Reborn in 1981, the first to get rich start with dairy cows.

"Auntie, Uncle, Happy Chinese New Year!"

Shen Lan was pulled by Shen Weimin to sit down and drink brown sugar water, while Li Xiaoliang and several relatives gathered together and chatted.

"Dongzi, Happy New Year! Your aunt wishes you a prosperous year at your factory."

Shen Lan was whispering with Shen Weimin when they arrived at their home. She wanted to do some chores, but Shen Weimin pulled her down and wouldn't let her move. She was very happy to see Shen Dong coming over.

"Uncle, our family is getting a new baby this year! Have you prepared the red envelope yet?"

"It's all prepared. As the grandfather, I had to prepare in advance," Shen Weimin said with a smile.

Shen Dong knew immediately that he had misunderstood, but it was not Shen Weimin's fault. Shen Dong hadn't mentioned it when he came back last time, and Shen Lan hadn't written to inform them either, so there was a sudden information asymmetry.

I wasn't talking about my eldest sister.

"Who is that?" Shen Weimin was completely baffled. He thought hard about who else was in his family, but still couldn't figure it out.

"Far away, yet right before my eyes!"

Shen Weimin's eyes widened, then he growled in a low voice, "You brat, you're not even married yet, and you're already... you're already carrying a baby?! You'd better hurry up and get married, or you'll be showing soon."

Shen Dong was dumbfounded; he never expected Shen Weimin to interpret it that way.

Shen Lan's belly has obviously gotten bigger, can't he tell...? Well, okay, with that thick coat on, it's true that you can't tell.

He patted his head helplessly. "Oh dear, my dear uncle! I meant my aunt. She's four months pregnant!"

"What? Lanzi, you're pregnant?" Shen Weimin was so shocked that he took two steps back, his voice rising involuntarily.

Everyone in the courtyard heard his shout.

"Wow, congratulations! The family is expecting another baby!"

Congratulations!

Li Xiaoliang had only been there a short time when the news broke. In no time, his arm was numb from being slapped so much that he could only nod with a smile.

Soon, Liu Xiuying, who was cooking in the kitchen, also found out.

He hurriedly gave up his position as head chef and let Hu Aiping take over, rushing over in a panic.

"Lanzi, what's going on? How...how come she's pregnant? No...no..."

Seeing the crowd, Shen Lan quickly interrupted, "Oh, Mother, don't ask anymore. Just be the one holding your grandchildren then!"

Liu Xiuying immediately beamed with joy, repeatedly saying "okay," and then pulled Shen Lan into the kitchen, preparing for the group to whisper among themselves.

Tang Yue was tending the fire and couldn't leave, while Hu Aiping had been assigned to cook by her mother-in-law and couldn't leave either. Both of them wanted to go and hear the news, but they couldn't. Before long, they saw Liu Xiuying drag Shen Lan over, and they immediately started chatting.

When it was time to eat, the two tables at Shen Changping's place weren't enough, so Shen Dong and Li Yunfan moved tables from their home over.

There were many relatives and people today, so Shen Dong sat at the children's table.

He was happy to have some peace and quiet, otherwise he would have to drink with them, which he couldn't stand.

But before he could even take a few bites of food, the people at the next table started talking about him.

An aunt spoke up: "Dongwa has made something of himself now. He's even contracted a factory and become the factory manager. He's the most capable person in our Shen family."

The relatives next to them nodded in agreement, praising the gesture.

"I heard that there are quite a few people in the team working with Dongwa. I wonder if my older siblings could arrange something for me. I don't need much salary, thirty yuan would be fine."

Shen Min didn't dare to speak, but upon hearing this, she pursed her lips.

"Don't want more? Thirty isn't enough? You'll stuff yourself!"

Before he could finish speaking, other relatives began to exaggerate further.

"Of course it will work. Dongwa is the most obedient and talented in our family. His father is an educated youth sent to the countryside, an intellectual. If Dongwa learns from his father, he will definitely have a bright future."

"Yes, yes, yes! I've had my eye on him since he was a kid."

Shen Dong was so flattered that he blushed, but that's how rural people are. When they meet someone of high status, they'll fawn over them, but when they meet someone of low status, they're lucky if they don't kick them while they're down.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Shen Dong stood up and responded with a smile.

"Grandma, uncles, the dairy factory does have a hiring plan this year, but it's not entirely up to me."

Fearing they wouldn't believe him, he continued, "Now the factory has strict rules and regulations. All hiring practices are governed by rules. Those who meet the requirements can even get a raise every year and a bonus at the end of the year."

"And I can't force those who don't meet the requirements into the group, otherwise it will affect the group's performance, and many people will earn less. Then they will complain about me."

As soon as Shen Dong finished speaking, the others started chatting.

"Dongwa's business is contracted out. He has to give the profits to the commune, and the commune won't subsidize him if he loses money. He's under a lot of pressure, so it's normal for him to have many demands."

"Pshaw, I don't believe he doesn't have the final say. This is his factory now; if he wants to bring people in, what objections can anyone else have?"

"Dongzi looks down on us poor relatives."

"What nonsense are you women spouting? Don't you know what kind of person Dongzi is? Yet you're making things up. Take your son, for example. He can't even do farm work properly, and he wants to work in a factory? Is he up to the task?"

"Er Mazi, that's not a good thing to say. What happened to my son?"

"Alright, alright, stop arguing!"

Seeing that things were getting tense, everyone quickly tried to stop them.

"Er Mazi, you better explain yourself!"

Seeing that things were getting a bit out of hand, Shen Dong quickly spoke up: "Listen up, everyone. As long as the older brothers and sisters are capable enough, I'll definitely welcome them."

"It doesn't matter who we use, especially since they're family, right?"

After Shen Dong finished explaining, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and began to plan to arrange for their grandchildren and sons to come and try it out as soon as they got home, as it was much more promising than working in the fields.

After quickly finishing his meal, Shen Dong hurriedly made his escape.

He didn't want to become the target of public criticism.

He still had things to do in the afternoon. He needed to visit Wang Yuan, Yang Yujun, and Zhang Daikui from the commune, and Sha Zhenlin from the county to offer New Year's greetings.

First, he rode his bike to the county. Fortunately, Sha Zhenlin had told him the address beforehand and even told him to come to his house for a visit. Now it came in handy.

After buying some fruit and snacks, we arrived at Sha Zhenlin's house.

After sitting for a while, other people came to visit, and Shen Dong said goodbye.

After leaving Sha Zhenlin's house, he rushed to the commune without stopping.

By the time he left Yang Yujun's house, it was almost dark. Yang Yujun insisted that he finish his meal before leaving, so Shen Dong had no choice but to stay.

The two drank some wine, which brought them even closer.

We could only visit Wang Yuan and Zhang Daikui's house the next day.

After visiting several leaders' homes on the third day of the Lunar New Year, the New Year was almost over.

Shen Lan stayed at home for two days and left early on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Shen Dong was very reluctant to see her go.

The festive atmosphere dissipated quickly. As Tang Yue started pulling out tree branches and angrily yelled at Shen Xing to finish his homework, the New Year finally came to an end.

The dairy factory officially started operations on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.