Chapter 15: Too Impulsive When Young

Seeing her husband act foolish, Zhou Yuqin couldn't help but laugh. "Go on, call it then."

"Call what?"

"Call me 'Mom' or 'Grandma,' whatever works."

"Comrade Zhou Yuqin, you're getting bold. Need me to set you straight?"

Li Xiangdong stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands wandering mischievously.

Holding their daughter, Zhou Yuqin was helpless as his hands roamed. Unable to take it, she squirmed. "Let go, or I'll really get mad!"

"Alright, alright, I'll behave. Just let me hold you for a bit."

Li Xiangdong held her quietly, savoring the faint soap scent on her. This embrace, after decades apart, filled him with an indescribable calm.

While they stood still, Li Xiaozhu grew restless. Her chubby legs took two steps before being pulled back.

She turned, glaring at her parents with big, dark eyes, flashing two tiny teeth. "Mom… Dad… hit…"

Li Xiangdong chuckled, patting her soft, short hair. "Got it, got it. When you're asleep tonight, Dad'll 'hit' Mom."

Zhou Yuqin, breathless, said shakily, "Don't talk nonsense."

Her face, neck, and ears flushed bright red.

Seeing her reaction, Li Xiangdong thought, 'No way it's that intense!' He'd only said a line—did she need to be that shy?

Then he glanced down and saw the tent in his pants…

Too young, too impulsive!

"Whoops, my bad."

He let go, stepping aside to chant 'Amitabha' silently, trying to calm himself.

The more he tried, the worse it got—it just wouldn't settle!

'Bang bang!'

Someone pounded the courtyard gate, followed by the creak of it opening.

"Who's that?" Li's mother called from the main house, her loud voice carrying into Li Xiangdong's room.

Li Xiaojiang answered, "Grandma, they're here for Third Uncle!"

Li's mother hurried to the gate, speaking over the threshold. "Old Third's resting. It's the middle of the day—why aren't you at home? What do you want with him?"

Her tone was full of disdain.

Who knocks like that? No manners!

Her third son was a loose cannon, and his friends weren't much better. Good meat doesn't attract flies—she was fed up.

"Auntie, come on," said a short, dark-skinned man. "We just got back to the city. Thought we'd catch up."

Li's mother snapped, "Catch up? He's been back over a month! You haven't 'caught up' enough? Every time it's drinking till he can't find his way home! Why don't you stay home with your parents instead of bothering him?"

Another man grinned. "Heh, we'd love to hang with our folks, but they don't want us around."

Li's second sister-in-law shot back, "Then go home and cuddle with your wife and kids!"

"Hey, Sister-in-law, our place isn't as fancy as yours. Ten people crammed in two rooms—you hear every fart. How's that cozy?"

Li's mother had no comeback for these two shameless guys. She knew them—kids from nearby alleys, one from the Xiang family, one from the Zhang family. They'd gone to school with her third son, got sent to the countryside, and only recently returned.

"Coming, coming!" Li Xiangdong called from the room, hurrying to respond. It wasn't that he didn't want to go out sooner—he just wasn't in a presentable state!

He stripped off his nice clothes and shoes, switching back to a tank top, shorts, and old cloth shoes.

Distraction worked wonders!

It could delay things when needed and cool him down when not.

Before leaving, worried his wife might be upset, he soothed, "You know those two guys outside—my childhood buddies. They came all this way; it'd be rude not to go out, right?"

Though Zhou Yuqin wasn't educated, she was reasonable if you discussed things with her clearly.

In his last life, he'd never considered her feelings when making decisions. This time, he wouldn't make that mistake.

She nodded. "Fine, but don't drink. You're reporting to the train station tomorrow—that's a big deal, no delays."

"Don't worry, I know my limits."

What could he say? A little drinking wouldn't hurt. When guys got together, were they supposed to count stars?

Sure, his friends were like him—lifelong nobodies, their homes full of petty chaos.

But they'd grown up together. The bond was real. If anyone was in trouble, the others pitched in, no matter how little they had.

In his last life, they'd still met for drinks as old men, their decades-long friendship unbroken.

Reborn, he'd keep that bond alive.

He kissed his daughter's cheek. "Be good and listen to your mom."

As he turned to leave, Zhou Yuqin grabbed him.

He thought he knew why…

He leaned in for a kiss.

She blocked his mouth. "What're you thinking? Stop that nonsense. Leave the work introduction letter at home."

Oh, that's what she meant. He'd thought she was jealous of their daughter.

He'd forgotten the letter was still in his pocket. Losing it would be a joke—his wife was always the careful one.

He stashed the letter and pocketed two packs of Daqianmen.

Peony was too fancy for friends—no need for that.

Old Lady Li stood at the main house door, calling, "Dongzi, don't always drink till you're plastered. It's bad for you. You're starting work now—act responsibly."

"Got it, Grandma. Go rest."

He wasn't annoyed—her concern meant a lot.

As she went inside, he glanced at the kids poking an ant nest in the courtyard. With no toys, cooped up at home, they had little to play with.

"Finished your summer homework? All you do is mess around."

"Dad, I don't have homework," one said.

"Third Uncle, quit nagging. School's ages away," another groaned.

"Yeah, Third Uncle, go already—they're waiting!"

"Third Uncle, don't drink too much."

"Drinking's bad. Too much, and your head hurts the next day."

"Alright, Third Uncle knows. When I get my paycheck, I'll buy candy for you two girls."

His nieces were the sweet ones, looking out for him.

He ignored the rowdy boys, wasting his good intentions!