《Back to 1979》 1. New Tides Li He trembled all over, staring into the distance in amazement before looking up at the sky in a daze. The scorching sun blazed overhead, making the ground feel like it was on fire. The heat was so intense that it felt suffocating. Rebirth. He had actually been reborn. Looking at the dilapidated earthen houses behind him, he still couldn''t believe it. But the calendar on the wall was unmistakable¡ªJuly 11, 1979. It was the only new thing in the entire house. He had only gone out to meet an old friend, had a few drinks, and taken a nap at a hotel. When he woke up, he found himself sitting at the doorstep of his childhood home¡ªback in his 18-year-old body. He had undergone annual physical checkups and was in good health. How could he have died just like that? What would happen to his mother, wife, and children in that world? The thought of it was suffocating, as if he were drowning, unable to breathe. He had been a wealthy man in his fifties, in the prime of his life, full of ambition. He had many children and grandchildren and was enjoying the happiness of family. His days were spent leisurely with his wife, growing flowers, and walking their dog. Life had been so comfortable. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. Decades of struggle, decades of steady progress¡ªgone in an instant. Was this karma? The cycle of reincarnation? But he had always lived with a clear conscience. He had never done anything to deserve punishment from the heavens. "Aguo, I''m coming to catch eels with you too!" (Note: "Aguo" (°¢¹ú) is a nickname for Li He, given by his family. It reflects a common Chinese naming convention where "A" (°¢) is prefixed to a name as a form of endearment, especially for younger family members) A skinny little girl with a pale face and short legs jumped onto Li He. She was the youngest in the family, only five years old. Li He was sharpening a piece of wire with a stone. When he saw her rushing toward him, he quickly put the wire down and hoisted her onto his shoulders, making her giggle. His father, Li Zhaokun, was a well-known scoundrel in the village. He wasn''t a thief, but he was lazy and unwilling to work in the fields for work points. He always used to say, "A model worker might die of exhaustion, and I don''t want that fate." Naturally, in an era when production teams determined one''s livelihood, a man who only cared about feeding himself and his family wasn''t well respected. His mother, Wang Yulan, could be described as gentle at best¡ªor a pushover at worst. She was someone anyone could bully, a pitiful woman. Yet, as a mother, she was fiercely protective of her children. She had swallowed her pride and borrowed money from anyone willing to lend it, just so she could pay Li He''s 3.2-yuan high school tuition. (Note: 3.2 Yuan ¡Ö 2.13 USD in 1979.) Whether in his past life or now, thinking about this always made him feel like crying. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He was the second child in the family, now 18 years old, and had just finished taking the college entrance exam. He had been reborn on the second day of the exam in 1979. If he remembered correctly, university admission letters would be sent out soon. Becoming a college student was a rarity in his village, especially coming from a family like his. Now, looking back, he realized how selfish he had been in his previous life. He had turned a blind eye to his family''s struggles, gone off to study, and never fulfilled his responsibilities toward them. There were five children in the family¡ªit was a miracle none of them had starved to death. They had survived on wild vegetables and corn paste, and all of them were pale and thin from malnutrition. His eldest sister, Li Mei, was already 21 years old and still unmarried¡ªa rare thing in an era when early marriage was the norm. He himself hadn''t married until he was 26. Fortunately, his brother-in-law had been an ambitious man. With his support, they had contracted a fish pond, which later flourished into a successful business, easing much of Li He''s guilt. His younger brother, Li Long, was 16 and had started working in the fields immediately after finishing elementary school. Later, he had married a woman who was known for her sharp tongue¡ªshe would argue tenfold in response to a single remark, making family life chaotic. The fourth child, Li Bing, was 12, while the youngest, Li Qin, was only 5¡ªboth girls. In his previous life, once Li He''s circumstances improved, he had supported Li Bing through medical school. She had eventually graduated from junior college and even became an associate professor later in life. As for Li Qin, she had followed him after finishing junior high school. Though she was somewhat spoiled, her business ventures had been smooth sailing. At that moment, his mother and eldest sister were squatting at the doorstep, rubbing corn cobs. His third brother had taken his fourth sister out to collect firewood. Not only was food rationed, but firewood was too. Corn stalks, wheat stalks, cotton stubble, bean stalks, and sweet potato stalks¡ªall were divided among households. With so many mouths to feed and no strong laborers earning work points, the Li family barely had enough wheat and rice stalks to burn. Li He looked at the crumbling mud houses and felt utterly hopeless. He had no heroic spirit, no drive to start over from nothing. Seven people were crammed into three mud-walled rooms. No one knew where Li Zhaokun had wandered off to. His mother, Wang Yulan, shared a room with his eldest sister and youngest sister, while he shared a room with his younger siblings. He had spent a miserable childhood here. He had no fond memories of it¡ªonly hunger and cold. Nostalgia for such suffering would be the mark of a fool. But now, he had an immense responsibility. He needed to change his family''s living conditions¡ªgive his eldest sister a proper dowry, ensure his younger brother had enough to offer a bride price. He couldn''t afford to waste even a single moment. The mess at home was overwhelming. Just looking at it made him feel physically sick. There was a saying: The timid starve, while the bold feast. He had made up his mind¡ªhe couldn''t sit idly by any longer. If he only relied on work points from the production brigade, the Li family would remain trapped in poverty forever. But he had heard rumors¡ªXiaogang Village might have secretly started implementing the contract responsibility system. If that was true, it could be an opportunity. He had to find a way. Even if it was just to ensure they didn''t have to eat corn porridge tomorrow, he would go to the county town and see if there was any way to make money. The air smelled of opportunity. But for him, money was far more important than fresh air. Li He gently set his youngest sister down and stood up. He grabbed a worm and threaded it onto the sharpened wire hook¡ªa simple but highly effective tool for catching eels. He may not have been a scholar in his past life, but when it came to unconventional survival skills¡ªfishing for eels, catching loaches, and trapping fish¡ªhe was second to none. Carrying a shovel and gripping the eel hook in his hand, he set off with his youngest sister. "Aguo, carry the basket for your brother," Li He said, feeling a pang of guilt when he saw his little sister struggling to hold the basket with both hands, panting as