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After Su Ning and Qin Xuemei returned from Beijing, the work at the forest farm continued as usual.

The fact that Qin Xuemei was the minister's daughter was discussed for a few days, but then it was forgotten.

Because the work that needs to be done still needs to be done, and the trees that need to be planted still need to be planted.

Suning still goes to the nursery every day to check on the seedling cultivation.

Qin Xuemei remained in charge of technical guidance and data recording. Neither of them sought special treatment because of their changed roles.

"Director Su, these seedlings are growing well," Feng Cheng reported.

"Transplant according to plan," Suning said. "Pay attention to the amount of water; not too much and not too little."

"clear."

Qin Xuemei is organizing documents in her office.

Meng Yue came in to deliver reports and saw that Qin Xuemei was busy. "Xuemei, take a break. You just came back from the capital, so you should rest for a few more days."

"It's alright, I'm not tired," Qin Xuemei smiled. "I've rested enough in Beijing, so I need to hurry back."

“You just can’t sit still,” Meng Yue shook her head.

Outside of work, everyone's life remains largely unchanged.

They still ate in the canteen together, chatted together, and dreamed about the future of Saihanba.

Winter has arrived again in the blink of an eye.

Winter comes early and fiercely in Saihanba.

The first snow fell in early October, and the temperature plummeted to below minus twenty degrees Celsius.

Fortunately, the conditions at the forest farm are much better now.

Food supplies are plentiful, coal is sufficient, and cotton-padded clothes and quilts are all prepared.

People no longer need to worry about going hungry or freezing.

But there's one thing that everyone both loves and fears in winter: receiving letters from home.

Love comes from receiving messages from family, while fear comes from not knowing what those messages might bring.

That day, the delivery cart arrived.

As usual, everyone gathered in the cafeteria to wait for the letter.

"Sui Zhichao! Two letters!"

"Da Kui! Send one!"

"Ji Xiurong! One letter!"

"Shen Mengyin! Three letters!"

"Feng Cheng! No."

Feng Cheng was already used to it, so he just smiled and didn't say anything.

Finally, Zhao Tianshan picked up the last letter. "Meng Yue! One! From Wuhan."

Meng Yue's eyes lit up, and she quickly took the letter.

It's from Wuhan; it must be a letter from my boyfriend.

Her boyfriend works in Wuhan. They were college classmates and have always had a good relationship.

Although we live in different places, we communicate frequently.

Meng Yue eagerly opened the letter, but as she read it, her expression changed.

"What's wrong, Meng Yue?" Qin Xuemei asked.

Meng Yue didn't speak and continued reading the letter.

As I watched, tears began to fall.

"Meng Yue, what's wrong?" Ji Xiurong asked.

Meng Yue slammed the letter on the table and ran out crying.

Everyone was stunned, then picked up the letter to read it.

The letter was short, but its meaning was clear: "Meng Yue, let's break up! My parents don't agree to me going to Saihanba, and they can't wait for you to be transferred back to Wuhan. Being separated like this will lead nowhere. I'm tired, and I don't want to wait anymore. Take care."

"This..." Qin Xuemei frowned, "How could this be?"

"This is outrageous!" Sui Zhichao exclaimed angrily. "They just break up like that? Without even an explanation?"

Ji Xiurong sighed, "Long-distance relationships are indeed difficult."

Shen Mengyin also felt sorry for her, saying, "Meng Yue likes him so much, she must be feeling terrible now."

Qin Xuemei put down the letter and went to find Meng Yue.

Meng Yue cried in her room, crying very sadly.

"Meng Yue, don't cry," Qin Xuemei comforted her.

“He…he just broke up with me like that…” Meng Yue sobbed. “I waited for him for two or three years…he said he would find a way to transfer me back…now he says he’s tired and doesn’t want to wait anymore…”

“This kind of person isn’t worth your tears,” Qin Xuemei said. “If he truly loved you, why would he give up because of this little difficulty?”

"But...but I really like him..." Meng Yue couldn't stop her tears.

“Even liking someone shouldn’t be without principles.” Qin Xuemei said seriously, “He gave up because his parents didn’t agree. He got tired and didn’t want to wait anymore. What does that mean? It means he doesn’t love you enough and isn’t firm enough.”

Meng Yue stopped talking and just cried.

Qin Xuemei sat with her for a long time, waiting for her to calm down a bit before saying, "Mengyue, there are plenty of good men in Saihanba. Look at Feng Cheng, he's reliable, capable, and responsible. He's much better than that guy from Wuhan."

