"What are you worried about? Go sit on the kang (heated brick bed) at your second sister's house in a little while, and leave me to clean up."

They returned in the evening; everyone was at home.

Shen Heng took Bai Jiaojiao to Bai Shiqing's place next door and went home to pack up.

When Bai Shiqing saw Bai Jiaojiao, she was so excited that she sent Li Shuxian to help next door and led Bai Jiaojiao into the house.

"Did you go to your father's place?"

"No, I just got back to the village. I haven't even put my luggage down yet. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow to buy some things before I go back."

"Come on, get on the kang (heated brick bed), let me see your two little nephews." The toddlers, just over a year old, were at the age where they loved to talk. Bai Shiqing picked up the two children, and Li Yang babbled, "Mom! Mom!"

"This is your aunt, call her aunt."

"Mother!"

Bai Shiqing was both amused and exasperated: "This silly girl doesn't speak as clearly as her sister, but she loves to call everyone 'Mom'."

Bai Jiaojiao reached out and took Li Yang from her: "He's still young. It's normal for kids to learn to speak late."

"My little sister is asleep. She's so quiet and well-behaved all day. I don't know who this boy takes after. He's always so loud and boisterous. He's still so young, but when he grows up he'll be able to tear the roof off."

Bai Jiaojiao glanced at Bai Shiqing and wondered who else could resemble her.

She didn't think her brother-in-law was a man who would make a move.

She smiled inwardly, but didn't say it aloud, otherwise Bai Shiqing would get angry.

"Let's not talk about the child anymore. How are you doing in Yancheng? You look thinner."

Bai Jiaojiao did indeed go to the lab after class, and also had to remember to learn foreign languages ​​from Xiang Anqi. She was doing three jobs at once. She also had a small appetite, so she did lose some weight from the exhaustion. Even Shen Heng said so.

Bai Jiaojiao replied, "Everyone in school is outstanding. If I don't work hard, they'll surpass me."

"Who can compare to my sister!" Bai Shiqing was still fiercely protective of her own; in her eyes, there was no one better than Bai Jiaojiao. "But you're not wrong either. It's not easier for you students than for us farmers. You need to eat more nutritious food. Are your expenses high over there? If you don't have enough money, just tell me. We have money now, and supporting your schooling is no problem. You mustn't suffer there by yourself."

Bai Shiqing held Bai Jiaojiao's hand, and as she spoke, she almost cried. "I sometimes dream about you over the past year. I dream that you are crying in the fields because you can't finish your work in the production team. After I wake up, I worry that you are not doing well over there."

"Sister, I'm doing great. I've met some benefactors. There's a teacher over there who often introduces me to translation jobs, and I get paid for them. Heng works with his teacher and also gets a stipend. We're not just sitting around doing nothing."

Even if you have something to say, you won't tell me!

Bai Shiqing was too lazy to argue, but insisted on having Bai Jiaojiao stay for a meal.

They had just returned home and didn't have much to eat, so they had a meal at Bai Shiqing's house.

The next day, the two went to Bai Shihai's place again and visited Bai Zhiman. Zheng Xu, hearing that they had returned, also came over to visit them in high spirits.

After a busy day, it seems going home won't be an easy or relaxing experience.

Bai Jiaojiao lay sprawled on the kang, wanting to sleep. Shen Heng turned on the light for her: "I'm going to see Wang Fushun. You go to sleep first."

"You're going out so late at night? Go tomorrow morning." Bai Jiaojiao's words were a little slurred.

"He's always out, you can't even find him during the day."

"Then watch your step carefully, and don't slip in the dark."

Shen Heng touched Bai Jiaojiao's forehead, kissed her gently, then wrapped himself in a thick cotton-padded coat and went out.

I rode my bike to Wang Fushun's house. It was the middle of the night, but Wang Fushun was having dinner. He must have just come home.

"Auntie, I've come to talk to Shunzi about something."

Wang Fushun's mother never interfered in their affairs, so she said, "You two talk, I'm just getting sleepy. Shunzi, after you finish eating, put the dishes and chopsticks in the pot and leave them for me to wash."

"Yes," Wang Fu responded, then greeted Shen Heng, "Brother Heng, want to eat something together?"

Shen Heng said, "No, thank you."

"How was Yancheng? Heng-ge, you've really seen the world this time. Don't forget your little brother after you graduate!"

When Wang Fushun saw Shen Heng arrive, he put down his chopsticks and started chatting with him.

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm here to ask you if you've heard anything about the reforms."

Wang Fushun was extremely well-informed, but having not attended school for many years, he was still unsure about the policy: "I've heard of it, but from what I've heard, it's still the same old system here. Is the new policy only implemented in those few special economic zones? I'm so envious, but unfortunately, we can't go there."

The reason is that in the past few years, the crackdown was too strict and the sentences were too heavy. Now that they are suddenly saying they will loosen restrictions, even the boldest person will not dare to do it because they don't understand why.

Shen Heng was there to reassure Wang Fushun: "I'll take you there, and we'll pull off a heist after the New Year, how about it?"

"Hunter? He's got some nerve. You've been in the big city for a year now, you've gotten bolder!"

"Bullshit, didn't you see what the newspapers said?"

"Newspapers? All the newspapers in my house are pasted on the wall. I got them from someone three years ago."

Unlike Shen Heng, who would find a way to learn to read no matter how harsh the environment, Wang Fushun was simply trying to survive.

Shen Heng sighed with disdain: "I told you to read more books, but you're always obsessed with money."

"I can't even recognize all the characters, how can you expect me to read that? What do you mean, Heng-ge? Can you explain it to me?"

Wang Fushun knew there was a deeper meaning behind Shen Heng's words.

Shen Heng had watched these plans take shape step by step, and he understood each and every one of them clearly. In addition, he hadn't been idle during his year at university; he had learned a lot and was very familiar with this reform.

However, after glancing at Wang Fushun's clear eyes, he paused for a moment and said, "Forget it, I can't explain it to you. Just know that this time we're doing legal business, and we won't lose money. You can take whatever money you have. I can't say it will double, but we can definitely make back 40% or 50% of the profit."

"Is it true or false? Can you really get a 40-50% profit margin no matter how much money you have?"

"Take as much as you can get. When have I ever lied to you?"

Wang Fushun trusted Shen Heng completely. Hearing him say that, he immediately patted his chest and said, "Then I'll work with you, Brother Heng! Wait a moment, I'll get a bottle of wine, and we'll talk about it in detail. You should tell me what it really means. We're just a rural area here, unlike you who's experienced and knowledgeable in Yancheng. This policy was only implemented less than a month ago, and nobody dares to make a move."

"I don't drink alcohol, your sister-in-law doesn't want me to drink."

Wang Fushun got up halfway, then sat down again.

Thinking to myself, a year has passed, and my brother Heng is still a henpecked husband.