Those changes!

Tian Futang had been in a very good mood lately, better than ever before.

His son, Runsheng, was now a junior high school teacher in Shuangshui Village.

His daughter, Runye, that “older single woman,” had also married an extraordinary young talent, and her life was happy and fulfilling.

Perhaps by this time next year, he would be able to hold a little grandson.

“Cough, cough! Cough, cough!”

Tian Futang’s old ailment flared up again, and he started coughing.

Alas, it was an old problem, but a while ago he had seen a famous old Chinese doctor from the county, introduced by his sister-in-law, Aiyun, who prescribed him a few doses of medicine, and currently, the situation seemed to be improving.

Now, Tian Futang was quite spirited, feeling full of energy.

He now had a lofty ideal and ambition; he couldn’t just be an advanced individual in Shuangshui Village; he also wanted to be an advanced individual in Yuanxi County, and even the Huangyuan region, so that everyone would know there was a person named Tian Futang.

A desire to achieve great things was brewing in his chest.

Just as he was thinking, footsteps sounded.

“Dad! I’m back!”

Tian Runye’s voice rang out from outside the house.

Oh, his daughter and son-in-law were back.

Tian Futang’s heart filled with joy, and he stepped out of the house into the courtyard.

Sure enough, Zhao Dongchuan, carrying some gifts, walked in with Runye.

“Oh, you’re back! Come, come in and sit!”

Runye’s Mother also hurried out of the kitchen.

Zhao Dongchuan and Runye smiled and greeted everyone, then entered the house.

“Have you been doing well these past few days?”

Runye’s Mother held Runye’s hand, asking her daughter with a joyful smile.

Runye’s face flushed red, and she shyly said, “Very well, Dongchuan treats me very well!”

Runye’s Mother, being an experienced person, naturally understood these things, and she nodded with a smile, saying nothing more.

If a couple is harmonious in that aspect, it can reduce eighty to ninety percent of their arguments.

“How is your work transfer coming along?”

“The matter has been settled, the official document has come down. I’ve returned this time to complete the transfer procedures, hand over some work, and then it’s done. From now on, I’ll be working at the Youth League Committee!”

“Good, good, good!”

Tian Futang was very happy; his daughter’s work had also been settled. From now on, she could work with his son-in-law in Huangyuan, and the two would be together; next year, they would definitely have a grandson.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Dongchuan took Runye back to their own cave dwelling to tidy up.

He and Runye would stay there tonight; after getting married, there was no need to stay at Tian Futang’s house anymore… During dinner, Tian Futang took out the xifeng liquor Zhao Dongchuan had given him earlier, opened a bottle, and they began to eat.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes.

Tian Futang enthusiastically spoke of his grand ambitions; he wanted to make a big impact in agricultural infrastructure construction.

However, he hadn't yet figured out how to do it and wanted to hear his clever son-in-law's thoughts.

“Dad, I think the country’s call is correct, but it must be implemented according to the actual situation of Shuangshui Village; you cannot jump to conclusions blindly!”

“My personal suggestion is that you can hold a village-wide meeting to discuss this matter!”

Zhao Dongchuan was not a village cadre, so it was not appropriate for him to intervene, and economic development was not yet on the agenda, so he played it safe.

Tian Futang nodded thoughtfully.

He merely vaguely thought that his son-in-law didn't know much about this area!

And he didn't take it to heart.

After dinner, Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye went to their own cave dwelling to rest.

Revisiting the old place, the spring scenery was naturally different!

The joy within was not for outsiders to know… Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye stayed in Shuangshui Village for a few days. During this time, he took Runye to Old Man Sun Yuhou’s house for a simple meal.

Everyone had found their own place, so naturally, there were no longer any barriers.

“Shaoping, how do you feel about being a teacher in the village?”

“It’s great, Brother Zhao. Teaching not only earns work points, but there’s also a six-yuan subsidy every month, and during winter and summer breaks, working outside the mountain earns additional work points! By the end of the year… it’s more than even the best laborer earns…”

Sun Shaoping, with a youthful smile, said gleefully.

Indeed, this period was the most enjoyable for him; he had income to help his family and ample time to read.

“You haven’t neglected your studies, have you?”

“No, I read and do exercises whenever I have time!”

“By the way, where’s Jin Bo?”

“Brother Zhao, you don’t know yet, do you? Jin Bo went to join the army…”

“Oh…”

Zhao Dongchuan nodded. Yes, Jin Bo had joined the army.

He vaguely remembered that in the original novel, Jin Bo met a Tibetan girl while serving in the army. The two seemed to sing across mountain tops, having a love affair without ever meeting. In the end, because of this girl, he was sent back by the army.

Then Jin Bo’s entire life changed… he became depressed, and from then on, the light in the young man’s eyes disappeared.

The regrettable thing was that many years later, when he finally made up his mind to find her, her traces were long gone from the grassland; everyone had relocated, and this became Jin Bo’s lifelong regret… Right up to the end of the book, Jin Bo’s final outcome was never mentioned.

But it certainly wouldn't be too good.

“I heard that Tibetan girls are often passionate, Shaoping. If you have time, you can write him a letter and tell him that his Teacher Zhao said if he meets someone he likes, he must find out their background and name clearly! Don’t leave any regrets!”

Zhao Dongchuan laughed, as if telling a joke.

Shaoping was puzzled, feeling that this request was a bit inexplicable, but he still nodded. Since it was Brother Zhao’s instruction, he naturally agreed.

“A promising student!”

Zhao Dongchuan nodded. Shaoping didn't ask further but directly complied, indicating his high emotional intelligence.

Shaoping has a boundless future; it's quite possible that he will become a pillar of the nation and even a high-ranking official in the future.

Old Man Sun Yuhou smiled, watching everyone talk and chat, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to lessen, making him look younger.

Indeed, Shaoan had married a virtuous woman who didn't demand a bride price and was now pregnant, expected to give birth to a big, chubby boy by the end of the year.

As for Shaoping, he was now a teacher in the village, with a subsidy and work points, and had paid off many bad debts… Thinking of this, Sun Yuhou felt that the yellow corn bread in his mouth seemed even sweeter… Zhao Dongchuan felt that nothing in Shuangshui Village seemed to have changed, yet everything felt different, and an even greater transformation was yet to come.

As he was leaving, he seemed to remember something, looking thoughtfully at Shenxian Mountain, and quietly whispered a few words into Shaoan’s ear.

Although Sun Shaoan didn't quite understand, he still nodded, indicating his agreement.

Tian Runye was also a little confused about what Zhao Dongchuan and Sun Shaoan had said, but she didn’t ask further; she trusted him and herself.

After a bumpy journey, the two bid farewell to everyone, returned from Shuangshui Village to Yuanxi County, and stayed overnight at Second Uncle’s house.

That night, Zhao Dongchuan took a bottle of liquor and a plate of peanuts and had a long private conversation with Tian Fujun in the room.

No one knew what they talked about… Only that the next day, Tian Fujun’s face was flushed, but his mood was clearly much better… It felt like… the clouds had parted to reveal the moon.