she tried to keep up. "Aguo can carry it!" she declared stubbornly. "Alright, just walk slower." As he looked down, he spotted several eel holes. The soil on the embankment was hard, making it easier to catch them. He didn''t even need the hook¡ªhe simply poured water into the entrance of the hole, forcing the eels to wriggle out in panic. He remained calm, waiting for the right moment. Then, with a quick flick of his fingers, he grabbed a fat yellow eel¡ªat least three taels in weight¡ªwith one hand. His youngest sister excitedly placed the eel into the basket. At that moment, his third brother, Li Long, arrived after delivering firewood back home. He always seemed a little fearful of Li He and never dared to argue in front of him. "Take these baskets home and bring back some empty ones. And take our little sister with you¡ªit''s getting hot now," Li He instructed, glancing up at the sky and estimating that it was already around ten o''clock. "Aguo, It''s not hot!" His youngest sister was sweating all over but still bouncing with excitement. "Be good and go home with me," Li Long said simply, not bothering to argue. He picked her up with one hand and carried the basket in the other. Meanwhile, Li He continued his work. He built a small dam along the nearby ditch and drained the water. Soon, crucian carp, grass carp, and even a few bearded carp flopped in the mud, while hairy crabs scuttled between the cracks in the rocks. This was a real jackpot. "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and pick up the fish! Take them home, and keep the big ones in water¡ªdon''t damage their scales," Li He called out as Li Long rushed back to help. "Xiaoyu, tell my eldest sister to make fish soup for lunch. The extra fish can be dried for later," Li He added, wiping the sweat from his forehead before pulling off his shirt. For the first time since waking up in this body, he felt a glimmer of hope. This was only the beginning. If he wanted to truly change their fate, he had a long road ahead of him. 2. Early Earnings At eighteen years old, I stood at 175 cm¡ªnot short by any means. However, years of malnutrition had left me with a lean frame, my ribs painfully visible beneath my skin. Still, I was thankful that at least I didn''t have the bloated belly that would become common in later generations. Determined to change my fate, I knew I had to take care of myself in this life. The bamboo basket could only hold a few large fish, so instead, I threaded their cheeks with straw poles and carried them by hand. Back and forth, Li Long and I made six trips, hauling baskets filled with small fish and over twenty large ones, each weighing more than a pound. That wasn''t all. Determined not to leave empty-handed, we also scooped up an entire basket of loaches from the muddy bottom of the river. By noon, after clearing the dam to prevent the canal from clogging, we finished our work and returned home for lunch. Wang Yulan was busy gutting the fish, while the fourth and fifth brothers laid them out in the grass to dry. Li Mei had already set the table, placing a bowl of porridge in front of everyone. The aroma of fish soup filled the air. Frying or braising would have been a luxury¡ªoil was too precious to waste. Eels, loaches, and hairy crabs were kept alive in basins. If all went well, I planned to sell them in the county town the next day. The government''s control over trade had loosened somewhat, and a black market had emerged near the south gate. Having studied in the county town for years, I was familiar with the place. It was impossible to store fresh fish for long in this heat. With no refrigeration, no oxygen tanks, and no transport, they would rot before reaching the county town. Drying the fish was the safest option. Under the scorching sun, turning them over a few times would be enough to harden them by the afternoon. "Sister, I''ll go to the county town with Third Brother tomorrow. We''ll sell fresh loaches, eels, and dried fish. Can you make some pancakes for us? We''ll leave at night," I said to Li Mei, the de facto head of the household. Li Mei glanced at me curiously. Ever since I returned home after my college entrance exams, I had become more energetic and responsible. Before, I buried myself in books, rarely concerning myself with family matters. Occasionally, I would go to the river to catch shrimp and fish, but this was the first time I''d ever taken the initiative to contribute to the family''s income. In the afternoon, I helped the fourth child with his homework before heading back to the river with the third child. By evening, we had caught more than twenty kilograms of eels and loaches. After dinner, the summer air remained stifling. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. I went down to the river. The moment I neared the water, a wave of refreshing coolness enveloped me. As a boy, I didn''t have to worry about modesty. I simply stripped down to my shorts and plunged in with a loud splash. During the day, the heat was suffocating, waves of hot air radiating from the ground. Only when the night wind began to stir did the oppressive heat gradually subside. Once everything was in order, I washed my feet and sent Li Long to bed. Then, I lay down as well. In those days, there was no electricity, no telephones, no television, no Wi-Fi. Other than the interactions between husband and wife, there were few forms of entertainment. No wonder people had so many children. When the rooster crowed for the second time, I quickly urged Li Long to get up. We needed to leave before the neighbors noticed. Even though trade regulations had loosened over the past two years, it was still best to be cautious. As we passed through the village, the occasional bark of dogs and the murmurs of early risers filled the air. Worried the eels would suffocate, I stopped at the river every half hour to soak the snakeskin bag, keeping it heavy and damp. The two of us were exhausted, panting as we trudged along. The journey to the county town was nearly twenty miles. By the time we arrived, the sky was still dark, the light faint and hazy. Vendors who had come early had already set up their stalls, but none dared to shout about their wares¡ªit was still an era of speculation and underground dealings. Every morning, the contrast between the city and the countryside became starkly apparent. I quickly found a spot, then handed Li Long some dry biscuits from my pocket. Across the street, a teahouse had lit its stove. I went over to ask for hot water, and we both took a few sips. As dawn broke, the streets filled with pedestrians, and the market grew livelier. Nearby, I noticed a pork stall. I asked about the price, forming an idea in my mind. These days, pork was the only real meat¡ªoily and filling. No matter how nutritious eels and loaches were, they would never be valued higher than pork. Such was the mindset of the era. At last, a middle-aged woman stopped by our stall. If I didn''t start selling now, when would I? "Big Sister, let me catch a few for you. They''re great for strengthening the body and treating rheumatism," I said, my voice hoarse from eating too much coarse corn in recent days. "How much?" she asked. "Forty cents per pound. If you have food coupons, you can trade one pound of meat coupons for a pound of fish." Food coupons were essential. Without them, even if you had money, the supply and marketing