Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 40

Chapter 40: The Workshop

As the saying goes, the ducks are the first to know when the spring river water warms up—another spring had arrived, and time had quietly slipped into 1982. 

[春江水暖鸭先知 (chūn jiāng shuǐ nuǎn yā xiān zhī): lit. The ducks are the first to know when the spring river water warms up; fig. Those closest to a situation are the first to sense changes or trends.]

Outside the Guan family's braised spice workshop, agents who had come from all over were lined up to pick up their orders.

"Hey, how much did you make last year?"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 39 Part 2

Guan Yuan pretended to be scared and jumped into Zhao Shenggu's arms: "Brother, has Aunt Manyue gone crazy?"

The onlookers took one look at Guan Manyue and thought, She really does seem insane. 

A kind-hearted person called out, "Guan He, you'd better take your daughter back home. The way she looks, her mind's not right. What a tragedy!"

Guan He's plan was completely ruined by Guan Manyue's sudden outburst. She'd been playing the pitiful act at home, but now she'd gone and lost her mind again.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 39 Part 1

Chapter 39: The Guan Family Makes a Fool of Themselves

Li Yuezhi couldn't hold back anymore: "Mom, now Manyue's legs are crippled like that. If it can actually be cured, can we even afford the medical bills? If we pour everything we have into fixing her legs, are you really willing to watch all these grandkids suffer? And besides, if we spend all that money and it still doesn't work, then Manyue will just end up suffering right along with us!"

Yang Xiucui's eyebrows shot up the moment she heard that: "Oh, so that's how it is. I knew you were black-hearted. Watching Manyue suffer and you don't even blink.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 38 Part 2

The visitor was from a neighboring county. Once, while on business in Yun County, he'd tried Yuangu braised meat on someone's recommendation and couldn't stop thinking about it ever since. Later, he even made a special trip back to Yun County just to buy some.

Following the address printed in the newspaper, he found Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan's home. Staring at the two kids in front of him, the man's eyes went wide: "You're not joking, are you? You're the owners of Yuangu braised meat?"

"What, you think we're not up to it?" Guan Yuan shot back.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 38 Part 1

Chapter 38: The First Franchisee

The next morning, the families of Guan Shulin and Guan Guo both went to the school.

Guan Yuan and the others' homeroom teacher had only been teaching for three years. She was a gentle young woman who usually looked after Guan Yuan and the other well-behaved, high-achieving students. After hearing about what happened yesterday, she went to see the Dean of Students, but ended up getting scolded by him instead.

Today, when Guan Yuan and the others went to the Dean's office, the homeroom teacher was worried they'd be treated unfairly, so she went along too.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 37 Part 2

The conversation that afternoon left Guan Yuan feeling uneasy. He clung to Zhao Shenggu all evening—even while Zhao Shenggu was cooking, Guan Yuan stayed on his back and wouldn't get down.

Zhao Shenggu didn't mind at all; in fact, he seemed to enjoy it. When they went to sleep, they held each other tightly, as if they were made to fit together that way.

The next day was a school day. They ate breakfast early and headed to the village entrance, where Guan Mumu was already looking their way. When he saw Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu, he waved at them enthusiastically.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 37 Part 1

Chapter 37: A Fight 

When Li Xin heard that both Old Master Li and Old Master Zhao were staying, he was so happy he stamped his feet. Because they'd had lunch early, dinner at Guan Yuan's place was served before the sky even darkened.

Old Master Li had been craving that hotpot ever since he first tried it, so they had hotpot again that night. Fresh vegetables, plump slices of pork and beef, with pork ribs as the base—the rising steam carried a rich, mouthwatering aroma. To enhance the flavor, Guan Yuan had added Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, filling the whole room with that spicy, numbing fragrance.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The next day, Old Master Li showed up with Li Xin, and Old Master Zhao came along too. Old Master Zhao was in a great mood. Grinning, he asked Zhao Shenggu, "Lao Li tells me you kids brought me an inkstone?"

Zhao Shenggu nodded. "Yes, Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Li, please come inside. I'll get the inkstone for you to see. Actually, we had no idea if it was good or bad—we just picked it by feel."

Old Master Zhao beamed. "Well, good or bad, it's the thought that counts!" Once inside, Guan Yuan made tea for them, while Li Xin pestered him for beef jerky.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Buying a House

 

It was a stretch of low, single-story houses, located right next to the government offices in Harbin. But Guan Yuan knew that as the city surged forward with development, this area would become the central hub. These shabby small houses would one day be replaced by towering skyscrapers.

