Chapter 36: Hold My Hand to Avoid Losing It

Zhang Tingyuan looked at her in shock.

He wondered how she knew so much.

Wasn’t she only in third grade?

“What’s wrong?” Lin Bingwei blinked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Zhang Tingyuan came back to his senses and said, “Nothing, I’m just curious; you really know a lot.”

“Oh, I read the newspaper; I read every issue.”

Zhang Tingyuan thought she was a prodigy, clearly not an ordinary person, so he didn’t dwell on it.

He figured they needed to buy a television at home so she could learn more information through it.

He would tell his parents about it tomorrow.

Lin Bingwei put the money away and got into bed, naturally rolling into a shared blanket.

He couldn’t do anything right now, but it was really uncomfortable.

They kept hugging, kissing, and tossing around for a long time, only to let go after both felt quite uncomfortable.

……

The next day, Zhang Tingyuan brought up the topic of buying a television with his parents.

“Let’s buy a television for our home.”

The two looked puzzled, “Why do we need to buy a television? You’ve managed fine without one for so long, and it looks like you’re getting better; why buy a TV to pass the time? No way.”

They thought he was just bored from recovering and wanted to watch TV.

Zhang Tingyuan said, “Weiwei wants to do business, and just knowing information from newspapers isn’t enough, plus it’s too slow. So I want to buy a television, so she can get news from TV broadcasts. Besides, you can watch it too; don’t you want to?”

They wanted to watch; they had gone to the village chief’s house several times to mooch off his TV.

But…

“Buying a TV might not be easy; you need a ticket. Do you have a ticket?”

Zhang Tingyuan smiled and said, “You don’t need to worry about that; I’ll handle it. You just need to take care of the money.”

The two who initially disagreed with buying one agreed after hearing him.

“Fine, if you can get a ticket, we’ll buy it.”

While Lin Bingwei was busy with her business and preparing for exams, the spring plowing season also arrived.

In the first year of receiving land, everyone was very excited. The most common topics in the village were about what crops each family was planting and which ones were better.

The weather in the south was good for crop growth, and many vegetables could be planted after spring.

There were all kinds of vegetables like green beans, cowpeas, eggplants, tomatoes, bitter melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, taro, water spinach, potatoes, and so on…

In the first year, everyone wanted to plant a bit of everything.

However, since breeding seeds for everything wasn’t feasible, the villagers discussed among themselves: your family can breed eggplant seedlings, and my family will breed tomato seedlings, and then we can exchange them once they’re ready.

Lin Bingwei worked alongside Zhang Yuanxiu and Li Yurong, loosening the soil and breeding seeds.

In her previous life, she hadn’t done any farming, but fortunately, she had the original owner’s memories and the muscle memory of this body, so she adapted quickly.

Once the soil was turned, she didn’t have to worry about the field; her father-in-law said they had to wait in line for the production team’s oxen.

Whoever’s family used it first would use it first; they drew lots for it.

Zhang Yuanxiu had bad luck and was ranked lower, so they had to wait until most of the villagers had used theirs before it was their turn.

Just then, their family didn’t have an ox, and he had taken on an order, so he went out with his apprentice.

As the busy spring plowing began, Zhang Tingyuan’s injury had also healed quite a bit.

During a follow-up visit to the hospital, the doctor told him he could engage in marital relations appropriately.

When he came out of the hospital, his eyes were shining with excitement, almost glued to her.

Lin Bingwei felt both awkward and amused.

“Can you tone it down a bit?”

At 1.85 meters tall, he was really tall for this era.

In the crowded street, he stood out like a crane among chickens, attracting a lot of attention.

Zhang Tingyuan bent down and whispered in her ear, “I’ve been holding back for three months.”

Lin Bingwei felt embarrassed and pushed him away. “This is the street; don’t get so close to me.”

“I know it’s the street, but why can’t I be this close to you?”

Lin Bingwei: “…”

He even took her hand and pulled her closer. “I have to stay close to you; there are so many people. What if we get separated?”

Lin Bingwei shook her hand but couldn’t shake him off. She glanced at him and said, “Are you the one who will get lost, or am I? I know this area very well.”

“I’ll get lost; is that okay? I’ve been away for years and really don’t know this place well.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, you have to hold on to me tightly so I don’t get lost.”

Lin Bingwei stopped and looked at a high school ahead. “I heard Mom say you went to high school here?”

Zhang Tingyuan: “…”

“Hmph, still trying to fool me?” Taking advantage of his distraction, she let go of his hand and walked ahead.

Zhang Tingyuan hurried to catch up. “Hey, slow down; I still have steel nails in me.”

Lin Bingwei had to slow her pace.

“I need to ask when the business license will be ready; it’s a bit far from here. Why don’t you wait for me here?”

Zhang Tingyuan insisted on walking with her. “Far is fine; I’m already better. I’ll go with you.”

“Okay, but if you feel uncomfortable, don’t hold back.”

“It’s fine; didn’t you hear the doctor? I’m already fine.”

“But the steel nails haven’t been removed.”

“Alright, I got it. Let’s go.”

They came together but didn’t ride a bike, so they had to walk.

After about twenty minutes, they arrived at the industrial and commercial bureau.

“Comrade, can you check if my business license has been approved?”

After saying that, Lin Bingwei placed her documents on the counter.

In previous visits, the staff had been very impatient, just looking around without finding anything and telling her to wait.

This time, she came with Zhang Tingyuan, and perhaps his striking outfit commanded respect, as the staff member’s attitude improved significantly. They kindly offered to check and asked them to sit aside for a moment.

After a short wait, they brought out her business license.

The female staff member smiled and said, “You still need to wait a bit; the official seal hasn’t been stamped yet. I’ll go get it.”

“Thank you.”

Watching her hurriedly leave for the building across the street, Lin Bingwei leaned closer to Zhang Tingyuan and whispered, “If I had known, I would have asked you to come along last time.”

Zhang Tingyuan looked confused. “Why?”

Lin Bingwei explained, “Every time I come, she’s very impatient, telling me to wait and come back in a few days. She’s never been this nice before.”

Zhang Tingyuan understood and proudly adjusted the badge on his uniform.

In this era, many people still liked to wear military uniforms, and Zhang Tingyuan’s outfit was clearly different from what could be bought on the street.

Combined with his demeanor, it was obvious he was in a formal capacity.

The female staff member probably noticed his identity, which is why her attitude was better. Just for a missing official seal, she even took it upon herself to get it stamped for them.

Before long, the female staff member returned with her business license in hand.

“Comrade, I wish you prosperous business.”

“Thank you.”

After receiving the business license, they went together to the exam registration location.

Registration hadn’t started yet, but the materials were already available. They bought the latest version and then headed home together.