cooperative wouldn''t sell you a thing. As the saying went, "With coupons, you can travel the world; without them, you can''t take a single step." Farmers didn''t receive food coupons. Instead, they were allocated "grain rations" based on the work points they earned through collective labor. If that wasn''t enough to eat, they had to find other ways¡ªlike bartering eggs and vegetables with city dwellers. "That''s too expensive. Thirty-five cents. I''ll take five pounds," the woman bargained. I sighed inwardly. People always haggled over a few cents. "Big Sister, I''m here to do business, not to overcharge you. Let''s make this deal smooth." I weighed the fish carefully, making sure she got slightly more than what she paid for. "You''re quite fair with your words, young man." She glanced at the eels, handed over the money, and quickly left. Plastic bags weren''t common, so shoppers had to bring their own baskets. To prevent the eels from slipping away, I threaded dogtail grass through their gills, securing them like skewered fish¡ªa necessary precaution. As I looked at the meager banknotes in my hand, I felt no excitement. I tossed them to Li Long. "You keep them." I needed to think bigger. If a real opportunity came along, I wanted to go to the capital. Even if all I did was build a few toilets within the Second Ring Road, that alone would guarantee a lifetime of wealth. These small profits didn''t interest me. Li Long, however, was ecstatic that I had entrusted him with the money. Throughout the morning, customers trickled in, mostly buying small amounts. I let Li Long handle the sales, stepping in only when the crowd grew. Loaches sold for thirty cents per pound, eels for forty, and the dried fish fetched a little over a penny each. As soon as we finished selling, we didn''t linger. We packed up quickly and hurried home, not daring to count our earnings in public. Halfway back, exhausted and parched, we collapsed under a tree for a break. Li Long, who had been clutching the money tightly, finally loosened his grip. He carefully unfolded the notes and counted them¡ªfive or six times, just to be sure. "Brother! Guess how much we made?" he asked, beaming. "Twenty yuan?" I guessed absentmindedly. "Thirty-one yuan and thirty-five cents! Plus five pounds of meat coupons and nine pounds of grain coupons! Brother, we''re rich!" Li Long whispered excitedly, fearing others might overhear. I pushed him away. "Get off me, it''s too hot." Still, I couldn''t blame him. In a family like ours, two yuan was a fortune. 3. Burden and Survival After leaving college, Li Wei sent his meager school subsidy back home, but it was barely enough to make a difference. It wasn''t until he secured a job after graduation that he could truly support his family. In high school, his only dream was to escape the countryside, to move to the city, to become someone important. He had been too preoccupied with his own future to spare a thought for his struggling family. It wasn''t until he turned thirty that guilt truly set in. Only then did he become fully aware of the sacrifices made for him. Reflecting on his past, he saw how indifferent he had been¡ªalways focused on his studies, never considering how his family made ends meet. In his previous life, he had no money for tuition and had never once thought of earning it himself. His only option had been to borrow from relatives. At the time, he resented them for not helping enough. It took years for him to understand their hesitation. Who would lend him money when his family had no means to repay it? His younger siblings were still children, his father was unreliable, and his mother, overwhelmed with responsibilities, had no power to change their circumstances. Every household in the countryside had three or four children to feed, and no one was financially stable. They could help once or twice, but not endlessly. Their meals consisted of dried sweet potatoes and coarse corn. Rice was a luxury, wheat even rarer. White flour was reserved for festivals, and dumplings were considered a rare delicacy. Yet, even under such conditions, people had extended him kindness. Now, having lived two lives, Li Wei understood everything. He had debts to repay¡ªboth gratitude and resentment. "Take the money home and give it to our eldest sister. Don''t hand it to Mother. With her soft heart, she won''t be able to hold onto it if Father comes asking." Li Wei lowered his gaze, noting Li Long''s tattered Liberation shoes. "Let''s go to town and buy some meat¡­ and a new pair of shoes for you." "I''ll hide the money with Sister. Don''t worry, no one will find it." Li Long was no fool. He understood his father''s habits too well. Resentment simmered in his heart. In all the villages within ten miles, whose life was as hard as theirs? "Brother, let''s save the money. I don''t need shoes. In the summer, I can go barefoot." The road to town was rough, a gravel path riddled with bumps. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. If a bicycle seat could speak, it would surely complain, "I''m about to break!" If someone needed to use the restroom on this road, the constant jolting would shake everything loose before they even got there. Li Wei recalled that a proper cement road wasn''t built here until the 1990s. When they finally arrived, the largest storefront in town was the supply and marketing cooperative. The market was already winding down for the day. He instructed Li Long to buy the meat while he went to a roadside stall to purchase twenty cents'' worth of fried dough twists. There was a child at home, after all. The vendors selling fried dough twists were usually elderly, carrying their wares on shoulder poles, known in the villages as "twist-carrying hawkers." Unlike peddlers selling cigarettes, matches, or candy¡ªwho shouted and sometimes even shook tambourines to attract customers¡ªthese vendors never called out. Their customers sought them out instead. After buying the twists, Li Wei exchanged his food coupons for flour at the supply and marketing cooperative. Nine pounds of flour cost only one yuan and eighty cents¡ªless than two cents per pound. He hesitated but still paid. He was tired of eating coarse corn. It wasn''t just lacking in nutrition; it barely filled the stomach. With only three family members earning work points, they received just enough millet to make porridge. Yet, at that time, money had real value. A city worker earning twenty yuan a month was better off than many modern-day officials. As they left town, Li Wei''s eyes lingered on an ox cart trundling ahead. Though slow, it was still better than walking. He envied the people riding in it. Slinging the bag of flour over his shoulder, he sighed. The morning trip to the county town had been exhausting. Together, he and Li Long had caught seventy to eighty kilograms of eels and loaches, but the sun hadn''t been as merciless then as it was now. Li Long, carrying the meat and fried dough twists, called out, "Brother, let''s rest. My hands are going numb." Li Wei glanced at him but didn''t stop. He couldn''t bear to let his brother suffer, so he gritted his teeth and walked on. "Two''er! Two''er!" Hearing someone call his name, Li Wei turned his head and was delighted. What he had been hoping for had come true. Liu Dazhuang was driving a donkey cart toward them. When they got closer, he saw several women from the village