Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 281 The Buddha Without Heaven Joins the Forest Farm

"If my mom knew you'd ended up like this, she'd slap you twice across the face."

Feng Cheng's voice trembled slightly with anger as he listened to Li Tieniu's tearful account.

He could no longer contain his emotions and slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups on the table to jump.

Outside the window, the wind howled through Saihanba, as if cheering on Feng Cheng's anger.

"The new China was established not long ago."

Feng Cheng stared intently at Li Tieniu, his tone filled with disappointment and frustration.

"Now, whether it's workers, farmers, or intellectuals..."

"They all threw themselves into the great cause of building a new China with great enthusiasm."

"Look at yourself!"

"He wasted several years of his life on a woman."

"Look at you, if you looked like that!"

"If we really go down there, how will you face my mother?"

Li Tieniu was speechless after hearing Feng Cheng's words.

As if his spine had been removed, he collapsed onto the kang (a heated brick bed).

Immediately afterwards, he started throwing a tantrum like a child.

He rolled around on the kang (a heated brick bed) while muttering to himself.

"Oh, my wife!"

He looked as if all the suffering in the world had been gathered on him alone.

Looking at his uncle's appearance, Feng Cheng felt both annoyed and amused, but mostly soft-hearted.

He walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and said softly.

"Uncle, listen to me!"

"After you left, I stayed in this dam area for several years."

"At first, I was just like you are now."

"Neither human nor ghost."

"At that time, I even thought about ending my own life."

His voice was low, carrying a hint of painful memories of the past.

"But look at me now, I've changed."

"Now I've even become a technician at the forest farm."

Li Tieniu stopped crying after hearing Feng Cheng's explanation.

He looked up, his face still streaked with tears, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

"Uncle, do you still remember the girl you met who was my girlfriend?"

Feng Cheng suddenly asked.

"You have a partner, how could someone with a partner understand my pain?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tieniu assumed that Feng Cheng was showing off and replied irritably.

In his heart, his pain at this moment was unparalleled, and the happiness of others would only make him more miserable.

"she left!"

Feng Cheng sighed silently, his voice filled with endless sorrow.

These three simple words struck Li Tieniu's heart like a heavy hammer.

Li Tieniu's words were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them.

He opened his mouth, but in the end he only asked one question.

"what happened?"

The sadness in his eyes was gone, replaced by concern.

"That's a long story!"

Feng Cheng clearly didn't want to tell Li Tieniu much about Tang Qi's story.

Those memories are too painful; every time I bring them up, it's like reopening an unhealed wound.

He paused and changed the subject.

"Uncle, your cooking skills haven't gotten worse, have they?"

"No, just two months ago, I was working at a blacksmith's factory in Jiuyuan, making horseshoes for them for two months!"

Li Tieniu replied, a hint of pride flashing across his face as he spoke of his craft.

For so many years, he has made a living by blacksmithing.

If it weren't for his blacksmithing skills, he would have starved to death outside long ago.

"That's good. You must have heard what Engineer Xia said, right?"

Feng Cheng pressed for an answer, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"Engineer Xia, is that the high-ranking leader?"

Li Tieniu listened to his nephew's words and asked a question in confusion.

"That's right, Uncle, it's him!"

Feng Cheng's voice was filled with excitement.

"You probably heard it just now, our forestry technical department is going to set up a blacksmithing office, and it just so happens that you're a blacksmith, Uncle."

"The forest farm happens to have some openings for workers."

"Uncle, you stay here."

"This forest farm is a place where big things are done."

"I can contribute to the greening of my hometown and also have a stable job!"

Feng Cheng spoke with great enthusiasm, as if he could already see Li Tieniu's bright future working at the forest farm.

Li Tieniu looked at Feng Cheng, and his heart began to waver.

He recalled his years of wandering, living without a fixed abode, and achieving nothing.

"Uncle, think about it!"

Seeing that Li Tieniu was already wavering, Feng Cheng pressed his advantage and continued speaking.

"Once you become a forestry worker, you'll have a secure job with the government."

"By then, what kind of wife can't you find?"

This sentence was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

This directly shattered Li Tieniu's fragile psychological defenses.

"Okay, Feng Cheng, I'll listen to you!"

Li Tieniu finally made up his mind. He sat up from the kang (a heated brick bed), and his eyes regained their light.

"Alright, Uncle, hurry up and get ready. I'll take you to formally meet our Engineer Xia!"

Feng Cheng was very happy to see Li Tieniu agree and urged him on.

"Hey, good!"

Li Tieniu quickly got up and tidied his clothes.

Li Tieniu followed Feng Cheng, and the two returned to the forest farm.

The sun shone warmly on them all the way.

Feng Cheng walked briskly, feeling very happy.

That's great! We've completed the task Xia Tian assigned us, and we've also managed to keep my uncle here.

Li Tieniu was somewhat nervous, constantly adjusting his clothes.

He had no idea what awaited him when he went to see Xia Tian.

Upon arriving at the forest farm, Feng Cheng led Li Tieniu straight to the technical department office.

At this moment, Xia Tian was in the office discussing the autumn tree planting plan with Qin Xuemei and a few others.

"Xia Gong!"

Feng Cheng walked into the office and called out.

His voice broke the conversation in the office, and Xia Tian's gaze shifted to him.

"Hey, Feng Cheng, didn't I give you a holiday? Why are you back?"

Xia Tian asked, somewhat surprised. In his memory, Feng Cheng was a very rule-abiding person.

Since they're on holiday, they probably won't come back without a reason.

"I see, Engineer Xia!"

Upon seeing this, Feng Cheng quickly offered an explanation.

"Didn't you tell me to keep an eye out for blacksmiths?"

"I happen to have a suitable candidate here, let me bring him over for you to see!"

A confident smile lit up his face.

Upon hearing this, Xia Tian inwardly praised Feng Cheng's efficiency while feigning curiosity and asking,

"So fast? Who is it?"

"Uncle, come in!"

Upon hearing Xia Tian's question, Feng Cheng called out towards the door.

Li Tieniu stood outside the technical department office.

Upon hearing her nephew's voice, she took a deep breath and pushed open the door to enter.

"Good leadership!"

After he entered the office, he saw several familiar faces.

He nervously greeted Xia Tian.

His voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of inexplicable restraint.

……