Reborn in 1981, starting by smashing my iron rice bowl.

Wang Deli was shocked and remained stunned for a while before tentatively asking, "Weidong, a job at the machinery factory is a secure job, many people are vying for it. Are you really willing to give it to my son? You're not joking with Uncle Wang, are you?"

This old bastard was just putting on airs, calling himself the village chief in front of Liu Weidong, and now he's become Uncle Wang. The transformation is incredibly smooth.

Liu Weidong chuckled inwardly; people in this era truly valued a secure job. Working in a factory wasn't just about guaranteed livelihood; it also offered the opportunity to obtain urban residency. For farmers, this was like rising from humble beginnings to become a phoenix!

Only Liu Weidong knew that the machinery factory would go bankrupt in a little over ten years, all the workers would be laid off, the so-called "iron rice bowl" would be shattered overnight, and they would have to find their own way out.

Having finally been given a second chance at life, who would want to work in a factory? It's better to use this secure job to make some capital, seize the opportunities presented by reform and opening up, and make great strides. It's definitely better than just drifting through life in a machine factory!

Liu Weidong, of course, wouldn't reveal his true thoughts. He simply said to Wang Deli in a serious tone, "I can write a contract right away. Tomorrow, I'll go to the machinery factory with Brother Jianguo to explain the situation and give him this spot!"

Now Wang Deli finally believed him and hurriedly asked Liu Weidong, "So what do you want to get?"

"It's very simple, just two things," Liu Weidong said calmly. "First, I want five hundred yuan in cash! Second, I hit Zhao Baojun because I caught him stealing sweet potatoes in the village's sweet potato field. I did it to protect collective property; it was an act of bravery!"

Wang Deli pondered for a moment and said, "I can help you settle the fight, but asking for five hundred yuan right off the bat is a bit too much, isn't it?"

Liu Weidong laughed and said, "Village chief, this little bit of money is nothing. Let me do the math for you. After Jianguo starts working at the factory, his apprentice salary is 32.6 yuan a month. This 500 yuan will be recouped in a little over a year. Not to mention, it's a secure job. Jianguo's life is guaranteed, and he even has social security for medical expenses. And all of this only costs a mere 500 yuan. Where else can you find such a good deal?"

Seeing that Wang Deli was still hesitating, Liu Weidong continued, "I also heard that after apprentices become full-fledged employees, they have the opportunity to obtain urban residency. At that time, Brother Jianguo will be a city dweller with a grain ration book. He can settle down in the city, marry a city girl, and you can enjoy a life of luxury with him!"

These words made Wang Deli beam with joy, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "What you said makes sense. Alright, Uncle Wang won't waste any more words. Let's go get the money now. As for you..."

Liu Weidong, with his keen insight, continued, "I'll draw up a written agreement right now, and tomorrow morning I'll go to the machinery factory with Brother Jianguo to complete the formalities!"

"Haha, that's great!" Wang Deli was relieved and went back to his bedroom to get the money.

When Liu Weidong came out of Wang Deli's house, he had a full five hundred yuan in cash in his pocket.

In the early 1980s, this amount of money was equivalent to a worker's entire year's wages, making it an absolute fortune. At that time, the hundred-yuan note hadn't been issued yet, so the money came in five-yuan and ten-yuan bills, a thick stack that bulged Liu Weidong's pockets.

This money put Liu Weidong at ease. It was his first start-up capital after his rebirth, and now he could start making money!

"We ordinary people are really happy today..." Liu Weidong hummed a little tune as he walked home in a good mood. But when he got to the door, he realized that this song seemed to have appeared more than ten years later. He quickly shut his mouth and dared not sing anymore.

When Liu Weidong got home, he found that Wang Shujuan had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him to come back so they could eat together.

Wang Shujuan had just suffered such a great fright, yet she still insisted on cooking for Liu Weidong, which deeply moved him. What a wonderful girl she was! How could he have been so indifferent to her in his past life? He must have been bewitched! Fortunately, God had given Liu Weidong another chance; he was determined to make it up to her in this life.

However, when Liu Weidong saw the food on the table, he immediately frowned. The staple food was sweet potato porridge, and the only side dishes were homemade pickled cucumbers and boiled cabbage; there wasn't a drop of oil in them.

Liu Weidong had no appetite for these things and complained in a low voice, "Is this what we usually eat at home?"

Wang Shujuan was startled and quickly put down the bowl, saying, "How about... I go and boil you another egg? There seem to be a few left at home."

"Let's skip it today, no need to bother," Liu Weidong waved his hand and said, "Tomorrow we'll go to town and buy some meat, then we'll make dumplings."

Wang Shujuan was startled and cautiously reminded Liu Weidong, "But...but we don't have much money left at home. The New Year is just around the corner, and we need to save some money to buy New Year's goods. I'm afraid we won't be able to afford dumplings."

Liu Weidong couldn't help but ask, "How much money do you have at home?"

Wang Shujuan thought Liu Weidong was going to check the accounts, so she quickly took out a biscuit box from the box, opened it in front of him, counted the biscuits carefully twice, and finally announced a number: "There are three yuan and sixty-five cents left."

Liu Weidong knew his family was poor, but he didn't expect them to be this poor. He gasped and said, "Is this all the money you have left?"

Wang Shujuan quickly explained, "I didn't waste money, really!"

The girl's reaction was heartbreaking, and Liu Weidong quickly comforted her: "Don't be nervous, I didn't say you were wasting money."

As Liu Weidong spoke, he reached into his pocket, grabbed a handful of money, and handed it to Wang Shujuan: "Take this money first. We'll still make dumplings tomorrow. Keep the rest of the money; spend it if you need to. Don't always think about saving money, understand?"

There were at least thirty or forty yuan in the money. Wang Shujuan was startled and said in a trembling voice, "Wei...Wei Dong, what did you do? Where did you get so much money?"

"Oh, don't ask me that." Liu Weidong was too lazy to explain, and simply assured Wang Shujuan, "Anyway, all this money was earned honestly. I'm not afraid even if the police come to ask. Don't worry!"

Wang Shujuan wanted to say something more, but the village clerk came from house to house to inform everyone that a village meeting would be held that evening to announce the results of the investigation into the fight between Liu Weidong and Zhao Baojun.

Wang Shujuan couldn't care less about the money anymore, and she had no appetite. After quickly eating a few bites, she rushed to the village committee, anxiously awaiting the outcome of the case against Liu Weidong.

Liu Weidong barely ate anything, not because he was worried, but because the food was simply unpalatable. Remembering how he used to enjoy his meals so much when he was young, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly. Having grown accustomed to the rich and fatty foods of later generations, this sweet potato porridge was indeed a bit of a challenge!

Seeing that it was still early, Liu Weidong washed the pots and pans before leisurely making his way to the village committee. He found it already packed with villagers who had come to see what was going on.

In the early 1980s, people had very little entertainment. The village didn't even have a television set; only a few households owned radios. After dark, most villagers had no entertainment other than the matter of procreation.

Tonight, a rare village meeting was held to announce the results of the daytime fight, and almost the entire village was present.

The men greeted each other and joked, while the women chatted incessantly about this family and that family. Groups of children ran around the adults' legs, and even if they tripped and fell, they didn't cry, but immediately got up and continued chasing their friends. Many women were still sewing shoe soles and knitting, managing to balance entertainment and housework.

This scene made Liu Weidong chuckle to himself. It's true that being a gossip lover is human nature, and it's the same in every era!

Just as Liu Weidong was feeling sentimental, Zhao Baojun's annoying voice rang out from behind him: "Liu Weidong, how dare you even attend the village meeting!"