sitting in the cart¡ªyoung wives and old aunties alike. Without hesitation, Li Wei threw his things onto the cart and climbed up with Li Long. "Zhuang, what are you waiting for? Hurry up! I''m dying from this heat," he urged. Liu Dazhuang, about the same age as Li Long, had looked up to Li Wei since childhood. Years later, thanks to Li Wei''s guidance, he went south, became a contractor, and built a successful business. Yet, no matter how much wealth he accumulated, he always treated Li Wei with deep respect. "I went to your house this morning to ask if you were going to the market, but your aunt said you had already left for the county," Liu Dazhuang said as he flicked the reins. "Erhe, let me see what you''ve got. You must''ve spent more than three yuan today," Aunt Dongmei''s eyes gleamed at the sight of the two kilograms of meat. "Aunt, I caught a lot of eels and loaches yesterday and exchanged them for some money today." Li Wei had originally planned to keep a low profile, but now he saw no need to hide it. From the county town to the villages, small vendors were everywhere. Clearly, many had already figured out ways to do business. In his past life, Li Wei hadn''t paid attention to trade. He had focused on school, determined to land a stable government job. He only started considering business in the ''90s, after seeing others amass wealth through entrepreneurship. Now, he spoke openly. "Go home and ask Zhuzi and Uncle. If they have time, they can catch eels and loaches too. I''ll buy everything. Loaches for sixteen cents, eels for twenty-two." "Erhe, are you serious?" a woman interjected. "My husband is idle these days. If you''re really buying, I''ll have him bring you some this afternoon." Li Wei studied her. If he remembered correctly, she was Song''s wife. "No, Erhe¡ª" Pan Guangcai''s mother and Aunt Dongmei chimed in eagerly. "All of you can bring them, but I don''t have enough cash to buy too much at once. I''ll pay when I return next time," Li Wei admitted, thinking of his meager savings. "Or you can come with me to sell in the county town, though it''ll take time." Li Long''s face tensed. If they brought too many people along, what would happen to their business? But the older women scoffed at the idea. "Who has time to walk dozens of miles to the county town?" Pan Guangcai''s mother said. Although some people did business in the town, selling snacks and fruit, going all the way to the county felt like an impossible risk. Besides, the journey was grueling. No one was willing to let their children endure such hardship. Yet, as Li Wei listened, he could tell¡ªthe wheels of change had already begun to turn. 4. Middleclass Everyone in the village knew that Li Zhaokun was an unreliable man. His children, however, were all very sensible. The eldest daughter was good at taking care of the house and handling household chores, but she was still single. With an unreliable father and a bunch of burdens to carry, who would dare to get involved with such a family? A few years ago, there was a wealthy family that took a liking to the eldest daughter of the Li family and wanted to marry her. Li Zhaokun, however, started talking about the "four big things": a watch, a radio, a sewing machine, and a bicycle. Wow, he was even more extravagant than people in the city. The family was so frightened that they immediately backed off and never mentioned marriage again. Most people called Li Zhaokun a good-for-nothing. After such an incident, who would dare to propose marriage to the Li family? Li He was the best student in both the town and the county. A few years ago, some even said that Lizhuang was going to produce a top scholar. Li Long was also a strong young man and was good at work. The remaining two girls, the fourth and fifth siblings, were also very smart. Everyone in and outside the village cursed Li Zhaokun for being unlucky, wondering what kind of fortune he must have had in his previous life to deserve such a family. As soon as they got home, the happiest person was the little girl. She held the twisted candy tightly in her hands, her face filled with joy. "Put it in the cupboard quickly. How much have you eaten? Do you still want to eat?" Li Mei snatched the bag of fried dough twists and placed it on the cupboard. The little girl burst into tears! In fact, she was crying out of grievance. She kept licking the twisted candy in her mouth, refusing to take a bite. How could she have eaten too much? Li He was taking a shower by the well. Seeing the little girl crying, he quickly wiped her face with a towel. "Don''t cry, I''ll buy you some White Rabbit candy tomorrow, okay?" Seeing that the little girl hadn''t stopped crying, he added a threat, "If you keep bothering me, you''ll get nothing." "Aguo is the best. Don''t forget him tomorrow." The little girl immediately stopped crying at the promise of candy. "Lao Si, make me some tea in a big bowl." Li He called out to Lao Si. The tea leaves at home were all old and accumulated, only suitable for brewing simple tea. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. At that moment, Li Long seized the opportunity while their mother was busy at the stove. He pulled his eldest sister into the inner room and took out a handful of money from his pocket. Li Mei was overjoyed but didn''t show much excitement. Although the fourth sister was a girl, she was quick-witted. When she saw her second and third brothers return home smiling, carrying rice and meat, she knew they must have made some money. Her mother had resisted asking too many questions, but now she followed them inside with a curious expression. Li Mei counted the money over and over, three times in total. The fourth brother also held it in his hands, counting it several times without letting go. "Third brother, there are 27.52 yuan and 3 jin of meat coupons left," the fourth brother said confidently after counting again. "My brother told my eldest sister to keep it. It will be used for tuition when school starts, and we need to eat meat every meal," Li Long whispered, looking outside the house. "We can''t let Mom know, or else Dad might come back." The two sisters rolled their eyes. Did that even need to be explained? The siblings reached a silent agreement: "Prevent fire, theft, and parents." "You little rascal, still thinking about eating meat every meal? Why did you buy pork belly? It has no oil at all." Li Mei felt a little distressed and gave Li Long a slap on the head. These days, people preferred to buy big fatty cuts when purchasing meat. "It was my brother''s idea. He said he''d go to the county town every day to collect eels." Li Long felt wronged. He couldn''t make decisions on his own and had to listen to his brother. "How do we collect eels?" Mei frowned. The second brother seemed too restless. It was only the third day of the holiday, and he had never been like this before. "Ask him yourself." Li Long sighed, feeling completely misunderstood. The fragrant rice, paired with a pot of braised pork and potatoes, filled the whole family until their faces were greasy, scraping even the bottom of the pot clean. While cooking, their mother, Wang Yulan, originally wanted to save half of the meat. But under Li He''s insistence, she ended up cooking it all. Li He watched as the little girl licked the bottom of her bowl clean. His heart ached, and he gave her the last piece of meat from his