Reborn in the 60s, I hunt to support my family and even seduce the village beauty.

The meal, cooked in a large pot, took a long time to finish.

We eat from sunset to moonrise, and from moonrise to a sky full of stars.

A bonfire was lit under the old locust tree, its light illuminating the faces of the people, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Sun Xiulan was pulled aside and talked to for a long time. One family asked how their daughter was doing in the capital, another asked who else was in their son-in-law's family, and yet another asked where Cheng Xin bought his new clothes.

She answered each question with a smile, her voice becoming a little hoarse by the end.

Cheng Xin mingled with the group of teenagers, telling them about his experiences in the city and his brother-in-law's hunting skills. He repeated these stories over and over, spitting as he spoke, and the boys listened with great interest, never getting tired of it.

Chang Kun and Cheng Min sat to one side, leaning against the trunk of the old locust tree, watching all of this.

"Are you tired?" Chang Kun asked in a low voice.

Cheng Min shook her head and leaned on his shoulder.

She looked at her mother's face in the firelight, at the uncontrollable smile on that face, and her heart was filled with emotion.

"As long as Mom is happy."

Chang Kun nodded without saying anything.

As night deepened and the campfire gradually dimmed, the crowd slowly dispersed.

Sun Xiulan was pulled aside by several old friends, and after saying a few last words, she reluctantly let go.

Back at the dilapidated house, she stood at the doorway, suddenly feeling a little dazed.

I was staying here the day before yesterday, and I'm leaving tomorrow.

Cheng Min took her hand and said, "Mother, go inside and go to sleep. We have to travel tomorrow."

Sun Xiulan nodded and pushed open the door.

The room was dark and gloomy, with the same wooden bed and the same tattered quilt whose color was no longer discernible.

The corner of the wall was empty; all the things she had saved up over a decade had been given to her neighbors.

She lay down, staring at the dark ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Cheng Min lay down next to her, holding her hand.

"Mom, what are you thinking about?"

Sun Xiulan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Thinking about these past years."

Cheng Min didn't say anything, but just held her hand tighter.

In the next room, Chang Kun and Cheng Xin were squeezed onto one bed. Cheng Xin was already asleep, snoring softly, with a smile on his face.

Chang Kun opened his eyes and stared at the sliver of moonlight streaming in through the window.

I'm going back to the city tomorrow.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the whole family got up.

Sun Xiulan looked around the house again—the black pot, the three-legged table, the crooked wooden door. After looking for a while, she turned and walked out.

Several people were already standing at the door; they had come to see him off.

Aunt Wang, Uncle Zhao, and a few other old neighbors.

"Xiulan, drive carefully."

"Send us a message when you get there."

Sun Xiulan nodded, her eyes reddening, but she didn't cry: "I will."

The family walked out of the village.

As she walked out of the village, Sun Xiulan looked back.

That dilapidated house, that old locust tree, that dirt road she had walked for over a decade.

She looked around for a while, then turned back and said, "Let's go."

……

The man in the Zhongshan suit led several people to the commune and presented them with a letter of introduction.

The family continued their journey.

When Chang Kun arrived at the guesthouse, he suddenly stopped, remembering something.

He took the letter of introduction, glanced at it, and frowned.

Sun Xiulan's heart skipped a beat: "What's wrong?"

Chang Kun didn't say anything, but handed the letter to Cheng Min.

Cheng Min took it and her expression changed: "Mother, this letter of introduction... can only go to Guangzhou."

Sun Xiulan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Cheng Min pointed to the words on the letter and explained to her, "This letter was issued by the commune. It only proves that you are a member of this commune and can take a train to Guangzhou. But if you want to go to the capital... they don't recognize this."

Sun Xiulan opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

She didn't know about this; the village's Zhongshan suit had never traveled far and was unaware of this.

Chang Kun put the letter away and pondered for a while.

"It's alright, let's go back to the guesthouse first. I'll figure something out."

Back at the guesthouse, Sun Xiulan sat on the edge of the bed in a daze as soon as she entered.

Cheng Min poured her a glass of water and handed it to her. She took it, but didn't drink it; she just held it there.

Cheng Xin squatted in the corner, not saying a word, occasionally glancing up at his mother before lowering his head again.

The room was so quiet it felt a little oppressive.

After a while, Sun Xiulan raised her head and looked at Cheng Min.

"Xiaomin, what if... what if Mother can't get to the capital?" Her voice trembled slightly.

She had finally reunited with her daughter, but hadn't even seen her husband and eldest son yet; how could she be content with that?

Even if it's just to go back and see her again, and then return to live in this mountain village, she would be willing to do it!

Even if she didn't consider herself, she still had to think about her youngest son. Given the opportunity to return to the capital, she couldn't leave him to suffer in the small village.

"I'm not afraid, I've gotten used to hardship these past years. But your brother... your brother has never met his father, never met his older brother..."

Cheng Min felt a lump in her throat, walked over and sat down next to her, holding her hand.

"Mother, don't worry, there's always a way."

Sun Xiulan sighed, her eyes reddening.

"You don't understand. Your mother is from the countryside and has never traveled far from home. She doesn't know these intricacies. But about that letter of introduction, I understand now. If they don't recognize us, we can't get in."

Cheng Min opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't say anything; she had no idea what to say.

Cheng Xin raised his head and said softly, "Sister, why don't you and brother-in-law go back first, and Mother and I will think of a solution slowly..."

Cheng Min glared at him: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

She hadn't even considered the option of leaving her mother and younger brother here; what could they possibly do?

If she does this, not only will she not be able to forgive herself, but even if she goes home, her father and older brother will blame her to death.

Cheng Xin lowered his head and remained silent.

Chang Kun stood by the window, looking at the mother and her two children, and suddenly laughed: "What are you all worried about?"

All three people looked up at him at the same time.

Cheng Min's eyes lit up, and she jumped to her feet: "Chang Kun, do you have a solution?"

Chang Kun walked over and sat down next to Cheng Min, saying slowly, "Have you forgotten someone?"

Cheng Min blinked, looking at Chang Kun with a puzzled expression.

Chang Kun looked at her and smiled: "Second Uncle."