I wonder what Li Dahong, who is in prison, would think if he knew that Zhang Qingqing couldn't go to university because of his situation and, in despair, jumped into the river?

I wonder what choices Zhang Weiguo and Zhang Weimin will make when they see their younger sister being tortured to the point of wanting to commit suicide.

I'm looking forward to it a little.

Consider it a little sweetener for a boring life.

After all, it's quite satisfying to see the scumbags suffer.

Concerned about the phone bill, the two chatted for a while before Meng Sufang reluctantly hung up.

After hanging up the phone, she couldn't help but sigh: "I wish I could go to Haicheng to see Nian'an someday."

"Sister Sufang, don't worry, as long as we know the address, I believe we will meet again someday!"

"Look, the college entrance exam has been reinstated, and those bad guys are being caught one by one. The country is getting better and better, and our lives will definitely get better and better too..."

The snow will eventually stop, and spring will always come.

Those of them who survived the harsh winter can finally greet the warm sun and step into a new day.

For some reason, Leng Zhaodi always had this strong feeling.

Judging from my dreams about the future, China will undergo earth-shattering changes! Changes that people today can't even dream of!

If you told others about this, they might think that Leng Zhaodi was having delusions and was dreaming.

But deep down I knew it was real! It was definitely not a hallucination!

When Leng Zhaodi and the others left the post office, they planned to take an oxcart back to the educated youth settlement.

When they passed the stone arch bridge at the entrance of the town, Leng Zhaodi and her group made a point of stopping.

A crowd had gathered by the stream under the bridge, and several strong men were carrying the soaking wet Zhang Qingqing ashore.

Her cotton-padded coat was soaked with water, and icy water dripped down it heavily. Her hair clung to her face like seaweed, and her lips were frozen purple.

Meng Sufang waited a moment and took the opportunity to tell the others about Zhang Qingqing's past conflict with Ye Nian'an.

Someone was giving her CPR, the pressure making her chest rise and fall slightly, but her eyes remained closed.

"Could he be dead?"

Yang Lijuan couldn't help but swallow hard.

As they were talking, Zhang Qingqing suddenly spat out a mouthful of water and her eyes snapped open.

No matter what others ask, he always looks blank and has a lifeless gaze, sometimes laughing and drooling.

"I'm afraid... he's gone mad."

Qin Yunze sighed from the side, "Such a good girl, ruined like this."

Leng Zhaodi and the others shook their heads and left.

It's pitiful and tragic.

New Year's Day, 1978.

As the morning light spilled over the blue bricks and gray tiles of the Chu family compound, the enticing aroma of dumplings wafted from the kitchen.

Ye Nian'an, wearing a brand-new red apron, was rolling out dough on the cutting board with Chi Xinyao and Jin Xiangyu.

As fingertips press against the perfectly fermented dough, the warmth of the palm seeps through the dough soaked in the spiritual spring water, releasing a faint aroma of wheat.

The rolling pin rotates and rolls over the dough, and in the blink of an eye, it rolls out a thin sheet of dough, with even frills along the edges, which is then placed on the bamboo sieve and stacked neatly.

Although Kongjian can also make dumplings.

But today is New Year's Day, a time for celebration, a time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.

There still needs to be a little bit of ritual.

Chi Xinyao rolled out the dough slowly, pinching the dough with her fingertips and turning it in circles.

Jin Xiangyu was preparing the filling on the side. The bright green chives were mixed with the tender pink meat filling and sprinkled with ginger that had been soaked in spring water. The aroma was so enticing that it made people's mouths water.

"Mom, look at how I wrapped it!"

Da Da ran over holding a crooked dumpling, the dumpling wrapper in his hand pinched into a round ingot shape, the meat filling squeezed out from the edge, leaving his hands covered in oil droplets.

Ye Nian'an smiled and pinched his nose, which was red from the cold: "Great job, our big brother can help with chores at home now."

Dada proudly puffed out her round little belly and raised her chin, saying, "That's right! I'm already three years old!"

"According to the rules, you'll be a year older after New Year's Day, so you should be four years old now."

Chi Xinyao wiped the flour off her hands, a smile playing in her eyes.

Dada jumped up excitedly: "Four years old! I'm four years old now! So, are my younger brothers and sisters one year old?"

"It's calculated according to custom."

"Wuhu! I'm four years old! I'm four years old!"

Da Da ran out excitedly and told Er Er and San San, who were playing with the little ones, about it.

The seven little ones, just over a year old, were wrapped in red cotton-padded jackets, looking like a string of round, candied hawthorns.

Qiqi and Baba were tugging at Er'er, smiling at their older brother.

Er'er grinned and said, "I really want to grow up quickly so I can take better care of my younger siblings!"

"Yes, my younger siblings are so cute. I want to take care of them for the rest of my life."

Five-five-six-six and nine-nine-ten-ten circled around three-three, crawling and running around, occasionally reaching out their little hands to put on their older sister's shoulder.

The little ones giggled and laughed, their silvery laughter drifting into the kitchen.

Although they are only a few months old, all seven babies can now open their eyes and crawl around on the bed.

Each one is exquisitely beautiful, resembling a little steamed bun—they are incredibly cute.

Everyone loves him, flowers bloom for him, and cars get flat tires just by looking at him.

Hearing the childish noises coming from the kitchen, Jin Xiangyu couldn't help but chuckle to herself, "Kids are always so serious about growing up."

"Yes, when we get to this age, we feel like time flies by so fast, and before we know it, we're another year older."

Chi Xinyao felt a pang of emotion.

Those years when I was sent to the countryside always felt like an eternity, but now it feels like time flies by...

"It's alright, Mom, Mother-in-law. In my heart, you'll always be eighteen, and still so beautiful!"

Chi Xinyao and Jin Xiangyu exchanged a glance, their worries dissipating, and they both laughed, "Thank you, Niannian~"

Ye Yao helped add charcoal to the fire, and the flames in the iron stove licked the bottom of the pot, making the room warm and cozy.

Looking at Ye Nian'an and the others, her eyes were also gentle and tender.

"The water's boiling!"

Ye Nian'an picked up the strainer and put the dumplings into the boiling water.

The plump white dumplings tumbled in the water, like a group of playful little fish.

Before long, the aroma of dumplings wafted for miles around, making the neighborhood children's mouths water.

Why do this family's dumplings smell so good?

Not to mention Ye Nian'an's lavish spending; the dumpling wrappers were made with refined flour, and the fillings, like chives, were poured in as if they were free.

Moreover, cooking with spiritual spring water can maximize the vitality and umami of the ingredients.

Just as they were busy putting dumplings into boiling water, a series of clear shouts suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate, mixed with the jingling of bicycle bells: "We're back!"

Ye Sheng pushed his old-fashioned bicycle through the gate, the oil paper package hanging on the handlebars swaying, revealing a few fireworks wrapped in colored paper.

Chu Xin'er followed closely behind, clutching a bulging cloth bag tightly in her hand.

Ye Nian'an told Chi Xinyao and Jin Xiangyu to continue cooking dumplings, while she washed her hands and went outside: "Did you find it?"