Reborn in 2005, starting with repairing mobile phones

"Ah Dong."

Li Xiuzhen's voice came from behind.

Lin Dong turned around.

Li Xiuzhen stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking at him.

"Okay, you can stay wherever you want." She paused, "but we have to have dinner together tonight."

The tone wasn't one of discussion; it was one of notification.

Lin Dong looked at her face.

I knew I couldn't go against her wishes.

He smiled.

"Okay, let's have dinner together later."

Li Xiuzhen curled her lips into a smug smile.

"You're smart to back down, kid."

Lin Dong took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Ah Hao, go to the market and buy some groceries. We'll eat here tonight."

Zheng Hao on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment.

"Brother Dong, what vegetables are you buying?"

Lin Dong glanced at Li Xiuzhen.

Li Xiuzhen had already come over.

"Buy a fish, some ribs, and some vegetables—oh, and see if they have any fresh shrimp; if so, buy some..."

Lin Dong handed her the phone.

"Tell him."

Li Xiuzhen took the phone and began to explain things one by one.

Zheng Hao responded with "Okay, okay" over there.

Lin Dong leaned against the gate of the courtyard, watching her mother make a phone call.

Lin Guodong walked up to him at some point and started looking at him too.

The two exchanged a glance.

Lin Guodong's lips twitched.

Lin Dong smiled too. His mother truly loved this place, all these years. She rarely smiled like this.

Those years, those debts, those sleepless nights.

It's finally over now.

He looked back.

Li Xiuzhen hung up the phone and shoved it back into his hand.

"You're smart to back down, kid."

She turned and went into the courtyard, where she began to wander around under the osmanthus tree, muttering to herself.

"This is a good spot; we can have tea here in the mornings. We can plant some scallions and garlic in that corner over there..."

Lin Guodong followed him in, stood to the side listening, and nodded occasionally.

Lin Dong leaned against the car door, watching them. This was the meaning of rebirth.

In his past life, he worked himself to the bone to make money, only to lose both his parents in the end. What's the use of money? What's the use of money?

This life is different.

Mom stood under the osmanthus tree, pondering where to put a rattan chair. Dad followed behind, listening to her rambling, occasionally nodding in agreement.

They are here, alive, well, healthy, and happy.

That's the meaning of making money.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly.

The moving company's truck has arrived.

Several workers moved quickly and efficiently, carrying the items into the house one by one. Li Xiuzhen directed them from the side, putting this here and that there, keeping herself very busy.

Lin Dong also lent a hand.

When Zheng Hao returned carrying several large bags of groceries, the house was almost completely cleaned up.

Li Xiuzhen took the dishes and glanced at Zheng Hao.

"Xiao Hao, stay for dinner tonight."

Zheng Hao paused for a moment and looked at Lin Dong.

"Auntie, no need, I'll just pick Dong-ge up and take him home later—"

"No need for anything," Li Xiuzhen interrupted him. "You've worked hard too, always running around with Adong. What would you like to eat for today's meal? Auntie will cook it for you."

Zheng Hao opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Does his aunt cook for him?

He stood there, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet. He was a little happy, but also a little lost.

He looked at Lin Dong.

Lin Dong walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Let's eat together."

Zheng Hao looked at him.

Dong Ge spoke up.

He hadn't thought much of it. Driving for Brother Dong and running errands was just what he was supposed to do. Uncle Cai was managing so many things now, but he didn't feel anything was wrong with it. But when Auntie's words hit him just now, his heart still stirred.

Now Dong Ge has also spoken.

Those things I hadn't thought about or cared about seem to have all vanished in an instant.

Lin Dong didn't say much, just two words. Ah Hao had been with him the longest, from the past to the present. They were brothers.

Zheng Hao nodded.

"it is good."

The meal is ready.

Four dishes and a soup were laid out on the table. Li Xiuzhen had been busy all afternoon, her face was a little sweaty, but she never stopped smiling.

Zheng Hao sat next to Lin Dong, holding his chopsticks a little awkwardly.

Li Xiuzhen picked up a piece of food for him.

"Xiao Hao, eat more. You're so thin, you obviously haven't been eating properly."

Zheng Hao looked down at the piece of meat in the bowl and paused for a moment.

"...Thank you, Auntie."

Lin Guodong glanced at him from the side.

"Young man, when you're out and about, your health is your most valuable asset."

Zheng Hao nodded.

"Uncle, I know."

Lin Dong didn't say anything, picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, and put it in his mouth. It's good.

After finishing his meal, Zheng Hao put down his chopsticks first.

"Uncle, Auntie, please take your time eating. I'll go wait in the car."

Li Xiuzhen was stunned for a moment.

"Are you full already? Have some more."

Zheng Hao waved his hand.

"No, this will help with digestion."

He went out.

Li Xiuzhen watched the door close, then turned to look at Lin Dong.

"Ah Dong, your brother isn't much of a talker, but he's a true man."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Um."

Li Xiuzhen paused.

You'd better treat them well.

Lin Dong looked at them.

"Don't worry, Mom, I know what I'm doing."

He put down his chopsticks.

"It's getting late, I should head back to the company."

Li Xiuzhen stood up.

"So urgent?"

Lin Dong nodded.

"There's still something to do over there."

Li Xiuzhen opened her mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was almost eight o'clock.

"Then... drive carefully."

Lin Dong paused.

"If you need anything, just give me a call. Or... how about letting Ah-Hao stay here with you for a few days to get familiar with the place?"

Li Xiuzhen waved her hand.

"No need, no need, we're not unable to walk. We can explore on our own."

Lin Guodong nodded as well.

"Go about your business."

Lin Dong stood up.

Li Xiuzhen also stood up and straightened his collar. She had been doing this for over a decade, from when Lin Dong was a child going to school until now, when he was a head taller than her.

"Adong, Mom won't say much. Take good care of yourself. Eat on time and don't stay up late."

Lin Dong nodded.

"Know."

Li Xiuzhen's hand paused on his collar for a moment, then she let go.

Lin Guodong also stood up.

He walked up to Lin Dong and looked at him.

The father and son stood there, neither of them saying a word.

A few seconds later, Lin Guodong reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, we're here."

Lin Dong looked at him.

Lin Guodong paused.

"And your brothers—those guys at the company. Treat them well."

"The people who are willing to work with you are those who have staked their lives on you. Don't let them down."

Lin Dong looked at him. Dad never really talked about these things.

He nodded.

"Dad, I know."

Lin Guodong didn't say anything more, but just patted him on the shoulder again.

Li Xiuzhen watched from the side, her eyes a little red.

"Alright, alright, let the child go. There will be a lot of cars on the road later."

She nudged Lin Dong, but placed her hand on his arm and didn't push hard.

Lin Dong looked at the two of them.

Li Xiuzhen smiled broadly, and Lin Guodong stood beside her without saying a word, but the corners of his mouth were curved.

He opened the door and went out.

Zheng Hao had already driven the car to the gate of the courtyard.

Lin Dong got into the car and closed the door.

The car window rolled down.

"Mom, Dad, I'm leaving."

Li Xiuzhen waved.

"Drive carefully."

Lin Guodong nodded.

The car slowly drove out of the yard.

In the rearview mirror, the two men were still standing at the gate, watching him.

It gets farther and farther away, and smaller and smaller.

Lin Dong looked away. His parents were settled.

From being in debt to paying it off, from Shantou to Shenzhen. Today, a small wish has been fulfilled.