Reborn in 1979, with a female educated youth lying next to me.

Liu Jia was speechless.

I don't know how to respond to this.

She was annoyed; did she have to date her?

No matter how Liu Jia thought about it, it felt almost like a forced sale.

Taking the steamed bun from Zhang Guilan, Liu Jia solemnly added, "Mom, if these things happen again, just shut them off completely. Let them be angry, don't pay them any attention."

Zhang Guilan nodded and continued working beside the stove.

Seeing this, Qin Chunyan forced a smile.

Liu Jia is now a hot commodity, attracting attention wherever he goes. I've never heard of him before, and now this girl has come to my house on her own. I've really seen something new today.

"Sister-in-law, don't laugh. You didn't see Old Zhang's daughter today. You almost scared me to death."

Liu Jia was still shaken.

Qin Chunyan smiled and added, "He must like you, otherwise he wouldn't have come to our house."

"Give me a break, I'd rather have a few days of peace and quiet."

After exchanging a few jokes, Liu Jia hurriedly started eating, as he still had to go to the factory later.

Otherwise, tonight, Zhao Xiaochao and his companion would have to share one quilt between the two of them, which definitely wouldn't be enough.

Upon learning that Liu Jia was going, Liu Yutian quickly instructed, "It's good that you're going. Stay a little longer and bring your second brother back for dinner."

"Row."

Zhang Guilan didn't cook any fancy dishes for dinner, but the cabbage stir-fried with lard was already incredibly fragrant.

Liu Jia ate two steamed buns in a row, then turned and left the house.

About ten minutes later.

Liu Jianye helped unload the bedding from the car, and while carrying the blankets into the house, he said, "I just saw Qiu Zi. He said there's a study session tonight and he'll be there at 8:30."

"Okay, I see. It's almost time, I'll be right there."

Liu Jia made a point of noting down the time.

After finishing his work, Liu Jianye left.

"Brother Liu, the big steamed buns that my sister Rou brought over are so delicious! They even have meat inside. I ate three of them!"

Zhao Xiaochao raised his eyebrows smugly and patted his belly as he did so.

Sure enough, Liu Jia noticed that Zhao Xiaochao's belly was really round and plump.

I don't know if it's from being fat or from being too full.

When the others saw Liu Jia smiling, they joined in.

Some people said the steamed buns were delicious, and that they hadn't had such tasty steamed buns in a long time.

Some people said that if they ate these kinds of buns again tomorrow, they could eat three of them.

The remaining person didn't speak, but let out a loud burp.

"Eat as much as you want, so you won't be too tired to work. The factory isn't fully built yet, so we'll have to work hard for you."

Liu Jia spoke frankly, and after hearing it, the others quickly shook their heads.

Zhao Xiaochao stepped forward and patted his chest again.

"Brother Liu, if it weren't for you and Sister Rou, we'd be somewhere right now. Don't even mention how hard it is, we'd be willing to work like slaves!"

"Alright, what era are we living in? Who's going to make you work like a slave? Just do your job properly!"

After Liu Jia finished speaking, the group shook their heads vigorously, as if they were pounding garlic.

Liu Jia has not received any news from the supply and marketing cooperative all day today.

I wonder how it went at the trade fair.

Fortunately, we'll be going to the city the next day, so it'll only take a day at most.

As darkness fell, Liu Jia had the young man light mugwort to fumigate the house, while they chatted against the wall.

As the time for the study session was approaching, Liu Jia finally stood up.

"If there's nothing else for a while, you all should get some rest. I have to go back; there's a study session in the village tonight."

As Liu Jia spoke, he walked out. Zhao Xiaochao and the others hurriedly stood up and escorted Liu Jia to the factory gate before returning home.

The factory was built on a vacant lot in front of the bamboo forest. To get into the village, you have to walk another ten meters or so through the bamboo forest.

Because of the construction, a road has been built in this area, and now even in the dark, the road is not too difficult to walk on.

Feeling bored, Liu Jia took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth but didn't light it.

The so-called study sessions were just for disseminating new policies and ideas from above; there was no actual work involved.

However, attendance at this study session is mandatory.

In a village, if someone doesn't go, it's considered a lack of initiative and a problem with their thinking.

That turbulent era is over, but no one wants to be labeled with that tag now.

Liu Jia was about to walk a few steps faster, but before he could pass through the bamboo forest, he suddenly heard a sparse sound.

It sounds like... someone is talking?

Liu Jia gasped, and his steps became lighter.

The study session is about to begin, and someone actually ventured into the bamboo forest! They're incredibly bold!

Although curious, Liu Jia didn't want to waste any time, but there was only one road in front of him, and if he didn't want to turn, he could only keep going forward.

"Where is he? Did he go to the factory? I'll go to the factory to look for him."

A woman's voice came through.

Liu Jia was taken aback.

Not to mention the entire bamboo forest area, including the villages surrounding Xili Village, there is only one bamboo basket factory of its own.

Who is this woman talking about? Who went to the factory?

