It was completely dark when Master Ma came down from Daqing Mountain humming a little tune.

Wangjia Village was completely dark, with only a few lights. Some families, to save on kerosene, went to bed as soon as it got dark. Only a few families lit kerosene lamps in the main hall, where the family gathered to talk and work.

In the main hall of Xiaoya's house, Xiaoya's mother held her younger brother Erdan in her arms, gently shaking her legs and patting Erdan's back. Erdan closed his eyes and fell asleep in his mother's arms in a short while.

"What did the Zhou family say?" Xiao Ya's mother asked softly.

There was a piece of flowered cloth spread across Xiaoya’s grandmother’s legs.

"Yesterday we asked Jianguo to deliver the floral cloth to the Zhou family. But the girl from the Zhou family immediately sent the cloth back, along with two bunches of vegetables. She said she had no knowledge of the marriage proposal and that we had a misunderstanding. She is now focused on growing the peach trees and will consider her personal affairs after she has arranged for her younger brothers and sisters."

Xiaoya's grandmother sighed, "She's a good girl, but she's not meant to be with our Jianguo!"

"How can they not be destined to be together?" Jianguo said with his neck stiff. "Her brother is 17 this year, and her sister is 16. If she lets them raise them, it will only take three or four years! Just wait until they are married, and everything will be fine!"

The family didn't talk.

"I heard that Zhou Xinghong is also supporting her younger siblings through college..." Xiaoya's mother said, "Normally, I'm happy that Jianguo is getting married late. The later my sister-in-law comes into the family, the happier I am. But Zhou Xinghong is different."

She paused. "If we wait three or four years, it won't be too late for Jianguo. But if we wait until her younger brothers and sisters finish college, it will take at least six or seven years."

Zhou Xinghong's brother is only in his first year of high school, and her sister is in her third year of junior high. It will take them six or seven years to finish college.

"Girl, you can wait three or four years. But after six or seven years, you'll have to think twice." Little Girl's grandmother was a little unhappy.

Nowadays, most people in rural areas get married in their early twenties, and only those from poor families get married in their twenties.

Although Jianguo's family looked down on him in various ways, if they were honest with themselves, Jianguo was still quite decent and there was no reason for him to wait so late to get married.

Seeing the uneasy look on his mother's face, Jianguo quickly said, "Anyway, as long as Zhou Xinghong is willing, I'll wait!"

Xiaoya's grandmother raised her hand and hit Jianguo hard: "You stubborn guy!"

Seeing Jianguo's insistence, Xiaoya's father quickly tried to smooth things over: "This matter needs to be discussed in detail. Let's stop here for today. It's free to light an oil lamp to wait in the middle of the night! Go to sleep tonight and we'll talk about it next time!"

Xiaoya's father pushed Jianguo into the house: "Mom and Dad, it's time to go to bed. Chunhua, put Erdan to bed quickly."

"Jianping, talk to Jianguo properly." Grandpa Xiaoya, who had been silent all this time, tapped his pipe, got up and went back to the house.

Jianguo reluctantly followed his elder brother out of the main room. The courtyard was pitch black, and they groped their way to the side room where Jianguo lived.

Jianping took out a match, and with a crackling sound, a small flame ignited in the darkness.

The kerosene lamp was lit.

The two brothers sat in silence before the kerosene lamp. After a while, Jianping stood up and patted Jianguo on the shoulder: "You're not a child anymore, think it over carefully. If you can wait, wait, if you can't, forget it as soon as possible. Don't wait until you can't bear it anymore, it won't be good for the girl! Think it over carefully. There's no rush anyway."

Jianguo fell onto the bed with a thud, his hands folded under his head, staring at the ceiling.

No matter what Jianguo decides, Zhou Xinghong has made up her mind and will unswervingly follow her path to success.

My uncle's younger sister, Zhou Yinghong, is in her senior year of high school this year. Her grades are neither good nor bad, and she plans to find a job as a primary school teacher after graduation.

My younger sister, Zhou Meihong, is in the eighth grade this year. She has good grades, and Zhou Xinghong has decided to have her apply to a local teachers' college. With the recent emphasis on basic education, a large number of teachers are needed, and teachers' colleges are popping up like mushrooms after rain. If Zhou Meihong passes, she'll be guaranteed a job after graduation, close to home and easier to look after.

As for my younger brother, Zhou Zhihong, he's a very good student, so let him develop on his own. Boys are tough, so it doesn't matter if he goes a little further.

Zhou Xinghong tossed her braid back and continued rubbing the clothes in her hands. People were washing clothes in groups of three or four by the river, and the young women were chatting and laughing.

On the other side of the river, a man stood on the road, looking at Zhou Xinghong from afar.

Wangjia Village. Jiaojiao went to school on her first day and fell asleep the entire day and night. Shuixiu was so frightened that she refused to let her go again. Shuixiu herself only finished high school halfway through, but after a family crisis, she stopped attending. But she was more than capable of teaching children.

Although Jiaojiao doesn't have to go to school, she still has a lot of homework every day. Her friends, who used to envy Jiaojiao for not having to go to school, were horrified when they saw her homework and quickly ran home, thinking they didn't have a mother like her.

By the end of the year, Jiaojiao had actually finished the third grade curriculum.

Master Ma picked up several stones from the mountain and returned to seclude himself for three days and three nights. When he emerged, he was clearly in high spirits, much more energetic than before!

Wang Guifen, who works in the cafeteria, was initially worried that this guy might starve to death after not coming to eat for three days. But upon closer inspection, he wasn't starving, and he actually looked even more energetic! He probably ate something delicious while hiding away, but the wrinkles on his face had diminished.

Wang Guifen was so angry that her hands were shaking as she served Master Ma rice. When she scooped out the porridge, she only scooped out the soup on top.

Master Ma took one look and yelled, "Sister Wang, how have I offended you? I gave Gou Daner candy just a couple of days ago."

Wang Guifen felt a little embarrassed when she heard this, and scooped him another spoonful of millet and a piece of sweet potato: "Okay, okay, you're still so energetic after not eating for three days, don't waste food!"

Master Ma carried the meal helplessly, turned around and saw Jiaojiao, and ran over happily.

"Little fairy! Do you think there are still stones on the mountain?"

Seeing that his complexion was no longer dark and rosier than before, Jiaojiao asked, "What do you think? Can you regain your youth?"

Master Ma was shocked and looked at Jiaojiao in surprise.

Jiaojiao smiled and took the last bite of the egg custard, saying contentedly, "The tender egg custard is still the best!"

Wangjia Village would make egg custard for the children every now and then, but adults naturally didn't get any, and could only look on enviously.

Master Ma also swallowed shamefully and followed Jiaojiao.

Seeing him following her like a dog, Jiaojiao said helplessly, "Go up there more often, maybe you'll find something! Even if you can't find any rocks, the air up there is better than down there."

That's true, the mountain clearly has more spiritual energy. But Wangjia Village isn't bad either. He had stayed in Wangjia Village because, firstly, there was no shortage of food, and secondly, because the spiritual energy was abundant.

However, the fairy is indeed a fairy, and she actually saw through his secret...