Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 23 Living Together
Chen Wenjun was surprised by Lin Yi's sudden question. After a brief silence, he nodded seriously. "I do want to marry her, but I know that you wouldn't be interested in me with my current conditions. Also, I don't want her to suffer with me. I originally planned to work hard for two or three years."

I planned to propose marriage to you after I had enough money to move to the surface of the world. I never expected such a big thing to happen here. Now I have no choice but to swallow my pride and propose to you. Uncle, I want to marry Lin Qin. Please marry her to me!

Although I don't have much money right now, I will work hard to earn it and I won't let her suffer because of me!

"What guarantee do you have? I know the Tanka people's situation very well. I only let Aqin get so close to you because I think you're honest! Sigh! Why is my girl so unlucky! Oh well! Since it's already like this, I don't dare to keep her around any longer. If she agrees, then so be it!" Lin Yi felt very sad and helpless.

Chen Wenjun was overjoyed and immediately stood up and bowed to Lin Yi, saying, "Uncle, don't worry, I definitely won't let you down!"

Lin Yi's lips twitched. He didn't dare to hope that Chen Wenjun's situation would allow Lin Qin to live a good life. He only hoped that he wouldn't be a burden to Lin Qin in the future.

Chen Wenjun was so happy that he followed Lin Qin to the vegetable garden.

Liu Yaya was the first to spot him, and excitedly waved to him, "Uncle Chen, we're here!"

Chen Wenjun gave her a bright smile, ran over to help them, and said to Lin Qin, "I just spoke to your dad and said I want to marry you. Do you agree?"

Lin Qin paused, looking at him in surprise, "My dad would agree?"

Chen Wenjun nodded. "Your father is worried about you. I know it might seem like I'm taking advantage of your situation to speak up now, but the situation here is really too dangerous. I'm worried about you. Lin Qin, I believe that it must be a divine arrangement that gave us a second chance. I will definitely not be as pathetic as I was in my last life. I will work hard to give you a good life and make others envious of you."

Lin Qin's nose tingled, and tears fell one by one. "It's not that you're a coward, it's that I'm useless. If it weren't for me in your past life, you and Ping An could have lived a good life."

At that time, the government vigorously rectified the Tanka people and allocated a piece of land for them to settle down. Because of her bad reputation and fear of worldly views, Chen Wenjun chose to continue to make a living by fishing. She only built a stilted house on the banks of the Nanxi River, far away from the Tanka village. Later, the village developed, but it had nothing to do with Chen Wenjun.

Until her death, Chen Wenjun lived a very poor life.

"That's not how it is! You gave Ping An motherly love and made up for his lack of a mother. I should be thanking you!" Chen Wenjun said to Lin Qin for the first time.

Chen Ping'an was his only son. He was abandoned by his birth mother when he was young, and he was disabled, sensitive and had low self-esteem. He had only smiled in front of him. Since Lin Qin started living with them, his son's eyes have lit up, and he has clearly noticed that his son is much happier than before.

Lin Qin burst into tears, squatting on the ground and burying her head in her hands.

Liu Yaya was terrified and helpless.

Chen Wenjun quickly picked her up and comforted her, "Let's live a good life together from now on, okay?"

Lin Qin nodded vigorously.

Chen Wenjun laughed even harder, teasing Liu Yaya in his arms, and said, "Yaya, how about you, your mom, and grandpa all go live at your uncle's house from now on?"

Liu Yaya asked innocently, "Are Mommy and Grandpa going too?"

"Everyone go!"

Liu Yaya clapped her hands excitedly, "Great! I want to go! I want to go!"

Lin Qin wiped away her tears, got up and continued working. After the gloom in her heart dissipated, it seemed as if the sunshine had shone into her heart, warm and comforting.

The three of them picked all the vegetables they could from the field and filled a large wicker basket.

Chen Wenjun carried them all back.

On the way, they ran into a familiar old woman. She looked Chen Wenjun up and down and asked gossipily, "Who is this young man?"

Lin Qin didn't hide it and introduced him with a smile: "Grandma, this is my boyfriend."

The old woman's eyes lit up instantly, "Where are you from?"

"From the Nanxi area," Lin Qin said, not making it very clear.

The old woman nodded, not pressing for details, but said earnestly, "If your dad finds someone, things will be easier for him. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble your second uncle and aunt might cause!"

Everyone knew about Li Lian's efforts to find a partner for Lin Qin during this period.

That woman even mobilized the elderly to persuade Lin Qin to remarry; everyone knew what she was up to.

Lin Qin nodded and thanked the old woman again.

After the three returned home, Lin Yi was not surprised at all by Lin Qin's decision.

Chen Wenjun immediately told Lin Qin to pack her luggage and bring all the valuables from home.

Lin Yi was worried about his vegetable garden and house, so he asked Lin Qin to bring Lin Qingxiang over.

When Lin Qingxiang learned about Lin Qin and Chen Wenjun's affair, he laughed heartily. "I had my suspicions about this kid before, and I didn't expect it to be true! Since he wants to take care of you, you should settle down and move in. Come back when you've recovered. I'll look after this shabby house and take care of the vegetable garden for you."

Lin Yi hurriedly said, "I'll let you plant the paddy field this year, and you can return it to me next year."

Lin Qingxiang agreed to all of them.

Lin Qin, who was standing nearby, reminded him, "Dad, you'd better get a written agreement with Uncle Qingxiang, so that after we leave, your second uncle and aunt won't have any trouble with Uncle Qingxiang. We won't get any credit even if Uncle Qingxiang helps us."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi immediately urged Lin Qingxiang to get the brigade leader to draw up a written agreement.

They discussed these matters without ever telling Lin Zhi and his wife.

When Lin Zhi and Li Lian arrived at Lin Yi's house after receiving word of the incident, they found the door already locked and everyone had vanished.

The couple angrily went to confront Lin Qingxiang.

"Why should you get to farm my brother's land! If anyone should be farming, it should be us!" Lin Zhi shouted, but he didn't dare to go into Lin Qingxiang's house.

The captain came out of the next room. "What's all the noise about?"

Lin Zhi stepped forward indignantly, "Captain, since my elder brother is leaving the village, his land should be given to my family to cultivate. Why should it be given to Lin Qingxiang? You can't show favoritism just because he's your cousin!"

"Me, protecting my own?" The captain laughed angrily. "Lin Zhi! You weren't around when Lin Yi was injured and hospitalized, and you weren't around when he was robbed either. Now that someone else is farming the land, you're jumping out! Who do you think you are?"
What? Lin Yi can't even make his own decisions about his own land? What gives you the right to tell him what to do?

"I'm just his younger brother! He promised when my parents died that he would take care of me for the rest of my life!" Lin Zhi said confidently.

The brigade leader squinted and scrutinized him closely. "Lin Zhi! Are you old and frail, or seriously ill and unable to take care of yourself, without any children? Your older brother hasn't taken enough care of you! Let me tell you! You two brothers aren't even on the same household registration! His land and property have absolutely nothing to do with you! Don't come here and cause trouble!"

(End of this chapter)