In his previous life, the chubby boy's father was also a high-ranking official in a key government position. It wasn't until after the special period ended that everyone learned that the chubby boy had an uncle in Singapore. Thanks to his uncle's investments, the chubby boy's father thrived in China, rising steadily in rank. The chubby boy was practically on par with Huo Yingjie.

However, it is said that the little fat boy's father jumped off a building in the 1990s, and no one knows why!

The mother also said that she found confidential documents and telegrams at the chubby boy's house, so she guessed that the charge was true.

Having only been back for a day, He Tiantian heard about two major events. She felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. It seemed as if the originally complex and dangerous matters had been resolved without her even having a chance to deal with them.

He Tiantian was terrified. If it were the same path she had followed in her past life, she would know what to do and find ways to avoid it. But things were different now. He Tiantian felt lost and didn't know what to do or how to deal with the unexpected dangers that lay ahead.

He Tiantian helped start the fire, while Wang Shuping cooked and stir-fried dishes.

Just as the food was ready, He Jingyu and Huo Zhekun returned together.

Seeing the two men enter, chatting and laughing, Wang Shufang breathed a sigh of relief; the matter should have been resolved.

"Did you get it done?" Wang Shuping asked her husband, He Jingyu, anxiously. She was worried if it hadn't been done.

He Jingyu was in a good mood. It was true that having connections made things easier. With Huo Zhekun's help, Director Tang of the commune was very willing. He readily wrote the certificate, affixed the official seal, and even personally wrote an official letter to Huai City, requesting that it be forwarded to Taoyuan County. This way, even if someone caused trouble for Tiantian, they could be extricated by the certificate and the official letter.

“It’s all taken care of. Tian Tian won’t have to suffer anymore,” He Jingyu said. “This is proof. As for the official letter, it’s sent to Huai City and can’t be kept by individuals. However, Director Tang has connections with the commune in Huai City. It’s said that the two were classmates and were sent down together. He came to Nan City, and his classmate came to Huai City.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuping clasped her hands together and exclaimed excitedly, "Oh, I can finally rest assured, my Tiantian won't have to suffer anymore."

"Sister-in-law, what's cooking in the kitchen? It smells so good, I'm tempted to have a couple of drinks." Wei Zhekun sniffed, smelling the meat. In these days of scarcity, everyone is short of meat!

"Shuping, I still have half a jin of liquor at home. Quickly bring it out, let Lao Huo and I have a drink. If Lao Huo hadn't come with me today, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly." He Jingyu waved to He Tiantian and said with a smile, "Tiantian, come and thank Uncle Huo."

He Tiantian said gratefully, "Thank you, Uncle Huo!"

"No need to thank me, no need to thank me!" Uncle Huo waved his hand and said in a very easygoing manner, "We're all family, family!"

He Jingyu and Wang Shuping were always happy about their daughter's relationship with Huo Yingjie, as were the Huo family couple.

Only He Tiantian blushed with embarrassment upon hearing Huo Zhekun's words.

In her past life, she and Huo Yingjie did not end up together, and perhaps the four parents on both sides were also very sad.

Seeing He Tiantian blush, He Jingyu and Huo Zhekun burst into laughter.

Wang Shuping carried the rabbit meat that had been stewing in the pot to the table and said, "Tiantian, quickly pour wine for your dad and Uncle Huo."

He Tiantian took out half a bottle of wine that her father had treasured from the cabinet, poured it into a small wine cup, and said, "Dad, Uncle Huo, let's drink!"

"Shuping, does the supply and marketing cooperative have dried rabbits today?" This is extremely rare; it's never happened before. It's already very difficult to get any fresh meat.

“No, this is something Tiantian brought from Qijia Village. She said she learned how to set traps to catch it herself,” Wang Shuping said with a smile. “I don’t believe her at all, but Tiantian never lies, so I have to believe her. Tiantian, tell me properly in front of your dad and Uncle Huo.”

Huo Zhekun was taken aback and asked, "This... did Tiantian catch all of these? Tiantian, you really need to tell me, were you starving in Qijia Village?"

He Jingyu thought so too; otherwise, why would his obedient and timid daughter secretly go hunting in the mountains?

They must have been forced into it!

Seeing her parents' nervous expressions, He Tiantian smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, Uncle Huo, everyone in Qijia Village is very nice except for Qi Jianguo's family. I'm not living in the educated youth settlement now, but in the home of an old lady in Qijia Village. Her son was studying and working in Nanshi during the Liberation War. But after the founding of the People's Republic of China, we lost contact with him. She's a very kind old lady who often gives me advice and teaches me about human relationships. I'm in charge of cutting grass in the livestock team. I often go up the mountain, and I'm very lucky. I used a method I learned from others to set a few traps and I was able to catch wild rabbits and pheasants."

"Is this true?" He Jingyu was skeptical. His daughter's words made sense, but he still couldn't quite believe it. The mother-in-law his daughter mentioned wanted to recognize his daughter as her goddaughter, and he and his wife had agreed, which wasn't surprising. What they couldn't believe was that He Tiantian had changed so much in just four months.

“Of course it’s true. Your daughter is so smart, of course she can learn anything quickly,” He Tiantian said proudly. “And you should believe that your daughter is amazing and would never lie.”

"Haha!" Wei Zhekun patted his friend He Jingyu on the shoulder. "Old He, the environment can change a person. Human potential is limitless. If our ancestors hadn't thought of making tools and using fire, perhaps we would still be a bunch of wild monkeys, and there would be no humans. Anything is possible. The key is to learn, think, and create."

Oh my, I never knew Uncle Huo was such a master at making chicken soup!

"Uncle Huo is amazing, that's so well said," He Tiantian praised. Daring to think and act is the main theme of this era.

If there are conditions, we should go for it; if there aren't, we should create the conditions and still go for it!

"Alright then, let's just believe it for now," He Jingyu said with a smile, gently stroking his daughter's soft hair with a loving expression.

He Tiantian obediently let her father pat her head, without flinching, and was very affectionate with him.

Huo Zhekun, standing to the side, saw He Jingyu interacting with his daughter and said with a sour smile, "It's better to have a daughter; she's closer to her father. My brat, ever since he became sensible, won't let me touch his head. He talks back to me the moment he speaks; he's just a troublemaker."

"Hehe, daughters have their advantages, and sons have theirs too, each has its own merits. I even hope that Tian Tian is a son, so that we won't have to worry about her being taken advantage of when she's out in the world," He Jingyu said with emotion. His daughter is considerate, and he doesn't have any preference for sons over daughters, but he worries that his daughter might be taken advantage of when she's alone in another city.

(To be continued.)