"Thank you all for your hard work today. Please eat and don't be shy."

Once all the dishes were served, Zhao Youcai warmly greeted everyone.

The brigade leader picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork. Its golden color looked especially tempting under the light. He took a bite, and it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour taste spreading in his mouth. He put down his chopsticks, looked at Lin Qing, and said with a smile, "Lin Qing, we really owe you a lot this time. If it weren't for you, Cuilan would have been in danger. Our brigade is so lucky to have you."

"Yes, Lin, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I really would have..."

As she spoke, Liu Cuilan choked up; she had truly been terrified today. If it weren't for Xiao Lin, the educated youth, she might not be alive now. Thinking about how heartbroken her child and Zhao Youcai would be after her death, Liu Cuilan couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. Today had been incredibly dangerous.

"Yes, sister-in-law, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, Cuilan would have been in danger... Thank you for saving Cuilan's life. You and Brother Gu are my and Cuilan's saviors. We will remember your kindness for the rest of our lives, and we will definitely repay you in the future."

Zhao Youcai patted Liu Cuilan on the shoulder and continued. He had also been quite frightened today; his legs were weak when Gou Dan ran to tell him. Over the years, quite a few people in the village had died from poisonous snakes. It was all thanks to his sister-in-law; he and Cuilan were lucky to have her help. It was just a pity for the others.

"Your brother Gu...?"

Lin Qing asked curiously.

“It was an afternoon when we were 13 years old. It was a very hot day. Gu Ge, other friends and I went swimming in the river. We were having a great time when suddenly my leg cramped up. I was about to drown. My other friends were so scared that they all ran away. It was Gu Ge who desperately pulled me out. If it weren’t for Gu Ge, I would have drowned when I was 13 years old.”

"So, sister-in-law, when I was little, Brother Gu saved me, and now you've saved Cuilan. You and Brother Gu are truly our family's saviors."

"I'm so excited," Zhao Youcai said. He had no family left; Brother Gu was his only family, and now his sister-in-law had joined them. He and Cuilan would remember Brother Gu and Sister-in-law's kindness for the rest of their lives.

"Eat, eat..."

Seeing the somewhat somber atmosphere, the captain quickly said, "This Xiao Gu not only saved Zhao Youcai's life, but also saved his son."

The brigade leader picked up a piece of "Di San Xian" (a dish of potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers) with his chopsticks and put it into Lin Qing's bowl. The aroma of potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers blending together wafted out.

"This meal today is a small token of appreciation from Zhao Youcai and Liu Cuilan. In the future, the village will need young people like you to contribute more."

Then the captain remarked with emotion.

"You're too kind, Captain. It's all I should do."

"Young Lin, you have truly impressed me today. Our brigade is proud to have a barefoot doctor like you. We entrust our brigade to you from now on."

"Captain, you're too kind. As a member of our battalion, this is what I should do."

"Good...good...Little Lin, you're really amazing! And you can even drive a tractor! It seems our brigade has truly gained a remarkable talent!"

"It has to be their brigade! Look at the other brigades, none of them have a young educated youth like Xiao Lin!" the brigade leader exclaimed excitedly.

The brigade leader picked up his bowl, took a bite of white rice, and thought to himself how delicious it was. Then his eyes fell on the plate of chicken stew with mushrooms. The chicken was stewed until tender and flavorful, and the mushrooms had soaked up the broth, emitting a wonderful aroma. He was truly benefiting from the presence of the educated youth, Xiao Lin; this meal was even better than the New Year's feast.

"Little Lin, if you have any ideas or plans in the future, just tell me. I will fully support you. Don't be shy with me, the brigade leader."

As he spoke, the captain picked up another piece of braised pork, and the smooth and tender texture and rich aroma made him squint his eyes in happiness.

"Don't worry, Captain, I won't hold back."

"..."

"You guys eat first, I'll go pack some food to take back to Brother Nanxun."

Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, Lin Qing stood up and addressed them.

"Sister-in-law, I'll go!"

Upon hearing that Lin Qing was going to bring food for Gu Nanxun, Zhao Youcai quickly stood up and eagerly offered to help.

"What, Zhao Youcai? Are you trying to steal my credit?"

Seeing Zhao Youcai vying to buy food, Lin Qing jokingly said...

"No...no...sister-in-law, you go."

"Ha ha……"

Hearing Lin Qing's words, Zhao Youcai scratched his head sheepishly and said something. Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter when they saw Zhao Youcai's embarrassing appearance.

Lin Qing went to the counter and packed a portion of braised pork slices, a portion of sweet and sour pork, a portion of pickled cabbage and pork belly, and a portion of chicken stew with mushrooms for Gu Nanxun.

Lin Qing came in a hurry this time and did not bring anything or any takeout containers. Fortunately, the state-run restaurant sold takeout containers, so she bought a few more from the state-run restaurant to pack up her food. She also bought ten steamed buns before carrying the food back to her seat.

Watching Lin Qing walk over carrying a pile of lunchboxes, the brigade leader couldn't help but swallow hard. He thought to himself, "This young educated youth, Lin, is really generous. Gu Nanxun is lucky to have found such a good partner." And it seems that Lin Qing is genuinely good to Gu Nanxun. Thinking this, the brigade leader nodded.

Zhao Youcai was also very happy to see how much Lin Qing cared for Gu Nanxun. His brother Gu had finally made it through, and his sister-in-law was so good to him. His brother Gu would be overjoyed. It was such a pity about his brother's leg. How could such a good person like his brother... If only his brother's leg could get better.

Liu Cuilan smiled as she looked at Lin Qing. They were truly very loving, just like herself and Youcai. This was good; Youcai could finally rest easy. She knew Youcai had been under a lot of pressure lately and had been constantly worried about Gu Nanxun. She had been very worried that Youcai wouldn't be able to accept Gu Nanxun's passing. But as a woman, she had to avoid suspicion, and there was really no other way, especially since their family was genuinely poor.

Thinking of this, Liu Cuilan couldn't help but think of today's meal. This meal had spent all the money Youcai had earned recently, but she didn't regret it. After all, Xiao Lin, the educated youth, had saved her life today. She knew better than anyone that without Xiao Lin, she definitely wouldn't have survived today.

Things are different now, truly different. In her past life, Liu Cuilan wasn't bitten by the poisonous snake, and Gu Nanxun was already dead. After his death, Gu Nanxun left money for the brigade leader and Zhao Youcai's family, causing a huge uproar in the Gu family. But now, Gu Nanxun is alive and well, and even dating Lin Qing. All these changes are different from her past life. If things can be changed, then her own destiny can certainly be changed too, Lu Xianghong thought firmly. She became even more determined to be friends with Lin Qing, because all these changes were because of Lin Qing.