Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

He took a sip of rice wine and let out a comfortable sigh.

He nodded in approval:

"This rice wine is quite good."

"The flavor is a bit mild, but it's very refreshing."

"It's been a while since I've had such pure rice wine."

This rice wine was naturally brought from Qin Huairu's hometown.

Wang Anping had noticed that Old Man Zhou was injured and that strong liquor was harmful, so he brought rice wine with him before he came.

Qin Huairu just happened to walk in.

After hearing Old Zhou's words, he smiled and said:

"This wine was brewed by my second uncle himself."

"If you like it, sir, I'll have my second uncle brew a little more and bring it to you next time."

Old Zhou knew that Qin Huairu's hometown was in the countryside.

Thinking that Uncle Qin was brewing wine and would then have it delivered by long-distance bus, I would have to worry about it spilling or spoiling on the way.

He smacked his lips:

"That's too much trouble."

"How about we have your second uncle come and live in the city?"

"If you have nowhere to stay, just stay in my yard. There are plenty of empty rooms."

He paused, then sighed:

"I've come to realize it too. Times have changed. I'm just an old man all alone. The day I kick the bucket, this courtyard will be taken away sooner or later."

"It's better to keep it for you to use."

Old Zhou's words were just a casual remark, but Qin Huairu's eyes couldn't help but flicker.

His gaze fell on Wang Anping.

Old Zhou mentioned it briefly.

When Old Zhou casually mentioned that, Wang Anping acted as if he hadn't heard it, not even lifting his eyelids.

Qin Huairu was somewhat surprised and also somewhat tempted, but seeing that Wang Anping didn't respond, she smiled and went back to the next room to watch the stove.

Watching Qin Huairu bustling around, quick and efficient.

Old Zhou, holding his wine cup, lowered his voice and sighed:

"You're smiling. You have excellent taste. You've found a perfect wife. She has the steady and reliable qualities of a first wife."

Wang Anping rolled his eyes at him, annoyed.

"Old man, this is a new society, why are you still talking about this!"

That old man.

Why do you always think of yourself as a pervert?

Old Zhou laughed heartily, didn't argue, and changed the subject to chat casually.

He spent his entire life immersed in the turbulent old society, and his words and actions bore the imprint of that era; while Wang Anping had only been here for a short time, having witnessed the rise and prosperity of China, and his mindset and vision were already different.

The two of them have completely different values.

But it didn't stop us from chatting at all.

Old Zhou tells stories of extraordinary people and anecdotes from the old society, as well as tales of everyday life in the city.

Wang Anping followed the conversation, chatting about his visions for the future and complaining about the unpleasant things of the old days, and they hit it off quite well.

After several rounds of drinks, Qin Huairu carried several plates of hot dishes into the main room:

"Grandpa, Brother Anping, the dishes are ready."

"This chicken was raised by us back home, and the mushrooms were dried mushrooms picked from the mountain. Please try them."

"This pork and fish were bought by Brother Anping."

"They made too much food; the three of us can't finish it all."

"I put some in a porcelain bowl in the kitchen. If you want to eat it later, just heat it up on the stove. It's very convenient."

Old Zhou smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly:

"Okay, okay."

"You're so thoughtful, child. Sit down and eat with us, don't bother."

He had been alone for so many years, and the house had long lost its warmth and liveliness. Today, a young couple was having dinner with him, and the house was lively and cheerful, even the air felt warmer.

He sighed and said again:

"If you have time in the future, come here often to cook for yourselves."

"If you don't mind, you can move in. The yard is just sitting empty anyway."

Wang Anping waved his hand and joked with a smile:

"If we moved here, it would be too conspicuous. Wouldn't that make us seem out of touch with the people?"

"But it's nice to come here occasionally to satisfy my cravings."

"You didn't see it. We live in that big, crowded courtyard. Even when we're stewing a piece of meat, someone will peek through the door. Unlike here, you can cook whatever you want and live a peaceful and carefree life."

Old Zhou nodded in deep agreement.

He picked up a piece of braised fish, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and his eyes immediately lit up:

"Wow, this fish tastes amazing!"

"Where did you buy this fish? It's clearly a carp, but it tastes so much worse than the ones I used to eat!"

"Even the chefs at the Kyoto Hotel might not be able to make it taste like this. Perhaps the fish itself is of extraordinary origin?"

Wang Anping raised an eyebrow slightly.

He thought to himself:

He didn't buy it; he fished it out of the pond in the system space.

In the past, in the crowded courtyard, everyone was aware of the place and things were kept secret, so he didn't dare to take things from his spatial storage without permission.

Today, in Old Zhou's secluded courtyard, I dared to secretly switch out a fish to make up the difference, but I never expected that the old man would taste the difference so quickly.

Old Zhou felt something was off.

Wang Anping was just making up an excuse to get by.

After a satisfying meal, Wang Anping and Qin Huairu got up to say goodbye.

Looking back at the grand and clean yet somewhat deserted courtyard, Wang Anping said nothing more and turned to walk home with Qin Huairu.

By the time the two returned to their courtyard house, it was already very late. The neighbors had long since gone to sleep, and there wasn't even a sound of dogs barking.

After Qin Huairu helped Wang Anping finish washing up, the two went to bed.

a long time.

"Brother Anping is really amazing, he knows everything..."

early morning.

Wang Anping returned after finishing his boxing practice.

He was still holding an enamel mug, but today it contained hot tofu pudding.

Just as he was about to enter the house, he saw Yan Bugui squatting at his door, looking at him with a resentful gaze, as if he had suffered a great injustice, which made Wang Anping completely confused—what's wrong with this old Yan now?

Today, Wang Anping was taking Qin Huairu to the steel mill to report for duty, so he had no time for joking around with her.

The two finished breakfast and prepared to go out.

Qin Huairu changed into a clean coarse cloth jacket, which made her look particularly energetic, but there was a hint of nervousness between her brows.

She had never been to a factory before, and today was her first time working. She was both excited and nervous. She carried a cloth bag filled with a towel, a lunchbox, and some other things that Wang Anping had prepared.

Wang Anping pushed his bicycle out, and Qin Huairu quickly followed beside him as they walked together out of the courtyard.

Just then, Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu also came out of the Intermediate People's Court.

Jia Dongxu glanced at them, pretended not to see them, and turned his face away.

Sha Zhu immediately stepped forward:

"Wang Anping, Sister Qin, where are you two headed so early in the morning?"