Meng Yue was taken aback, "Feng Cheng?"

“Yes!” Qin Xuemei said, “I think you and Feng Cheng are a good match. You are meticulous and he is reliable; you are educated and he is experienced. Moreover, you are both in Saihanba and share the same ideals.”

"But... Feng Cheng doesn't seem to have those feelings for me," Meng Yue whispered.

“That’s because he’s not perceptive enough,” Qin Xuemei laughed. “Feng Cheng only knows how to plant trees all day long; he doesn’t understand these things. You need to give him some hints.”

"How do you give a hint?" Meng Yue asked.

"Spend more time with him and show him more care," Qin Xuemei said. "For example, when he's busy, bring him some food. When he's tired, pour him a glass of water. Over time, he'll understand."

Meng Yue blushed. "Is this okay?"

"Why not?" Qin Xuemei said. "Feng Cheng is a good person, he's just too dull. You need to take the initiative."

Meng Yue thought for a moment and nodded, "I'll give it a try."

Qin Xuemei went to Su Ning again and told him her idea.

"What do you think of Meng Yue and Feng Cheng?" she asked.

“It’s good,” Su Ning said. “Meng Yue is steady and Feng Cheng is reliable. They are a good match.”

"Shall we try to match them up?" Qin Xuemei said.

"How to match them up?"

"Create opportunities!" Qin Xuemei said. "For example, arrange for them to work together or take shifts together. The more they interact, the more naturally they will develop feelings for each other."

“Okay.” Su Ning agreed. “Feng Cheng should settle down too. Meng Yue is a good girl and deserves him.”

……

The next day, Suning adjusted the work arrangements, assigning Feng Cheng and Meng Yue to jointly oversee the construction of the new nursery.

“Feng Cheng, Meng Yue, you two should team up. Feng Cheng is experienced, and Meng Yue is meticulous; you complement each other perfectly,” Su Ning said.

"Okay." Feng Cheng didn't think much of it.

Meng Yue blushed slightly, but said nothing.

When two people work together, they have more contact.

Feng Cheng dug a hole, and Meng Yue helped by handing him tools.

Meng Yue recorded the data, while Feng Cheng explained it to her.

During the break, Meng Yue took out some snacks she had made. "Feng Cheng, try some. I made them myself."

"Thank you." Feng Cheng took it, tasted it, and said, "It's delicious."

"Eat more if you like it," Meng Yue said with a smile.

Feng Cheng's heart stirred as he looked at Meng Yue's smile.

He suddenly realized that Meng Yue was actually quite pretty.

He used to be so focused on planting trees that he never paid attention to these things.

Looking closely now, Meng Yue has big eyes, fair skin, and a gentle smile.

Moreover, Meng Yue treated him very well.

Knowing that Feng Cheng was busy, she helped him organize his materials; knowing that he was tired, she brought him food.

I've never felt this way before.

But Feng Cheng didn't dare to think too much about it, feeling that he was not good enough for Meng Yue.

Meng Yue is a college student, but what is he? A "wild man" who has been living in Bashang for three years.

Moreover, there are stains on his body that he may never be able to get rid of for the rest of his life.

Meng Yue became increasingly proactive; she knitted a scarf for Feng Cheng as a way of thanking him for teaching her the skills.

I helped Feng Cheng wash his clothes, saying it was just a side thing.

He often chatted with Feng Cheng, asking him all sorts of questions.

Even the slow-witted Feng Cheng could sense it.

He immediately ran to find Su Ning, "Director Su, Meng Yue...is she...?"

"What is it?" Su Ning feigned ignorance.

"She...she doesn't know if it's me..." Feng Cheng couldn't bring himself to say it.

"What's wrong with you?" Su Ning smiled.

"She...she seems to be especially nice to me." Feng Cheng blushed.

"Isn't it good that she treats you well?" Su Ning said. "Meng Yue is a good girl, you should cherish her."

“But I…” Feng Cheng hesitated, “I am not good enough for her.”

“What do you mean by ‘good enough’?” Su Ning said. “In Saihanba, only character matters, nothing else. You’re reliable, capable, and responsible. What girl wouldn’t like a man like that? Besides, you’re not only a college graduate, but you’ve also been a college teacher. What’s wrong with you being good enough for someone like that?”

"Really?" Feng Cheng asked.

“Of course,” Su Ning said. “If you like Meng Yue, go for it. Don’t wait until you miss your chance to regret it.”

Feng Cheng thought for a moment, then nodded, "Okay, I'll give it a try."

From that day on, Feng Cheng also began to take the initiative.

