As Lin Laosan boarded the train, watching Lin Li's figure recede into the distance, and seeing Shenzhen, a place that had broadened his horizons, he began to feel conflicted again!

A job? Or venture out into the world? A difficult choice!

Suddenly, I remembered what Lin Li said before I left: no matter what choice I make, studying is the priority. Instead of overthinking here, I should study hard now and prepare myself so that I can fight a battle I can win in the future.

After figuring it out, Lin Laosan began to study seriously!

He's determined to get into a good university this year!

The time spent studying made it fly by, and before he could even come to his senses, he was already back in town.

After getting off the train, he pushed his large and small suitcases and took the bus home.

Just as he was about to open the door, he saw his neighbor from next door come over to greet him: "Lin Laosan, you're back! Did you have fun in Shenzhen?"

"It's fun! The city is big and beautiful!"

Lin Laosan opened his suitcase, took out the gifts he had brought back, and handed them to her, saying, "Sister Li, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please take it back and try it!"

"Oh dear! We can't accept this. You two always bring us gifts every time you come back!"

Li Sao hurriedly stuffed the things in her hand back into Lin Laosan's hand.

"Take these. These things are very cheap in Shenzhen, they're not worth much!"

After saying that, he put the things in her hands and prepared to open the door to go home.

"Oh, right, third brother!" Li said, putting something into her pocket with embarrassment. "You and Aunt Lin just left, and your second sister-in-law left your nephew at your door. I had no choice but to take him to the village chief's house."

"...What does she want to do?"

"Your second sister-in-law ran away, abandoning her son. She wants to leave your nephew with Aunt Lin!"

“They’re all bad people, and my nephew even tried to hit my mom!”

Lin Laosan felt a lump in his throat when he talked about that family. From childhood to adulthood, how good his mother was to his second brother! She gave him the opportunity to study first, and she always put his money first when the family had it.

And what happened to him?

He never brought a single penny home as a filial offering, and then he brought a group of thugs to rob our house. He's a heartless scoundrel.

"That's right, so the village chief left your nephew with his maternal grandmother." Sister Li was angry when she thought about how the child had been raised by Lin Lao Er and his wife to be disrespectful to his elders.

"That's fine. Anyway, my mom has already cut ties with them, and they are no longer my mom's sons and grandsons. We won't interfere in their affairs."

"Yes, that makes sense!"

After hearing what Li Sao said, Lin Laosan quickly let it go and then dropped the matter.

Unexpectedly, when the news of his return home reached the ears of Lin Lao Er's wife's mother, she came up and caused a lot of trouble. Fortunately, the village chief and villagers eventually resolved the issues!

That's a story for another time, so I won't go into details here.

While things were in complete chaos on Lin Laosan's side, Lin Li was making money hand over fist.

After the Lunar New Year, Shenzhen comes alive with activity. Factories are starting up and construction is in full swing, making the entire city a vibrant hub of activity!

While selling boxed lunches, Lin Li kept track of the restaurant's construction progress, and several months passed in the blink of an eye!

In July 1984, it was time for Lin Laosan to take the college entrance examination!

"Manager Li, Engineer Wang, I need to go back home in the next few days. My son is taking the college entrance exam soon, and I need to go and cheer him on!"

After reviewing the project progress, Lin Li told the project manager about her itinerary before leaving.

"Don't worry, Ms. Lin, we will complete the project according to plan."

"I'm completely at ease leaving you in my care!"

Lin Li turned her head and glanced at the restaurant that was about to be repaired. She felt proud. This was her first business, and it was almost finished!

Three days later, Lin Li opened the iron gate of her house and looked at the thick layer of dust in the room, wondering in surprise.

Has Lin Laosan not been home for the past few months?

"Aunt Lin? You're back?"

When Aunt Li from next door saw that the iron gate of the Lin family's house was open, she ran over with a wooden stick in her hand to check. When she saw Lin Li, she put down the stick and shouted happily.

"You're back! The third son is about to take the college entrance exam, so I came to keep him company!" Lin Li explained, glancing at the stick she had picked up, and asked curiously, "Did something happen at home?"

"Hey! Did Lin Laosan not tell you that?"

Lin Li: ...

After listening to Aunt Li's story, Lin Li was speechless. The original owner had spoiled Lin Lao Er too much since childhood, and in the end, she had raised him into an ungrateful wretch.

"Also, Lin Lao Er was sentenced last month and will serve five years in prison!"

Five years? Lin Li spat inwardly. He had taken the original owner's life, how could five years be enough?

She will make those beasts in the Lin family pay the price!

"Let's not talk about him anymore, I've cut ties with him. This matter has really troubled everyone. I'll go pick up Lin Laosan in a bit, and everyone can come over for a simple dinner tonight, as a way to celebrate Lin Laosan in advance!"

"How could I possibly accept this!" Upon hearing Lin Li's words, Aunt Li hurriedly waved her hand in refusal. "We all live in the same village; helping each other is only right!"

"Yes, we will! If our third son gets into university this time, he won't be staying at home for long. We'll need you to look after the house for us then!"

"I'll watch your house, absolutely no problem!"

After hearing Lin Li say that, Aunt Li felt embarrassed to refuse, so she said, "Then I won't bother you any longer, you go ahead with your work."

"Okay! Then please tell the village chief and everyone for me, Aunt Li, that I won't go door-to-door calling them!"

"Leave this to me!"

After seeing Li Sao out, Lin Li closed the door and began cleaning.

After finally cleaning the house, she went straight to Lin Laosan's workplace.

Reaching the gatehouse, he smiled at the security guard reading a newspaper and said, "Hello, I'm looking for Lin Laosan. Is he here?"

The security guard put the newspaper aside, looked at Lin Li, and asked in an unfriendly tone, "Who are you to him?"

"I'm his mother, I just came back from Shenzhen!"

Upon hearing Lin Li's words, the security guards immediately broke into smiles. "Oh, it's Aunt Lin! I'm sorry, I thought it was someone else coming to cause trouble!"

After listening to the security guards' words, Lin Li handed them a pack of cigarettes and asked, "Does he often get into trouble?"

"That's right. Knowing that you made money in Shenzhen, his eldest brother's family and his second brother's wife's family often came to cause him trouble. In the end, Lin Laosan was so bothered that he moved to the staff dormitory."

"That group of people are a bunch of vampires. Thank goodness you guys helped him. Thank you so much!"

"Aunt Lin, you're too kind. We're all colleagues, so we should help each other out!"

The security guard accepted the cigarette with embarrassment and then stood up. "Aunt Lin, you rest for a while. I'll go call Lin Laosan now."

"Thank you for your help!"