In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival is here.

The Lantern Festival, as the first important festival after the Spring Festival, has always been regarded as a symbol of reunion and hope.

This year's Lantern Festival is of even greater significance to Zhou Ziwen's family.

As the afterglow of the Spring Festival has not yet completely dissipated, the atmosphere of the Lantern Festival has quietly permeated the streets and alleys.

Zhou Ziwen and his family started preparing for this festival early.

Mother Zhou got up early in the morning and was busy preparing the ingredients for making Yuanxiao.

Glutinous rice flour, sesame seeds, peanuts, white sugar...all kinds of ingredients are neatly placed on the chopping board in the kitchen.

Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying also joined the ranks of making Yuanxiao. While chatting, they skillfully rolled the glutinous rice balls and wrapped them with sweet fillings.

Little Yueyue watched curiously from the side, and stretched out her little hands from time to time to help, but always got her face covered with glutinous rice flour, which made everyone laugh.

Zhou Ziwen was busy cleaning the house, pasting Spring Festival couplets, hanging lanterns, and decorating the house to make it festive and warm.

He even went out to buy some fireworks and lanterns, preparing to celebrate with everyone in the evening.

On the Lantern Festival, Zhou Ziwen and his family finished breakfast early and started to get busy.

Dad Zhou and Zhou Ziwen put up Spring Festival couplets and hung lanterns together, making the house look brand new.

Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying were busy preparing the reunion dinner in the evening, and the kitchen was filled with tempting aromas.

Little Yueyue was wearing new clothes and running around in the yard, very excited.

In the evening, the Zhou family's relatives arrived and gathered around to enjoy the reunion dinner carefully prepared by Zhou's mother, Chen Qiaoyi, and Chen Shiying. Around the table, everyone chatted and laughed, sharing memories of the past year, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

After dinner, Zhou Ziwen took the children to the yard and lit fireworks.

Colorful fireworks bloomed in the night sky, lighting up everyone's smiling faces.

Little Yueyue clapped her hands excitedly and shouted, "Dad, look! The fireworks are so beautiful!"

Zhou Ziwen smiled and picked up little Yueyue, allowing her to see the beauty of the fireworks more clearly.

His heart was filled with happiness and satisfaction. This Lantern Festival was a time for their family to reunite and also the beginning of their hope for the new year.

Happy times are always short. After tonight, they will set off to return to the countryside.

Zhou Chaoyang has bought train tickets for them and they will depart early tomorrow morning.

Although Zhou's father and mother were reluctant to let their son go, they had to return to the countryside because he was an educated youth.

Zhou Ziwen looked at the reluctance in his parents' eyes, his heart filled with guilt and gratitude. He said softly, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I will definitely spend more time with you when I come back next time."

It is already 1976, and the college entrance examination will be resumed in another year.

The day for him to return to the city is getting closer.

Father Zhou patted his shoulder, fighting back tears, and said, "Son, we know you have your responsibilities. Take good care of yourself in the countryside, and take good care of Qiaoyi, Shiying, and little Yueyue."

As the night deepened and the fireworks burned out, the yard gradually returned to calm.

The relatives said goodbye one after another, and Zhou Ziwen and his family began to pack their luggage to prepare for their return trip tomorrow.

The next morning, Zhou Ziwen and the two sisters woke up early. After a simple breakfast, they began to carefully check their luggage to make sure nothing was left behind.

Mother Zhou stuffed some homemade pickles and small clothes for the unborn baby into the package, and kept telling them to keep warm and eat well in the countryside.

Zhou Ziwen agreed to all of them. Looking at his mother's busy figure, his throat seemed to be choked, and his heart was full of reluctance and gratitude.

Little Yueyue seemed to sense that she was about to leave, and she clung tightly to the corner of her grandmother's clothes, her big eyes full of confusion and dependence.

Chen Qiaoyi gently picked her up and coaxed her with a smile, "Be good, Yueyue. We'll come back to see grandpa and grandma next time."

Dad Zhou silently took their luggage and sent them to the train station.

As the train slowly started, Zhou Ziwen and his family waved vigorously through the windows until their parents disappeared.

In the carriage, little Yueyue fell asleep on Zhou Ziwen's legs with a trace of saliva hanging from the corner of her mouth, looking very adorable.

Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying looked at the passing scenery outside the window, a little lost in thought.

Zhou Chaoyang and Zhou Ziwen sat face to face on the lower bunk, feeling a little reluctant.

The train sped along, and the scenery outside the window switched quickly like a slide show.

After waking up, little Yueyue ate some snacks and then took her first steps in the aisle of the carriage, looking at the passengers around her curiously. Her innocent look attracted everyone to tease her.

Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying stayed by her side with a smile, ensuring her safety.

Zhou Ziwen looked at the lively little Yueyue with a heart full of love.

As time went by, the train broadcast an announcement that the train was about to arrive at its destination.

Zhou Ziwen and his family quickly packed their bags, ready to embark on a new journey, filled with longing and concern for Dabazi Village.

The train entered the station and slowly stopped. Zhou Ziwen held Yueyue in his arms, while Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying carried their luggage and got off the train steadily with Zhou Chaoyang.

The moment he stepped onto the platform, the familiar rural atmosphere hit him in the face. Zhou Ziwen took a deep breath, and infinite strength and pride surged in his heart. The returning wanderer will use his blood and wisdom to cultivate hope for this land and write his own legend.

After rushing all the way, they finally returned to Dabazi Village before dark.

As soon as we entered the village, some familiar villagers heard the noise and came out of their houses to check what was going on.

Seeing that it was Zhou Ziwen and his family who had returned, everyone greeted them warmly.

"Ziwen, you're back! Have you eaten? I still have some food at home."

"Brother Ziwen, please tell us more about the latest happenings in the city when you come back this time!"

The villagers chatted with each other, their words full of genuine concern and joy.

Zhou Ziwen responded with a smile, feeling warm in his heart and his fatigue from the long journey dissipated a lot.

Frightened by the crowd's enthusiasm, little Yueyue burrowed into Chen Qiaoyi's arms, but she couldn't help but secretly stick her head out to look around, her big eyes rolling around, and her cute look made the villagers laugh.

Wu Dagang and the captain also rushed over after hearing the news. Wu Dagang shook Zhou Ziwen's hand tightly and said with a hearty smile:

"Finally, I've been waiting for you to come back! There's a lot going on in our village lately, and we're waiting for your advice."

The captain nodded in agreement, his eyes sincere and earnest.

Zhou Ziwen hurriedly asked about the latest situation in the village. He learned that while they were away from the village, there was nothing wrong at the mushroom cultivation base, but some piglets in the pig farm were sick. Fortunately, with Chen Guowei there, the piglets' illness was under control in time.

"Then I'll go and take a look later." Zhou Ziwen said hurriedly.

"Haha, we're relieved now that you're back." Wu Dagang patted Zhou Ziwen's shoulder vigorously. (End of this chapter)