Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets

"Sister Xiao Yue." Lian Qingyang tiptoed, and in front of him Tang Jun leaped up to block his view. When he saw Tang Yue, he said excitedly: "Sister Xiao Yue, I'm returning to Jing City today, won't you see me before I go?"

"I've taken two days off," Tang Yue replied, facing Lian Qingyang's sincere smile, she really couldn't find the words to refuse him.

"Then I'll wait for you in Jing City." Lian Qingyang was as happy as a child after getting her response, and he eagerly handed her the velvet box with anticipation.

Tang Yue didn't take it.

Lian Qingyang opened the velvet box, and a delicate golden dog appeared in front of Tang Yue.

"Sister Xiao Yue, I know your zodiac sign is the dog, so I bought a small dog," Lian Qingyang offered the box as if presenting a treasure.

Tang Jun looked at the golden dog and felt an indescribable stirring in his heart. He realized he didn't even know that his sister's zodiac sign was the dog; he was the sort who would have to think for a moment to remember his own zodiac sign.

"Sister Xiao Yue, even if you don't acknowledge Dad, even if you don't acknowledge me, this is the first gift your little brother is giving you." Lian Qingyang usually indulged in playing games and ignored every other thing, but when he really put his mind to it, he was quite clever.

"Sister Xiao Yue, you certainly won't reject your little brother's gift, right?" Lian Qingyang looked at Tang Yue expectantly.

It's just a gift, who hasn't given one?

Tang Jun muttered to himself and then had a sudden inspiration.

Tang Jun tried hard to recall if he had ever given his sister anything, but all he could remember were the army chess, the books and exams, and the clothes she personally made for him.

Had he really never given his sister anything over all these years?

Guilt washed over Tang Jun.

"Lian Qingyang, I..." Tang Yue didn't notice Tang Jun's guilt; her gaze fell on the golden dog. Given the current cost of living, the price of gold was still high.

She did not want to have any entanglements with the Lian family and was reluctant to accept such an expensive gift from Lian Qingyang.

"Sister Xiao Yue, I didn't buy a solid gold dog, it's hollowed out, so it's not expensive," Lian Qingyang quickly explained, sensing Tang Yue's concerns.

"Sister Xiao Yue, even ordinary friends exchange gifts," Lian Qingyang looked at Tang Yue with a grievance in his eyes, that sincere and hopeful look made it impossible for her to utter a refusal.

"Then, I'll accept it as if it's from a friend," Tang Yue took the golden dog, and just as Lian Qingyang said, it wasn't solid, but it certainly wasn't light either. The golden dog was very lifelike and looked quite charming and adorable.

"Okay." Lian Qingyang wasn't greedy; whatever pretext it was under didn't matter, as long as it was a gift he offered and Sister Xiao Yue accepted it.

"Sister Xiao Yue, then I'll be going first. I'll wait for you at school," Lian Qingyang waved to Tang Yue excitedly and left contentedly.

"I'll treat you to a meal when I get back to school," Tang Yue called out to Lian Qingyang's retreating figure.

"Okay!" Lian Qingyang bounded away, full of joy.

"Xiao Jun, what are you standing there dazed for?" Tang Yue closed the door, planning to go inside, then she saw Tang Jun standing there, hesitating to speak, so she asked: "Xiao Jun, what is it?"

"Sis, I've never given you any gifts," Tang Jun said guiltily.

Tang Yue couldn't help but laugh and said, "Why should we, brother and sister, count so much? You staying out of trouble at home and not making Mom angry is the best gift for me. Also, when we went to Jing City, on the train, you protected me all the way, and that's something no other gift can replace."

"Really?" Tang Jun half-believed.

Tang Yue affirmed, "That's right, it's true. From now on, you just need to continue protecting your sister."

"Okay." Tang Jun puffed out his chest, "Sis, I'll definitely protect you."

Although he said that, Tang Jun still wanted to make a gift for Tang Yue.

This was quite a challenge for Tang Jun; he wasn't skilled at making things, and he felt that buying something wouldn't carry the same sentiment. After racking his brain, he eventually came across a book that had instructions on making a handmade bamboo wind chime.

So, Tang Jun decided to make one.

Since Tang Jun wasn't very good at it, he took the bamboo pieces to his fourth uncle.

Today, his fourth uncle had opened a furniture store in the county.

"Sister Xiao Yue." Zhang Hualian was pulling Tang Yue aside to have some heart-to-heart talk between mother and daughter.

"Mom, don't try to persuade me anymore, I have no intention of acknowledging him." Tang Yue was very firm on this point.

"Mom, I'm going to the factory." Just as Tang Yue stood up, Zhang Hualian held her back and asked, "How is your uncle's factory doing?"

"Mom, don't worry, the factory will definitely be alright." Tang Yue said reassuringly. Her letter should have been delivered to Jing City by now, so what would Mr. Meng do?

Mingyue Clothing Factory had been shut down for many days now. When arriving at the entrance, she saw groups of workers gathered around. Tang Mingli and Factory Director Ding Chao were both trying to calm the workers.

Tang Yue stood aside, not speaking, until the workers were finally pacified and dispersed. Then, she approached and said, "Uncle, how's the situation today? Are those people still refusing to budge?"

"Yeah." Tang Mingli nodded, having not slept well these past few days. The bags under his eyes showed his exhaustion. In just a few days, Tang Mingli seemed to have aged several years.

"Uncle, it's okay, our factory is doing well, and they surely won't keep us shut down forever." Tang Yue said earnestly. She then had a talk with Factory Director Ding Chao about the styles that need to be rushed once they restart the work.

"Sister Xiao Yue." Deng Lanhua hadn't taken any days off these past few days and was still making sample garments at the factory. Seeing Tang Yue come in, she felt as though she had found her backbone.

"Sister Deng, just focus on your work. It won't be long before our factory starts up again." Tang Yue's sweet smile instantly reassured Deng Lanhua.

Taking advantage of this time, Tang Yue had drawn a pile of sketches while also intentionally training Deng Lanhua in design work. Deng Lanhua was hardworking, diligent, and willing to learn; even her uncle had praised her several times.

'Ring'

The phone rang just as Tang Yue was passing by. Uncle Tang Mingli was somewhere in the factory, so she walked in and answered the phone, "Hello, Mingyue Clothing Factory."

"Sister Xiao Yue?" The deep male voice on the other end carried a hint of joy.

"Mo Siyu?" Tang Yue uncertainly inquired.

"What's the matter, stood me up and now you can't even recognize my voice?" Mo Siyu pretended to be displeased.

Tang Yue hastily explained, "I'm sorry, something unexpected came up that day, there was a bit of trouble at home."

Tang Yue paused, then countered, "But then, isn't your reaction time a bit long? Did you go on another mission?"