The three newly arrived educated youths were completely bewildered, while Wang Hongmei and the others had a rather inexplicable feeling about it.
Envy, or more so, confusion.
They knew a little about Mingzhu and Lin Dongfang's marriage; they were childhood sweethearts, and it was a natural progression, so they could accept it.
But how long has it been, and Chen Jianguo and Li Yan are getting married too?
They were among the first to arrive, aside from Jian Dan. Getting married here meant giving up returning to the city, giving up food supplies and clean apartment buildings and streets, choosing endless farm work, mud-brick houses, layers upon layers of patches, and a constant supply of wild vegetables.
For a moment, the group's minds were in turmoil, and they couldn't help but let their imaginations run wild.
They've all given up, does that mean there's really no hope of returning to the city?
For a moment, the entire educated youth compound was filled with a sorrowful atmosphere. Was it really true that they would have to spend the rest of their lives in this small mountain valley?
When we went to the countryside, we felt both enthusiasm and helplessness, but we were all filled with the dream of returning to the city soon.
But today's realization was like a bucket of cold water being poured directly over their heads in the dead of winter, bringing them to a complete awakening.
Going to the countryside means going to the countryside; it's not just about household registration or empty talk.
They no longer had the privilege of considering themselves city dwellers and having some advantages.
I suddenly realized how foolish that idea was.
At the time, no one could have imagined that, in the end, they themselves would become the biggest joke.
What's even more tragic is that parents and family members should have known about this situation long ago, but some parents still use this excuse to deceive them, saying things like they miss them, they'll try to help them return to the city, and they have no other choice, and the children believe them.
The longer it goes on, the less contact there is with family, and the more perfunctory the attitude becomes. They even comfort themselves by saying that their family is also having difficulties and that they are not intentionally ignoring them, and they even come up with excuses.
Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was. I think my family would be even happier now that I'm gone.
For a moment, the atmosphere became very somber.
Without asking many questions, Jian said hello to a few people and then led the child out.
At times like these, empathy can be extreme, ranging from joy to sorrow.
It was past seven o'clock in the evening, and the spring sunset still had a lingering glow, while the moon was already hanging in the east, illuminating the country lane as if it were covered with a layer of frost.
The atmosphere was a bit strange just now, and Jian Xin didn't dare to speak. Only now did she dare to ask.
"Sister, they seem unhappy? Isn't Sister Yan's marriage a good thing?"
Looking into the child's clear eyes, Jian Dan didn't know how to explain. What upset them wasn't Li Yan's marriage, but the meaning behind it, which shattered their long-held fantasies.
A simple, leisurely sigh.
"They're not unhappy, it's just that seeing Sister Yan get married makes them want to go home too."
But this place isn't easy to go back to either.
People say that a woman has no home after marriage.
At her husband's family home, she's an outsider; when she goes back to her parents' home, she's a guest.
That's why so many strong women would rather work overtime until late at night and bear all the hardships alone than trap themselves in the quagmire of marriage, only to end up losing everything.
Who would have thought that a trip to the countryside would expose the dark side of so many families?
If they don't think too deeply, they can continue to indulge in their own beautiful fantasies, fantasizing about family harmony, fantasizing that their parents and they themselves are also looking forward to each other's return, and fantasizing that their parents still care about them, are also hoping for their return, and are also making efforts for it.
Unfortunately, seeing Li Yan get married made them panic, to be honest.
When you panic, you're more likely to overthink and associate things in a negative way.
Now, the peaceful and beautiful life that I used to embellish will show cracks.
Then, it cracked.
That night, almost everyone in the educated youth compound tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
However, some people are happy about the new life that is about to begin.
For some, their pillowcases were soaked with tears, and their eyes were swollen again when they woke up in the morning.
The atmosphere was a bit strange just now, and Jian Xin didn't dare to say anything. She didn't think of anything else after she came out. It wasn't until she got home that she remembered that she hadn't gone to find Xiao Hua, and she immediately felt conflicted.
As darkness fell, she continued to worry.
Touching the comic book she'd secretly brought along, her little face twitched; she found it all very funny.
"Does it really have to be today?"
"But I want to show it to Sister Xiaohua!"
She glanced at the nervous little hands and tapped her forehead.
"It's so late, is Sister Xiaohua going to sleep too? If you go now, she'll definitely be startled, right?"
"Then, Sister Xiaohua won't be able to come see me tomorrow? I still need to teach her to read."
"Wow! You're amazing, you can even teach others now?"
Sheng Zhiyuan laid a very good foundation for her; her love of learning and reading was a luxury for a child from a farming family.
Ninety-nine percent of the books they have access to are school textbooks. Since only a handful of children attend school, it goes without saying how precious those textbooks are to them.
As for bookstores, extracurricular books are beyond the reach of ordinary people like them, and besides, they are indeed not cheap.
Mr. and Mrs. Liu were no ordinary farmers; they naturally understood the benefits of learning. Although their own knowledge was limited, they spared no effort in teaching their children.
Judging from Jian Xin's words, both children have been taught, but in terms of counting, Hu Zi is far less proficient than Xiao Hua.
I never expected that these two girls would actually resort to this "you teach me, I learn" approach.
Jian Xin may be young, but she has been exposed to quite a lot of things.
Putting aside Sheng Zhiyuan's painstaking efforts and subtle influence in the past, Jian Dan has also taught them some things intentionally or unintentionally since they came here. Especially during these past few months of hibernation, the two sisters had nothing to do and spent all day on the kang (a heated brick bed) looking at the comic books about later generations that Jian Dan had taken out.
However, the inventory is limited, and there aren't many copies in total.
Later, Jian Dan simply took the book and started reading from it, telling stories. When she encountered simple words, she would teach them or ask questions. Unexpectedly, the child had a good memory, which was really good. His vocabulary increased rapidly, which made Jian Dan have the idea of finding textbooks.
She was a complete amateur, and with just a few strokes of the hammer, she was genuinely afraid of confusing the children.
After all, the child is five years younger than expected.
"Does Little Flower Sister like learning to read?"
"I love it! Little Flower Sister learned it and told Grandma San, and Grandma San laughed and gave me some treats."
Well, that's a good thing. They've gained their parents' approval through their own efforts.
She could understand the child's pride in being a know-it-all and his excitement in wanting to share with his friends.
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