The news that Liu Zhijun and Hu Haiquan were going to build houses spread throughout the educated youth settlement. The brigade leader was happy to see it happen. No matter which educated youth built the house, it would belong to the brigade after they returned to the city, and no one could take it away.

The brigade leader was also very puzzled. What was wrong with the educated youth? Why did they all have to build their own houses and live alone?

The remaining individuals are Sun Pengfei, Zhao Weiguo, Li Shengli, Zhang Hongmei, Yu Lili, and Yang Laidi.

They also want to move out, but their financial situation doesn't allow it.

Song Pandi didn't dare to resist that night. Ma Lao Er had beaten her up badly the night before, but she felt nauseous just looking at him, let alone sleeping in the same bed with him.

If she didn't sleep with Ma Lao Er, she wouldn't get dinner. Ma Da Niang gave her a cornbread and said, "This is your food. After you finish eating, go inside and serve my son. If you dare to resist again, you'll never leave this house again!"

Song Pandi was still somewhat unconvinced: "Old hag, just wait until I get my chance, I'll kill you!"

Now all I can do is pretend to have come to terms with it and go along with the mother and son.

She replied obediently, "Mother, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of you in the future!"

After finishing his meal, Ma Lao Er slammed his food on the table and dragged Song Pan Di into the house to do *that*. Song Pan Di's first reaction was to shake Ma Lao Er off, but remembering her plan, she held back.

She playfully slapped Ma Lao Er on the chest, saying, "Go take a shower and brush your teeth, and I'll let you sleep, and you can do whatever you want."

Ma Lao Er was about to get angry because he felt that Song Pandi was disgusted with him, but then he thought about it again. Song Pandi said that he could do whatever he wanted, so he happily whistled and went to wash up.

Song Pandi sneered from inside the room. Ma Lao Er was easy to manipulate, but Ma Da Niang was difficult to please; she wouldn't act until she saw a clear benefit.

When Ma Lao Er came back after washing up, she found him somewhat more pleasing to the eye, but she still felt disgusted.

Finally, Ma Lao Er blew out the lamp, got into bed, and climbed onto her.

Song Pandi could only endure her disgust and cater to him. Although Ma Lao Er was a bit ugly, he was very skilled in this area, and she felt very comfortable.

The newlyweds rarely showed a moment of tenderness.

Yun Ningyan had fallen asleep in Huo Junshan's arms. Huo Junshan kissed her pink lips and closed his eyes to sleep.

The next day, after assigning tasks, Huo Junshan told her, "Don't go up the mountain. It's too dangerous there. If you want to go, I'll take you."

Yun Ningyan nodded, picked up her basket, and left.

"Third Brother, let's go. Don't worry, Yun Zhiqing doesn't dare to go up the mountain alone." Yan Hua put his arm around his shoulder, and the two walked into the field together.

Today, the two of them are partners, pulling the old ox to plow the field.

Huo Junshan held the rope on the old ox's nose to guide the way.

Yan Hua held the plow and harrow from behind. The brigade didn't have a tractor, so they could only plow the land little by little like this. These two tasks seemed simple, but they actually required a lot of endurance.

The old ox wasn't someone anyone could command. Apart from the old man who drove the oxcart, the brigade leader, and Huo Junshan, anyone else who touched it would kick up its heels.

Even the plow and harrow behind it need to be held steady. Not only must the plow and harrow be held firmly and well, but it must also be ensured that the plow and harrow can plow the land well in one go.

This requires great arm strength and endurance.

They only had one old ox, which the brigade leader cherished. He would feel very distressed if anything was wrong with the ox.

Most of the plots of land still had to be dug up manually, with the woman following behind to break up the large clumps of soil.

This work usually takes a few days before you can start planting wheat. Once the wheat is planted, there's not much work to do. After a while, you have to hibernate in the winter. After the New Year, when the weather warms up, you have to go to the wheat field to weed.

Don't underestimate these few days; it's very tiring. The women squat on the ground for long periods of time, and when they suddenly stand up, their backs and legs can't take it. Some of them with low blood sugar may even faint.

Therefore, Huo Junshan had already told the brigade leader to have Yun Ningyan go and gather pig feed, since they didn't expect to survive on work points anyway.

Yun Ningyan didn't go up the mountain today. She'll figure out how to go after she's finished eating the rabbits and pheasants she keeps in her space.

She obediently followed the children to gather pig feed. The children chattered incessantly, and although she didn't know what they were so happy about, they just seemed to be having a great time.

After she finished gathering a basket of pig feed, she went to hand it in to the scorekeeper, who was also the brigade accountant. On the way, she ran into Liu Zhijun and Hu Haiquan.

Liu Zhijun hesitated, blocking her way. Yun Ningyan looked impatient. What was wrong with this guy? He should just spit it out. She turned to leave.

Liu Zhijun called out to her, "Yun, have you thought this through?"

"What?"

"Do you really want to be with Comrade Huo? He's from the countryside, he can't give you happiness. Do you want to stay in this village for the rest of your life?"

He looked at Yun Ningyan with bright, piercing eyes, as if waiting for her to give him a different answer.

But Yun Ningyan laughed. Her laugh was flamboyant and as charming as ever. "How do you know he'll stay in this village his whole life? How do you know he can't give me happiness? What's wrong with rural people? In my opinion, rural people are much better than some city people."

She turned and left after she finished speaking.

The college entrance examination will be reinstated in a few years. These people may not know, but that doesn't mean she doesn't know. She'll wait until she finishes working in the fields.

She wanted to urge Huo Junshan to start learning high school knowledge, and she herself also wanted to study.

Liu Zhijun was stunned for a moment, feeling somewhat disappointed. He still didn't have a chance.

He was filled with regret now. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have made things difficult for Yun Ningyan in the first place.

Perhaps the two of them could have a different outcome.

Huo Junshan emerged from behind a large tree at some point, startling Liu Zhijun. He wanted to explain that he wasn't harassing Yun Ningyan, but had simply stumbled upon her while passing by.

Huo Junshan only glanced at him indifferently before walking past him, bumping into him hard. He was so angry that he wanted to rush up and punch Huo Junshan twice!

Just because you have a strong fist, what are you so smug about!

Huo Junshan had just heard the two of them talk clearly. He was thinking about Yun Ningyan's thoughts. How did the little girl know that the college entrance examination would be reinstated in two years?

He believed her words; they couldn't be false.

He made up his mind that the next time he saw Yang Dasheng, he would ask him to help him find two sets of high school textbooks.

After finishing work in the evening, Yun Ningyan made stir-fried cured pork with chili peppers and stir-fried shredded potatoes. Last time she came back from the commune, she was in such a hurry that she didn't put much meat in her basket, and Huo Junshan probably saw it.

She made braised pork yesterday, but it's all gone. She's thinking about whether to go to the commune again and bring some back.

Although there are many things in the space, they can only be taken out after going through the proper channels.

She closed the door and entered the room, rummaged around, and found two sets of high school textbooks. She would start studying once the wheat was planted.