Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Yuanyuan only ate one piece and then stopped. This was an exception, as she hadn't planned on eating if she hadn't seen the two people at the table enjoying their meal so much.

It might have been a long time since she'd had such strong-flavored food, so she found it quite tasty.

The three kids wanted more, but Yuanyuan stopped them.

"Not today, have some porridge instead." Although the meat patties weren't salty, they were still a bit much for the kids. Plus, she didn't want them to overeat and have indigestion at night.

Tan Shaoting saw the kids' unhappy faces and felt a bit soft-hearted, but a glance from his wife kept him from saying anything.

Zhao Yanli and Zhang Chunsheng watched the family's interaction, and it'd be a lie to say they weren't a bit envious.

Zhang Chunsheng casually observed Zhao Yanli, noticing she was a carefree girl, not the prettiest, but her personality seemed very nice.

If they could really be together, a wife like that would be the best.

She was independent and self-reliant, able to support a family.

Zhao Yanli didn't mind, as she wasn't interested in Zhang Chunsheng; it wasn't about external conditions, just a lack of the right feeling.

Having seen so much, Zhao Yanli had realized that she wouldn't settle unless she met someone she truly liked.

So even though she knew Zhang Chunsheng was observing her, she didn't care.

All the meat patties were eaten up. Zhang Chunsheng alone ate more than half.

Cleaning up the table was Tan Shaoting's job. Yuanyuan dressed the three kids in tank tops and let them sit in a basin to play with water.

The two women sat beside them, keeping them company.

Zhang Chunsheng wanted to help, but Tan Shaoting turned him down, "Why don't you take a walk? Didn't you feel uncomfortable after eating so much?"

"Tan Shaoting, are you saying I ate too much?"

Tan Shaoting didn't bother to respond to such meaningless words.

As a couple, they both realized that Zhao Yanli wasn't interested in Zhang Chunsheng, so there was no need to pursue it further.

Zhang Chunsheng also realized this. He felt a bit disappointed, not because of love at first sight, but because he thought she suited him well.

But since she wasn't interested, there was nothing he could do.

Tan Shaoting escorted Zhang Chunsheng out; as they walked, he said, "She doesn't like me."

"It means you two aren't destined to be together."

"Yeah, no fate. I feel like that girl didn't take a liking to me from the start. Could it be she prefers good-looking guys? I'm not that bad-looking, am I?"

"She doesn't like me either."

Zhang Chunsheng looked at Tan Shaoting suspiciously. Indeed, he was a handsome man, and yet she wasn't interested in him, making it difficult to guess what type she liked.

"Alright, you don't need to see me off. I'll run back on my own; I really ate too much."

When Tan Shaoting returned home, he saw the three kids already lying on the Kang, drinking milk. These days, to them, milk had become a bedtime necessity.

Seeing Tan Shaoting back, Yuanyuan and Zhao Yanli went out to the courtyard.

"You didn't like him?"

"Yeah, no feelings."

"Then it's just not meant to be."

"Alright, stop worrying about me. I'm someone who'd rather have nothing than settle for less. If there's no suitable person, I'll live on my own. It won't be bad at all."

"You're not envious of having a family? With kids?"

"I'm doing just fine on my own. What's there to be envious of?"

Yuanyuan was genuinely impressed with this girl's mindset; it was very modern indeed.

"Actually, you should pay more attention. Find someone you truly like, so if you ever regret it in the future, you can part ways and be on your own. That way, you'll have no regrets in old age, right?"

"But what if I don't find anyone I like?"

Yuanyuan looked speechlessly at the girl beside her. Yeah, she said she'd rather have nothing than settle. Forget it. Maybe it's just that fate hasn't arrived yet.

That night, the couple talked about this matter.

"Forget it, don't worry about it. You're actually right, if something unfortunate does happen, it'll weigh even more on your conscience."

Yuanyuan sighed, knowing this, which is why she wasn't overly passionate about it. Forget it, if she's not in a hurry, why should she be?

It was just five days until the New Year. The customs for New Year here were different from the north; they followed their own traditions.

Cooking meat in large pots, preparing food typical of the northern tradition.

The New Year's Eve dinner was quite lavish. "Yuanyuan, honestly, it's still not as good as back home."

"I think so too, but Tan Shaoting's job is here, maybe he'll be able to move in a few years. Who knows."

"I think the best thing here is the abundance of fruit. Actually, I still prefer pancakes to rice cakes."

"Missing home?"

"A bit. I'll go back in a while. I need to go see Big Sis and Hai Yan."

In the following days, Zhao Yanli went out watching every day. However, this was just a border town, and soon she got a lay of the land.

After the Lantern Festival, Zhao Yanli started preparing to go back. She ordered two hundred pounds of dried fruits and didn't take anything else.

She also bought the train ticket, only carrying some fruits with her, as there wasn't much space to keep things on the train.

"Yuanyuan, you have to take care. I may not be able to visit you again. I plan to go home next year. After being away for so many years, my siblings all have their own families now, and going back with everyone is not easy. It's just me who still finds it a bit easier."

Yuanyuan smiled, finally, this girl figured it out. Among the Zhao siblings, she was the most sentimental.

"Going back to take a look is good. You do have several months of time."

"Yeah, I left home in a huff. I've regretted it for a long time now."

"So don't act impulsively in the future."

"Haha, that's just who I am. Without the impulsiveness, it wouldn't be me."

"You know better than anyone."

"Yeah, aren't I? You don't have to see me off tomorrow."

"With all that dried fruit, if I don't go, I'll get Tan Shaoting to take you to the train. Let someone help you carry things."

"Yuanyuan, I can handle everything myself."

"I know, but when you're near me, I'll do what I can to save you some effort."

"Alright, I'll listen to you." Zhao Yanli didn't want to rely on others; she mainly feared becoming dependent.

The next afternoon, Tan Shaoting came back early to take Zhao Yanli to the train.

"You must take good care of Yuanyuan and the kids."

"Don't worry, I will."

Zhao Yanli lay in the train compartment, smiling. It was great to see her best friend's life like this, she was truly at ease.

After leaving the train station, Tan Shaoting went straight home, afraid his wife might be upset.

But on the surface, nothing was apparent. She was on the Kang with the kids, looking at comic books and telling them the stories.