Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Wensheng laughed heartily, innocent and carefree.

Jiang Lin was infected by their joy and felt like a child herself, feeling that she was getting younger as she lived.

This time, Dai Guohua and Cheng Rushan brought back some rice and specialty products from neighboring provinces, as well as some coal and charcoal for winter heating.

Dai Guohua jumped onto the truck to unload them, while Cheng Rushan and Wensheng carried them home.

The coal was packed in bundles of cane baskets and they borrowed a wheelbarrow from the brigade headquarters to push it home.

Other items were covered with oilcloth on the truck; there was no need for guards because no one in Water Elm Village dared to steal from Cheng Rushan.

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi were preparing dinner and helping to entertain guests.

Dai Guohua smiled, “Uncle, Auntie, just make something simple, no need to fuss.”

Yan Runzhi replied, “Baor’s mother calculated that you were coming back and specially slaughtered the meat. In a rural family, there’s no need for anything fancy; I guarantee you’ll eat your fill.”

They steamed a small pot of fresh rice. After learning the technique of steaming rice from Xu Aimei in the provincial capital, Yan Runzhi also liked cooking rice, and felt that it tasted delicious when paired with white flour.

Wensheng rode his bicycle with Da Bao and Xiao Bao to call Jiang Xinglei back for dinner.

Jiang Xinglei sometimes couldn’t make it back for lunch.

He was working with Shang Zonghui at the brickyard, and today his sister-in-law called him to improve the situation.

As soon as he arrived home, Jiang Xinglei went to thank Dai Guohua and Cheng Rushan.

“Dai Brother, Brother-in-law, you came back at the right time. If it were two days later…”

Dai Guohua laughed, looking at the strong young man in front of him, realizing that labor really trains people.

When he came, he was still clean and handsome, but now he was dirty and exhausted.

However, his eyes were brighter and his body was much stronger.

He no longer jumped around like a spring on his legs and was now more stable.

Jiang Xinglei said, “Brother-in-law, if I stay here longer, you might not be able to afford to feed me. I might end up bankrupting you.”

Cheng Rushan replied calmly, “Don’t worry, we were already poor. We won’t get any poorer.”

Jiang Xinglei really wanted to hug his brother-in-law’s legs and ask him to take him back.

Shang Zonghui chuckled, “Jiang Xinglei is really capable now. He can do anything.”

Jiang Lin asked, “How many bricks did you make today?”

Jiang Xinglei replied, “Sister, instead of making bricks, we’re really siblings.”

Jiang Lin chuckled softly in response.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao were eating the chocolate-covered peanuts that Cheng Rushan had bought for them, though they were actually just peanuts coated in a thin layer of sugar! It was so expensive!

Cheng Rushan quietly told Jiang Lin, “These have less sugar, so they won’t harm their teeth. Saves you worrying about them having too much candy.”

Jiang Lin sighed, “But they’re so expensive. Maybe I should just make some syrup and roast some peanuts to coat them myself.”

Cheng Rushan replied, “But… they look forward to their dad bringing gifts back whenever he travels far.”

Every time Cheng Rushan went out, Da Bao and Xiao Bao were especially hopeful, guessing what Dad would bring back next time.

They even started calling him “Dad” when he went into town.

Jiang Lin nodded, “Alright.”

Cheng Rushan whispered in her ear, “I brought you a gift too.”

Jiang Lin turned to look at him, sensing a mischievous intent behind his words.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao reported to Cheng Rushan about their learning progress during this time, taking the opportunity to tease their little uncle.

Yan Runzhi rolled out some small pancakes and thinly sliced some pork belly, marinating it with the right spices.

She then dry-fried it in a pan to render the fat, plated it, cut some green onions into segments, prepared the sauce, and wrapped the crispy pork belly in the thin pancakes to eat.

Additionally, she steamed a small pot of white rice and stewed a dish of thousand-layer radish with lard, piping hot.

The whole family gathered around the table, enjoying the warm meal.

Even though the concept of drunk driving wasn’t prevalent at that time, Jiang Lin emphasized to them not to drink and drive.

She didn’t want them to get into even a minor accident due to drinking, causing harm to themselves or others!

