Reborn in 1982, the prodigal son returns

The next afternoon, as the sun began to set, sunlight filtered through the treetops, scattering golden light across the ground. Lin Nuo changed into clean clothes, and Su Wanqing also changed hers.

"Teacher Su, you look so beautiful."

Lin Nuo leaned against the door frame with a mischievous smile. Su Wanqing still had to dress up before going out and paid attention to her image.

He fell in love with it at first sight when he was sent to the countryside.

Su Wanqing rolled her eyes at him: "You talk too much."

Lin Nuo chuckled, took two bottles of wine from the kitchen, put them in a net bag, and carried them in his hand. Zhao Xiuying instructed:

When you're at someone's home, be sweet-talking.

"Okay, Mother."

"besides,"

Zhao Xiuying added another sentence:

"Tell Da Wu to let his wife rest and not do heavy work."

Lin Nuo was stunned for a moment:

"Mother, she's not even pregnant yet, why are you worrying?"

Zhao Xiuying rolled her eyes at him:

"What do you know? It's only a matter of time."

Lin Nuo didn't dare say anything more and pulled Su Wanqing out of the courtyard. Besides, her mother would probably be urging them to leave soon.

However, Su Wanqing's stomach didn't react at all, so it would be good to go to the hospital to get checked out later.

Su Wanqing walked to Lin Nuo's right, and the two were very close.

"Teacher Su,"

Lin Nuo turned his head to look at her:

Do you think Xiaoyu will be happy to see you?

"Probably."

Su Wanqing's voice was very soft:

"Last time she told me that she felt bored being home alone."

"Then come more often in the future."

"Well, as much as possible, we still have to teach."

The two talked and talked until they arrived at Xiahe Village.

Qi Dawu was already waiting at the gate of the courtyard.

He was wearing a slightly worn outfit.

His eyes lit up when he saw Lin Nuo and Su Wanqing walking over.

"Brother Nuozi! I thought you guys weren't coming!"

His voice was filled with joy.

Lin Nuo handed him the wine and patted him on the shoulder:

"You promised to come, how could you not? Da Wu, how long have you been waiting?"

"No...not long after."

Qi Dawu scratched his head.

"I just woke up early this morning feeling uneasy, worried that something might have happened and I wouldn't be able to come. Xiaoyu even said to me, 'When has your brother Nuozi ever broken a promise?' I think she's right."

Su Wanqing stood to the side:

"Da Wu, where's Xiao Yu?"

"She's inside! She's been talking about you for a while now, saying she misses you."

Qi Dawu stepped aside to let the two people into the courtyard:

"Come inside quickly, it's cold outside."

Zhou Xiaoyu sat in the main room.

Hearing footsteps, she stood up, supporting herself on the table, and felt around on the edge to pinpoint the location.

"Sis, you're here?"

Su Wanqing walked over quickly, took her hand, and pressed her back into the chair:

"Sit down, don't stand up."

"I'm fine, I'm just standing here for a while."

Zhou Xiaoyu's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of shyness:

"Sister, if you don't come soon, I'm thinking of having Dawu take me to Liujiagou to see you."

"That's great! I'll take you to Liujiagou for a visit."

Su Wanqing sat down next to her and held her hand in hers:

"Xiaoyu, you look much better lately."

"Yeah?"

Zhou Xiaoyu reached out and touched her face:

"My mom says I've gained weight."

"Being a little chubby is good; it's good for your health."

The two women started chatting. Su Wanqing asked her how her eyes were lately and whether she had seen a doctor. Zhou Xiaoyu:

"It's still the same; you can see the shadow during the day, but not at night."

Su Wanqing gently patted the back of her hand, comforting her:

"It's okay, take your time."

yard.

Qi Dawu leaned closer to Lin Nuo and lowered his voice:

"Brother Nuozi, I have something to tell you."

Lin Nuo couldn't help but laugh at his mysterious expression.

"What is it? Tell me."

"Xiaoyu has recently learned to sew shoe soles."

Qi Dawu rubbed his hands together:

"Her eyesight is bad, and she's pricked her hand several times. I told her not to do it, but she wouldn't listen and insisted on making a pair of shoes for her sister-in-law too."

"Making shoes?"

Lin Nuo was stunned for a moment:

"For Wanqing?"

"Um."

Actually, the two didn't interact much. It was only around the time of their marriage that Su Wanqing would come over whenever she had time, and it was the first time Zhou Xiaoyu had met someone her own age.

Su Wanqing took good care of her, and the two naturally got along well.

Lin Nuo felt a warmth in his heart and patted Qi Dawu on the shoulder:

"Take your time, no rush. The thought is what counts; the shoes don't matter."

Qi Dawu nodded vigorously.

The two squatted against the wall, chatting idly. Qi Dawu talked about his recent affairs at the Zhou family.

"Brother Nuozi, sometimes I can't sleep at night. I lie on the kang (heated brick bed) and think about the past. It feels like a dream."

His voice lowered.

"Back when I lived with my older brother, we couldn't even get a hot meal."

Lin Nuo patted him on the shoulder without saying anything.

