Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

Chen Feng recalled the looks in his eldest and third brothers' eyes when they were dividing the meat yesterday.

The meat in the storage room only made this winter a little easier.

in case……

If he could learn another skill, wouldn't it be better for his family, and even help his older brothers, in the future?

Zhang Tiechui didn't rush him, but just slowly smoked his cigarette and waited.

Finally, Chen Feng raised his head, his eyes hardening.

He took a step back and bowed respectfully to Zhang Tiechui.

"Master," he said, enunciating each word clearly.

"I'm willing to learn. I'll take care of things at home. In the future, as long as my mentor doesn't think I'm slow or that I don't come often enough, I will definitely learn diligently."

Zhang Tiechui looked at Chen Feng's bent back, his face expressionless, but in his cloudy eyes, there seemed to be a tiny glimmer of light.

He hummed in agreement.

Let's start today.

Zhang Tiechui stood up, tucked his pipe back into his waistband, and said, "Let me tell you how to process those two roe deer tendons first. This stuff looks simple, but if the heat and ingredients are slightly off, the result will be worlds apart."

Zhang Tiechui taught meticulously how to control the water temperature, how to cut and remove the membrane, and how to soak it in medicine.

Chen Feng studied diligently, and although his work on a roe deer tendon was not perfect, he had begun to grasp the basics.

As dusk approached, the roe deer tendons were already properly soaked in the medicinal solution, ready to be fumigated in a couple of days.

Zhang Tiechui waved his hand, indicating that this was the end of the day.

As Chen Feng walked out of the small house, a cold wind blew, and he felt the soreness in his wrists and the exhaustion in his mind, but his heart felt like it was carrying a warm piece of charcoal.

As Chen Feng walked out of the small house with its strong odor, a cold wind blew, and he felt the soreness in his wrists and the exhaustion in his mind, but his heart felt as warm as if he had a piece of charcoal in his chest.

He rubbed his hands together and walked quickly home, the smell of medicine still lingering on his clothes.

As soon as we arrived at the courtyard gate, we heard Xiaoyue and Xiaoshan chattering excitedly.

"Dad's back!"

"Dad, Tie Dan's brother took him fishing today! I want to go too!"

Xiaoyue followed, tilting her little face up, her eyes sparkling, and added, "Mom said, if Dad has time, he'll take us to the river to take a look?"

Lin Xiuzheng came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of hot water. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "The two kids have been talking about it all afternoon. I see the sun is shining brightly today, and the wind has died down a bit. If you're tired, just rest..."

"Not tired."

Chen Feng interrupted her, bent down, and pulled the two children closer, one in each arm. "Come on, let's grab our 'tools' and try our luck at the river before it gets dark!"

The children cheered.

Chen Feng went into the house, found the thin bamboo pole that suited him best, and then took out the old fishing line and hook that his mother had left behind, which were still in good condition.

Lin Xiu quickly kneaded several simple fish bait dough balls with scraps of cloth and wheat grains, and wrapped them in small pieces of oil paper.

"Watch out for the ice edges, and don't let the children get too close to the water."

Lin Xiu gave him detailed instructions, then filled an old gourd with hot water and stuffed it into Chen Feng's arms, saying, "Take this with you, and drink some when it gets cold."

"rest assured."

Chen Feng agreed, slung a small bamboo basket over his shoulder, and took a worn-out iron shovel head—this ice-scraping tool.

Holding one child in each hand, the three of them went out the door.

Chen Feng chose a river bend that was sheltered from the wind and faced the sun, with a large rock blocking the view from the bank.

He first observed the water level and ice for a while to make sure it was safe before letting the children stand in a dry place five or six steps away from the water.

"Xiaoshan, Xiaoyue, watch what your father does."

He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms, and first used the head of a shovel to thoroughly break and clean up the remaining thin ice on the shore. Then he squatted down and carefully threaded bait onto the fishing hooks.

"Fish stay at the bottom of the water; it's cold, so they don't like to move."

As he performed the movements, he explained in a low voice, "The line should be released slowly. When you feel the hook sink to the bottom, gently lift it up and then lower it again... This is called 'teasing'. Remember, don't rush, keep your hand steady."

He handed the bamboo pole to the eager Xiaoshan: "Come on, give it a try. Xiaoyue, help your brother watch the float."

Xiaoshan nervously and excitedly took it, and following his example, carefully lowered the hook line into the water.

His little hands were red from the cold, but he gripped the bamboo pole tightly, his eyes fixed on the small section of the float made of goose feather tube on the water.

Xiaoyue also held her breath, squatted down next to her brother, and looked serious.

Chen Feng stood behind them, his gaze sweeping across the winding line where the glacier met the flowing water, and then looking at the focused profiles of the two children.

A cold wind, carrying the dampness of the river, swept over him, but he felt the embers in his heart burn even warmer.

Time slowly passed.

The float remained motionless.

Xiaoshan's arms started to ache, and he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Dad, is the fish asleep?"

"Shh—" Chen Feng gestured for him to be quiet and focused his attention on the matter.

Just then, the small goose feather tube suddenly sank downwards!

"Lift it!" Chen Feng hissed.

Xiaoshan almost instinctively flicked his wrist and jerked the rod upwards!

The bamboo pole suddenly bent into a startling arc, the line taut and straight, and a considerable struggle could be felt from underwater.

"There's a fish! A big fish!"

Xiaoshan was both surprised and delighted, and almost dropped the rod.

"Hold on! Don't pull too hard, go with its momentum!"

Chen Feng quickly stepped forward, half-squatting behind Xiao Shan, holding the middle of the bamboo pole with one hand, and whispered instructions, "Lead it slowly towards the shore... Yes, like that..."

Xiaoyue clenched her little fists nervously, her eyes wide open.

After a struggle, with a splash, a large crucian carp, about a foot long, was pulled out of the water and frantically thrashed its tail in the setting sun, splashing water everywhere!

"Oh My God!"

Xiaoshan's voice trembled with excitement, "Dad! Look! It's so big!"

Even Chen Feng was somewhat surprised; catching such a large crucian carp before spring had even begun was truly a good omen.

He helped remove the fish from the shell, and the heavy, slippery feel of it put one's heart at ease.

The large fish was placed in the wooden bucket, taking up almost half of the space.

"Good job, lad! A great start!"

Chen Feng patted his son's shoulder heavily, his smile genuine.

While the iron was hot, Chen Feng had Xiaoyue try it too.

The little girl was skillful, but she was only two years old. She wobbled as she held the bamboo pole, which was too long for her, and her little face puffed up slightly from the effort.

Chen Feng squatted down behind her, his broad palms almost completely covering his daughter's small hands, and together they held the bamboo pole.

"Xiaoyue, look, the float... yes, it's that little feather."

He whispered in his daughter's ear, his breath warm, "If it moves, it means a fish is coming."

Xiaoyue seemed to understand but not quite, but being held in her father's big hand made her feel safe and curious, her eyes fixed on the water.

Xiaoshan, the older brother standing beside her, also held his breath, watching nervously as his sister held the pole in her hand.

The river flows quietly.

Suddenly, the goose feather tube dipped down very slightly.

"Got it!"

Chen Feng keenly sensed it, but he did not act immediately. Instead, he held Xiaoyue's hand and felt the extremely subtle, tentative pull coming from the other end of the fishing line.

"Xiaoyue, can you feel it? It's touching you."