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Yu Zhenglai not only took office at the Saihanba Forest Farm, but also cancelled his household registration in Chengde.

His wife and children came along too, and everyone called her Aunt Yu.

Aunt Yu was in her fifties, with a kind face and a gentle demeanor.

As soon as she arrived at the dam, she looked around and finally sat down in the canteen.

"Where is Director Su?" Aunt Yu asked.

“He’s at the nursery,” Old Wei said. “I’ll go get him.”

"No need, no need, let him finish his work first." Aunt Yu waved her hand. "I want to chat with you first."

Then she pulled a few female students to sit down, looking them up and down, "Wow, these girls are really pretty. Do you have boyfriends?"

The girls blushed.

"Aunt Yu, why are you asking this?" Ji Xiurong asked, embarrassed.

"I'm just concerned about you," Aunt Yu said with a smile. "You work so hard in Bashang, you need to take care of your personal lives too."

She suddenly looked at Qin Xuemei, "This girl is the prettiest. Does she have a boyfriend?"

Qin Xuemei blushed even more. "No."

“Okay, no, not really,” Aunt Yu said. “I came here this time… actually because I have something to discuss.”

"What is it?" Meng Yue asked.

"I'll find a wife for your farm manager, Mr. Su!" Aunt Yu said loudly.

Everyone in the cafeteria heard it and looked over.

"Director Su? Talking about a wife?" Sui Zhichao, with his sharp ears, immediately leaned over.

"Yes!" Aunt Yu said, "Su Ning is already thirty-three and still not married. I've talked to him a few times, and he says he's too busy to think about it. How can that be? No matter how busy he is, he has to get married!"

"I came here this time to check on the situation in Bashang so I can find him a suitable match when I get back. What kind of girl do you think Director Su likes?"

Everyone looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Sui Zhichao, however, blurted out, "Director Su is a combat hero and also a director; ordinary girls wouldn't be good enough for him, would they?"

“Of course,” Aunt Yu said. “I have to find a good one. I’m thinking she should be a city girl, educated, and preferably someone who works in forestry so she can understand his work.”

"City girls..." Shen Mengyin said softly, "would city girls be willing to come to Bashang?"

“That is a problem,” Aunt Yu frowned. “The conditions in Bashang are so harsh that most girls really can’t stand it.”

"How about we look within our system? There are plenty of nice girls in the Forestry Bureau and forest farms."

No one spoke.

Qin Xuemei lowered her head, her feelings quite complicated.

Seeing her like this, Aunt Yu thought she was shy, so she patted her hand and said, "Xuemei! You are a college student, you are educated, and you are good-looking. If you were in the city, you would definitely not have trouble finding a partner. But here in the dam area... sigh, I'm sorry to have to put you through this."

"I'm not wronged," Qin Xuemei said softly.

"What a lovely girl," Aunt Yu remarked. "What a pity! Your Director Su is a bit too old; otherwise, he would be such a perfect match for you college graduates."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuemei blushed even more.

Aunt Yu, oblivious, continued chatting with the others, "What kind of personality do you think Director Su likes? Quiet? Lively?"

“Director Su…I don’t think he ever mentioned that,” Meng Yue said.

"That's true! He's always working, he doesn't have time for these things," Aunt Yu shook her head. "That's why we have to worry about him!"

While we were chatting, Suning returned.

"Aunt Yu, you've arrived," Su Ning greeted.

"Su Ning! We were just talking about you." Aunt Yu pulled him down to sit. "You need to hurry up with your personal life. I'll set you up as soon as I get back this time, and I guarantee I'll find you a good girl."

Su Ning laughed, "Aunt Yu, don't worry about that. My mind is all on planting trees right now, I don't have time to think about anything else."

“That won’t do,” Aunt Yu said. “You should settle down and start a career first. You’re already thirty-three. If you don’t find someone soon, it will be too late.”

“Really, there’s no need.” Su Ning waved his hand. “We’ll talk about it when Saihanba becomes an oasis.”

"When will that be?" Aunt Yu insisted. "Listen to me, I'll definitely find you a good wife before the end of the year. I've made the decision!"

Su Ning sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, you decide. But they have to be willing to come to Bashang."

