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

Time is like an arrow, the sun and the moon are like a shuttle.

Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the fields of Chengjiawan, the corn has grown to half a person's height.

The leaves rustled in the summer breeze, like a green ocean.

That afternoon, a bumpy bus stopped under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village.

The car door opened, and a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure jumped out of the car.

He was darker and thinner, but his back was ramrod straight, and his eyes shone like tempered steel.

He seemed to have been reborn, brimming with unprecedented confidence and energy.

"It's Yanqiu!"

"Technician Gu is back!"

The villagers immediately became excited and crowded around.

Gu Yanqiu greeted everyone with a smile, but his eyes were searching anxiously for someone in the crowd.

"dad!"

A clear, joyful shout rang out.

Gu Niannian, like a happy little bird, flew out from the crowd and plunged into Gu Yanqiu's arms.

"Oh, my dear daughter!"

Gu Yanqiu picked up his daughter and gave her a big kiss on her chubby little face.

The father and daughter embraced tightly, as if trying to melt all the longing of the past two months into that embrace.

Gu Yanqiu didn't come back empty-handed this time.

He brought back a huge, heavy canvas package.

Back home, he opened the package in front of the entire village.

Inside, it's practically like a small department store.

A brand new, bright red corduroy jacket with a fine fleece lining that feels soft and warm to the touch.

"This is for Niannian, the latest model from the provincial capital!"

A pair of white Warrior sneakers with red stripes on the edges, emanating a pleasant rubber smell.

"It's also for Niannian. Wearing it while running, she'll definitely get first place!"

Two large bags of colorful, sweet-smelling fruit candies, wrapped in oil paper.

"These are for the children in the village; everyone gets some!"

There is also a thick high school physics textbook with complicated formulas printed on the cover.

"This is... something I bought for myself." Gu Yanqiu scratched his head a little embarrassedly.

The villagers stared wide-eyed at these rare items, filled with envy.

Especially that red corduroy jacket; in an era dominated by blue, gray, and black, it was like a burning flame, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Gu Niannian put on her new coat and changed into her Warrior sneakers, then excitedly spun around in the yard several times.

Her little face flushed with excitement, like a ripe apple.

"Thank you, Dad! I love it!"

That evening, Gu Yanqiu's return became the biggest joyous occasion in the entire Chengjiawan.

Cheng Tiezhu, Chen Zhiyuan, Su Xueqing, and Aunt Wang all gathered in the Gu family's courtyard.

Gu Yanqiu announced even more shocking news.

He was recognized as an "Outstanding Student" for his outstanding performance in the training course in the provincial capital!

Moreover, the Provincial Department of Agriculture issued him a formal letter of appointment, hiring him to serve as a technical instructor for agricultural technology extension in Qinghe County!

This means that his status has jumped from a technician at a village-level extension station to a technical authority in the entire county!

My salary has also increased from 28 yuan to 35 yuan!

"My God! Thirty-five dollars!"

A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.

At the time, this was definitely considered a high salary.

Seeing everyone so happy for him, Gu Yanqiu was filled with mixed emotions.

He knows that he owes his success to his daughter's encouragement and help.

As night deepened, the guests all left.

The father and daughter lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), whispering about the past two months.

"Dad, I got first place in the whole school again before you left." Gu Niannian proudly raised her little face.

"Yes, my daughter is a genius, Dad knows that." Gu Yanqiu affectionately pinched her nose.

"Dad, I've made a new friend named Lin Xiaobei."

"Hmm? What friend?"

Gu Niannian became interested and, like a little sparrow showing off its treasure, recounted how she discovered Lin Xiaobei and helped him.

And then there's the matter that Cheng Tiezhu finally resolved, which he went on and on about.

Gu Yanqiu listened, completely stunned.

He was gone for two months, and his precious daughter had done so many earth-shattering things!

He felt a mix of lingering fear, relief, and pride.

He hugged his daughter tightly, his heart filled with emotion.

His daughter, Niannian, has really grown up; she's already a responsible and independent young adult.

"You did the right thing." Gu Yanqiu affirmed her daughter's actions. "When you see someone in trouble, you should lend a hand, provided you can ensure your own safety."

"Oh, right," Gu Yanqiu seemed to remember something, sat up, and his expression became somewhat serious, "Niannian, your father in the provincial capital also heard some important news."

"What news?" Gu Niannian asked curiously.

Gu Yanqiu looked at her daughter, then thought of the gentle figure in the neighboring courtyard, lowered her voice, and said, word by word:

"It's... about Aunt Su Xueqing."