"Let's go pick up the God of Wealth you mentioned!" Li Xiangdong ate his porridge and vegetable pancake with relish. After replying to Director Yan, he took the time to praise Huang Guimei, "Auntie, these vegetable pancakes are really delicious, thin and crispy, and they even have rice crust."

"Yes, the train is at nine o'clock. The God of Wealth will be staying in Huichuan County for a few nights." Director Yan found Li Xiangdong's words quite amusing and also started calling the God of Wealth like Li Xiangdong.

“Okay, it’s still early. I’ll go with my aunt to buy groceries first, and then I’ll accompany you to welcome the God of Wealth.” After finishing his meal, Li Xiangdong wiped his mouth, stood up, and was about to go out with Huang Guimei.

When they arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, Huang Guimei didn't even need to lift a finger. She just watched Li Xiangdong queuing up here and there, then dashing to another counter. Before she knew it, Huang Guimei's shopping basket was full.

A lively, jumping carp, a large piece of pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, a dozen or so white-shelled eggs, a can of dace with fermented black beans, a trembling piece of tofu, and the rest are vegetables: purple eggplants, bright red tomatoes, and emerald green cucumbers.

"Alright, let's go!" Li Xiangdong picked up the vegetable basket and led the dumbfounded Huang Guimei out of the supply and marketing cooperative.

Huang Guimei's mouth agape after a long pause. "How did you buy them so quickly? How much did it cost and what were the tickets? Auntie will give them to you."

"Auntie, are you trying to be distant with me?"

Li Xiangdong refused to accept the money no matter what, and the two of them pushed each other all the way home. Li Xiangdong even asked Factory Director Yan to judge, "Uncle, you know I'm about to become rich, but Auntie insists on competing with me for the chance to pay."

"Alright, Xiangdong will be a rich man soon. Rich people like to pay the bill," Factory Director Yan said to his wife with a smile.

"Neither of you, old nor young, are serious."

Huang Guimei complained sweetly, but a sudden sadness welled up in her heart. If her child had grown up properly, he would be much older than Xiang Dong. Would he have accompanied her to buy groceries and chatted and joked with the old couple like this?

Neither Li Xiangdong nor Factory Director Yan noticed Huang Guimei's fleeting change in mood. They were discussing picking her up at the train station when they heard a soft knocking on the outer gate before they could even set off.

"I'll go open the door."

When Li Xiangdong opened the door, he saw a man in his forties, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, tortoiseshell glasses, and carrying a suitcase.

Who are you looking for?

The newcomer looked at the tall, thin young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes in front of him and wondered to himself, "I haven't heard that Brother Yan has had another son. Could I have come to the wrong place? But this is the address Brother Yan gave me in his letter!"

"I'm looking for Brother Yan Huaili. Does he live here?"

"Donglai? What brings you here? Didn't I say I was going to pick you up?"

Hearing the familiar voice of the newcomer, Director Yan slipped on his shoes and rushed out, excitedly embracing the newcomer.

The two hugged and walked hand in hand into the house. Director Yan then called out to his wife, "Guimei, Guimei, look who's here!"

"Donglai? Why are you here so soon? Old Yan said he was going to pick you up!"

Huang Guimei, who was wearing an apron, was also very excited when she saw the people who came.

Li Xiangdong watched the three people vying to talk and reminisce, silently poured them three cups of tea, and then went to the kitchen to start cooking.

The three of them talked until their throats were dry, so they stopped to catch their breath and have some tea.

"Who is this young man? I haven't heard that you two had a child?" Liu Donglai asked Director Yan and his wife.

Because we've been friends for decades, we don't hold back when we talk to each other.

"How could I be so lucky to have such a wonderful child!"

Huang Guimei first sighed, then explained to Liu Donglai, "This child has sold herbs at Huaili Pharmaceutical Factory and saved my life on the way. He is a clever and kind-hearted child."

After hearing this explanation, Liu Donglai pondered without speaking, but took another sip of tea.

Huang Guimei could tell what he was thinking at a glance. "You and Lao Yan are both so petty. You always think that others are deliberately getting close to us to curry favor with us. But don't you think about it? He's just a country boy. How could he have so many sources of information about Lao Yan and me? Besides, Lao Yan and I have been in this small county for ten years. People are avoiding us like the plague. What is there for others to curry favor with?"

The melancholy in Huang Guimei's tone made both of them feel a little sad.

"Sister-in-law, it's almost over. Although you and Brother Yan have had a tough life, at least you have a stable life. As long as you're still alive, there's always hope," Liu Xiangdong comforted her.

Factory Director Yan perked up, "Donglai, it's wonderful that you've been exonerated this time. Have you decided where you'll be assigned?"

"The higher-ups intend for him to serve as the county party secretary and director of the revolutionary committee in Huichuan County."

"The fact that you're back in the top position as soon as you're reinstated shows that the higher-ups still have a lot of trust in your abilities." Director Yan was very happy for his friend.

"By the way, Brother Yan, you sent a telegram saying you had something suitable?" Liu Donglai hadn't forgotten the most important purpose of his trip: to buy what he urgently needed.

"Hmm, I've got it." Factory Director Yan said calmly.

"Where is it? Let me see it quickly!" Liu Donglai was an impatient person, and besides, this matter was indeed quite urgent.

"What's the rush? Let's eat first." Director Yan stopped Liu Donglai, who had just stood up, and said with a smile, "You've run so far, aren't you tired? The stuff is right here in my room, it can't run away. Fill your stomach first, otherwise what if you get so hungry you're dizzy and can't see the precious things clearly?"

"Oh dear, I've been so busy talking that I haven't even cooked dinner yet. It's almost midnight!"

Huang Guimei glanced at the clock in the room and quickly got up to cook.

As soon as Huang Guimei arrived at the kitchen door, she smelled a mixture of fish and meat aromas.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!