“The workers were all too far away. If they ran there, the children wouldn’t have made it in time to be saved.” By the time Wei Aiguo and his team arrived, the children had already been saved.

“Even if someone were right there, they might not be able to save you. How many people have drowned there? They were all good swimmers.” Aunt Wei was still feeling lingering fear when Song Yan came in. “I’m telling you, you’re not allowed to go fishing there anymore. You’re really brave. You dared to go swimming in that place.”

"Mom, I didn't know that place had such a strong undercurrent! I definitely won't go fishing there next time. I'll ask Aiguo to find me a place with calm water, one where I could fall in without getting hurt..."

"Pah, pah, pah, what nonsense are you talking about! Just take it in the water once. You won't fall in again." Aunt Wei said, disapproving of Song Yan's unpleasant words.

When Jiang Xiaoxiao arrived at the Wei family's house, Song Yan's fish soup was already milky white. In another pot, braised fish was emitting a fragrant aroma.

Song Yan had already seen Xiao Xiao arrive, but she didn't go inside, intending to avoid Cheng Yousuo and the others. Song Yan said she was going to check on the soup in the pot, but actually she came out to see Xiao Xiao.

Xiaoxiao swallowed hard, her mouth watering. Life is so hard these days; we can't even get enough to eat, let alone anything delicious.

Song Yan took a bowl of fish soup from the wooden cupboard, with a large piece of fish in it. This was prepared in advance for Xiaoxiao. "Have something to eat first."

"This isn't a good idea!" Xiaoxiao was tempted, but she couldn't let her friend lose face!

“These are the fish I caught, not the Wei family’s. You have every right to eat them.” With that, Song Yan handed the fish soup to Xiao Xiao.

"It smells so good!"

"The brigade leader just came. He said tonight's study session will be moved to tomorrow night. I am now a good young man who sacrificed himself to save others, and my thinking is positive and progressive. Not only should I be praised, but I should also be rewarded with five catties of flour." A study session on ideological progress is held every ten days or so.

"That's great." Xiaoxiao was genuinely happy for Song Yan. "But shouldn't you also go cut grass for the cows? I heard someone say that you're going to stay home and avoid work, which is the behavior of a capitalist's daughter."

"I'll go tomorrow. I want to go inside and take a look!" Cheng Yousuo was specifically there to thank her for coming; he couldn't just leave her inside and ignore her...