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

Suddenly, Qin Yuchan appeared at the entrance of the main room, staring at the three people inside with surprise.

"Looks like I came back at the wrong time..."

After saying that, Qin Yuchan turned and left.

Zhao Lei immediately panicked, took two steps forward and chased after her, grabbing Qin Yuchan's hand: "Yuchan, no, no, you've come at just the right time."

Come here, let me give you a hug too.

Qin Yuchan pushed him away forcefully, annoyed: "Get lost! Didn't you tell me to come back early to cook for my sisters? What are you doing? Trying to bully them while I'm not here?"

Zhao Lei was speechless, and no matter what he said, Qin Yuchan wouldn't believe him.

So he turned to Jiang Xinyue and Su Wanqing for help.

But the two of them, as if they had agreed beforehand, remained silent and each rolled their eyes at him.

Finally, his three ex-wives went to the kitchen to busy themselves, leaving him in the main room.

Watching them bustling about, Zhao Lei sighed deeply, "Sigh, in this family... it turns out I'm the outsider."

"However, judging from your energy levels, it seems your colds are better, which is a good thing."

After lunch, Qin Yuchan rushed back to school for class.

She swapped classes with other colleagues at noon today to come back before noon, thinking that the two sisters were sick and she wanted to make them lunch.

Therefore, after finishing her meal, she had to rush back to Tuanjie Township Elementary School.

The round trip takes about 70 to 80 minutes.

Zhao Lei gazed at Qin Yuchan's figure, his heart filled with heartache.

I plan to pass through Qingfeng Town this afternoon and buy a gift for Qin Yuchan.

Next, Zhao Lei personally watched as Su Wanqing took his and Jiang Xinyue's temperatures, and both of their fever symptoms subsided.

He was finally relieved.

After resting for a while, Zhao Lei brewed some traditional Chinese medicine and supervised his two ex-wives to drink it.

Then he said to them, "Xinyue, Wanqing, I have to go out again this afternoon to Sanhe Township. I'll probably be back late for dinner. If you don't see me by then, you can eat first."

Jiang Xinyue asked, "Sanshi, what are you doing in Sanhe Township?"

Su Wanqing suddenly remembered something and asked, "Brother Sanshi? Could it be that your uncle is looking for you again?"

Mentioning his uncle, Zhao Lei suddenly remembered that his mother, Zhou Guilan, was from Sanhe Township, but her relationship with her maternal family had never been very good.

A few years ago, shortly after Xiao Shitou was born, his mother passed away due to illness.

From then on, his snobbish uncle never contacted Zhao Lei again.

Zhao Lei immediately shook his head: "No, I'm going to Sanhe Township to take care of some other things."

Both ex-wives asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Lei didn't explain much, but hurriedly changed into his clothes for going out: "You'll find out when I get back. I'm leaving now. Remember to take the rest of your Chinese medicine. If I find out you haven't taken your medicine on time when you get back, I'll spank you."

After saying that, Zhao Lei hurriedly left the house.

It was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon.

Zhao Lei estimated that it would take three to five hours to go to Sanhe Township and back, so he had to hurry, otherwise it would be troublesome when it got dark.

Zhao Lei first went to Wang Zongbao's house.

They found that Wang Zongbao and Qin Bowen were already packed and ready to leave.

When Wang Zongbao saw him, he said, "Brother Lei, you're here. Bowen told me that we're going to Sanhe Township to borrow tools this afternoon."

Zhao Lei nodded: "Yes, I was worried you'd go out with the militia to harvest the crops this afternoon, so I had Bowen come and tell you first. How is it? How serious is the damage to the crops in our village?"

As Wang Zongbao drove the water buffalo out of the shed and onto the cart, he explained, "Some cornfields were knocked down by the strong wind, but the corn is basically ripe and will be harvested in a few days, so it won't affect this year's bumper harvest."

"That's good. Are you alright not going to the fields this afternoon?"

Qin Bowen interjected, "Don't worry, brother-in-law. I've already spoken to my older brother; he can release Zong Bao, but he might not be able to get away."

Wang Zongbao set up the oxcart and beckoned the two men to get on: "Don't worry, Brother Lei. There's not much work to do in the fields yet. I estimate that Brother Dashan and the others will finish by this afternoon, so it won't affect our fishing tomorrow."

Zhao Lei nodded and pointed in the direction of Qin Changlin's house: "Let's go pick up Uncle Changlin."

Everything is going very well.

Qin Changlin had been waiting at home for a long time, and he saw Zhao Lei and the others driving the oxcart from afar.

He was about to greet them when his youngest daughter, Qin Xiaocui, became even more excited, waving her hands and shouting, "Brother Lei, Zongbao, Bowen, you're here!"

"Hey, Xiao Cui, Uncle Changlin."

Zhao Lei and Qin Bowen glanced at Wang Zongbao, who was tense all over, and instantly understood the reason.

They hurriedly urged Qin Changlin to get into the car, and the group quickly left Qin Changlin's house.

It takes more than two hours to walk from Heping Brigade in Tuanjie Township to Sanhe Township.

Even if you drive the oxcart without rest, the time spent won't be much different.

The group chatted idly along the way.

Only Wang Zongbao was unusually reserved, driving the carriage silently without uttering a word.

Qin Changlin sensed something was wrong:

Wang Zongbao is usually a glib-tongued kid who greets everyone he meets with a sweet tongue. Why is he so sullen today?

So he asked, "Zongbao, what's wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell? Why aren't you saying a word?"

Wang Zongbao was flattered and coughed twice: "Uncle Changlin, I'm fine. I'm just naturally quiet."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lei and Qin Bowen both burst into laughter.

Wang Zongbao secretly grumbled to himself.

Brother Lei, I beg you guys, please stop making things worse!

This is my future father-in-law!

We haven't reached that point yet, so please don't give anything away!

While Qin Changlin wasn't paying attention, Wang Zongbao secretly cast a pleading look at Zhao Lei.

Zhao Lei and Qin Bowen understood each other perfectly and nodded repeatedly: "We understand, we get it."

A little while later, Zhao Lei deliberately stirred up trouble, steer the conversation toward Xiao Cui: "Uncle Changlin, Xiao Cui is 19 this year, isn't she? Shouldn't she be looking for someone to marry?"

Wang Zongbao, who was rushing to catch the carriage, suddenly shuddered upon hearing this.

The oxcart lurched violently, causing everyone on board to jolt. It failed to avoid a puddle in the road.

"Ouch!"

Qin Bowen saw through his guilty conscience at a glance and scolded him, "Zongbao, can't you drive the oxcart properly? What are you daydreaming about?"

Wang Zongbao cursed inwardly: "Damn Qin Bowen, you're deliberately trying to trick me, aren't you?"

But he couldn't lash out on the spot, so he could only grit his teeth and plan to settle the score with Qin Bowen later.

Qin Changlin took a puff of the Hongmei brand cigarette that Zhao Lei handed him.

He continued, "Lei Zi, now that you mention it, it's true. It's about time my Xiao Cui started talking about other people. I think you're pretty good, Lei Zi. You have good character, and you're capable of supporting a family. I like you quite a bit, and it's not a problem that you're a little older than Xiao Cui..."