Yan Runzhi was silent for a moment, then hugged him and said, “Good boy, your mother is happy because you are so filial. The brick kiln is dangerous and not suitable for you.

You see, the weather is getting colder, and we don’t have enough firewood. If you and Grandpa collect firewood every day, it would be a big help.

Otherwise, your mother would have to work at the kiln and also collect firewood. Wouldn’t that be even more tiring?”

Wensheng thought about it and realized it made sense.

He brightened up and said, “I’ll collect firewood every day.”

He ran into the house and saw Jiang Lin washing her face.

He quickly took down the towel from the high shelf and handed it to her, saying, “Mom, I’ll collect firewood from now on.”

Jiang Lin patted his chest and praised him, “Good boy, Wensheng. Your father is always away, and your grandparents aren’t in good health. I still have to go to the brick kiln. If our family runs out of firewood, it would be very cold in the winter.”

Dabao and Xiaobao glanced at the high piles of firewood against the south wall and in the south room.

They exchanged a look of resignation.

As they grew older and understood more, their big brother seemed easier to fool.

It was quite worrisome.

For dinner, there was not only steamed rice but also steamed flower rolls.

Yan Runzhi’s flower rolls looked like actual flowers, so beautiful that people hesitated to eat them.

There was also a pot of stewed pumpkin and potatoes with a bit of salted meat, making it deliciously fragrant.

Xiaobao ate his white rice and sighed, “I wonder if Dongsheng can come back to celebrate our birthday.”

Jiang Lin said, “Xiaobao, didn’t you just have your birthday last month? Your father was home then.”

Xiaobao replied, “Grandma said the day after tomorrow is the eighteenth of August again.”

Yan Runzhi laughed and said, “That’s an intercalary month. We only celebrate once a year. No one can have two birthdays in one year.”

Dabao chimed in, “But no one can have just one birthday a year either.”

Yan Runzhi looked at Jiang Lin in shock. “Bao’ers Mother, your son is something else. He used to be so obedient and pitiful, always quiet and looking like a little kitten that might be abandoned. Now, with his father’s love and mother’s care, he’s become quite the chatterbox. This old lady can’t outtalk him.”

Jiang Lin just laughed.

Xiaobao looked at Jiang Lin and asked, “Linlin, don’t you miss Dongsheng?”

Jiang Lin thought, “I’m so busy that I don’t have much time to think about it. Of course, when I can’t sleep or wake up at night, I can’t help but think about him.”

After dinner, Jiang Lin took out her notebook to do some calculations and taught the boys some basic arithmetic.

The two boys, who previously didn’t like reading, writing, or math and only enjoyed listening to stories and reciting, were now motivated by the radio.

They obediently did whatever they were asked.

Wensheng helped her with the writing.

His handwriting was beautiful, much like Cheng Yunzhi’s, clearly the result of being taught by a traditional tutor.

Dabao admired his handwriting and said, “Big brother, you write so well without even needing to learn. That’s great.”

Wensheng replied, “I learned. Dad and the teacher used to hit my hands! Smack, smack!”

He mimicked the motion.

Jiang Lin, observing his expression, cautiously asked, “What was your teacher like? What was his name?”

Wensheng shook his head, not remembering.

Jiang Lin asked, “Wensheng, do you know who Cheng Fugui is?”

Wensheng said, “Didn’t I kill him? That’s what you told me, Mom.”

Jiang Lin nodded and smiled, “Yes, you did. Now, it’s just a play, all fake.”

It seemed Wensheng didn’t remember Cheng Fugui and only knew the name because she mentioned it often.

As long as he wasn’t triggered by memories of Cheng Fugui and didn’t have any more outbursts, that was fine.

When the radio started playing Grandfather Sun’s voice again, Wensheng, Dabo, and Xiaobao immediately ran over, excitedly shouting, “It’s starting, it’s starting!”

Jiang Lin put away her notebook and sat at the dinner table to chat with Cheng Yunzhi and Yan Runzhi.

Yan Runzhi was curious about when they would go to the provincial city since the roosters were already fattened up.

However, seeing that Jiang Lin wasn’t in a hurry, she figured they would wait until Dongsheng returned.

Jiang Lin said to Cheng Yunzhi, “Dad, our brigade doesn’t have a proper kindergarten. Tomorrow, I’ll talk to the brigade about it. You should be the kindergarten teacher.”

Cheng Yunzhi was surprised and asked, “Can I really do it?”

Yan Runzhi replied, “If your daughter-in-law says you can, then you can. Besides, we don’t necessarily need to pay you. You can take care of Wensheng, Dabao, and Xiaobao for fun. Taking care of a few more children would be just as fun.”

Jiang Lin also wanted Dabao and Xiaobao to have more interaction with children their age.

Cheng Yunzhi was thrilled by their approval.

She had always been avoided, guarded against, and looked down upon.

She never thought she could be trusted with children.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Jiang Lin went to answer it and found Sun Qinghui and Ye Jing.

She invited them in to sit.

Yan Runzhi and Cheng Yunzhi greeted them briefly and then went into the room to listen to the radio with the children, leaving the main room for them to talk.

Ye Jing said, “Jiang Lin, Meng Yiyi asked for leave to get an introduction letter and wants to go back to the city for two months. We can’t really stop her.”

Jiang Lin smiled, “It’s her choice. We can’t stop her. It’s fine, let her go.”

Sun Qinghui added, “She wants to go back to take the factory recruitment exam. Her family might have arranged something for her.”

At this time, factory recruitment was limited, mostly relying on connections to get in.

While there were some spots open to public competition, most were filled through connections.

