"I think this roll must taste especially delicious."

"That's right, this one-pot meal is a lazy person's method. But the rolls covering the potatoes are the best part."

The food wasn't ready yet when Er Ya and the other two came back, followed by Song Zigan.

Zhang Hongmei slapped her forehead, realizing she had forgotten about this guy.

"Happy New Year, Song Zigan."

"Happy New Year, Zhang Hongmei. I originally wanted to come and see you, but when I heard the two of them mention your name, I realized that you are from the same village, so I came along instead."

"Perfect timing, I'll be making rolled-up rice rolls and fried fish pieces tonight."

"I knew there would be good food here."

"Zhang Hongmei, are you carrying so much stuff? What time is your train? I'll come help you move."

"Yes, a friend has a car that can take me to the capital. We don't need to bother."

"Haha, you have friends like that? Well, with your character and way of doing things, you must be able to make a lot of friends."

"Hongmei, the rolls should be cooked. I'll light another pot, go get the fish pieces."

"Sister Erya, wash the carrots clean. I'll stir-fry some carrot shreds in a bit."

"Wash it and cut it into strips, right? No problem."

"Brother Jingze, I'll take care of the fire."

"You don't need to do that. Just go and put the table down and get the bowls and chopsticks."

"And what about me?"

"You're a guest, so just wait to eat."

Zhang Hongmei scooped out two large plates of fish pieces, fried them again in oil in the pan, and decided not to waste the oil, so she used it to stir-fry shredded carrots, but it didn't taste right.

"Brother Jingze, take a cabbage, let's stir-fry some cabbage."

The cabbage was stir-fried until dry, and because it was very oily, it looked glistening with oil when served.

While washing the pot, she added oil. "Sister Erya, go get two dried chilies. You have to add chilies when stir-frying shredded carrots, and you also need to add sugar."

After scooping out the shredded carrots, Er Ya noticed there was too much oil in the pot, so she added a ladle of water. "Drink soup after you finish eating."

The five people sat down to eat. While eating, Song Zigan said, "Zhang Hongmei, your cooking is so delicious! I really want to live with you so I can eat delicious food every day. I've never eaten fish like this before, and these shredded carrots are something I've never seen before. They're sweet and spicy, and they go so well with rice."

Liu Jingze glanced at Song Zigan, thinking the young punk was nothing to worry about.

"Hehe, eat more if you like it."

Zhang Hongmei ate one of the fifteen large steamed buns, Er Ya ate two, Liu Jingze ate two, and the remaining ten were shared by Song Zigan and Zhu Zi.

Zhang Hongmei is no longer surprised by Song Zigan's appetite. This half-grown boy could eat his father out of house and home. Don't let his skinny appearance fool you; when it comes to eating, it's a different story. She wonders where all the food goes.

It's all gone again. Song Zigan slowly sipped his soup. "Zhang Hongmei, wait for me in the capital. I will definitely get into the university in the capital."

“Great! You go next year, and Er Ya and Zhu Zi will go the year after. Then we’ll have company.”

Er Ya didn't let Zhang Hongmei and the others do any work; she took care of the table herself and washed the bowls clean.

"Zhang Hongmei, I'm going back now. I won't see you off tomorrow. Remember to write to me when you get back, and I'll be able to reply to you once I have your address."

"You don't need to reply to me. Aren't you going to take the entrance exam for the Capital University? Work hard and don't let it interfere with your studies."

"Pfft, do you think I'm that cowardly? Don't worry, I'll definitely pass the exam."

Song Zigan rode away on his bicycle. Er Ya looked at the eleven large bags on the floor of Zhang Hongmei's room and asked worriedly, "Hongmei, is there really a vehicle that can take them over?"

"It's true, the post office vehicle gave it a ride, taking a private road."

"You should introduce me to you; it will be easier for me to deliver food to you in the future."

"No need, I definitely won't go hungry in the capital, don't worry. It's Huang Ying at the post office, you can go to her if you need anything, she's very helpful."

"Sister Er Ya, I'll leave you one key, Brother Da Shan has one, and I'll keep one."

“Okay, I can still plant vegetables in the spring.”

"Okay, but don't touch the flowers. I don't know if Uncle Zhang or Brother Zhang planted them. You need to come and water them every week."

Also, the electricity upgrade has been handed over to Dashan, but you and Brother Zhu will have to find someone to help with the well. I've already told you; just go to the neighborhood committee and ask around, they'll find an old man who digs wells, he'll be the one to fix it. It would be even better if you could dig it deeper.”

"I understand. I'll find someone to do it once it's cleared up. Don't worry."

"Sister Erya, I left some food at home. I also have fifty yuan. Please take good care of things at home. It would be even better if you could stay at my place."

"Don't worry, I'll come back to visit every week. If I don't go back to Liujiatun, I'll stay here. I'll bring my luggage over next time I go back."

"I feel relieved with you here. I heard from Brother Jingze that the school year is going to be changed. The first day of the new school year will be September 1st, and there will be a one-month winter break during the Spring Festival and a two-month summer break."

"Oh, I don't like that. I won't be able to help with chores during spring planting."

"Hehe, just study hard, get into university, and make my third uncle and aunt proud."

“Hongmei, I feel uneasy ever since you left.”

"I'm not very confident. Confidence comes from within yourself. You have to believe in yourself."

"Do you have a political textbook this year? If not, go to Huang Ying on Saturday and ask her to give you a newspaper. Make sure to read the newspaper every day, and if you don't understand anything, go to my teacher Chen Sheng. I will write to him."

"Thank you, Hongmei. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't be able to go to school anymore."

"Sister Er Ya, I believe you."

"Go to sleep, you have to take the train tomorrow. I heard train travel is quite tiring."

The two boys across the hall were already asleep.

Upon hearing the knock, Liu Jingze sprang to his feet, dressed, and went to open the door. He checked the time; it was only eleven o'clock.

When Huang Zhong saw that a man opened the door, he thought he had knocked on the wrong door.

"Comrade, Huang Ying sent you, right? We've packed everything up, can we load it onto the truck now?" Liu Jingze quickly asked.

"Oh, sure, I'll arrive in the capital three days from now, which should be after you take the train. I'll bring your things directly home."

"Thank you for your help, comrade. I'll give you the address in a bit."

Then the other three people got up too. With many hands making light work, they finished loading it in less than ten minutes. The oil tank was placed at the very front of the truck bed, which was more stable than other spots.

"Comrade Huang, thank you so much. We'll be waiting for you in the capital." Liu Jingze handed the written address to Huang Zhong.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. The oil tank won't break. I used to transport wine vats."

"Thank you, Comrade Huang."

"No need to thank me. With your relationship with my sister, this is nothing."

Huang Zhong drove away, and the four of them went back to sleep.