Reborn in 1982, the prodigal son returns

When Lin Nuo carried the mahjong set into her uncle's main room, they were already drinking.

Lin Weiguo and Lin Weidong sat in the main seats, while Lin Ming sat next to Lin Weidong, holding a wine cup and talking. On the table were braised pork knuckle, braised pork belly, scrambled eggs, peanuts, and a can of fruit, which was opened and poured into a large bowl.

The pork knuckle skin was glistening with oil, gleaming under the light; the braised pork was so tender that it trembled at the slightest touch of chopsticks.

My older brother didn't come; my sister-in-law went back to her parents' house again today as she was on duty.

Lin Weidong saw Lin Nuo and waved:

"Nuozi, come and sit down."

Lin Nuo placed the mahjong tiles on the cabinet and sat down next to Lin Weiguo. Yao Jingjing sat next to Lin Ming, wearing a dark red sweater, her hair still styled in large waves, and the red on her lips was lighter than during the day.

When Lin Nuo sat down, she felt the woman's gaze linger on her for a moment before quickly shifting away. Lin Nuo didn't pay much attention and picked up the teacup in front of her to take a sip.

After a few rounds of drinks, Lin Weiguo picked up a piece of pork knuckle skin with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth and chewed it. He then began to speak:

"Mingzi, what exactly have you been doing in the south? You haven't come back for so many years."

Lin Ming put down his wine cup, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and smiled confidently:

"Uncle, I didn't do anything special, I just started my own company."

These days, this is a rare phrase. Being able to start a company is like being a big boss; your ancestors' graves must be emitting auspicious smoke.

A moment of silence fell over the room upon hearing this. Lin Weidong's hand, holding the wine cup, paused in mid-air. He glanced at his son but said nothing more. Lin Weiguo's chewing also slowed.

"A company? How much would that cost?"

Lin Ming waved his hand dismissively:

"It doesn't cost much money. The key is vision and courage. The South is different from here; there are more opportunities. As long as you dare to do it, money is everywhere."

The more they say this, the more attention they attract.

As Lin Ming spoke, he picked up a peanut and popped it into his mouth:

"When I first went there two years ago, I only had a few dozen yuan on me. Later, I traded a batch of electronic watches with a friend. We bought them from the south and sold them in the north. We made five or six hundred yuan in one transaction."

Upon hearing this profit, Lin Weiguo's eyes lit up, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his voice:

"From tens of dollars to five or six hundred?"

Lin Weiguo was still thinking about making more money, since his third son was still single.

The house also needs to be rebuilt.

"Uncle, this is not much."

Lin Ming picked up the wine cup, took a sip, and glanced around the table:

"I know someone who traded cassette tapes and made over two thousand in three months. Making money there is like picking up trash."

Lin Weiguo swallowed hard, leaned closer, and lowered his voice:

"Akiko, is there still such an opportunity now?"

Dad was clearly tempted.

Lin Nuo's hand slowed slightly as he picked up some food. "Ten yuan becomes hundreds, over two thousand in three months, money everywhere." Why does this sound so familiar? Those pyramid scheme operators in my past life used the same phrases when recruiting people.

When the third brother persuaded his father to raise rabbits, it was the same old trick: "300 yuan every six months" and "guaranteed purchase by the supply and marketing cooperative."

He didn't reply, but instead took a bite of rice and glanced at Lin Weiguo out of the corner of his eye. When money was mentioned, Lin Weiguo's eyes lit up like lamps. How come his own father had no resistance to this kind of thing?

Lin Nuo sighed inwardly. Perhaps her father didn't believe these words, but rather the person who said them.

Lin Ming smiled, didn't answer directly, and raised his wine cup towards Lin Weiguo:

"Uncle, there will be plenty of opportunities. Once I'm settled here, I'll definitely think of my family first if a good opportunity comes up."

Then, changing the subject, she turned her gaze to Lin Nuo:

"What are Nuozi and Jiangzi doing at home right now?"

Lin Weiguo took over the conversation, his tone tinged with disappointment:

"They just toil in the fields for a living, they're not going to amount to much. Your son has been learning to hunt recently, but he doesn't earn much either."

Lin Nuo smiled but didn't explain. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and thought to himself: Dad's at it again, belittling his own son in front of outsiders.

But my uncle was the same.

Lin Nuo thought that he didn't need to explain anything to Lin Ming.

After finishing the meal, Lin Weidong cleared the table and set out the mahjong set.

The four of them sat down and played a few rounds. Lin Nuo didn't want to play, but Lin Weiguo said, "The whole family should sit together," so he couldn't refuse.

Yao Jingjing sat next to Lin Ming, watching the cards, glancing at Lin Nuo every now and then. Lin Nuo noticed, but pretended not to notice, drawing and playing cards without any outward reaction.

However, she became wary. What kind of sister-in-law comes to the door to keep an eye on her brother-in-law? Something was wrong with this woman.

