Under the scorching sun, Xu Mengyao was sunburned like a cactus in the desert, her throat so dry it was practically smoking. She tilted her head slightly and noticed Chen Chen's lips were equally parched. She smiled and suggested, "Let's go back to the classroom. You've been out in the sun for so long, aren't you thirsty? I'm practically dried up!"

Chen Chen nodded slightly, licked his lips, then picked up the sickle and trash can in his hands and followed her footsteps back to the classroom.

Because the teacher had announced that they would have to work in the afternoon, Xu Mengyao had brought a water bottle to school—a souvenir her father had brought back from his military service. She had always refused to drink raw water and repeatedly told her family not to, but she didn't care whether her eldest brother listened or not.

Because most of the cups at home did not have lids, and the only thermos cup was the one Huang's father used to make tea, she filled it with water and gave it to Wenxia; she also asked Huang Wenrong to get a canning bottle with a lid for water, so that the three sisters would have something to drink whenever they were thirsty while working.

She picked up the kettle and took a few gulps, then looked at Chen Chen who was standing beside her.

"You didn't bring a cup, did you?" she asked softly.

Chen Chen nodded: "I'll put the things away and go to the tap to drink something later."

She thought for a moment, then tilted the kettle lid, steadily poured a full lid of water, and handed it to Chen Chen: "Don't drink the raw water, drink it with the kettle lid. Drinking it a few times will quench your thirst."

Chen Chen took the water and drank it eight or nine times in a row until the kettle was empty. The two of them looked at the empty kettle and couldn't help but smile at each other. This small gesture brought the two of them closer.

From then on, Xu Mengyao and Chen Chen developed a friendly deskmate relationship. She found that Chen Chen was not only hardworking and diligent, but also very smart. Every time she saw him studying hard, she would sigh, "No wonder you always ranked first in the exams!"

Especially in math, Chen Chen's speed in solving problems was sometimes even faster than hers. When the results of the first class math test came out, there were two students in their class who scored full marks: Xu Mengyao and Chen Chen. While Xu Mengyao also studied, her approach was more of a "slacking off" approach, while Chen Chen truly loved learning, delving deeply into every single point of knowledge.

That day, Xu Mengyao saw Chen Chen already reading a 8th grade textbook. She asked curiously, "You're reading a 8th grade textbook now?"

Chen Chen replied without even looking up, "Well, this is my cousin's book. I need to help him with his homework."

"Are you kidding me? He's a grade higher than you and still wants you to do his homework?" Xu Mengyao asked in surprise.

"Well, his grades aren't very good. But I also like reading, and he can help me prepare in advance." Chen Chen answered frankly.

"Why don't you go out to play after class?" Xu Mengyao asked curiously.

Chen Chen raised his head, looked at her and said, "I don't like playing those games, and they don't like playing with me either. Don't you like going out yourself?"

Xu Mengyao thought to herself: How can I be like you? I'm 28 years old, how can I still be interested in taking pictures, playing marbles, and playing hopscotch? However, looking at Chen Chen's calm demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a hint of curiosity.

She knew that Dou Yingdi had been a classmate of Chen Chen, so she secretly asked her.

Dou Yingdi said with regret, "Chen Chen, he's really a good person. Our two families live close to each other, and we played together when we were young. But ever since his mother passed away, he no longer goes out to play. He has to help his grandfather with chores every day, and sometimes his aunt even beats him. Oh, my mother always says he's quite pitiful."

"Her mother died so young?" Xu Mengyao asked, "What about her father?"

"My mother said that his father came from a big city and went back. His mother was pregnant again at the time, and ended up having a dystocia, resulting in one death and two deaths." Dou Yingdi sighed.

Xu Mengyao understood: another Chen Shimei who had abandoned his wife and children. It turned out that her deskmate had such a tragic life. Seeing Chen Chen's hard work and ambition, she wanted to help him as much as possible.

During the break, Xu Mengyao took the initiative to talk to Chen Chen. She asked softly, "Chen Chen, there are some problems with your English pronunciation. Do you need me to correct it?"

Chen Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled gratefully. "Really? I thought English was difficult, and I've always envied you for being able to learn it so quickly. Thank you for helping me."

"Of course, we are classmates and we help each other."

"But there's nothing I can do to help you. Your other grades are also very good." He sighed.

Xu Mengyao winked mischievously, "I don't really like cleaning, so when it's our group's turn, can you help me share some of the work?"

Chen Chen agreed without hesitation: "No problem, this is easy! Leave the cleaning to me from now on."

So, every day during recess, Xu Mengyao would patiently help Chen Chen with his English pronunciation, while Chen Chen would quietly take on the task of cleaning. Their friendship grew stronger as they helped each other.

However, Xu Mengyao gradually discovered that Zhao Huihui began to distance herself from her, intentionally or unintentionally. Whenever she tried to communicate with Zhao Huihui, she would respond coldly or simply avoid the topic. Xu Mengyao felt a little puzzled but didn't take it too seriously. After all, everyone has their own little emotions.

Dou Yingdi turned around several times to say something to her, but was interrupted and pulled back by Zhao Huihui each time. Xu Mengyao couldn't help but laugh at this: Is Zhao Huihui playing a game of isolating her classmates? It's a pity that you're not good enough! You can't hurt me~

Chen Chen noticed this and worried that Xu Mengyao would be hurt by Zhao Huihui's indifference. So, he would take the initiative to chat with Xu Mengyao every day, sharing interesting stories or discussing academic problems. His concern made Xu Mengyao laugh and cry, and she felt warm at the same time.

During the weekend, Huang's father took the whole family to the cinema to watch a movie. The front of the cinema was quite lively, with people selling snacks, queuing to buy tickets, and waiting to enter. It was a complete mess.

Several staff members stood in two rows at the auditorium entrance, checking tickets. Xu Mengyao looked around but couldn't find anyone selling popcorn, which was a pity. But soon, she was drawn in by the plot of the old spy film.

After the movie, they returned to the village where the children were playing hide-and-seek. When it was Cheng Xin's turn to count, covering his eyes, a mischievous older child ran over and yanked down his pants, exposing his shiny white buttocks and small penis. Cheng Xin blushed, but he didn't cry. He hurriedly pulled up his pants and threatened, "If you dare take my pants off again, I'll tell grandma!" The scene made the surrounding children burst out in laughter.

The three Huang sisters also played with the children in a happy atmosphere.