Chapter 10

Zhang Rui had originally wanted to work as a laborer in the county. Although he couldn’t conduct business directly, there were still odd jobs, especially helping with construction. While tiring, the pay was decent.

However, when he searched for work in the county two days ago, he found no one was building houses. Other odd jobs paid little and took a long time. His home was far from the county, Tian Jiao was still at home, and with that fool Ding Yushu around, he felt very worried. He reluctantly decided to buy some materials and do carpentry work at home to earn some money first.

He figured he could make a decent amount as a carpenter.

As he contemplated this, he pedaled his bicycle with more energy.

After half an hour, he finally arrived in the county. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he noticed the crowd and decided not to ride his bicycle anymore but to push it instead.

In this era, people’s clothing was quite simple, mostly military green, with some dark blue and gray.

There were no street stalls yet, but state-owned restaurants and department stores were bustling with activity. Many people walked in groups, chatting with one another.

The Zhang family did not allow speculation, but Zhang Rui wasn’t worried. He had made mistakes before, but the black market was inside the county.

As he walked, Zhang Rui noticed a white-haired old lady getting bumped by a man in gray clothes. The man quickly apologized and distanced himself.

Suddenly, the old lady felt her pocket and screamed, “Oh no, my money! My ticket!”

Zhang Rui’s expression hardened. He quickly parked his bicycle on the side of the road and chased after the man in gray.

He was young and strong, having enjoyed playing and fighting in the past, and he could run fast. As the crowd heard the old lady’s shouts, they instinctively tried to stop the fleeing man. Although they didn’t catch him, they slowed him down.

Zhang Rui quickly caught up with the man, tackled him to the ground, and angrily said, “You dare to steal? You’re asking for it!”

The man gritted his teeth, saying nothing, but struggled fiercely. However, Zhang Rui’s weight held him down effectively.

The crowd was in an uproar. “Ah, he’s stealing!”

“Go find the police!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve called the police! The bad guys will go to jail!” an excited uncle watching from the post office chimed in.

Zhang Rui kept the man subdued while expressing his gratitude to the onlookers.

Soon, the old lady whose belongings were stolen approached. Seeing the scene, she patted her chest and exclaimed, “Young man, thank you!”

“It’s nothing,” Zhang Rui grinned, handing the small cloth bag the man had been holding back to the old lady. “I didn’t touch it.”

The old lady smiled, her eyes narrowing. “Thank you, dear.”

Before long, the police arrived and took the man in gray, along with Zhang Rui and others, to the police station.

His bicycle was untouched, and the eggs inside remained intact. In this era, theft and robbery were serious crimes, and because of their severity, no one dared to commit them openly.

However, some still risked it all out of greed or desperation.

For instance, the man who robbed the old lady did so because his son was sick. His son was his lifeblood, and without money, he faced watching his son die. Seeing the old lady with so much money made him dizzy and compelled him to act.

Zhang Rui felt a bit nervous as he entered the police station for the first time. However, given his bravery, the police were cracking down on these crimes recently and rewarded him with a bar of soap and a washbasin. A middle-aged policeman distributing the gifts patted him on the shoulder with a smile, saying, “Young man, you’re quite skilled. I heard you rushed in and arrested him in no time. Where did you learn that?”

Zhang Rui awkwardly scratched his head. “I didn’t learn it.”

Seeing his modesty, the middle-aged policeman didn’t press further. He walked the man to the door, waved goodbye, and let him go.

As Zhang Rui walked out with his bicycle, he heard the familiar trembling voice of the old lady calling out behind him: “Wait, young man!”

He stopped, and the old lady smiled at him. “I’m not feeling well. Can you help me get home?”

Zhang Rui hesitated for a moment, checked the time, then nodded. “Okay.”

On the way, the old lady chatted with him. Zhang Rui wasn’t a scheming person, and with the old lady’s kind demeanor, she easily gathered information about his origins, what he was doing there, and his family size.

When they arrived at the old lady’s home, he was about to leave when she stopped him. She smiled and pulled him into the house. “You won’t get much for those eggs at the supply and marketing cooperative. Give them to me, and I’ll pay you the market price. My grandchildren don’t have much good food to eat.”

Zhang Rui was momentarily confused. “Huh?” But he quickly understood her intentions. He didn’t mention that he had no plans to go to the cooperative. Recognizing her kindness, he handed over the eggs without hesitation. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I just need it.” The old lady counted the money and ticket, squinting at him. “Young man, if you have any meat, feel free to send it over. My grandson loves chicken. This isn’t a favor; don’t worry, I have a large family.” 

“Sure.” Zhang Rui nodded dryly, holding cloth coupons, meat coupons, and money, still a bit confused. Did he solve the problem with the pile of eggs? Did he make a small profit? Or is this a long-term development strategy?

Zhang Rui had a fruitful day. He bought the eggs and then visited the department store and the supply and marketing cooperative before biking home. Tian Jiao was also thriving in school.

Despite being a transfer student, she was very smart and quickly grasped what Zhang Rui taught her. She could remember any word he taught her without needing pinyin, especially since the teacher explained everything so simply in first grade.

