Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

Clang... Zhao Youzhi knocked again; the noise from so many people was giving him a headache.

"Also, Xiangyang Forestry Farm will be recruiting temporary workers soon. This year, thanks to Zhou Rui's intervention, they gave our village a few more openings, a total of twenty."

"Those who want to make money at the forest farm this winter, come and sign up here this afternoon. Lazy people, don't bother coming. Going to the forest farm will only bring shame to Jiaolong Gorge."

"Haha... I'm definitely signing up. Rather than staying cooped up in bed all day, I'd rather go to the forest farm and earn more money."

"Zhou Rui is capable of this? There are ten more spots available this year than last year."

"Of course you do! Look at that time, he sold his job, traded it for a lot of stuff at the logging camp, and even got a rifle. They must have some connections."

"Well done, Ruiwa! You are worthy of being a member of the Zhou family."

"How does he become part of your Zhou family? Do you think Zhou Jiutian even acknowledges him?"

"Whether Zhou Jiutian acknowledges it or not, Zhou Rui is a member of the Zhou family, it's recorded in the family genealogy."

Ignoring the gossip, Zhou Rui quietly found Chen Datou, who was happily dragging his three hundred jin of grain, which he could exchange for a lot of old wine.

That's right, he only weighs a little over 300 pounds, and in a year, he earned a pitifully small amount of work points.

"Uncle Datou, the grain was distributed today, Zhou Chen's family must be much better off now. Keep an eye on things for me, see if he still goes to Gujiazhuang to gamble." Zhou Rui took out a pack of cigarettes and slapped it into Chen Datou's hand.

Chen Datou's eyes lit up as he looked at the cigarette in his hand. "Daqianmen, a high-end cigarette costing 39 cents! Ruiwa is really generous."

"Just you wait and see, I can find out everything about Zhou Chen. Even if his underwear has a few holes, I'll find out for you."

"Why would I need to know all that? You just need to find out where he is. It would be even better if you could praise him more."

"You want to trap him?" Chen Datou stared wide-eyed at Zhou Rui. This kid is ruthless; he's practically a killer without shedding blood.

With over forty years of experience as a gambler, he has seen countless people who were fawned over, only to become hopelessly addicted to gambling and unable to recover.

Zhou Rui never retaliated against his uncle, not because he lacked temper, but because he was shrewd and calculating. If Zhou Chen really got addicted to gambling, he might drag his uncle's entire family into a mess.

"I didn't think that way." Zhou Rui's expression was calm, but his words were chilling. "He just can't help but like to cheat at cards, don't you think?"

Chen Datou didn't care; after all, Zhou Chen was always arrogant. Why should a new recruit look down on him? The most important thing was that Zhou Rui could bring him benefits, but what could Zhou Chen offer him?

"That's right, he's the one who likes to gamble. But if things go well..." Chen Datou finished speaking and rubbed his right index finger and thumb together.

"If you succeed, come find me. You'll have plenty of cigarettes and meat, and I'll even get you the best wine."

Chen Datou was overjoyed to hear this. He knew Zhou Rui wasn't one to boast; if he said there was good wine, he definitely would.

"Alright, then listen to my good news."

Zhou Rui didn't linger after speaking; he hadn't even received his own grain yet. So he returned to the brigade headquarters and lined up at the end of the third production group.

Zhou Rui's family has plenty of grain; the rations for just four people amount to over a thousand catties. In addition, there are his work points this year; although he frequently takes leave, his work points are roughly equivalent to those of the most hardworking men in the brigade due to hunting. Adding An'an and Zhou Ping's points, that's another two thousand catties of grain.

Zhou Rui figured his family couldn't eat that much, so he traded most of it with other villagers for refined grains. He only kept a small amount of coarse grains like potatoes and corn.

However, there were still more than a thousand catties left. Zhou Rui asked Zhou Ping to watch over the grain, while he carried the load himself, making three trips before finally carrying it back.

