Sold into a ghost marriage? Four-year-old and his thuggish father go on a killing spree.

"Second Brother, Niannian, this...how can I accept this..."

Looking at the two steaming bowls of dumplings in front of him, Gu Yandong's dark face was filled with emotion and guilt.

He was prepared to be rejected before he came.

After all, what his mother, his elder brother, and his sister-in-law did was too hurtful.

But he never expected that his second brother and Niannian would actually... repay evil with kindness.

Gu Niannian stuffed one of the bowls into Gu Yandong's hand and said crisply:

"Uncle, hurry up and take it back to Grandma while it's hot, it won't taste good when it gets cold."

She pushed the other bowl in front of Gu Yanqiu: "This bowl is for Grandpa."

Gu Niannian always held a deep respect for her grandfather, who was taciturn but made the final decision when dividing the family property.

Gu Yandong's eyes immediately reddened.

He nodded heavily, said nothing, picked up the two bowls of dumplings, turned and strode quickly into the night.

Watching his retreating figure, Gu Yanqiu sighed softly.

He knew that from tonight onwards, this younger brother's heart was completely on their side.

This Lunar New Year's Eve passed in such a complex yet warm atmosphere.

After the New Year, it seemed as if things had turned around and good news was coming one after another.

The first piece of good news came from the county agricultural machinery station.

In the quarterly technical assessment at the agricultural machinery station, Gu Yanqiu, with his excellent maintenance skills and innovative spirit, stood out from the crowd and won the only "excellent" rating!

In front of all the station staff, Station Master Han personally pinned a big red flower on him and announced on the spot:

Starting next month, Gu Yanqiu's salary will be increased by one level!

Every month, it's an extra three yuan!

Three yuan, in those days, meant half a month's worth of vegetables for an ordinary worker!

Gu Yanqiu was so excited that her face turned red. She held Station Master Han's hand tightly and couldn't say a word for a long time.

He knew that this was not just about money, but also about recognition!

His dignity and status were earned through sweat and hard work!

The second piece of good news comes from Baiyang Commune.

The commune's education department, in conjunction with the commune's primary school, selected this year's "Outstanding Students".

Gu Niannian's name was prominently listed!

A certificate with red lettering was personally delivered by Principal Wang to the Chengjiawan Brigade Headquarters.

"Captain Cheng, your Chengjiawan village has truly produced an extraordinary talent!"

Principal Wang, holding Cheng Tiezhu's hand, said excitedly:

"This child is the smartest I've ever seen in all my decades of teaching! The youngest award winner in the history of our commune's primary school! Five and a half years old! If word gets out, the whole county will be in an uproar!"

Cheng Tiezhu was so happy he couldn't stop grinning. Holding the certificate, he was even happier than if he had won an award himself.

He framed the certificate and hung it in the most conspicuous place in the brigade headquarters, pointing it out to everyone he met and showing it off.

"See that? A child prodigy! A child prodigy from our Chengjiawan!"

In no time, Gu Niannian's reputation as a "five-year-old prodigy" resounded throughout the entire Baiyang Commune.

However, neither of these two pieces of good news combined can compare to the excitement of the third piece of news.

That evening, Cheng Tiezhu, with his hands in his pockets, personally went to the Gu family's small house.

He first praised Gu Yanqiu for his salary increase and for Niannian for receiving an award, then changed the subject, lowered his voice, and said something important.

"Yanqiu, I came back from a meeting at the commune and heard some inside information."

Cheng Tiezhu's expression turned serious.

"The county has issued a document to launch a pilot program in response to the call to 'Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture,' establishing 'Agricultural Technology Extension Stations' in several key production brigades with a strong foundation!"

"Agricultural technology extension station?"

Gu Yanqiu was taken aback; this was the first time he had ever heard of this term.

"Yes!" Cheng Tiezhu nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming.

"To put it simply, it means bringing the technology from the county agricultural machinery station directly to the villages! From now on, if the agricultural machinery in our commune's various brigades breaks down, we won't have to travel all the way to the county to get it repaired; we can solve the problem right here at the extension station!"

"Moreover, this extension station is not only responsible for repairs, but also for promoting new agricultural machinery technologies to the members and training technicians! This is a fantastic thing!"

Gu Yanqiu's heart jumped instantly.

He had a vague feeling that this matter might be related to him.

Sure enough, Cheng Tiezhu's next sentence confirmed his guess.

"The county's plan is to send a technical expert to each promotion station to serve as the station manager and be responsible for setting up the operation."

He looked at Gu Yanqiu and said, word by word, "Yanqiu, our Chengjiawan village has also applied!"

"If—and I mean if—we can secure this promotional site, then I can't think of anyone else who would be the site manager but you!"

With a loud "boom!"

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Gu Yanqiu's mind!

Go back to Chengjiawan for work?

Serving as the head of an agricultural technology extension station?

What does this mean?

This means that he no longer has to ride his bicycle dozens of miles in the cold wind before dawn every day to go to work!

This means that he can be with his daughter every day, watch her grow up, and no longer worry about her being bullied in the village!

This means that he can use his skills to do more for his fellow villagers on the land he knows best!

At this moment, career and family seem to have found the perfect balance!

Gu Yanqiu's breathing became rapid instantly, and his heart pounded violently in his chest, almost as if it would jump out of his throat!

"Uncle Tiezhu... this... this matter, is it possible to do it?"

His voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Cheng Tiezhu's expression turned serious.

He sighed and said, "It's difficult!"

"More than a dozen communes and dozens of production brigades in the whole county are all eyeing this lucrative opportunity! I heard that seven or eight brigades have signed up, but in the end, I estimate only two or three will be approved."

"Moreover, the selection criteria for this station manager are extremely high!"

Cheng Tiezhu stretched out his fingers and explained them one by one.

"First, you must have excellent technical skills—that's a core competency! Second, you must have outstanding work performance and demonstrable achievements! Third, and most importantly, you need a recommendation from a superior!"

As he spoke, he gave Gu Yanqiu a deep look.

"Yanqiu, do you want this opportunity?"

Gu Yanqiu nodded vigorously, almost without hesitation!

he thinks!

He dreams of it!

For Niannian's sake, and for his own sake!

"Great!" Cheng Tiezhu slapped his thigh. "Just hearing that is enough!"

"Technically, I'm not worried about you. In terms of performance, you've increased production in Chengjiawan by 15%, that's the biggest achievement! Now, we only need to take the last step—competition!"

He stood up, walked around the room twice, and looked more serious than ever before.

"This isn't just about you, it's about the whole of Chengjiawan! Whether we can secure this spot depends on whether my son and I can give it our all!"

Gu Yanqiu also stood up, his thin body standing ramrod straight.

He took a deep breath, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

A tough battle concerning the future is about to begin!

But who will be his competitor?

In this complex competition involving strength, connections, and background, what obstacles and conspiracies will he and Niannian encounter?