Meng Yiyi had previously talked about going back to the city to participate in the recruitment exam, and everyone thought she was just being stubborn.

They didn’t expect she was serious.

Ye Jing continued, “She can’t escape. Her household registration and food supply are here. Even if she passes the exam, she’ll have to come back to arrange everything. She still has debts to repay.”

Jiang Lin joked, “It’d be even better if she passes and gets a higher salary to repay the debt faster.”

She and Meng Yiyi had a falling out and were busy with their own lives, running the brick and tile kiln, so they hadn’t seen each other for days.

After chatting for a while longer, Sun Qinghui asked Jiang Lin, “You mentioned going back to the city earlier. Why haven’t you gone yet?”

Jiang Lin smiled, “We’ve been busy with the brick kiln. Once Cheng Rushan returns, and the kiln stabilizes, we’ll take Wensheng to see a doctor.”

She had previously mentioned going back home to Cheng Rushan and had sent another letter but hadn’t received a reply yet.

With the brick kiln business demanding her attention, she had temporarily put it aside.

After chatting for a while longer, they bid farewell.

Sure enough, the next morning, Meng Yiyi left early for the city with her bag and introduction letter.

Jin Lei went to see her off and lent her five dollars, saying, “Take this, and don’t be too hard on yourself on the way.”

Meng Yiyi glanced at him.

Besides being unattractive, Jin Lei had always been kind to her.

In a previous life, he had waited for her patiently, but she chose to marry Qian Bo.

Little did she know that Qian Bo would never forget Jiang Lin in his lifetime.

In this life, she wouldn’t make the same mistake again, but she couldn’t marry Jin Lei either.

She took the money and whispered, “Jin Lei, I’m sorry.”

Jin Lei smiled, “There’s nothing to apologize for. Go back and settle things. Once you start working at the factory, paying off this little debt will be easy.”

Meng Yiyi sneered, “Do you think I should repay the debt too?”

Jin Lei felt awkward, “Actually, I think you don’t have to, but your food and household registration are stuck here. Without repayment, you won’t be able to leave.”

Meng Yiyi hmphed, “We’ll see if I can leave or not. I’ll find someone to help me transfer back. Jin Lei, you… start thinking too.”

Jin Lei replied, “I don’t even have the chance to participate in the factory recruitment exams. My family can’t arrange anything for me.”

“It’s up to you. I’m saying this for your own good.”

“Well, I’ll think about it. We didn’t learn much in high school, and I’ve forgotten everything from middle school. I don’t even know where to start,” Jin Lei admitted honestly.

Just then, a truck approached.

Meng Yiyi waved for a ride and hitched a lift, climbing into the driver’s seat and waving goodbye to Jin Lei.

Jin Lei stood in the wind, feeling lost as he watched the swirling dust disappear into the distance.

The next day, they left the bricks out to dry all day, and by the 18th, they were ready. The blue-green bricks were beautifully fired.

Jiang Lin knew this was the result of her heartfelt discussions with Master Wu.

Initially, he had been secretive or hesitant to show his skills all at once, fearing others might learn and leave.

Jiang Lin assured him that she hired him to be a master craftsman, not to be replaced quickly.

It was best if everyone was skilled and produced plenty of high-quality work.

After all, they were in a seller’s market, and their small kiln couldn’t keep up with demand even if they worked tirelessly day and night.

There was no need for cunning or deceit.

When the first batch of bricks came out, there was no chance to display them as samples—they were quickly taken away by the cooperative members.

Around noon, Jiang Lin decided it was time to go home for lunch.

Although she teased Xiaobao about having another birthday soon, she was happy to fulfill the children’s wishes.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard someone call her name, “Linlin.”

Jiang Lin responded casually, then looked over in surprise.

She saw Cheng Rushan riding a brand-new Male bicycle, leaning against it with his long legs and smiling faintly at her.

She hurried over and nudged his abdomen lightly, “Don’t call me Linlin.”

Cheng Rushan looked down at her and lifted her chin with his hand, “Why not?”

Jiang Lin swatted his hand away, “It’s too mushy.”

She pointed towards the brick kiln, “Do you want to take a look?”

Cheng Rushan replied, “I’ll check it out later. Our son is waiting for you to celebrate his birthday.”

Jiang Lin sighed, “You spoil them too much.”

Cheng Rushan’s indulgence towards the children wasn’t just talk.

Every time he came back, he would buy all sorts of snacks for them, no matter the cost.

The children loved to ride on his shoulders. Fortunately, despite his indulgence, he had principles.

With his imposing presence, the children listened to him.

If he said no, they would obediently listen, unlike some other children who would cry, scream, and throw tantrums.

Cheng Rushan handed the bicycle over to Jiang Lin, saying, “Darling, you ride, and I’ll join you.”

Jiang Lin thought, Why do I spoil you so much?

She took the bicycle and tried it out.

This large bicycle was something she had never had the chance to ride in her previous life, but it felt quite robust.

She mounted it and said with a smile, “Let me get on first, and then you. Don’t let me fall; that would be embarrassing.” She pedaled a few times to get a feel for it. “Come on up, let the experienced driver take you.”

Cheng Rushan climbed onto the back seat, his long arms easily wrapping around her.

Jiang Lin teased, “Comrade Cheng Rushan, mind your behavior.”

Cheng Rushan chuckled, “Calling me by name now? Actually, I quite like it when you call me ‘King Cheng.'”

When she couldn’t take it anymore, she kicked him playfully while blurting out names like “King Cheng,” “Old Master Cheng,” “Experienced Driver,” and even “Uncle Brother,” but she refused to call him by his name again.

Jiang Lin playfully kicked his long legs and scolded, “Behave yourself!”