He also needed to go to school, but he was in the second grade. Tian Jiao had never seen him before.

When they reached the village entrance, they met again. Tian Jiao turned and waved to the little boy standing in the village square, then skipped away while holding Zhao Xiaohua’s hand.

Xiao He watched her go for a long time, his eyes filled with tears and longing.

Only when she was almost out of sight did he slowly raise his hand to wave. In his other hand, he held a big sweet potato, half-eaten, and in his pocket, a large egg.

Once she was completely out of view, Xiao He walked back slowly. As he approached the cowshed, he spotted an old man sitting there. He wore tattered clothes but appeared quite energetic.

Old Man Li chuckled, “Hurry up! Your Grandpa Song is going to help herd cattle today. Come over and review yesterday’s multiplication formula and memorize it.”

This child was very bright, so Old Man Li had higher expectations. Today, he must memorize what he learned yesterday, review previous lessons, and then learn something new.

Xiao He didn’t say anything. He bit his lip slightly and squatted there, writing while eating with a stick in hand.

His hands were weak, and his writing was ugly and crooked, but he focused seriously on it.

Old Man Li watched closely, his smile growing, but his expression became more serious. The better the student, the more careful he must be to nurture their talent and prevent it from being wasted.

*****

When Tian Jiao came back from school at noon and reached the village entrance, she began to walk to the other side.

Zhai Goudan stopped her.

“Where are you going?” he asked, raising his chin and looking at her defiantly, as if he wouldn’t let her leave unless she told him.

Tian Jiao’s mouth twitched when she saw this. “It’s none of your business! Let go!”

Zhai Goudan tightened his grip. “No! My cousin asked me to protect you.”

The boy still had some chubby cheeks and was staring fiercely at her. He looked a bit scary, which made him appear quite fierce.

Tian Jiao shook his hand but he wouldn’t let go. Seeing that he still wouldn’t release her, she quietly said, “If you don’t let go, I’ll tell Dad you hit me.”

At her words, Zhai Goudan immediately let go and looked at her with suspicion. “You can’t do this! You’re lying.”

Tian Jiao smirked and rolled up her wrist, showing the red marks on her hand. “Look.”

Zhai Goudan was speechless. He looked at Tian Jiao in shock and muttered, “None of my sisters are as weak as you. They’d look like this after just a pinch.”

Tian Jiao smiled proudly. “Go back quickly and don’t bother me.”

Zhai Goudan left, hesitantly. But when he reached his aunt’s house, he saw his cousin in the yard. He felt uneasy and walked stiffly.

If he had acted more naturally, Zhang Rui might not have noticed him. Right now, they needed a ticket to do anything, except at the black market. The prices there were quite good. Some tables, chairs, benches, wooden bowls, and other items were in demand. Even though he could only make simple things, he could still earn a lot of money.

But he noticed the child’s stiff posture and found it funny, but then he grew alert. “Come here!” he called in a deep voice.

Zhai Goudan felt frozen and walked over with a sad face. “Uncle, it really wasn’t me! It was Tian Jiao who wanted to run away.”

Zhang Rui raised an eyebrow. This girl had been very eager to go out lately, but he didn’t expect that she would go out at noon.

Before, there were only two children in the family, so he didn’t know that she had run away before coming back.

Zhang Rui’s expression became serious as he realized the situation.

Zhai Goudan felt anxious. He liked coming to his uncle’s nice house. This was not his first visit. Each time he came, there was a lot of food, unlike at home.

But whenever he encountered this cousin, he felt uncomfortable, especially now that his cousin had a daughter who stayed at home all day.

He suddenly thought the food at his cousin’s house didn’t taste as good anymore.

Zhang Rui asked, “Which direction did she go?”

Zhai Goudan thought for a moment. “I saw her head to the right at the entrance of the village, toward the edge.”

Zhang Rui nodded, set down what he was holding, and headed out.

…

So, when Tian Jiao, Old Man Li, Song Zhen, and Xiao He were in the cowshed reviewing their lessons, they heard footsteps.

Song Zhen went out slowly to see.

