Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

With a "pop" of firecrackers, an old man carrying a traditional bamboo basket from Tuocheng and holding a long incense stick walked at the head of the procession of the camp deities. Behind him was an uncle carrying a small bucket and constantly sprinkling water around with a seven-colored flower.

As another firecracker was thrown out by the old man, the camp master led the way. A burly man with a full beard, dressed in the uniform of a Han general, carrying a flag, strode over with imposing steps. Little Chen Hui and Little Rong Guo exclaimed in surprise.

Behind the vanguard were two flower gongs on the left and right, striking the gongs three times slowly and three times quickly, just like the gongs used to clear the way for an ancient official on a tour. Chen Rongfei, dressed in the uniform of a Ming Dynasty soldier, mingled among a group of young men and carried the Five Banners as he walked over.

Little Chen Hui, Little Rongguo, and a group of other children jumped around, pointing at Chen Rongfei and laughing loudly, "It's Big Brother! It's Big Brother! Big Brother, we're here! Hahaha!"

Grandma Wei Shufen, supported by her eldest daughter-in-law Huang Lanzhi, watched with a smile as her great-grandson carried the flag, nodding repeatedly. The other daughters-in-law of the Chen family also smiled and said to their sister-in-law Zeng Xia, "What a handsome young man Rong Fei is, so spirited!"

Chen Rongfei, a normally composed young man, became somewhat embarrassed under the watchful eyes of his younger brothers, great-grandmother, and aunts. Especially Chen Hui and Rongguo, the two little devils probably would have run over and joined the group if the adults hadn't been holding them back.

The procession continued, and the group carrying flower baskets came over. Chen Rongfei's earlier embarrassing scene was reenacted by Chen Huiqin, Chen Huijuan, and Chen Huifeng, as a large group of younger siblings shouted, "Big sister, second sister, third sister, we're here!"

When Chen Huiqin was called out by her younger siblings, she felt as if everyone's eyes were on her. She was so embarrassed that she almost stumbled and nearly dropped the cigarettes and Moutai liquor in the flower basket she was carrying.

A woman who had been following Chen Huiqin quickly helped her, preventing her from embarrassing herself in public. The woman was the neighborhood women's director. She smiled at Chen Huiqin and said, "It's okay, just walk slowly. If you feel tired, just tell me and I'll help you carry it."

Seeing their eldest sister, Chen Huiqin, stumble and almost fall, Chen Hui and Rongguo, those two clowns, burst into laughter. "Hahaha, eldest sister almost fell! How embarrassing, she can't even walk properly!"

If Chen Huiqin weren't still in the camp, she would have run over and taught those two rascals a lesson. Did they think they were so happy that their older sister was embarrassed?

Lin Deying and Chen Dong stood beside the Chen family, watching with great fondness for the two lively children. They smiled as they watched the procession of the Yingye dance troupe pass by. Just then, the Yingge dance troupe stopped at the Chen family's location. For some reason, the leading group couldn't move forward, so the Yingge dance troupe members simply started dancing on the spot.

After watching the Yingge performance in the square that morning, Xiao Chenhui and Xiao Rongguo had somehow produced two short sticks in their hands. As the Yingge performers danced, they followed suit, shouting "Hey-yo!" without any sense of shame.

He was acting like a social terrorist, dancing wildly and still not satisfied, wanting to continue moving forward with the Yingge team members, but Chen Zaixing pulled him back.

"You two aren't even as tall as someone's thigh. I'll stomp you flat in a minute," Chen Zaixing said, pulling the two little ones into his arms to prevent them from breaking free and running away. With so many people around and the two little ones so enthusiastic, they'd probably just let go and disappear in no time.

"Jimmy, and Rongguo, don't run around, you hear me?" Zhang Yi, holding Huiyi who was waving her chubby little hands enthusiastically, glared at Chen Hui. "There are so many people, if you get lost, we won't be able to find you two."

"No way, humph!"

As the Yingge team passed by, the flag-bearing team slowly approached. Chen Zaiyou, the only unmarried male in the third branch, was assigned to the head of the male banner, carrying a banner that read "Peace and Prosperity for the Nation." Dressed in a well-fitting suit, he smiled and looked at the Chen family members.

"Wow!"

"Uncle Zaiyou is so handsome!"

"With this banner in hand, I'm sure to marry a beautiful wife this year, hahaha!"

Now it was the sisters-in-law's turn to tease Chen Zaiyou, their younger brother-in-law. Chen Lianxiang covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes crinkling, giving Chen Zaiyou, the youngest brother in the third branch of the family, a thumbs-up.

Chen Zaiyou showed no embarrassment. He chuckled as he carried the banner, the gifts hanging on it bobbing with each step. Inside were four packs of Huazi cigarettes, a bottle of Moutai, a bottle of Remy Martin, and some fish maw.

The gifts displayed on the banners were all paid for by the individuals themselves, based on their own financial situation. They hung whatever they had on the banners. It was rare for someone as extravagant as Chen Zaiyou to hang so many gifts. Most people would hang one or two packs of Peony cigarettes, along with some fruit and the like.

After the men's flag bearers finished their procession, it was the women's flag bearers' turn. Leading the procession was Chen Lianzhen, the only unmarried member of the third branch of the Chen family. She wore a cheongsam tailored for her by Elena, and her light makeup was done by Zhang Yi and Chen Lianxiang early in the morning.

At the prime of her youth, a graceful young lady carried the banner, walking ahead of the girls with a charming and elegant figure. Her face was lightly made up, and the comments from her older sisters made her blush, making her exceptionally beautiful. She immediately captivated the young men watching from the sidelines.

"If I could marry Lianzhen and live in a luxury car and a mansion, I'd be happy to do it!"

"What sweet dreams are you having in broad daylight!"

"Tsk tsk tsk! Who knows which pig will benefit from this in the future."

"Please, don't use insults. How did I become a pig?"

"You shameless bastard!"

The group of young men around them watched the procession of flag bearers pass by with laughter and chatter. With a beauty like Chen Lianzhen leading the way, the girls behind her inevitably paled in comparison in their eyes.

These young men were all talk; they wouldn't dare to actually go to Chen Xianhai's house to propose marriage. Not only is the Chen family's third branch different now than before, but even in the past, Chen Lianzhen, a young woman who had attended night school and had some education, didn't want to stay in the countryside anymore.

She wanted to marry into the city and didn't want to stay in the countryside to do farm work anymore. She didn't fancy any of the young men in the village.

It's no wonder Chen Lianzhen has high standards. These days, which rural girl doesn't want to marry into the city and escape the heavy physical labor of rural life? Even working in a factory or doing odd jobs in the city feels better than staying in the village.

Especially after the reform and opening up, a large number of young people from rural areas went to work in the city. This is an inevitable result of the development of the times. Moreover, now that Chen Lianzhen has several cousins, such as Chen Dong and Chen Zaiguang, she can't just work in any factory.