Xu Damao was shocked. The projector was an extremely precious piece of equipment, and one nearly impossible to purchase on the market. If he let it fall and break, his career would likely be over. In a panic, he used his other hand to help stabilize the machine; though he managed to steady it, the film reel tumbled to the ground.
The factory leaders in the front row looked on with obvious displeasure. This Xu Damao was becoming increasingly unreliable. He knew only how to butter up his superiors, yet he couldn't even handle a simple task like showing a film without causing a disaster.
Xu Damao scrambled to pick up the reel, only to discover that one end had become tangled. He was instantly at a loss. Based on his experience, the opening of the film would likely be impossible to see clearly now. He set the reel down and, steeling himself, walked toward the factory director.
"Director Yang, I am terribly sorry. It seems the opening portion of tonight’s film will be unplayable."
Director Yang frowned but said nothing. Beside him, Deputy Director Li stood up abruptly.
"Xu Damao, oh, Xu Damao, what am I supposed to say to you? Everyone has been looking forward to this for a whole week, and now, at the last minute, you tell us we can't watch it? Do you not want to keep your job?"
In truth, it was through Deputy Director Li’s connections that Xu Damao had secured this position in the first place. Deputy Director Li was saying this deliberately so that Director Yang would find it difficult to lash out. Xu Damao, sharp as he was, apologized profusely: "It’s my fault, it’s my fault. I will take responsibility for this loss. I’ll go buy a new print tomorrow and show it to everyone the day after."
"Don't just stand there apologizing! Use the loudspeaker to inform everyone! What a disaster!"
"Attention all staff and family members, we are terribly sorry. Due to a projectionist error resulting in damaged film, we cannot show tonight’s movie. To make up for your disappointment, we will reschedule the screening for the same time tomorrow night!"
The announcement repeated twice. A wave of complaints rose from the crowd. Even Qin Jingru cast an unsatisfied glance at Xu Damao. Earlier, Xu Damao had been bragging about being a projectionist and boasting about how close he was with the factory director. Qin Jingru had seen his performance in front of the director with her own eyes. Her desire to move to the city began to waver.
Qin Jingru was as beautiful as her cousin Qin Huairu, who had married into the city precisely because of her looks. Qin Jingru had always envied her cousin’s life and was determined to marry no one but a city dweller. However, she hadn't expected the potential match this time to be a bit of a fool, and Xu Damao, who had just caught her attention, was a disappointment—she realized that city folk were nothing special after all.
People began to disperse. A beautiful evening was coming to an end. Just then, the factory radio crackled to life again.
"Attention all leaders, staff, and family members, please wait a moment. Our factory’s He Yuzhu says he can fix the film. I am not certain if he truly can, so please decide for yourselves whether you wish to stay and wait."
The broadcast repeated twice. Director Yang, who had been preparing to leave, stopped in his tracks and laughed. "I never imagined our factory was hiding such talent! Since we have nothing better to do, let’s wait and see. We might just have a pleasant surprise!"
The other leaders expressed their agreement. Most of the staff and their families felt the same, and the majority returned to their seats. Some children scrambled back in a hurry, fearing they wouldn't get a good spot.
Xu Damao was stunned. What was going on? Shazhu was going to fix the film? This was one hell of a joke! If he had said he could fix the projector, Xu Damao would have been surprised, but he might have believed someone could do it. But the film? Once it was ruined, it was truly beyond repair. At least, that was what Xu Damao had always believed. Was this guy trying to sabotage him? Fine, he thought, just wait until he fails. When the factory leaders and colleagues see him make a fool of himself, let’s see how he explains his way out of that.
Xu Damao, who had been worried about his own future, now felt at ease. Shazhu really didn't know how to think; coming here to cause trouble at a time like this was clearly just a distraction! Xu Damao sat back down, ready to enjoy the show.
Once everyone had returned and settled, He Yuzhu walked into the courtyard, carrying his enamel mug, unhurried and composed. All eyes were on him. It was in this moment that He Yuzhu’s extraordinary aura became apparent. The original host had been fearless, but now, with the support of the System, he was even more confident.
Director Yang glanced at He Yuzhu and remarked, "Have you all noticed? Comrade He Yuzhu has changed a lot in these past two months. His culinary arts have improved, his work attitude is more proactive, and even his temperament seems to have been elevated!"
The leaders nearby pondered this for a moment and couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Director Yang, I hadn't realized it until you mentioned it, but now that you say it, it’s true!"
"His cooking has definitely reached a new level. Recently, Chairman Lou has been frequenting our factory just to eat, specifically requesting dishes made by He Yuzhu."
"Indeed! The Grand Leader rarely ate here before, but last time he shared a meal with us, he couldn't stop praising the food."
"Let me tell you something interesting. A few days ago, young Wang from the second workshop and his childhood friend both fell for the same girl. The girl was happy with both of them and couldn't make up her mind. Last month, young Wang brought her to eat at our factory; she loved the food so much that she got engaged to him on the spot!"
"Haha, that’s amusing! We should have the propaganda department write a report on that for the factory paper!"
"But in all honesty, do you believe young He can fix the film? Xu Damao may not be an upstanding person, but he’s been at this for five or six years; he has some experience. When has young He ever been involved in film projection?"
"That’s hard to say. Look at his expression; he doesn't look like he’s joking!"
"Joking? Does he dare? With so many leaders and colleagues waiting here, if he were joking, the consequences would be severe!"
"I hear he and Xu Damao have always been at odds; it’s hard to say what’s really going on!"
