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

As Li Xiangyang listened to Wang Ying explain the scientific principles, his idea became even more firm in his mind.

“Mom,” he turned to his mother, who was busy at the stove, “I would like to ask Mr. Wang to take Xiaohua as his student.”

Li's mother stopped what she was doing, her expression hesitant: "This..."

“Look at Xiaoying, isn’t she amazing?” Li Xiangyang continued, “These days, you can’t get by without knowledge.”

Li's mother sighed: "But..."

She hesitated.

Li Xiangyang knew what his mother was worried about.

In this day and age, whether or not you can go to school is not as simple as just paying a few dollars.

“Mom, don’t worry,” Li Xiangyang said firmly, “Mr. Wang is a very good person, he will agree.”

"But..." Li's mother still hesitated, "What if people gossip..."

"Let them talk," Li Xiangyang said firmly. "We can't expect Xiaohua to farm for the rest of her life, can we?"

As they were talking, Li Xiaohua jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed) and ran to her mother's side: "Mom, I want to study as much as Sister Ying."

Wang Ying chimed in, "Auntie, my dad said that the country really needs educated people right now. He also said that men and women should be equal, and girls should study even harder."

Looking into her daughter's pleading eyes, and then at Wang Ying's intelligent face, Li's mother finally nodded: "Then...then we'll plead with Mr. Wang properly."

“I’ll talk to Mr. Wang myself when he gets back,” Li Xiangyang said, his gaze falling on the swirling snow outside the window.

The black leopard cat jumped onto the windowsill, its amber eyes seemingly gazing into the distance.

It meowed softly, as if agreeing with the decision.

On this day, the snow fell even heavier.

Li Xiangyang's family gathered in the warm house, listening to Wang Ying explain all sorts of interesting facts.

From the stars in the sky to the minerals underground, from ancient poems to foreign inventions, the little girl, though young, has a knowledge far beyond that of ordinary people.

Looking at his younger sister listening attentively, Li Xiangyang secretly vowed: no matter the cost, he would give her the opportunity to read and write and receive a better education.

He knew that in this special era, pursuing education was not an easy path.

However, having been given a second chance at life, he wanted to provide his family with a better life, not only materially but, more importantly, spiritually.

As night fell, the snow finally stopped.

Moonlight shone on the thick snow, enveloping the entire village in a silvery white blanket.

Days passed by, and before we knew it, the year was drawing to a close.

Li Xiangyang has been busy preparing for the New Year.

He processed the roe deer skin and the rabbit skin he had previously collected, made them into warm clothing, and gave one to Wang Ying.

Wang Ying was very happy staying at the Li family's house. She taught Li Xiaohua to recognize characters and read every day, and the two girls grew closer and closer.

But as the year drew to a close, she began to stare blankly out the door from time to time, clearly hoping for her father's return.

"Sister Ying, don't worry, Uncle will definitely come to pick you up." Li Xiaohua always comforted her like this.

Wang Ying would smile at her, but the worry in her eyes was impossible to hide.

Li Xiangyang saw this and felt a little anxious.

After all, transportation was inconvenient in those days, and it was indeed not easy to get from the city to this remote mountain village.

On New Year's Eve, smoke rose from chimneys everywhere in the village.

Every household is preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner, and the air is filled with the aroma of dumplings and meat dishes.

Li Xiangyang's family was no exception.

Li's mother and her two little girls were making dumplings, with the filling made from the wild game that Li Xiangyang had hunted laid out on the cutting board.

The black leopard cat squatted by the stove, squinting at the steaming water in the pot.

"Do you think Mr. Wang will be back today?" Li's mother asked while making dumplings.

Looking at Wang Ying's increasingly thin face, she felt a pang of sadness.

"Yes, he will," Li Xiangyang said confidently. "Mr. Wang values ​​Xiaoying so much, he will definitely come."

No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps suddenly came from the courtyard.

