Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

Zhao Fugen brought up the matter of the wood again: "Yongqiang, you're short of timber right now that you're building a house, so why don't you..."

"Those timbers belong to the government, and I've already placed an order with a timber mill." Given Chen Yongqiang's relationship with Yang Dahai, it would be easy for him to buy them at a low price, but he didn't want to do it.

Zhao Fugen took a drag of his cigarette: "You paid for it, you're not taking it for free."

Chen Yongqiang shook his head: "It's different. Jinjiatun hasn't given us an explanation as to how this batch of timber came about. If I really bring it back, things will get complicated."

Zhao Fugen pondered for a moment: "That's true, you've thought it through."

Chen Yongqiang had other plans for the timber. It would be just what he needed to rebuild the mountain god temple in a few days.

This is a virtuous act! No one can find fault with using it for this.

Chen Yongqiang's gaze fell on the construction site in front of him, where the red brick wall had already been built to a height of more than one person.

"This wall is well-built." He reached out and pressed the joint between the bricks.

Zhao Fugen threw away his cigarette butt and continued working: "As you instructed, we thickened it by twenty-four centimeters. It's warm in winter and cool in summer, and very sturdy. It's just that it uses more bricks and labor, so the progress won't be fast."

"At this rate, the main structure should be erected in another half month."

The materials are almost ready; cement and lime are piled up under the shed.

Several steel bars leaned against the wooden frame. Zhao Fugen said that they would start building the floor slabs once the walls were completely dry.

Chen Yongqiang went around to the back of the house and looked around. He thought to himself that at this rate, they could move in in about two months.

Lunch was served at the construction site at noon.

Several workers put down their work and squatted down under the shed.

The two Qin sisters came over carrying bamboo baskets filled with freshly steamed buns.

Chen Yongqiang also joined in the eating, taking the bowl that Qin Liping handed him.

Several kinds of pickled vegetables were laid out on the table: pickled radish strips, pickled cucumbers, and spicy cabbage. The most eye-catching thing was the braised pork in the middle.

Qin Lijuan put two pieces of meat in each person's bowl, and when it was Chen Yongqiang's turn, she put an extra piece in his bowl.

Chen Yongqiang took a bite of his steamed bun and said to Zhao Fugen, "You need to eat meat to have the strength to work."

Zhao Fugen chuckled, a greasy sheen on his lips: "With you saying that, we can work for another two hours tonight."

A dozen or so workers took a bite of their steamed buns and ate them with braised pork, their mouths greasy with oil.

Zhao Fugen had already eaten most of his food: "Jin Lao Er and his gang are probably still hungry. They've been locked up since this morning and haven't even had a sip of water."

"They brought it on themselves; they were lucky they weren't crippled."

"They brought it on themselves. They were lucky they weren't crippled." Chen Yongqiang picked up another piece of braised pork.

Zhao Fugen chuckled twice: "With Jin Lao Er's physique, if it really came down to a fight, he probably wouldn't be able to withstand more than two blows."

"But if this matter gets taken to the forestry station, they'll be in big trouble. Not only will they be fined, but they might also end up in jail."

"Illegal logging will land you in jail for life," Chen Yongqiang uttered eight words.

Zhao Fugen replied with a smile, "That makes sense. This time it's a crackdown, and Jin Lao Er has run into the line of fire."

After finishing his meal, Chen Yongqiang wiped his mouth and got up to walk towards the thatched hut.

The thatched hut was cooler, and Lin Xiulian was eating while watching TV. Chen Yongqiang had instructed her to take special care of her meals.

Qin Liping fried two extra eggs for her.

Lin Xiulian asked Chen Yongqiang as he entered, "Would you like to eat something else?"

"No, I'm already full." Chen Yongqiang took off his coat and lay down on the bed.

He closed his eyes and went through the afternoon's events in his mind.

The three thieves who illegally logged timber are still being held at the village office. The forestry station staff won't arrive until the afternoon, so they need to interrogate them first and find out where the timber is.