Everyone then realized that Zhou Rui had truly grown up. He carried a load of three or four hundred pounds on his shoulders as if nothing was wrong.

"Will Ruiwa have accumulated all her work points by next year?"

"Of course. With that build, even if you asked for eight more work points, no one would be willing to take it."

Even the accountant, Zhou Shumin, was talking to the women's director, Yang Guilan. "It seems we'll have to raise Zhou Rui's work points to twelve a day next year. We can't let him suffer."

"That's right, Zhou Rui is a hard worker, he works very hard. If we don't give him the treatment he deserves, I'm afraid he'll quit hunting next year, and then everyone will be hungry during the busy farming season."

Yang Guilan's husband is Liu Jianguo, the leader of Group Three. Liu Jianguo and Zhou Rui have a good relationship, and Yang Guilan doesn't mind saying good things about Zhou Rui.

Early the next morning, Zhou Rui, carrying the baby on his back, a backpack, Zhou Ping and An'an, and three burlap sacks, waited for Zhao Youzhi at the brigade headquarters.

"Rui, what are you doing?" Zhao Youzhi asked, seeing Zhou Rui's family all together, carrying large and small bags.

"Grandpa Zhao, didn't you say you were going to the market today? I was thinking of hitching a ride with you in the village to go to town and buy some things on the way back."

Zhou Rui took out a cigarette, lit it, and said with a smile.

"Besides, An'an has never been to a market before, so I'm planning to take them there to broaden their horizons."

"You little rascal, don't squander your money now. This sack is full of grain, right? Don't trade it all, or you'll have nothing to eat next year. Save up some money, fix up your house, and get married in a couple of years."

"I won't waste it. You don't know me, I've hunted a lot of meat this year. I've also worked hard in the fields, and I've exchanged my work points for enough grain. I'm just planning to go to the market to exchange this extra grain for something."

Zhou Rui wasn't afraid of Zhao Youzhi. Although Zhao Youzhi spoke with a cold face, his words carried a hint of concern.

"Okay, it's good that you know your limits. You've done a really good job this year. I believe you can lead your younger siblings and niece to a good life." Zhao Youzhi's expression softened as he patted Zhou Rui's shoulder, a truly solid shoulder.

The oxcart carried the group for more than three hours, and even An'an and Xiao Niangao fell asleep from the swaying.

There was no other way; oxen are slow to begin with, and with so many people on board, the oxcart was packed full of people: the old village chief, Accountant Zhou, the militia captain, the driver, and Zhou Rui's family of four.

Arriving at the market, Zhou Rui discovered for the first time a scene similar to that of his later years. The bustling crowds were packed together, and the roadside was lined with goods, though not as abundant as those in his later years.

"Ruiwa, we need to go buy some cattle first. It's ten o'clock now, and we'll meet back here in three hours to go back together. Don't miss the time," Zhou Shumin instructed after checking his watch.

"Alright, Seventh Uncle, I got it." Zhou Rui was a member of the Zhou family, so he naturally addressed Zhou Shumin according to the Zhou family's ranking.

After parting ways with the village chief and his group, Zhou Rui led his younger siblings to a small stall selling mutton offal soup. A bowl of hot mutton offal soup immediately invigorated An'an, who couldn't wait to go to the market.

Zhou Rui looked at the three burlap sacks on the ground with some worry. The three sacks contained flour, rice, and cured meat, respectively. Zhou Rui had gotten the flour and rice from the mill as soon as he received the grain, but he couldn't possibly carry over a hundred pounds of stuff around the market, could he?

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Rui lit a cigarette for the uncle selling lamb offal and suggested that he leave his things there for the time being. The uncle had no objections; it's always good to help others.

He needed to find that old man quickly and exchange this grain for grain and antiques. Thinking this, Zhou Rui grabbed An'an's hand and pushed forward, leaving Zhou Ping behind.