Starting from 1950

"Dig the pit deeper. There are so many rats here. If it's too shallow, diseases will spread."

The field opposite Limin Flour Factory.

Zhang Zhenguo personally chopped off the tails of the rats one by one, counting the number of tails as he directed two security guards to dig a hole, grinning from ear to ear.

"My God! 166! 166!" he muttered, his lips trembling.

"So what? If I had enough ammunition, I could have killed even more!" Su Yang said proudly, raising his head.

This afternoon, he spent a full four hours guarding the production workshop, displaying remarkable prowess during which time a worker notified the security department halfway through.

Zhang Zhenguo personally led a group of people to help him transport the rat carcasses. Because there were too many, even Erhu and a dog couldn't eat them all. To prevent disease, he brought people to dig a pit and bury the rat carcasses.

"Section Chief, I've run out of ammunition. I want to leave work early and go home to make some more, otherwise I won't have any to use tomorrow," Su Yang said, glancing at the sky.

"Alright, alright! I told you, you don't need to clock in or out. You can go wherever you want, nobody will bother you!"

Zhang Zhenguo smiled as he looked at Su Yang, thinking to himself, "I knew I hadn't misjudged him. This kid is a real gem!"

"See you tomorrow, Section Chief."

"See you tomorrow!" Zhang Zhenguo waved his hand, looking at the rat's tail on the ground with a happy expression.

Including the ones from this morning, there are already more than 220. Should we go and report the progress to our superiors?

Thinking this, he decisively stood up and said to the two guards, "Put these rat tails away and give them to me. You two continue digging the hole, and remember to dig it deep before burying it!"

.......

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the red brick buildings of the Limin Flour Factory's residential compound in a warm golden hue, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, filling the air with the aroma of families preparing dinner.

Su Yang and Wu Xinxue arrived in Shenzhou in early December, and now it is already the Little New Year.

Both of them had a very fulfilling twenty days.

Wu Xinxue successfully corrected her accent, and now speaks Mandarin as fluently as a professional radio announcer, with an added touch of sweetness compared to the announcer's serious voice.

She usually hosts any events at the factory, and occasionally goes on stage to sing a song or dance for the workers. Now she is truly the face of Limin Flour Factory.

Su Yang was even more remarkable. After becoming an unofficial pest control officer in the flour mill's security department, he spent his days traveling between various areas of the flour mill.

He hunts rats in the morning and goes home to rest in the afternoon, while also making pellets.

At first, they could kill 300 rats a day, but later the number gradually decreased to 200 and then 100.

In the past few days, Su Yang's daily catch has been hovering around fifty or sixty.

This was exactly what he expected.

Living things are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm. With Su Yang, the "rat nemesis," in charge of the flour factory, the number of rats in the surrounding area gradually decreased.

However, Su Yang has earned his first pot of gold. Yesterday, the flour factory paid all the employees their wages for the month ahead of schedule.

Su Yang's bounty for exterminating rats was also paid to him ahead of schedule.

As of yesterday, he had eliminated a total of 3561 rats, and with his allowance, he received a total of 2,928,800 yuan!

That's more than the salary of a flour mill manager!

Because of Su Yang, the flour factory turned its fortunes around. To encourage all the factory workers to be more proactive in exterminating rats, the factory publicized the fact that he had received a large reward. Some food-related brother units in the Tiexi District also added fuel to the fire.

Now, Su Yang's name has begun to circulate among the brother units throughout the Tiexi District.

Having received the bonus, of course I had to spend it lavishly.

I finally have the money to buy the things I needed for my home.

Considering the limited space, besides adding a five-drawer chest and a dressing table, only a few chairs were added to the house.

I did acquire quite a few small items.

For example, the spittoon and chamber pot that I couldn't bear to buy before, now I don't have to get up in the middle of the night to get cold anymore.

Another thing is that Wu Xinxue can finally use three washbasins.

The two also bought two extra sets of shoes, underwear, and other items for changing.

......

Inside, the fire in the stove was burning brightly, dispelling the winter chill and illuminating the joyful faces of Wu Xinxue and Su Yang.

On the small square table, there was an unprecedented abundance: a large bowl of glistening braised pork, piled high like a small mountain, with a thick, tempting dark brown broth; next to it was a plate of golden, crispy fried ribbonfish pieces, coated in a thin batter; a steaming pot of stewed cabbage and pork with glass noodles, the noodles soaking up the broth and glistening; and a small dish of finely shredded pickled vegetables as a garnish.

On the stove, there was a clay pot bubbling with fragrant chicken soup, golden oil swirling on the surface of the soup.

Today is the Little New Year, and every family has stewed meat to some extent. Su Yang and Wu Xinxue finally didn't have to hide it anymore. They spent the whole afternoon preparing this big meal.

"Dinner's ready!" Wu Xinxue took off her apron, her voice filled with barely suppressed joy.