Jin Lao Er is stubborn, but the other two may not be able to withstand it.

Chen Yongqiang was half asleep when he felt someone lie down in his arms.

He thought it was Lin Xiulian, so he instinctively hugged her tighter.

The woman in his arms did not resist; her body was soft and carried a fresh scent of soap.

In a half-dreaming, half-awake state, Chen Yongqiang placed his hand on her waist, feeling her warm body temperature through the thin fabric.

The thatched hut was dimly lit. He pulled the other man closer to his chest, and the man pressed against him, breathing evenly, as if he were asleep too.

It took Chen Yongqiang quite a while to slowly come to his senses.

The person in his arms remained motionless, their hair brushing against his chin, causing a slight itch.

Chen Yongqiang opened his eyes and looked down.

Chen Yongqiang looked down and saw that the person in his arms was not Lin Xiulian, but Qin Liping.

He paused for a moment, instinctively wanting to let go, but Qin Liping snuggled closer to him: "Brother Yongqiang, you're awake?"

"Where is Xiulian?"

Qin Liping pursed her lips: "Sister Xiulian went for a walk and asked me to come and help you tidy up the house."

"When I came in, you immediately hugged me."

Chen Yongqiang got out of bed and straightened his clothes as he did so.

Although the two had already confirmed their relationship, there was nothing wrong with hugging and cuddling, but they were afraid of being seen by Lin Xiulian.

Although Lin Xiulian was aware of the situation, it was still awkward to run into them.

Qin Liping also sat up, her cheeks still flushed, and bent down to smooth out the hem of her clothes.

She glanced up at the door and asked, "Sister Xiulian, will you be back soon?"

Chen Yongqiang walked to the door and looked out. Several people were working on the construction site, but there was no one around the thatched hut.

He turned around: "It's still early, why don't you lie down a bit longer?"

Qin Liping shook her head and stood up: "No, I'll go clear the bowls away."

She walked to the door, glanced back at Chen Yongqiang with a smile on her lips, and then pushed the door open and went out.

Chen Yongqiang didn't think much of it, washed his face, and headed towards the village office.

He walked around the construction site and heard Zhao Fugen shouting something on the scaffolding. The clanging sound of the trowel hitting the bricks carried far.

A few idle men who had been watching the commotion gathered at the entrance of the village office. When they saw him arrive, they automatically made way for him.

Chen Yongqiang looked into the room and saw Jin Lao Er squatting in the corner with hemp rope tied around his hands.

He walked in and stood in front of Jin Lao Er, looking down at him: "Tell me, where did you hide the wood?"

Jin Lao Er didn't even lift his eyelids: "I don't know."

Chen Yongqiang stared at him for a few seconds, then turned and left the room without asking any more questions.

The person squatting in the next room was a small, thin man, and everyone called him Jin Shunxi.

This man was timid; he had been cowering in the corner ever since he was brought in. When he heard the door open, he trembled.

Chen Yongqiang pulled up a chair and sat down. He didn't rush to speak, lit a cigarette, and slowly took two puffs.

Smoke drifted through the room. Jin Shunxi kept her head down, but her eyes were darting around.

"Xizi," Chen Yongqiang called out.

"You still have an elderly mother at home, right?" Chen Yongqiang flicked his cigarette ash.

Jin Shunxi nodded, making a gurgling sound in her throat.

Chen Yongqiang wasn't just trying to scare him: "If you keep quiet about it, this matter will have to be dealt with severely."

"Illegal logging, and in considerable quantities. The forestry station said it's enough to warrant a sentence. If you go to jail, what will happen to your mother?"

Jin Shunxi's shoulders trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Chen Yongqiang stubbed out his cigarette on the stool leg: "Where's the wood? Tell me, and I'll consider it a redemption. The main culprit is Jin Lao Er; you're just an accomplice at most. You'll be fined and sent home."

Kim Soon-hee hesitated and didn't dare to speak.

"Jin Lao Er can't scare you anymore. Tell me, where is the wood hidden?" Chen Yongqiang seemed to be giving him a chance.