Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

"Don't be too early or too late, around nine o'clock. If it's too early, they won't be ready yet, and if it's too late, it seems insincere."

Zhao Lei patted him on the shoulder again, "Remember, when you get to their house, be polite. Call Uncle Changlin 'Uncle,' call Xiaocui's mother 'Auntie,' and when you see Xiaocui... you can figure it out yourself."

Wang Zongbao chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Lei, I know what I'm doing."

Zhao Lei gave a few more instructions: "When you get there, talk to Uncle Changlin first. Don't stare at Xiao Cui as soon as you walk in; that would seem rude. Say what you need to say, be generous and open. What they value in you is your honesty."

"I've got it, I've got it..."

Wang Zongbao nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice.

Seeing that he had said enough, Zhao Lei clapped his hands and stood up: "Alright, alright, I'm going back. You all discuss what to bring tomorrow..."

The entire Wang family came out to escort Zhao Lei to the gate of the courtyard, holding his hand and thanking him profusely.

Zhao Lei repeatedly said there was no need to be polite, and walked back along the way he came with his flashlight.

Early the next morning.

As soon as the sun rose, Wang Zongbao rode his old-fashioned bicycle out to the supply and marketing cooperative to make purchases.

When they arrived at Qin Changlin's house, there was already an old hen with its legs tied up on the back seat of the car.

A piece of fresh pork and two bottles of wine were hanging on the handlebars, and a packet of tea wrapped in red paper was tucked into his arms.

When they arrived at Qin Changlin's house, Wang Zongbao parked the car.

He took a deep breath at the door, straightened his collar, and then stepped into the courtyard.

Qin Changlin was chopping firewood in the yard when he saw Wang Zongbao enter. He merely glanced up and asked, "You're here?"

Wang Zongbao quickly put his things down and respectfully greeted, "Uncle Changlin."

Qin Changlin put down his axe, wiped his hands, and glanced at what Wang Zongbao had brought: "You brought something else too?"

"Of course, of course."

Wang Zongbao stood ramrod straight, his palms sweating.

Qin Changlin didn't beat around the bush: "Lei Zi told me everything last night. I'll just ask you one question: are you truly sincere towards my Xiao Cui?"

Wang Zongbao blurted out, "Uncle Changlin, if I'm not sincere, may I be struck by lightning!"

Qin Changlin waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop making oaths all the time. We've been hunting with Leizi so many times, I know your character well."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongbao's eyes lit up: "Uncle Changlin, you...you agree?"

Qin Changlin nodded: "How could I refuse? Do you think I couldn't see through your young eyes?"

"hey-hey......"

"But let me make this clear: if you treat my Xiao Cui badly in the future, this axe in my hand won't have eyes!"

Wang Zongbao nodded repeatedly: "Uncle Changlin, don't worry! If I dare to treat Xiaocui badly, you don't even need to lift a finger, I'll just take an axe and chop myself up!"

Qin Changlin was amused by his words and tapped him on the shoulder with his pipe.

"Alright, alright, come inside and sit down. Have your aunt cook a couple of dishes; we'll have lunch here."

Wang Zongbao was so happy he couldn't stop smiling, and followed Qin Changlin into the main room.

Qin Changlin's wife peeked halfway out of the kitchen and looked Wang Zongbao up and down.

The more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him.

Zongbao is a pretty good young man!

She was fair-skinned, sweet-talking, and thoughtful; she was a rare find among the village's children.

"Oh, Zongbao's here? Sit down, sit down, I'll go cook right away."

Qin Xiaocui hid behind the kitchen and peeked out through the door frame.

She met Wang Zongbao's gaze, her face flushed red instantly, and she shrank back, never daring to show her face again.

At lunchtime, Qin Changlin poured some wine and clinked glasses with Wang Zongbao.

"Since you two are both at the age where you should be thinking about marriage, you should set a date soon so that we, as your parents, won't have to worry about it."

Wang Zongbao's hand trembled as he held the wine glass: "That's right, that's right!"

"Uncle Changlin, I came in a bit of a hurry this time, but don't worry, once I finish helping Brother Lei with the house repairs, I'll bring Brother Lei and my family to formally propose marriage. All the proper etiquette will be observed."

Qin Changlin nodded. "Alright, looks like you're not drunk yet?"

"Ha ha ha ha......."

The old man and the young man chatted happily.

Qin Xiaocui, who was standing next to her, finally felt relieved.

He kept patting Wang Zongbao on the back, reminding him to drink less.

Upon seeing this, Qin Changlin suddenly felt a pang of regret.

I thought to myself, "Oh dear, daughters really are hard to keep at home once they grow up!"

They're not even married yet! And you're already this concerned about him?

Dad's had a drink too, why didn't you pat him on the back?

Despite this, Qin Changlin was quite happy.

After all, he's had quite a bit of contact with this young man, Wang Zongbao, lately.

I think that apart from being a bit slick, this kid doesn't have any major problems.

On the contrary, he quite liked her hard work, sweet talk, and thoughtfulness.

Qin Changlin felt at ease entrusting his daughter to Wang Zongbao.

And so, the matter of Wang Zongbao and Qin Xiaocui officially starting a relationship was settled.

The next day, as usual, they went to Zhao Lei's house together.

The next morning, Zhao Lei squatted down at the door to wash his face.

From afar, you could see Qin Changlin walking at the front with a dark face, while Wang Shouguo beside him was smiling and talking to him.

The two walked towards this place one after the other. Wang Shouguo kept talking, while Qin Changlin remained silent.

Zhao Lei draped the towel over his shoulder, wondering why Uncle Changlin looked unhappy.

As they approached, Zhao Lei quickly greeted them, "Uncle Changlin, Uncle Wang, you're here! Come in and have breakfast."

Qin Changlin nodded with a dark expression, grunted in agreement, and walked into the courtyard.

Wang Shouguo, on the other hand, was all smiles and replied cheerfully, "Okay, okay, Lei Zi, we really haven't eaten yet."

The two entered the courtyard one after the other; without comparison, there would be no hurt feelings.

Zhao Lei could tell from their expressions that the two middle-aged and elderly people were in completely different moods.

Qin Changlin's face was as long as a donkey's, while Wang Shouguo's smile stretched almost to his ears.

Zhao Lei was puzzled.

Looking up, I saw Qin Xiaocui walking towards me from the other side of the field, arm in arm with Wang Zongbao. The two of them were all lovey-dovey, laughing as they walked.

Zhao Lei slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing what was going on.

Oh, I understand.

Qin Changlin's family had raised cabbages for so many years, and now a pig had eaten them. How could he not be furious?

Wang Shouguo was different. Wang Zongbao was the only son in the Wang family, and he was overjoyed to finally find a wife.

Seeing the two young couple not bothering to hide from others and just standing by the roadside being all lovey-dovey, Zhao Lei couldn't help but chuckle twice.

"Hehe, Zongbao, Xiaocui, you two have moved from underground work to the front lines..."