Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

Lu Dan pulled out two oranges from somewhere and handed them to Xiao Shan and Xiao Yue, then grabbed a handful of peanuts and stuffed them into Lin Xiu's hand.

"Eat more, you've lost weight!"

Xiaoshan's mouth was stuffed full, like a hamster with its cheeks puffed out.

As they were eating, the curtain in the inner room was lifted, and a boy of about half a year old emerged from inside.

With a chubby face and wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket, he was looking at the group of people curiously.

Lin Hu is the son of Lu Dan and Lin Qingfeng, and is a year younger than Xiao Shan.

Chen Feng hasn't come for two years. Kids forget things easily; he probably doesn't even recognize me anymore.

He still remembered Lin Xiu; she was like a half-sister to him.

But Lin Hu was truly unfamiliar with the large adult and two small children in front of him.

Lin Xiuchong beckoned to him: "Tiger, come here and get to know your niece and nephew."

Lin Hu walked over slowly and stood next to Lu Dan without saying a word.

Xiao Shan, however, was quite generous. With a pear in his mouth, he mumbled, "Uncle."

Lin Hu was stunned for a moment, then his face turned red.

He is only six years old this year, a year younger than Xiaoshan. It was the first time he had been called "little uncle," and he didn't know how to respond.

Xiaoyue peeked out from behind Lin Xiu's legs, looked at her uncle who was about the same height as her, and blinked.

"How old are you?" Xiaoyue asked.

Lin Hu stiffened his neck: "Six years old."

Xiaoyue said, "I'm three years old."

Lin Hu said "Oh," and didn't know what to say next.

Lu Dan laughed and gave him a push: "What are you standing there for? Take your niece and nephew to play."

Lin Hu finally moved, walked up to Xiao Shan, and after hesitating for a while, finally managed to say, "Have you finished eating? If you're done, I'll take you to the backyard to see the dogs."

Xiaoshan's eyes lit up: "A dog?"

"Yes, it was from Dahuang, three puppies, only a month old."

Xiaoshan jumped up and grabbed Xiaoyue: "Let's go see the dogs."

The three children ran out in a swarm.

The room suddenly became quiet.

The people inside the house exchanged smiles as they watched the children having fun.

Just as everyone was having a good time, a man and a woman suddenly blocked the doorway.

The man was Lin Xiu's older brother, Lin Bei, who was in his early thirties. He was wearing a worn-out cotton-padded jacket, with his hands in his pockets and his neck hunched over.

The woman following behind was his wife, Lu Fang, who was wearing a floral headscarf and whose eyes were darting around, glancing at what Chen Feng was carrying.

It is said that one should marry a virtuous wife.

Lu Dan originally thought that her eldest son was cunning and treacherous, so she needed to find a girl she knew well to keep him in check.

She asked several people to help her find a husband, but the scoundrel either complained about their looks or their poverty.

Who knew that when her distant cousin Lu Fang came to pay her New Year's visit that year, she and Lin Bei somehow hit it off.

Lu Fang is quite pretty, with fair skin and expressive eyes.

But Lu Dan had known her cousin's temperament since she was a child.

Lu Fang is also easily swayed and has a loose hand; she can't resist buying good things.

She tried to stop him and persuade him, but Lin Bei was as stubborn as a mule, determined to marry no one but her.

"Mother, please let me marry him. I promise I'll live a good life from now on."

Lu Dan couldn't refuse, and eventually the marriage took place.

The first two years after the marriage were fine; Lu Fang had just entered the family and knew how to behave herself.

Later, his true nature was revealed.

When she came home, not to mention big items, she searched through her house for everything she could, including eggs, flour, and cloth.

Lu Dan had said it several times, and Lu Fang would agree to it in person, but would then complain to Lin Bei.

Lin Bei was very protective of his wife, and the couple were of one mind, so Lu Dan didn't bother to interfere anymore.

