love on the turquoise land

Chapter 1 : Prologue

This is novel translation
Title: 枭起青壤
Author: 尾鱼
Link raw: https://www.52shuku.vip/yanqing/pm/h6ah.html

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In 1992, in the southern part of Shaanxi, from Tang County, there's Old Niu Head Hill.

Early in the morning, Yan Heshan had already left home, riding his bicycle through most of the county, delivering gifts to seven or eight "relevant units" — he operated a small coal mine in the west, lacking qualifications, incomplete procedures, seriously violating regulations. Without personal offerings, it would be shut down in minutes.

But in this era, where the national economy was just revitalizing and regulations couldn't keep up, one had to rely on relationships and connections to make their way in the world.

One morning, Yan Heshan spent two to three thousand, but he wasn't regretful. Relations were now established, and things at the mine would be easier. His wife, Lin Xirou, was pregnant; he had someone check the ultrasound, and it was said to be a boy.

A boy, a successor to the Yan family!
Success in both career and family, Yan Heshan was quite satisfied. On the way back to the mine, he rode his bike crookedly and stylishly, humming Teresa Teng's "Sweet Honey" under his breath.

From a distance, Yan Heshan saw Lin Xirou standing at the entrance of the mine, her belly protruding slightly.

This wouldn't do; how could a pregnant woman walk around blindly? Yan Heshan was so anxious that he didn't even bother supporting the bike's kickstand. He casually dropped the bike to the ground and walked briskly towards her. "Why did you come?"
Lin Xirou, in her late twenties, matched her name. Her face was pleasant and gentle.

She raised the thermal lunchbox in her hand. "The communal meals at the mine aren't tasty. I made pork dumplings for you."

Only then did Yan Heshan realize it was almost lunchtime. At the same time, he felt a sense of pride having his wife by his side. The single men below the mine, or those with women far away, couldn't enjoy this kind of steaming "love-filled" meal.

Carefully supporting Lin Xirou, he walked towards the mine office. "Come, be careful, take it slow."

Lin Xirou chuckled, short of breath. "I'm not that delicate; why are you so nervous?"

The office was a bit messy, adorned with various certificates and awards like "Top Ten" and "Outstanding" on the walls—earned by Yan Heshan over the past two years from various activities.
Lin Xirou only glanced at them briefly, avoiding her gaze. She didn't particularly like these deceptive things, but her girlfriends praised men like Yan Heshan for being clever and adaptable.

Opening the lunchbox, the aroma of leeks, fresh meat, and the sourness of aged vinegar filled the air. Yan Heshan sniffed contentedly several times before digging in.

Seated across from him, Lin Xirou took out knitting needles and a ball of yarn from her bag, skillfully knitting a sweater. She struck up a conversation, "What's the main dish at the mine today? Lamb?"

Muttering between bites, Yan Heshan replied vaguely, "No, something's wrong. Did something happen?"

Lin Xirou was momentarily stunned, glancing outside again. This time, she noticed something unusual: usually, at mealtime, the group of miners would rush to the cafeteria like wolves. But now, they were gathered in small groups at the entrance, excitedly shouting about something. If you paid attention, you could see the sunlight reflecting off the splattering saliva.

Could something be wrong?

Mine owners dreaded incidents underground, and if there was trouble below, it was definitely not something as simple as a collapse or cave-in. Yan Heshan, feeling uneasy, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and with three quick steps, he rushed out, bellowing, "What's going on? What's happening here?"

This was his years of experience talking: no matter what happened, even if someone died, one couldn't appear timid, panicked, or chaotic. One had to be fierce, able to command the situation with just a word.

His shout had an immediate effect; the clamor diminished significantly. Team leader Liu Sanchi, with a face darkened by coal dust, said with a touch of paleness, "B-Boss, Er Gouzi wasn't lying. Underground, underground, there's something strange."