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

After seeing off the last group of guests, Zhao Lei stood at the gate of the courtyard and let out a long sigh of relief.

The sun was setting over the distant fields.

Wang Zongbao drove his horse-drawn cart past the village entrance, the cart piled high with borrowed tables, chairs, and benches. He called out to Zhao Lei, "Brother Lei! I've returned all the tables and chairs! I'll come find you for a drink later!"

Zhao Lei waved in response.

Turning around, I saw that my yard was almost completely tidied up.

Qin Yuchan and Jiang Xinyue, along with several women, had already finished washing the bowls, chopsticks, pots, and pans and were putting them away in the woodshed.

Su Wanqing sat on the threshold, holding a small stone, while Lin Hui squatted beside her, playing with the child.

Su Minggui and Su Jianjun were looking around the new house.

Zhao Lei walked back into the courtyard, and Qin Mancang leaned halfway out of the main room and called out to him, "Leizi, today's banquet was brilliant! You really made me proud."

As the local brigade leader and Zhao Lei's father-in-law, Qin Mancang was the busiest person at the banquet, second only to Zhao Lei.

Many people wanted to curry favor with Zhao Lei, but found that Zhao Lei was surrounded by influential figures.

Some minor figures or older uncles and nephews were not easy to approach, so they turned around and started to build relationships with Qin Mancang.

After all, Qin Mancang is Zhao Lei's father-in-law. As long as Zhao Lei gets along well with Qin Mancang, he'll be willing to listen to Qin Mancang's advice if anything comes up.

Therefore, Qin Mancang experienced the feeling of being the center of attention at today's banquet.

Many people came to toast him, praising him highly.

He was praised so much that snot bubbles were practically coming out of his nose.

Zhao Lei walked over with a smile: "Dad, thanks to you and Brother Dashan and the others for taking care of everything today, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to manage on my own."

Qin Mancang waved his hand: "It's my own business, it's what I should do."

After saying that, he gestured towards Lin Hui and said, "Your mother-in-law is very happy today, you should keep her company. I'm going next door to chat with Zhang Laosan."

After saying that, Qin Mancang walked away with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Lei walked to the threshold and squatted down, watching Lin Hui tease the little stone.

The little one is no longer afraid of strangers. He snuggled in his grandmother's arms and played with the buttons on her collar, completely absorbed in it.

Lin Hui looked up at Zhao Lei, her eyes completely different from when she arrived in the morning.

At that time, I was anxious, wanting to see with my own eyes whether my daughter was doing well.

Now his eyes are full of joy.

"Lei Zi, this house is really well built. When I came in, I was thinking, how much money would it cost to build a house like this?"

Zhao Lei squatted down and chuckled, "Mom, Wanqing suffered a lot when we were poor. Now that things are better, we should make up for what we need to make up for."

Lin Hui nodded: "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Wanqing has always been stubborn; once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it. Back then, she insisted on marrying you, but her father and I were absolutely against it, and it caused quite a fuss. Now that I think about it, she had better judgment than us, her parents."

Hearing this from the side, Su Wanqing's eyes reddened again. She reached out and squeezed Lin Hui's hand: "Mom, it's all in the past."

Lin Hui patted her daughter's hand in return: "Yes, it's all in the past. Live a good life from now on."

Suddenly, Little Stone broke free from Lin Hui's arms, wobbled over to Zhao Lei, and stretched out his two little arms to be hugged.

Zhao Lei scooped him up and put him on his neck, and the little guy giggled.

Su Wanqing looked up at the father and son, a smile curving her lips.

Su Minggui came over after finishing his cigarette in the courtyard. Seeing this scene, he chuckled and said, "Sister-in-law, I wasn't exaggerating, was I? The more you get to know Zhao Lei, the more reassuring he becomes."

Lin Hui nodded: "Yes, yes, you're right. You're better at judging people than I am."

Su Minggui stroked his chin smugly.

Inside the main room, Su Jianjun sat on a stool with a teacup in his hand, watching the scene in the courtyard through the open door.

Seeing Zhao Lei carrying his son on his shoulders and spinning him around, and seeing his sister's sincere smile, I felt relieved.

It seems that Zhao Lei has indeed changed a lot.

As long as my sister is happy, that's enough.

Su Jianjun lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and swallowed the last bit of tea foam at the bottom of the cup.

He observed from morning to afternoon.

The house and the smile on my sister's face are real.

The crowd of people in the courtyard who came to support them couldn't be fake.

So he put down his teacup, got up, and walked to the door.

Zhao Lei was taking the little stone off his neck, but the little guy clung to him and refused to get down.

Seeing Su Jianjun come out, Zhao Lei called out, "Second Brother."

Su Jianjun hummed in agreement, paused for a moment, and then said, "Before I leave tomorrow, I'll go to town to buy some things. If you need anything, I'll bring it back with me."

Zhao Lei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Second Brother, we don't lack anything. Your presence alone is the best gift."

Su Jianjun didn't reply and turned to go back into the house.

Su Minggui, who was watching closely, leaned close to Zhao Lei's ear and whispered, "See? Jianjun is the kind of person who can say 'I'll buy whatever you need,' which means he approves of you."

Zhao Lei, holding the little stone, smiled as he watched Su Jianjun's upright back.

In the courtyard, the setting sun bathed the entire new red brick house in a warm yellow light.

Several rags that had been washed that day hung on the clothesline by the courtyard, swaying gently in the wind.

There were still pots and pans to put away in the kitchen when Qin Yuchan's loud voice boomed from inside: "Xinyue! Where's that big pot lid?"

"Behind the stove!"

Su Wanqing stood up and called out to the kitchen, "Sister Yuchan, let me help you."

"No need, no need! You should catch up with your aunt!"

The sun was setting, and the yard was almost tidied up.

Lin Hui sat in the main room for a while, then got up and said she had to leave.

Su Wanqing panicked as soon as she heard this, and grabbed Lin Hui's hand tightly: "Mom, it's getting dark, stay one night and leave tomorrow, the bed is already made up."

Lin Hui patted her daughter's hand: "No, no, your second brother has to go to work early tomorrow morning. Go back so he can get some rest tonight."

Su Wanqing turned to look at Su Jianjun: "Second Brother, it's just for one night. We can leave early tomorrow morning."

Su Jianjun stood up and put his teacup on the table: "I really can't. There's a meeting at the bureau tomorrow morning, and I have to go back and prepare materials. Maybe next time, when I have some free time."

Su Wanqing was about to say something more when Zhao Lei interjected, "Wanqing, your second brother has important work to do, don't make things difficult for him. After we're done here, we'll go to the county town to see Mom, and we'll also visit Dad while we're at it."

Lin Hui nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, let me know in advance if you're coming to the county town, and I'll cook something delicious for you."

Su Wanqing then released her grip, her eyes a little red: "Then Mom, please drive carefully. When you arrive, please ask someone to send a message."

Lin Hui put her arm around her daughter's shoulder: "Don't worry, with your fourth uncle and second brother around, nothing will happen."