Time Travel: Volume 1! Starting from a Small Mountain Village

"Er Ya, what's wrong? Why does your voice sound muffled, like you've been crying? Did you suffer some injustice somewhere?" Zuo Shuli on the other end of the phone suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, her voice full of worry.

She sighed and continued, "I shouldn't have sent you to the countryside last year. It's a tough and tiring place. How could a girl like you endure it? Why don't you come back? Even if I don't work, I'll find you a job in the city. At least you won't have to suffer in the wind and sun."

The Mother of Dragons still cared for her children as always. Hearing her words, filled with concern and worry, Long Lifan adjusted her tone:

"Mom, I'm fine. I just missed you so much that I couldn't control myself when I heard your voice!"

"Mom misses you too. You've been in the countryside for almost a year now..."

Long Lifan listened quietly to her mother's ramblings on the other end of the phone. Every word was like warm sunshine, piercing through the gloom in her heart. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back.

A few minutes later, Zuo Shuli's voice came again, with a hint of caution: "Erya, did you call your mother because something special happened? Are you short of money? Don't worry, your father and I will discuss it and send you more money in the future, so you won't suffer in the countryside."

"Mom," Long Lifan called softly, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She paused, then mustered her courage and continued, "I've found my grandparents."

"what?"

Upon hearing the news on the other end of the phone, Zuo Shuli gasped in shock, as if she couldn't believe her ears. But quickly, her voice trailed off, and she fell into a long silence. After a long while, she asked in a trembling voice, "Are they alright?"

Long Lifan could sense her mother's excitement and worry. Not wanting her mother to worry too much, she quickly comforted her, "Mom, don't worry! Grandpa and the others are all fine, in good health and spirits. They're not far from where I'm working in the countryside. I visited them a few days ago, and they asked about you, saying they missed you very much."

"That's good, that's good..." At this moment, Zuo Shuli's eyes were already filled with tears, and her voice was choked with sobs. Although she had not personally witnessed the miserable scenes of those who were sent down to the countryside, she had heard about the hardships they faced from others.

For so many years, she had been constantly worried about her parents. Now, finally knowing that they were safe and sound, the heavy weight on her heart could finally be lifted.

"Mom, don't worry, I'll make time to visit Grandpa and the others. You don't need to worry."

The mother and daughter chatted for a while longer before reluctantly hanging up the phone. Long Lifan walked out of the office and saw Qiu Dongdong standing outside, looking at her with concern. Noticing Long Lifan's slightly red eyes, Qiu Dongdong couldn't help but ask, "Long Zhiqing, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Long Lifan shook her head gently and smiled, saying, "It's nothing, just some small things at home." She didn't want to reveal too much about these family matters. Turning to Qiu Dongdong, she asked curiously, "How did you end up working at the machinery factory?"

Qiu Dongdong chuckled, stuck out her tongue, and replied playfully, "Hehe, I have to thank you for this!" As she spoke, she vividly recounted how she was recruited into the machinery factory.

"Congratulations!" Long Lifan replied with a smile. However, considering that Director Xu could arrange a temporary job for Lin Guodong, it was quite normal for him to hire Qiu Dongdong as well. After all, she had heard that Uncle Qiu had been working overtime late into the night to increase the factory's production capacity, and had even slept at the factory a few times because it was so late.

To this, she could only say that justice will prevail and that every effort will be rewarded. This is perhaps the reward Uncle Qiu deserves for his hard work and contributions to the machinery factory!

"Are you leaving without saying goodbye to Director Xu?"

"Yes, I'm here with the brigade leader and the others to buy chicks and piglets in the county town." Long Lifan thought that Director Xu was in a meeting discussing machinery, and it probably wouldn't be over anytime soon.

"I'm in a bit of a rush, so I'll be leaving now. Could you please tell Director Xu that?" I'd better get out of here as soon as possible, otherwise the captain and the others will probably be drinking their fill of wind standing outside the door.

Indeed, Lin Guodong and Zhou Huiji were extremely anxious, their eyes constantly darting towards the factory gate, afraid of missing the slightest movement. Especially since they were carrying a large sum of money, they were extra wary of every passerby, fearing something might go wrong.

Actually, including the time Long Lifan spent making phone calls at the machinery factory, it was less than an hour in total. But for Lin Guodong and the others waiting outside, it felt like an eternity. They were filled with anticipation and unease, pacing back and forth, their eyes brimming with eagerness.

Finally, to their utter dismay, Long Lifan emerged from the factory gate. The group breathed a sigh of relief, their faces breaking into long-lost smiles.

"Long Zhiqing, you've finally come out!" Zhou Huiji said with a wry smile. It wasn't a complaint, but he was genuinely afraid of carrying so much money.

"Sorry, I was just making a phone call to my family since I rarely come to the county town, so it took me a while," Long Lifan explained with a smile.

"It should, it should!"

Lin Guodong nodded repeatedly, the anxiety on his face finally fading. He had been wondering why Long Zhiqing had been inside for so long and whether he had encountered some trouble. But then he thought it was unlikely; he knew how much Director Xu valued Long Zhiqing, so how could he possibly be in trouble?

Hearing Long Lifan's explanation, he immediately felt relieved and replied with a smile, "Think about it, you've been in the countryside for almost a year now, it's only right and reasonable for you to call your family!"

Just as they were talking, the heavy gate of the machine factory was slowly pushed open again, and a car drove out. Xu Tiansheng, who was in the passenger seat, suddenly leaned out of the window and called out with a big smile, "Long Zhiqing, why didn't you say goodbye before you left? I could have seen you off!"

When Long Lifan saw Xu Tiansheng, she was slightly taken aback, then smiled awkwardly: "Director Xu, what brings you out? I was just dealing with the team leader and the others, and I didn't want to bother you since you were busy."

She guessed that Qiu Dongdong must have reported to Director Xu as soon as she left, otherwise the other party wouldn't have appeared so quickly.

This was indeed the case; Xu Tiansheng had said this more than once at the factory. He was to be notified immediately of anything related to Long Zhiqing, and as the factory director's secretary, Qiu Dongdong naturally had to obey orders.

"I heard from Xiao Qiu that you're going to the farmers' market, right?" Xu Tiansheng smiled. "Speaking of which, I haven't seen Lao Wu in a long time either. We can go together."