Gu An'an was just getting ready to get up and make a potato pancake when she woke up to a knock at the door.

"Xiao Gu, are you up yet?"

The voice sounded like it belonged to Aunt Zhang, so Gu An'an quickly got dressed and went to open the door. She saw Aunt Zhang standing at the door holding a large bowl.

"Sister-in-law, come in and warm up quickly."

When Aunt Zhang entered the house, she saw that everything that needed to be bought had been bought and everything was in perfect order. She nodded in satisfaction and said, "This place is really well organized for you. It's great! Xiao Xiao really picked a wonderful wife for himself."

"I made some steamed buns and dumplings. If you're too lazy to go to the cafeteria, just heat them up and eat them. If you need anything, remember to come find me. My house is in the back row, the one with the stone block in front."

Gu An'an looked at the steamed buns and mantou in the bowl. They were all white and looked delicious.

These things might not seem like much in later generations, but in these days, they are incredibly precious.

"Sister-in-law, you're too kind."

Of course, since she had already taken it, she didn't refuse or suggest that someone take it back, after all, their relationship was meant to be long-term. "Then I thank you for your concern, sister-in-law."

Gu An'an acted with grace and poise, bringing out a stool, pouring sweet soup, and offering snacks to Zhang's wife. This attitude pleased Zhang's wife greatly.

The two chatted for a while before Zhang Sao left, saying, "Oh dear, if I didn't have to go back to cook, I would have chatted with you a little longer."

Gu An'an happened to be free, so she took the opportunity to say, "I'm free this afternoon, so if you're free, I'll come find you."

Aunt Zhang was much older than her, but she wasn't old-fashioned at all. On the contrary, she was very much like Aunt Wang in temperament, and they got along very well.

"Okay, then I'll wait for you at home."

Since there were steamed buns to eat, Gu An'an didn't bother making potato pancakes. Instead, she took out a glass of milk from her spatial storage and used it for a meal.

It was still early, and Gu An'an had nothing to do, so she went into her space to get busy. Looking at the food piled up in the warehouse, she felt incredibly satisfied.

After working up a sweat and warming up her muscles, Gu An'an took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and then went to visit other people's homes.

"sister in law."

Finding the house with a stone pier at the entrance, Gu An'an called out, and immediately saw Aunt Zhang smiling as she opened the door, "You're here, why did you bring so much stuff?"

"These are all local specialties, nothing valuable."

Once inside, Aunt Zhang saw what was in her pocket, and her heart finally settled down; she didn't want to make a mistake.

“Back in our mountain village, these are just dried vegetables, nuts, jams and the like. They’re not worth much, we just appreciate their freshness.”

"Oh my, you still say it's not worth much? I've seen this jam at the supply and marketing cooperative, and it's not cheap. I heard that the products from this factory are for export."

At the time, her youngest daughter wanted to try what foreigners liked to eat, so she begged her to buy her a jar, but she felt bad about it for a long time.

Gu An'an just smiled and said, "This didn't cost any money at all; the factory gave us a bunch."

After speaking, seeing Zhang Sao's surprised expression, Gu An'an explained the reason why she thought Xiao Yuheng had accepted bribes.

"So you're saying this thing exists because of you?"

Aunt Zhang was genuinely surprised. She had only thought that the girl in front of her was pretty, but she didn't expect that she was not as simple as she had imagined.

"You can't say that. Jam has been around for a long time, it's just that the factory didn't think of producing it at the time."

Gu An'an spoke modestly, but Aunt Zhang knew that things weren't so easy. She had heard from the saleswoman that the jam factory was originally on the verge of collapse, just like the food factory in their area. But they managed to develop new products, secure export orders, and become a thriving business in just a few months.

If everything is really as Xiao Gu said, why would someone send her jam? It must be an attempt to maintain a good relationship.

Speaking of this, Aunt Zhang remembered the news she had heard from Commander Zhao, and asked curiously, "I heard you were an educated youth sent to the countryside near Xiao's family?"

"right."

"I heard from Old Zhao that you led the village to develop production and become wealthy?"

Gu An'an was surprised that Aunt Zhang knew about this, but considering that military personnel's marriages are thoroughly investigated, she wasn't too surprised.

"It's mainly because the villagers are hardworking and diligent."

Aunt Zhang smiled. These days there are many hardworking people, but making money is not an easy thing. You need someone with brains to lead the way.

Can you tell me?

Aunt Zhang was really curious, and besides, there was nothing else to do in the dead of winter, so these were the kinds of things people talked about.

There was really nothing to hide, so Gu An'an just told her directly. Although she tried her best not to stand out, she still amazed Aunt Zhang.

"So you even took things from Xiaowang Village to the trade fair in Guangzhou?"

"It's also thanks to the leadership that we were given such a great opportunity."

Aunt Zhang shook her head repeatedly, "If you hadn't developed your business, even if the leaders wanted to give you a chance, there would have been no way to do so. Although I don't know much about the trade fairs in Guangzhou, if you don't have some skills, you definitely wouldn't be able to go."

"Wow! Xiao Gu, you're really amazing. If my daughter could learn from you, I don't know how much trouble she would have to worry about."

Aunt Zhang has a son and a daughter. Her son is married and lives in another military region. He and his grandson are also there, and they are doing quite well.

The only thing that worries her is her youngest daughter, who is only in her third year of junior high school. She keeps complaining that studying is useless and that she wants to go to the countryside to build the country. But being an educated youth is not an easy job. She is far from home and has really suffered losses that her parents do not know about.

"Sister Zhang is too kind."

No, not at all.

Thinking of something, Aunt Zhang said, "Could you let my daughter come visit you sometime? School is a mess right now, and she always thinks that going to school is useless and wants to go to the countryside to be an educated youth. She won't listen to anything I say, but maybe she'll listen to you."

Seeing that Aunt Zhang was genuinely worried, Gu An'an didn't refuse. "Of course you can come and play with me, but I'm afraid she might not listen to what I say."

"It's alright. If she really can't listen to anything, then it's her own fault for being stupid. If she really goes to the countryside to suffer, it's her own fault."

That's what they say, but how could a family that truly loves their daughter not consider her needs?

Even if she goes to high school for another two years before going to the countryside, it would be better. At least she would be older by then, which would be a little more reassuring than sending her to the countryside now.

Besides, there might be other changes by then, who knows?

"Okay, then sister-in-law, you can have your niece come find me whenever you're free."

After saying goodbye to Aunt Zhang, Gu An'an went home to get some things and then went to Political Commissar Fang's house. On the day she arrived, the house was short of a kettle, and Political Commissar Fang brought over a spare kettle from his house.