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

In the courtyard, Li Xiaoyun was tending to the flowers and plants. At over forty years old, she remained beautiful; time hadn't left many marks on her face, but rather added a touch of mature charm.

Seeing Li Xiangyang return, she put down the showerhead and greeted him, "Why are you back so early? Weren't you supposed to have a three-day meeting?"

“The meeting is going to last three days, but I don’t want to stay that long.” Li Xiangyang reached out and took his wife’s hand. “It’s much more comfortable at home. Besides, I heard Xiaochen has something important to say?”

Li Xiaoyun glanced at her son and smiled, "This kid's being so secretive, saying he'll only tell you when you get back."

"What's so mysterious?" Li Xiangyang asked his son curiously.

Li Wangchen scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "Dad, Mom, let's go inside and sit down to talk."

In the living room, the family of three sat on the sofa. Li Wangchen took a deep breath and then said, "Dad, Mom, I...I'm in a relationship."

Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun exchanged a glance and both smiled.

"Is that all?" Li Xiaoyun patted her son's head. "We thought it was something serious. Dating is a good thing, why are you so nervous?"

“Because…” Li Wangchen blushed, “because I want to bring her home to meet you all, and if possible, I want… I want to marry her.”

Upon hearing this, both Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun were taken aback.

"Marriage?" Li Xiangyang looked at his son. "How old are you two? And you're still in school..."

“Dad, I’m twenty-two already, I’m not young anymore,” Li Wangchen said earnestly. “Besides, we truly love each other, and I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Li Xiaoyun took her son's hand: "Xiaochen, can you tell Mom about that girl? What kind of person is she?"

Li Wangchen's eyes shone brightly: "Her name is Lin Yuting, she's a year younger than me, a student at a teachers' college, and she'll be a teacher in the future. She's kind, smart, and independent. Most importantly, she truly loves me, and I truly love her too."

Looking at the happy expression on his son's face, Li Xiangyang was reminded of his own youth. But not of the blind folly and foolishness he felt for Su Yan, but of the sincerity and steadfastness he felt when he met Li Xiaoyun.

"How did you two meet?" Li Xiangyang asked.

“We met at the library,” Li Wangchen said, his enthusiasm rising. “I went to borrow books that day, and she was there too. We got into an argument over a book, but later found out it was a misunderstanding. From then on, we often studied together, and slowly…”

"You've hit it off?" Li Xiaoyun asked with a smile.

"Yes." Li Wangchen nodded. "Mom, would you like to meet her?"

“Of course I’m willing,” Li Xiaoyun said, looking at Li Xiangyang. “What do you say?”

Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment: "Xiao Chen, Dad has a few questions for you. First, are you sure you love her for who she is, and not just a passing infatuation?"

“OK.” Li Wangchen answered without hesitation.

"Secondly, have you considered practical issues? Such as financial conditions, and the relationship between both families..."

“I’ve considered it,” Li Wangchen said. “Yuting’s family is an ordinary working-class family; her father works in a factory, and her mother is a primary school teacher. Her family is very kind, and after learning about my family situation, they didn’t make any unreasonable demands.”

Li Xiangyang nodded and continued, "Third, if you get married, how do you plan to live? You still have to study..."

“I’ve thought it through,” Li Wangchen said earnestly. “I can work while I study, and Yuting can become a teacher after graduation. We’ll support ourselves. Of course, I’d also be happy to involve you in the company’s work if you’d like.”

Hearing this, Li Xiangyang already had his answer. His son had considered things very carefully and was very sincere, which reminded him of the nervousness he felt when he proposed to Li Xiaoyun's father years ago.

“Alright,” Li Xiangyang stood up, “Since you’re so serious, bring the girl back so we can meet her. If she’s really suitable, we’ll certainly support you.”

"Really?" Li Wangchen jumped up excitedly. "Dad, you really agreed?"

“Of course, but there’s one condition,” Li Xiangyang said with a smile, “you must finish your studies first before you consider marriage.”

