The three of them walked happily toward the educated youth compound. Zhuang Zhimeng thought to herself, "I haven't even moved into a house yet, and I already have two neighbors. Things are so unpredictable. Who would have thought!"

Suddenly, Su Mengmeng said to Zhuang Zhimeng with a serious expression, "Zhuang Zhimeng, let's become sworn brothers!"

Zhuang Zhimeng felt like she was hallucinating and looked at Su Mengmeng in disbelief: "Are you kidding me? We've only known each other for a short time, how do you know I'm a good person? Aren't you afraid I'll sell you out?"

“Let me tell you, I’ve always envied my dad since I was little. He has several sworn brothers, and I also want to find someone to be my sworn brother with! But I haven’t found the right person yet. My mom told me since I was little that a person doesn’t have to be smart, but they can find someone smart to rely on and still walk on a bright path.”

"After meeting you, I felt that I wouldn't be at a disadvantage following you. I can't explain this feeling, but I've decided on you! Besides, we're in the countryside, and we've become sworn brothers, so we're family now. We can stick together and support each other. Isn't that great?" Su Mengmeng tried her best to persuade Zhuang Zhimeng.

Zhuang Zhimeng looked directly into Su Mengmeng's eyes: "Are you sure? Becoming sworn brothers is a lifelong commitment."

After all, Zhuang Zhimeng is a CEO in the 21st century. When she looks people in the eye, she exudes a kind of intimidation, and most people don't dare to meet her gaze.

"I'm sure, absolutely certain! I feel like I definitely won't regret it!" Su Mengmeng said confidently, though she was a little scared.

"I want to join too! I feel like I can't go wrong by listening to Zhimeng!" Jiang Yanxia also came to join in the fun.

And so, the iron triangle that would later form was born dramatically on this very night when they had just arrived in the countryside.

“Once the house is built, let’s have a proper celebration, go through the formal procedures, and become sworn brothers!” Su Mengmeng suggested.

Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia had no objections, and the three of them were quite excited when they arrived at the educated youth settlement.

Zhuang Zhimeng never expected that she would make two good friends so soon after arriving in the countryside, friends for life.

Back in the dormitory, Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia asked Wang Lihong if they could use the firewood provided by the educated youth to boil some water in the kitchen. They would just return the firewood they collected later.

After a quick wash, I lay down on the kang (heated brick bed). In Northeast China, people sleep on kangs because they are warm; otherwise, you can't stand the cold in winter.

It was such a tiring day, no one spoke anymore.

There was no electricity at the educated youth settlement; they still used kerosene lamps. Zhuang Zhimeng dreamed of going to the supply and marketing cooperative the next day to buy one too. He hadn't bought a kerosene lamp himself, but he remembered he had ration coupons.

In the darkness, the sound of breathing gradually came through. Seeing that everyone was asleep, Zhuang Zhimeng also drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Shi Hongye and Luo Qiuping were assigned to cook.

Zhuang Zhimeng thought it was enough, fearing they would poison her, so she asked Jiang Yanxia to tell them not to cook for her anymore, and to eat two pieces of pastry as breakfast.

The oxcart was waiting outside the village at 7 o'clock, and Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia hurried towards it.

When Tian Cuie saw Zhuang Zhimeng from afar, she quickly greeted them: "Zhuang Zhiqing, Jiang Zhiqing, you're here! Come on in, sit here! It's comfortable." As she spoke, she made room for them.

Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia got into the oxcart and greeted Tian Cuie: "Good morning, Aunt Tian!"

There were already several people on the oxcart, mostly older women.

"This must be a new educated youth! I heard they came yesterday, but I was too busy to go see them!"

“This female educated youth is indeed beautiful. Yesterday, my husband told me that there was a female educated youth who was particularly beautiful! I didn’t believe it, but it’s true.”

"Such a handsome child, why was he sent to the countryside? What a tragedy!"

"Alright! We can't talk about this now," Tian Cuie quickly stopped them. Anyone with ulterior motives could overhear this; wouldn't this cause trouble for Zhuang Zhimeng? Everyone quickly shut their mouths.

"Aunt Tian, ​​what are you going to buy at the supply and marketing cooperative?" a young wife asked, changing the subject.

"Buy Uncle Baogen a bottle of ink, and some needles, thread, and other odds and ends," Tian Cuie said casually.

"We're running low on soy sauce at home, so I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a bottle. I'll also buy some snacks for the kids; they've been asking for them every day."

“I need to buy some. I’ll go see if I have any fabric. I’ll come back and make some clothes for the kids. My eldest is getting married soon, so he needs to dress presentably.”

The group started discussing it again, each offering their own opinion.

Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia remained silent throughout, mainly because they didn't know what to say to them. They only recognized Tian Cuie among them; they didn't know anyone else.

At this moment, the male educated youth also came over. When Su Mengmeng saw Zhuang Zhimeng and Jiang Yanxia, ​​she quickly went to their side.

The older women were very curious: "You're all newly arrived educated youth, right? How come you get along so well?"

Su Mengmeng said proudly, "We are sworn siblings!"