Chapter 309: Lu Qingshan

Entering the house, Li Cuilian plunged into the kitchen, and the clatter of pots and pans sounded up quickly.

Lin Yue'e, Lu Qingjun and Lu Fang also went in to help; before long, the dominant aroma of chicken stewed with mushrooms mingled with the meaty scent of braised spare ribs filled the whole house.

In the main hall, only Lu Qingshan and his father‑in‑law Lin Huainian remained.

The heated kang was very hot, radiating warmth.

Lin Huainian sat cross‑legged on the kang, occasionally lifting his wrist to glance at the Omega watch Lu Qingshan had given him, his movements seeming both deliberate and clumsy.

"Is everything at the factory going smoothly?" he asked in a low voice, breaking the silence.

"Hmm, I've just finished arranging the staff," Lu Qingshan poured him a cup of hot tea, its fragrance lingering.

"It will get busier over time, but it can also improve."

Lin Huainian nodded, lifted his cup and took a sip. "That's good."

He asked no more, but the scrutiny in his eyes had turned completely into approval and satisfaction. His own daughter was, after all, with the right person.

The dinner aroma grew richer. At that moment, the courtyard gate creaked open.

A young man in a blue Supply and Marketing Cooperative uniform walked in, a heavy sack slung over his shoulder.

It was Lin Yueqiang.

He looked considerably sturdier than half a year ago, his skin darker, the lazy air between his brows gone, replaced by a sense of steadiness and composure.

"Sister, brother‑in‑law, you're back!" Lin Yueqiang's eyes lit up at seeing Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e in the main hall, and he hurried in.

He set the burlap sack on the floor, producing a muffled "thud."

"This is the White Flour issued by the unit; I brought it back for the family."

Li Cuilian poked her head out of the kitchen, saw the sack of White Flour, and laughed broadly. "You child, you're becoming more sensible. Quickly wash your hands, we're just waiting for you to start the meal!"

During the meal, the family sat around the kang table, three large bowls of hearty dishes placed on it; Lu Qingshan introduced Lu Qingjun and Lu Fang to Lin Yueqiang, and the atmosphere was lively.

Lin Yueqiang didn't speak much, but his gaze kept drifting involuntarily toward Lu Qingshan; as he scooped rice, he also passed dishes to Lu Qingshan, his eyes full of unabashed admiration and respect.

The wine went round three rounds, the dishes presented five flavors.

Lin Yueqiang suddenly set down his chopsticks, inhaled deeply, lifted the full cup of white wine before him, and stood up.

"Brother‑in‑law." He looked at Lu Qingshan, his face flushed from drinking and nerves, his hand holding the cup trembling slightly.

"I'll toast you with a cup."

Lu Qingshan smiled, raised his cup, and keenly sensed that the youngster was a bit off today.

The two drank in one gulp; the spicy liquor down the throat seemed to give Lin Yueqiang great courage.

He set the cup down, his lips quivered a few times as if making a momentous decision, then he shouted with all his strength.

"Brother‑in‑law, I… I don't want to work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative any more!"

These words rang out like a sudden thunderclap on flat ground; the dining atmosphere instantly fell silent, leaving only the howling north wind outside.

Li Cuilian's chopsticks clattered "clack" onto the table, splashing a speck of oil. "What nonsense are you talking! Such a solid iron rice bowl—people would smash their heads trying to get one! Are you drunk from the wine? That's a state unit!"

Lin Yue'e also grew urgent, reaching out to firmly grab her brother's arm: "Yueqiang, don't act rashly; this job is so hard to come by. Have you forgotten how many trips Second Uncle made for you? If you now say you won't work, how can we answer Second Uncle?"

"I'm not talking nonsense, sister!" Lin Yueqiang jerked his sister's hand away, his gaze intensely fixed on Lu Qingshan, as if Lu were his only lifeline.

"The Supply and Marketing Cooperative is leisurely, but you can see the end from the start! Every day is just standing at the counter, selling a bit of oil, salt, sauce, vinegar; I can already see what I'll be like at fifty, at sixty!"

He clenched his fist, knuckles whitening from the strain, his voice trembling with suppressed yearning. "Brother‑in‑law, you can do anything, as long as you accept me, even if I just sweep the floor at the factory! I don't want to spend my whole life in this town, watching days rot away!"

Lu Qingshan stared at him quietly, offering no immediate reply.

He could see that this younger brother‑in‑law had truly changed, no longer the idle youngster who only relied on connections.

In his eyes, Lu Qingshan saw yearning, a hope for the future, and also a hint of the same resentment he had felt in his previous life. In that past life, hadn't he also been stuck in a bottomless mire, cursing fate, ultimately self‑destructing?

If back then someone had given him a hand, a chance to choose…

The thought flashed, causing a slight tremor in Lu Qingshan's heart. He looked at Lin Yueqiang as if seeing his younger self standing at a life crossroads. He could not let this youth repeat his own mistakes.

"Have you really thought this through?" Lu Qingshan asked, his voice calm yet carrying a convincing force.

"I've thought it through!" Lin Yueqiang replied resolutely, his neck stiffening. "This job may not last a lifetime; I want to go out, see the world, learn real skills. Brother‑in‑law, take me with you, teach me!"

The previously silent Lin Huainian now lifted his cup, downed the strong liquor in one gulp.

He set the cup down heavily, producing a light "pop," drawing everyone's gaze.

The elder first glanced at his anxious wife, then at his worried daughter, and finally his eyes settled on his son's flushed yet resolute face.

"Let him go."

Lin Huainian looked at his son, his cloudy eyes revealing an unprecedented clarity.

"Qing Shan is right; young people should go out and venture."

"When I was young I also wanted to venture out, but lacked the courage. Now my son has it, I cannot stop him." The old man's voice was soft yet each word weighed heavily, "Staying at a town's Supply and Marketing Cooperative, how much achievement can one have."

Lin Huainian gave a decisive nod.

"His dad!" Li Cuilian began to say something, but was silenced by a glance from her husband. She looked at him, then at their son, finally sighed deeply, said nothing, only watching her son anxiously, her eyes slightly reddened.

Lu Qingshan smiled. He looked at Lin Yue'e and gave her a reassuring glance.

Then, he told the already agitated Lin Yueqiang, "You don't need to sweep the floor."

"In a few days, Capital City will hold a specialty market; you should go first, follow my second sister Lu Fang and learn a bit."

The words made Lin Yueqiang's eyes widen instantly, his breath halted. Go to Capital City? That's the capital!

"The most important point," Lu Qingshan said, looking at him, emphasizing, "don't resign from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative yet; tell the leaders you have family matters and request a long leave."

"Huh?" Not only Lin Yueqiang, but also Lin Yue'e and Li Cuilian were stunned.

Lu Qingshan calmly explained, "Go see the outside world, see how business is really done; if that path suits you, you can resign later. If the outside is too harsh and the Supply and Marketing Cooperative stable, you'll still have a fallback."

"The road must be chosen by oneself, otherwise there's regret. I only give you a chance to choose."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

Lin Huainian's eyes flashed with astonishing brilliance; he looked at Lu Qingshan, nodded heavily, his son‑in‑law's breadth and foresight far exceeded his expectations.

Lin Yueqiang stared blankly at Lu Qingshan, his eyes suddenly hot, and scorching tears almost welled up. He thought he would gamble everything, but didn't expect his brother‑in‑law to have already arranged every way out for him. This understanding and respect is more precious than anything.

"Brother‑in‑law!" Lin Yueqiang's voice choked, and he nodded heavily, "I understand! I'll listen to you!"