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

"It's dawn!"

Liu Jia's heart sank, and his head buzzed for a moment.

Peng Tianliang shook his head and said with a heavy nasal tone, "Third Brother, my legs are numb, can you help me up?"

"You scared the hell out of me!"

Liu Jia breathed a sigh of relief, steadied himself, and helped Peng Tianliang up.

After a while, Peng Tianliang stamped his foot and said, "That's enough."

"Shall we go back?"

“Okay,” Peng Tianliang said, then stared at Liu Jia again, “Third Brother, can you keep Zhou Xiuli’s matter a secret for me?”

Liu Jia nodded in agreement immediately.

Liu Jia could understand Peng Tianliang's feelings.

No matter what, even if Zhou Xiuli did something wrong, Peng Tianliang still liked her.

“You’ve already seen through it all, and this matter is over and there’s no need to bring it up again. But I want you to promise me one thing.”

"what's up?"

"Focus on your work and don't let your dad worry about you. He's getting old and can't do what young people do."

Liu Jia spoke earnestly, and Peng Tianliang's nose tingled with emotion as he listened.

This doesn't need to be reminded by others; you should have thought of it yourself.

Unfortunately, he was a bad person and angered the old man, so Liu Jia had to bring it up.

Peng Tianliang felt a wave of frustration.

"Third Brother, I was confused before, but I won't be anymore."

"That's good. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, including me. But we can't stay confused forever. A lifetime is only a few decades long, not too short, not too long either. Don't wait until later to regret it."

Liu Jia admitted that his words sounded a bit old-fashioned, but that was exactly what he thought, and he wasn't exaggerating at all.

"Yes, Third Brother, from now on you can watch me. I promise I won't let you look down on me!"

"I'll remember what you said. Well then, this will be our secret, okay?"

Liu Jia smiled and looked at Peng Tianliang.

Peng Tianliang nodded solemnly and gave a strong "hmm".

……

When Peng Shunnian saw Liu Jia and Peng Tianliang return together, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He wanted to stand up, but when he saw Peng Tianliang, Peng Shunnian was so angry that he simply remained seated on the tin stool, not moving an inch.

Li Zhenhe quickly came over, "You're finally back! Where have you been?"

"It's hot inside, let's go out for some fresh air," Liu Jia said, then looked at the watermelon on the plate. "Look at the watermelon I bought, it looks sweet. Come and have a taste when it gets light."

"I have to say, I was really thirsty after walking all this way."

Before Liu Jia could even make a move, Peng Tianliang had already bent down, picked up two pieces, handed one to Liu Jia, and then turned to Peng Shunnian.

"Dad, I said something mean just now, you're not angry with me, are you?"

Peng Shunnian was taken aback, and looked at Peng Tianliang as if he were a stranger.

What is this brat saying? Is there something wrong with his ears?

This stubborn mule actually managed to find a way to save face for his father?

"Master, look, Tianliang has already apologized to you. Don't put on airs. We're all watching here. We can't put on airs and intimidate people!"

Liu Jia tried to smooth things over, and Li Zhenhe, who was standing next to him, nodded in agreement.

"Uncle, that's enough. This watermelon has been cut open for so long, it won't taste good if it's left to cool down any longer."

"Yes, Dad, look, my third brother and cousin are both speaking up for me, so please give me some face. I promise, from now on, I definitely won't make you angry. I'll work hard and take care of you..."

Peng Tianliang only got halfway through his sentence before Peng Shunnian interrupted him.

"Forget it, stop saying nice things. I'll be grateful if you don't cause me any trouble!"

After saying that, Peng Shunnian snatched the watermelon away and took a big bite.

Watermelon juice slid down Peng Shunnian's lips. As he wiped his mouth, he said, "Where did this watermelon come from? It's so sweet!"

Liu Jia instinctively wanted to say that it was a watermelon from Maozhai, but after thinking about it, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

The name "Maozhai" can no longer be mentioned.

The group sat together, and neither Liu Jia nor Peng Tianliang mentioned Zhou Xiuli, nor did Peng Shunnian ask what the two of them had just done.

After chatting for a while, Li Zhenhe was thinking about Zhou Caixia and was eager to leave.

Peng Shunnian insisted on keeping them there, hurriedly making a meal of pork and scallion dumplings. Only after Liu Jia and Li Zhenhe finished eating did he let them leave.

Peng Tianliang personally escorted Liu Jia and the others to the station. Just before they boarded the train, Peng Tianliang gave Liu Jia a reassuring look.

The two waved to each other, some things left unsaid, but they both understood what was going on.

