An Moxue jogged home, and once back there, she felt completely relaxed.

Lock the gate and let out the two cubs. In a year, they had grown to the size of adult wolves. They had been confined in the space for half a year and were a little confused when they came out. But after a moment, they saw where they were and let out a 'howl' and started frolicking in the yard.

An Moxue spoke up to remind them, "Don't damage the fruits and vegetables. Keep your voice down, or you'll attract people who want to kill you."

Perhaps it was because she had been drinking the well water from the space with An Moxue for many years, but she always felt that these two wolves were smarter than ordinary wolves. They always understood what she said.

Just like now, as soon as An Moxue spoke, they immediately fell silent and quietly started playing in the yard.

Seeing that it was still early, An Moxue grabbed a bag of pastries and went out of the yard, saying to the two little ones, "You two watch the house. I'm going out for a while, so don't break anything."

An Moxue thought that she could release them back into the forest during the next training camp. They had all grown up and should be able to take care of themselves.

After dinner, before it got dark, some villagers came out to cool off. An Moxue would pass by and say a few words to them.

Some people had heard that An Zhiqing had returned, but the changes were so great that some didn't believe it. How great could the changes be?

Everyone who saw An Moxue was surprised. They didn't understand anything about temperament or anything like that. They just felt like she was a different person. But upon closer inspection, she was still the same person, only she had taken off her glasses.

Before they even reached the village chief's house, they saw Aunt Guo, who was carrying a small basket, walking out. An Moxue called out to her, "Auntie, where are you going?"

As soon as Aunt Guo looked up, she saw An Moxue walking towards her and said, "Moxue! I was just about to go to your house to see you! I heard you were back!"

An Moxue walked towards Aunt Guo and said, "Auntie, there's no need to go. I've come to see you! Come on, let's go to your house."

Aunt Guo took An Moxue's hand, turned around, and went into her house.

"Mo Xue, you've changed so much! You look like a completely different person without your glasses," Aunt Guo exclaimed sincerely.

“Auntie, this is the real me. Last year, I had no choice but to make myself look ugly because of some unavoidable reasons. Now, I’m not afraid anymore, so there’s no need for me to pretend to be ugly. Where’s Uncle Guo? He’s back. I’m here to report to him.” He handed the pastries to Aunt Guo as he spoke.

"She's gone out, she'll probably be back soon. It's good that she's back, why are you bringing food again? Take it back." Aunt Guo didn't take An Moxue's pastries, but instead pushed them towards her.

"Auntie, what's in your basket?" An Moxue put the pastries on the kang (a heated brick bed) and turned to ask Aunt Guo.

"I heard you were back! I just happened to make some cornbread and red bean buns at noon, wrapped in cornbread leaves. They smell of red beans and corn. I thought you'd like them, so I thought I'd send you a few." Aunt Guo said, removing the cloth covering the basket and handing a red bean bun to An Moxue.

An Moxue took it and asked, "Auntie, how do you eat this? I've never eaten this before."

Aunt Guo chuckled and said, "Peel it off and eat it directly. It's made from soaked and ground millet powder. Try it; it's a little sticky." After she finished speaking, she looked at An Moxue expectantly.

An Moxue peeled off several layers of skin, leaving the last layer, opened it, took a bite, swallowed, and said, "Auntie, this is delicious, sweet and soft, with a faint fragrance of corn." Then, amidst Aunt Guo's eager anticipation, she finished the bean bun.

Aunt Guo handed her another one, but she waved her hand and said, "Auntie, I can't eat anymore. I'm too full tonight. I just finished dinner and came to your house."

"Then I won't eat it. I'll take it back with me when I leave and eat it when I'm hungry."

“Okay, Auntie, I’ve accepted all the food you’ve given me, so you should accept mine too. This is a way for the younger generation to show respect to their elders.”

"Okay, okay, that's enough! You're so quick-witted," Aunt Guo said with a laugh.

"Is that Mo Xue girl?" came the voice of Village Chief Guo from the kitchen.

Upon hearing Village Chief Guo's voice, An Moxue quickly stood up and said, "Uncle Guo, it's me."

As they were talking, Village Chief Guo entered the house and was taken aback when he saw An Moxue. He said, "You look much better without your broken glasses."

“You’re saying the same thing as Uncle Ma,” An Moxue said with a grin.

"Rest for a couple of days now that you're back, then go back to work. It's not the busy season for farming, so there's no rush. We won't miss you. You look much better now, good!"

"Uncle Guo, thank you. I'll just take a couple of days off. I've finished taking care of some things, and then I'll go back to work."

"It's not easy being alone out there. Are you alright?" Village Chief Guo asked with concern.

"It's alright, but it's not as good as home. As soon as I step into our village, I feel at ease."

Aunt Guo said, "As the old saying goes, there's no place like home. That's the truth. Home is where you feel comfortable and at ease."

"Your aunt is right, now that you're back, take a good rest."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

“You left in such a hurry that you didn’t even get your award for outstanding educated youth. I’ve brought back the certificate and prize for you; they’re with Old Ma. Go get them from him,” Village Chief Guo instructed.

"Uncle Ma told me, thank you Uncle for going to collect the award for me."

"No need to thank me, he'll go and show his face, he'd be happy to!" That's why Aunt Guo really understands Village Chief Guo!

"Your aunt is right. Who wouldn't want to do something honorable? Will you be able to stay for a while this time?"

"Yes, I won't leave so soon. Uncle, I heard that new educated youth have arrived. I hope I haven't caused you any trouble!"

When An Moxue mentioned the new educated youth, Village Chief Guo had a lot to say, and Aunt Guo just kept grimacing.

"What's wrong? Are you up to something again?" An Moxue could tell from their expressions that something serious must have happened.

"Mo Xue, you're right, it's true what they say, 'One kind of rice feeds a hundred kinds of people!' People are really different!" Aunt Guo said with a sigh.

Uncle Guo also said, "Now that you're back, try to stay away from those new guys. They almost caused a death in the spring. A bunch of troublemakers."

"What exactly happened?" An Moxue was extremely curious. It was quite a feat to have angered someone as tolerant as Village Chief Guo.

"On the day you left, some educated youth arrived, and some were sent to labor camps! That very night, who would have thought that instead of settling them in, a few newly arrived educated youths went to those in labor camps and started a denunciation session, almost beating someone to death. Luckily, it was discovered in time. These aren't educated youths, they're demons. If someone had died, I would have been the first to suffer, and our village's award for advanced village this year would definitely have been ruined," Village Chief Guo said angrily.

"You didn't punish them?"

"They were punished, and I even reported it to the educated youth office. Disrespect for human life and insubordination are recorded in their files, a minor demerit. I can still tolerate them. They just don't know the hardships of life. It would be good if they knew!"

......