Zhao Shenggu looked doubtful. "Xiao Yuan, are you sure buying a place here to open a shop is a good idea?"

Guan Yuan saw it differently. "Brother, look—there are plenty of people around here. Our braised meat would sell well. And even if we do nothing with the house, we can just sit on it and wait for the value to go up."

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Harbin

The train clattered along for over five hours before finally pulling into Harbin. Guan Yuan had gone to university in this city, and as he looked at the familiar train station, a wave of nostalgia washed over him—everything had changed, yet nothing had.

As a provincial capital, Harbin was worlds apart from Yun County. The streets were wide, street vendors were everywhere, and people dressed in much more varied styles. Glancing around, Guan Yuan noticed that nearly half the people were wearing the trendy bell-bottom pants, and a few women had permed hair.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 33 Part 2

After the village produced three kids who scored double perfect marks on their exams, the families who had originally sent their children to Zhaojia Village started getting restless. The main reason only Guan Yuan and a few others had gone to the county school the previous semester was that most people in Guanjia Village couldn't bear to pay the extra school selection fee—it was a full double the regular tuition.

Guan Guo was helping Zhao Shenggu sell braised meat. Since he was hardworking and reliable, Zhao Shenggu had already raised his wages to 30 yuan a month. Meanwhile, Li Ying not only managed the farmland well but also raised two big fat pigs. Their family's fortunes in Guanjia Village were steadily climbing to the top.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 33 Part 1

Chapter 33: A New Era

Spring 1980. The news of the household responsibility system spread through Guanjia Village like rising dough. After days of anxious waiting, the village chief finally confirmed it over the loudspeaker. For the people of Guanjia Village, this was a dream they had held for years. But once the excitement settled, the biggest question on everyone's mind was how the land would be divided. After all, with no other way to make a living, land was the very foundation of every farmer's life.

[The Household Responsibility System was a 1980s rural reform that gave farmers land-use rights and allowed them to keep surplus output after meeting state quotas, replacing the collective commune system where farmers worked in production teams and earned work points for their share of grain and income.]

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 32 Part 2

"There's nothing to worry about. We have a fixed amount of braised meat each day and a fixed price, so I know exactly how much we should make each day. The pay would be 25 yuan a month. It usually sells out quickly—three or four hours at most—and then you can go home. Uncle Guan Guo, would you be interested?"

Guan Guo unconsciously rubbed his hands on his pants.

Zhao Shenggu asked again, "Is it that you feel the pay isn't enough?"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 32 Part 1

Chapter 32: Opening a Shop 

Old Master Zhao couldn't stand it anymore. "I say, you old devil, why are you so impatient?"

Old Master Li ignored him and kept staring at the pot with greedy eyes. Guan Yuan brought out the finished beef jerky: "Grandpa Li, Grandpa Zhao, try some. This is our beef jerky."

Old Master Li was always extremely interested in anything the two kids made, and since the food in the pot wasn't ready yet, this would be a good appetizer.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 31 Part 2

When Guan Manxing got home, her brother-in-law was lounging there with his legs crossed, drinking and munching on meat—the very meat that came from Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu's stall. Guan Manxing was furious. "Brother-in-law, where did you get that meat?"

Sun Jianguo looked nonchalant. "Bought it."

"Where did you get the money?"

"Oh, the money? I saw a jar under your bed, pulled it out, and wow—there was 50 whole bucks in there!"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 31 Part 1

Chapter 31: Birthday and Catching a Thief

Days slipped by quietly, and before they knew it, another year had passed. Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu's new home had been completely renovated in the autumn and was now the most impressive courtyard in Guanjia Village. Guan Yuan had planted flowers and greenery all around the yard, and thanks to the nourishment of the spiritual spring, even in winter the place was full of life.

Today was a special day—not only the start of winter, but also Guan Yuan's birthday. Zhao Shenggu had been busy in the kitchen since early morning. His cooking skills had improved dramatically under Guan Yuan's influence.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 30 Part 2

Having broken away from the Guan family, Guan Yuan felt the sky had never looked so blue, and even Guanjia Village seemed lovely.

