Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

In October 1980, at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the tide had just receded at Qingping Island, and the bluish-gray river mist was still entwined with the reeds on the island.

The wind carried a complex scent of dampness, greenness, and a slightly fishy sweetness, which felt cool on my face.

Lin Chuan squatted in the corner of his old brick house, staring intently at the water droplets seeping from the well rope, one drop after another, creating small pits in the moss.

The slightly sour, cool fragrance in my nasal cavity is the scent of the sap that overflows when a reed stalk is broken.

He couldn't understand why, even though he had already closed his eyes, he seemed to be favored by fate and had the opportunity to open them again.

I thought it was my final farewell to the world, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself back in 1980.

The unique scent in the wind awakened Lin Chuan's long-dormant memories—it was truly a...magical experience!

"Brother, what are you still daydreaming about! I told you not to neglect the ship's god, why don't you listen?"

You've only had a few years of schooling, yet you show no respect for the ship's god.

Fortunately, the old god at the bow is kind-hearted and didn't take you away this time. You'd better remember this lesson for the future!

Lin Xiaoman's clear, yet anxious voice came from the kitchen.

Immediately afterwards, she called out, "Accountant Zhao is almost at the alley entrance!"

"Father and Mother have gone to the cowshed. You'd better hold onto this work point book tightly, don't let him deduct any more from our family's pay!"

"Why!"

Lin Chuan responded loudly, his voice clear and firm, both in response to his sister and as if in gratitude for being given a second chance at life!

After squatting for so long, Lin Chuan staggered when he stood up.

The memories in my mind became clearer and clearer, and the bits and pieces of my childhood and adolescence appeared before my eyes like a movie.

Lin Chuan grinned, and all the unfamiliarity vanished instantly, as if he had rediscovered his former self.

Soon, the sound of footsteps in rubber shoes came from outside the courtyard gate, and Accountant Zhao, wearing a faded blue cloth hat, peeked in first.

The team's cashier followed behind.

He glanced at the few ducks pecking at food in the corner of the yard, then his eyes swept over Lin Chuan as he slowly said:

"I heard you fell into the river today. If your grandpa hadn't been quick, you would have been meeting the River God."

After saying that, he shook his head, took out his notebook, and his eyes inadvertently fell on Lin Chuan's wrist. He half-jokingly teased him:

"You know what, Old Master Lin is really diligent in his river worship ceremonies. Look, the River God even stamped and left his mark on you!"

Lin Chuan, who was holding the work points book, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He followed Accountant Zhao's gaze and looked at his left hand.

Beneath his slightly faded cuffs, a faint blue line was visible on his wrist.

Lin Chuan didn't remember having such a birthmark, so he pulled his sleeve down to cover the mark.

He said with a smile, "Uncle Zhao, it's probably because I accidentally pressed on it while sleeping."

I remember my family's work points. Besides paying off the debts we incurred for my grandmother's medical treatment each month, we still owed the team 5...5320 work points, right?

Don't worry, we will definitely make up the difference by the end of the year.

Accountant Zhao shook his head and immediately rejected Lin Chuan's suggestion, "That won't do. The team leader said that it must be paid by the end of the month."

"Or we'll take back your half-acre private plot and give it to Li Suanpan to cultivate."

Hearing this, the younger sister, Lin Xiaoman, rushed over carrying a duck feeder. She shook her head, which was tied in pigtails, and loudly proclaimed, "This land belongs to our family! You can't take our land away..."

Accountant Zhao snorted, "What does a kid know?" As she spoke, she reached out to snatch the work point book from Lin Chuan's hand.

"Either you make up for lost work points, or you hand over the land. There's no other choice. Where's your father? Let him come out and say something!"

"Uncle Zhao, we can discuss whether to hand over the land or not. You don't have to resort to robbery." Lin Chuan smiled and took a half step back, his voice steady.

"My dad went to the team to feed the cattle, so I can make the decision. I remember the county issued a policy to manage several of the surrounding deserted islands, right?"

The team hasn't made up their minds yet. How about this, I apply to manage the northern Canhong Island?

According to the county's policy, whoever manages it gets to use it, with a 30-year usage right, rent-free. The goal is to reclaim the barren island.

If I can cure the deserted island, I can not only pay back the work points I owe the team, but also add a vegetable garden for the team. Don't you think that's better than taking over my private plot?

"I owe the team work points, Uncle Zhao, please let my family pay them back slowly over time."

Accountant Zhao paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Canhong Island? That wretched island is all sand and reeds, and it's hard to even find a sip of sweet water."

You want to get treatment? I think you've drowned and gone mad.

As he was speaking, Accountant Zhao couldn't help but step forward to pat Lin Chuan's head, when suddenly several mallards pounced over, startling him so much that he jumped back repeatedly.

The lead duck flapped its wings and circled around the group, making quacking noises.

"Go, go, go! Get your ducks back into their cages right now!" Accountant Zhao shouted angrily.

"This duck was raised by Xiaoman, and it's wary of strangers." Lin Chuan smiled and continued, "Uncle Zhao, I'm not kidding. Anyway, the team is also having a headache about how to implement the county's policies."

It's not convenient to arrange for a group to clear and manage the land. How about I take over?

Accountant Zhao looked Lin Chuan up and down and suddenly felt that this kid was different from before. Even his speech no longer had the arrogance that Lin Chuan had when he was the only high school student on the island.

The team had tried to dig a well on Canhong Island a few years ago, but after three days of digging, all they got was saltwater, so they had to give up.

That place is barren, requires a lot of effort, has other policy requirements, and doesn't offer work points; it's a real headache.

"If you are really determined to manage Canhong Island, I can ask the team leader for a postponement of the work points you owe the team."

Accountant Zhao's expression turned serious, and he said with a hint of probing, "If you can't cure it, not only will you have to hand over the land, but you'll also have to give up your job to someone else."

Lin Chuan nodded and replied, "Okay, Uncle Zhao, I'll submit the application to the team tomorrow and give you a written agreement."

Accountant Zhao nodded, saying nothing more, and led the cashier to the next client.

After Accountant Zhao left, Lin Xiaoman finally mustered up her courage and spoke, raising her head worriedly:

"Brother, how could you sign a written agreement with him? Everyone in the village calls him Zhao the Skinflint; he's got a black heart."

"On Canhong Island, even grass can't grow well. Isn't this like jumping into a fire pit?"

Lin Chuan looked at his ten-year-old sister and felt a surge of joy.

He gently pinched her dimple and smiled, "Xiaoman, you were really brave just now, you knew how to protect our family's fields."

Xiaoman felt a little embarrassed by what Lin Chuan said and deftly dodged her older brother's hand.

Lin Chuan couldn't help but smile. In his previous life, he had entered the plant breeding laboratory by chance.

However, due to his limited education, he has always worked at the grassroots level, doing the most tedious data assistant job.

I can't remember the last time I felt this relaxed. It feels so good to be reborn!

"Don't worry, little sister. Your brother dared to promise to manage it, so he must be confident. How about we raise all the ducks on the island?"

Xiaoman wrinkled her nose, clearly not believing her older brother's words, and picked up the duck feeding bucket to refill it with feed for her ducks.

Before leaving, he turned back and muttered, "Brother, you should think about how you're going to explain this to Dad and Mom when they come back."