"Don't worry about that, I've got it covered," Aunt Yu said, patting her chest.

She sat for a while longer before going down the mountain with Yu Zheng.

As soon as they left, the cafeteria became lively.

"Did you hear that? Aunt Yu is going to find a wife for Director Su!" Sui Zhichao said excitedly.

“It’s time for Director Su to settle down,” Na Da Kui said. “It’s so lonely being alone.”

Feng Cheng also said, "Yes! Director Su has neglected his personal life because of the war and the Saihanba project. It's time to resolve this."

Ji Xiurong looked at Qin Xuemei and noticed that her expression was not quite right.

"Xuemei, what's wrong?" Ji Xiurong asked softly.

"No...it's nothing." Qin Xuemei stood up. "I'm going out for some fresh air."

I walked out of the canteen and went to the edge of the nursery.

My heart is in turmoil.

Aunt Yu wants to find a wife for Su Ning... Su Ning doesn't seem to object...

What should she do?
Qin Xuemei was startled by her own thought.

Why would she think "what will happen to her?"
What does Suning's choice of wife have to do with her?
But I just don't feel comfortable.

During this period, she had a lot of contact with Suning.

Let's work together on full-light seedling cultivation, research technologies together, and face difficulties together.

We witnessed Suning's sense of responsibility, its broad-mindedness, and its deep affection for this land.

Before she knew it, her thoughts had turned to Su Ning.

When I corresponded with Wu Yansheng before, the feeling was vague and passive.

Wu Yansheng said he liked her, and she was touched, so she agreed without really understanding what was going on.

But I didn't really feel anything special.

But it's different for Suning.

Seeing Suning busy at the nursery makes her feel sorry for him.

She gets anxious when she sees Suning being questioned by the expert panel.

Seeing the successful cultivation of seedlings under full light, she would be happy for Suning.

I've never felt this way before; I know I've fallen for Suning.

But does Suning know this?

Su Ning's relationship with her seemed to be that of a comrade, or a leader and subordinate.

nothing special.

Moreover, Su Ning is twelve years older than her, a leader, and a war hero... Does she deserve him?

Now Aunt Yu is going to find a wife for Su Ning...

Qin Xuemei became increasingly confused as she thought about it.

Meng Yue walked over and sat down next to her.

"Xuemei, are you...?" Meng Yue hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

"What is it?" Qin Xuemei asked.

"Do you like Director Su?" Meng Yue asked softly.

Qin Xuemei blushed and didn't say anything.

“I knew it.” Meng Yue sighed. “The way you look at Director Su is different from how you look at others.”

"Is it that obvious?" Qin Xuemei asked nervously.

“It’s not obvious, but I can tell,” Meng Yue said. “We’ve been together for so long, I know you.”

"Then... what should we do?" Qin Xuemei rarely showed the panic of a little girl.

"What do you mean, 'what should we do'?" Meng Yue said, "If you like someone, just go for it!"

"But Aunt Yu wants to introduce him to someone..."

"So what?" Meng Yue said, "Even if Aunt Yu introduces him, Director Su has to agree. If you like him, let him know. If you don't tell him, he'll never know."

“But…” Qin Xuemei hesitated, “He’s the farm manager, and I’m just a technician. And he’s so much older than me…”

“Age is not a problem,” Meng Yue said. “Look at Director Su. Although he’s thirty-three, he doesn’t look old at all. Besides, he’s capable and responsible. What’s wrong with a man like that being a little older?”

"What...what if he doesn't like me?"

"How will you know if you don't try?" Meng Yue encouraged her. "Xuemei, you're the most outstanding girl in our Bashang area. You're a college graduate, educated, beautiful, and hardworking. What makes you unworthy of Director Su?"

Qin Xuemei still lacked confidence.

“Okay,” Meng Yue said, “don’t rush things. See what Aunt Yu said. If Director Su really is with someone else, then let it go. If it doesn’t work out, then go for it.”

How do we win them over?

"Be more proactive!" Meng Yue said. "Spend more time with him, show him more care. Let him see your good qualities."

Qin Xuemei thought for a moment, then said, "Okay! I'll give it a try."

