Reborn in 1985, starting from the mountains of Northwest China

Although the two children didn't get to eat the candy right away, they were still overjoyed to have their father's permission and followed him around happily.

The two chattered on and on, asking if there would really be meat for dinner and what the white flour steamed buns tasted like.

As they were talking, the curtain to the kitchen was lifted.

Lin Xiu was wearing an apron, and her hands were still covered in flour, so she was obviously busy cooking.

She was taken aback when she saw the lively scene in the courtyard.

"You're back?"

Lin shifted his gaze from the things scattered on the ground to Chen Feng, "Brother Feng, how are you today?"

She walked over, her voice soft, like a kitten's paw scratching at Chen Feng's heart.

Chen Feng stood up, dusted off his hands, and met her gaze: "Yes, everything's taken care of. The debts have been paid off, and everything that needed to be bought has been purchased."

His tone was calm, and every word he spoke landed steadily in Lin Xiu's ears.

Unlike his previous boastful words, which were frivolous, and unlike his resentment when he was down on his luck, this was just an ordinary sentence, yet it conveyed a sense of reassurance and sincerity.

This was exactly the look Lin Xiu had longed for, yet dared not think about it too much.

"It's cold outside, let's come inside and let your dad catch his breath."

Lin Xiu spoke softly, bending down to pick up the chicken coop on the ground.

Chen Feng, however, was one step ahead of her, grabbing the chicken coop and meat first.

"I'll do it. You take the bag of flour and the cloth," Chen Feng said, handing her the lighter one.

Lin Xiu nodded, stopped arguing, and led the two children toward the main room.

After settling everything in, Chen Feng looked up at the sky.

It's still early, not yet time for dinner.

"Xiuer, I'll go return the borrowed chicken first."

He weighed the plump hen he had specially chosen in his hand. "I'll feel at ease if I pay it back sooner."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiu paused in her actions: "Go now? It's getting dark..."

"It's not too late, it's just over at the other end of the village, a few steps away."

Chen Feng smiled and said, "I feel a little relieved to have returned the chicken. The Wang family has had a tough time too."

Seeing her husband's methodical arrangements, Lin Xiu's initial unease subsided.

He really is different now.

"Then... come back soon," Lin Xiu whispered.

"Okay, I got it."

Chen Feng agreed, picked up the hen, and turned to leave the courtyard.

The process of returning the chicken went smoothly.

When Old Butcher Wang saw the hen that had been returned, which was even more vigorous and plump than his original one, his dark face broke into a wide smile, and he repeatedly praised Chen Feng for his thoughtfulness.

After returning the chicken, Chen Feng felt a sense of relief on his shoulders.

He carried the empty chicken coop, walking slowly home towards the setting sun.

As he approached the gate of his own yard, he saw two figures standing there in the distance, peering into his yard.

Chen Feng slowed his pace and narrowed his eyes.

It's Zhao Guofu and Zhao Ergou.

Why are they here again? And at this time of year?

Judging from their posture, they didn't seem to have just arrived; it looked like they had been waiting for a while.

Chen Feng's mind raced, but his face remained impassive as he continued walking forward.

The two people at the courtyard gate turned around at the sound of footsteps.

Zhao Guofu put on his usual warm smile again, while Zhao Ergou pursed his lips, his eyes filled with impatience and a hint of barely perceptible gloom.

"Hey, Feng, where have you been busy all this time? Just got back?"

Zhao Guofu spoke first, his gaze sweeping over the empty chicken coop in Chen Feng's hand, then looking at the old coop with chicks in his other hand, his eyes flickering.

"Brother Guofu, Brother Ergou."

Chen Feng stopped at the courtyard gate, not opening it immediately. "I returned Uncle Wang's chicken. You guys... need something?"

His tone was calm, but it carried a clear sense of distance, and he made no attempt to invite them into the house.

Zhao Guofu's smile faded slightly: "It's still about that matter. Feng, I spent the whole afternoon thinking about it, and the more I think about it, the more I feel that those conditions were really unfair to you. We're from the same village, blood is thicker than water, how can we do things like that?"

He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and adopted a sincere tone: "Look, the watch is still yours, and the money... we'll add another thirty! One hundred and eighty! Feng, this is truly the highest amount I can get for you out of consideration for our fellow villagers! You keep that wasteland; how much can you possibly earn in a year? One hundred and eighty is enough for your family to live comfortably for two years!"

Zhao Ergou stood to the side with his arms crossed, glancing sideways at Chen Feng, snorting under his nose without saying a word.

Chen Feng sneered inwardly.

Add thirty?

Isn't it because he paid off his debts and bought some things today, making him seem more financially secure? They're afraid he'll feel more confident not to sell the land, so they're trying to use this "sweetness" to force the issue.

"Brother Guofu," Chen Feng sighed, a perfectly measured look of unease on his face.

"It's really not about the money. I told you that day that the land was inherited from our ancestors, and my father is currently ill. If I just sell it like this, wouldn't he be furious if he found out?"

Chen Feng continued sincerely, "I cannot bear the reputation of being unfilial."

He brought out his elderly father, leaving Zhao Guofu speechless for a moment.

Zhao Ergou couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward, glaring at Chen Feng, "Chen Feng, stop using your father as an excuse! Go out and ask around, whose barren hillside is worth this price? Don't be so stubborn!"

"Ergou!" Zhao Guofu shouted at his son again, his face darkening completely.

He stared at Chen Feng, his eyes no longer showing the feigned warmth they had before, but only a subtle threat.

"Feng, I'll get straight to the point. Keeping that land might not be a blessing. These days, it's not easy to farm peacefully. Think it over carefully, and come find me anytime you've made up your mind."

After saying that, he gave Chen Feng a deep look, and without waiting for Chen Feng's reply, he grabbed Zhao Ergou, who was full of resentment, and turned to leave.

The two figures quickly disappeared into the dimly lit village road, leaving behind a chilling silhouette.

Chen Feng stood at the courtyard gate, watching the direction they left in, his eyes slightly cold.

He knew that the Zhao brothers would not let this go so easily.

If the soft approach doesn't work, then we'll probably have to resort to the hard one.

He needs to make plans early.

He withdrew his gaze and pushed open the gate to his own courtyard.

The kitchen was filled with the sounds of spatulas clattering and the aroma of stewed meat growing stronger.

Xiaoshan and Xiaoyue ran out of the main room, their faces full of anticipation: "Dad! The meat's almost ready! Mom wants you to wash your hands and eat!"

Chen Feng's gaze softened.

"Okay, coming right away."

He agreed, closed the courtyard gate, and temporarily shut out the disturbances.

At this moment, nothing is more important than the lamp in the house, the pot of meat, and his family waiting for him to eat.

As for the Zhao family...

there is always a solution to a problem.

He'll come up with a good way to deal with these people!

In this life, he will never let anyone take away what belongs to him and his family.