Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

Back at the educated youth settlement, Li Xiaoyun sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and stared blankly for a while.

The room was warm and cozy, but she felt an emptiness inside.

After more than two years in the countryside, she had long seen through it all.

For a sent-down youth like her with no family connections, how easy is it to return to the city?

Even if you manage to get a job, you'll only be a temporary worker in a small factory.

But Li Xiangyang is different.

She's been asking a lot about Li Xiangyang these past few days.

Ever since he killed that deer, the villagers' tone when they talk about him has changed.

After all, in this era, families who could hunt were generally doing quite well.

Moreover, Li Xiangyang is young, tall and strong.

If he hadn't been constantly circling around Su Yan, someone might have already arranged a marriage for him.

Thinking of Su Yan, Li Xiaoyun felt a wave of annoyance.

Why is Su Yan able to get along with everyone?

How can she keep Li Xiangyang hanging on while also having an affair with Wang Ming?

Wang Ming's family has connections in the city, so his return to the city is a certainty.

But what about yourself?

"Xiaoyun, I just got back from the brigade headquarters." Zhang Li, my roommate, pushed open the door and came in. "I saw Li Xiangyang's sister when I got back; her deerskin coat was so beautiful. I heard Li Xiangyang specially sewed it for her out of deerskin."

Li Xiaoyun's heart skipped a beat.

She never imagined that a young man from the countryside would know these kinds of skills.

I used to only think that Li Xiangyang was unsophisticated, but now I realize that I was short-sighted.

"What kind of cotton-padded jacket did his sister wear?" Li Xiaoyun asked casually.

"It's so beautiful!" Zhang Li exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with envy. "The deerskin is so skillfully tailored, and the collar is trimmed with a circle of soft white rabbit fur."

Li Xiaoyun gritted her teeth secretly.

These days, let alone a rabbit fur collar, even a decent cotton-padded coat is hard to find.

Li Xiangyang was not only good at hunting, but also at making clothes.

With this kind of skill, even if you can't return to the city, you can still live a good life in the countryside.

“Hey, you mean him…” Li Xiaoyun hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

Zhang Li seemed to have read her mind and teased with a smile, "What, you're interested in him too?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Li Xiaoyun blushed. "I just feel that he's not the same person he used to be."

“That’s for sure,” Zhang Li said meaningfully. “I used to think he was indecisive because he was always hanging around Su Yan. Now it seems we were wrong.”

These words struck a chord with Li Xiaoyun.

The current Li Xiangyang is indeed very different from before.

He was no longer that silly boy who tried to please the female educated youth, but a capable and responsible man.

Thinking of how he looked in the yard today, Li Xiaoyun felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

That calm and composed demeanor...where is the trace of that naive young man from before?

"I heard he also changed his bow?" Li Xiaoyun asked tentatively.

“Yes, I saw him practicing archery at the village entrance today; he hit the bullseye every time he was out of range,” Zhang Li said, then lowered her voice, “But don’t get any ideas about him. I heard he doesn’t like us educated youth anymore, especially…”

“I know,” Li Xiaoyun interrupted her, “but people change.”

Zhang Li was taken aback for a moment, then understood, and shook her head with a smile: "You, don't end up falling for him too."

"How could that be?" Li Xiaoyun scoffed. "I'm not like Su Yan."

Even though she said that, she couldn't help but think: How wonderful it would be if Li Xiangyang could look at me differently?

As night deepened, the educated youth settlement gradually quieted down.

Li Xiaoyun lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), but couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did.

One moment my mind is filled with Li Xiangyang's heroic figure practicing archery, the next with that beautiful deerskin cotton-padded jacket, and then with the tempting aroma of meat.

She tossed and turned, pondering in her mind: what method should she use to get close to Li Xiangyang?

The next morning, Li Xiaoyun got up and dressed.

She specially changed into her best blue plaid shirt and put a pink bow in her hair.

This is her favorite piece of jewelry that she brought from the city.

"You're all dressed up so early, where are you going?" Zhang Li asked, yawning.

“Let’s go up the mountain to collect pine cones,” Li Xiaoyun said as she leaned closer to the mirror.

Zhang Li was taken aback: "When did you become so interested in picking pine cones?"

Li Xiaoyun didn't answer, but carefully looked in the mirror and adjusted the position of the bow.

Everyone knows that Li Xiangyang goes for a walk on the mountain every morning.

They were either hunting or checking for traps.

If only I "happen" to meet him on the mountain...

Unfortunately, plans cannot keep up with changes.

When she finally reached the top of the mountain, panting, she only saw a few village women carrying baskets.

There was no sign of Li Xiangyang.

"This girl, could she be..." Zhang Li shook her head as she watched from behind.

Undeterred, Li Xiaoyun returned to the mountain early the next morning.

This time she brought a bamboo basket and pretended to pick pine cones.

Finally, at the edge of a pine forest, she spotted Li Xiangyang in the distance.

Li Xiangyang, carrying a bow and arrows, was inspecting the traps in the tree.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a striking silhouette on him.

Li Xiaoyun's heart suddenly started racing.

She took a deep breath, pretended not to see Li Xiangyang, and continued picking up pine cones.

The footsteps are getting closer.

“This place was taken a long time ago, let’s head east.” Li Xiangyang’s voice suddenly rang out from above.

Li Xiaoyun looked up, a look of surprise on her face: "Li Xiangyang? You're here too?"

Li Xiangyang gave a faint "hmm" and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Li Xiaoyun quickly called out to him, "Um... you said there are pine cones to the east? Could you take me to see them? I... I don't really know the way."

Li Xiangyang stopped and turned to look at her: "Don't you come up the mountain often?"

“That’s different.” Li Xiaoyun lowered her head, her voice tinged with grievance, “I used to come with everyone. When I came alone…”

She secretly glanced up to see Li Xiangyang's reaction.

His expression remained calm, showing neither impatience nor any intention to help.

His indifferent demeanor left her momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Li Xiangyang, I have something I want to tell you."

When she blurted out those words, even Li Xiaoyun herself was startled.

She had originally planned to take things one step at a time and slowly get closer to Li Xiangyang.

But the words had already been spoken, so I had no choice but to grit my teeth and continue.

"I admit, I was really mean to you in the past, and I looked down on you," Li Xiaoyun said, mustering her courage. "But back then, you were always hanging around Su Yan, who would respect you?"

"so what?"

Not knowing what Li Xiaoyun was up to, Li Xiangyang could only wait patiently.

“So I want to apologize to you.” Li Xiaoyun took a deep breath. “Looking back now, I was too short-sighted. You are much more outstanding than we imagined.”

Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were exceptionally bright: "You're right, this isn't my first time up the mountain. I came here specifically to find you."

Li Xiangyang raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting her to be so direct.

"I know you don't like us educated youth anymore, especially after what happened with Su Yan."

Li Xiaoyun continued, "But I'm different from her. I..."

She paused, a blush creeping onto her face. "I genuinely want to get to know you again. Not so you'll hunt for me, nor to please you. It's simply..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Xiangyang suddenly laughed: "You're more honest than Su Yan."

These words made Li Xiaoyun's heart tighten.

“I’m not Su Yan,” she said urgently. “I know you’re single now, and so am I. If…”

"Stop." Li Xiangyang raised his hand to stop her. "Do you think I should believe a former educated youth who looked down on rural people would suddenly change his attitude?"

"I......"

“Besides,” Li Xiangyang said calmly, “do you really understand me? Or do you just think that because I can hunt, my life is a little better than others?”

"What does it mean to truly understand?" Li Xiaoyun suddenly raised her voice. "Does it mean I have to hurt you deeply to be considered to understand you?"