After playing a few rounds, Lin Ming chatted as he drew cards. He was clever in his speech, not directly urging people to invest, but instead using stories to stir things up:

"Last year, I had a friend who was a clothing wholesaler. He didn't have much capital at the beginning, starting with just 200 yuan. He was bold and imported a batch of jeans from Hong Kong and brought them to our area to sell. He bought them for 8 yuan each and sold them for 25 yuan each. He sold several hundred pairs in one summer."

He paused, then sent out a 50,000 yuan note:

"Later we asked him, 'How dare you do this deal?' He said, 'What's there to be afraid of? At most I'll lose two hundred dollars. What if it works out?'"

Lin Nuo's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this just the same old rhetoric about raising Angora rabbits in a different guise? First, they painted a rosy picture, then gave an example of "low cost and high return," and finally used "what if it succeeds" to dispel any concerns.

It's the same old routine.

However, he is more skillful than Lin Jian.

He remained expressionless and played a useless card from his hand.

Lin Weiguo listened intently, forgetting to play his own cards. He held a two of dots in mid-air, his eyes following Lin Ming's hand.

"Is he still doing it now?"

"It's become big."

Lin Ming smiled:

"I opened two shops and hired several people. Uncle, these days, the bold get rich, and the timid starve."

Then the conversation shifted to other topics, and the topic of investment was no longer mentioned.

Lin Weiguo's chopsticks stopped in mid-air, his gaze following Lin Ming's hand for a couple of seconds. He wanted to ask more questions but didn't dare to speak, so he picked up his wine glass and took a swig.

Lin Nuo observed everything, first telling stories and making grand promises, then ending the conversation once someone was interested, waiting for them to speak up. He glanced at Lin Weidong; his uncle hadn't said much.

He was also somewhat absent-minded.

The four men, each with their own thoughts, played mahjong.

The mahjong game went on until almost nine o'clock. Lin Weidong yawned and said it was about time. Everyone dispersed, and Lin Ming stood up and said to Yao Jingjing:

"Bring me what I bought."

Yao Jingjing took a red tin box out of the trunk, with traditional Chinese characters printed on it. Lin Ming handed it to Lin Nuo.

"Nuozi, these are pineapple cakes, a pastry from the south. I brought them back for you to try."

Lin Nuo gave it a push:

"Ming-ge, no need, you guys keep it for yourselves."

Lin Weidong chimed in from the side:

"We're family, this is from your brother Mingzi, just take it."

Lin Nuo had no choice but to accept it.

Just then, Yao Jingjing reached out, as if to help Lin Nuo steady the tin box. Her fingers brushed against the back of Lin Nuo's hand almost unintentionally.

Lin Nuo's hand felt like it had been burned, and he instinctively pulled it back, almost dropping the metal box from his grasp.

"Can't even hold onto something."

Lin Weiguo shouted, but he didn't see Yao Jingjing's actions.

Yao Jingjing had already withdrawn her hand, her face expressionless. She turned around to tidy up the mahjong tiles on the table, as if nothing had happened.

Lin Weidong said from the side:

"Nuozi, go home and rest early. You've had a long and tiring day."

Before Lin Weiguo could say anything more, Lin Nuo had already stood up:

"Oh, Grandpa, Dad, I'm going back now."

He didn't look at Yao Jingjing, and quickly walked out while holding the tin box. When he got to the courtyard, the night wind felt cool on his face, and his palms were sweaty.

Lin Nuo walked along the village road, clutching the tin box to his chest. He thought about his father's personality—easily influenced and easily swayed. Back then, he'd been persuaded to raise rabbits by someone. This time, he'd have to keep a close eye on things.

And Yao Jingjing.

This woman is definitely not proper.

He was 100% certain.

When he reached his doorstep, he took a deep breath and pushed open the gate.

Zhao Xiuying was still awake, sitting in the room sewing shoe soles. Hearing the noise, she poked her head out:

"Why are you back so early?"

Lin Nuo placed the tin box on the stove:

"Mingzi gave it to me. Mom, go to sleep early."

Zhao Xiuying glanced at the iron box, but didn't ask any more questions, and then lowered her head to sew the shoe soles again.

When Lin Nuo entered the east room, Su Wanqing was lying in bed reading. She looked up, noticed Lin Nuo's expression was off, put down her book, and asked softly:

"What's wrong?"

Lin Nuo took off his cotton-padded coat, lay down next to her, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:

"Some of the things Mingzi said at the dinner table today didn't seem right."

Su Wanqing looked at him:

"What is it?"

"He said he opened a company in the south, and that you can make hundreds of dollars from just a few dozen dollars, and that money is everywhere."

Lin Nuo paused:

"That sounds familiar. It's similar to what the third brother said when he persuaded Dad to raise rabbits. Something about 300 yuan every six months, with the supply and marketing cooperative guaranteeing to buy them. And what happened?"

He didn't continue, but Su Wanqing already understood.

Lin Nuo was silent for a moment, then spoke again:

"And... my brother brought back a woman, her name is Yao Jingjing."

Su Wanqing paused for a moment, staring at him.