He bumped into a young man and was taken aback. “Young man, what’s the matter?”

Tian Jiao usually returned home around 12:20 each day, which was when Old Zhang’s meal was cooked. Zhang Rui wondered why she was home late lately, but he didn’t worry much since Tian Jiao knew her limits.

Today, however, he wanted to see what the child was up to, especially after not spotting her outside. As he walked over, he glanced at the surrounding homes but didn’t see Tian Jiao, so he continued his way here with a puzzled expression.

Zhang Rui said, “I’m looking for my daughter. Uncle, have you seen a child about five or six years old?”

Song Zhen was momentarily at a loss for words. An honest man by nature, he found lying distasteful. The girl in question, the one the young man sought, was Tian Jiao, who was currently inside the cowshed behind him.

A brief silence filled the air.

Zhang Rui, sensing the tension, decided to remain polite. “May I come in?”

The cowshed was a modest single-room structure. Although it had a door and a roof, it wasn’t soundproof, and Tian Jiao could easily hear the conversation outside. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped out, calling, “Dad, I’m here!”

Song Zhen’s heart raced a little. “This girl was just playing with me; she didn’t do anything wrong,” he said, his voice a bit dry.

Zhang Rui smiled calmly. “I understand what children are like.”

As he entered, he noticed Xiao He lying on the ground, seemingly idle. Next to him lay a notebook and a pencil, with a half-finished drawing visible on the page.

Zhang Rui smiled at Tian Jiao. “I see you’ve been eager to buy a notebook lately. So, this is where you’ve been waiting!”

Tian Jiao chuckled and swung her arms around him. “Dad, do you think Jiaojiao’s painting is good?”

Zhang Rui picked up the notebook, glancing through it casually. He then spotted the elderly man with a worried expression and felt a surge of sadness. Flipping through the pages, he discovered a series of charming animal drawings, each filled with life and personality. Some were a bit awkward, but they were far better than many he had seen.

The room fell silent as he turned page after page. The latest drawings were dated from the previous day.

Song Zhen, visibly anxious, leaned against the wall, feeling the weight of the moment. He finally spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. “This child has real talent in painting. I didn’t teach her anything formal—just a few simple tips. If I didn’t show it to you, who knows if anyone else would recognize it…”

Tian Jiao caught the nervousness in his tone and, though a bit confused, turned to him with a bright smile. “It’s okay! Dad won’t be angry!”

Song Zhen felt a small sense of relief, but he still wasn’t completely at ease. Old Man Li shared his concerns, especially since Xiao He was an orphan without a family to worry about, while Song Zhen was different—he had a legacy to uphold.

Yet, soon they realized their worries were unfounded.

Zhang Rui turned to Song Zhen and bowed slightly. “Thank you, Uncle, for teaching this child. Her paintings are wonderful. Encouraging her to learn is a good thing. I’ll be counting on you to keep it up.”

With a sigh of relief, Song Zhen felt the tension leave his body. “I will definitely teach her diligently!” he replied, his eyes glistening with emotion.

Zhang Rui expressed his gratitude repeatedly. He was a man who valued kindness and was grateful for the old man’s dedication. The drawings in the notebook clearly showed that Song Zhen had a solid foundation in art, even if he hadn’t been able to express it in a conventional way.

Zhang Rui believed that the current hardships wouldn’t last forever; he had faith that better times were on the horizon. As long as they continued to do the right things, he had no objections.

With the matter settled, Zhang Rui didn’t leave right away. He took time to ask Song Zhen about specific needs, materials, and what was necessary for Tian Jiao’s studies.

The following day, Zhang Rui traveled to the county and purchased Chinese painting pigments, paper, and various teaching materials needed by Old Man Li from the black market. He also revealed his secret base in Lanshan, suggesting it as a future teaching venue to keep their activities discreet.

Leaving their activities in the cowshed or Old Zhang’s house would be risky, especially since the two older men wouldn’t be able to visit conveniently.

Thus, a study group was formed. Tian Jiao expected her father to scold her for hiding her drawings, but surprisingly, he said nothing of the sort.