“I’m not stopping you from drinking, but you need to stay sober while driving,” she said to Dai Guohua. “If you stay over, then feel free to drink as much as you want.”

Dai Guohua smiled and said, “If little sister says no drinking, then we won’t drink.”

He actually didn’t agree completely.

After all, which driver doesn’t drink a little in the dead of winter to warm up?

Cheng Rushan said to Dai Guohua, “My wife said you should listen. When you’re not driving, you can drink as you please.”

Dai Guohua seemed to surrender, “Okay, I get it. I won’t just go through the motions. If I’m driving, I won’t drink.”

Everyone laughed.

Yan Runzhi added, “I think drinking makes people more relaxed and likely to dance around. So, even if you’re not drunk, it’s really not suitable for driving.”

Dai Guohua quickly agreed, sincerely promising not to drink when driving.

Cheng Rushan finally let him off the hook.

After dinner, Dai Guohua went to the brickyard to see and bought some bricks and tiles to repair the walls and roof of his own house.

At night, naturally, it was like a honeymoon for the newlyweds, with their own indescribable moments…

The next day, Cheng Rushan also went to the brickyard to make bricks and to tease his brother-in-law a bit, so he wouldn’t bother him all day.

Wensheng also went to make bricks together, encouraging Jiang Xinglei, “Brother-in-law, see, it’s not that tiring. Work hard and don’t let my mom down, okay?”

Jiang Xinglei rolled his eyes dramatically, “You call me brother-in-law, and you want my sister to call her mom.”

Wensheng: “Xinglei, come on, hehe.”

Jiang Xinglei: “… Just call me brother-in-law.”

While the men worked at the brickyard, Jiang Lin took Da Bao and Xiao Bao to the hillside to check out the soil digging area, picking some southern snake vine roots and gathering familiar herbs for Cheng Rushan.

Around noon, Da Bao and Xiao Bao got hungry, but the men were still working.

Jiang Lin decided to take the boys home first.

Unfortunately, their bicycle had a flat tire, and the pump was at home.

She asked Cheng Rushan and the others to push the bike home later, while she walked with Da Bao and Xiao Bao.

Holding one child in each hand, they happily chatted on their way home.

She asked, “What have you learned recently?”

Da Bao replied, “In the vast desert, the smoke rises straight; in the long river, the setting sun is round!”

Jiang Lin said, “Title, dynasty, author—don’t leave out any details.”

Xiao Bao chuckled, “Mom, what about you?”

Jiang Lin smiled, “Of course, I know. I’m testing you both now.”

The two children giggled and forgot that Grandma had said not to tease their mom.

Jiang Lin felt she urgently needed to study more herself, so her son wouldn’t make fun of her and she wouldn’t feel embarrassed around her younger brother.

Maybe she should have Jiang Xinglei tidy up his math skills, while she focused on reciting Chinese literature.

Of course, the exams now weren’t about Tang and Song poetry, but leadership poems, classical prose, vocabulary, and grammar.

She didn’t find it difficult and was confident she could handle it if she studied hard.

“Let’s go home and study together. We’ll check in every day to see who’s making progress the fastest!'”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao preferred storytelling to studying, so Jiang Lin wanted to set a good example for them.

She believed that even if you liked telling stories, knowing more would make your stories even more exciting, right?

Da Bao and Xiao Bao agreed with their mom and vowed to work hard together.

As they reached an intersection, they suddenly heard a fierce bark.

Looking down the alley to their left, they saw a large black dog with a chain growling menacingly at a smaller dog, which cowered in fear.

The black dog had ears perked up, bared its teeth menacingly, and had a ferocious appearance that was quite intimidating.

Its slender legs, long body, and glossy coat made it clear it wasn’t an ordinary stray.

Suddenly, the dog barked aggressively at Jiang Lin, its cold, fierce eyes locking onto her, freezing her in place.

She was terrified of such large dogs!

When she was young, she had been to her great-grandmother’s village with adults, where there was a large wolfhound.

For some reason, it broke free from its leash and pounced on her as she passed by.

If its owner hadn’t arrived in time to chase it away, it would have bitten her neck.

Since then, she had been haunted by this incident and would freeze when faced with aggressive large dogs.

She quickly led Da Bao and Xiao Bao to walk faster.

