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

"but,"

Long Lifan feigned a soft sigh, then changed the subject, continuing, "Old Wang, you know very well that the economic conditions in our Dongwan Village are really bad, and everyone in the village is struggling to make ends meet. If Comrade Wang really comes to our Dongwan Village, then he'll probably have to find a way to solve his own food and other expenses!" After saying this, she looked at Wang Hongtao somewhat nervously.

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongtao nodded calmly: "That's only right. A-Yuan is going to your Dongwan Village to work, so his expenses will naturally be covered by our agricultural trade station. However, we'll still need to trouble you to help find him a place to eat and sleep in the village. He needs to have a place to stay."

"Then there's no problem..."

Long Lifan immediately beamed with joy, while everyone else was completely bewildered by the conversation between Long Lifan and Wang Hongtao.

Wang Yuan exclaimed: Who am I? Where am I? What did I do? Why am I being sent to the countryside all of a sudden?!

Xu Tiansheng: I've learned something new. So this is how you negotiate prices. I always learn something from following Long Zhiqing on this trip.

Lin Guodong exchanged a glance with the village secretary, secretly rejoicing: bringing Long Zhiqing along was a brilliant move. Not only did she secure a rare low price for the village through her own abilities, but she also "earned" an extra helper who didn't take any wages.

Of course, Miao Dashan was also overjoyed, and his gratitude towards Long Zhiqing was overflowing. As for Wang Hongtao's little scheme, he had long seen through it, but he didn't care, because he could tell that Long Zhiqing had no such intention at all.

Ultimately, Wang Hongtao made the final decision at the farmers' market, agreeing to sell the pigs at a discounted price of 5 yuan per head. Dongwan Village seized this opportunity and decided to purchase 60 pigs to bolster the village's livestock farming business.

This purchase quantity was actually suggested by Long Lifan. She was well aware of the actual situation in Dongwan Brigade, and considering the scale and capacity of the pig farm, 60 pigs was already the limit for the pig farm.

With the quantity and price agreed upon, Wu Tianmu handed over the loading arrangements to his subordinates. Seeing that it was nearly noon, Wu Tianmu volunteered to lead everyone to the canteen to arrange lunch, intending to treat them well.

The cafeteria was filled with the aroma of food, and everyone sat together, laughing and chatting. During the meal, Wang Hongtao would occasionally ask Long Lifan questions, to which Long Lifan, of course, answered without reservation.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Stock Exchange

Zuo Shuli was in an exceptionally good mood today. She finished her work early and rushed to the market. The market was bustling with people. She wandered among the stalls, carefully selecting fresh vegetables and meats. She even bought half a jin of liquor to take home and celebrate.

Back home, Zuo Shuli plunged into the kitchen and got to work. She washed vegetables, chopped meat, and simmered soup, filling the kitchen with an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.

Soon after, Long Wenhai returned home from get off work. He pushed open the door, and a rich aroma of food wafted out. Entering the kitchen, he saw his wife busily preparing a feast; the table was already laden with colorful and fragrant dishes, along with a bottle of aromatic wine. He was taken aback and asked in surprise, "What's so special about today? Why is it so lavish?"

In those days of scarcity, meat was rationed. Although everyone in the family, except for the fourth child who was still in school, had a stable job, it was impossible for them to eat meat every day. Long Wenhai couldn't think of anything special about today; it wasn't a holiday or an anniversary.

Zuo Shuli smiled mysteriously and said, "You'll find out soon enough. Why don't you go and pick up Mom and Dad first, then we'll have dinner together."

Although Long Wenhai was full of doubts, he still followed his wife's instructions and went out to pick up his parents.

After retiring, Mr. and Mrs. Long Jianjun found a quiet courtyard in the suburbs of Shanghai to enjoy their later years. Although the two places are quite far apart, it only takes Long Wenhai less than an hour to pick up his parents.

Before he returned, Long Weiguo and Long Weihua had already arrived home. Seeing the table full of delicious food, they looked at each other, full of doubt. But their mother kept them in suspense and wouldn't say why. When Long Jianjun and the others arrived, she greeted them with a smile and invited them to sit down.

Once the whole family was seated around the dinner table, Long Weihua finally couldn't contain his doubts any longer. He looked at Zuo Shuli expectantly and said, "Mom, you can tell me now!"

Looking at everyone's curious gazes, Zuo Shuli felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She took a deep breath, a bright smile spreading across her face, and finally blurted out, "I have news about my parents!"

These words immediately caused an uproar at the dinner table. Long Weihua's eyes widened, and he asked incredulously, "What? News about Grandma and Grandpa? Where are they?"

Long Weiguo was also shocked, and he almost dropped his chopsticks.

"Yes, Mom, where are Grandma and Grandpa?" Long Liping hurriedly asked.

.........

In the past, her maternal grandparents frequently visited Shanghai, and it's fair to say that Long Lifan and her three siblings had a very deep affection for them. Having not heard from them for several years, they were naturally overjoyed to hear this now.

"Is this news reliable?" Only Long Wenhai's brows were furrowed, his longing for his parents-in-law surging like a tide. He knew his wife had always worried about them, but for the sake of the family, she chose to silently endure it, never revealing it. He was afraid that this news would disappoint his wife, so he quickly asked, his eyes full of expectation and trepidation.

“Yes,” Zuo Shuli nodded. “Erya called to tell me. She said that my parents are in Pingwu County, not far from where she was sent to the countryside. She also said that she visited my maternal grandparents a few days ago.”

Hearing his wife's words, Long Wenhai knew the news was accurate. A flurry of discussion erupted at the dinner table, the atmosphere lively and excited. After so many years, they finally had news of his grandparents.

The whole family sat together, laughing and chatting. This was the happiest meal the family had had since Long Lifan went to the countryside, and the atmosphere was even more joyful than during the Spring Festival.

At the dinner table, only Long Jianjun felt a sudden pang of unease. He glanced silently at his wife, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

After dinner, Long Jianjun returned to his courtyard, slamming his cane heavily on the floor with a harsh sound. "What exactly does Zuo Minghan mean?" he roared, his eyes blazing with anger. "Has he forgotten our agreement?" His words were filled with profanity, his fury palpable.

Seeing her husband's anger, Ding Meihui didn't say anything. She gently poured a cup of hot water and placed it in front of Long Jianjun. The rising steam from the cup seemed to soothe his inner turmoil.

She sat quietly, without saying a word, simply listening. Long Jianjun's profanities and roars were transformed into silent tolerance and understanding in her eyes.