“What did you say?” Zhang Rui asked as they strolled home, hand in hand. “It’s not a big deal. Besides, these two old men seem knowledgeable. Just focus on your studies. The world won’t always be like this. When things change, what you learn now will lay the foundation for your future.”

Tian Jiao nodded enthusiastically. “I will! Dad, Jiaojiao loves those paintings!”

Zhang Rui raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh, you love them so much, should I let you draw all day?”

“Okay!” Tian Jiao agreed without hesitation.

Zhang Rui smiled at her childish enthusiasm, his heart swelling with pride. He decided then to buy more paper and brushes, allowing his daughter to explore her artistic talent fully.

_

As time went on, Zhang Rui became a frequent visitor. Occasionally, he observed Old Man Li teaching Xiao He, finding himself drawn into the lessons. Gradually, he too became a student of Old Man Li. Though not as bright as Xiao He, he leveraged his adulthood to facilitate many tasks.

Old Man Li had a knack for making money, often referred to as a man who could turn stone into gold, despite his current impoverished state.

After school each day, Zhang Rui enlisted Zhai Goudan’s help with chores at home. When it was time to head back, he’d call out at the village entrance, prompting Tian Jiao and Zhai Goudan to return.

This routine rewarded him with the occasional sweet treat.

Zhai Goudan, tempted by Dingding Candy, became more compliant thanks to Zhang Rui’s martial arts influence. He transitioned from being unhelpful to eagerly pitching in.

Tian Jiao observed how her father skillfully guided the children, admiring his teaching abilities.

Just as she reflected on this, she felt a sudden thump on her head. Turning around, she was poked in the face.

“Tian Dao father! You’re finally here! I thought you’d forgotten me!” she exclaimed.

Tian Dao remained silent but affectionately stroked her head with his large hand.

Tian Jiao, seizing the moment, whispered, “Tian Dao Dad, can you help Grandpa Song and Grandpa Li live a little more comfortably? They’ve been working so hard.”

Tian Dao didn’t respond immediately, but Tian Jiao persisted, holding Wuxin’s hand and pleading playfully, “Okay~~~”

Finally, Tian Dao pinched his nose in mock annoyance and gently pushed her away.

But the next day, Tian Jiao heard that the village chief had a bad dream. He seemed worried it might rain heavily. The cowshed was weak, and if it collapsed, someone could get hurt. So, during the break after harvesting cotton and peanuts, he gathered some people to build a house next to the cowshed to keep everyone safe.

Half a month later, Zhai Goudan was finally brought home. Zhang Fang was surprised to see her grandson had changed. He had become humble! He actually let the girls at home eat, and when she tried to stop them, her grandson got angry. 

Zhang Fang was so scared that she didn’t let her grandson beg for money for a while.

****

Adults are always busy, especially in rural areas. They work hard, moving from one task to another without rest.

They spend all day in the fields, bent over, sweating even in winter.

At the end of the year, when the work points were counted, the Zhang family didn’t receive much. Zhang Dagen was the only real worker. Li Mizhen had worked for about half the year, and the others hadn’t done much. Luckily, the food they received was enough for the whole year.

With the money and ration tickets Zhang Rui earned, he lived quite comfortably.

Second brother moved out with his wife, as part of his share. Though life wasn’t as comfortable as it had been in Old Zhang’s family, it was still decent thanks to Zhang Zhi’s support. However, in this place without birth control, they didn’t have a second child.

When her son visited, Li Mizhen asked a few questions. After some dodging, she understood that Ding Yushu probably didn’t want to have a baby yet, so she stopped asking.

As long as there were no emotional problems, it was fine.

She disliked her daughter-in-law for not thinking of her son, but she still hoped her son would have a happy marriage. Even if the woman was a little selfish, as long as her son was happy, that was what mattered.

As for her grandson, she wouldn’t teach him anything.

Life continued like this, and it was quite happy.

Before they knew it, it was 1977. Tian Jiao was 11, Xiaohe was 12, and Zhang Rui was 28.

