Other people's affairs couldn't bother Song Yan at all; she and the other educated youth were extremely busy.

The female educated youth were busy making straw crafts every day. One of them, Shen Hanyang, was particularly good at storytelling. Xiaoxiao invited her to the literacy class, where she would tell stories to the children while working with her straw crafts. Wang Wenjuan overheard this and encouraged her to tell stories to the women while they worked. Later, the stories gradually expanded to include everyday knowledge, manners, and even some laws and regulations. To enrich the content, Wang Wenjuan obtained a lot of materials from the Women's Federation. The women truly broadened their horizons, and they brought their sisters-in-law and friends to listen.

Therefore, Qingshan Brigade completed the tasks assigned by the commune's women's federation the best this year. The women's director of Qingshan Brigade was recognized as an outstanding worker.

The cattails weren't ready to be used immediately; the two male educated youths were responsible for processing the materials before weaving. Dyeing was also done by Huang Guoqing and Pan Bo. He Jianian also wanted to come; at least he could earn work points and have a chance to get to know Song Yan.

Song Yan was different now; his eyes were calm and bright, particularly captivating. But Wu Meili kept a close eye on him. The educated youth went to work in the weaving group voluntarily; no one specifically invited them. He wanted to find an excuse for Wu Meili, saying that no one had asked him to go. Besides, the educated youth often brought back vegetables from Song Yan's house. Even the same stewed mushrooms smelled exceptionally fresh from Song Yan's mushrooms. Unfortunately, He Jianian didn't get any; he was truly anxious but helpless.

Li Yuanzhao had her family mail her many high school textbooks and practice problems, and the educated youth began studying again in addition to their work. Song Yan knew this; in the original story, thanks to Li Yuanzhao's guidance, except for He Jianian who didn't work hard, and Huang Guoqing and Pan Bo who went home to take over their jobs, everyone else passed the entrance exams for university or junior college. Xiaoxiao passed the junior college entrance exam. The first year after the resumption of the college entrance exam, Qingshan Brigade had the most educated youth pass the exam. It caused a sensation throughout the entire county at the time.

Because Song Yan hadn't attended high school, Li Yuanzhao took every opportunity to teach her high school courses. As a result, Song Yan became widely recognized as intelligent. She could solve science problems on the first try and pass them on subsequent questions. However, she remained as strong in one subject as before, particularly Chinese and Politics, which were only average. Song Yan had previously fought hard for the college entrance exam. Back then, all kinds of exam papers of various levels and types were flying around. They were much more difficult than what she was seeing now, yet she passed them all with excellent results. Reviewing them again was easy for her.

If Song Yan wants to obtain a legal medical license, he must return to school.

When Lao Liao found out, it triggered a reaction from her. Lao Du, Lao Zeng, and Lao Han were all teaching Song Yan things. At first, she thought that what Song Yan already knew was useless to her. But then she realized that Song Yan had started learning high school courses, and she was so smart; she could learn even more. So Lao Liao started teaching her English. And somehow, someone even managed to get her some English books!

Winter days are short and dark. After dinner, Song Yan was called away by Lao Han and the others. Then it was study, study, and more study. They all found joy in teaching. Song Yan never stumbled over Lao Du's herbal formula. Lao Liao's spoken English was excellent, and Song Yan learned it quickly. Song Yan had spent six years in junior high and high school, and four years in university, so her English grades were quite good. She had been studying English for ten years. She had also treated many foreign patients. Her vocabulary was sufficient for daily communication, but her listening comprehension was somewhat lacking. So, Song Yan usually didn't speak or ask questions; she just listened to Lao Liao speak and memorized vocabulary as Lao Liao instructed.

Relatively speaking, there is less content about Lao Zeng and Lao Du.

Jiang Xiaoxiao asked Song Yan, "How come I never realized you were so smart before?"

Song Yan: "I didn't know that studying was beneficial before! I never tried, so you wouldn't have noticed."

Jiang Xiaoxiao: Aren't you tired? Can your body handle it?

Only Jiang Xiaoxiao knew how much Song Yan studied every day. Xiaoxiao, feeling sorry for her, moved into the Wei family's house. She helped with everything from laundry and cooking to childcare, all so Song Yan could have time to focus on her studies. Wei's mother was getting old, and after her leg injury, she was noticeably weaker. Taking care of two children and doing housework was becoming too much for her. She was very grateful for Jiang Xiaoxiao's help, as it gave Song Yan more time to study. The old lady loved children who excelled academically. Her eldest son didn't want to study, but her second son did. However, her husband passed away when he was in junior high, and he had to stop his studies—a real pity. Therefore, Wei's mother fully supported Song Yan's studies. But at the same time, she worried about owing favors and whether the family would have enough food.

Song Yan, of course, welcomed Jiang Xiaoxiao! "Mom, I have so many things to learn, I don't have time to do housework. You're getting old, and I can't bear to let you do it all by yourself. Xiaoxiao can help me, which will make things much easier for me. She doesn't eat well at the educated youth camp either. If she comes to our house, she can eat better food. We won't owe her any favors." These were Song Yan's words to comfort her mother-in-law. In reality, Song Yan tried her best to finish the housework as quickly as possible.

When Jiang Xiaoxiao started eating so well at the Wei family's house every day, she regretted it. She wanted to help Song Yan, not to take advantage of him.

Song Yan: "Actually, I have so much delicious food every day, but I'm worried that you won't get any. Now that you can help me with the housework, I feel so much more relaxed. You have no idea how happy I am. You've done so much, shouldn't you get something to eat?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao didn't think that way. Aunt Wei wasn't completely immobile and needed her to take care of her. Actually, she could just lend a hand; Song Yan was quite diligent and didn't do much housework. Didn't they have to cook at the educated youth settlement too? And there wasn't enough food to go around.

At the Wei family's house, they ate well and were full every day, consuming white flour frequently. The firewood burned abundantly, keeping the house warm. Household chores were barely more demanding than at the educated youth settlement; it was truly a life of luxury. Song Yan even frequently shot rabbits. Her family's chickens still laid eggs; now, with four chickens, they laid four eggs a day. Song Yan wouldn't allow any of them to be sold…

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