was imposing, confident yet humble, with his own style, he couldn't help but feel more favorable towards him, and the smile on his face deepened, "Welcome, distinguished guests. Is there anything this old man can do for you?"

He had worked in a tailor shop for most of his life, serving dignitaries in his early years, and continuing to work in the shop after liberation until his retirement. Smiling at everyone and being polite to everyone he met had become his instinct for dealing with people.

Chen Fan stepped forward to shake hands and greet him, and briefly introduced Liu Lu. He didn't say much else, but took out a stack of manuscript paper from his bag and handed it to Wang Zekai with both hands, "Mr. Wang, this is a clothing design drawing. Because the workmanship requirements are relatively detailed, I heard from Mr. Ba that your craftsmanship is unparalleled in Shanghai, so I came to ask for your guidance."

Wang Zekai's smile remained unchanged. He took it with both hands, but didn't look at it first. Instead, he asked the two to sit down.

After his wife brought a cup of tea over, he put on his reading glasses to look at it.

After a while, Wang Zekai put down the drawing and looked at Chen Fan with a surprised expression, "May I ask who created this manuscript?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I drew it myself with some whimsical ideas, but I didn't expect that after looking for many experienced tailors, they all said they weren't confident in making it. Then I heard them say that Shanghai's Red Gang tailors are unparalleled in the world, so I sought out Mr. Ba."

When Wang Zekai heard this, he was even more surprised, "You designed it?"

He picked up the drawing and looked at it, then looked at Chen Fan, "You also know tailoring?"

Chen Fan smiled and nodded slightly, "I know a little."

Wang Zekai was stunned for a few seconds, then turned his gaze back to the drawing, his eyes full of hesitation.

Chen Fan remained calm and drank his tea silently.

This clothing design drawing wasn't complicated. It was just a set of new-style Zhongshan suits from 40 years later, but the tailoring requirements were very high.

Just a stand-up collar alone could stump countless mediocre tailors.

In addition, the drawing showed the requirements for close-fitting tailoring, as well as other improved tailoring techniques from later generations. In this era, Chen Fan could guarantee that there were very few people who could make this suit completely according to the pattern.

After considering for a long time, Wang Zekai sighed softly, raised his head and glanced at Chen Fan thoughtfully, and said softly, "I have been retired for more than ten years, and I haven't made such exquisite clothes for a long time. I don't know if I can still pick up the scissors."

Chen Fan said sincerely, "Mr. Wang, your craftsmanship was unparalleled in Shanghai back then. There were only those who were comparable to you, but no one could surpass you. Even if you have been retired for many years, I don't think you will easily forget the craft you have done for a lifetime."

Academician Wu is 96 years old and can still perform three surgeries a week. Looking at Mr. Wang's radiant appearance, how could he look like someone who can't pick up scissors?

He was clearly making excuses just now.

This is also the reason why Chen Fan didn't mention taking him as a teacher when he first came. Teachers like Old Wang all have some arrogance in their hearts. How could they just let anyone come over and pass on the craft they use to make a living?

Therefore, Chen Fan had already planned that the first step was to use the design drawings from later generations to attract him to return to the industry. As long as he was willing to take action, the rest would be easy.

After being flattered by Chen Fan and looking at the design drawings in front of him, and also thinking about his wife saying that they were introduced by Old Ba, Wang Zekai was already somewhat tempted.

After pondering for two seconds, he raised his head to look at Chen Fan and asked with a smile, "You mentioned Old Ba just now. May I ask what your relationship is…?"

Chen Fan smiled and said "Oh", then moved his butt forward and said with a smile, "It's like this, Old Ba and I are friends despite our age difference, and we also work in the same system, so we have some friendship. Mainly, Old Ba cares for and supports me, so I can be considered to be benefiting from Old Ba."

Wang Zekai was even more confused, "Working in the same system? Could it be that you are also a writer?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I have written some articles and was fortunate enough to be loved by the seniors, so I was able to have them published."

Wang Zekai narrowed his eyes slightly, silently recalling Chen Fan's name in his heart.

After a few seconds, a flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in his mind, and he suddenly turned his head to look at him, "Could it be that you are Chen Fan, the writer who wrote 'Ferryman' and 'Shanghai Spy Shadow', and also created hard-pen calligraphy?"

When Shanghai Spy Shadow was published, Chen Dong's identity was directly exposed, which can be regarded as creating momentum for the new book, so many people knew that Chen Dong was Chen Fan.

Chen Fan's smile remained unchanged, and he nodded lightly, "I'm ashamed, it is indeed I."

Wang Zekai's expression changed, and he unconsciously sat up straight, "So it's Writer Chen in person. I, this old man, have eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please forgive me, please forgive me."

Chen Fan said, "Old Sir, you are too polite. Just call me Chen Fan, or Little Chen."

Seeing that Chen Fan was full of humility, Wang Zekai's expression also relaxed, and he said with a smile, "Then this old man will be presumptuous and call you Little Chen."

