The grain was all harvested, and the next few days were sunny. The grain was laid out on the threshing floor to dry, and after a few days it was all dried and stored in the granary.

The villagers were overjoyed to see the harvested grain, their faces beaming with happiness. This was crucial for the food rations they would receive!

To prevent grain theft, the brigade leader arranged for people to take turns keeping watch at night. Grain had been stolen from the neighboring brigade, so someone had to keep watch continuously.

When the day came to hand over the grain tax, oxcarts, donkey carts, and mule carts all came out of the village to help.

Before dawn, the able-bodied men in the village would carry loads on shoulder poles or back baskets, while the women would carry bamboo baskets filled with grain, and set off for the town.

When they arrived at the place to hand over the grain, there was a long queue.

Zhuang Zhimeng was strong and was also assigned to deliver grain to the state. Of course, Zhuang Zhimeng carried a bamboo basket.

Zhuang Zhimeng also saw An Qingbai, who was in charge of the donkey cart.

Watching him drive the donkey cart with such ease and grace, he seemed so carefree, possessing a unique kind of beauty.

Finally, it was Anyang Brigade's turn. The person in charge of counting the grain said, "Anyang Brigade, qualified, put into storage."

Hearing that the grain had all been stored, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had been worried that after all their hard work, the grain might be substandard, leaving the villagers hungry.

Anlin Brigade was like that; because they didn't dry the grain properly, the grain they delivered was substandard.

In the end, the villagers received 30% less grain, and they had to tighten their belts to avoid starvation that year.

After the autumn harvest, the brigade leader gave everyone a three-day holiday.

Since it's a rare treat to come to town, everyone instinctively wants to take a stroll. Some might visit the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some candy for their children, while others might head to a state-run restaurant for a nice meal.

Zhuang Zhimeng naturally wanted to browse as well, so she went to the state-run bookstore.

I found the boss; it was the company whose job posting I'd seen in the newspaper. Because of this movement, there are very few people who speak foreign languages ​​now.

She explained her purpose to the boss, who immediately took out a notebook and asked her to translate it.

The notebook contained a passage in German, which Zhuang Zhimeng quickly translated. The boss took it, read it, and was very satisfied.

Tell Zhuang Zhimeng that you can take on translation work. The pay is five yuan per thousand words, and there will be some receipts. If there are no problems, you can take the job.

Of course, this is the initial payment. As the translation skills improve, the payment will increase accordingly.

Translation is divided into junior, intermediate, and senior levels, with different salaries for each level.

Zhuang Zhimeng agreed and received an English book from the boss, agreeing to deliver it within a month. The boss then gave her the book.

A confidentiality agreement was signed, stipulating that the contents of the book could not be disclosed, as they are all relatively professional books.

The boss then told Zhuang Zhimeng to leave her home address after completing the work procedures so that he could send her the royalties later.

Each submission can be made by the author bringing the manuscript directly to the bookstore or by mail.

Zhuang Zhimeng thought that now that she had the job, she could talk to the team leader and ask for an easier job instead. There was no reason for her to bring it up before.

It's okay to earn fewer work points, as long as I can support myself.

Having secured a job, Zhuang Zhimeng wanted to celebrate, so she headed towards the state-run restaurant.

Today we are serving sweet and sour pork, shumai, and steamed rice rolls.

Zhuang Zhimeng ordered steamed rice rolls, shumai, and egg drop soup, all in generous portions.

As I was eating, I saw An Qingbai arrive at the state-run restaurant. I greeted him and then lowered my head to continue enjoying my meal.

An Qingbai walked unconsciously to Zhuang Zhimeng's side. "I'll sit here, okay?"

"Sure! Sit down!" Zhuang Zhi thought, "This isn't my place, so I might as well sit down."

An Qingbai ordered a bowl of vegetarian noodles and sweet and sour pork.

Neither of them spoke, and they ate with their heads down. However, when their eyes occasionally met, An Qingbai's focused gaze could be seen.

Zhuang Zhimeng finished her steamed rice and egg drop soup, and took the shumai back for Jiang Yanxia and Su Mengmeng to try. They had told her to take some good food back with her when she left.

After finishing his meal, Zhuang Zhimeng went to the supply and marketing cooperative.

"I'm going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things. Are you coming with me or going back to the village?" Zhuang Zhimeng turned to ask the tall man next to her.

An Qingbai was estimated to be 1.85 meters tall. In those days when food and clothing were scarce, it was hard to believe he grew so tall.

"Let's go together!" An Qingbai wanted to stay by her side a little longer.

When An Qingbai arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, he didn't buy anything.

I followed Zhuang Zhimeng and watched her buy White Rabbit milk candy, two bags of fruit, and tea.

It seemed he was going to give a gift, and An Qingbai secretly made a mental note of it. He thought he would send Zhuang Zhimeng some wild game that night, and keep it for himself to eat. It would be a very good idea to give a gift as well.