She placed two bowls of glistening white rice on the table, the aroma of the rice mingling with the fragrance of meat, filling one's nostrils.

Looking at everything before him, Su Yang felt a warm and reassuring feeling fill his chest.

Twenty days ago, he was still worrying about his future life at the Beijing Re-education Camp.

And now, what's on the table is the "fat year" he earned through his own hard work and honesty!

Su Yang sniffed dramatically, picked up his chopsticks, and eagerly stuffed a piece of glistening braised pork into his mouth.

The fatty meat melted in his mouth, the lean meat was tender and flavorful, and the rich aroma of the sauce exploded in his mouth, making him squint his eyes in bliss. "Delicious! So delicious! Sister Xinxue, your cooking is amazing!"

Wu Xinxue also picked up a piece of meat, taking small bites, her eyes curving into crescents: "Isn't it because the meat is so good? Back then... back then, we never had meat this good, and we didn't even dare use the right seasonings..."

She stopped herself in time, not wanting to bring up unpleasant memories on this joyous occasion.

"It's mainly because our Comrade Su did a great job! Look at this money!" She put down her chopsticks and carefully took out a thick wad of banknotes from her pocket, which was the reward she had collected for Su Yang yesterday.

Su Yang swallowed the meat in his mouth, looked at Wu Xin's bright eyes and the pile of money on the table, and felt a great sense of accomplishment.

"This is just the beginning!" Su Yang said confidently, waving his chopsticks. "From now on, we can eat meat every day!"

Infected by his enthusiasm, Wu Xinxue giggled and imitated Su Yang by waving her little fist. "But for now, let's enjoy this prosperous New Year! Eat quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold!"

.......

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year grows stronger.

Today is the last day of work at the flour mill, and all the employees are doing the final work before the holiday.

There wasn't much work, and all departments finished their tasks shortly after noon. After that, everyone was anxiously waiting to get off work.

The loudspeaker suddenly blared:

Attention all factory workers!

Now broadcasting a notice of honor and commendation:

Comrade Su Yang, an unofficial pest control officer in our factory's security department, has made significant contributions to eliminating the rat infestation in the factory area since taking on the task of rat extermination, thanks to his exceptional shooting skills and selfless dedication!

As of yesterday, Comrade Su Yang had eliminated a total of 3561 rats, effectively curbing grain loss and saving the country from economic losses.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, with special approval from higher authorities:

Comrade Su Yang is awarded the honorary title of "Rat Extermination Pioneer" and is also awarded the right to purchase a "Forever" brand bicycle!

Comrade Su Yang proved with his actions:

Ordinary jobs can create extraordinary value!

With a pure heart, we safeguard the nation's granary!

He called on all factory employees to learn from his spirit of striving for excellence and his sense of responsibility in overcoming difficulties!

This was jointly announced by the Party Committee and Security Department of Limin Flour Factory.

"Attention all factory workers..."

Wu Xinxue's clear and proud voice echoed three times through the loudspeaker in the empty factory area before stopping.

As soon as the first announcement was finished and the second one began, the entire Limin Noodle Factory erupted in chaos, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into a scalding oil pan!

The workers, who were already idle and waiting to get off work, gathered together to discuss:

"What?! 3561 rats?! My God, is Su Yang a rat spirit reincarnated to clean house?" An old worker was so shocked that he almost hit his foot with the wrench after tightening the last screw on the machine.

"Did you hear that? Forever brand bicycles! That's 'Forever'! A divine bicycle that you can't buy even if you have money!" The younger workers' eyes turned red, and they rubbed their hands together with envy.

In those days, because domestic bicycle factories were just starting out and had limited production capacity, purchasing a bicycle required a letter of introduction from one's employer.

The purchase quota is even more valuable than the bicycle itself, serving as a symbol of status and prestige.

Su Yang, an unofficial staff member, actually received this incredible honor!

One of the female workers said, "Last time in the workshop, I saw him wield his slingshot like a god, taking down a whole bunch of mice in just a few 'pops'! I thought he was something special then, but I never imagined he was this good!"

"Absolutely! The security department has really struck gold this time! Section Chief Zhang must be laughing in his sleep!"

"Learn from him? How can we learn from him? Who has his unerring accuracy?" someone said sourly.

"Exactly! Just listen to this call to action, I could never do that kind of work anyway." The person next to him chimed in, looking at his calloused hands and thinking about Su Yang's thick wad of reward money and brand-new bicycle ticket, feeling a mix of emotions.

Today's workers represent advanced productive forces and are among the most skilled. People may admire them, but they are also more impressed and know that these workers have real skills.

He Dazhuang had just finished cleaning up every nook and cranny of the warehouse when the words "Su Yang," "3561 units," and "Forever brand bicycles" on the radio struck him like a hammer blow, making his face burn.