When they arrived at the Zhao family's old yard, Zhao Shenggu ran his hand along the doorframe. This yard held memories of his childhood, of all the places he used to play. But now, spiderwebs draped every corner, and the yard lay in ruin. Guan Yuan cheered him up: "Brother, let's fix this place up right and make it the finest house in Guanjia Village!"

Zhao Shenggu smiled at that, setting aside his worries. "Alright—this is our new home!"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 30 Part 1

Chapter 30: Breaking Away 

When the two of them followed Xiao Zhang to Old Master Li's house, Old Master Li and Old Master Zhao were playing chess—their only shared hobby. Two men with briefcases sat nearby.

Seeing Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu arrive, Old Master Li waved them over. "Shenggu, Xiao Yuan, come here." The two walked over and greeted both Old Master Li and Old Master Zhao.

"Good, good," Old Master Li said with a nod and a smile, gesturing to the two men. "These two comrades are from the county public security bureau. Your matter has been settled."

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 29 Part 2

"See? I told you these two lads were good," Old Master Li said, pointing at Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu. Old Master Zhao looked them over and nodded. "Indeed, not bad at all."

Though Old Master Zhao spoke less than Old Master Li, he looked even more kindhearted. With a gentle, benevolent expression, he said a few words to Zhao Shenggu, and the two quickly grew familiar with each other.

"Your name is Zhao Shenggu, and your younger brother is called Guan Yuan—you're not biological brothers?" Old Master Zhao asked Zhao Shenggu in surprise.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 29 Part 1

Chapter 29: Treating Guests 

Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu were making plans for their future braised meat business, while over in Yun County, the Li family was also abuzz with excitement over the same braised meat. When Xiao Zhang carried the braised meat back to the Li household with a nervous heart, Old Master Li was playing chess with an old friend. Seeing Xiao Zhang return, he asked eagerly, "Xiao Zhang, did you get the fish?"

Xiao Zhang pulled a long face. "Old Master Li, those two kids said they can't catch fish in the river anymore—they've switched to selling braised meat. Would you like to try some? It's really tasty."

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 28 Part 2

Thinking about going to the county town the next day to sell braised meat, the two turned in early.

The next morning, they woke up refreshed. After washing up, Guan Yuan took some braised meat out of the space and had Zhao Shenggu carry it. The two set off for the county town.

After looking around the town, they went back to the same spot where they used to sell fish. There were some wooden boards nearby. Zhao Shenggu washed them clean and put together a simple table for their stall.

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 28 Part 1

Chapter 28: Making Braised Meat

Guan Yuan rolled his eyes. "Why should we give our meat to you?"

Guan Taiming tried to snatch it, but Zhao Shenggu stood in front of him like a great wall, and Guan Taiming shrank back. "You have so much meat—can't you just give me one piece?" He even sucked back his drool.

Guan Yuan was completely defeated by this guy's gluttony. "Fine, I'll give you two pieces. But don't ask again next time."

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 27

As soon as the fieldwork was done, Zhao Shenggu took Guan Yuan to the Yue River to start catching fish. When they arrived at the riverbank, they saw quite a few people were already there. Some were using scoop nets, while others simply waded into the shallows and grabbed at the water with their bare hands. Keep in mind—this was March! Just thinking about it made Guan Yuan shiver.

Guan Mulin was among them. He'd been hooked ever since catching two fish in the river last time, and since the farm work had just finished, he'd been coming to the river early every morning, hoping for more luck. But so far, he hadn't even seen a single fish. The moment he spotted Zhao Shenggu, his eyes lit up: "Shenggu! Hurry, hurry! Last time I only caught fish because I followed your lead—now you give it a shot!"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 26

After Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan left, Guan Manku gave Guan He a thumbs-up. "Dad, you really thought this through. Now we not only get rid of two freeloaders, but we also come out ahead in practical terms."

The others all chimed in with agreement.

When Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan got back to their place, Guan Yuan looked at him with sparkling eyes. "Brother, you're so clever! Now we don't have to be tangled up with them anymore!"

Reborn: Back to the 1980s Chapter 25

Xiao Zhang was startled by the crowd's angry glares. "Wh—what's wrong?"

"What's wrong? There are only two fish here, and you say you want to buy them all? And you're asking what's wrong?"

"Th—then can I at least buy one?"

"Not even one! If you buy it, what are we supposed to eat?"

"That's right! That's right!"

Seeing the situation turn against him, Xiao Zhang had no choice but to throw his weight around.