bowl. Li He felt that apart from his parents, no one in his family was truly a good person. "Sister, use old clothes to make a pair of big shorts for me and the third child. Make the legs three inches long." Li He missed wearing big shorts. Long pants made him break out in prickly heat. "Got it. I''ll do it after dinner. It''s not a big deal." Li Mei was skilled at needlework, and making shorts was an easy task. She found an old, shabby pair of pants, cut the cuffs with scissors, and finished sewing them up with needle and thread. It only took about ten minutes. After dinner, Li He''s wish to take a nap was dashed. First, Liu Dazhuang arrived, followed closely by Pan Guangcai. "Erhe, take these and sell them tomorrow. I have plenty at home. If we eat them, it wastes too much oil. I''ve been keeping them in the mud cellar, but a lot of them have burrowed holes and run away." Liu Dazhuang opened his bag, revealing at least fifty kilograms of eels and loaches. Pan Guangcai, a shrewd man, brought five jin to try selling. After getting 70 cents, he said he had more at home and went back to fetch them. By the time Li He finished weighing everything, he had collected around 305 kilograms. But most of the suppliers didn''t want cash. One of them even turned back halfway upon hearing there was no cash payment; otherwise, he could have collected more. They didn''t finish until 3 o''clock. The two brothers had no time to go out and catch eels themselves. Since they didn''t have a cement pool or a large basin, they simply put the fish in bags, tightened the openings, and threw them into the ditch, planning to retrieve them later that night. Li Mei handed a notebook to Li He. "Look at this. You haven''t even started, and you already owe 31.21 yuan." "It''s okay. I know what I''m doing. Sister, give the third brother 10 cents and tell him to buy a pack of cigarettes for Lao Guaitou and borrow the production team''s cart." Production team equipment was usually kept in the cowshed under the management of Lao Guaitou, a five-guarantee household. In exchange for cigarettes or money, the old man was willing to lend it out as a favor. "As long as you know what you''re doing." Li Mei didn''t say much. She had followed her brother in the afternoon and observed everything clearly. He was impeccable in his dealings with people, generous and magnanimous, far better than most. Besides, he was educated¡ªnaturally smarter than others. 5. Selling Eels Because Liu Dazhuang was also going, Li He asked Li Mei to make a few more pancakes and put five dollars in his pocket. Before daybreak, the two brothers got up quickly, fished out the bags of eels from the ditch, and put them on the cart. Liu Dazhuang didn''t even wait for the two brothers to call him. He simply came over himself. This saved them trouble. Otherwise, they would have had to go into the alley and shout, causing a lot of noise. When they arrived at the county town, they went to North Street first and unloaded a few bags. This place was similar to South Street. Li He said to them, "You stay here. Do you two remember the route? Whoever sells out first can go find the other one. If you get lost, just ask for directions. Do you know where to go?" They both nodded. "If you encounter any trouble, be patient and don''t lose your temper. This place is different from home. If someone tries to pick a fight, run away first. Don''t worry about anything else. Safety comes first." "We''re not stupid. If we run into a lot of people, what else can we do but run?" Da Zhuang said with a grin. "No matter how many people there are, you are not allowed to fight." "Got it. Take Da Zhuang to South Street quickly. Some people are already here to buy vegetables. I''ll go and prepare first. There''s more than 300 kilograms to sell." Li Long opened the bag and rolled it up so that customers could easily pick out the eels and loaches they wanted. When they arrived at South Street, they set up their stall in the same spot as yesterday and parked the cart at the edge of an open space in the distance. Although it was far away, it was still within sight, ensuring that no one would take it away. Just like yesterday, Li He ate two pancakes and drank some water. Then he took Liu Dazhuang to greet a few aunties who were buying vegetables before letting Dazhuang handle things on his own. With his arms folded behind him, Li He observed. Dazhuang was quite skillful, much better than him at handling customers. In just a short while, more than 50 kilograms of loaches and over 30 kilograms of eels were sold. It was a much better start than yesterday. After all, they had regular customers from the previous day. Besides, meat tickets were limited, whereas loaches and eels didn''t require them, making them a cheaper alternative. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Seeing that Dazhuang could manage things here, Li He felt reassured about going to the provincial capital. "Da Zhuang, I''m leaving now. I''m heading to the provincial capital. Once you meet up with Lao San, just go home directly. Don''t wait for me. I''ll return on my own." "Got it. Go and do your thing." Da Zhuang was thrilled. He had earned dozens of dollars in such a short time. Today was an eye-opener for him. Li He tucked a few newly exchanged food coupons into his pocket and hurried to the bus station. The bus station was small, with only two buses to the provincial capital every day. Li He arrived early, found a seat by the window, and was about to take a nap when the ticket seller approached. "Comrade, two cents." An older lady with a torn canvas bag collected the money, tore off a ticket, and handed it to Li He. After sitting in the bus for over an hour, he arrived at the bus stop. However, he couldn''t find the bus route he remembered on the sign. After all, it had been more than thirty years. Left with no choice, Li He asked a passerby, "Brother, can I ask how to get to the aquatic product wholesale market?" The man wasn''t surprised to see Li He, a country bumpkin in patched shoes and a worn-out shirt. He responded kindly, "You mean the Provincial Aquatic Products Supply and Marketing Company, right?" Li He suddenly realized¡ªso that was the name! At present, everything was state-run, much like the supply and marketing cooperatives. These cooperatives bought dry goods from individuals, such as fur, bristles, herbs, and mushrooms. There was no private wholesale market at all. "Brother, yes, that''s the one. Can you tell me how to get there?" "Take Bus No. 3 from here. Go straight to Shouchun Road. It''s at the intersection of Shouchun Road and Fuyang Road." "Thank you so much, brother." Li He''s memory quickly clicked into place. Though the city had changed drastically in later years, the street names had mostly remained the same. The bus rumbled along with a large gas bag strapped to its back. It looked dangerous, filled with natural gas. Back then, the fare was one cent per stop. Fourteen stops would cost a total of 1.4 cents. The ground outside the Aquatic Products Supply and Marketing Company was wet from constant deliveries. Trucks from local suppliers came and went, transporting goods. Li He ignored the strong fishy smell in the air. After wandering around for a while, he finally spotted an office door. Just as he was about to enter, someone stopped him. "Hey, hey! I''m talking to you! What are you looking around