Grandpa Shen looked at the large and small bags on his grandson's bed and sighed: "Take good care of yourself over there, and remember to come home to see this old man during the New Year."

Song Ze stopped packing and gently hugged the old man: "I know, Grandpa, you should also take care of your health. Don't always lose your temper; it's not good for your health."

"You brat, you're always making me angry. If you didn't make me angry a couple of times, I could live two more years," Old Master Shen said, tapping his grandson's forehead hard with his finger.

After a month of stalemate, he still couldn't persuade his grandson. Oh well, children and grandchildren have their own destinies. This old man, with most of his body buried, couldn't care less.

Song Ze glanced at Grandpa Shen with some reluctance and said, "Grandpa, I'll be going now."

"Yes, I've already asked your Uncle Qi to arrange a job for you at the factory. The girl's name is Qingqing, right? You can arrange it yourself; I won't interfere," Old Master Shen waved his hand.

This was all something Old Master Shen had brought upon himself. He had secretly gone through the procedures to return to the city behind his grandson's back, but now his grandson was making a fuss about going back to find the girl he liked. What could he do? He couldn't let his grandson be a sent-down youth again, so he could only swallow his pride and ask someone to arrange a job for his grandson.

Shen Huixian secretly gave her father a thumbs up. He had made progress in his thinking and now knew not to meddle in things he shouldn't.

"Xiaoze, let's go, or we'll miss the train," Shen Huixian said, glancing at her watch.

"Okay," Song Ze picked up all the bags, big and small, from the bed and followed Shen Huixian out of the house.

After returning to Pingxi County, Song Ze first went to the textile factory to find Qi Guangliang.

Qi Guangliang was very happy to see Song Ze and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Xiao Ze, I've already arranged a position for you in the security department. Is that alright with you?"

He was in a textile factory, where the workshops were usually for female workers, while male workers typically did technical jobs, so Song Ze was clearly not a suitable candidate.

It just so happens that Song Ze's skills were honed from a young age, making him a perfect fit for the security department.

"I'm fine with anything, I'll follow Uncle Qi's arrangements," Song Ze replied with a smile.

Qi Guangliang was an old subordinate of Master Shen and had visited the old man in Beijing before. Song Ze had met him a few times, so the two were not strangers.

When Song Ze was sent to the countryside before, the old man specially arranged for him to be assigned to Pingxi County, because Qi Guangliang was there.

Qi Guangliang took Song Ze to the factory dormitory and arranged a single room for him.

After arriving at the dormitory, Song Ze tidied up his things a bit.

Seeing that he was all packed up, Qi Guangliang tried to pull him home: "Xiao Ze, let's go to Uncle Qi's house for dinner. I told your aunt you were coming today, and she should already be cooking."

"Uncle Qi, I ate something on the train and I'm quite full now," Song Ze said with a smile, declining Qi Guangliang's offer.

He was so eager to see Xia Qingqing that he didn't want to wait even a moment longer, so he had no interest in going to Qi Guangliang's house for dinner.

Qi Guangliang tried to persuade him again, but Song Ze repeatedly emphasized that he had already eaten and would definitely come to his house next time, so he finally gave up.

"Um, Uncle Qi, may I borrow your bicycle?" Song Ze asked somewhat embarrassedly.

His bicycle is still at the educated youth settlement. He left in such a hurry when he returned to Beijing last time that he didn't have time to pack many things. A month has passed since he left, and I don't know if those things are still there.

"Of course, my bicycle is right here at the factory. I'll take you there now," Qi Guangliang readily agreed.

He was afraid that Song Ze was too unfamiliar with him, but he wasn't afraid that Song Ze would trouble him.

He has always remembered the care and support his former superior had given him. Since he had no chance to repay his former superior, he naturally wanted to take good care of his former superior's grandson.

Song Ze rode his bicycle at breakneck speed all the way to Shihe Brigade.

He first went back to the educated youth settlement, but it was empty; everyone had gone to work.

After Song Ze parked Qi Guangliang's bicycle, he went straight to the field to find Xia Qingqing. After searching for a long time, he finally found Xia Qingqing weeding in the field at the foot of the mountain.

Xia Qingqing hesitated when she heard a familiar male voice calling her. Why did this voice sound so much like Song Ze's?

"Qingqing, Song Ze is back!!!" Liang Shuang patted Xia Qingqing's arm happily, her voice filled with joy. She was very happy for Xia Qingqing, knowing that Song Ze would never abandon Qingqing like that.

Xia Qingqing turned her head and saw a man standing on the edge of the field, smiling brightly at her. His delicate features seemed to glow in the sunlight, which instantly made her eyes slightly moist.

"Qingqing, I'm back," Song Ze said, barely suppressing the urge to rush forward and embrace her.

"Hmm," Xia Qingqing hummed softly, her expression calm and composed.

The cold voice made Song Ze's heart instantly uneasy, and the smile on his face froze. Just as he was about to say something, Xia Qingqing interrupted him.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

——

The two went to a place they used to frequently date.

Song Ze hugged Xia Qingqing tightly with satisfaction, buried his face in her shoulder and said in a muffled voice, "Qingqing, I missed you so much. Did you miss me? It's all my fault for coming back too late."

"Song Ze, let go of me first," Xia Qingqing pushed away the man who was holding her tightly, her voice tinged with annoyance.

They haven't even explained anything yet, is it appropriate for them to be hugging and cuddling like this right after meeting? Do they think she's a K-drama heroine? She has a temper too, you know.

Song Ze looked at Xia Qingqing with some grievance: "Qingqing, I really know I was wrong. It was just a little problem. I said I would definitely come back, and I mean what I say."

"Is this just a minor issue? Song Ze, you've been out of touch for a month. I wrote to you but you didn't reply. Now that you're back, you want to act like nothing happened. Do you think that's appropriate?" Xia Qingqing questioned Song Ze expressionlessly.

She had been trying her best to control her emotions and not get angry, because anger can affect one's thinking and make things worse.

Song Ze looked at Xia Qingqing, somewhat bewildered: "But I did write you a letter, and I didn't receive any letters from you."

At this point, what didn't he understand? It must be his grandfather's doing.

Song Ze was furious. He never expected his grandfather to be so cunning, stealing his and Qingqing's letters. Luckily, he insisted on coming back, otherwise Qingqing would have misunderstood him terribly.

Hearing Song Ze's words, Xia Qingqing looked at him suspiciously: "I sent you several letters, did you give me a fake address?"