He silently lowered his head, recalling the hardship of carrying sacks of flour every day, working himself to the bone for a month to earn only 225,000 yuan, while Su Yang easily earned more than ten times that amount, not to mention the bicycle he never even dared to dream of... An indescribable sense of loss gripped him.

......

Su Yang was not at the factory at this time.

Zhang Zhenguo gave him the bicycle purchase certificate that morning.

However, you have to wait in line to buy a bicycle. I heard that the wait is now at least a month. Who knows when it will be your turn?

Su Yang lay on his bed at home, his head resting on his arm.

The room was warm and cozy, filled with the fresh scent of new furniture and a faint smell of face cream.

He's not in a good mood right now.

Name: Su Yang

Race: Human

[Class]: Hunter (Level 5)

[Attributes]: Strength 8, Agility 9, Stamina 8

[Experience Points]: 1/208

He killed a total of 3561 rats during this period, which should have given him 7122 experience points, enough to level him up more than ten times.

But ever since he reached level 5, he no longer gains experience from killing rats.

But he wasn't flustered at all.

That's how it is in games; high-level characters don't gain experience when fighting low-level monsters.

The important question now is how he can continue to gain experience?

A few days ago he bought a live chicken, but after killing it, he didn't gain any experience points whatsoever.

He is no longer able to experiment with other animals.

"Are you suggesting we kill someone?"

Su Yang thought of the robber he killed on the train, who gave him 60 experience points in one go.

"Never mind, I don't want to think about that for now."

He shook his head, putting those worries behind him, and began to think about what to eat for dinner.

......

New Year's Eve has finally arrived.

The sporadic sound of firecrackers began to ring out outside.

Inside room 209, the stove burned bright red, making it warm as spring.

Su Yang and Wu Xinxue changed into their cleanest and tidiest clothes—Wu Xinxue wore a brand-new red scarf, and Su Yang wore a thick cotton hat.

These were New Year's gifts the two exchanged, and Wu Xinxue insisted that neither of them could take them off tonight, and that they should wear the gifts while keeping vigil together.

The small square table was once again filled to the brim, even more lavish than a few days ago, all of which were New Year's dishes they had prepared themselves:

In the center is a large bowl of steaming hot cabbage and pork dumplings with thin wrappers and generous fillings:

Braised pork belly, braised pig's head meat, and garlic-flavored pork belly were arranged on a large plate;

Golden and crispy fried meatballs, fried ribbonfish;

Cold-dressed pig ears and pig liver;

Crystal clear aspic;

The earthenware pot contained a rich, milky-white fish soup;

The most eye-catching items were the neatly arranged plate of steamed rice cakes and a small pile of colorful candies.

The two sat down.

"Happy New Year!" the two suddenly shouted in unison, then laughed, raised their cups filled with orange soda, and clinked them together, the crisp sound echoing in the small room.

"Su Yang, hurry up and eat the dumplings! Let's see who can find the one with the money inside!" Wu Xinxue urged, her eyes sparkling.

She deliberately put a clean copper coin inside a dumpling, hoping for good fortune and wealth.

Su Yang picked up a plump dumpling, dipped it in vinegar and minced garlic, and took a bite. The dough was chewy, and the filling was fresh and juicy.

Suddenly, my teeth clicked.

"Hmm! I got it!" He spat out a gleaming gold coin and proudly held it up.

"Wow! You got the first sip of wine! What a good omen! You'll definitely make more money next year!" Wu Xinxue's peach blossom eyes curved into crescents with laughter, without mentioning that she had specially marked it and picked it out for him.

The two of them ate heartily, their mouths greasy with oil.

Meat that I usually don't dare to eat freely, I can enjoy to my heart's content today.

At the dinner table, they excitedly planned their goals for the New Year.

Su Yang said he would work even harder to catch rats after the New Year, secretly adding in his heart that he needed to find a way to regain experience and level up to a higher level.

Wu Xinxue said she would work hard, strive to become a full-time employee as soon as possible, increase her salary, and try to return to the state where she supported Su Yang.

"Clang... clang..." The faint sound of bells ringing out to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new can be heard in the distance.

"Happy New Year, Su Yang! You're another year older!" Wu Xinxue rubbed her slightly bulging belly and reached out to ruffle Su Yang's hair.

Su Yang nimbly dodged, straightened his back, and said, "Happy New Year, Sister Xinxue! Next year, I'll make sure you have an even better life!"

In the dim light, his eyes were firm and bright.

"I almost forgot, we also bought firecrackers. Su Yang, come with me to set them off!"

Wu Xinxue suddenly slapped her forehead, grabbed Su Yang's hand, pulled him up, took the firecrackers from the cabinet, and ran outside.

The fire crackled in the stove, illuminating the table full of unfinished New Year's Eve dinner.

A moment later, the sporadic sounds of firecrackers outside gradually increased and merged into a chorus, announcing the arrival of a new era.