“That’s right.” Meng Yue smiled. “Happiness must be earned by oneself. You can’t wait, you can’t rely on others.”

The two returned to the cafeteria, where everyone was still discussing Aunt Yu's arranged marriage.

Sui Zhichao said, "Guess what kind of girl Aunt Yu will introduce to Director Su?"

“It must be someone from the city,” Na Da Kui said. “A cadre family, educated.” “Would Director Su like that?” Shen Mengyin asked.

"I don't know." Sui Zhichao shook his head. "No one can guess what Director Su is thinking."

Hearing these words, Qin Xuemei felt uneasy.

But she didn't show it, just like Meng Yue said, she wanted to see how things went first.

If Suning really is with someone else, then she will wish him well.

If it doesn't work out... then she'll try to win it back.

Regardless of the outcome, she was determined to give it a try.

Because this was the first time she had truly liked someone.

It wasn't because I was moved, nor because I was pursued; it was a liking that grew from my own heart.

This kind of feeling is worth her courage to try.

Even if we fail or get hurt, it's worth it.

Su Ning was the person she admired and liked the most.

……

After Aunt Yu left, Qin Xuemei thought about it for several days.

She thought about her relationship with Wu Yansheng, about Yan Xiangli and Ji Xiurong, and about how Shen Mengyin was almost deceived by Wu Yansheng.

In the end, she came to the conclusion that one cannot be passive or wait in matters of the heart.

Happiness must be earned, especially for someone like Suning.

Suning is busy with work all day and has no time for personal matters.

If she hadn't taken the initiative, he might have actually accepted Aunt Yu's arrangement and married a complete stranger.

That's not what I want.

That night, Qin Xuemei finally made up her mind.

The next morning, I arrived at Suning's office.

It's called an office, but it's actually just a converted dugout.

A table, a chair, a filing cabinet—it couldn't be simpler.

The headquarters of Saihanba Forest Farm is under construction, and everyone continues to work hard.

Su Ning was looking at documents when he looked up and saw Qin Xuemei. He was a little surprised. "Comrade Qin Xuemei, is there something you need?"

"Director Su, I'd like to have a talk with you." Qin Xuemei closed the door.

"Sit down." Su Ning pointed to the stool opposite her.

Qin Xuemei sat down, took a deep breath, and said directly, "Director Su, I heard that Aunt Yu wants to introduce you to someone."

Su Ning paused for a moment, then laughed, "Yes! Aunt Yu is so enthusiastic, she insisted on making arrangements. I said it wasn't necessary, but she wouldn't listen."

"So... are you planning to accept it?" Qin Xuemei asked.

"Accept what?"

"The person introduced by Aunt Yu."

Su Ning put down the documents and looked at Qin Xuemei. "Comrade Qin Xuemei, is this what you came here to ask?"

“Not entirely.” Qin Xuemei mustered her courage. “Director Su, I want to tell you… tell you my own thoughts.”

"You said."

Qin Xuemei blushed, but her eyes were firm. "Director Su, I don't want you to accept Aunt Yu's introduction."

"Why?" Su Ning asked, puzzled.

“Because…” Qin Xuemei bit her lip, “because I want to become your revolutionary partner.”

She was startled when she said that.

That's too direct, too bold.

The office immediately fell silent.

Su Ning looked at Qin Xuemei without saying a word for a long time.

It's impossible not to be moved when such a beautiful woman confesses her feelings to you.

At this moment, Qin Xuemei's heart was pounding, but she didn't flinch and stared straight at Su Ning.

"Comrade Qin Xuemei," Su Ning finally spoke, "do you know what you're saying?"

"I know." Qin Xuemei nodded. "I want to be with you, work together, live together, and work together to green our motherland and Saihanba."

“You…” Su Ning paused, “You’re a college student, young, and have a bright future. I’m twelve years older than you, a soldier, and uneducated…”

“I don’t care!” Qin Xuemei interrupted him. “I don’t care about age or education. What I care about is you as a person. You are responsible, broad-minded, and put your career first. This is the kind of person I admire and want to spend my life with.”

Suning fell silent, mainly because he hadn't expected Qin Xuemei to be so formidable.

