Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

On his way back, Chen Yongqiang turned a corner and arrived at the gate of village chief Yang Dahai's house.

Yang Dahai was freezing dumplings in the yard. When he saw him, he greeted him with a smile: "It's Yongqiang. Come in and sit down."

Chen Yongqiang walked into the courtyard and subtly reminded him, "Village Chief, our village is doing well this year, and we need to make this year even more prosperous. I've been thinking about something these past few days and would like to discuss it with you."

"Go ahead," Yang Dahai said, continuing to cool the dumplings in his hands.

"This is what I think: as the old saying goes, bad luck tends to accumulate at the end of the year. With New Year's Eve approaching, we should send off the old year and drive away the bad luck so that the coming year can be more prosperous."

Yang Dahai glanced at Chen Yongqiang: "Sending off the old year? Isn't it just putting up couplets and setting off firecrackers? Every family does that."

"I was thinking, could the village take the lead in organizing this? For example, we could light a few bonfires together in the threshing ground. When the time comes, everyone can bring out their loudest firecrackers and set them off together," Chen Yongqiang said bluntly.

"What's the significance of what you're saying?" Yang Dahai asked vaguely.

"There's nothing too complicated about it, it's just about working together and having strength in numbers." All Chen Yongqiang could do was offer a reminder, just in case.

"I think this is a good idea. It'll be lively, auspicious, and it'll also prevent any potential problems. I'll announce it over the loudspeaker later to let everyone know to prepare."

"With you taking the lead, this matter will definitely be handled well. Our village will be safe and sound, and we'll have a lively and joyous New Year. Next year will surely be even better."

After leaving the village chief's house, Chen Yongqiang went to Ding Wanru's house.

The reason Yang Dahai mobilized the entire village to stay up all night on New Year's Eve was actually to protect Ding Wanru.

She lives alone, so her home isn't very lively.

Chen Yongqiang knocked on Ding Wanru's door and went inside: "The village is busy preparing for the New Year these past few days. How are your preparations going?"

"That's about it. It's simple for one person. We put up couplets and bought a string of firecrackers." Ding Wanru brushed the snow off his shoulders.

"Wanru, on New Year's Eve, the village will light a bonfire at the threshing ground and set off firecrackers to bid farewell to the old year. You should come too; it'll be lively with lots of people."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll go then." Ding Wanru didn't ask any more questions and chose to follow Chen Yongqiang's arrangements.

After chatting for a few minutes, Ding Wanru leaned closer and said, "Brother Yongqiang, my belly hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy. This is your responsibility."

She had always wanted a child, but just couldn't get pregnant.

Chen Yongqiang was also puzzled. Lin Xiulian and Wang Guixiang had both gotten pregnant not long after they started dating him.

He's been to Ding Wanru's place quite often, but he just hasn't managed to seduce her.

"These things can't be rushed." He reached out and put his arm around Ding Wanru's waist, gently stroking her.

"Maybe it's just not meant to be. We're both fine, and there's nothing wrong with our health. Relax, what's meant to be will be."

Ding Wanru leaned against him and said, "I'm just afraid that I might be lacking in some way and not be able to hold onto this blessing."

Chen Yongqiang rubbed his hands a couple of times: "You're in good health. As for the child, let's just let nature take its course."

Ding Wanru pulled Chen Yongqiang towards the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her cheeks slightly flushed, and said shyly yet boldly, "Since we're just killing time today, why don't we put in a little more effort?"

Looking into her expectant eyes, Chen Yongqiang realized he had just exhausted himself with Liang Meie, but fortunately his physical condition was still good, and he could still manage.

He took Ding Wanru's hand and said, "Okay, then work harder."

The two embraced and fell onto the warm kang (heated brick bed), where they began to passionately kiss.

Suddenly, several static noises sounded outside the window, followed immediately by the voice of village chief Yang Dahai, which came through the village's loudspeaker:

"Hey, hey! Everyone in Shimen Village, young and old, aunties and grandmas, listen up! I have something to tell you! After discussion in the village, we've decided to organize everyone to stay up together on New Year's Eve to bid farewell to the old year..."

The sound from the loudspeaker continued to blare, just enough to drown out the atmosphere inside the room.

After a while, the horn stopped abruptly, and the atmosphere in the room became heavy again.

Ding Wanru nestled against Chen Yongqiang's chest: "The village chief's notice... came at just the right time."

Chen Yongqiang stroked her hair: "Yes, that's perfect. Now you definitely need to go; there are more people, and it's safer."

With the whole village working together, the fire blazing down, they should be able to quell the unknown danger.

Ding Wanru responded, burying her face even deeper and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Then... shall we... continue trying?"

Chen Yongqiang chuckled and tightened his grip on his arms: "The loudspeaker has spoken, telling us to work together, so naturally, we need to try even harder."

He calmly took a sip of the spiritual spring water in the space, and a warm and soothing aura quietly flowed through his body, dispelling his lingering fatigue. He then hugged Ding Wanru tightly in his arms again.

Meanwhile, the broadcast content sparked discussion among the villagers.

"A collective stay-at-home order? And a group setting off firecrackers? That's quite novel!"

"In previous years, each family set off their own fireworks, and it would be over in a flash. But if everyone put them together, it would be such a huge commotion and a really big fire!"

Some of the older people, upon hearing this, seemed to recall an even older custom: "A large number of people and a strong fire can ward off evil spirits..."

The discussion spread throughout the village, and most people felt that this was indeed a joyous occasion.

Only Chen Yongqiang knew that behind this bustling scene lay a crisis that required a concerted effort to address.

When Chen Yongqiang left Ding Wanru's house, it was already close to evening.

The room was dark, and Ding Wanru lay sprawled on the kang (a heated brick bed), wrapped in a quilt, fast asleep. She didn't even get up to prepare dinner.

Chen Yongqiang walked home through the crunching snow, occasionally hearing the barking of dogs or the voices of children calling for their parents to come home for dinner, filled with the unique warmth of the Lunar New Year season.

He had done all the preparations he could. Now, all that remained was to wait for that night of transition between the old and new years and figure out how to handle it.

The day before New Year's Eve, Chen Yongqiang found Qin Shan and stuffed several detonators left over from the previous explosion of the pool into his hand.

Qin Shan looked at the detonator with a piece of fuse stuck in his hand, his face full of doubt: "Yongqiang, why did you give me this?"

Chen Yongqiang said seriously, "Uncle Qin, I might not be in the village on New Year's Eve. If all the firecrackers aren't loud enough, and the noise isn't enough to drown out something, then in a critical moment, find a safe place and detonate this."

Qin Shan understood the implication in Chen Yongqiang's words: "I understand. Don't worry, I know what's important and I'll choose the right time."

Some things are better left unsaid. Leaving this final piece of insurance made Chen Yongqiang feel a little more at ease.

The 29th day of the twelfth lunar month is Lunar New Year's Eve.

Before dawn, Chen Yongqiang had already packed up his equipment and checked his hunting rifle.

Lin Xiulian, her belly already showing, watched him silently from the side: "Don't worry about things at home. I'll take good care of myself and the house. Just be careful yourself."

"Don't turn off the lights at night, and don't come out if you hear any noise." Chen Yongqiang took one last look at his yard, then left with his hunting rifle on his back.