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

Upon hearing this, Qin Bowen's eyes lit up instantly, his face beaming with excitement: "Brother-in-law! We're really going to the county town?!"

Zhao Lei looked at his excited appearance and sighed inwardly.

Not to mention Qin Bowen, even he himself was completely unfamiliar with Yunchang County.

In this body's memory, the last time they went to the county town was several years ago.

That was when the original owner of this body and Su Wanqing got married and went to meet the father-in-law.

The last time it was very unpleasant, and ever since then, the original owner has harbored resentment and has never set foot in Yunchang County again.

Now that several years have passed, it's time to go to the city, see how things have changed, and find new opportunities.

Qin Bowen was even more excited, as he hadn't left a large place like the county town for more than half a year.

Qin Bowen quickly followed up, "Brother-in-law, are we going to the county town to sell musk tomorrow?"

Zhao Lei nodded, his tone calm: "That's right."

"This stuff is very precious. The village supply and marketing cooperative has a narrow vision and drives down prices too much, so it can't be sold at its true price."

"We're going to the county town for two reasons: first, to figure out how to operate a legitimate medicinal herb market; and second, to sell the musk pods and make a lot more money."

"Alright, brother-in-law! That's settled then, I'll definitely get up early tomorrow!" Qin Bowen grinned from ear to ear.

After finalizing their plans, Qin Bowen happily rode his bicycle home.

After seeing his brother-in-law off, Zhao Lei turned around, closed the courtyard gate, and went back into the house.

The three wives were doing housework, while the children were playing and frolicking inside.

Zhao Lei chatted with his family for a few minutes, speaking gently about everyday matters.

Afterwards, the family fetched water to wash their faces and soak their feet, and patiently helped the three little ones wash and groom themselves one by one.

The children had been playing all day and were quite sleepy, so after tidying up, they obediently went back to their rooms to sleep.

The room was dimly lit, and the night was deep and quiet.

Zhao Lei stayed in Su Wanqing's room tonight.

After lying down, Zhao Lei had something on his mind.

He transmigrated and took over this identity. He has been married to Su Wanqing for almost three years, and their child, Xiao Shitou, is already over two years old.

But in those three years, Su Wanqing never went back to her parents' home once.

Most wives would go back to visit their parents every few days, but Su Wanqing was different. She silently guarded her family and never mentioned her parents' home.

Thinking of this, Zhao Lei reached out and gently hugged the woman beside him, then softly asked:

"Wanqing, it's been so long, don't you... miss your family at all?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing froze.

He leaned against Zhao Lei's chest, his body trembling slightly, and uttered a dazed sound:

"Brother Sanshi, why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Zhao Lei said gently, "I plan to go to the county town tomorrow."

Su Wanqing looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion. "Why did you suddenly decide to go to the county town?"

"I couldn't negotiate a price with Fatty Chen at the supply and marketing cooperative for those three musk pods today. I plan to go to the county town to find a legitimate way to sell them, and while I'm at it, I'll go into town and check out the market prices."

Zhao Lei looked down at the docile woman in his arms: "You may not say it, but I can tell you miss home, right?"

The kerosene lamp inside flickered, its warm orange light gently falling on Su Wanqing's face, instantly making his cheeks flush.

For three years after her marriage, Su Wanqing never dared to show even a hint of homesickness in front of anyone.

Who doesn't miss home?

Back then, his family had a deep-rooted preference for sons over daughters, and his parents looked down on Zhao Lei, who was penniless, and strongly opposed the marriage.

Back then, he was stubborn and determined. Once he set his mind on someone, he didn't hesitate to completely break ties with his family and marry into the Heping Brigade.

Life after marriage was poor and difficult. He always swallowed his grievances and hardships and never complained to outsiders.

Especially during the period after his divorce from Zhao Lei, he was lost and depressed.

Countless nights, he doubted himself, wondering if he had been too impulsive and chosen the wrong person back then.

Choosing the wrong path means the rest of your life will be nothing but darkness.

But in the past month or so, Zhao Lei has undergone a complete transformation, which has rewritten all his thoughts.

Zhao Lei is hardworking, steady, and reliable. He earns money to support his family and takes care of them, a far cry from his previous aimless and decadent state.

Su Wanqing gradually became convinced that her initial judgment was correct.

At heart, Zhao Lei has always been a good man worthy of entrusting one's life to.

Su Wanqing recalled her father's words: "Men may be playful when they are young, but they will eventually become mature and steady."

Now it seems that Zhao Lei has truly matured completely.

After enduring hardship, their family is finally about to welcome better days.

During this time, his family was busy building a house and making money, with constant trivial matters, so he had no time to think about his wife's family.

At this moment, Zhao Lei gently pointed out the truth, and the long-suppressed homesickness surged into her heart.

But upon further reflection, countless concerns arose in his mind.

Now, a brand-new red brick house has been built in the family, life is getting better and better, and Zhao Lei has also become capable.

Perhaps his parents will no longer complain about his marriage to a less desirable man, just like before.

But he never mentioned his divorce from Zhao Lei to his family back then.

If his parents knew about this ordeal, they would surely scold him for bringing it on himself and for misjudging people.

Upon thinking of this, the light in Su Wanqing's eyes slowly dimmed.

After thinking for a long time, Su Wanqing gently shook her head: "Brother Sanshi, you... you'd better not go looking for them."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say them.

Zhao Lei saw through all of Su Wanqing's struggles and concerns at a glance.

But he didn't point it out; he simply tightened his arms around her gently and reassured her softly, "Okay, I understand. We're just not ready yet."

"Don't worry, it won't be long before I stand proudly in front of your parents and make them fully accept me and acknowledge your choice."

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing nodded vigorously, a faint warmth welling up in her eyes.

Nestled obediently in Zhao Lei's broad and warm embrace, all her unease and worries vanished.

The room was quiet and cozy, and the two embraced each other peacefully.

A moment later, Zhao Lei raised his hand and blew out the flickering kerosene lamp, and the room gently sank into darkness, returning to tranquility.

As night deepened, it was soon two or three in the morning.

The entire Peace Brigade fell into complete silence; the lights in every household went out, leaving only boundless stillness.

There was no one around, and all was quiet except for the intermittent chirping of insects in the grass, which echoed gently in the night.

The bright moonlight pierced through the night, illuminating the dirt roads in the village with a clear, interplay of light and shadow.

A furtive dark figure, taking advantage of the darkness, crept stealthily along the roadside bushes towards Zhao Lei's house.

Lai Mazi, dressed in all black, crouched low and pressed himself against the wall, carefully making his way to Zhao Lei's yard.

He stood in the shadows for a moment, looking around to make sure there was no movement, and secretly rejoiced.

The dead of night is the best time to strike.

The mud wall of Zhao Lei's house wasn't high. Lai Mazi took two steps back, then suddenly exerted his strength, grabbed the top of the wall with both hands, and nimbly flipped over, landing silently in the yard...