The boy from the house of the small dog ran out and, seeing his dog being bullied, grabbed a stick to confront the black dog.

“Awr!” The large black dog, still on its chain, leaped towards the boy.

“Ahhh!” The boy cried in fear, swinging his stick.

Their grandparents heard the commotion and quickly came out to chase away the black dog.

Because of her past encounter with such a dog, Jiang Lin didn’t say anything and hurriedly led Da Bao and Xiao Bao home.

“Where did that big dog come from?” exclaimed voices behind them.

Some elderly women and children at the gate saw the ferocious black dog with its chain, howling as it charged out.

They hurriedly retreated into their homes, fearing being bitten.

The black dog seemed to recognize Jiang Lin and chased after her and Da Bao and Xiao Bao.

One elderly woman quickly warned them, “Dog! Dog!”

Jiang Lin looked back and saw the large dog charging towards them.

Her heart pounded wildly as she grabbed Da Bao and Xiao Bao and ran.

Though young, Xiao Bao was frightened, his face pale and feet seemingly glued to the ground, making it hard for Jiang Lin to drag him without tripping.

She scooped them up and ran, but she couldn’t match the speed of the dog.

They were about to be caught up to when the dog’s chain got snagged on something, slowing it down just enough.

Jiang Lin heard the rattling of the iron chain getting closer and closer behind her.

Her heart raced in panic.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a stick lying under a pile of grass nearby.

She quickly turned, pushing Da Bao and Xiao Bao towards the grass pile, and grabbed the stick, swinging it behind her.

Just as the large dog leaped towards her, jaws open to bite her neck, Jiang Lin swung the stick and hit it squarely.

The dog yelped as it hit the ground, but quickly recovered and lunged at her again.

Jiang Lin defended herself with the stick.

Meanwhile, Da Bao grabbed stones to throw at the dog, shouting, “I’ll beat you, I’ll beat you!”

Though trembling with fear, Xiao Bao saw his mom and brother fighting the dog, and he too started picking up stones to help Da Bao.

Two elderly women came over with sticks and brooms, shouting, “Whose dog is this? Drive it away quickly before someone gets hurt!”

Ordinary dogs usually bite when their victims are caught off guard.

When faced with resistance, they generally retreat.

Dogs that attack head-on like this are often trained guard dogs.

Seeing the group of people, the large dog growled lowly, then turned and walked away.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Lin quickly comforted the children.

Xiao Bao continued to bravely pick up stones to throw at the dog alongside Da Bao.

Suddenly, just as the large dog was leaving, it turned and rushed towards Xiao Bao along the wall.

“Ah!” An elderly woman saw this and screamed in fright as she watched the dog charge towards Xiao Bao.

“Xiao Bao!” Jiang Lin instinctively rushed towards him.

She had never realized she could run so fast.

She threw herself over Xiao Bao, shielding him with her entire body.

The dog lunged, its jaws open.

Jiang Lin saw its saliva dripping and heard its heavy panting, but she couldn’t move immediately.

But it was just a moment.

“Mom!” At the moment the dog leaped with its mouth open, Da Bao grabbed the iron chain and pulled back with all his strength.

The two elderly women’s first thought was not to pull back, fearing the dog might turn and bite them instead, but their bodies instinctively rushed forward to help Da Bao pull the iron chain.

The large dog, about to bite its prey, was suddenly held back by the chain.

It growled deeply, struggling forward with great force, nearly overpowering Da Bao and the two elderly women.

Jiang Lin regained her breath, endured the pain in her elbow, quickly propped herself up, and reached for a stone in Xiao Bao’s arms.

She threw it towards the dog’s head, hitting its nose squarely.

The dog yelped in pain and quickly broke free, running away.

Jiang Lin suddenly felt weak and collapsed to the ground.

Da Bao and the two elderly women also sat down heavily, still shaken and patting their chests.

Xiao Bao had been protected in Jiang Lin’s arms the whole time.

He peeked out and held Jiang Lin’s face, “Mom, the bad dog ran away.”

But Jiang Lin didn’t respond.

Da Bao hurried over, “Mom, Mom, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Jiang Lin sitting on the ground, not looking at them, he became scared.

The two elderly women rushed over, “This is serious, she’s really scared.”