Era: Rise from the Wilderness

When I got home and finished dinner, life at home seemed to return to normal.

Li Yunjing's parents did not bring up the specific progress of the contracted store again, but from their increasingly relaxed brows, the occasional knowing glances they exchanged, and her mother's occasional unintentional remarks such as "If we open a store, what kind of goods should we stock?", Li Yunjing keenly sensed that things were progressing smoothly.

He suppressed his eagerness and didn't ask any further questions.

Since his parents have already done their best to make this happen, he doesn't need to keep urging them; it's pointless.

That night, Li Yunjing went to bed early.

Hiking during the day is very tiring, which makes him sleep exceptionally well!

The next morning, Li Yunjing was awakened by the sounds of pots and pans clattering in the kitchen.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the window, and a glance at the clock showed it was already seven o'clock.

He stretched, his muscles still aching from yesterday's hike, but he felt exceptionally energetic.

After a quick wash, my mother had already set breakfast on the table.

Millet porridge, pickled vegetables, steamed buns, and two boiled eggs.

"Mom and Dad, I'm going to take a walk on the beach after I finish eating."

Li Yunjing said this while eating his rice.

Why go to the beach on such a hot day?

He Ling asked.

"Catch fish!"

Li Yunjing grinned, "I caught some wild vegetables while hiking yesterday, now I'm going to catch some fish to try. Anyway, I'm on holiday at home, so I'm just killing time."

"Hey kid! Watch your step, don't go in the water!"

Li Hongfeng looked at his son and gave him a solemn reminder.

As someone who lives by the sea, he naturally reveres the ocean. Li Yunjing is so young, and at that age, he is fearless. He would never dare to let his son swim in the sea.

Don't worry!

Li Yunjing grinned and said, "You know I hate swimming in the sea!"

He quickly finished his meal, rummaged through the storage room and found a white plastic bucket, two bamboo poles, and a roll of nylon thread.

This is a simple fishing rod that he made himself.

After thinking for a moment, he threw a small shovel into the bucket, intending to dig up some earthworms as bait.

"Ride your bike slowly!"

He Ling chased after them and gave them instructions.

"Okay!"

Li Yunjing got on the bicycle, a plastic bucket hanging from the handlebars, and a fishing rod tied to the back seat with a strip of cloth.

He rode very fast, and half an hour later, he arrived at the cadre building in the southeast of the town.

After parking his car downstairs at Lü Ruoxi's house, he looked up at the red brick building.

At this time of day, most people should be at work, and the building should be quiet.

He was hesitating whether to go upstairs and knock on the door when a window on the third floor suddenly opened.

Lu Ruoxi peeked out; her hair was still a little messy, indicating that she had just gotten up.

"Li Yunjing?"

She was somewhat surprised. "What brings you here?"

"Didn't we agree to go fishing today?"

Li Yunjing held up the plastic bucket in his hand.

Lu Ruoxi paused for two seconds, then laughed, "Wait a minute, I'll be right down!"

Five minutes later, she came out of the building pushing her bicycle.

Today she wore a light blue short-sleeved shirt with white sweatpants, and her hair was simply tied into a ponytail, looking refreshing and neat.

"Are you really going to catch fish?"

She looked at Li Yunjing's equipment with curiosity and excitement in her eyes.

"Of course."

Li Yunjing patted the plastic bucket. "Miss Lü gave the order, how could I not be prepared?"

"Smooth-talking!"

Lu Ruoxi glared at him reproachfully, but a smile remained on her face.

The two rode their bicycles southwards.

As you walk through the streets of the town center, past the factory area billowing black smoke, the scenery along the roadside gradually changes from red brick houses to sparse woods.

After riding for another ten minutes or so, a salty sea breeze began to drift in the air.

Finally, a vast expanse of sea appeared before us.

It was high tide, and the waves were crashing against the rocks on the shore, making a loud splashing sound.

Several seagulls circled in the air, emitting long cries.

"Wow!"

Lü Ruoxi jumped off her bicycle, took a deep breath of the sea-scented air, and exclaimed, "It's been so long since I've been to the beach!"

Li Yunjing parked his car below the embankment and climbed up the seawall carrying a plastic bucket and a fishing rod.

This is a breakwater made of cement, extending dozens of meters into the sea.

There were already a few people fishing on the embankment, mostly middle-aged and elderly people, sitting on small stools with various fishing rods beside them.

"Let's stay here."

Li Yunjing found a relatively flat spot, placed the plastic bucket there, and then filled it with half a bucket of seawater.

Fish caught by fishing need to be kept in seawater to survive longer.

"You wait here, I'll go dig up earthworms."

Li Yunjing moved a few bricks, put them together to make two small stools, leaned the fishing rod against the embankment, and then carried the small shovel to the earthen slope on the bank.

"I'll go with you!"

Lu Ruoxi followed behind him curiously.

Li Yunjing rummaged through the damp soil and quickly found several reddish-brown earthworms.

He picked it up with his fingers, and the earthworm wriggled in the sunlight.

"Ugh, how disgusting!"

Lu Ruoxi frowned, but still leaned closer to take a look.

"This is a 'delicious dish' of fish."

Li Yunjing smiled and put the earthworms into a tin box, then dug up a few more. "That's enough."

Back on the embankment, he threaded earthworms onto the fishing hook with the skill of a seasoned pro.

Lu Ruoxi squatted down beside her, watching with great curiosity in her eyes.

Here, have one.

Li Yunjing handed her a fishing rod. "It's simple. Just cast it out and wait for the fish to bite."

The sea breeze ruffled their hair, and sunlight scattered golden light across the sea.

The two sat side by side on the bricks, their fishing rods propped up on the edge of the embankment.

The waves rhythmically lapped against the concrete wall, making a "whoosh" sound.

Li Yunjing,

"What school did you apply to?" Lu Ruoxi suddenly asked.

The sea breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead. The girl turned her head, her eyes filled with seriousness and curiosity.

Li Yunjing's hand holding the fishing rod paused slightly.

"Beijing Normal University!"

He spoke frankly, "But I think my score isn't high enough, so I probably won't get an acceptance letter."

"what?"

Lü Ruoxi looked at Li Yunjing in surprise and asked in confusion, "What about the second choice?"

"Not filled in."

Li Yunjing answered calmly, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

"this……"

Lu Ruoxi was a little dumbfounded. Li Yunjing was a very good student in class, always ranking in the top 6 in the monthly exams, and at his best, he was 13th in the whole school.

"This won't do!"

Lu Ruoxi panicked and almost stood up. "With such good grades, how can you only apply to one university?"

Li Yunjing simply smiled and gazed at the distant horizon: "I have my own plans."

His tone was so calm that it made Lü Ruoxi feel like a stranger.

This is not the attitude an eighteen-year-old should have.

He remained remarkably calm in the face of the risk of failing the exam.

What are your plans?

She couldn't help but press, "Don't you want to go to university?"

The waves crashed against the seawall, splashing up tiny droplets of water.

"So clever!"

"Correct answer!"

Li Yunjing was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "Ruoxi, do you think that going to university guarantees a good life?"

This question stumped Lü Ruoxi.