The black leopard cat pricked up its ears and turned to look at the doorway.

"Someone's here!" Li Xiaohua jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed) and ran to open the door.

The moment the door was pushed open, a cold wind mixed with snowflakes rushed in.

A figure wrapped in a thick cotton coat stood at the door, covered in snow.

"Dad!" Wang Ying recognized the person at a glance and rushed over to throw herself into his arms.

“Xiaoying…” Wang Jingyun’s voice choked with emotion as he hugged his daughter tightly.

His face was red from the wind and snow, and icicles clung to his beard, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

"Come in and warm up," Li's mother hurriedly invited.

Wang Jingyun then released his daughter and bowed to the people inside the room, saying, "I feel really bad that the Li family has taken care of Xiaoying for so long."

"Mr. Wang, you're too kind," Li Xiangyang said, stepping forward. "Xiaoying is very sensible and has taught my sister a lot."

"By the way, Mr. Wang, how did things go?"

After everyone was seated, Li Xiangyang poured a cup of hot tea and asked softly.

Wang Jingyun took the teacup, a relieved smile on his face: "It took a little time, but it's finally done. We did find some things at that old house, and they've been handed over to the organization."

He took a sip of tea and continued, "The organization said I might be reinstated soon."

"That's great," Li Xiangyang said sincerely.

"It's all thanks to you," Wang Jingyun sighed. "If it weren't for your guidance, I would still be living a mediocre life, watching my days get harder and harder."

Seeing that the time was ripe, Li Xiangyang slowly spoke: "Mr. Wang, let's not talk about that. I do have a favor to ask..."

"you say."

"My younger sister, Xiaohua, has been very bright since she was little, but she never had the opportunity to study. She's been learning a lot from Xiaoying lately, and I think she's very quick to learn. I wonder if we could ask you to take her on as your apprentice?"

Wang Jingyun was taken aback upon hearing this, and then carefully examined Li Xiaohua.

The little girl sat upright, her eyes clear and bright.

Her own daughter held her hand and frequently gave her meaningful glances, trying to get her to agree.

Looking at my daughter now, she's fully recovered and even wearing new clothes.

Thinking of this, Wang Jingyun's heart stirred. If he only took on disciples, it seemed difficult to repay such a great kindness.

Besides, seeing such an adorable child, and feeling a connection with her daughter, why not...

“Xiangyang,” Wang Jingyun suddenly said seriously, “we hit it off, and normally I should agree immediately since you’ve asked. But I have a better idea.”

The room was silent as everyone waited for Wang Jingyun to speak.

"Li Xiaohua, would you be willing to recognize me as your godfather?"

Li Xiaohua looked at Wang Jingyun in surprise, then at her mother, who nodded vigorously.

"I'm willing!" Li Xiaohua knelt down and kowtowed, "Godfather!"

"Alright, alright." Wang Jingyun helped Li Xiaohua up, then turned to Li Xiangyang apologetically, "I'm sorry, I wanted to be your equal, but now I've made you feel inferior. I really feel bad."

Li Xiangyang quickly waved his hand, "Mr. Wang, you're too kind. It's a blessing for Xiaohua to be able to study and learn to read under your guidance. It's our honor to call you godfather."

Wang Ying smiled and took Li Xiaohua's hand, saying, "Now we're sisters." She turned to Li Xiangyang, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "So, Brother Li, what should you call me 'Dad'?"

Li Xiangyang choked for a moment.

He looked at Wang Jingyun, then at Wang Ying, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a sound.

"Call...call..." He stammered for a long time, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Seeing his awkwardness, Wang Jingyun couldn't help but smile: "Just call me uncle."

"Uncle." Li Xiangyang breathed a sigh of relief, finally finding a way out.

"Hahaha!" Wang Ying laughed so hard she almost fell over. "The way Brother Li looked just now was like an old ox in the village having a toothache."

These words made everyone laugh, even the usually composed Wang Jingyun couldn't help but chuckle.