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

The hotel wasn't far from the department store, and the two walked slowly along the snow-covered street.

The number of pedestrians on the street gradually increased.

It was much warmer inside the department store than outside, with radiators against the wall radiating heat.

Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun arrived at the grocery section first, where a long queue had already formed in front of the counter.

Now that Wang Jingyun has returned to work, her family certainly doesn't lack daily necessities.

Therefore, Li Xiangyang planned to buy some tea and snacks.

It can express your feelings without being too heavy-handed.

"Comrade, how much is this black tea?" he asked, pointing to a jar of tea in the counter.

"Qimen black tea, two yuan and fifty cents a tael," the salesperson replied.

"Half a pound, please," Li Xiangyang said, then pointed to the snack box next to him, "How much is this?"

"Special Beijing-supplied pastries, four yuan a box, requires two pastry coupons."

"Give me a box," Li Xiangyang said, then added after a moment's thought, "and some preserved plums too."

Standing to the side, watching Li Xiangyang buy things, Li Xiaoyun tugged at his sleeve anxiously: "Buying so much, isn't it too expensive? Won't they say something?"

Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "It's alright. It's not easy to go, so just say it."

After leaving the grocery section, Li Xiangyang wanted to take Li Xiaoyun to see other counters, but Li Xiaoyun gently shook her head: "Let's go see Uncle Wang first, it's getting late."

"Let's wander around a bit more. It's a rare opportunity to get out," Li Xiangyang said softly, looking into Li Xiaoyun's eyes. "Besides, your parents will be here sooner or later, so we need to prepare things at home, right?"

Li Xiaoyun pursed her lips, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

She knew Li Xiangyang was right, but considering he had already spent a lot of money today, she felt a little guilty.

"Then...shall we buy it again when we get back?" she suggested softly.

Li Xiangyang nodded in agreement, knowing that Li Xiaoyun was worried about the money, so he didn't insist anymore.

The two carried their things out of the store and headed towards Wang Jingyun's house.

As soon as she entered, Wang Ying saw the two of them and immediately greeted them happily, "Brother Xiangyang, Sister Xiaoyun!"

"You're here, why bring anything?" Wang Jingyun came out from the inner room and frowned when he saw the gifts Li Xiangyang was carrying.

"Uncle, this is just a small token of my appreciation." Li Xiangyang handed over the item.

"You're too kind, child." Wang Jingyun took the things, her displeasure gradually fading. "Please sit down. I'll have your Wang Ying go buy something hot."

"No need to trouble yourself..." Before Li Xiangyang could finish speaking, Wang Ying had already happily run out the door.

“Oh, right,” Wang Jingyun pulled out a cloth bag, counted out ten yuan, and handed it to Li Xiangyang, “the money you borrowed from me last time.”

“Uncle, this…” Li Xiangyang did not reach out.

"Take it." Wang Jingyun's tone was firm. "A loan is a loan, and it must be repaid."

Li Xiangyang had no choice but to accept the money. Wang Jingyun then said, "It's perfect that you're here; it saves me the trouble of making a trip. I've already taken care of Su Yan's return to the city; I was planning to talk to you about it in a couple of days."

"Thank you so much." Li Xiangyang stood up.

"Don't mention it," Wang Jingyun waved his hand, "You've helped me so much, this is nothing."

"Oh, right, Xiaoyun," Wang Jingyun got up and walked towards the study, bringing out a stack of books as she spoke, "these are the textbooks I found for you; I've marked the important points."

Li Xiaoyun quickly got up and took them. She saw that they were all books on education and psychology, as well as several compilations of teaching cases.

“I’ve already written the recommendation letter,” Wang Jingyun continued. “The exam is scheduled for the end of March, specifically the 28th. Now is the perfect time for you to start preparing.”

Holding the book, Li Xiaoyun's eyes were a little red. "Uncle Wang, this...this is so kind of you."

"Don't say that," Wang Jingyun said with a smile, waving his hand. "You're a promising young teacher, and you're willing to dedicate yourself to rural areas. What rural areas need most right now are young teachers like you."

Li Xiangyang watched from the side, silently grateful.

Wang Jingyun not only helped him deal with Su Yan's matter, but also went out of her way to help Li Xiaoyun.

Such affection cannot be measured by any external object.

Just then, Wang Ying returned carrying steaming hot meat buns, and the aroma instantly filled the entire house.

"Come on, eat it while it's hot," Wang Jingyun said.

"Uncle, we just ate at a restaurant." Li Xiangyang said somewhat embarrassedly.

“Then take it back.” Wang Jingyun instructed his daughter to fetch the paper package. “When you get back, please ask Linzhi how she is doing.”

"Thanks to you, my mother is in good health," Li Xiangyang said with a smile. "She's just worried about me, always nagging me to settle down and get married soon."

“Yes, we should be concerned,” Wang Jingyun said, taking a sip of tea. “We elders see and remember everything that happens to you young people.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoyun blushed slightly.

Wang Ying teased from the side, "Dad, no wonder Brother Xiangyang and Sister Xiaoyun were embarrassed by what you said."

"You little brat," Wang Jingyun feigned anger, "what do you know?"

Laughter filled the room. Wang Jingyun continued, "It's time to get married, so shouldn't you move out on your own? Building a house is no small matter; if you need more money, just tell me..."

"Uncle, I can do this myself," Li Xiangyang quickly said. "I recently helped someone hunt a bear and made some money, so that should be enough."

The stove inside the house was burning brightly, and the family was talking. Before they knew it, it was getting dark.

The tea on the kang (heated brick bed) had been changed several times, the wind outside was sometimes strong and sometimes weak, and occasionally a few barks could be heard from afar.

Li Xiangyang glanced out the window and realized he had been there for quite a while. He quickly stood up and said, "Uncle, it's getting late, we should go back."

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer." Wang Jingyun stood up with a smile. "Go home early and be careful on the road. Xiaoyun, feel free to ask me anything you don't understand."

Li Xiaoyun held her books and nodded emphatically.

Wang Ying saw them all the way to the door, then handed the wrapped meat buns to Li Xiangyang, saying, "Brother, sister, please take care on your journey."

When I came out of Wang Jingyun's house, it was already getting dark, but there were more people on the street than in the afternoon.

"Let's go to the department store first," Li Xiangyang said, glancing at the sky, "before it closes."

Li Xiaoyun nodded.

This time she didn't try to dissuade them, after all, preparations had to be made for her parents' visit.

The department store was getting busier, mostly with people coming after get off work to shop.

Li Xiangyang led Li Xiaoyun to select some tea, snacks, cigarettes, and alcohol, and finally bought a few bags of candy.

These are wedding candies I promised to bring to the educated youth; I can't go back on my word.

"What else should we buy?" Li Xiangyang asked while paying.

"That's enough. We can buy anything else before the wedding."

After Li Xiaoyun finished speaking, her face turned red.

By the time the two of them came out carrying their things, it was already dark.

"We need to hurry and catch the bus," Li Xiangyang said, glancing at the sky. "If we're any later, there won't be any more buses back to the village."