In their first year in the countryside, educated youth did not participate in the village's grain distribution. They would receive a fixed amount of grain every month, and any grain they had borrowed before arriving in the countryside had to be returned to the production team.

Zhuang Zhimeng and his two friends didn't have many work points. After repaying the grain they borrowed from the production team, they didn't exchange the rest for money. Instead, they exchanged it all for grain, which was equivalent to buying grain with work points.

The three of them exchanged several hundred kilograms of grain, mostly coarse grains and less refined grains. Zhuang Zhimeng and the others were thinking about how to move the grain back.

Su Mengmeng suggested, "Boss, how about we move back and let Xiazi watch over it here?"

Jiang Yanxia agreed, but she was not strong enough and would have to make more trips. "Then you guys carry the first trip, and I'll carry the next one!"

Just as Zhuang Zhimeng was about to agree, An Qingbai came over with a cart to help them. "Zhizhi, put the grain on the cart and I'll help you take it back."

"Brother Qingbai, you're amazing! We were just worried about how to get the grain back! We were just discussing having one person stay behind and two people transport it back when you showed up."

“I was worried that it would be difficult for you to move the grain, so I specially borrowed the cart.”

Zhuang Zhimeng smiled gratefully at him; she remembered all his kindness.

Upon hearing An Qingbai's words, Su Mengmeng carried the two bags of grain onto the cart, and did not forget to thank An Qingbai, "Brother An, thank you!"

"You are welcome."

Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia also carried two bags of grain onto the cart, and An Qingbai even lent a hand to put the last two bags of grain on it.

The group then helped push the cart home.

After returning home and putting away the grain, Zhuang Zhimeng planned to fry some meatballs and radish balls. She intended to use roe deer meat for the meatballs, as there was plenty of dried roe deer meat in the cellar.

The group began to divide the work: some chopped radishes, some minced meat, some seasoned the ingredients, and some fried meatballs.

After the meatballs were fried, Zhuang Zhimeng packed a bowl for An Qingbai to take home when he left. It contained both meatballs and radish meatballs.

Zhuang Zhimeng also asked Jiang Yanxia to thaw the fish, as she planned to fry it and store it for later processing when they ate it on New Year's Eve.

Next is Lunar New Year's Eve, which is also the day the brigade holds its annual "Remembering the Bitter Past and Appreciating the Sweet Present" activity. Every year during the Spring Festival, May Fourth Youth Day, Children's Day, and National Day, the brigade responds to the commune's instructions to carry out "Remembering the Bitter Past and Appreciating the Sweet Present" activities.

Early in the morning, the village's head chef was asked to prepare a meal to commemorate the bitter past and appreciate the sweet present, and all the men, women, and children in the village had to participate in the activity.

The educated youth and children were the key targets of education. At this time, Uncle An, who pulled the oxcart, would tell the educated youth and children about the hardships of the past, so that the educated youth could reflect on their happy life today, and it could also serve as a warning to the children.

At noon, everyone in the village has to eat a "bitter meal," which is a steamed bun made from a mixture of bran and cornmeal, and each person gets one.

The village leaders, such as the brigade leader, women's director, and accountant, would set an example by taking the first bite of their cornbread after receiving it. Only after seeing that the leaders had eaten would the villagers start to scramble to eat their own cornbread.

Zhuang Zhimeng held the cornbread and saw everyone else eating. Feeling embarrassed to be different, she put it in her mouth and took a bite. It was so hard! It hurt her throat when she swallowed it, so she started eating it in small bites.

An Qingbai, who was standing nearby, comforted her, "Zhizhi, eat slowly. If you chew your food properly before swallowing, it won't feel so uncomfortable."

"Um!"

An Qingbai wanted to take it and help Zhuang Zhimeng eat it, but he still had to keep a low profile. Things were much better now. In the past, when the brigade held meetings to recall the bitter past and appreciate the sweet present, they would criticize the landlords. His father would have to go on stage to be criticized back then.

He couldn't attract everyone's attention, otherwise, many eyes would definitely be on Zhuang Zhimeng.

Jiang Yanxia, ​​on Zhuang Zhimeng's other side, leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Zhimeng, it's really hard, I can hardly eat anymore."

"Even if you can't eat it, you have to eat it. We educated youth are the focus of our attention."

Jiang Yanxia and Zhuang Zhimeng both tried their best to eat the cornbread in their hands.

Su Mengmeng adapted quite well and ate very quickly. Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia felt that they were eating completely different food from Su Mengmeng, wondering how she could eat so deliciously.

The villagers were probably used to it; they ate very quickly, finishing a cornbread in no time. They believed that food shouldn't be wasted during the "bitterness meal," and that they had to finish it no matter how unpalatable it was.

After recalling the bitter past, it's time to appreciate the sweet present.

The team leader had the head chef stew several fish. Everyone lined up with their own bowls, and the head chef scooped a spoonful for each person, so everyone could get several large pieces of fish.

People would wait excitedly at this time, and when it was their turn, they would go to the side to eat the fragrant fish and meat. The next person would immediately put their bowl in front of the pot so that the chef could serve them. It was completely different from eating cornbread earlier.

After eating the "bitter memories and sweet tastes" meal, the activity is not considered complete until everyone sings "Never Forget the Bitterness of Class Divide and Plough".

After returning home and resting for a while, Zhuang Zhimeng and the other two began preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.

An Qingbai originally wanted to help, but she persuaded him to go back. After all, it was New Year's Eve, and she suggested that he eat with his family. An Qingbai and Zhuang Zhimeng agreed to have dinner at her home on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and Zhuang Zhimeng agreed.

The three of them busied themselves preparing several dishes, with Zhuang Zhimeng in charge and Jiang Yanxia and Su Mengmeng assisting.