for?" "Hello, comrade. I''m looking for someone. Is your manager here?" Li He turned his head to see an older man in gray standing in front of him. Not wanting to seem rude, Li He smiled, though he felt a bit awkward. The old man gave him a once-over, his eyes filled with disdain. Li He sighed inwardly. It was true¡ªclothes made the man. His mended outfit was acceptable in the countryside, but here in the city, it marked him as an outsider. "You must be tired. Have a cigarette." Before coming, Li He had spent 70 cents at the supply and marketing cooperative to buy two packs of Hongtashan cigarettes. Although he didn''t smoke now, he had been a heavy smoker since he was twenty-five. The old man accepted the cigarette without hesitation. Lighting one up, he exhaled a smoke ring and said, "Young comrade, serve the people. What do you need to talk to our manager about?" Li He smiled. "We live by the Huai River. During the rainy season, the fields are full of eels and loaches, and they ruin the crops. To protect grain production, we actively eliminate these pests. However, eels and loaches are also nutritious. So, in the spirit of serving the people and improving material living standards, I wanted to ask if your company would purchase them?" The old man chuckled and pointed to a document pinned to the bulletin board. "Can you read? Take a look for yourself." Li He studied the document carefully. It detailed a speech by the provincial party secretary, emphasizing fishery''s importance in socialist agriculture. Fishery production needed to expand to balance the rural economy. Li He slapped his thigh in excitement. "Whether this works out or not, I owe you one!" 6. Every Little Bit Counts 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¡ªhow 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¡ªsome 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¡ªhe 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." 7. First Fortune I don''t have a watch, a cell phone, or an alarm clock, so I wake up based on the estimated time. When Da Zhuang drove the donkey cart over, the two brothers had already dragged all the bags out of the ditch. The bags were only half-filled and loosely tied to prevent suffocation, so they had more pockets. One donkey cart wasn''t enough to hold everything, so Da Zhuang quickly went to the cowshed and pulled another one over. Soon, both carts were full. Li He sat in the front to lead the way, while Li Long drove one cart and Da Zhuang drove the other behind him. After walking a certain distance, they had to fetch water with a wooden bucket and pour it onto the donkey cart to keep the eels and loaches wet. If the canal was far away, they had to run half the way, breathing heavily from exhaustion. The moonlight was bright enough, so they didn''t need to light a lantern. I would only turn on the flashlight on particularly bumpy road sections. By the time we reached the provincial capital, it was nearly dawn. When we arrived at the aquatic products company, people were already coming and going, rushing to deliver goods to the morning market. The donkey carts stopped to the side. Li He took out the shovel beside the cart and handed it to Li Long. He specifically reminded him, "Make sure to clean up the donkey''s feces and urine and bury them in the green belt." Then, he walked straight to the office area from yesterday. After just a few steps, someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. He turned around and saw the old man from yesterday. He immediately took out a cigarette and said, "Uncle, good morning. Have a cigarette. Is Manager Wang here?" The old man tucked the cigarette behind his ear and replied, "The manager won''t be here so early. I already told you yesterday. Just follow me. That donkey cart is yours, right? Have them bring it over." Li He quickly waved to Li Long and Da Zhuang, signaling them to follow. Inside, there were rows of water tanks filled with freshwater fish like crucian carp and catfish. In front of two empty ponds, Li He opened a bag and held it up to the old man. "Uncle, look how fat they are. We were very selective." The old man didn''t respond but called out, "Bring the scale over and weigh them quickly." After weighing, they picked out the dead and smaller ones, weighed them separately, and deducted for moisture. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. In the end, the weight was 53 pounds less than what they had measured at home. Li He didn''t mind. He handed a cigarette to everyone in the group, calling them "big brother" and "big sister" with admiration in his voice, as if he were calling them family. After receiving the receipt, he followed the old man to the finance office to collect the payment. "Uncle, you really helped us a lot!" Pointing to Li Long and Da Zhuang, he added, "This one is my brother, and the other is my cousin. We''ll need your help in the future." The three men driving the donkey carts didn''t dare stop for food. After all, donkeys produce a lot of waste, and dealing with it in the city would be a hassle. Once they left the city and got onto the highway, they ate some bread they had brought from home and drank all the water in their kettle. Li He lay in the back and slept all the way to the country road. The bumpy ride woke him up, and he felt sore all over. After returning the donkey cart to the cowshed, he gave Da Zhuang 10 yuan. Da Zhuang hesitated, trying to refuse it. Li He insisted, "Take it. It wouldn''t be fair for my brother and me to make money while you work for nothing. Besides, this isn''t just a one-day job. As long as we work, you''ll earn 10 yuan a day." According to the market rate, two or three yuan would have been enough. But there''s an old saying: ''If you don''t worry about poverty, you''ll worry about fairness.'' Li He wasn''t about to form a partnership or share profits with Da Zhuang. What he needed most was capital. If he didn''t work hard now, when others caught up, his current savings would be insufficient. Da Zhuang was thrilled. A strong laborer like him could earn a maximum of 240 work points a year. In Lizhuang, near the Huai River, droughts and floods were common, and the best he could make for one work point was 30 cents. His best year so far had only earned him 43 yuan. He did the math¡ªif he earned 10 yuan a day as Li He said, that would be at least 300 yuan a month. It was unimaginable. It was the same as when his grandfather used to drive a cart for others. The boss provided the money, and the worker did the labor. Li He was paying him generously out of goodwill. Even if it were just one yuan a day, people in Lizhuang would line up for the job. Da Zhuang thought about it. Aside from staying up late, the work wasn''t difficult. He hurried home to tell his father that he would no longer be doing odd jobs for the production team. When Li He got home, he and his siblings counted their earnings. After deducting costs, they had made 232 yuan. Li Mei was shocked. "Are you sure that''s right?" Their fourth brother muttered, "Third brother and I checked several times. Not a single penny is off." Li Mei became anxious about where to hide the money. She didn''t trust leaving it at the head of the bed or in the walls because of rats. Finally, she put it in a can, sealed it, and hid it under Li He''s bed. Li He chuckled. "Sister, give Mom 50 yuan. Tell her it''s from the past few days'' work