I made a small chair for Mengyue, saying it would be nice for her to sit on while taking notes so she wouldn't get tired.

He patiently taught Mengyue to identify tree species.

He would also give Mengyue a bouquet of wildflowers on her birthday.

Meng Yue was delighted, knowing that Feng Cheng had finally come to his senses. The two grew closer and closer, and everyone noticed.

“There’s hope,” Sui Zhichao said. “It seems like Feng Cheng and Meng Yue can make it work.”

“Yes!” Da Kui also said, “Feng Cheng, that heartless man from Wuhan, is much better.”

Ji Xiurong laughed, "That's great, our forest farm is going to have another couple."

Qin Xuemei and Su Ning were also very pleased to see this.

They successfully brokered the deal.

Meng Yue emerged from the shadow of heartbreak and found the person who was truly right for her.

Feng Cheng was no longer alone; he now had someone who cared for him.

This is Saihanba, which can not only turn deserts into oases, but also bring together people who are destined to meet.

This winter, the forest farm was filled with warmth and sweetness because of Meng Yue and Feng Cheng.

Although it was freezing cold outside, everyone's hearts were warm.

……

Most of Saihanba is sandy soil, which makes it difficult to plant trees, but at least you can dig holes.

However, there was one piece of land that completely stumped everyone.

It was a rocky desert located in the northwest corner of the forest farm.

The ground was all hard granite; when you hit it with a shovel, sparks flew and not even a white mark was left.

Feng Cheng led a group to try it, but they came back shaking their heads, "It won't work, we can't dig it up at all. That rock is as hard as iron."

Zhao Tianshan also went to see it. "How can you plant trees in a place like this? If you sow the seeds, there's no soil at all. How can they survive?"

Everyone felt that this land was beyond saving.

More than 100 acres, all of them are rocks, so trees can't be planted.

But Suning didn't give up.

He took Qin Xuemei to conduct an on-site investigation.

The two walked around the rocks, examining them carefully.

“Look, there’s some soil in the cracks between the rocks,” Su Ning said, pointing to the cracks.

"There's only a little bit, not enough for the roots to grow," Qin Xuemei said.

"What if we fill it in with soil?" Su Ning asked.

"Fill it with soil?" Qin Xuemei thought for a moment. "But the rocks are too hard to dig a hole. How can we fill it with soil?"

Su Ning squatted down and tapped the stone. "It's hard, but there's always a way. When I was fighting in Korea, we encountered rocks that were even harder than this, and we used explosives to blast them."

"Explode?" Qin Xuemei was startled. "That won't do. It's too dangerous and will damage the environment."

“No need for explosives.” Su Ning stood up. “We’ll use manpower, chiseling little by little. I refuse to believe that with so many people, we can’t chisel out a few tree pits.”

"But the workload is too great," Qin Xuemei said. "More than 100 acres of land, how long will it take to dig it out?"

“Take it slow.” Su Ning said firmly, “If one year isn’t enough, then two years; if two years isn’t enough, then five years. One day, we’ll be able to plant trees all over this rocky land.”

Seeing the determination in her husband's eyes, Qin Xuemei was also moved. "Okay, let's give it a try."

After returning, Su Ning called a meeting with everyone.

“I have an idea for that rocky desert.” He explained his idea: “We will dig pits four feet deep by hand, then transport soil from elsewhere to fill them in, and then transplant large trees.”

Everyone fell silent after hearing this.

Sui Zhichao spoke first, "Director Su, it's not that I don't support it. But that rock is too hard. How long would it take to dig a hole? Where would we get that many people?"

Da Kui also said, "Yes! And can the survival rate be guaranteed when transplanting large trees from other places? Transplanting large trees is difficult in itself, especially in rocky areas."

Feng Cheng thought for a moment, "The method is theoretically feasible, but it is too difficult to implement in practice. I suggest that we finish planting the easy land first, and then consider this rocky land."

Even Zhao Tianshan hesitated, "Director Su, how about... we think of another way?"

Only Qin Xuemei supported it, saying, "I think we can give it a try. Although that land is difficult, it is still part of Saihanba. We can't give up just because it's difficult."

Su Ning looked at everyone and said, "I know it's difficult. But think about it, why did we come to Saihanba? Isn't it because it's difficult here? If we only farm the easy land, what's the difference between us and other places?"

"Saihanba is Saihanba precisely because it is difficult. We are determined to do what others cannot do, to challenge the impossible. This rocky desert is our next challenge."

“But…” Sui Zhichao wanted to say something more.