Seeing the Zhang family prosper, many people came to propose marriages, but Zhang Rui kept refusing. He liked his freedom and didn’t want anyone to control him. Plus, he already had children, so why would he need a wife?

He turned away matchmakers one after another. This frustrated Li Mizhen, and she treated him coldly every day.

Zhang Rui didn’t mind. He took his lovely daughter to Lanshan daily. There, she could study and often see various animals. They found dead rabbits, snakes, or pheasants, which made for tasty snacks. Life wasn’t easy, so his mother’s fuss didn’t bother him much.

Time passed, and many things changed. Although the college entrance exam hadn’t resumed, junior high and high schools were starting classes again.

The educated youth in the village grew anxious, as some could be sent back to the city, and they were fighting for those spots.

The village chief and the team leader were busy with this, making the village lively. Their study group had not been discovered yet.

One day, his daughter ran out of paper for her Chinese painting. Zhang Rui rode his new bicycle to the county without hesitation.

Times had changed. His old worn clothes were now clean and tidy olive-green, reflecting the style of the era. He radiated youth and confidence.

Everyone who knew Zhang Rui noticed his changes.

Luo Gaoyuan was among them. His hometown was in the county. He had been sent to work as a carpenter through connections. He saw Zhang Rui as competition because they both wanted to be carpenters, but it wasn’t easy to achieve that.

When he learned that Zhang Rui could remember carpenter skills and create things after just a couple of looks, he began to panic and spoke negatively about carpentry.

In this era, craftsmen feared skill theft. Zhang Rui learned quickly, but people wouldn’t believe him if he didn’t ask clearly. The carpenter was furious, leading to Zhang Rui being sent back and becoming a real carpenter’s apprentice.

Today, he returned from vacation to visit his family.

Six years had passed, and he was now a junior master in the shop. However, business was tightly controlled, and many things required invoices. He didn’t earn much and lived frugally. Although he wore a clean blue shirt, it was still his best one.

The others wore clothes with many patches from woodworking.

When he saw Zhang Rui pushing a bicycle and dressed neatly without patches, he felt a bit envious.

He stopped Zhang Rui, pretending to recognize him: “Zhang Rui, is that really you?”

Zhang Rui was also happy to see him. He didn’t know that Luo Gaoyuan had been behind the accusations before. He said cheerfully, “Luo Gaoyuan! You’re back too. How’s it going there?”

Luo Gaoyuan responded modestly, “It’s okay. After you left, I was the only one left there. Seeing my good performance, he accepted me as a disciple and has started to teach me now.”

In truth, he hadn’t been accepted until six months later. The carpenter was careful and didn’t teach him anything right away. Instead, he waited nearly two years before giving him basic skills. Thankfully, he had secretly learned a lot earlier, so he felt talented enough for the carpenter to finally teach him.

Zhang Rui’s expression dimmed briefly, but then brightened again. If that incident hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have found his lovely daughter and a good master.

This proved what Mr. Song said: a blessing in disguise.

He smiled and said, “That’s great, congratulations.”

Luo Gaoyuan also smiled and said, “No, you look like you’re doing better. Where are you working?”

Zhang Rui replied, “Nowhere, just doing some work at home.”

Luo Gaoyuan felt a bit unhappy seeing Zhang Rui was reluctant to share, but he smiled and nodded.

The two men said goodbye and went their separate ways. However, Luo Gaoyuan took a couple of steps, turned around, and ran after Zhang Rui.

He couldn’t believe that working on the farm at home could keep her so healthy. Her skin looked so much whiter than before, and it was clear she hadn’t done much work.

Can you gain weight without working?

This was strange!

Luo Gaoyuan followed him and watched closely. Sure enough, he saw Zhang Rui heading to the black market. He seemed very familiar with the place. After greeting the people there, he entered an alley.

Luo Gaoyuan didn’t dare to follow him, worried that something bad might happen.

Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind, and he saw a notice appear.

Soon, several young people wearing red armbands arrived. Those who were trading in the black market ran away in a hurry. Many of them even abandoned their baskets of eggs, shattering them on the ground.

Next to the red armbands stood a man, and it was Luo Gaoyuan.