An Moxue never expected that she would be named an outstanding educated youth in the province as the year draws to a close; it was a wonderful surprise.

In this era, this is a kind of protective charm. In an era where background and political affiliation are important everywhere, this title is too important. She felt it was important enough to affect her upcoming training and where she would go in the future. Of course, this influence was also positive.

The next morning, An Moxue kneaded a large basin of dough and let it rise. As the old saying goes, "If you let the dough rise on the 28th, your life will become more and more prosperous." An Moxue was just an ordinary person, and she also hoped that her life would get better and better.

At this time, women start getting busy as soon as the twelfth lunar month begins. They take apart and wash cotton clothes and quilts, and after drying them, they need to starch and dry them, then sew and mend them, tidy up the house, clean, and some even need to make paste to plaster the walls and ceilings. There is always work to be done.

So, although everyone heard yesterday that An Moxue was named an outstanding educated youth in the province, they only came to chat for a few minutes before leaving. It's almost Chinese New Year, and everyone has a lot of things to do!

Since the loan scandal at the educated youth compound, only the sisters Qi Hehua and Qi Taohua have been able to get along with An Moxue as usual. This morning, the two sisters, having nothing else to do, came to find An Moxue.

"Sister Moxue, am I taking up too much of your time?" Qi Hehua asked.

"It won't take long. I'll just chop some cabbage and sauerkraut to make the filling. Don't you need to prepare anything? You still have time to come out and play?" An Moxue asked while chopping the filling, the cleaver almost dancing in a blur.

Peach Blossom watched intently, exclaiming in amazement, "We didn't have anything to do. We came to congratulate you, Sister Moxue, on being named an outstanding educated youth in the province. Sister Moxue, you're amazing!" Peach Blossom's praise was heartfelt.

Lotus also said, "Congratulations, Sister Moxue!"

"Thank you, you two sisters. Help yourselves to the sunflower seeds! Don't be shy. How have you been lately? Nothing's wrong, right?" An Moxue said, pointing to the sunflower seeds on the plate.

Peach Blossom grabbed a handful of melon seeds and handed them to her older sister. Her sister glared at her. An Moxue saw this and said, "Lotus, take these and eat them! Next time, be like Peach Blossom and don't be shy."

Lotus Flower accepted the melon seeds after hearing An Moxue's words.

After handing the melon seeds to her sister, Tao Hua grabbed a handful and started cracking them open herself, saying as she did so, "Sister Mo Xue, you don't know, there aren't many big things happening at the educated youth compound, but there are plenty of trivial matters, which I'm too lazy to even mention."

"With many people, there will be many disputes; it's impossible to please everyone, which is normal."

"Oh, when can I move out like Sister Moxue and live on my own?"

"Work hard, you can definitely do it. It won't be long. Keep going! If you don't like those disputes, don't get involved. Read more books in your spare time; it will always be beneficial."

"Okay, Sister Moxue, I'll listen to you. What kind of books do you usually read?" Peach Blossom asked curiously.

"It's on the cabinet in the room, you'll see when you go take a look," An Moxue said with a smile. These were the books An Mo read outside when she had nothing to do; the rest were in her spatial dimension.

Peach Blossom went into the house and came out a little while later, saying, "Sister Moxue, you've already graduated from high school, why are you still looking at high school textbooks?"

Mo Xue said, "That won't stop me from reading. The meaning will become clear after reading a book a hundred times, and I will gain something different every time I read it. You two sisters are too young to come to the countryside after graduating from junior high school. If you have time, you might as well look at high school textbooks and get a high school diploma. Even if it's for the sake of returning to the city in the future, think about it, when there are quotas, would they prefer someone who has only graduated from junior high school or someone who has graduated from high school?"

The two sisters seemed lost in thought. Seeing them like this, An Moxue felt it was necessary to say a few more words to guide the kind-hearted young man to be positive and optimistic, which was a meaningful thing.

After Anmo finished chopping the filling, he invited the two sisters into the house.

Peach Blossom said with a hint of envy, "Sister Moxue, are you going to make so many buns by yourself?"

"After wrapping them, we freeze them. When we want to eat them, we just heat them up, which is quite convenient."

Lotus said mysteriously, "Sister Moxue, I heard that the educated youth will come again after the New Year."

How did you know?

“My mom wrote to us saying that a neighbor’s child applied here and left after the New Year. More and more of them are going, but very few are going back. Is there no hope of returning to the city?” Hehua said dejectedly.

“You’re still young. The older ones who came first aren’t in a hurry. What problem can you solve by being anxious? Calm down and live your life well right now. That’s what’s really important. This isn’t just a matter for a few people. It’s a matter for a group of people, a generation. No one can solve it just by saying so. It’s up to the country to decide.”

The two sisters felt much better after hearing what An Moxue said.

Peach Blossom said, "Sister Moxue, are you going to spend the New Year with us? It'll be boring if you're alone!"

"No, I'm fine living alone, I'm comfortable. I won't go to the educated youth compound to make myself uncomfortable. The most important thing is to be happy during the New Year."

......

That evening, An Moxue was making steamed buns on the kang (a heated brick bed) when Aunt Guo arrived.

"Auntie, why are you here at this hour? It's already dark."

"Just finished." As she spoke, Aunt Guo saw An Moxue making steamed buns, put down the basket in her hand, took a basin, scooped up some hot water, washed her hands, and sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) to start making buns.

"During the New Year, there are so many things to do, and once you get busy, it's endless. I fried some dried fruit and small twisted dough sticks, so I'll give you some to snack on."

"My aunt still cares about me. Once the buns are ready, she'll give a few to my nephew and niece."

Looking at the bowl full of filling with more meat than vegetables, Aunt Guo said, "There's not enough for those little animals, no matter how much you give them. Keep it for yourself!"

An Moxue smiled and didn't say anything more. She said she would just put it in the basket when she left.

"Auntie, it's already dark, and the road is so slippery! You should have brought a child with you next time! Don't come in the dark next time."

"It's alright. I was just thinking that I'd be busy all day tomorrow and wouldn't have time. You've been named an outstanding educated youth in the province, so I had to come and congratulate you. I hope you have a bright future and that all those unpleasant things will stay far away."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Mo Xue, your cabbage filling smells delicious!"

"If Auntie thinks it smells good, have two when it's ready before you go back."

"Come on, I've already eaten and I'm full! I came to invite you to our house for Chinese New Year's Eve, how about it? Give your aunt some face, okay?"

"Auntie, thank you! But I can't go. My parents just passed away six months ago, and I'm still in mourning. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay by myself. Maybe some friends will come and celebrate with me!"

“The fact that I’ve come to see you, Auntie, means that your uncle and I don’t care about this. Besides, your parents sacrificed themselves for the country, which is an honorable thing and not unlucky at all. On the contrary, I feel that they are full of righteousness and will protect you.”

"Thank you, Auntie. But I still can't go."

......