He sat in the car on the way back, his stomach growling with hunger, and could only lament how hard life was!


    Other people''s summers were filled with large cattail fans, mung bean soup, watermelons soaked in cold water, and prickly heat powder.


    In his previous life, he had a smooth journey, studied well, secured a good job, and caught the opportunity to start a business.


    Maybe God knew that he owed his family too much and wanted him to make up for it in this life.


    As a reborn person, although the real estate and Internet booms had not yet arrived, it was not difficult to make a fortune using his experience and memories from his past life. However, his cautious nature held him back.


    According to the known conditions, Li He was 18 years old, male, had graduated from a two-year high school, and was a top student.


    Suppose Li He went to design rocket launchers for a military factory now. His classmates could testify that this kid couldn''t even make a blackboard newspaper.


    Assuming that Li He spoke with a London accent, his English teacher could testify that he had always spoken with a dialect and only excelled in reading and writing, while his listening and speaking skills were negligible.


    If Li He submitted an article to a journal now to solve a military technology problem from the 1970s and 1980s, his Chinese teacher could testify that he couldn''t even write a simple essay properly.


    If Li He claimed to be an eighth-level fitter, the school could testify that he didn''t even know which direction the factory gate faced.


    Everything was too illogical, raising too many doubts. Being a genius was fine, but being a monster was asking for trouble.


    A young man who had never attended college and had no work experience would be inviting disaster by attempting to cheat fate.


    So he decided to study hard in college in this life.


    Many reborn people were losers in their previous lives, but after reincarnation, they aspired to become the richest in the world. Where did they get such confidence? A loser remained a loser after rebirth. After all, rebirth could not change a person''s nature.


    He had worked in the military industry for ten years, and even when he started his own business later, he remained engaged in supplying the military sector.


    His past life experience taught him that, even if there was no Dragon Group, one should never treat the government as if it were the FBI.


    After getting off the bus at the station, he checked the time in the waiting room. It was already past 10 o''clock. Not having a watch or phone was incredibly frustrating.


    He walked to the South Gate first and saw Li Long and Da Zhuang leaning against the wall, chatting and laughing.


    Li He approached from behind and suddenly patted their shoulders, startling them.


    Da Zhuang looked at Li He and grinned.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Erhe, you''re back."


    Li He lifted his bag and estimated the weight of the remaining eels and loaches.


    "There are probably less than 20 kilograms left. Let''s go home quickly, even if we have to sell them."


    The sun was already scorching, and only a few people were still setting up stalls.


    At Li He''s insistence, they sold the remaining stock at half price or gave them away for free, which distressed Da Zhuang and Li Long.


    On the way back, the three of them took turns pulling the cart. Halfway through, they took a break.


    Just like the previous day, Li Long slyly took out the money and, along with Da Zhuang, counted it over and over, penny by penny.


    Before Li Long could say anything, Da Zhuang exclaimed anxiously.


    "177.34 yuan and 17 kilograms of food coupons! My goodness, I work so hard all year to earn work points, but I don''t even make as much as you do in a day."


    The latter half of his sentence carried a hint of discouragement.


    Li Long replied with a smirk.


    "It''s okay, brother, I''ll leave you a bowl of soup after I finish eating the meat."


    Da Zhuang immediately scratched Li Long''s armpit.


    "You little brat! You''re not even older than me! Who are you calling ''brother''?"


    The two of them bickered all the way, while Li He was too lazy to engage and simply walked in silence.


    When they reached town, Li He waited by the cart while Li Long took four catties of meat coupons, bought another four catties of meat, and gave two catties to Da Zhuang.


    He also bought two bottles of wine, four packs of cigarettes, and 30 woven bags, spending another 17 yuan. Li Long felt pained—how could money be spent so easily?


    Da Zhuang didn''t want to haggle in front of others, so he just accepted his share.


    Li He had just arrived home and hadn''t even washed the dust off his hands and face when Xiao Wu clung to him, calling out.


    "Brother! Brother!"


    Li He ruffled her sparse hair.


    "Have you been good at home? Not naughty?"


    The little girl replied seriously.


    "I''ve been very good! But... I ate a little too much fried dough twist."


    Afraid that Li He would scold her, she hurriedly added.


    "Don''t blame me! The fried dough twist was so delicious. After eating one, I wanted another..."


    Seeing her innocent face, Li He couldn''t help but laugh. Then he warned her in a serious tone.


    "Eating too much will cause a toothache! No more than two a day, okay? Otherwise, caterpillars will grow in your teeth, eat them up, and make them hollow and rotten..."


    The little girl''s eyes widened in fear. She quickly opened her mouth and tilted her head up.


    "Brother, check if there are any bugs in my mouth!"


    Li Mei, who was squatting in the yard drying corn, laughed at their conversation.


    "You''re a grown man, and you''re still scaring a child. Can you behave yourself?"


    Seeing only salted vegetables and steamed bread on the table, it was too late to stir-fry meat.


    He frowned and turned to Da Zhuang.


    "Just grab a bite for lunch, and we''ll make something good tonight. Take the food back first. Here''s 10 yuan, two bottles of wine, and two packs of cigarettes for your father.


    If I need livestock from the production team, I don''t understand the politics there, so I''ll trouble your father to help."


    Da Zhuang waved it off.


    "It''s no big deal. Last month, Liu Xichun used a donkey to haul rocks for a whole month and only got three yuan. Why would my father ask for so much?"


    He tried to return the money, but Li Long shoved it into his arms.


    "Take it home quickly so you can eat. If you don''t put the pork in the well, it''ll spoil by evening."


    Before they even finished eating, people started arriving—some claiming to deliver eels, others simply chatting, but all waiting to get paid for yesterday''s catch.


    Li He didn''t haggle.


    "Take as much as you have."


    People were delighted. It was hard to make spare money these days, and an extra two cents per kilogram for deliveries exceeding 200 kilograms was a big deal.


    That evening, Li He poured a glass of white wine for both Da Zhuang and Li Long.


    "Brother, I can''t drink," Li Long protested.


    Li He chuckled.


    "We''re all grown men now. It''d be ridiculous if you don''t drink. Have one with Da Zhuang—he worked hard today."


    After dinner, Li He announced.


    "We''ll leave at one in the morning. Get some sleep. If anyone asks, just say you''re collecting for the aquatic company. Go to the production team leader and get a letter of introduction before dark."


    Li Mei frowned.


    "Isn''t that too early?"


    Li He shook his head.


    "It''s already late. Donkey carts aren''t allowed into the city until after dark."