Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

He weighed the chicken coop and basket in his hands, then, without further delay, hurried toward the mule cart.

The mule cart creaked and groaned its way back. Unlike when it came, Chen Feng's hands were full of things on the way back.

The chickens in the cage beside him were clucking, the chicks in the basket were making soft noises, the thick oil paper package was filled with the aroma of meat, the brand new cloth was at the bottom, and he was also carrying a bag of precious refined white flour and a small bag of sugar in his arms.

Despite having a lot of things, he felt an unprecedented sense of ease and peace of mind.

Several villagers on the bus couldn't help but glance in his direction.

When we boarded the bus at the market entrance, we were all quite surprised to see Chen Feng carrying so many things.

Now that they've settled in, the conversation has picked up again.

"Chen Feng, you've certainly bought a lot this time!"

The talkative Aunt Sun from earlier in the car glanced at the chicken coop and basket at Chen Feng's feet and clicked her tongue twice.

"Chicken, meat, and this cloth... wow, fine cotton! Life is really getting better all of a sudden!"

Chen Feng smiled but didn't reply. He simply moved the cage containing the chickens closer to his feet, afraid that the fluttering chickens would dirty other people's things.

Wang Dahe sat opposite him, his eyes lingering on the piece of hind leg meat and the fabric with a complex expression.

He said sourly, "Third brother, what kind of fortune did you make? You bought so much on just one trip. Did you empty your savings? You should live frugally."

Chen Feng raised his eyes and said calmly, "I don't have much money. I was just lucky and found some rare mountain products, which I exchanged for a few coins. I have to pay back the debts I owe, and I also need to provide for the elderly and children at home. We can't keep suffering like this."

He spoke frankly and without showing off.

The old man next to him nodded: "That makes sense! What's owed must be repaid, and what's owed must be eaten."

Old Zhao, who was driving the cart, turned around from the front, a pipe dangling from his mouth.

He smiled sheepishly: "I think he's finally come to his senses. He knows how to care for the people in the house now, that's better than anything else."

Aunt Sun changed the subject: "Exactly! Look how lively these chickens are, the rooster's comb is so red! The hen looks like it'll lay eggs. And this meat, the hind leg meat, it's really good! We need to nourish the family, your daughter-in-law Xiuer looks so thin."

Mentioning Lin Xiu, Chen Feng's heart stirred, and his expression softened: "Yes, she's had a tough time."

The conversation gradually turned to everyday matters: how was everyone's harvest this year? Who was getting their daughter married off? Who was inquiring about selling piglets?

Chen Feng occasionally responded, but most of the time he just listened, his eyes looking out of the car.

The fields were covered with a thin layer of snow, which shimmered in the afternoon sun.

He recalled his previous life, when he was living in a daze, his family was so poor they couldn't even afford to eat, and Lin Xiu stood at the village entrance with her child, waiting for him, her eyes filled with endless despair.

At that time, he always felt that the whole world owed him something, and other people's gazes were like needles pricking him.

Now, when faced with those gazes that are filled with envy, curiosity, or bitterness, he feels unusually calm.

God gave him a second chance, and he wants to give his family a better life.

The mule cart swayed and rattled into the village.

The car stopped under the old locust tree, and everyone got out.

As Chen Feng got off the bus carrying his heavy, living belongings, he attracted the attention of several villagers who were chatting under the trees.

"You're back? Wow, you bought so much!"

"This chicken is great! Where did you catch it?"

"This kid is different now!"

Chen Feng greeted everyone with a smile, then, without lingering, carried his things straight home.

Before I even reached my doorstep, I saw my two children, Xiaoshan and Xiaoyue, squatting in the yard playing with a rabbit.

Upon seeing Chen Feng, the two dropped the rabbit and rushed straight towards him.

"Dad, you're back!"

"Dad, you're back!"

Xiao Shan was at the very front, his short legs moving quickly, his bright eyes fixed on the chicken coop and basket that Chen Feng was carrying.

Xiaoyue followed closely behind, her braids swinging back and forth, and called out in a clear, crisp voice, "Dad!"

Chen Feng felt a warmth in his heart. He quickened his pace, carefully placed the things in his hands in the yard, and squatted down with his arms outstretched.

The two children rushed into his arms like cannonballs, bringing with them the crisp winter chill and the warm, unique scent of soapberry.

"Hey, you're back."

Chen Feng hugged the two children and patted their little heads with his big hand.

Xiao Shan wriggled out of his father's arms and eagerly reached for the old bamboo cage with its lid on: "Dad, what's in here? It's making a gurgling sound!"

Xiaoyue also curiously leaned over, but was a little scared, and only dared to crane her neck to look.

Chen Feng smiled and lifted a corner of the cage lid.

Two large hens and a large red-crested rooster huddled together. Suddenly exposed to the light, they flapped their wings and crowed even louder.

The chicks in the basket next to them chirped softly in agreement.

Wow! Chickens! So many chickens!

Xiaoshan cried out excitedly, reaching out to touch them, but then withdrew his hand for fear of being pecked, his eyes glued to the animals.

"Dad, is this our chicken?" Xiaoyue asked, looking up at her.

"Yes, ours."

Chen Feng nodded affirmatively, pointing to the fattest hen.

"This is just to return it to Grandpa Wang."

He then pointed to another one.

"These are just eggs we keep for our family to lay. From now on, Xiaoyue and Xiaoshan can collect eggs to eat every day."

The two children didn't quite understand, but hearing words like "laying eggs" and "collecting eggs" was enough to make them happy all day.

Chen Feng then unwrapped the oil paper package, revealing the glistening hind leg meat and a large piece of fat inside.

"Meat!" Xiaoshan's eyes widened even more, and he swallowed hard.

"Yes, meat. I'll have Mom stew some meat for us tonight," Chen Feng said, carefully making sure the oil didn't get on the cloth, as he pulled out a few feet of navy blue work cloth and a plain blue cotton cloth.

The fabric was brand new and looked especially beautiful in the sunlight.

Xiaoyue stretched out her little hand and carefully touched the fine cotton cloth. The soft touch made her exclaim "Ah!" and she quickly withdrew her hand, as if afraid of damaging it.

"This fabric is soft, make a new dress for your mother." Chen Feng felt a mix of tenderness and bitterness as he watched his daughter's little gesture. "With the remaining scraps, we can make a little jacket for you and Xiaoshan as well."

Xiaoyue smiled shyly, her lips pursed, but her eyes sparkled.

Finally, Chen Feng took out the flour bag wrapped tightly in brown paper and the small triangular candy packet from his pocket.

"This is wheat flour, refined wheat flour. It smells wonderful when used to steam buns or roll noodles."

He weighed the flour bag in his hand, then shook the sugar packet; a soft rustling sound came from inside. "This... is sugar."

"Candy?" the two children exclaimed in unison, their voices rising slightly.

For these two children, eating candy is not an easy thing; sometimes they might not get to eat it even once a year!

"Mmm, candy."

He softened his voice, a hint of seriousness in it, "However, we must prioritize the elderly. Grandpa and Grandma have worked hard their whole lives; they deserve a treat. And your mother, she's had a tough time managing this family."

"The rest are for you. But don't be greedy, one a day at most, and rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward, understand?"

"Got it!"

Xiaoshan immediately made a loud promise, and Xiaoyue nodded vigorously, but her eyes were still fixed on the triangular candy packet, as if she could smell the sweet aroma inside through the rough yellow paper.

Chen Feng couldn't help but laugh at their greedy yet obedient looks, and patted their heads: "Alright, let's go inside first. Your mother will share later."