When An Moxue woke up, the sun had already set.

When she came out, Ai Guo was washing his car, and Old Ma had already brought back bricks and was sitting to the side watching the workers build the wall.

An Moxue walked over and sat down next to Old Ma. Old Ma asked, "How is it? Does it look alright?"

An Moxue smiled and said, "Uncle Ma, that's great, thank you for your hard work!"

Old Ma accepted the offer without hesitation, saying, "That's right. It's been many years since I've organized anything like this. It feels quite strange at first. Habits are a terrible thing. But looking at the courtyard walls that are getting higher every day, I feel very satisfied."

An Moxue looked at Old Ma and could understand his feelings. This place was not only the former Nalan family home, but also his and Aunt Ma's home.

"However, we won't be able to go back to Kyoto with you when school starts. Your aunt and I need to finish building the house before we can go back. We'll have to wait until it freezes here before we leave."

"It's nothing, it's just that I'm still a little reluctant to part with you two."

"That kid Ai Guo is pretty good. He's a hard worker and has good judgment, but he can be a bit simple-minded sometimes. He's only been here a few days and hasn't spent much time in the village, but he's already quite popular with the older women." Old Ma chuckled to himself, seemingly lost in thought.

An Moxue ruthlessly exposed the meaning behind Old Ma's words, "You want to marry your daughter to him, don't you? What a great son-in-law candidate."

"It's really good. How did your family raise such a simpleton?"

"I don't know. My parents are both very shrewd. Maybe it's because they have a good relationship?" An Moxue said, then laughed.

Old Ma understood what she meant: she was telling him that the other man's parents were shrewd and had plans, and that it was impossible for him to marry a rural woman. She was telling the village aunties and grandmas not to overthink it.

Ai Guo splashed a bucket of water, put the rag and bucket aside, walked over, and called out from a distance, "Mo Xue, how's it going? Is the car clean?"

Looking at his brisk stride, An Moxue praised, "Clean."

He walked up to her and asked, "Didn't you say there was a gift? Where is it?"

"It's in the car. I'll get it for you when we get back tonight." An Moxue turned to Old Ma and asked, "Uncle Ma, are we going back to the village tonight?"

Old Ma chuckled and said, "Okay, let's go back. There's a car, so it'll be convenient. I'll have your aunt arrange the meals for tonight and tomorrow morning, and then we can leave."

An Moxue glanced at her watch and said, "Uncle Ma, I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back in a little while."

Go!

"I'm going too." Ai Guo stood up and followed. "Mo Xue, where are you going?"

An Moxue rolled her eyes at him and teased, "I'll sell you and get candy in return."

Old Ma watched the two figures playfully walking away, his eyes full of smiles.

An Moxue drove Ai Guo to the supply and marketing cooperative. As soon as they entered, An Moxue went straight to the candy. "Comrade, four catties of fruit candy," she said. Then she said to the pastry seller next to her, "Comrade, four catties of shortbread, half catties per pack. Four catties of baked fruit, also half catties per pack."

As An Moxue spoke, she took out money and tickets, and said to Ai Guo, "Hold these things for me. Have you seen anything you like? I'll buy it for you."

Suddenly, the way the waiters looked at Ai Guo changed.

Ai Guole was so engrossed in his conversation that he didn't even notice the waiter's change in expression. He asked, "Can I buy those watermelons on the ground? They look delicious."

He didn't notice, but An Moxue did, and teased, "Brother, you really know how to pick watermelons. This one won't be cheap." Then she turned to the waiter and asked, "How much are the watermelons?"

The waiter said, "It's eight cents a pound, but you have to weigh the whole thing."

An Moxue said, "Okay, I'll take them all, to help the workers cool off in the heat. Please weigh them for me!"

The waiter asked uncertainly, "We'll have them all. Are there seven melons on the ground?"

An Moxue explained with a smile, "My family is building a house! There are dozens of workers! We can eat it all."

"Okay, you wait here, I'll weigh it for you right away."

An Moxue bought a lot of things at the supply and marketing cooperative, while Ai Guo was just a porter. As soon as the two of them walked out of the cooperative, the people inside immediately went wild.

"Who are these two siblings? Why are they buying so much stuff?"

Some people even went to the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative to peek out and saw An Moxue and her companion get into a car and leave. They then excitedly told the other sales clerks, "Come and see! That woman can drive! They came in a Jeep!"

Suddenly, all the sales clerks rushed to the door, but unfortunately they only saw the rear of the car driving away.

After An Moxue and her companion left, the supply and marketing cooperative became lively.

After the two drove back, they picked up Old Ma and Aunt Ma, and the four of them returned to Anle Village.

As soon as we reached the village entrance, the car slowed down.

Several villagers who were chatting together gathered around, and when they saw that it was An Moxue and her three companions, they greeted them warmly.

"Brother Ma is back!"

"Oh! An Zhiqing is back too? Can she stay for a few days?"

An Moxue greeted them one by one, "Third Uncle, it's me. You're still so healthy, let's chat later! I'll drive the car back first."

"OK!"

And so, An Moxue stopped and chatted with everyone she saw along the way, and it took her more than half an hour to walk the short distance to her doorstep.

"Great, now everyone knows you're back. You'll be busy for a while," Old Ma joked.

"It's okay, the cleaning staff will be here soon, and I've already prepared the candy."

An Moxue got out of the car, left the things for Old Ma and Aunt Ma, and drove back home with Ai Guo in tow.

Before we even reached the main gate, several teenagers were already waiting there.

Ai Guo looked at it and said, "No wonder you bought so much candy; it's for them."

Upon arriving at the gate, Ai Guo got out of the car and opened the gate. An Moxue said to the children waiting nearby, "Come in, everyone. There will be candy in a little while."

A group of people followed Ai Guo into the courtyard, and An Moxue drove in after them.

She took out a bag of candy and gave two pieces to each person. While she was distributing the candy, several more children arrived.

Everyone, holding candy, surrounded An Moxue, asking, "Aunt An, did you come back from your holiday?"

"Aunt An, what's it like going to university?"

"Aunt An, is going to university a good idea?"

"Sister An, I want to go to university like you in the future."

Ai Guo was puzzled. Why were there so many children? And why were they all so close to An Moxue? He was a little worried that there wouldn't be enough candy for everyone!

An Moxue laughed and said, "Why do you all have so many questions? I don't even know which one to answer first."

Guo Village Chief's granddaughter, Duoduo, smiled brightly and said, "Aunt An, can you stay in the village for a few days? That way, you can answer slowly."

An Moxue said, "Alright! But you've already shared the candy, so go play! I still need to tidy up the house! Otherwise, there won't be a clean place to sleep tonight."

Duoduo said, "We'll help you pack. After you're done, you can tell us about going to university, okay? That way you'll have some time."

"Yes, yes, we'll clean up. With so many of us, it'll be done in no time." The children said, skillfully finding brooms, buckets, washbasins, and rags, and working together enthusiastically.

Ai Guo stared, dumbfounded.