Just as Liu Jia was wondering what was going on, a man's voice reached his ears.

"Yanzi, don't be angry. What are you going to the factory for? Let's talk."

"Big Hammer, what do I have to say to you? Tell me where Liu Jia is, I need to see Liu Jia right now!"

Upon hearing these two short sentences, Liu Jia froze on the spot.

That woman was clearly Zhang Yanzi.

Zhang Yanzi had just called out Big Hammer's name.

In other words, the two people currently near the bamboo forest are Zhang Yanzi, the daughter of the Zhang family, and Da Chuizi, the son of Zhang Da Laba!

But Zhang Yanzi specifically asked to see him by name!

What do you mean?

"Didn't you say Liu Jia was waiting for me here? Where is he? I wouldn't have come if I didn't need to see Liu Jia. Big Hammer, are you lying to me?!"

Zhang Yanzi raised her voice, her tone filled with doubt.

Big Hammer suddenly chuckled.

"You saw through me? Let me tell you the truth, Liu Jia never contacted you. I was lying to you!"

"Why would you lie to me? Are you out of your mind? Big Hammer, let me tell you, don't even think about getting involved with me. Even if I were to become a nun in the mountains, I would never marry you. Forget about it!"

Even from a few meters away, Liu Jia felt like he was about to burst out of his chest!

That guy with the hammer is really cunning; he lured a girl out and then used his own name!

Zhang Yanzi is really brainless. Her whole family has never given her a kind look, so how could she possibly invite her to the bamboo forest?

Liu Jia was speechless.

At that moment, the sound of the sledgehammer came again.

"I know what you're thinking. You've taken a fancy to Liu Jia, haven't you? He's a divorcee, what do you see in him?"

"With that build, how can he compare to me? If I were to work seriously, I could carry two sacks of wheat on one shoulder. Could he do that?"

"Don't let his factory-building ventures fool you; he's just not cut out for business. He'll end up losing everything!"

"If I hadn't told you Liu Jia was looking for you today, you definitely wouldn't have come out, right?"

Zhang Yanzi was so angry that she trembled all over. That damned big hammer actually lied to her!

At the time, when she saw Big Hammer mysteriously saying that Liu Jia was waiting for her in the bamboo forest, Zhang Yanzi didn't think much of it.

After all, Liu Jia had contracted this bamboo forest and even built a factory here.

Zhang Yanzi even thought with a smug smile that Liu Jia must have chosen this place for their date because he was afraid of being seen and gossiped about.

After all, it's our own territory, so things are easier to discuss.

But to my surprise, I was tricked by the big hammer!

For a moment, Zhang Yanzi felt only humiliation!

As for what he was saying about carrying two sacks of wheat on his shoulders, Zhang Yanzi didn't listen carefully at all!

"You liar, get out of my way!"

Seeing that the big hammer was blocking her way, Zhang Yanzi, who was already annoyed, shoved him hard!

She thought she could push the person away, but to her surprise, even though Zhang Yanzi tried her best, the sledgehammer remained as immovable as a mountain!

"Hehehe, you can't push me."

"Yanzi, I've liked you for a long time. Will you marry me? If you marry me, I'll have my mother make pancakes for us every morning."

As Big Hammer spoke, he smacked his lips, making Zhang Yanzi on the other side feel so disgusted she almost threw up!

"Go to hell with your little pancakes, get out of here!"

At that moment, Liu Jia spat on the ground in annoyance.

Damn it!

That damn hammer! It's fine if you confess your feelings, but why don't you go and praise yourself instead of constantly badmouthing me?

They even cursed my business to the point of losing everything, including my underwear! Have they no shame?!

If it weren't for the fact that it was dark and I couldn't see clearly, Liu Jia would have really wanted to slap Big Hammer across the face!

No, it's on the mouth!

Smack him until he's black and blue, and make him spew filth from his mouth!

Thinking about the study group, Liu Jia took a few more steps forward, all he could hear were Da Chuizi and Zhang Yanzi talking.

Just then, Zhang Yanzi suddenly cried out.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Jia heard... what sounded like clothes tearing!

Liu Jia stopped in his tracks instantly.

Big Hammer, is he trying to be a thug?

This guy is incredibly bold!

Sure enough, Zhang Yanzi's shouts grew louder and louder.

"Help! Someone's being indecent!"

"You dare call me a hooligan? Fine, I'll show you what a real hooligan is today!"

"Help!"

Liu Jia's brows furrowed into a knot.

He disliked Zhang Yanzi and despised Da Chuizi even more.

But now, if Big Hammer were to bully Zhang Yanzi right under his nose, it would be a bit unreasonable for him to pretend he didn't see anything.

We can't let a beast like Big Hammer get away with this!

Liu Jia looked around, bent down, picked up a stone, and threw it violently in the opposite direction.

"Boom!"

The stone hit a bamboo stalk.

"What are you doing? Stealing something!"

Liu Jia lowered his voice and suddenly roared.

Big Hammer and Zhang Yanzi both fell silent.