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

Zhao Lei recounted everything that had happened in the office to Jiang Xinyue. Upon hearing the news that there would be an additional test in three days, Jiang Xinyue's face lit up with joy, but she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

"Having a fair chance to compete is already great. It's just that I don't have a single accounting-related exercise book or reference book on hand, so studying from scratch is a disadvantage. Could you perhaps find a way to buy some accounting books?"

Zhao Lei nodded upon hearing this.

"I'll try my luck at the bookstore in town. But these kinds of professional books are in short supply, and I might not be able to buy them."

These words were overheard by Granny Zhang, who happened to be visiting.

Granny Zhang sat on the stool and patted her thigh.

"Why bother going around to buy books? My third daughter, Zhang Li, applied for an accounting-related major in the college entrance examination. Zhang Li left behind a lot of books and exercises for the exam, and those books should be just right for Xin Yue to use."

Zhao Lei's eyes lit up.

"That's great! Where are those books now?"

"Zhang Li went to university in another city, and all her books are being kept at my older brother's house, which is also where my niece Cai Suqing lives. When Zhang Li and Zhang Ting went to study in town, they stayed at Cai Suqing's house. Tomorrow, could you ride your bike and give me a ride so we can go get them?"

The next morning.

Zhao Lei pushed the old-fashioned bicycle, with Zhang Sanpo sitting sideways on the back seat, and rode all the way to Cai Suqing's residence in town.

Cai Suqing is thirty-five years old this year. She is a straightforward and hardworking person. When she saw Zhang Sanpo come to the door, she quickly opened the door and warmly greeted her inside.

"Auntie, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down. This must be Zhao Lei. I've heard about you from my family before."

Granny Zhang stepped into the courtyard and replied with a smile.

"Suqing, I'm here today to bother you with something. Do you still have those review books that Zhang Li left with you? Jiang Xinyue needs them urgently for her accounting exam."

Cai Suqing quickly poured two bowls of cool boiled water for the two of them.

"The books are all carefully stored in the cabinet in the side room. Zhang Li specifically told me before she left that the books should be kept, because someone's child might need them in the future."

Cai Suqing turned and went into the side room, opened the wooden cabinet, and took out a stack of books of varying thicknesses. Several books, including accounting basics and practical exercises, were exactly the materials Jiang Xinyue needed.

Zhao Lei flipped through a few pages and was satisfied.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Lei carefully bundled all the books together and tied them to the bicycle frame. He then bid farewell to Cai Suqing and took Zhang Sanpo home.

Back in her new red-brick house, Jiang Xinyue was overjoyed to see the stack of professional books.

In the following days, Jiang Xinyue buried herself in her books. After finishing her housework and taking care of the children during the day, she devoted all her remaining time to studying.

As night fell, the lights were on in the room, and Jiang Xinyue sat at the table, her pen constantly working on calculations and problems, completely absorbed in her work.

As darkness fell, Qin Yuchan and Su Wanqing went home one after the other after get off work.

The two pushed open the door and immediately saw Jiang Xinyue buried in her books under the lamp. Thick accounting books were spread out on the table, and her draft paper was covered with densely written calculations.

Qin Yuchan put down her canvas handbag, somewhat surprised.

"Wow, so many professional books, and you're reading them so intently."

Su Wanqing stepped forward, glanced down at the accounting entries on the pages, and couldn't help but sigh.

"It seems that Jiang Xinyue is going to do everything she can to prepare for that additional test in the next three days."

The sky had completely darkened.

A gentle evening breeze blew through the courtyard, and the electric lights in the red brick house shone brightly, making the whole house feel warm and cozy.

Qin Yuchan left work on time and entered the house, followed closely by her eldest daughter, Zhao Yupei, who was carrying a small cloth schoolbag and skipping along behind her.

The little girl had just started first grade. Her hair was neatly combed, her face had a childlike pinkish hue, and her eyebrows and eyes were delicate and lovely.

When Zhao Lei saw the father and daughter return, he immediately went to greet them, bent down and picked up Zhao Yupei, kissing the little girl's soft cheek.

"My darling is home from school! I've missed you all day."

The stubble lightly brushed against her face, making Zhao Yupei giggle and quickly reach out her small hand to wipe her cheek.

"Dad's beard is prickly on my face! It's itchy!"

Zhao Lei couldn't help but tease the little girl as she diligently wiped her face.

"Oh, so you're complaining about your dad now?"

Zhao Yupei tilted her little face up and explained in a serious tone.

"It's not that I'm complaining, it's just that Dad didn't shave today!"

The family couldn't help but chuckle as they watched the little girl take it so seriously.

Zhao Lei held his daughter and asked softly, "How are you feeling after two days of first grade? Are you understanding the lessons? Have you been eating well at school?"

Zhao Yupei nodded obediently: "The teacher's lectures are easy to understand, and the food in the cafeteria is delicious."

"That's good." Zhao Lei patted his daughter's head, his tone relaxed and doting. "If you can concentrate on your studies, then study hard. If you can't, that's okay too. The most important thing is to eat well and grow up healthy. Dad has already paid the tuition, so you don't need to worry about it."

Hearing the topic of school, Zhao Yuyuan, who was standing nearby, immediately came over, puffed out her little chest, and spoke in a childish voice.

"Daddy! I want to go to school with my sister too! I can study too! I can even recite the multiplication tables!"

Before anyone could react, Zhao Yuyuan began to recite the words in a low voice, her childish voice soft and clear. Although she occasionally stumbled, she was exceptionally earnest.

Zhao Lei felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this. He put down Zhao Yupei, reached out and patted Zhao Yuyuan's head, his eyes full of praise.

"Our Yuanyuan is so smart. She can recite the multiplication table at such a young age. She's much better than her dad was when he was a child."

When the youngest, Zhao Yufeng, heard his father praising his older sister, he was not to be outdone. He ran over and hugged Zhao Lei's ankles with his short legs, tilting his little face up and whining, "Daddy, hug me."

Zhao Lei looked down at his soft, cuddly youngest son at his feet, with his eldest daughter in one arm, his sensible second daughter standing beside him, and his well-behaved youngest son clinging to his feet.

Surrounded by children, with the gentle warmth of fireworks, this moment fills my heart with the joy of family life, bringing peace and contentment.

Su Wanqing stood to the side, her eyes gentle, watching the warm interaction between the father and sons, a faint smile on her lips.

Qin Yuchan put down her handbag, leaned against the door frame, and looked at the lively scene at home. Her eyes were full of warmth, and she couldn't help but shake her head with a smile.

Amidst the room filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, Jiang Xinyue tidied up the books on the table and spoke softly.

"Your family is having a good time. I'm going back to my room to study. There are only three days left until the supplementary exam, so I need to make the most of my time and study hard. I can't let my guard down."

After saying that, Jiang Xinyue, carrying a thick set of accounting books, tiptoed into the room, closed the door, and focused on preparing for the upcoming factory assessment.

The warm and playful atmosphere in the courtyard continued, while the lights inside the house gently enveloped the entire courtyard.

Chen Pangzi's house in Qingfeng Town.

As night fell and the daytime hustle and bustle of the factory area subsided, the staff and family compound of Jinxiu Textile Factory was quiet, except for Liu Fang's home, where the atmosphere was oppressive and irritating.