Chapter 11: The Three of Them Stay in the Countryside

It wasn’t even time to start work yet when the brigade leader came eagerly, calling Lin Chaoyang to head to the commune together.

On the way, the brigade leader was in high spirits and didn’t stop talking the whole time.

Lin Chaoyang, thinking about his future job in the city, wanted to bring up his arrangements ahead of time.

“Brigade Leader, I have something I’d like to trouble you with.”

The brigade leader, still in a great mood, waved his big hand and said, “Whatever it is, just say it. If I can help, I absolutely will!”

“I’ll be working at the coal mine soon. At first, I’ll probably be in a dorm, and it won’t be big enough to fit so many people from home.”

The brigade leader nodded—what Lin Chaoyang said made sense.

Although people with jobs in the city had a chance at getting housing, Lin Chaoyang had only just started. There was no way they’d immediately give him a house.

Plus, he was a single young man. He’d probably be assigned to a dorm for single workers, with one bed per person.

“I want to bring Xingxing with me. He’s too young—I’m afraid he won’t be taken care of properly otherwise. The other three are older and can look after themselves.”

“So I’d like to trouble you, Brigade Leader, to keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t get into trouble.”

The brigade leader agreed readily. “Of course, don’t worry about that. We’re all from the same village—everyone will help look after them.”

Lin Chaoyang smiled and nodded, feeling like a weight had been lifted from his heart.

This time going to the city, he hadn’t planned on taking those three freeloaders with him anyway.

Besides, there wasn’t enough space right now, so leaving them in the countryside would hopefully mean they stayed there for good.

They could earn work points to get themselves half-full stomachs—at least they wouldn’t starve.

As for whether people in the village would talk behind his back, he didn’t care in the slightest.

He wasn’t going to live in the village anymore—why should he care what they said?

When they arrived at the commune, Lin Chaoyang followed the brigade leader and gave his speech successfully.

After the speech, he even received a reward from the commune.

One enamel mug, a towel, a bar of soap, and ten yuan in cash.

Even the brigade leader got an enamel mug and was grinning from ear to ear.

When they got home, Lin Chaoyang began preparing for his job at the coal mine.

After packing his things, he made the announcement during dinner.

“The county has rewarded me with a job. I’ll be working in the county seat from now on.”

Upon hearing that he’d been rewarded with a job, the younger siblings’ eyes widened in surprise.

Especially Lin Chaoyun—her heart was thudding.

Big Brother actually got a job? Did that mean the whole family would be moving to the city?

Lin Chaoyang seemed to read her thoughts and said coldly, “I plan to take Xingxing with me. The three of you will stay home.”

Lin Chaoxia was the first to object. “Why, Big Brother? Why do we have to stay in the countryside?”

Since Third Sister spoke up, Lin Chaoyu chimed in as well, “Exactly. Why does only Xingxing get to go?”

“I’ve just started working. Do you think I’ll be given a big house to accommodate a whole family?”

Lin Chaoyang’s eyes swept over the three of them, displeased. “How many people can live in a single dorm? Where would you even sleep if you came?”

The three were left speechless, though they were clearly unhappy about Xingxing getting to go to the city.

“If there’s no room, then Xingxing shouldn’t go either. Don’t let it affect your work, Big Brother.”

Lin Chaoyang sneered, “You three think you can take care of Xingxing? He’d be dead of hunger by the time I got back.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Big Brother? How can you say that about us? Are you even still our big brother?”

Lin Chaoxia could no longer hide her dissatisfaction and, feeling a bit wronged, questioned him.

“There’s only one pot of rice porridge at home. Lin Chaoyu would finish it all by himself and not leave any for others—can we really trust you three to take care of Xingxing?”

“You’re all selfish. You only ever think of yourselves. That’s why I’m taking Xingxing with me.”

Hearing this, Lin Chaoyun suddenly looked up—her big brother had completely changed!

In the past, no matter what happened, Big Brother always stood up for all of them.

But now, he only cared about Xingxing and even said to their faces that the three of them were selfish.

A chilling thought crossed her mind—had Big Brother also returned?

That possibility made Lin Chaoyun break out in a cold sweat.

If Big Brother also had memories of their past life… what would she do?

She had thought that she could rely on the advantage of her rebirth to live a unique and better life.

But reality had just slapped her hard in the face.

Big Brother had landed a job and planned to take Xingxing to the city, leaving her with the two younger siblings in the countryside.

She didn’t even know what she could do to live a decent life.

Now that even the most dependable Big Brother couldn’t be relied on, what was she supposed to do?

Did she come back to this life just to starve again?

After a moment of thought, Lin Chaoyun gritted her teeth and said, “Big Brother, now that you’re going to the city, you should at least leave the food for us, right?”

Since she couldn’t count on him anymore, she figured she might as well hold onto whatever advantage she could still grab.

If the supplies the county had rewarded him with stayed at home, they could last the three of them a while.

As the eldest sister, she could even control the household supplies and make sure she ate well.

Lin Chaoyang gave her an angry glare. “You think I won’t need to eat in the city? You think I get a paycheck the moment I arrive?”

Lin Chaoxia, seeing her sister speak up, quickly joined in, “Then Big Brother, why don’t you just take a month’s worth of food with you and leave the rest for us to eat slowly?”

Lin Chaoyu didn’t say anything, but it was clear he fully supported his two sisters.

Lin Chaoyang sneered. “Why don’t you just say I should send my salary back every month so you can eat and drink in comfort? You’ve got hands and feet—why don’t you go earn your own work points?”

“You’re all grown up. Still expecting your brother to feed you? Whose kids your age can’t earn their own grain?”

Lin Chaoyang was firm. “I’m taking the food. I’ll leave a little for you, but the rest—you’ll have to figure it out yourselves.”

Seeing how tough Lin Chaoyang was being, Lin Chaoyun became certain—Big Brother had also been reborn.

Otherwise, he would never treat the three of them like this.

“Big Brother, we’re your real siblings. Aren’t you afraid Mom and Dad will come back in the middle of the night to haunt you for this?”

Lin Chaoyang shot her a cold look. “If Mom and Dad came back and saw the three of you, they’d only regret ever giving birth to such selfish brats.”

With that, Lin Chaoyang turned and went back to his room, taking the quiet Lin Chaoxing with him.

After putting Xingxing to bed, Lin Chaoyang began sorting out the food that had been sent from the county.

Ten jin of rice and ten jin of cornmeal—that was the last bit of kindness he would leave them as their eldest brother.

Just as he finished dividing the food, there was a knock at the door.

Lin Chaoyang opened it to see Lin Chaoyun standing there, her face dark with anger.

“What is it?”

She gave him a resentful look and asked, “Big Brother… did you come back too?”

Lin Chaoyang sneered. He knew it—Lin Chaoyun was definitely hiding something.