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

This was an elderly man in his fifties, watching two other people play chess on the street. Liu Weidong recognized him at a glance; he was Wei Guohui, his high school politics teacher.

Wei Guohui's experience is quite legendary. Back then, he was the youngest leader in the county. However, due to the impact of the political upheaval, he was demoted to teach at the county high school, where he stayed for more than ten years.

Just when everyone thought Wei Guohui's life was over, he was suddenly exonerated. He first became a county magistrate, and a few years later he was promoted to the city, becoming a major city leader, and he remained there until his retirement.

If Liu Weidong remembers correctly, Wei Guohui was exonerated after the Spring Festival in 82, and then went directly to the county committee.

This transfer was very sudden; it's said that even Wei Guohui himself only received the notification after the Spring Festival. Therefore, Liu Weidong is currently the only person in the entire county who knows that he will soon be promoted.

This was a perfect opportunity to make a comeback, so Liu Weidong immediately went to the state-run store on the street corner and bought a box of Peony cigarettes and a bottle of Panda Grade B liquor.

Both the Peony cigarettes and Panda liquor were produced in Shanghai. The cigarettes cost 50 cents a pack, and the liquor cost 1.3 yuan a bottle, which was definitely not cheap considering the prices in 1981. Even in the county town, these were very high-class items; many families couldn't afford such good cigarettes and liquor for weddings.

Liu Weidong knew from his school days that Wei Guohui had three major hobbies: smoking, drinking, and playing chess. Buying cigarettes and alcohol was a way of catering to his preferences.

Liu Weidong approached Wei Guohui with cigarettes and alcohol, and greeted him with feigned surprise: "Oh, it's Teacher Wei! Hello, it's been a long time. Do you remember me?"

Wei Guohui glanced at Liu Weidong, then quickly smiled and nodded, saying, "I remember you, Liu Weidong. It's been years since I last saw you. You've grown into a handsome young man!"

"Hehe, in front of you, I will always be a student." Liu Weidong flattered him slightly and said with a smile to Wei Guohui, "It's rare to meet you. I just bought some cigarettes and alcohol. How about we go to the state-run restaurant across the street for a couple of drinks?"

"Wow, all good cigarettes and liquor," Wei Guohui joked. "Little Liu, you don't have something to ask of me, do you?"

Liu Weidong chuckled and said, "Look at what you're saying. I graduated several years ago, and I don't have any children in my family who need to go to school. What could I possibly need from a middle school teacher like you? I just encountered a problem recently and wanted to ask you for advice and hear your opinion."

Wei Guohui nodded and said, "Alright, then let's hear your concerns."

When they arrived at the state-run restaurant, Liu Weidong ordered a few home-style stir-fried dishes. Two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup cost only a little over five yuan, which made him marvel once again at how cheap prices were in this era.

After all the dishes were served, Liu Weidong solicitously lit cigarettes and poured wine for Wei Guohui, and then got to the point: "Teacher Wei, I recently got a job as a worker in the city's machinery factory."

Wei Guohui nodded and said, "That's great news! Congratulations, Xiao Liu!"

Although he said that, Wei Guohui didn't seem particularly happy, and it seems he didn't value this secure job.

Now Liu Weidong understood, and then told him, "However, I gave this opportunity to someone else."

Now Wei Guohui was truly interested and quickly asked, "What exactly happened?"

Liu Weidong told Wei Guohui, "I sold this spot to someone from the same village. Right now, the government is promoting reform and opening up, and I think this is a very good opportunity. I plan to use this money to start a small business, and I'm sure I won't be worse off than a worker with a secure job."

Wei Guohui was secretly surprised that Liu Weidong wanted to start a business. After pondering for a moment, he asked him, "Little Liu, what's your opinion on the private economy?"

"I think the private sector is more flexible and more suitable for some less important industries that can provide better services to the people. It is a beneficial supplement to the public ownership system..." When talking about this issue, Liu Weidong was not at all hesitant and casually recited a few points that he often heard in his previous life.

However, the reform and opening up has only been going on for a few years, so Liu Weidong only spoke of relatively conservative views and dared not express any radical opinions, lest he frighten Wei Guohui.

Even so, Wei Guohui was already very surprised and exclaimed repeatedly, "I really didn't expect that you, Wei Dong, would have such insight at such a young age. You are truly a force to be reckoned with!"

Liu Weidong knew that Wei Guohui was a reformist who attached great importance to economic development, so he deliberately brought up these views in order to leave a very good impression on him.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Liu Weidong was secretly pleased. Gaining the appreciation of county and even city leaders would undoubtedly be very beneficial to his future.

However, Liu Weidong did not show any pride on the surface. Instead, he sincerely said to Wei Guohui, "Actually, I was inspired by you to think of these things. I don't know if I'm right or wrong, so I would like to ask you for advice."

Wei Guohui was even happier now. He was more and more satisfied with the young man and shared his opinions with Liu Weidong.

Although the two were quite different in age, they got along very well. By the time they came out of the restaurant after a satisfying meal, it was already afternoon.

Wei Guohui insisted that Liu Weidong shouldn't be the only one treating, so he gave him five yuan. He also told Liu Weidong to visit him at home often to discuss things before finally going home satisfied.

Liu Weidong did not go straight home, but went to Gonggeng Village and found the village chief, Ma Yongxian. He said that the leader was very satisfied with the quality of the sunflower seeds and wanted to order another 1,000 jin this time, but the price had to be lower.

These days, not many people buy so many melon seeds at once, so Ma Yongxian agreed to a discount of five cents per pound, totaling four hundred and fifty yuan.

Liu Weidong could accept the price. He told Ma Yongxian that he would bring money to pick up the goods in a couple of days, and then happily went home.

Wang Shujuan spent the entire day in fear and anxiety, and even lost her appetite.

When Liu Weidong finally returned home, she rushed up to him and asked, "Weidong, are you alright?"

Wang Shujuan was so worried that in her haste she grabbed Liu Weidong's arm tightly, her curvaceous body pressed against his.

This wonderful feeling made Liu Weidong's heart flutter, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Wang Shujuan panicked even more immediately, her face full of regret as she said, "I shouldn't have let you sell sunflower seeds. Now look what's happened! Were all the sunflower seeds confiscated? What if they arrest you and put you in jail? How can I face my parents like this..."

Seeing that Wang Shujuan was almost in tears, Liu Weidong quickly put aside his chaotic thoughts and comforted her: "Sister, what are you thinking? I'm fine, and the melon seeds are very popular; they're all sold out!"

Wang Shujuan asked in surprise, "Really?"

"Come with me!" Liu Weidong grabbed Wang Shujuan's hand and ran into the house, taking all the money out of his pocket and putting it on the table, saying, "Look, this is the money I made selling melon seeds today. Let's count how much it is!"

The two quickly counted the change, which amounted to a total of 146.8 yuan! After deducting the 50 yuan for buying raw melon seeds and the dozen or so yuan for buying seasonings, Liu Weidong earned 83.6 yuan in half a day, which was equivalent to two months' wages for an ordinary worker!

Wang Shujuan was stunned; she couldn't believe it was true. Earning so much money selling melon seeds in just half a day? This money was too easy to make!

Seeing Wang Shujuan's surprised expression, Liu Weidong couldn't help but feel a secret flutter in his heart. It's so pleasing to the eye when someone's beautiful; she's adorable no matter what expression she has!

Just then, someone knocked on the door, and a young woman called out loudly, "Is Weidong home?"

Upon hearing this voice, Liu Weidong immediately frowned, gestured for Wang Shujuan to put the money away, and then opened the door and coldly asked, "Li Yinfeng, do you need something from me?"