Chapter 1

What kind of fire is the most difficult to put out? Many people would probably say forest fires, which often rage for months until heavy rains come and firefighters can put them out. But if you ask Cheng Wenjie, his answer would be oil well fires.

As a derrick operator, Zheng Wenjie had witnessed flames rising into the sky and felt the burning pain all over his body. His respiratory tract was blocked by thick smoke and dust, so he could only cover his face tightly and struggle.

When he had heard his predecessors talk about fires that could burn for years, he had only listened to stories. However, after experiencing it himself, he truly understood the unforgettable pain.

. . .

Ah Xiu placed a basket of plantain she had picked from the mountain that morning on the window sill, then went to the kitchen to put steamed buns and a small dish of steamed dried mutton into a bamboo basket, preparing to go visit Yang Hua.

Standing at the corner, looking at the young man who seemed out of place in the village, the boy was wearing a simple coat, his messy bangs covered his eyebrows, his handsome facial features looked sickly because of his pale face, Ah Xiu couldn't help but recall the scene when she first met them father and son.

Five days ago, A Xiu met Yang Lu and Yang Hua, father and son, on the way back to the village. Yang Lu said that he was from Hongxi Village and was going to Hongxi Village.

Looking at Yang Lu's hunched back and old face, and Yang Hua, who was half a head taller than her, following Yang Lu timidly, A Xiu couldn't help but soften her heart. She let down her guard and took the two of them back to Hongxi Village.

Along the way, I heard from Yang Lu that after his parents passed away, he left Hongxi Village alone to make a living. For more than 20 years, he set up a stall selling oil-splashed noodles, married a wife and had children.

But the war broke out suddenly, the army kept retreating, the streets became chaotic, and only the father and son were left, riding on the steam train with the crowd. Not knowing where to go, Yang Lu thought of his hometown, Hongxi Village.

Ah Xiu took the two back to Hongxi Village and recognized the villagers. Just two days after settling down, Yang Lu said he wanted to go back because the child was already seventeen years old and didn't need him to take care of him. He knew how the child's mother died, and he had to avenge her. He gave Ah Xiu ten yuan and asked Ah Xiu to take care of Yang Hua as much as possible, and then he left Hongxi Village without hesitation.

The next day, Yang Hua was found unconscious not far from the village entrance by Fu Sheng.

"Xiaohua, does your head still hurt? Why did you get up? You should rest for two more days."

Zheng Wenjie came back to his senses and turned to look at the woman approaching him.

"Sister Xiu, I'm much better now. Come out for some fresh air."

Looking at the beautiful woman with a headscarf and carrying a basket, Zheng Wenjie felt very grateful. She had been taking care of him for the past two days. After experiencing life and death, Zheng Wenjie understood more deeply the preciousness of life.

Ah Xiu put the basket on the stone steps, sat down next to Zheng Wenjie and said gently: "Xiaohua, you have to take care of yourself. The world outside is so chaotic. Don't be impulsive."

Seeing Yang Hua who was unmoved, Ah Xiu held Zheng Wenjie's arm tightly with both hands, looked at him seriously and said, "How could Uncle Yang abandon you? He will definitely come back."

"Don't worry, Sister Xiu, I get it. I won't be impulsive again." Zheng Wenjie was a little helpless, he didn't know anything yet.

After lying in bed for two days, I only saw Ah Xiu, the village chief, and the village chief's child come back to life.

I remember a rebirth novel I read before I died. When I was reborn, I inherited the memories of the original owner, and there were several small properties waiting to be inherited, but I had nothing. The confusion brought by rebirth and the fear of facing a new life made me talk less and observe more, and I dared not reveal anything or ask too many questions.

"Xiaohua, it's cold these days. Go inside and eat some steamed buns and then have a good rest." He stood up with the help of A Xiu and walked into the house.

Zheng Wenjie had rested for three days and no longer felt any discomfort, but he still couldn't refuse this kindness and let Ah Xiu support him.

After Ah Xiu rejected his request to eat together, Zheng Wenjie finally relaxed after he uncomfortably finished eating the steamed buns and mutton under her gentle gaze.

It was an ordinary little room with a stone kang against the wall on the left, a table and two long benches in the middle, and a small wooden cabinet at the other end of the kang. It was actually bigger than the single room I rented in my previous life.

At Xiu's urging, he took off his cloth shoes and returned to the kang. The simple furniture around him reminded Zheng Wenjie of his childhood home, and he couldn't help but ask the hidden question: "Sister Xiu, what year is it now?"

Ah Xiu was stunned for a moment before answering, "In the 27th year of the Republic of China."

Zheng Wenjie was a little surprised. The Republic of China? Just when he wanted to ask about the situation in detail, a resurrected baby voice came from outside the door, "Xiu Jie, come here, Xiu Jie, my father and I rescued a Japanese. Come quickly, Xiu Jie."

"Xiaohua, have a good rest. I'll bring you food later. I'll go take a look first." Ah Xiu said, and after seeing Zheng Wenjie nod in response, she trotted out.

After everyone left, Zheng Wenjie began to calculate in his mind. The 1912th year of the Republic of China, Zheng Wenjie's mind turned quickly, the Republic of China began in 1912, 27 plus 1939, 1945! And the Japanese surrendered in , so now is the Anti-Japanese War period! !

For a moment, my body felt numb, and I felt not only confused but also deeply frightened.

"And I saved a damn little Japanese." Zheng Wenjie couldn't help but curse. He calmed down and wiped his face with both hands.

Ordinary people living in peacetime will mostly be like Ye Gong who loves dragons more than they actually are when they travel back to wartime. The fear of knowing what will happen but being unable to change it is enough to make people scared and crazy.

Originally, Zheng Wenjie was full of confidence in his life after rebirth, but the reality shattered it.

I am just an ordinary person, graduated from an ordinary university, and have been living a muddle-headed life for four years. I have argued with others until I was red in the face, but I have never fought with anyone.

Reborn into this era, nothing is harder than fists!
After a lot of wild thoughts, Zheng Wenjie finally sorted out his emotions. He felt that he was blessed to be able to live again. In his previous life, he had complete social security, and as an oil well worker he also had separate insurance. The compensation plus savings plus pension were enough to support his parents in their retirement.

What have I done since my rebirth? Join the Party and kill Japanese people. I have died before, and now I am going to start over again. Although I am afraid of death, I am more afraid of living in shame. As long as I kill a few more Japanese people, I will make money!
Zheng Wenjie looked at the bench for a while and then looked away. He stood up and searched for a long time before he found a short wooden stick two fingers thick behind the wooden door. It could barely be considered a weapon. He stuffed it into his belt and placed it against his thigh, then covered it with his robe and left the house.

It was the first time in two days that I left home and walked into the village. It was an ordinary small village, not much different from my hometown where I lived as a child. But after passing by several houses, I didn't feel that there were any people. I don't know if it was a psychological effect, but Zheng Wenjie suddenly felt that this village was a bit eerie and strange.

(End of this chapter)