“No buts.” Su Ning said firmly, “Those who are willing to work with me, raise your hands. Those who are not, we will not force them.”

He was the first to raise his hand.

Qin Xuemei was the second to raise her hand.

Feng Cheng hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand, "Director Su is right. It's difficult, which makes it even more important to do it."

Seeing that Feng Cheng had raised his hand, Zhao Tianshan also raised his hand, "Let's do it! I don't believe that so many of us can't handle a rock!"

Sui Zhichao, Na Da Kui, Ji Xiurong, Shen Mengyin... all raised their hands.

"Great!" Su Ning was very satisfied. "Then let's get started! Starting tomorrow, we'll concentrate our efforts on tackling the rocky desert!"

……

The next day, everyone took their tools and went to that rocky area.

Pickaxes, chisels, sledgehammers—all the usable tools were brought along.

Suning personally demonstrated, selecting a relatively flat stone, positioning it with a steel chisel, and then swinging a sledgehammer to smash it.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" Sparks flew everywhere.

With one blow, only a few fragments of the stone fell off.

"How long will this smashing go on?" Da Kui frowned.

"Smash it slowly." Su Ning wiped his sweat. "Smash a little today, a little tomorrow, and one day we'll be able to smash a crater."

Everyone picked up their tools and got to work.

For a moment, the clanging sound was incessant.

After working for half a day, everyone's hands were numb and they were covered in sweat, but the stones were only chipped into shallow dents.

"Too slow," Sui Zhichao said, panting. "At this rate, we won't even be able to dig one hole a day."

"We still have to do it," Su Ning said. "We'll split into two groups and take turns. One group will smash things while the other rests. That way we can conserve our energy."

And so, everyone took turns.

After a day's work, they only managed to create two craters that were half a meter deep, far from four feet deep (about 1.3 meters).

When we got back that night, everyone was too tired to talk.

But Suning didn't give up; he studied the tools and improved the methods.

“The steel rod is too thin, and the force-bearing area is small. Let’s make a thicker rod ourselves.” He drew up a diagram and asked Zhao Tianshan to find a blacksmith at the forest farm to forge it.

The new chisel is made; it's as thick as a wrist, and it's definitely more effective when used to strike.

Someone else suggested, "You can burn the stone and then pour cold water on it; alternating between hot and cold will make the stone brittle."

This is the experience of an old stonemason.

I tried it, and it really works.

When burned, it is more likely to crack after being watered; this is due to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction.

The method was improved little by little, and the efficiency was increased little by little.

Half a month later, the first four-foot-deep pit was finally dug out.

"It's done!" Sui Zhichao shouted excitedly.

Everyone gathered around to look. The pit wasn't big, but it was deep enough for tree roots to grow.

"Fill it with soil!" Suning ordered.

Fertile soil, transported from elsewhere, was filled into the pit, basket by basket.

After filling, water it to allow the soil to settle.

Next comes transplanting.

Feng Cheng selected larch trees that had grown for more than three years from other parts of Bashang.

This tree has a well-developed root system and strong vitality.

They carefully dug it out, took a large ball of soil with them, transported it to a rocky area, and planted it in the pit.

Add soil, water, and secure.

The first tree was planted.

Everyone watched nervously.

This tree is an experiment.

If it succeeds, it proves the method is feasible; if it fails, all the work was for nothing.

A month later, the tree did not die, and new leaves sprouted.

"She's alive! She's alive!" Meng Yue shouted happily.

"It's really alive!" Shen Mengyin exclaimed excitedly.

Su Ning and Qin Xuemei exchanged a smile.

The method is feasible!

The rest was easy; with experience, everyone worked even harder.

Dig a hole, fill it with soil, and transplant the seedlings.

They dug pit after pit, and planted tree after tree.

Although it's slow, things are definitely changing.

On the stone ground, specks of green began to appear.

One tree, two trees, ten trees, one hundred trees...

A year later, a small grove of trees had appeared in that rocky desert.

Although the tree is not tall yet, it is indeed alive.

“A miracle…it’s truly a miracle…” Feng Cheng exclaimed. “Trees growing on rocky ground—I never dared to imagine that before.”

"It's a miracle we created with our own hands," Zhao Tianshan said.

"No! It was Director Su who led us to create this miracle," Sui Zhichao corrected.

Looking at the grove of trees, Su Ning felt gratified.

Using this method, one day we can turn these hundred-plus acres of rocky land into a forest.

This is the spirit of Saihanba: never giving up an inch of land and never bowing to any difficulty.

...(End of chapter)