Sun Dabao returned to the Hexi Brigade the next day. Ji Xiaochun had no more injuries, but she had a lot of housework to do at home. As for whether she would have enough to eat, the child didn't say a word.

Everyone knew in their hearts that Ji Dagang's family was already struggling financially. With a wife, there was suddenly another person to feed, making food even more scarce. And Sun Lan was the kind of person she was; how could she not try to save food for Xiao Chun?

After class, Wei An would often drag Ji Xiaochun to her house to play. Aunt Wei would always offer Ji Xiaochun something to eat. The child was sensible and tried her best not to eat.

The more Ji Xiaochun acted this way, the more pitiful she seemed.

In fact, many of the children in the literacy class brought some food from home for Ji Xiaochun.

Everyone felt compassion, but no one could adopt Ji Xiaochun, so they tried to help as much as they could.

Ji Xiaochun is able to live peacefully thanks to everyone's help.

Chang Xiaohu felt the most sorry for Ji Xiaochun, who had lived off the kindness of others since childhood.

Ji Xiaochun is a really studious child. The literacy class has been established for less than a year, and it's already divided into three levels: first, second, and third grade. Ji Xiaochun is one of the top students in the third grade, which is generally older than most third graders. Of course, Wei An and Wei Ping are exceptions.

Song Yan and Xiao Xiao could both see that Ji Xiaochun was confused; she didn't know what the future held.

Xiaoxiao showed Ji Xiaochun the care of an older sister, while Song Yan acted as a guiding light.

Song Yan: "Xiaochun, study hard! Studying is a stepping stone to leaving the countryside. Listen to me, you won't go wrong. No matter how hard or difficult it is, you have to persevere."

Xiaochun: "I'm willing to study. But in the end, won't I just return to the countryside?" Xiaochun looked at Song Yan, because weren't all of them, the educated youth, sent to the countryside?

Song Yan couldn't say she knew what the future held. "This country is constantly developing, and it will always need talent. Opportunities are for those who are prepared. If you are talented, you can play a role when the country needs you. If you don't study, you won't know anything. What can you do when the country needs you?"

Strive for yourself, strive for your future, you know?

Ji Xiaochun was actually a little lost. She didn't understand what she could gain from studying hard. But she was willing to listen to Song Yan and study hard. Because she needed this encouragement, she needed this goal; otherwise, she didn't know how she would go on living her life.

When she saw these educated youths studying hard in their spare time, she felt that her own hard work was worthwhile…

Song Yan still does the same thing as before: in the morning he goes to cut grass for the cattle. In the afternoon he either goes fishing or teaches literacy classes.

The children in the literacy class didn't even have a summer vacation. The people in the production brigade thought, "What's the point of a summer vacation? When it's summer vacation, the children go out and cause all sorts of trouble. Otherwise, Shuanzhu and Damei would have drowned last year." So they simply let the children led by Jiang, the educated youth, do whatever they wanted.

Actually, this is beneficial for children under ten. However, all ten children learning third-grade courses are over ten years old, with the oldest being fourteen or fifteen. They are practically part of the family's workforce.

However, these children are genuinely willing to learn, and their families don't necessarily insist that they earn those few work points. The family thinks that if they want to learn, then let them learn; they're already fourteen or fifteen years old, and if they don't learn now, they'll miss their chance.

Nowadays, girls start looking for partners as early as 18 or 19, and usually get married around 20.

Jiang Xiaoxiao mainly teaches third-grade students. They've almost finished their third-grade curriculum and are about to start fourth-grade. Jiang Xiaoxiao wonders if they're learning too fast? Have the children even remembered everything?

Chang Xiaohu said that's what they learned in elementary school. Song Yan then realized that having convenient access was pointless. Song Yan asked Chang Xiaohu to get some school test papers from various grades.

After the third-grade curriculum was completed, a test was conducted. All twelve children scored above 80. Ji Xiaochun got a perfect score in math and 98 in Chinese.

This shows that they have learned very well.

Wei Ping and Wei An also had excellent grades, but Song Yan noticed that they were struggling with their studies. After discussing it with Xiao Xiao, Song Yan decided to stop Wei Ping and Wei An from studying with the older children.

Wei An isn't suitable to be class monitor. Shuan has good grades and is quite responsible and capable in management. Let him be the class monitor, and Wei An will be the vice-monitor!

Of course, some mischievous kids don't want to study. That's okay, as long as they don't disrupt the class, they won't be forced to study.

When Song Yan has time in the afternoons, she tries to take the children to art, music, and physical education classes, as well as extracurricular activities. These extracurricular activities mainly involve telling stories to the children.

This is the class that children are most willing to attend.

A child in Shanggang Village drowned while playing in the water, making the people of Qingshan Brigade feel even more that their decision was absolutely right.

Song Yan went fishing again in the afternoon. When he came back, he saw someone standing in the house. It turned out to be Liu Shitou.

When I saw him last winter, I felt he had suffered a lot, but I could still sense the vitality of a young man. Now, he looks like he's in his thirties or forties! His hair is a mess, like a bird's nest, and there are several bloodstains on his neck. His pants are patched upon patched, and his shoes are even worse, with his toes sticking out.

She saw Song Yan and awkwardly called out, "Sister-in-law!"

Song Yan glanced at him. Had Old Zeng anticipated his arrival?

Song Yan poured the fish from the bucket into the tank. Liu Shitou's eyes flashed with envy.

"Mom, what's Liu Shitou doing at our house?" Song Yan asked her mother-in-law, who was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) and was clearly angry.

"They're all shameless. They said they were cutting ties, yet they still dare to come knocking on our door," Aunt Wei said angrily.

“Mother, it’s not worth getting angry with someone who has nothing to do with us,” Song Yan comforted Aunt Wei.

Liu Shitou knelt down with a thud. "Auntie, I know I have no face to come."

"If you're too ashamed to come, then don't come at all." Aunt Wei had absolutely no desire to have anything to do with Liu Shitou's family.

“Aunt, I really can’t live like this anymore. After I married Lu Daqin, I never expected her to be such a shrew. I can’t be home all the time. She beats and scolds me every day. My mother and grandmother can’t go on living like this.” Tears welled up in Liu Shitou’s eyes.

Song Yan said, "Wait a minute. If others see you kneeling here, what will they say about my family?" Seeing that her mother-in-law didn't intend to kick her out immediately, Song Yan said, "If you have something to say, stand up and say it."

Liu Shitou slowly stood up.

Song Yan suddenly felt a surge of joy. Wei Xiaogu, that utterly despicable woman, was finally getting her comeuppance! Song Yan suppressed his laughter and asked seriously, "Liu Shitou, can't you at least be a little more discreet when you lie? You have two men in your family! Can't they handle one woman?"

Since he had the chance to speak, Liu Shitou told the story.

Aunt Wei's brows were furrowed deeply. Song Yan whispered in her ear, "I think this is retribution for her bad behavior. Judging from Liu Shitou's attitude, he won't leave even if you don't let him talk to him..."