"I thought I was strong, but seeing that you're really leaving, I'm still very sad."

Gu An'an: "...I'm going out on business, not returning to the city. Wait for me to come back at home."

"Besides, even though I'm gone, your Brother Zhao isn't. You two better watch your step. Don't think that just because no one's home, you're going to... I don't want to be called home by you to help me before I've even finished my business."

Zhou Yue blushed at Gu An'an's teasing, "Don't talk nonsense, that's impossible."

Gu An'an smiled without saying a word. What's impossible about feelings?

With Zhou Yue reluctant to leave, Gu An'an, carrying large bags and small packages, boarded the village chief's tractor along with the others.

"An'an, you have to miss me!"

"An'an, remember to come back soon."

"Brother Chen, please take good care of An'an for me."

The tractor chugged away, taking with it not only longing but also hope for the future.

After stopping at the commune post office for a while and waiting for Gu An'an to mail the items, the village chief quickly took her to Shuangshan City Railway Station, saving her the trouble of going around in circles.

The village chief handed over a package, saying, "This was prepared by your aunt. Don't be stingy with the food or drink."

The village chief threw the package through the car window and turned to leave, not giving Gu An'an a chance to refuse.

When she opened the package, she found that it contained not only food but also money and tickets. No wonder the old man ran faster than a rabbit. An'an smiled and looked very happy.

When we arrived, Uncle Li and Aunt Li fed us, and when we left, the village chief and his wife fed us again. This is completely different from life in the post-apocalyptic world, but it is very heartwarming.

Although it has only been a few months, her mindset is completely different now than when she first arrived.

"An'an, do you want some osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice balls? My mom brought me a lot."

Smelling the fragrance of osmanthus, Gu An'an also felt a little hungry. "Eat."

The four of them finished off a large lunchbox of sweet osmanthus dumplings, the aroma filling the carriage and attracting glances from those around them from time to time.

There's no way around it; handsome men and beautiful women are one thing, but carrying so many bags and packages, how can they not attract attention?

Fortunately, the journey was very peaceful. The two boys took turns watching over the girls, so they didn't have to worry at all. But even so, when they finally got off the bus, Wang Xiaojuan still felt like her whole body was going to fall apart.

"This is Mirage?"

Although Haishi today is not what it will be like decades later, it is still far superior to Hongqi Commune and even Shuangshan City. Everything that appears before them is novel to Wang Xiaojuan and Wang Wende.

"So this is a mirage?"

"The city is so big, much bigger than our Xiaowang Village."

The two of them were like country bumpkins visiting the Grand View Garden, finding everything interesting.

"Alright, follow me, we'll go to the guesthouse first."

Gu An'an chose the guesthouse next to the machinery factory, since there were many factories in that area, making it convenient to handle any business.

Of course, it was also because that was the place she and Wang Dahai had agreed to meet.

The boys had one room and the girls had one room. After packing her things, Gu An'an prepared to leave, saying, "You guys rest for a while, I'm going to check on Uncle Li."

Wang Xiaojuan originally wanted to go with them, but thinking that Gu An'an had been away from home for a long time and they must have a lot to talk about, she didn't go. Instead, she took out a bag from her own bag.

"My mom asked me to give this to my uncle and aunt, so I'd appreciate it if you could take it with me, An'an."

Looking at the several large bags in her hand, Gu An'an could carry them all, but she just felt like a complete tool.

Are you scared to be alone in a room?

Wang Xiaojuan wanted to say she wasn't afraid, but arriving in this unfamiliar city for the first time, even though she could close the door tightly, she couldn't help but feel a little scared.

If you're afraid, then answer honestly.

"Then pack your things and come with me."

"I?"

After realizing what was happening, Wang Xiaojuan waved her hand again, "No need, no need, you can go ahead, what would it do if I went with you?"

If there hadn't been a fleeting hint of surprise in her eyes, An'an would probably have believed that she genuinely didn't want to go.

"Then I won't be a moving tool. You can take these things back and return them to your aunt."

Wang Xiaojuan immediately panicked, "No way."

This was something her mother had repeatedly told her to give away; if she were to take it back like this, her mother would skin her alive.

"Then bring your things and come with me."

What could Wang Xiaojuan do? She could only quickly change into clean clothes and run outside.

"These are the money notes the village chief gave you. Keep half of them with you. You can have dinner at the state-run restaurant tonight. Can you find it?"

Chen Jianguo took the money, saying, "Don't worry, I will definitely not lose Wende."

When Gu An'an returned to the family compound, everyone thought they had seen wrong.

"An'an? Is that you?"

"Yes, yes, yes, that face, those eyebrows and eyes, who else could it be but that girl An'an?"

"That's not right, An'an only went to the countryside not long ago, why is she back already? Did something happen?"

"Isn't everyone saying that life in the countryside is tough? How come this girl has not only gained weight but also gotten fairer?"

Within three minutes, Gu An'an was surrounded.

"Auntie, it is indeed me. I had some business here and came back to visit."

"Good, good, you're a good girl, you still know to come back and visit us old neighbors."

"Isn't it said that educated youth sent to the countryside can only come back to visit their families after at least a year? An'an, you haven't done anything you shouldn't have, have you?"

Wang Xinghua's mother had just returned from grocery shopping when she saw everyone huddled together. She immediately went in to see what was going on, but when she saw Gu An'an, who was even more beautiful than before, she felt a surge of malice.

Wang Xiaojuan originally just wanted to be a nobody, after all, she was still inferior to these people. But all her inferiority vanished instantly when she heard those foul-mouthed words.

"What did you say? What do you mean by doing something you shouldn't have done? Do you want me to slap you?"

Before Gu An'an could speak, a naive and arrogant girl suddenly appeared beside her. She glanced at the girl and noticed that she was dressed very plainly and had a rustic accent. The girl instantly perked up.

"Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to speak?"

Wang Xiaojuan wasn't afraid of her at all. Her mother was taller, had a louder voice, and looked fiercer than the other woman, but she was never afraid of her.

"Let me introduce myself. I am the daughter of the village secretary of Xiaowang Village. Xiaowang Village is where Sister An'an was sent to the countryside. This time, Sister An'an came back with a mission assigned by the organization. Are you dissatisfied with the organization because of what you just said?"