Later, Lu Dan remarried into the Lin family, and Lin Bei separated from the family and lived separately. Lu Fang came to visit even more frequently.

They always come during holidays and festivals, and even when they have nothing to do, they never leave empty-handed.

She stood at the doorway, her eyes never leaving the pile of things on the table.

The pastries, wrapped in oil paper and covered with red paper, clearly indicate that they were good products purchased from the supply and marketing cooperative.

The liquor is bottled, not the kind used in casual fights.

Looking at everything before her, Lu Fang quickly made plans in her mind.

Send a packet of pastries to my mother's family and keep one for myself; give the wine to Lin Bei's father.

Of course it wasn't Lin Qingfeng, but her own father; the old man had a thing for that.

And those oranges, when did she and Lin Bei see them? That old hag must have hidden them all. She'll take them back with her later.

It's a waste to feed these people.

Lu Fang thought to herself, then put on a smile, nudged Lin Bei, and whispered, "What are you standing there for? Go inside."

Lin Bei then stepped over the threshold, greeting him warmly, "Oh, Xiu'er's back? Brother-in-law's back too? These are truly rare guests!"

Lu Fang followed behind, glancing at the table while chattering, "Oh my, Xiu'er looks so good these past two years. Your husband must be very attentive, right? Look at what she's wearing and carrying; she's much better off than us farmers who toil in the fields."

Lin Xiu responded calmly, "Sister-in-law."

Chen Feng stood up and nodded: "Big brother, sister-in-law."

Lu Fang leaned forward and reached out to touch the bag of pastries: "These pastries look really good. Did you buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative? They must have cost a lot!"

Chen Feng moved aside, preventing her from touching the snacks.

Lu Fang's hand hovered in mid-air, then she awkwardly withdrew it, a smile still on her face: "Brother-in-law, what are you doing? We're all family, can't I even take a look?"

Lin Qingfeng took a drag of his cigarette, without looking up: "Sit down, what are you standing for?"

Lin Bei and his wife sat down.

Lu Fang's eyes began to wander again, this time fixing on the peanuts that Lu Dan had just given to Lin Xiu.

"Oh, Mom, these peanuts smell so good! They're much better than mine."

She reached out and grabbed a handful, cracking them open. "Mom, do you have any more peanuts? Get me some later, Lin Bei loves them."

Lu Dan did not respond.

Lu Fang wasn't embarrassed at all. She continued peeling peanuts while glancing at Lin Xiu.

"Xiuer, is this cotton-padded jacket new? The fabric is so nice, where did you get it?"

Lin Xiu looked down at her cotton-padded coat. It was made last year and had been washed several times; it was nowhere near new.

"Last year's."

"Last year's? Wow, you really know how to manage your money."

Lu Fang clicked her tongue twice, "Unlike me, I make a piece of clothing and wear it for several years, until it's all faded from washing."

As she spoke, she tugged at her floral cotton-padded jacket. It was indeed old, but clean and tidy; there was no sign of it turning white.

Lin Xiu didn't respond.

Lu Fang wasn't discouraged and changed the subject: "Xiuer, I heard your brother-in-law has earned quite a bit these past two years? The wages must be high, right?"

Lin Xiu frowned slightly: "It's alright, enough to get by."

"Enough to make ends meet?"

Lu Fang's eyes lit up. "That means you're making money! Look at you two, with two children, you're still managing to save money. That's really not easy."

She leaned forward, lowered her voice, and spoke in a heartfelt tone: "Xiuer, your brother and I have been suffering so much..."

Before Lu Fang even opened her mouth, Chen Feng already knew what she was going to vomit.

It's just that these past years have been tough, and we've had to make ends meet, so we need your help.

He had heard this phrase countless times in the past few years, and it always ended up either borrowing money or borrowing money.

In his past life, he was easily swayed and didn't know the value of money when he wasn't in charge of the household. When he saw Lu Fang's pitiful eyes, he forced Lu Fang to put pressure on his wife.