Li Zhenhe had planned to talk to Liu Jia about Zhou Caixia after getting in the car, but Liu Jia closed her eyes again after the car had only driven a short distance.

Li Zhenhe was speechless for a moment.

What's wrong with this kid?

Why do I feel sleepy as soon as I get on the bus?

Before he could even say what he had been thinking about, he fell asleep again.

Actually, Liu Jia wasn't asleep; he just had his eyes closed.

The car swayed and rocked, but images flashed through Liu Jia's mind.

This trip to Qingcheng was truly worthwhile.

Even if the bamboo basket deal falls through, I'll still be the one who profits.

In his previous life, when Peng Shunnian mentioned himself, he would always call him a little rascal or a troublemaker, but he was incredibly good to me.

Without Peng Shunnian's help, I wouldn't have been able to get through the most difficult time.

Liu Jia recalled that Peng Shunnian's most frequent words at the time were, "I'm getting old, and my appetite is getting smaller. I can't waste the steamed buns I bought, so I'd better eat them quickly."

"I saw someone selling sesame cakes and my mouth watered, but my teeth aren't good enough, so I shouldn't waste them."

Liu Jia knew that Peng Shunnian's inability to eat was not due to poor teeth; those things were clearly bought specifically for him.

A person may have a bad memory, but they cannot go against their conscience. Peng Shunnian's kindness to me is something I can never repay.

Therefore, I must do my best in Peng Tianliang's matter, otherwise I will let people down.

Liu Jia hadn't planned to sleep, but as he thought about it, he actually fell asleep.

By the time the train arrived at the station, it was almost dark.

Still half asleep, Li Zhenhe followed the crowd off the bus. The first thing he said to Liu Jia was, "Brother, you can really sleep! How come you're sleeping so soundly?"

"I'm in a good mood, everything's going smoothly, what else would I be doing but sleeping?"

Liu Jia's rhetorical question left Li Zhenhe speechless.

That makes sense when you think about it.

However, if the story about Zhou Caixia is true, then I'll definitely sleep even better.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Li Zhenhe couldn't help but laugh again.

"Brother Li, I might be busy these next few days. Keep an eye on things at the supply and marketing cooperative. If anything happens, just have them send me a message."

When orders from the Red Star Supply and Marketing Cooperative suddenly increased, Liu Jia felt that this was a good start, and even had a vague feeling that it would be an opportunity.

Of course, this was just intuition; before anything even began to emerge, Liu Jia was merely speculating.

"Okay, don't worry. The supply and marketing cooperative has already laid the groundwork. You just focus on the Qingcheng supply and marketing cooperative. Leave the rest to me."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Brother Li."

"Why be so polite? Once things are settled between Zhou Caixia and me, we'll be relatives, won't we?"

Liu Jia froze for a moment, then blinked hard as she looked at Li Zhenhe.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Li Zhenhe coughed heavily twice, making sure to clear his throat. "What? You don't want to solve my single status problem anymore, do you?"

"No."

"I've already made up my mind. From now on, I'll focus on both love and childbirth, without neglecting either one."

Liu Jia covered his forehead with his hand, unable to bear the sight.

For a burly man to utter such cheesy words would give anyone goosebumps.

"Okay, take these next couple of days to get ready, and then we'll have a proper meeting with Caixia."

"No problem, I'll fix my face, get a haircut, and take a bath. I'll definitely appear before Comrade Zhou Caixia with a brand new look!"

Li Zhenhe was full of confidence. As he spoke, he raised his arm forward and took a step forward with his right leg, making a forward-charging gesture.

In Li Zhenhe, Liu Jia felt the power of revolution for the first time.

……

By the time we got back to Xili Village, it was already past nine o'clock at night.

Fortunately, they encountered an oxcart on the way; otherwise, Liu Jia would have been exhausted.

Too many things happened today. Taking a long-distance bus or an oxcart are minor matters. The case of sabotaging power facilities in Qingcheng is still unresolved, and Liu Jia's heart remains heavy.

Peng Tianliang had made up his mind, and Liu Jia believed him. However, whether Zhou Xiuli and her group would give up or continue to pester Peng Tianliang remained a worry in Liu Jia's mind.

The streets were quiet, and many homes had already turned off their lights.

Liu Jia tried to tiptoe into the yard, but to her surprise, the door was open.

Liu Jia was puzzled, then quickly walked into the courtyard.

As soon as Liu Jia arrived under the locust tree, he heard Liu Yutian's heavy voice.

"That girl isn't very strong, how did she manage to beat up a street thug?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jia raised his eyebrows!

"Dad, who did you say hit whom?"