Having gained more knowledge and read her textbooks, Tian Jiao finally understood more about the world around her.

This is a country in its early stages, where most people are struggling. It’s no wonder she hadn’t eaten any meat for so long after arriving.

When Tian Jiao came home from school that afternoon, she saw her father working with wood in the yard and rushed over excitedly. “Dad, I learned a lot today!”

Zhang Rui turned his head and saw his daughter running toward him, her face flushed and her smile radiant like the sun. Her lips, which had been tightly pursed, now curved. “Come on, tell Daddy about it. Let’s see if he knows what you learned.”

Tian Jiao nodded seriously, reciting several words taught by the teacher and some math concepts.

On the way home, while her friends played, she had already shared some information with Tian Dao father.

However, she mispronounced a word, and Tian Dao father hit her on the head, making her angry enough to run home.

This time, she got it right.

She shook her head triumphantly, her soft black hair swaying. Zhang Rui felt warmth in his heart and put down his work to wash his hands.

Tian Jiao followed him happily, looking up at him eagerly. “Dad, you have to praise me! The teacher praised me several times.”

Zhang Rui snorted and brought her a bowl of meat soup from the kitchen. “Here, this is your reward.”

Tian Jiao held the bowl and inhaled the tempting aroma. She was immediately overjoyed. “Thank you, Dad!”

So it turns out that fathers on Earth are really nice!

As if sensing her thoughts, Zhang Rui playfully pinched her cheek.

He rubbed his eyes subconsciously. Why did it seem like his daughter’s face was pinched? 

In the blink of an eye, it returned to normal.

Zhang Rui pursed his lips, uncertain if it was an illusion.

Tian Jiao paid no attention, focusing on the delicious food in front of her. She didn’t even mind the slight pain from Tian Dao father pinching her face. She took a sip of the broth, finding it far tastier than the coarse grains like sweet potatoes and corn she had eaten lately.

After sipping, her mouth was filled with oil and flavor, and she grinned widely. “Dad, you’re so nice!”

Tian Dao, who had been silently observing, felt jealousy rise within him. Dark clouds began to gather in the evening sky, once as fiery as the sunset. In just moments, the bright village was covered in gray.

Tian Jiao glanced at the sky, feeling guilty as she thought angrily about Tian Dao father scolding her. She had only been in school for a day!

As if responding to her thoughts, thunder rumbled overhead. The villagers hurried along, muttering, “Why is the weather turning so bad?”

“Yes, it was fine just now. Hurry and take the clothes in!”

Tian Jiao looked up at the angry skies and thought: Tian Dao Daddy, don’t be angry! I love you too! Tian Dao Daddy is very good!

Having played with the Phoenix earlier, she almost became an enemy to the Dragon Clan.

A flurry of compliments filled her mind, causing the thunder to dissipate. The annoyance in her forehead faded, and soon, the threatening atmosphere lifted completely.

Sticking out her tongue, she continued sipping the broth, doing so in small gulps rather than big ones.

Tian Jiao wasn’t picky; she could eat anything. But who wouldn’t prefer good food over bad?

Her little feet wiggled as she drank.

It looked as though she were savoring delicacies from land and sea.

For Tian Jiao, who had been a vegetarian for so long, this meal was truly a treat. The broth was rich, with just enough oil mixed in with the lean meat and a small portion of fat, seasoned with salt and pepper. The taste was far better than what she usually ate.

Zhang Rui watched his daughter eat with delight, slowly breaking into a fatherly smile. Oh, being a father is so wonderful!

The father and daughter stood like this—one leaning against the door, smiling at his daughter, and the other happily drinking soup, occasionally glancing up to speak softly. It was a warm scene.

Ding Yushu, who had just returned from outside, initially sneered at the sight. She was about to pass by when she suddenly stopped, noticing the bowl in Tian Jiao’s hands. She sniffed and put down her son, who could already walk. Standing with her hands on her hips, she shouted angrily, “Zhang Rui, you gave that girl meat! And you cooked for her in secret!”

Her voice was sharp and furious, as if he had committed an unforgivable sin.

Dabao, confused, suddenly burst into tears. “Waaaaaa…”

Tian Jiao trembled slightly, almost choking as she held the bowl, uncertain if she should drink from it. It felt wrong to enjoy it alone, yet it was a reward from her father.

She hadn’t had meat in a long time, and the thought made her mouth water: “Slurp…”

Zhang Rui comfortingly patted his daughter’s head, then turned to Ding Yushu, raising an eyebrow with a look of disgust and anger: “So what if I’m giving her special treatment?”

This was clearly a provocation!

Ding Yushu, already furious, shook with anger and snapped, “No! Why can’t you cook for me?”

Zhang Rui replied defiantly, “I want to give her special treatment. If you don’t like it, shall we fight?”

What a gratifying father!

Tian Jiao felt delighted, especially after her father’s comforting touch, and she drank a generous mouthful of broth. The tender meat slid into her mouth, which she swallowed in two gulps. With a satisfied sigh, she confidently addressed her father: “Second Aunt, don’t you often cook for yourself?”