Lin Nuo carefully considered his words, lowering his voice:

"That woman is indecent. When she handed me something just now, she touched my hand. Like this."

He stretched out his right hand and gestured on the back of his hand, running from the base of his thumb to his fingertips.

Su Wanqing looked down at the back of his hand, remained silent for a few seconds, and then snorted. She turned around, her back to Lin Nuo, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

Lin Nuo paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

He turned to the side and hugged her from behind. Su Wanqing struggled slightly but couldn't break free. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his lips almost touching her earlobe:

"Is Teacher Su jealous? Teacher Su is the best. That frivolous woman is far inferior to you; she's not even worthy of being compared to you."

How come I didn't notice how cute Su Wanqing was in my past life? Well, in my past life, I was blind and deaf, worse than an animal.

How can you appreciate the good qualities of your wife?

Su Wanqing didn't speak, but she stopped struggling. After a while, she finally spoke in a muffled voice:

"If she touches you, wouldn't you move away?"

Her tone wasn't like a question, but more like aggrieved. She reached out and grasped Lin Nuo's hand that was resting on her waist.

Lin Nuo hugged her tighter, nuzzling his chin against her shoulder:

"I'm avoiding her. Next time I see her, I'll take a detour."

Su Wanqing hummed in agreement.

After a moment of silence, Lin Nuo spoke again, his voice becoming serious:

"I don't think Mingzi's situation is that simple. He didn't just come back to visit relatives; there must be something else going on."

Su Wanqing turned over to face him, her eyes bright, yet tinged with a hint of grievance:

"What do you want to do?"

Lin Nuo thought for a moment, then gently traced a line with her finger across her palm:

"Let's wait and see. If he really asks Dad to invest money, I have to stop him. Dad is easily fooled. We can't let him jump in any further."

……

My uncle's house, west room, late at night

It was late at night. The west room of my uncle's house had been newly cleaned up, the kang (heated brick bed) was warm, and the bedding was a new cotton quilt that Liu Guixiang had kept at the bottom of her trunk.

Lin Ming lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), his hands behind his head, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Yao Jingjing sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), wearing a white polyester shirt and with her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders.

The two remained silent for a long time, not saying a word, not at all like a married couple.

In the end, Yao Jingjing spoke first, in Cantonese:

"That guy named Lin Nuo, is he your cousin?"

Lin Ming turned to look at her, momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected her to suddenly ask about Lin Nuo. His Cantonese wasn't as fluent as hers.

"Yes. What's wrong?"

Yao Jingjing's legs stopped wobbling. She turned her gaze from the window paper to Lin Ming's face, and a slight smile appeared on her lips:

"She's quite good-looking. It's a pity she's living in such a remote mountain village."

She said this in a very casual tone.

It looked like they had discovered some kind of toy.

Lin Ming frowned slightly, pulled his hand out from behind his head, propped himself up on his arms, and forced a smile, which looked rather unnatural.

"You've taken a liking to him?"

As Lin Ming spoke, he reached out to put his hand on her shoulder. The moment his fingers touched her shoulder, Yao Jingjing's shoulder jerked back as if she had been stung by something.

She turned around to face him, her smile gone.

"What are you doing!"

Lin Ming's hand froze in mid-air, hovering for two seconds before he awkwardly withdrew it.

"Just kidding, why are you taking it so seriously?"

Yao Jingjing didn't reply. She stood up, walked to the table, picked up the enamel mug, took a sip of water, turned around, leaned against the edge of the table, crossed her arms, and looked at Lin Ming:

"I came back with you to get money, not to sleep with you."

Lin Ming's face stiffened for a moment, then his smile became more natural than before, carrying a hint of ingratiation:

"Who said you slept with me? We're lying on this kang (heated brick bed) so my parents won't suspect anything. Don't worry, we'll get the money."

He lowered his voice:

"Give me a few days. Once I've settled things with my second uncle and the others, the money will come."

Yao Jingjing looked at him without speaking. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke, her tone a little softer than before:

"You'd better be rich. If you're not, you're dead."

Lin Ming smiled:

"Don't worry, I know. You can rest assured."

Yao Jingjing glanced at him again, then turned around, walked back to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and lay down on the side against the wall. She pulled the quilt over herself, turned her back to Lin Ming, and showed him the back of her head.

Lin Ming sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), watching her retreating figure, his Adam's apple bobbing again:

"I'll add fuel to the fire tomorrow."

Yao Jingjing didn't turn around, her voice muffled:

"Your second uncle really knows how to give money."

Lin Ming turned his head to look at her, his voice firm:

"Don't underestimate these relatives. If each of them contributes one yuan, it adds up to several hundred yuan. As long as I spread the word that I have a good connection, they'll definitely be scrambling to get it."

He paused, a smirk playing on his lips, his tone tinged with smugness:

"My second uncle is easily swayed and always has a way with people. You saw it all tonight? I said a few words to him and his eyes lit up."

"We'll leave once I receive the money. What happens here is none of our business."