Chapter 45

Li Yuechan looked at the wild apricot in her hand and grinned. She was surprised that her eldest cousin still remembered how much she loved eating these when she was little.

“Thanks, big cousin!”

In her memory, this eldest cousin had always been good to her. Before she started middle school, she would visit her grandmother’s house every holiday, and it was always her eldest cousin who took her out to play.

Once, she was bullied by a village boy named Li Goudan, and it was her eldest cousin who stood up for her and taught the boy a lesson.

Back then, Li Goudan ended up with a head wound, and their family had to pay him fifty cents in compensation. Her eldest cousin was also punished by their grandmother and made to kneel.

Now, looking at her eldest cousin’s tall and sturdy figure—easily over 1.8 meters—she pondered for a moment and asked, “Big cousin, are you planning to farm in the village forever?”

Li Xiangdong scratched his head. “If I don’t farm, what else can I do?”

“There’s plenty you can do! You could go to the city and find a job, or even join the army.”

Xiangdong sighed. “Xiao Chan, city jobs aren’t that easy to come by. Otherwise, why do you think so many educated youths are being sent to the countryside? As for joining the army, our family has no connections.

“My mom said she’ll arrange a marriage for me next year. I’ll settle down, farm, and live a stable life. That’s enough for me.”

Li Yuechan tilted her head and asked, “But if you had the chance to leave, would you take it? Or would you rather stay here, farm, and get married?”

For a brief moment, Xiangdong’s eyes lit up, but then the light dimmed. He gave a self-deprecating smile. “What chance? I was born to be a farmer.”

Li Yuechan wandered back to the front yard and, with a loud bang, kicked open Li Shengli’s door before swaggering inside…

In the main room—

“Look at you, you old woman! Why did you bring that little troublemaker back?”

“You think I wanted to? How was I supposed to know why Old Third insisted on having her stay for a few days? Just looking at her gives me a headache.”

“Call Old Third tomorrow. Tell him to send that girl back as soon as possible if there’s nothing urgent.”

“Sigh…”

Meanwhile, in Guihua Alley—

Su Lizhen looked at Li Jianguo and asked curiously, “Why are you back so early today?”

Li Jianguo smiled. “Work at the steel factory was done, so I thought I’d come home early and spend more time with you.”

Su Lizhen curled her lips and continued stir-frying, while the man helped out on the side.

After dinner, once everything was cleaned up, Li Jianguo suddenly grabbed Su Lizhen’s hand.

“Lizhen~”

“What are you doing? Let go!” Su Lizhen forcefully shook off his hand.

Li Jianguo looked hurt. “Lizhen, it’s been eighteen years. I’ve waited for you for eighteen years! Even an iron tree should bloom by now. Lizhen, I really like you!”

Su Lizhen took a step back and snapped, “Li Jianguo, when we got married, I told you clearly—

“I helped you move to the city, I found you a job, and I even gave money every year to support your mother. I only had one request. Have you forgotten it?”

Li Jianguo frowned. “Lizhen, I saved your life back then! Is this how you repay me?”

Su Lizhen let out a chuckle. “Save my life? I was never planning to die! I was just feeling heartbroken and went for a walk by the river.

“When I found out I was pregnant with Xiao Chan, how could I possibly think about ending my life?

“You pulled me back from the river, and yes, at the time, I did need to find a father for Xiao Chan.

“But tell me, how did you go from a penniless village boy to where you are now? How did your family build that big brick house?”

“Younger brother’s job—how did he get it? Everything comes with a price. Since you’re enjoying the good life I brought you, don’t complain too much. People can’t be too greedy!”

“Lizhen, you…”

“What’s wrong? This was our agreement from the start. If you’re going back on your word now, then I won’t stop you. We can get a divorce!”

“I won’t divorce, I won’t divorce!”

“I’m not forcing you. If you still want to continue, just like before. Think about it carefully. I’ll be staying at my mother’s place tonight. I’m leaving now!”

“Lizhen…”

Li Jianguo watched the woman leave without looking back. He slammed his fist on the table, a venomous glint flashing in his eyes.

“Lizhen, you’re forcing me to do this. Don’t blame me.”

Li Yuechan finished dealing with Li Shengli and returned to her room. With a click, she locked the door and swiftly entered the space.

She had been so busy, not even having time to glance at her husband.

However, when she saw everything before her, her jaw nearly dropped in shock.

The small river that was only 1.5 meters wide had suddenly expanded to 3 meters. The ten-acre field she knew had transformed into fifty acres in the blink of an eye!

But these changes were not as important as what she saw next. Her small room, which had only been about ten square meters, had whoosh expanded into a two-story villa!

And it wasn’t just any villa—this was the house the base had given her when she was assigned there!

She felt like a little rabbit, happily darting inside. She opened the villa’s door and immediately saw her small electric car in the yard. Perfect! Her little electric car was back!

She entered the house, looked at the spotless living room, and threw herself onto the couch with a leap. Ah, so comfy!

This was her Italian leather sofa, given to her by the base after she accomplished a mission!

Suddenly, she felt a jolt of realization. She bounced off the couch, rushed to the storage room, and gasped at the sight.

Thank goodness! Everything was still there—her stockpiled goods. While most of it was instant noodles and other quick meals, there was an entire room full of them!

She picked up a sausage, opened the tab with a crack, and swallowed it in a few bites. This was the food from the base’s research facility—absolutely no additives, just pure deliciousness.

Then she hurried upstairs, where the second floor had a huge bedroom, a gym, and a study.

She rolled around on the two-meter-wide bed, feeling like she was finally living the good life!

Suddenly, she remembered something, dashed downstairs again, and stared at the basement entrance. Wait, what? It wasn’t there anymore?

Her basement was gone! Was the box of gold bars not enough? All the things in the basement were treasures to her!

She needed to think of a way to get more gold.

She returned to the second floor, enjoyed a relaxing bubble bath, dried her hair, then cozily lay in the large bed and fell asleep, content.

The next morning,

“Oh my goodness, my dear grandson, who did this to you?”

“Grandma, wasn’t it that woman? Tell her to leave. I don’t want to see her again.”