She had just woken up from her afternoon nap when An Moxue looked at the wound on her neck in the mirror. It had already scabbed over, but there was still no news about the award certificate she was so eager for.

Just as I was thinking that if there was still no news by tomorrow, I would go to the county to inquire the day after tomorrow.

The loudspeaker blared a pleasant voice: "Comrade An Moxue, Comrade An Moxue, please come to the brigade headquarters after hearing this announcement." "Comrade Ma Guoqiang, Comrade Ma Guoqiang, please come to the brigade headquarters after hearing this announcement." The announcement was broadcast three times in a row.

An Moxue told the head of the educated youth settlement that she might be late for work, and that if she was late, she should tell the scorekeeper before heading to the brigade headquarters.

In the brigade headquarters, the village chief was talking to the comrades who came down about An Moxue: "Comrade An Moxue, don't underestimate her because of her young age and short time here. She is always diligent and hardworking and never slacks off."

"Yes, he was brave and resourceful when he caught the criminal that day. He's a good comrade. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been terrified and would not have been able to escape and kick down the criminal."

The door to the brigade headquarters office was open. An Moxue walked to the door but did not go in. Instead, she called out from the doorway, "Uncle Village Chief."

The people inside looked up at the door. "Come in, Mo Xue. This is a comrade from the army, and this is Officer Wang from the town. They're here to deliver commendations to you and Old Ma."

"Hello, comrades. You've worked hard, traveling such a long distance."

"Serving the people is what we should do."

The soldier stood a meter in front of An Moxue, holding the certificate in both hands, and said solemnly, "Comrade An Moxue, in the process of the military capturing fugitives, Comrade An Moxue was fearless in the face of criminals and outwitted the fugitives. She is hereby awarded. August 29, 1968."

An Moxue accepted the certificate with both hands, carefully touching it again and again. At this time, people had a strong sense of collective honor, and even the village chief was overjoyed. With this honor, it would be easier for the brigade to be recognized as an advanced unit.

Her joy was different from the village chief's.

She was happy to have an extra talisman in this small village; anyone who wanted to harm her would have to think twice.

Just as An Moxue was about to leave after receiving the certificate, the captain's voice came over: "Moxue, don't leave yet, wait a moment, I have something to tell you."

After Old Ma received his certificate and the two clerks left, only the village chief, Old Ma, and An Moxue remained. The village chief then spoke: "Moxue, now that we've received our certificates, it's an honor to set an example, so I'd like you to say a few words."

"Uncle Guo, it's not necessary, it's not a big deal."

“Why not use them? Good role models can play a good role and guide the people to be more positive and progressive. Uncle Ma is an old revolutionary, so it’s his duty. You’re different; you’re a role model for young people. Think about how you can say something to motivate everyone. Let’s hold an awards ceremony at the drying ground after work.”

Uncle Ma chimed in from the side, "Prepare well."

"I understand, Uncle Guo. Uncle Ma, I'm going to work now."

An Moxue didn't ask for the award certificate to show off; she wanted to get as many protective charms as possible for herself. She didn't expect this to happen. It seems she needs to work harder to integrate into this place; being out of place is unacceptable.

An Moxue went back to the educated youth compound. She originally wanted to put the award certificate in the cabinet, but then she thought that if someone mischievously lost it, she would put it in her space and take it out when she needed it.

Then they went out to the riverbank to continue clearing land. They should have been doing this work until the autumn harvest. This stretch of riverbank must have been a hundred or so acres, or at least more.

Someone saw An Moxue return and went up to her, asking, "Moxue, what does the village chief want with you?"

"Award Certificate".

"Mo Xue, did you really help catch the bad guys that day?" Ma Li asked uncertainly.

An Moxue replied, "You think I'm joking? Certificates aren't given out randomly. The injury on my neck is fake."

"No, I was just asking. You're really lucky."

An Moxue laughed angrily, "If you want to give it to me, try having a criminal hold a knife to your throat."

After living together for a few days, everyone got to know each other better and realized that An Moxue practiced boxing for at least two hours every morning, so she had the time and energy. They didn't dare to provoke her, but they still said a few sarcastic things.

Zhang Xiu immediately stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Ma Li, watch your words next time, don't be so careless."

Then she turned to An Moxue and said, "Moxue, don't be angry. She just doesn't know how to talk."

Everyone quickly changed the subject, chatting idly while working.

As evening fell and most of the villagers returned to their homes, the loudspeaker announced, "Attention villagers, there will be a meeting at the brigade's drying ground at 6:30 pm. Each household must send at least one representative." The announcement was repeated a while later, and then again before 6:30 pm.

At 6:30 p.m., in the threshing ground of the brigade, the village chief stood on the platform, raised his hand, and gestured for the villagers to be quiet:

"The reason we're holding this meeting tonight is to commend Comrade Ma Guoqiang and Comrade An Moxue. A few days ago, they assisted the military comrades in capturing two escaped criminals in the county, and today they've brought their commendation. Let's give them a round of applause to express our congratulations." Applause rang out.

A moment later, the village chief continued, "This is a good deed, and the village has decided to award everyone twenty work points. Everyone knows Comrade Ma Guoqiang; he's an old revolutionary and deserves our respect. Today, let's talk about Comrade An Moxue. At such a young age, she has such courage and awareness, which is also worthy of our learning. Now, let's invite Comrade An Moxue to come up and say a few words so that we can learn and improve together with her."

An Moxue stood on the stage, smiled shyly, and began, "Dear fellow villagers of Anle Village, fellow educated youth, hello everyone. I am An Moxue, an educated youth. I feel that what I am doing is what I should do. From a young age, my parents taught me to be a useful person to the country and to do things that are useful to the country, and they have always lived up to that. Until recently, when they sacrificed their lives, my father wrote in his will that sacrificing his life for the country was his destiny, and as his daughter, I must not slack off and must strive to be strong. Guided by my father, I came to Anle Village, Ankou Town, Anping County, Feilong Province, to work in the countryside. I want to dedicate my limited life to the boundless service of the people." A round of enthusiastic applause followed.

An Moxue was also infected by the applause and her heart was filled with excitement.

An Moxue bowed in thanks and stepped down from the stage. The village chief continued, "Comrade An Moxue is right. We must be useful to the country. Anyone who hinders our progress is our common enemy. We must supervise each other, right?"

"Yes!" The voices were exceptionally loud and unified.

"Alright, meeting adjourned."

As the villagers dispersed, they murmured among themselves, "That educated youth An is really something." "Her parents are amazing too." "I saw her practicing Tai Chi halfway up the mountain this morning." "She even knows kung fu!"

...

The educated youths also discussed it, and although they had already talked about it all afternoon, they couldn't stop talking about it.

An Moxue thought to herself: Who says people are poor these days, that they don't have enough to eat or wear? This was the first time she had seen so many villagers since arriving in the village. Their clothes were truly tattered, many with patches upon patches, and few without. But they were all full of spirit and enthusiasm for life, something that money couldn't buy. They were all lovely people.

That night, An Moxue fell asleep with great enthusiasm.