After a while, Zhou Laoshuan returned from outside with a smile on his face. When he saw Lin Nuo, he quickly walked over and grabbed Lin Nuo's hand:

"Nuozi! You're here? I was afraid you wouldn't come!"

"Uncle Zhou, you promised to come, how could you not?"

Lin Nuo took the wine and placed it on the windowsill:

"Where have you been?"

"Going to town to buy wine!"

Old Zhou patted Lin Nuo on the shoulder:

"I'm happy today, I'll have a couple of drinks!"

Seeing his beaming expression, Lin Nuo's heart stirred:

"Uncle Zhou, what's the good news?"

Old Zhou grinned:

"Nuozi, Xiaoyu is pregnant!"

Lin Nuo was stunned for a moment:

"Really? Uncle Zhou, is it true?"

"Would I lie to you?"

Old Zhou took a cigarette out of his pocket, then put it back without smoking it.

"I went to the town's health center for a checkup yesterday, and the doctor said it's been a while. I was so happy that I bought two bottles of wine."

Lin Nuo turned to look at Qi Dawu. Qi Dawu stood beside him, his face flushed.

"Brother Nuozi, I...I'm going to be a dad."

His voice sounded a little unsteady; Qi Dawu had been keeping it a secret just now.

Tsk tsk.

"That's great!"

Lin Nuo slapped Qi Dawu on the shoulder:

"Da Wu, you're amazing!"

Unexpectedly, Qi Dawu was there even earlier than him.

I really didn't expect that.

Qi Dawu was slapped so hard he staggered to the side, chuckling to himself.

"I didn't expect it to be so fast...hehe..."

In the main room, Su Wanqing was talking to Zhou Xiaoyu. Zhou Xiaoyu had her head down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, and the tips of her ears were red. Zhou's mother brought out a plate of scrambled eggs and a dish of peanuts from the kitchen.

"Nuozi, Wanqing, have something to eat first, the meal will be ready in a little while."

Lin Nuo quickly waved his hand:

"Auntie, don't bother, we'll just sit for a bit and then we'll leave."

"Leave? What are you talking about?" Zhou's mother glared at him. "You're already here, what kind of talk is it if you don't have a meal?"

Old Zhou had already poured the liquor; the bulk baijiu was poured into a rough porcelain bowl, the liquid slightly yellowish. He picked up the bowl and raised it towards Lin Nuo:

"Nuozi, come on, have a drink!"

Lin Nuo had no choice but to take a seat.

The two men clinked their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. Lin Nuo put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and looked at Zhou Laoshuan:

"Uncle Zhou, Xiaoyu is pregnant! This is wonderful news. What are your plans for the future?"

Old Zhou poured another bowl, thought for a moment, and lowered his voice:

"I was thinking that after Xiaoyu gives birth, I'll have Dawu help you out."

Lin Nuo nodded and said seriously:

"Uncle Zhou, that's what I wanted to talk about today. Once my older brother is done with his work, let Da Wu and my brother go gather medicinal herbs. I have connections, and the prices are good. You could also help with sorting the herbs."

He didn't want Da Wu and his elder brother to go to the old forest with him anymore; the medicinal herbs were more stable.

Qi Dawu nodded vigorously beside him:

"I'm willing! Brother Nuozi, I'll do whatever you say!"

Lin Nuo smiled:

"Now that you're married, do something safe so your wife won't worry."

Qi Dawu let out an "Ah," and his face turned red again.

Old Zhou picked up his bowl and clinked it against Lin Nuo's again:

"Don't worry, Nuozi, I'll definitely get the medicinal herbs sorted out for you."

At mealtime, the table was laden with food: stewed chicken, scrambled eggs, peanuts, pickled vegetables, and a pot of stewed tofu. Zhou's mother kept putting food on Su Wanqing's plate, placing a chicken leg in her bowl.

"Wanqing, eat more, you're too thin."

Su Wanqing quickly said:

"That's enough, Auntie, you eat it yourself."

"I'm fine with anything I eat."

Zhou's mother picked up another egg with her chopsticks:

"Wanqing, when are you going to have one too? To keep Xiaoyu company."

Su Wanqing blushed, lowered her head, and whispered:

"There's...there's no rush."

Lin Nuo chuckled beside him but didn't reply. Su Wanqing kicked him under the table, but he pretended not to feel it.

Zhou Xiaoyu sat next to Su Wanqing.

After finishing their meal, it was already getting dark. Lin Nuo stood up and said to Zhou Laoshuan, "Uncle Zhou, it's getting late, we should go back."

Old Zhou quickly stood up: "Sit a little longer, it's only this late!"

"No, I have to go into the mountains tomorrow."

Old Zhou didn't insist, and stuffed the remaining two bottles of wine into Lin Nuo's hands:

"Take this and let your father try it."

"Uncle Zhou, you're too kind."

"Don't be so polite. We're family, no need for formalities."

Su Wanqing held Zhou Xiaoyu's hand and whispered:

"Xiaoyu, take good care of yourself. I'll come see you again in a few days."

Zhou Xiaoyu nodded, her eyes a little red:

"Sis, drive carefully."

Su Wanqing patted her hand:

"Okay, you can go back now, don't bother seeing me off."

