The beloved but ungrateful girl is reborn: This time she has truly changed.

"I'm from Dongcheng District, and I've been working here for twenty years. But now the job has been given to... to a junior colleague," Chen Hongxia said.

"What a coincidence!" Chen Hongli slapped her thigh. "I used to work in procurement for the military logistics department! It was also a supply point for Dongcheng District! We might even have met before!"

The two hit it off as they talked.

It turns out that Chen Hongli used to be a temporary worker in the military logistics department, responsible for purchasing.

She is straightforward, conscientious, and can't stand those who take kickbacks or use inferior products.

As a result, he offended Zhou Lingbin, the head of the logistics department at the time, who set him up and ostracized him, ultimately forcing him to resign from his job.

This also marked the beginning of the feud between Liang Bing and Zhou Lingbin.

"That Zhou Lingbin is no good!"

Chen Hongli gets angry just thinking about this person.

"He's used his power to embezzle a lot of money. I've also heard he has questionable morals!"

Chen Hongxia's expression changed, but she didn't reply.

Qi Weiwei quietly peeled garlic, listening to their conversation.

"Sister Hongxia, I think our names are only one character different, and we get along well. How about we become sworn sisters?" Chen Hongli suddenly suggested. "I'm a few years younger than you, so I'll call you 'sister,' what do you say?"

Chen Hongxia was somewhat surprised, but seeing Chen Hongli's sincere eyes, she felt a warmth in her heart and nodded: "Okay."

"That's wonderful!" Chen Hongli happily grabbed her hand. "From now on, we're family! Weiwei, you have to call me 'Auntie' too!"

Qi Weiwei smiled: "Auntie."

"Yes!" Chen Hongli responded loudly.

The atmosphere in the kitchen became more harmonious.

In the living room, the second sister, Qi Lingling, was showing Dandan and Qianqian a picture book.

It was a copy of "Little Soldier Zhang Ga," in color, and it was quite worn from being read so many times, but the two children were engrossed in it.

"Gazi is amazing!" Five-year-old Dandan pointed at the screen. "He dared to fight the Japanese devils!"

Three-year-old Xixi didn't quite understand it yet, but she looked at it with her older sister, pointing her little finger at Ga Zi's picture: "Brother, hitting the Japanese devil's head, hitting his arm doesn't work!"

Qi Lingling hugged her two nieces, her heart melting.

Looking at her sister's two daughters now, so adorable and so dependent on her, she suddenly felt that whether or not she had a man didn't seem so important anymore.

She touched her stomach again.

As if sensing her touch, the twins kicked the spot she was touching.

On the other side, Grandpa Qi Dayou was playing chess with Liang Bing's father, Grandpa Liang.

Grandpa Liang is over seventy years old, a retired veteran, and still in good spirits.

The two old men sat on either side of the eight-immortal table, locked in a fierce battle, neither able to gain the upper hand.

"Brother Qi, that was a brilliant move!" Grandpa Liang slapped his thigh. "I didn't even see that coming!"

"Luck, luck," Qi Dayou said modestly, waving his hand, but his eyes gleamed with pride.

Grandma Wen Sumei sat on a chair by the window, sewing a pair of trousers with a hole in them by the light of the lamp.

She wore reading glasses, and the needle and thread moved nimbly and skillfully in her hands.

"Grandma, don't tire yourself out."

Sister-in-law Ma Lan pushed her bicycle into the courtyard gate, with Qi Yang and Qi Xing sitting in front and behind, respectively.

She parked her car and came over, carrying a carp in her hand. "This fish is so fresh, should we steam it or braise it?"

"Let's braise it, the kids love it." Wen Sumei looked up and said with a smile, "Xing'er can wear these pants tomorrow."

Ma Lan put the fish into the kitchen and then came out to help set the table.

Soon, it became completely dark.

One by one, the main dishes in the kitchen were being served.

The braised pork belly was glistening with oil and had an irresistible aroma.

The steamed fish was fresh and tender, steaming hot;

The scrambled eggs are golden yellow and look incredibly tempting.

There were also shredded potatoes, cabbage and glass noodles, tofu soup... a whole table full of food.

Chen Hongli said that the vegetables and meat provided to the troops were of very high quality.

Normally, these tickets would just sit there and expire if we didn't use them, but it's a good opportunity to have some fun with the Qi family coming.

"The dishes are all ready! Bring them to the table!"

Chen Hongli brought out the last dish and called out.

Everyone sat around the table.

Just then, the courtyard gate opened.

The two brothers, Qi Chunchun and Qi Maomao, arrived on a bicycle.

The two looked travel-worn, but they had smiles on their faces.

Qi Chun Chun was carrying a piece of pork, and Qi Maomao was also carrying one; both weighed more than two pounds.

"Fourth Brother! Fifth Brother!" Qi Weiwei went to greet him.

"Weiwei, we came right after get off work." Qi Chunchun handed the meat to Chen Hongli. "Aunt Chen, would you like to order some more vegetables?"

"Alright!" Chen Hongli took the meat. "Perfect, we'll make dumplings tomorrow!"

Just then, the courtyard gate opened again.

Liang Bing is back.

Behind him followed his bodyguard, Xiao Zhao, who was carrying a case of liquor—a special supply of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) for the military.

Ling Heping followed at the back, carrying a net bag full of big, bright red apples, each one plump and full.

"Political Commissar Liang!" Everyone stood up.

"Sit, sit, everyone sit." Liang Bing waved her hand, a smile on her face. "Great! It's been so long since it's been this lively!"

He took off his military overcoat, hung it on the hanger, and walked to the table to sit down.

Xiao Zhao put down the wine, saluted, and turned to leave.

Ling Heping put the apple in the corner and sat down.

"Brother Heping," Qi Weiwei greeted softly.

Ling Heping nodded to her, his eyes gentle.

Everyone has arrived.

A table full of people, a table full of dishes.

The lights were warm, and the fire in the stove was blazing.

It was a cold winter night in 1975 outside, but inside it was warm and filled with laughter.

Liang Bing raised his glass: "It's fate that we're gathered here today. Let's put everything else aside at the dinner table. I, Liang Bing, will first toast everyone, wishing us all a better and better life!"

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses.

The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

Qi Weiwei took a sip of the wine; it was spicy, but it warmed her heart.

She looked at everyone in the room: her parents, grandparents, older siblings, daughter, sister-in-law, nephew...

They were all her family, her support.

In her past life, she was blind and caused the deaths of all of them for a scumbag.

In this life, she finally managed to protect them all.

Although there are still thorns and battles ahead, she is happy at this moment.

She picked up her glass and took another sip.

The liquor was spicy, but also sweet.

Like life.

In the blink of an eye, Liang Bing's courtyard was brightly lit.

It was warm and cozy.

The octagonal table was laden with dishes—the braised pork was glistening with oil, the steamed fish was tender and fresh, the scrambled eggs were golden yellow, and there were shredded potatoes, cabbage and vermicelli, tofu soup, and so on. The dishes were steaming hot and fragrant.

The adults sat around a table, while the children ate and chatted happily at a low table next to them, with the second sister and sister-in-law taking care of the children.

Qi Weiwei was placed between her father and Ling Heping.

Her bowl was piled high with braised pork, fish maw, and scrambled eggs—all the best ingredients.

Ling Heping, who was on her left, had just put a piece of meat on her plate, while her father, who was on her right, put a piece of fish on her plate.