“Your hometown is in the mountains, right? There are no large agricultural machines, and farmers rely entirely on a hoe to cultivate the land carefully,” her eyes lost some of their gentleness and gained more of their fervor. “The country’s agricultural modernization needs educated youth, and the country cannot only focus on the Northeast Plain to achieve agricultural modernization! Didn’t you do very well in school? Those mechanical principles cannot just stay in the books; they must be applied to practice.”

Her voice gradually rose, carrying an irresistible appeal: "The country needs you to go to the countryside, to help transform the countryside, to build a more modern countryside, to improve farmers' lives, and to increase the country's grain reserves."

"Think about it, when you use the knowledge you've learned to improve farm tools, increase yields, and free your fellow villagers from worries about food and clothing... isn't that the most practical way to serve your country?"

Lin Shuyue's long lecture had Zhan Hongyu completely fired up.

"Officer Lin, may I go?"

Zhan Zhiqiang and Xu Lixia quickly stepped forward to cover his mouth and pulled him back a few steps: "Officer Lin, he was joking, and he's only 10 years old, so his age doesn't match."

"I know." Lin Shuyue smiled at Zhan Hongyu and encouraged him, "You must study hard these next few years and learn more knowledge so that you can better contribute to the country's development."

Zhan Hongyu's mouth was covered, and he couldn't speak. Helpless, he could only look at Officer Lin and nod repeatedly, hoping she could feel his determination.

“But I’m just a young girl. I’d be grateful if I didn’t cause any trouble for others when I go to the countryside. How could I possibly do what you’re saying?”

Lin Shuyue looked at Zhan Chunyun, who remained unmoved, and sighed slightly. Her "speech" was the result of her years of mobilizing educated youth to go to the countryside. Most of them would be inspired by her speech and would be eager to pack their bags and go to the countryside immediately. But she had met with a Waterloo by this young girl.

"Anyway, there's still one month left. Within this month, if you volunteer to go to the countryside, you can choose where you are—far or near, cold or hot—it's all up to you. If you don't volunteer within a month, then you'll be forced to go to the countryside, and you'll be randomly assigned. Who knows where you'll be assigned?" With that, Lin Shuyue stood up and walked out.

"I apologize for bothering you today, but you should still think carefully about what I'm about to say." He then looked at Zhan Chunyun, "Anyway, there's only one outcome. You're a smart person, so choose the one that's best for you."

Tonight, the family quietly washed up and rested.

Lying in bed, Zhan Chunlan also felt a sense of urgency. She still needed to keep an eye on work matters; she didn't want to go to the countryside.

In modern times, it's okay to occasionally spend some time in the countryside to change your mood. Back then, people would complain about poor internet, no food delivery, too many mosquitoes, and too noisy frogs.

Going to the countryside now is a real ordeal.

In a daze, I seemed to hear voices coming from next door again.

"Chunyun is already 17, old enough to get married, and now she's being sent to the countryside." It must be the neighbors, Zhan Zhiqiang and Xu Lixia, whispering among themselves. Judging from the noise, only Zhan Chunlan heard it; her senses are probably a little better now that she's bound to the spatial dimension, which is why she could hear it.

"I thought she was going to make a name for herself by running around all day, but she turned out to be nothing." It turned out that they also knew that Zhan Chunyun was not at home every day, but since the original owner was not ambitious and did not harm the interests of others, no one would stand up for her.

"Exactly. If I had known, I would have sent her to the countryside last year. It would have saved us a year's worth of grain."

"Go to sleep early. Anyway, she's a girl. Every family can keep one child. Our son definitely won't have to go to the countryside."

Suddenly, Zhan Chunlan had a jolt of realization. Something was wrong! She had just suggested taking turns doing housework today, and now her second son was going to the countryside. She'd be left to do all the work alone again!

Tsk~ All that work for nothing. I bet the second child will use the upcoming trip to the countryside as an excuse to avoid doing housework altogether. At this juncture, it seems like she has no right to make a scene.

Is she some kind of chosen servant saint? Can't she even do a little less?!

On the opposite bed, Zhan Chunhua slept the most soundly. Anyway, it was none of her business. She had a job and a boyfriend. She just needed to keep going step by step.

Zhan Chunyun, however, couldn't sleep. But the habit of the two of them sharing a bed for many years meant that even if she couldn't sleep, she wouldn't toss and turn, but would just have trouble falling asleep.

That year, although she left early and returned late, she didn't go out to have fun.

When her eldest sister found a job, the family almost couldn't afford to buy her one. This made her realize her position in the family. She didn't dare to ask her family to plan for her. If she could find a job, then it would definitely be the third sister who went to the countryside. Unfortunately, she ran around all year and her feet were worn out, but she still couldn't find a job.

Several times she was a little late; most of the time, as soon as the word was out, someone wanted her immediately, and by the time she found out, the paperwork was already done. She was lucky enough to take a few recruitment exams, but each time she was just a little short.

She looked at her eldest sister, who was fast asleep beside her. She was getting married soon and had a job; if…

"Oh my~ Second brother, what are you doing? You haven't slept all night?" As soon as Zhan Chunhua opened her eyes, she saw Zhan Chunyun staring at her with bright eyes, which almost scared her to death. She didn't know what was wrong with the younger sisters in the family lately, they all started to go crazy.

"Big sister, why are you up so early?" Zhan Chunyun's tone was a little unsteady. She had been thinking a lot yesterday and hadn't slept all night. Now her head was buzzing and she couldn't quite process what was going on.

"Are you still lying here?" Zhan Chunhua ignored her madness and reminded her while getting dressed, "Yesterday, the third brother cooked. Today it's your turn. If you still cook, Mom will scold you again."

"Oh, right." Zhan Chunyun slowly got out of bed. She hadn't rested all night, and it felt like there was a layer of fog separating her from the whole world.

"Knock knock knock!" A loud banging came from outside the house, startling Zhan Chunlan, who was fast asleep, and she immediately got out of bed.

"You wretched, damned girls! Three grown women are in the house, and no one gets up to cook breakfast!" Xu Lixia's piercing curses rang out. None of these words used to curse the girls were simple insults; every single one was a curse, hoping that "she" would die sooner amidst the curses.

"Zhan Chunlan, are you fast asleep? I always call you to get up early, but you just can't remember. You love to sleep so much, why don't you just sleep until you die? Then you won't have to wake up."

"Mom, we agreed yesterday that my second sister and I would each do it for a day, and today it's my second sister's turn," Zhan Chunlan replied softly as she put on her clothes.

"Is it so hard to be more diligent? All day long you're arguing about who does more or less work. Your dad and I have worked ourselves to the bone for so many years, and I've never seen anyone complain about being tired and ask someone to take our place."

"Zhan Chunyun, you too! Get up now! I haven't made you work all year, and you've been so lazy, you've been living it up!" Xu Lixia scolded while brushing her teeth: "If this happens again, you can all get out of here. You're all teenagers and in your twenties, and I can't even get a bite of food when I want to."