During the plum rain season, a fine drizzle fell on the river, and no one had the heart to appreciate the lingering beauty.


    It rained for several days and nights.


    Every day, I faced the dripping rain, which seemed never-ending. The musty smell lingered, the air was humid and hot, and clothes molded easily. The villagers called it "mold rain."


    There was no lilac-like girl holding an oil-paper umbrella, gracefully wandering through the long rain alley.


    The reality was muddy dirt roads. Going outside meant being covered in filth.


    Li and his family were troubled. The road was impassable—neither carts nor donkey carts could get through—so they couldn’t catch eels.


    He had no choice but to collect eels at the bridgehead of Hongshui River in town, near the river, from 5 PM for two hours each day. More and more villagers brought eels here, keeping him busy.


    Now that he paid in cash daily, Li Long carried a bulging calfskin bag he had bought in the provincial capital. With experience gained over time, he was no longer as immature.


    Recently, however, he had fallen for a girl who brought him eels every day.


    This was an era where even speaking too much to the opposite sex in public could make you blush.


    He had indeed reached the age where love first blossoms. Once the seed accidentally fell into his heart, it took root and sprouted. Each day, he watched her every move.


    Worried that he might seem too deliberate, he pretended to be nonchalant, keeping a serious, expressionless face.


    But this was a sweet burden. It was difficult to hide his happiness when speaking to her.


    Once the seedlings of love had taken root in his heart, they could never be pulled out.


    As someone who had been through this, how could Li He not see it?


    One day, he took a special look at the girl. She wore faded black cloth shoes and an ill-fitting gray plaid shirt. Despite the plain attire, she had a curvy figure and a pretty face.


    Her skin was not white, but in those days, no woman in the countryside had fair skin. During the busy farming season, young people trained for loquat picking and attended study meetings, leaving women as the main labor force.


    Poor girls of this era worked under the scorching sun, pulling rice seedlings under the stars, suffering mosquito bites in the heat.


    Back then, there were no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. While the fields teemed with eels and loaches, they also swarmed with leeches and snakes. Leeches clung to poles, and it was common for rice planters to grab snakes by mistake. The hardship was beyond words.


    Food, clothes, and firewood were scarce. Many girls, unable to bear the suffering, felt life was worse than death.


    Rumors often spread of people drowning in the bay or young women hanging themselves.


    "Women hold up half the sky," they said. But in truth, they bore the real weight of the world.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    When couples quarreled, the woman would yell, "I will follow you and suffer all my life," and the man would often remain silent.


    Li He had lived two lifetimes and witnessed the suffering of women like Wang Yulan and Li Mei. He held real respect and sympathy for them.


    A boy in the throes of first love might appear strong, but unrequited affection left him helpless.


    According to Da Zhuang, "What''s the point of having thick skin if you don''t chase a girl?"


    Li Long took his words to heart. Unconsciously, he lowered himself before the girl he admired.


    Li He didn’t interfere. As long as it wasn’t Zhang Ni from his previous life, whoever his brother chose as a wife was his own matter—as long as she had good character.


    Every day, Li He, Da Zhuang, and Li Long squatted by the bridge to collect eels. Once done, they didn’t head home immediately but stopped by roadside stalls for scallion pancakes or cold noodles.


    Restaurants required food coupons, which they didn’t have, so this was their only option.


    The old man and the two uncles usually arrived earlier and occasionally brought food. The road was harder to traverse in the rain, and with no moonlight at night, they had to leave before dark.


    Sometimes they arrived too early and had to wait at the fishery company until 2 AM. Other times, the finance office came even later, dragging the wait to 4 AM—a miserable experience.


    Li He looked at his clothes. His Liberation shoes were caked in mud. His khaki shirt, damp from rain and sweat, looked like a worn-out sack, covered in wrinkles.


    After much effort, the rain finally stopped, bringing the hottest days of the year. Li He no longer squatted on the bridge, instead setting up his stall under the shade of the trees.


    Even past 6 PM, the scorching heat was relentless.


    During their free time, Da Zhuang and Li Long escaped into the river, unwilling to leave. It was summer vacation, and a group of naked children played in the water, their clothes scattered along the riverbank.


    Hongshui River, a tributary of the Huaihe River, was still pristine. Villagers washed vegetables and clothes in its waters.


    Li He remembered how, in later years, pig farms polluted the river, turning it filthy.


    With economic development, sand fields lined both sides of the Huaihe. Sand-sucking ships filled the river, and trucks kicked up dust, suffocating the once-thriving bridge.


    Li Long was floating in the water when Da Zhuang suddenly tugged him. He stood up and quickly ran ashore to dress.


    Duan Mei, the girl he admired, was pushing a cart toward them, carrying a bag of eels.


    Li Long didn’t want to be naked and embarrassed before her.


    Li He chuckled, gave his seat to Li Long, and dived into the water himself.


    Before he could enjoy the cool water, a commotion broke out onshore.


    A group of young men were whistling at Duan Mei. Annoyed, Li Long snapped, "Hey, boys, behave yourselves and stop talking dirty, or I won’t be polite."


    Young men then were simpler—not real hooligans, just mischievous. But reputation mattered.


    Provoked by Li Long’s words, "Come up if you dare," four of them clambered ashore, ready for a fight.


    Seeing the situation, Li He knew it wouldn’t end well. He hurried to shore.


    Just as a tall man lunged at Li Long, Li He took a running start and kicked him in the back, sending him sprawling.


    He turned and struck another in the waist, pinning him down. Li He had practiced before; he fought with skill and strength but held back.


    If these boys had weapons, he wouldn’t hesitate to be ruthless—fifteen- or sixteen-year-olds acted without thinking.


    Chaos erupted. The children in the river cheered.


    Da Zhuang fought moderately, knocking his opponent down with a single kick.


    Li Long, however, was furious. He pinned his long-haired foe and rained punches on him.


    Li He pulled him up. "Are you trying to beat him to death?"


    Seeing Li Long’s neck scratched and bleeding, Li He kicked the long-haired man. "Don’t play dead. It’s just a nosebleed. Get up."


    The young men, embarrassed, threatened, "We’re not done with this."


    Li He smiled. "Are you going home to complain to your parents? You were harassing the girl first. Want to visit the police station?"


    Duan Mei stepped in. "Yes, I’ll report you for hooliganism."


    Panicked, the boys hesitated. Seeing an opening, Li He offered, "Take five yuan and get your buddy’s nose treated. We don’t know each other now, but we might be friends later."


    Reluctantly, the leader accepted the money. They left, grumbling.


    As the crowd dispersed, Li Long blushed when Li He teased, "If you really care, let’s have grandma arrange a meeting with her family."


    Li Fucheng arrived later, approving, "Your brother did the right thing. Beat them, then feed them a carrot. That’s how the world works."