As the crowd murmured, He Yuzhu reached the projector. He extended his hand and handed his enamel mug to Xu Damao.
"Hold this!"
"Go on, why should I hold it?"
"Can you not be more observant? Can’t you see I’m doing you a favor? If this movie doesn't get shown, you’ll be cursed by everyone for miles around! Besides, look at the expressions on the leaders here—do you think they’ll let you off the hook easily?"
"You..."
Xu Damao, though sharp, didn't dare lose his temper in such a setting. Reluctantly, he silently took the enamel mug from He Yuzhu.
He Yuzhu picked up the film from the projector stand. "Kid, watch closely. In this new society, we encourage learning new trades and loving the work you do. Look at you—five years in and still an apprentice. What a waste!"
"Damn you, Shazhu, I don’t want to argue with you now. If you can’t fix it, see how I deal with you!"
"Just watch quietly and let me show you what real skill looks like."
The crowd gathered around, watching He Yuzhu skillfully handle the film, lecturing Xu Damao as he worked. Xu Damao stood by, holding the enamel mug obediently like an apprentice.
Qin Huairu gestured toward He Yuzhu and said to Qin Jingru, "That is the He Yuzhu I wanted you to meet. Where exactly does he look like a fool to you?"
Qin Jingru’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at him with infatuation. "Cousin, He Yuzhu is so handsome! I like him!"
Though Qin Huairu felt a tinge of sadness, she said, "Your cousin wouldn't lie to you. Don’t believe what others say so easily. That Xu Damao is rotten to the core."
"Once you’re in our courtyard, stay as far away from him as possible. And remember, avoid the Second Uncle and Third Uncle whenever you can."
"Mhm, I’ll listen to you, Cousin!"
After finishing his lecture, He Yuzhu felt quite satisfied seeing Xu Damao dare not retort and forced to remain respectful. Over the past six months since his transmigration, He Yuzhu had never been idle; whenever he encountered a new skill or something interesting, he would attempt to replicate it via the System. When he first met Xu Damao, he had successfully copied his projection skills. However, that experience had been disappointing, as the skill level hadn't even reached basic Bronze. The System’s skill levels were divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with each subdivided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Later, He Yuzhu had made several trips to the Hongxing Cinema, bringing cigarettes to butter up the projectionist, eventually successfully replicating a beginner Gold-level projection skill and even learning how to repair the projectors. But due to a lack of practical opportunities, his progress had stalled.
Yet, this wasn't even the most exciting discovery. He Yuzhu had also been surprised to find that film reels could be replicated and even repaired, much like books. He remained calm and collected, carefully observing the projector and the film. The Songhua River Model 5501 projector used by Xu Damao was an old model from three years ago, whereas the cinema used the newer 5504. Despite the changing times, the basic structure of the projectors hadn't changed much.
"Shazhu, are you capable or not? Everyone is waiting!" Xu Damao, unable to stand watching He Yuzhu poke around, couldn't help but interject.
"I said you were hopeless. This kind of technical work requires patience. If it were easy, anyone could do it!"
He Yuzhu’s words left Xu Damao breathless, coughing repeatedly. After ten minutes, He Yuzhu had a comprehensive understanding of the projector and the film. If he delayed any longer, the crowd would truly grow impatient. He Yuzhu held the film in one hand and gently smoothed the crease with the other.
Xu Damao watched while crouching, his alarm growing. Beneath his fingers, the film returned to its original state, the crease vanished. In just one minute, he had repaired over two meters of film. When He Yuzhu prepared to thread the film into the projector, Xu Damao urgently tried to stop him. "Wait, let me do it!" He didn't want to lose control, believing it was a matter of his own status.
"Can you do it?" He Yuzhu pushed him aside, deciding to demonstrate himself.
"Master Xu, let Master He try today. If he can’t do it, we can swap back to you," Deputy Director Li advised. Xu Damao, though resentful, dared not disobey.
"He fixed it?" the crowd whispered curiously.
"I never imagined Shazhu was this capable."
"I only thought he knew how to cook, but his skills are clearly more than that."
"He has high prestige in the factory; even Deputy Director Li respects him."
"Shazhu has changed so much lately, I’m tempted to marry my daughter to him!"
"Don’t be so hasty, Qin Huairu has already brought her cousin!"
Xu Damao watched, dumbfounded. When had this Shazhu learned how to project films? Why did he look even more proficient than himself?
He Yuzhu finished his preparations and cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. In reality, they were already ready, anxiously awaiting his start.
"Director Yang, Deputy Director Li, and all our fellow comrades, today let me show you how a professional projectionist does it!"
Some were confused; wasn't showing a movie just showing a movie? What kind of tricks could one perform? In those days, opportunities to watch films were rare, and education levels were not high; many would finish a movie without really understanding the story, watching simply for the excitement. Thus, some professional projectionists had pioneered a new method: narrating as the film played. This way, both adults and children could follow the plot. It was easy to understand; even today, one often needed to watch a film multiple times to grasp it fully. That was even more true back then.
The factory leaders, all worldly men, understood the format and nodded in approval. Master He was not only capable but also forthright. Director Yang was already considering whether to include He Yuzhu in the reserve cadre list.
The broadcast had already announced the title of the film: "Ashima." Hearing the name, many were likely confused, as one couldn't guess the content from the title alone.
"Let me give you a brief introduction. Ashima is a name, and she is the heroine of the film. She is a girl from an ethnic minority, and the film is adapted from her legend."