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After the inspection, Su Yu asked Grandpa Luo's wife to stew the meat from the supplies she had brought, so they could celebrate the New Year together.

While waiting for the food to be ready, Principal Zheng chatted with Su Yu. The two walked around the farm. One advantage of being in a mountain valley was the lack of north wind, so it wasn't cold.

Principal Zheng came here of his own volition. Su Yu originally wanted him to stay at home, but after learning that the school's senior staff had arrived, he volunteered to come along.

Su Yu knew that Principal Zheng didn't want to put her in a difficult position.

"Principal, how are you doing here? If there's anything you're not used to, just tell me."

“Everything is fine, very fine,” Principal Zheng said with a smile. Although he was dressed in coarse cloth clothes, his charisma was still evident. “The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming here, the environment is very nice. It’s like a retirement home. I’ve been planning to find a place like this to retire in. Now I have so many companions, it’s quite nice.”

Su Yu said, "I know everyone acts happy in front of me, but they're actually unhappy inside." They used to be so carefree, but now they're stuck in the mountains growing sweet potatoes...

"Don't think like that. They all know your difficulties. And your family members have come to visit us and told us about the situation outside, so we cherish life here even more. You're all getting on in years, and this kind of environment is perfect for retirement. Haven't you noticed how much better their health is than before? Su, I've done many meaningful things in my life, and letting you graduate early is one of them. You're a good student and a good comrade."

Being praised by Principal Zheng made Su Yu quite happy. At least what she was doing was indeed the right thing to do.

"I'm just doing what I can."

“Su, you’ve done something great. Others might not be willing to do this. Su, we old comrades are all doing well now. We’ll try to live a few more years until the clouds part and the sun shines through. When that day comes, we’ll all prove to you that Comrade Su Yu is a truly good comrade.”

Su Yu felt a warm glow in her heart. Everyone had seen what she had done.

While the two were talking for a while, the fish soup over there was already cooked and smelled delicious.

These older folks used to have plenty to eat, but food from the communal pot always tasted better. Now that things are like this, no one cares about appearances anymore; they just prepare the bowls and chopsticks and get ready for a meal together.

Su Yu and Principal Zheng also went back to have dinner with everyone.

In the canteen, Grandpa Luo's wife took a large spoon and stirred the pot a few times before putting it into a basin.

The farm was crowded; several people were gathered around a large basin containing not only fish but also white radishes. Of course, their own sweet potatoes were also on the table. There were also peanuts. And stir-fried sweet potato vines with green peppers.

Scholars can't compete with those in military uniforms. That's why military personnel prefer to team up with scholars.

They quickly mixed together.

Every now and then, two arguments could be heard: "Old comrade, you're not at our table, go to your comrades' side."

"We do manual labor, so we eat a lot."

"We do mental work, so we need to eat more too."

"..."

Su Yu happily ate a meal with everyone before preparing to return to the provincial capital. As she was leaving, Old Liu, dressed in military uniform, approached her for a chat, stammering for a moment before finally saying, "Comrade Su, I have a few old friends I'm quite worried about. If there's an opportunity, could you perhaps bring them here as well?"

Su Yu couldn't guarantee anything about this, so she could only say, "This is a bit difficult to handle. I can only try to recruit people if there's an opportunity in the future."

Old Liu knew this was asking the impossible, so he simply told Su Yu that he didn't have high hopes. Now, hearing Su Yu's response, he felt quite satisfied.

He hoped his old friends could live the same life as him. Then they would have nothing to worry about in this life.

Su Zhi still didn't come back for Chinese New Year this year. He did write to say he wanted to come back, but Su Yu wouldn't allow it. The situation back home isn't very stable right now, and she felt it wasn't appropriate for him to come back anytime soon. So she suggested that Su Zhi come back next year, preferably after he gets a promotion. Besides, Su Zhi's child is only a few months old, and Su Yu felt that the child should be older before he travels far away.

After receiving Su Yu's letter, Su Zhi was immediately filled with fighting spirit.

The only thing that surprised Su Yu was that Li Ping and Jiang Hu actually came back.

The couple didn't bring their child back this time; they only brought their luggage.

On the 29th of the lunar calendar, Song Dongzheng and Su Yu went to the train station to pick them up, and Gao Xin hugged each other.

"Why did you come back this year?" Su Yu asked anxiously in the car.

Li Ping said worriedly, "I wasn't planning to come back, but I was a little worried about you all, so I came back to check on you."

Song Dongzheng asked about Jiang Hu's adoptive parents, and Jiang Hu replied, "My parents are both retired. They're living with me now, helping to take care of my children and enjoying their retirement. The southwest is a beautiful place, and they're quite used to it."

"That's good. It would be nice to let them come here to retire," Su Yu said with a smile. "Anyway, we know a lot of people here."

Li Ping said with a smile, "I'll find an opportunity to mention it to them."

The streets were quite calm along the way. Seeing this, Li Ping and Jiang Hu knew that Su Yu had made a great effort. Although they weren't in high positions, they were quite knowledgeable about things in other places.

"Sister Su Yu, if there's anything you can do to help, just let me know," Li Ping said earnestly. She was worried that Su Yu might not ask for help.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!