Zhou Xiaoyu stood at the doorway, her fingers gripping the doorframe, reluctant to let go. Her mother chased after her from inside, handing Su Wanqing a pair of things:

"Wanqing, Xiaoyu made this for you. Don't mind if it's not pretty."

Su Wanqing lowered her head and opened the cloth bag. Inside was a pair of cloth shoes, which Xiaoyu had made after asking about the size only once last time.

Su Wanqing held the cloth shoes in her hands:

"Auntie, this... did Xiaoyu make this?"

Zhou's mother: "Of course, you should keep it and wear it; it should fit your feet."

Su Wanqing's eyes immediately reddened:

"Auntie, please tell Xiaoyu that I've taken the shoes and will come to see her again later."

Zhou's mother nodded.

By the time we left Xiahe Village, it was completely dark.

Su Wanqing walked to Lin Nuo's right and suddenly spoke:

"Xiaoyu is such a good person."

Lin Nuo turned her head to look at her: "Mm."

Hold her hand:

"Teacher Su, I'll bring you here more often in the future. She gets bored staying at home all by herself."

Su Wanqing nodded.

Su Wanqing and Xiaoyu are very similar; neither of them has many friends. They should visit each other more often in the future.

When I got home, there was a figure squatting at the gate of the courtyard.

Zhao Dazhuang, his neck hunched, hands tucked into his sleeves:

"Brother Nuozi, you're finally back."

Lin Nuo was taken aback: "Da Zhuang? Why aren't you coming inside?"

"I...I'm afraid of bothering you."

Zhao Dazhuang scratched his head, picked up a burlap sack from the ground, and handed it to me.

"I'm bringing over the pheasants and rabbits I caught today."

Lin Nuo took the burlap sack and weighed it in his hand. The sack was heavy, and the contents inside were moving around, making "cooing" sounds. He untied the rope and looked inside; there was a pheasant and two rabbits.

"Not bad." Lin Nuo nodded, tying the sack tightly. "I'll sell it in the county town tomorrow, and we'll split the money three-tenths."

Zhao Dazhuang hurriedly waved his hands, his face flushed with urgency, "No need, no need, I'll just learn the skills..."

"If you work with me, you'll get a share of the profits."

Lin Nuo interrupted him, her voice firm:

"That's the rule."

Zhao Dazhuang opened his mouth, as if to say something, but seeing Lin Nuo's uncompromising expression, he swallowed his words. He nodded, wiped his hands on his trouser legs a couple of times, and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he stopped, turned around, and called out:

"Brother Nuozi, I'll definitely do my best!"

Lin Nuo waved to him and pushed open the courtyard gate.

The kitchen light was still on, its yellowish glow seeping through the paper window and casting a hazy light across the courtyard. Zhao Xiuying was squatting in front of the stove adding firewood when she heard footsteps. She peeked out and wiped her hands on her apron.

"You're back?"

"I'm back. Mother, has the old foreman come by?"

"I've been here."

Zhao Xiuying stood up:

"I left you a message: I'm going into the mountains the day after tomorrow."

"We'll be going into the mountains the day after tomorrow."

Lin Nuo felt a warmth in his heart; it seemed he could learn some new skills again.

He turned and went into the east room. Hearing footsteps, Su Wanqing looked up, her eyes still a little red.

Lin Nuo walked over, sat down next to her, and put his arm around her waist: "Teacher Su, are you still thinking about Xiaoyu?"

Su Wanqing leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder, her voice muffled:

"She's had a tough time. If I hadn't married you, I don't know where I would be now."

Lin Nuo held her in his arms:

"Teacher Su, isn't it great now? We have a school, students, and we can write articles. Things will definitely get better and better in the future."

He sensed that Teacher Su had some other lingering issues, but he could roughly guess what they were.

Su Wanqing didn't speak, burying her face in his chest. After a long while, she finally said in a muffled voice:

"Xiaoyu is pregnant."

"I know."

Lin Nuo nodded.

"you say……"

She looked up at Lin Nuo, her eyes bright, filled with a mixture of expectation and embarrassment:

"When can we have a child?"

Lin Nuo paused for a moment, then smiled and gently pinched her cheek:

"Teacher Su, are you envious?"

Su Wanqing blushed and turned her face away:

"Who's envious? I was just... asking casually."

Lin Nuo leaned close to her ear, his voice low and tinged with a mischievous laugh:

"Actually, I've tried many times, but I still haven't gotten pregnant. It seems I haven't tried hard enough."

Su Wanqing was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening. Her face flushed red, and she reached out and punched him in the chest, spitting out a soft "Pah!" in her voice:

"shameless."

Lin Nuo chuckled, took her hand, and gently rubbed his thumb against the back of her hand.

"Teacher Su, let's not rush. Let's focus on living our lives well first, and take our time with the children."

Su Wanqing didn't say anything, but leaned on his shoulder and squeezed his hand a little tighter.

Su Wanqing wasn't angry, and in this state, she would often be more accommodating to him at night.

Hehe, Lin Nuo already has a lot of experience.

Unexpectedly, Da Wu became a father before him.