Qin Xuemei continued, "I know I may not be good enough for you. You are a combat hero and a field manager. I am just an ordinary technician. But I will work hard, improve, and keep up with you."

“It’s not a question of whether we’re a good match or not,” Su Ning said. “Comrade Qin Xuemei, you’re a good girl, excellent, ambitious, and idealistic. But I… I’m busy with work all day and can’t take care of my family. Being with me would be very hard for you.”

"I'm not afraid of hardship!" Qin Xuemei said firmly. "What kind of hardship haven't I endured in Saihanba this past year? Cold, hunger, fatigue, I'm not afraid of any of it. As long as I'm with you, I'm willing to endure any hardship."

“But…” Su Ning still hesitated.

“Director Su, you don’t need to answer me right away,” Qin Xuemei said. “You can think about it carefully. But I want you to know my feelings. My feelings for you are not just a passing impulse, but something I’ve thought about carefully.”

“I know it might not be appropriate to say this now. You’re busy with work, and so am I. But I don’t want to keep it to myself, and I don’t want to regret it when someone else takes you away.”

"Comrade Qin Xuemei, I... I am very grateful for your kindness. But this is too sudden, and I really need to think it over carefully. It's not that I'm being sentimental."

“Take your time to think it over,” Qin Xuemei said. “I’m not in a hurry. But I want you to know that I’m serious.”

After saying that, Qin Xuemei got up to leave.

"Wait a minute," Su Ning called out to Qin Xuemei.

Qin Xuemei turned around with a flushed face.

"Why...why do you like me?" Su Ning asked. "I'm so much older than you, I have a stubborn temper, and I don't know how to say sweet things..."

“It’s because you don’t know how to say nice things,” Qin Xuemei laughed. “Wu Yansheng does know how to say nice things, but he says one thing and does another. You’re different. You talk less and do more. Nobody believed in the all-light seedling method, but you persisted; when there was a food shortage in winter, you found a way; when the expert group questioned you, you withstood the pressure. That’s the kind of man you can rely on.”

Su Ning was deeply moved as she listened.

He truly hadn't expected that Qin Xuemei would like him.

In Suning's eyes, Qin Xuemei is an excellent technician who is educated and motivated.

But I never thought about it that way.

First, there's the age gap; second, there's the difference in social status; and third, I genuinely can't take care of myself.

After all, he was a time traveler, and returning to his own world was inevitable.

But now, Qin Xuemei has made her point clear.

I need to think about this seriously.

“Comrade Qin Xuemei,” Su Ning said solemnly, “I have received your kind intentions. Give me some time, and I will consider it carefully. Regardless of the outcome, I thank you.”

"Okay." Qin Xuemei nodded. "I'll wait for your reply."

Stepping out of the office, Qin Xuemei felt much more relaxed.

She had said it, and no matter the outcome, she had no regrets.

Suning sat in his chair in the office, not moving for a long time.

Qin Xuemei's words stirred something within him.

Thinking back on the past year or so we've spent together.

Qin Xuemei went from opposing full-light seedling cultivation to supporting it, and then to actively participating in it.

She is intelligent, studious, opinionated, and resilient.

She is indeed a good girl.

But can he really give her happiness?

I'm in Saihanba, and I really don't know how long I can stay, or if I'll ever be able to come back.

The conditions here are harsh, and the work is so demanding that there's no time to take care of my family.

In addition, Qin Xuemei's father is Qin Qiufeng, a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Forestry. I wonder if anyone will say that she is trying to climb the social ladder.

These are all questions that need to be thought through.

But Su Ning had to admit that Qin Xuemei's words really moved him.

It's not just because Qin Xuemei is young and beautiful, but because she truly understands herself.

Qin Xuemei understands her dedication to her career and her feelings for this land.

Such understanding is truly rare, something that materialistic women of later generations could never possess.

"System, when can I leave this instance world?"

[You can enter the instance world anytime! This world is now under the host's control.]

"So, after I leave here, I can come back at any time?"

[Theoretically, yes! This is the host's right.]

"Then who was I before?"

[Question is beyond the scope of this question! The system cannot answer it.]

"..."

...(End of chapter)