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

"Hey, our family's pillar of support is finally back! Where has he been off having fun this time?"

Qin Yuchan's loud voice rang out at an inopportune moment.

Zhao Lei didn't mind and led the children into the courtyard.

When Zhao Lei brought back so many things, all three ex-wives stared wide-eyed.

Qin Yuchan gasped, "Sanshi, what have you been doing today? Where did all this stuff come from?"

Although Jiang Xinyue was preoccupied with her own thoughts, she forced a smile, stepped forward to take the items from Zhao Lei's hands, and carried them into the main room.

Su Wanqing also quickly came over to lend a hand.

Zhao Lei laughed heartily: "Oh dear, while I was away, you women and kids have been living a very frugal life. Didn't I make some money a while ago?"

When I asked you all to buy things, none of you were willing to spend money, so today I decided to go to town myself and spend some money.

Come, come in and see what I've prepared for you all.

Jiang Xinyue was filled with doubt when she heard that Zhao Lei had spent a lot of money outside today.

All these miscellaneous items together would cost at least tens or hundreds of yuan, and if there were valuable items among them, it would easily cost several hundred yuan.

She had always kept the family savings, so where did Zhao Lei get the extra money?

Jiang Xinyue suddenly realized.

Oh, right, right, today he and Qin Bowen went up the mountain together and sold the wild boar meat they couldn't finish eating.

These expenses must have come from the money spent on selling meat!

Su Wanqing, completely unaware of the situation, asked in confusion, "Sanshi, where did you get the money to buy so much stuff? Did you go to town?"

Zhao Lei nodded: "Yes, I went to town with my brother-in-law today and bought some daily necessities for everyone."

As for the money, it came from selling the remaining hundred or so jin of wild boar meat today, which brought in a little over a hundred yuan.

Qin Yuchan looked somewhat displeased: "Sanshi, even if you've been lucky enough to make money lately, you can't be so extravagant."

"We have a whole family to support. If you only care about your immediate comfort and don't plan for the long term, are you going to let your children go hungry in the future?"

Zhao Lei retorted, "Of course you have to spend money if you earn it. If you just save and don't spend, where will you get the motivation to work hard to earn money? Besides, I haven't been squandering it. Everything I've bought is practical, you see..."

As he spoke, Zhao Lei took things out of the basket one by one.

The first thing he took out was a brand new analog pocket watch that used batteries. He unpacked it and handed it to Qin Yuchan:

"Yu Chan, replace that old, broken watch at home. You have to go to school every day, and Wan Qing has to see patients on time, so it's really inconvenient not having a clock at home. I also bought a few extra pairs of batteries so it'll be easier to replace them later..."

Qin Yuchan took the clock, which was about the size of her face, and her expression softened considerably.

Living conditions are tough right now, and there really isn't anything in the house that can tell the time.

On weekdays, she relies entirely on the weather to roughly estimate the time when she goes to and from get off work.

This has always been the case in rural areas. On a normal sunny summer morning, around six or seven o'clock, just as dawn breaks, villagers go out to work in the fields.

However, on rainy days, the sky, which should brighten around six o'clock, can remain overcast until seven o'clock or even longer.

It is very easy to misjudge the time, which can delay the day's work arrangements.

The pocket watch I bought is exactly what Qin Yuchan needed; it's practical and thoughtful.

She immediately took out two train license plate batteries and installed them.

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock...

The clock hands began to turn slowly.

Qin Yuchan chuckled and said, "I'll go to school tomorrow to confirm the exact time. Sanshi, you've certainly thought this through, but about the rest of the items..."

Just as Qin Yuchan was about to pick out something else, she began to scold Zhao Lei for wasting money.

Zhao Lei then took out a bunch of other items.

Rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea, and various seasonings; several sets of new children's clothes; and small toys such as rattles.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Lei took out an exquisitely packaged Hero fountain pen and handed it to Qin Yuchan:

"This is a gift I specially prepared for you. It's a genuine Hero brand fountain pen, a rare find. Please accept it."

Qin Yuchan was taken aback at first, then flattered and overwhelmed, unable to hide her smile any longer:

"Sanshi, you've finally figured it out! To be honest, I really like this pen."

Zhao Lei glanced at Jiang Xinyue and Su Wanqing, who were staring at him expectantly, and then jokingly said with a smile, "Don't worry, you two will also have special gifts."

Zhao Lei handed Jiang Xinyue a stack of newspapers and a six-month newspaper subscription coupon.

Jiang Xinyue looked at this unusual gift with a puzzled expression.

Zhao Lei spoke softly: "Xinyue, I know you are knowledgeable and have a broad perspective. I firmly believe that your family's affairs will be redressed sooner or later, and this small piece of land in the Heping Production Brigade cannot confine a golden phoenix like you. I also don't want to see you depressed all day long, trapped in this small mountain village."

So today in town, I specially spent fifty yuan to subscribe to a newspaper for you for six months. From now on, a newspaper with news from all over the country will be delivered to your home every week. I wonder if you like this gift?

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Xinyue looked at Zhao Lei with burning eyes.

On the surface, he may appear calm and composed, but inside he is already churning with turmoil!

Jiang Xinyue was originally a woman with a broad vision and abundant knowledge and talent, but she was trapped in the deep mountains...

Every day, I cut pig feed, feed the pigs, clean the pigpen, do laundry, cook, chop firewood, and take care of the children.

This disparity constantly tore at her heart.

The bitterness within is something no one can understand.

She originally thought that no one could see through her situation and the pent-up emotions in her heart.

But this newspaper instantly touched upon her deepest desires.

Zhao Lei understood the expectation hidden in her heart.

This wasn't just a stack of newspapers; it was clearly her window to the outside world.

Jiang Xinyue was deeply shocked.

She initially agreed to marry Zhao Lei out of necessity due to life's circumstances.

Later, I was moved by Zhao Lei's sense of responsibility and gentleness.

With her father, Jiang Dingtian, under investigation for many years and no prospect of a comeback in sight, this proud capitalist's daughter gradually let go of her obsession and resigned herself to playing the role of a dutiful and hardworking peasant woman.

It wasn't until Zhao Lei delivered this gift that she realized how perfectly it touched her heart. It looked ordinary, but it was exactly what she wanted.

This proves that Zhao Lei truly understands her, respects her innermost thoughts, and is a soulmate to her!

Before today, Jiang Xinyue's feelings for Zhao Lei were perhaps just a matter of accepting whatever fate brought her.

But at this moment, she knew the answer in her heart.

I was right to have chosen the right person, and I was incredibly lucky to have married the right one!

Regardless of whether Zhao Lei has divorced her or not, regardless of whether they will remarry in the future, and regardless of whether Zhao Lei will remarry...

At this moment, in Jiang Xinyue's heart...

Zhao Lei is the only man she acknowledges!

He was also the only man who truly understood her!