"No problem!" Li Wangchen agreed without hesitation. "I'll pick Yuting up tomorrow!"

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Li Xiaohua walked in from outside.

Li Xiaohua is now the deputy director of the county education bureau. At 39, she is capable and efficient, but in front of her brother, she is still the same little sister who acts spoiled.

"Brother, you're back?" Li Xiaohua's face lit up with a happy smile when she saw Li Xiangyang, then she saw Li Wangchen, "Xiaochen's back too? Weren't you at school?"

"Hello, Auntie!" Li Wangchen stood up happily. "I'm back because I have something to discuss with Mom and Dad."

"What's so important?" Li Xiaohua asked curiously.

"Xiao Chen is bringing his girlfriend home," Li Xiaoyun said with a smile. "They might even be discussing marriage."

"Really?" Li Xiaohua looked at her nephew with surprise. "Xiao Chen is getting married? I still remember how you used to follow me around asking for candy when you were little."

"Auntie, I'm already twenty-two, I'm not young anymore." Li Wangchen said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Yes, time really flies," Li Xiaohua said with a sigh. "Then I'd better prepare a gift for our meeting."

As they were talking, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Is Old Li home?"

"Uncle Wang is here." Li Wangchen got up to open the door.

Wang Ergou walked in from outside, followed by his wife Ma Hongxia and their three children.

"Old Li!" Wang Ergou shouted as he entered the door, "I heard Xiao Chen is back?"

"Hello, Uncle Er Gou!" Li Wangchen greeted him first.

"Wow, Xiao Chen has grown so tall!" Wang Ergou patted Li Wangchen on the shoulder. "Do you remember when I taught you how to use a slingshot when you were little?"

“I remember, I remember,” Li Wangchen said with a smile.

Ma Hongxia greeted everyone with her three children. Her eldest son, Wang Yaozong, is 22 years old, the same age as Li Wangchen, and is also in university; her second daughter is 19 years old and in high school; and her youngest daughter is 17 years old, also a high school student.

"Old Li," Wang Ergou mysteriously pulled Li Xiangyang aside, "I heard Xiao Chen is bringing his girlfriend home?"

"The news travels fast," Li Xiangyang laughed. "It was just said a moment ago."

"That's great news!" Wang Ergou said excitedly. "I'll have to prepare properly, maybe be Xiaochen's witness or something."

Just then, Lin Zhi came out from the inner room. Although she was seventy-six years old, she was still very healthy and always had a kind smile on her face.

"Grandma!" Li Wangchen immediately ran to his grandmother's side. "I'm back."

"Xiao Chen's back," Lin Zhi said lovingly, looking at her grandson. "Why did you come back so suddenly? Is everything alright at school?"

"Grandma, I have good news to tell you." Li Wangchen helped his grandmother sit down. "I'm bringing my girlfriend home to meet you."

"Girlfriend?" Lin Zhi's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! Grandma has been longing to hold her great-grandson for ages."

"Grandma, don't rush," Li Wangchen said, blushing. "We need to meet first, and if it goes well, then we can talk about marriage."

"Perfect match, definitely perfect match," Linzhi said, holding her grandson's hand. "My grandson is so wonderful, what girl wouldn't like him?"

As night fell, after the family had finished tidying up, Li Xiangyang stood in the yard gazing up at the starry sky.

The sky was filled with twinkling stars, just like their lives—simple and unadorned, yet each one shone brightly.

Nearly thirty years have passed since that snowy night of rebirth.

Li Xiangyang grows from a love-crazed youth into a mature and steady man; from an impoverished farmer into a successful entrepreneur.

But most importantly, he found true happiness.

Looking back, Su Yan's departure may have been the best outcome.

Fate always arranges everything invisibly, leading everyone to their own path.

"Xiangyang, it's time to go back inside," Li Xiaoyun called softly from inside the house.

Li Xiangyang took one last look at the starry sky, then turned and walked back into the house.

There, his beloved wife and children were waiting for him.

This is his life: simple yet beautiful, ordinary yet precious.