At his age, as long as the other party is not someone of great status, he can call him Little Chen.

After a pause, Wang Zekai smiled again and said, "In this way, Little Chen, I haven't personally handled things for a long time. Basically, all the work is done by my two sons, but with their level, I'm afraid they can't take on this important task.

Give me two days, and I will study it carefully…"

Speaking of this, he picked up the drawing again, his brows slightly furrowed, "Also, this dress cannot be made of ordinary fabric, otherwise it won't be able to support such a good-looking version."

He turned to look at Chen Fan, "Leave me your contact information, and when I have considered it, I will call you. We will go to the textile distribution company together to see if there are any suitable imported fabrics. Then we will discuss how to make this dress."

Seeing that he finally agreed, Chen Fan naturally nodded with a smile without saying a word, "Everything will be according to Old Sir's wishes."

As long as you agree, I'm not afraid of not being allowed to watch. As long as I see it, I can learn the housekeeping skills of your Hong Gang tailors.

Of course, it is best to establish a friendship with Old Wang, and then smoothly hand Liu Lu over to him for training. He still doesn't want to teach Liu Lu himself unless it is absolutely necessary.

Mainly, this kind of fine craftsmanship takes too much time, and he still has serious business to do. Where does he have so much time to take care of children!

After coming out of Old Wang's house, Liu Lu couldn't wait to ask, "Teacher, will I be watching and learning next to Master Wang when he makes clothes?"

Chen Fan hummed twice, turned his head and glanced at her, "Do you think you can learn it just by looking at it once?"

Liu Lu smiled naively, not daring to say a word.

Chen Fan knocked her head angrily, "I will arrange it for you. At that time, you just need to work hard."

Liu Lu nodded quickly and forcefully, "Yes, yes, yes, I am good at this."

Chen Fan glanced at her, "Since you are good at working hard, why didn't you work hard to study with your sister last year? Your sister can be considered half my apprentice. As long as you are willing to study cultural knowledge carefully and your grades improve, can I not care about you?"

Liu Lu immediately lowered her head, "Studying is too difficult, and hard work is useless."

Chen Fan was speechless and shook his head, then quickened his pace forward.

Liu Lu trot behind him, and didn't dare to speak until she got into the car.

Now Liu Lu knows how to use the seat belt and how to open and close the car door. She followed Chen Fan out of the car and saw the iron gate in front of her, as well as the house number hanging on the wall next to it. She quickly trotted two steps and asked softly, "Teacher, what are we doing at the library?"

(Shanghai Library in the 1970s)

Chen Fan didn't turn his head back, "Of course, we are here to borrow books."

After a pause, he continued to explain, "I have taught you a lot of clothing tailoring and sewing, but those are all practical operations, and I only talked about a little bit in terms of theory.

If you want to master the craft of sewing, it is not enough to just do it. You must also carefully study cultural and theoretical knowledge. There should be relevant information in the library. I will borrow a few copies for you. You should read them carefully during this time.

I will go to other bookstores to look for books in this area and see if there are any to buy. I will bring them back to you then."

As soon as Liu Lu heard this, she immediately felt her brain numb, "Ah? Do you still need to read books to learn tailoring?"

I just want to learn a craft because I'm bad at studying. Why do I still need to study? Then wouldn't I be learning in vain?

Chen Fan hummed twice, "Not only you, but Huang Li and Yang Mei also have to read and study. Since you are learning a craft with me, you can't just be satisfied with being a small craftsman. Not to mention being top-notch, at least you have to rush to become a senior worker for me, otherwise I would be embarrassed to accept you as disciples."

Entry?

Liu Lu's eyes lit up immediately, and she leaned closer to Chen Fan and asked, "Teacher, teacher, if we study hard, will you accept us as disciples?"

Chen Fan smiled, turned his head and looked at her, "I can consider it."

As soon as Liu Lu heard this, she jumped up and shouted, "Yay!"

Then she saw dozens of people around her staring at her, which frightened her so much that she quickly buried her head and followed behind Chen Fan, not daring to raise her head.

However, the next second, she remembered that the teacher said he would accept them as disciples, and she laughed out loud again.

Chen Fan took her into the library, first used his work permit to apply for a library card, and then, under the enthusiastic guidance of the staff, successfully found several books of tailoring information.

(Tailoring information books from the 60s and 70s. It seems that almost all industries had related books published in that era, which can be called a complete guide to skills)

When other people saw this scene, they couldn't help but whisper.

"The administrator is so enthusiastic, who is he?"

"I don't know, maybe he is some kind of cadre, but he is so young."

"Last time I asked the administrator, they looked impatient. I am also a section chief, how can I have no face? This person must be at least a deputy director."

"That person looks at most in his early 20s, still a deputy director? His father being a deputy director is more like it."

In the pursuit of everyone's eyes, Chen Fan calmly walked out of the library with the books, drove away.