So every day after work, no matter how tired I was, I had to wash myself first, and then start a fire to cook. During the busy farming season, I finished work late, and by the time I finished cleaning up and eating, it was already eight or nine o'clock. After eating, I could fall asleep on the kang (a heated brick bed), and the next day was the same.

If you're going to the countryside, you should first think about whether you can live that kind of life.

By the way, Brother He helped me gather the firewood for cooking; otherwise, I'd have to go up the mountain to collect firewood after work before I could come back to wash and cook.

Before coming here, Chen Jiandang had heard all sorts of stories about how hard and tiring it was for educated youth to go to the countryside.

But when I visited his sister recently, things didn't seem to be as rumored. For example, his sister seemed to be living a very comfortable and carefree life.

The other people in the courtyard seemed to be doing quite well too. They slept until nine or ten o'clock every day. The only work they did was to go up the mountain to collect firewood a while ago, but it looked quite fun. Anyway, apart from the first day, he didn't feel tired afterward. On the contrary, he found it quite fun.

But now, hearing what his sister said, Chen Jiandang felt sorry for her and asked hesitantly, "Sister, are you going to stay in the countryside for the rest of your lives? Isn't there a way to go back to the city sooner?"

Sensing the heartache in Chen Jiandang's voice, Chen Shuning couldn't help but sigh that he hadn't spoiled his younger brother for nothing.

So he deliberately explained in a lighthearted tone, "Yes, of course there are. There are ways, but the city is quite chaotic now. What would we do if we didn't go to school and didn't have jobs? We can't just stay at home all day and rely on our parents to support us, can we? What would that look like?"

As for you, you need to study hard when you go back this time. Even if there are no classes at school, you should study diligently at home. Remember what I said: knowledge is always the most useful thing.

His parents often told him to study hard when he was at home, so Chen Jiandang didn't quite take Chen Shuning's words seriously.

He said nonchalantly, "Many teachers at the school have been locked up in cowsheds. Now, even if you go to high school, you can't take the college entrance exam. Going to school is useless. You might as well spend that time looking at the notes you gave me or going to the scrap metal yard."

"By the way, sis, next time you see a book about antiques, could you copy some down for me? I much prefer reading this to all the useless stuff I learn in school."

Chen Shuning didn't care much about what kind of books Chen Jiandang read, as long as the kid didn't cause trouble. Besides, Chen Shuning could also tell that the kid had a certain talent for antiques and such things.

Therefore, they readily agreed to Chen Jiandang's request.

The siblings chatted for a while longer, and when it was almost time, they locked the door and went to the front yard.

As usual, everyone contributed something to this gathering of former educated youth, and then the older educated youth from the other side would decide how to prepare it.

Chen Shuning brought Chen Jiandang along, so he brought out double the items.

However, she didn't go over to help. After a while, she realized that Dong Weiwei and Guo Dan from the old house were quite fond of taking advantage of others.

Just like the last time the team distributed wild boar meat, the two of them went to town to help everyone sell pork and made a lot of money.

This time, without Liu Shumei, the calm and insightful manager, the two seemed ready to make a big splash at the old house.

During the meeting, he took it upon himself to say that he would be responsible for cooking for everyone.

No one said anything about the male educated youth not being able to cook, but the few people in the backyard of the female educated youth's side probably all knew about their behavior.

Nobody wanted to argue with them, and they were all too lazy to cook in the dark, grimy kitchen in the front yard anyway.

To be honest, many people wouldn't even bother to eat that meal, but they had to go to the gathering because they didn't want to disrespect Feng Baoguo.

The remaining female educated youths in the front yard, however, did not tolerate the two of them. After some bickering, they decided to adopt a voluntary principle: those who were willing to help could do so, while those who were not could rest and wait to be served.

In the morning, Wang Chunni and Xu Laidi came to Chen Shuning's place because they were too lazy to listen to the noise from the front yard. They planned to go back for lunch when it was time.

When Chen Shuning and her brother arrived, the food was almost ready. The two of them helped carry the dishes. Because there weren't enough bowls in the old house, everyone who came to eat brought their own lunchboxes.

After everyone was seated, Feng Baoguo spoke first, as always.

Feng Baoguo was wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket that was neither new nor old today. He hadn't been seen wearing it recently, so it must be something he usually cherishes.

Feng Baoguo, who is usually unkempt, had his hair combed exceptionally neatly today, and he smiled before even speaking.

"Today is the annual Little New Year. I've gathered everyone together on this occasion. Firstly, since Xiangyang and Hongyuan, you two groups of educated youth came here, the conditions at our educated youth settlement are limited. Although we all live in the same courtyard, those in the front and back courtyards are not as close as those on the same kang (heated brick bed).

Of course, I don't mean to say that the educated youth living in the old house in our front yard and those living in your back yard are not close. It's just that everyone is busy working during the day and they are not often in the same field.

When we got back in the evening, we all went to our own rooms. We don't usually communicate much, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to let everyone get closer.

After all, we will be comrades-in-arms living and working together for many years to come.

Moreover, we educated youth were not as close as the villagers in the brigade. The villagers were either related by blood or had a bond that spanned generations and the village.

But it's different for us educated youth. Most of us aren't from the local area and have no relatives or friends here, so we educated youth must first and foremost unite with each other.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!