“Wife, the team leader told me to go with Fengshou to pick up the new educated youth. I’m leaving soon. Close the door and don’t go out. Let these kids play in the yard.”

"Okay, be careful. It's too cold outside. Wear these warm clothes, gloves, and hat in a bit."

"Okay, honey, I'm leaving now. Remember to lock the door."

"Okay, don't worry."

“Youcai, try these gloves and hats on. I’ll check the size. You can go play if you’re not busy.”

"Auntie, this is so beautiful and warm!" Cheng Cai said happily, spinning around in circles.

"Alright, go build a snowman in the yard. Don't leave the yard, understand?"

"We heard you, we understand."

"Let's go, hurry up, brother."

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the courtyard, and several children were covered in snow.

After putting the two little ones to sleep, Tingting started preparing a meal. Feeling that it was cold, she decided to make something warm.

First, I gave them a bowl of chicken soup, then made over 30 flatbreads, stir-fried a few dishes, and once they had played enough, I told them to hurry back inside.

"Auntie, these gloves are wet," Youcai said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Take off all your gloves. We'll wash them and put them on the kang (heated brick bed). They'll dry quickly. Hurry up and eat."

Looking at the table full of food, the children's mouths watered; they were starving after playing all afternoon.

Jianjun and the others from the team were also heading towards the village with the newly arrived educated youth. The heavy snowfall made them all shiver with cold.

"It's so cold, the wind is so strong, and the ride is so bumpy," Zhang Yuting said, rubbing her hands together.

“Yes, I knew it would be cold when we arrived, but this is too cold. I feel like the wind has penetrated my whole body,” Zhang Shumei said.

The other one is Lin Yuting, who is so cold that she doesn't even have the strength to speak.

"We'll be there soon. Once we get inside, the firewood will warm us up. Just wait a little longer," Guo Fengshou told them.

Jianjun wasn't going to say a word. He was wearing a thermal vest underneath a light down jacket, and a thick cotton-padded coat on top. He looked rather shabby, but he was really warm.

The main reason was that I didn't want to get involved with them and wanted to bring the people back to the village as soon as possible so I could go home to find Tingting and the children.

After arriving at the destination and helping to unload the goods, I said goodbye to Fengshou and hurriedly went home.

"Wife, I'm back! Open the door!" Jianjun shouted from outside the door.

"Coming, coming," Cheng Cai said, opening the door for Jianjun.

"Jianjun, you must be freezing. It's so cold outside, and it's already dark. Take a rest. Here's some food to heat up. Come and eat."

"Okay, thank you, my dear wife. The snow is so heavy today, and the roads are difficult to walk on. These people are freezing, but I'm dressed warmly, so I'm fine," Jianjun said while washing his hands.

"How's the group that came back this time?"

"The three female educated youths, I can't tell how they are, but I think they're freezing, after all, the snow is so heavy, and no one is talking in the back."

"Yes, it's no wonder we catch colds in this weather. With such heavy snow and wind, it's not easy for anyone."

"Honey, I feel like I've had a tough time too. I need to drink more soup to warm myself up."

Now Cheng Cai and You Cai have been staying here all winter because it's too cold. Jian Jun would go back to their room to light a fire when he had nothing to do, so he didn't let them go back to live there.

“You guys, you read books after dinner, played all day, and haven’t done your homework.”

The children nodded in agreement. After all, they had spent the entire afternoon building snow piles in the yard and hadn't done anything else, so they were naturally feeling guilty and didn't dare to say anything.