so she can pay off the family''s old debts." Li Mei glared at him. "I don''t need you to tell me that. Mom already asked yesterday. She probably didn''t feel comfortable asking you two, so I just told her I made 20 yuan." During dinner, Wang Yulan was both happy and worried when she heard they had made fifty yuan in three days. After all, it was still speculation. "Will this really be okay?" Li He didn''t even wait to finish chewing his chicken bone. He puffed up his cheeks and said nonchalantly, "It''s fine." After dinner, the two brothers prepared to go collect more eels. Wang Yulan stopped them. "You haven''t slept all night. Take a nap first. Your elder sister and I will collect the eels. It''s not heavy work. Now go wash your feet and rest." Li He had to admit, youth had its advantages. Even after staying up, running back and forth for hours, and working tirelessly, he could still hold on. But exhaustion was setting in, and his eyelids grew heavy. The brothers went to sleep. However, the room was hot, with no fan or electricity. Unable to rest, he grabbed a bamboo mat and lay under the tree outside, where the air was much cooler. When he woke up, he saw his grandfather weighing bags and his grandmother tying them with cloth. The old couple had three sons and one daughter. Li Zhaokun, the eldest, had split from the family and lived at the back of the village. The old couple sighed often over their eldest son''s struggles but couldn''t help much without affecting their younger children. Li He moved a stool under the tree and handed his grandfather a cigarette. "Grandpa, grandma, it''s so hot. Take a break. There are plenty of us working." His grandfather smiled, took the cigarette, and lit it himself. "I forgot to ask¡ªhow did your exam go?" 8. Home According to Li He''s idea, the three earthen houses at the back will not be demolished for the time being. His side of the house is empty, and the residential land is also his own. He will just build three tiled houses in front of the door, leaving a yard in the middle and putting up a wall. When conditions improve in the future, he will demolish the earthen houses and replace them with two- or three-story buildings. "We don''t plan to tamp the earth but use red bricks entirely. We''ll spend 1,000 yuan to buy materials and build at the same time." Li He looked at the small account book. The loach and eel harvested this time were more than 2,000 kilograms more than yesterday. People from the neighboring village have started delivering them here. There is no problem in collecting 6,000 kilograms by the evening. Da Zhuang was a little anxious. "Li He, two donkey carts are not enough. I guess there are more behind. It may be difficult to borrow more animals." Li He thought that was right. The production team was already doing him a favor by lending him two donkey carts. If he used horses or cows, they might be a little dissatisfied. So he said, "You and Lao San, go find someone who has a flatbed or wheelbarrow. No matter if it''s from the production team or any household, borrow them for 2 yuan. At worst, we can pull them ourselves. We can borrow at least four." Once the tractor was borrowed, it needed someone to pull it. Li He told Li Fucheng about this and asked him to help find someone. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. He promised to pay 10 yuan for each trip. When he heard about the ten yuan, Li Fucheng smacked his lips. He wanted to ask his second and third sons to come over, but he was in a dilemma. One was his eldest grandson, and he wanted to help, but the other two were his sons, and he didn''t want to let them work for nothing. So he said, "No need to find anyone else. Your second uncle and third uncle, I will go over and say hello later. As long as you know the situation and don''t lose money, just let them take 5 yuan." Even 5 yuan was not a small amount. A carpenter or a builder could only get 2 yuan at most. Li He felt that 10 yuan was cheap. Besides, Da Zhuang had given 10 yuan, and his own uncle would be gossiped about if he only gave 5 yuan. So he just did the favor and said, "Grandpa, it takes more than 5 hours to go to the provincial capital by pulling a cart. The road is also bumpy. It''s a pain. Besides, I will definitely make some money, so you don''t have to worry about it." Li Fucheng said, "You are willing to take care of your uncle, so I won''t say much. I will also pull a cart with you. You don''t have to give me anything. I am your father, so I should do my share." Li He knew the old man''s temper, so he didn''t say much. There was a lot of noise at the door, with people coming and going. Li He simply set a time period and would only collect tickets from 4 to 6 pm every day. He would not collect tickets after this time. "This way, I can free up time to do other things. If I have to build a house in the next stage, it will be a mess, and I won¡¯t be able to cope with anything." During dinner, Li He mentioned the plan to build a house. Wang Yulan was stunned. "Hey, kid, your dad is not at home. How can you make the decision on your own about such a big thing as building a house?" The brothers and sisters looked at each other and could read each other''s thoughts. They knew that they would not be able to drink in the northwest until their father came back. Li He didn''t disrespect Wang Yulan, but his mother was too indecisive and a little soft-tempered. So he said, "Mom, our father may come back someday, and we are all so old, we can''t live together anymore. Besides, the third child is so old. How can he get married if we don''t build a house?" Although Wang Yulan had a bad temper, she was not stupid. With two sons and no wife yet, she could only worry. "But where will the money come from? It will cost a lot. Your uncle renovated three tiled houses last year and spent more than 500 yuan." Li He got up and served a bowl of rice, then continued, "Anyway, we two brothers are grown up, so don''t worry about it. I have already made an agreement with Grandpa that I will come to work when the time comes. You just need to cook the meals." On the night when the roof beams were being put up, Li He asked his grandfather Li Fucheng to take him to secretly pay each household according to the type of work done. 4 yuan for manual labor and 5 yuan for skilled labor. Everyone thought that the second son of the Li family was generous. So Li He and his family did not have to worry about anything when it came to whitewashing the walls and laying tiles at the back. Li Mei was the happiest person, but also the most annoyed. She really couldn''t find anywhere to hide the money. After deducting the money for buying sand, bricks, and beams, she still had a huge sum of more than 2,000 yuan in her hands, which she had never dared to think about before. Li He didn¡¯t worry about this. Looking at the new house that he would soon live in, he couldn''t stop feeling happy. This was the most fulfilling thing after his rebirth. 9. Moving In the New Home After the new house was built, the smell lingered for five or six days before finally dissipating. To speed up the process, a brazier was used to burn firewood in the house for a few more days. Li He couldn''t wait to arrange for his mother, elder sister, and two younger sisters to move in. The summer heat was high and dry, eliminating any moisture in the house. There was no need for paint¡ªthe walls were simply coated with quicklime and lead powder, ensuring that no harmful formaldehyde was present. It didn¡¯t need to face the sea, but it could certainly achieve the beauty of spring flowers. A carpenter was hired to make two new large beds¡ªone placed in the east room and the other in the west room. The middle room was used for the dining table and sundries, and no one lived there. Li Mei shared the east room with the fourth child. Wang Yulan slept in the west room with the little girl. The brothers, Li He and Li Long, continued living in the old room, each occupying a separate space. Finally, the family had a more spacious living arrangement. However, the back wall of the mud house was already on the verge of collapsing and would need to be demolished sooner or later. It was a rural custom to hold a banquet when moving into a new house. Li He found it unnecessary and said, "Mother, it''s not a big deal. Why should we rely on personal connections? My university admission letter will arrive soon. If you want to hold a banquet, we can do it together then. At noon, we can just set up a table for ourselves and invite Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle." Li Mei also found it troublesome. Besides, with their father absent, managing social interactions would be difficult. Wang Yulan had initially wanted to host a banquet to show off, knowing that no other house in the village was as spacious as theirs. The neighbors would envy her two sons¡¯ capabilities. But seeing her children¡¯s determination, she relented. Lunch was extravagant, featuring a feast of main dishes: Chicken, duck, fish, braised pork, scrambled eggs with leeks, loach noodles, dumplings, and hen stewed with dried radish. Grandma, Wang Yulan, Li Mei, and the two aunts busied themselves in the kitchen. Some added fuel to the fire, others chopped vegetables, some cooked¡ªeach had their role. Though the kitchen was uncovered, the stove was newly built with red bricks, replacing the old earth stove that became filthy when wet. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. A few men sat at the door chatting, while a group of children sniffed the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen, leaning against the door in anticipation of the meal. Li He''s second uncle, Li Zhaoming, had three children, with the eldest, Li Dong, being only eighteen years old. His youngest uncle, Li Zhaohui, had two children, with the eldest, Li Yan, being only fourteen. Li He had few personal memories of his two aunts. Mostly, he recalled Wang Yulan complaining about how they mistreated her when she was younger, never treating her as their sister-in-law. It was common for sisters-in-law to have conflicts. However, in later years, when Wang Yulan stayed in the countryside, these two aunts frequently sent her meat and vegetables and helped with cooking when she was unwell. After experiencing two lifetimes, Li He saw things more clearly. He harbored no resentment. Women at the bottom of society, struggling to survive, were shaped by their era. It wasn¡¯t their fault. When the food was served, the adults gathered around the table. Children eagerly climbed onto small chairs, stuffing their mouths full of greasy delights. For these poor kids, eating meat was a rare occasion. Having worked closely with Li He and Li Long, Li Zhaoming no longer saw them as mere children. Li He, in particular, was strict in words and actions, earning even his uncle¡¯s respect. Besides, after following the two brothers, he had earned over 100 yuan and often received cigarettes and alcohol from them. So today, he brought a bottle of Lao Yingjia wine, which cost 1 yuan¡ªa gesture he wouldn¡¯t have dared before. Li He didn¡¯t hesitate to open the bottle. He first poured a glass for Li Fucheng, then for his two uncles, and even for Dazhuang and Li Long. Raising his cup, he said, "Grandpa, let¡¯s drink together. You¡¯ve worked hard these past few days." Li Fucheng didn¡¯t hesitate. He picked up the cup and swallowed the liquor in one gulp, not even flinching. Grandma chuckled and said, "You kid, you''ve read a few books and now you¡¯re talking nonsense. He''s your grandfather¡ªof course, he should work hard for you!" Although she teased, she was inwardly pleased. Her eldest grandson understood gratitude, making all her efforts feel worthwhile. Grandma enjoyed soaking her rice in water, pouring boiling water into her bowl halfway through the meal. The old man disapproved, saying it would hurt her stomach, but she simply nodded and continued eating her way. Li He refilled Li Fucheng¡¯s glass, then his own, before clinking glasses with his two uncles and Dazhuang. Li Zhaoming placed a piece of chicken in Li He¡¯s bowl and advised, "Don¡¯t drink too much¡ªeat some food." After dinner, Li He was about to prepare tea when he suddenly heard a tapping sound in the distance. When he went to check, he found a popsicle vendor. The seller carried a simple insulated box made of foam boards, containing only two kinds of popsicles, covered tightly with cotton pads. A plain popsicle cost 2 cents, while a cream popsicle was 1 cent. In reality, they were just frozen sugar water with a slight flavor, but they still tasted delicious. Li He quickly bought twenty popsicles. The children were overjoyed, yet reluctant to eat them quickly. Instead, they placed them in cups and licked them slowly, savoring the moment. During this busy period, Li He was so exhausted that he fell asleep immediately after taking a shower. One afternoon, he dozed off under the shade of a tree and had a vague dream about his wife. He tried to recall her youthful features. The tattered clothes, her long hair¡ªthose memories left the deepest impression on him. He could only sleep peacefully when she was by his side. When would he find that peace again? In his heart, he whispered, "I miss you. I really miss you." Whenever he was alone, he wished she were still there. He had grown so used to her presence that life felt incomplete without her. Love was meant to last a lifetime. Li He didn¡¯t understand why he was suddenly reborn. It felt like a story from "A Chinese Odyssey"¡ªhe found the beginning but couldn¡¯t predict the ending. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a long drag¡ªonly to choke on the smoke. Cigarettes were his only solace. After finishing half a pack, he finally felt a little better and took a simple shower by the well. Thinking about seeing his wife again in September made him both nervous and excited. Falling in love with her again in this life was exhilarating. In their past life, he had never said sweet words to her, never uttered "I love you." There were no flowers, no chocolates, no diamond rings. They had come together without vows, without material wealth. As for rebirth and forming a harem¡ªLi He had no interest. In his eighteen-year-old body resided the soul of a nearly sixty-year-old man. To him, his wife was the best, and that was enough. 10. Rain and Young Hearts 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¡ªneither carts nor donkey carts could get through¡ªso 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¡ªas 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¡ªa 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¡ªnot 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¡ªfifteen- 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."