To please others? It's better to please yourself.

Everyone knows that conditions in Northwest China are harsh. But only those who have experienced it truly know just how tough it is.

Xu Jianguo and Xu Duoduo traveled by train, and after several transfers, they finally met Old Cui, who came to pick them up.

Old Cui is over fifty years old and a native of the area. He's very skilled at reading the weather, having grown up with his elders and learning from their experience.

When Old Cui met the person, he didn't even have time to say hello. He just kept cracking his bullwhip and hurried on his way.

Duoduo and Xu Jianguo were sitting on the oxcart, so jolted so much they almost threw up. They held tightly to the sides of the cart, or they would have fallen off.

When people think of oxcarts, their first impression is that they are slow. But who would have thought that when they get going, they can be so fast that people can't keep up with them?

Upon meeting, the two were immediately given a "baptism of fire" by Old Cui. Even though they were dissatisfied, they dared not speak rashly. After all, they didn't know the situation and didn't want to end up in the wrong and make enemies.

The three of them hurried along, and soon after arriving at the Northwest Farm Headquarters, the weather outside changed. Daylight turned into a dark, gloomy night.

Xu Duoduo and Xu Jianguo's pragmatism along the way earned Lao Cui's goodwill towards them. Now that their safety was assured, Lao Cui's expression softened considerably.

The atmosphere eased a bit, and the two dared to speak. Xu Jianguo tentatively asked, "Old comrade, it's so dark, is it going to rain?"

To everyone's surprise, Old Cui, the driver, chuckled and said, "Rain? What a pipe dream! We've run into a real typhoon!"

Although the couple didn't understand what "old yellow wind" meant at the moment, they soon realized what it was. The sand and dust outside were rattling against the doors and windows.

Duoduo was thankful: "Luckily we came back quickly, otherwise what would we have done? We would have been buried alive in the sand!"

He turned to Old Cui and gave him a thumbs-up: "Old comrade, you're the one!"

Old Cui then smiled: "I've been driving carts for over twenty years. I've been following my grandfather since I could walk. He taught me how to look at the sky and the weather, holding my hand by hand."

Xu Jianguo chimed in, "Brother Cui, is this the Old Yellow Hair Feng you were talking about?"

Old Cui nodded: "Yes, that's what we call it. But you guys also call it a sandstorm. That sand really stings when it hits your face!"

That night, Duoduo and Xu Jianguo squeezed together with others at the farm headquarters.

The next day, the couple began to work with experienced workers, carrying cornbread, pickled vegetables, and water, planting trees in the desert from dawn till dusk.

As the captain of the third team, Li Guoqing led the two newcomers to familiarize themselves with the work. As they walked, he explained, "Planting trees in the desert is no easy task."

"Afforestation is not something that can be accomplished in one go. It is a long process that takes 3, 5 or even 10 years to see results."

"To create a large forest takes a long time and a lot of effort. Our work won't yield results in a short period. We must maintain a calm mindset and work diligently!"

On their first day of work, Li Guoqing started by giving the new recruits a pep talk. "We're contributing to our country and benefiting future generations!" he said.

The fact that this couple was forced to drink a bowl of inspirational platitudes only proves that they possess such noble sentiments. Otherwise, why would they personally write a letter in blood and give up their comfortable life in the city to come here?

Li Guoqing outwardly expressed his admiration. As for the truth of the matter, there's no need to investigate further!

Everyone carried the decorated sedan chair, and the couple reciprocated by praising everyone they met. In an instant, the relationships between everyone noticeably became closer.

After about twenty days, once Xu Jianguo and his wife were familiar with the work, they began to carry shovels, buckets, and saplings, planting trees in the desert under the scorching sun.

Even in cities, people were struggling to get enough to eat; the situation was even worse in the Northwest. When Xu Duoduo and Xu Jianguo first arrived, they could only rely on the meager supplies provided by the farm headquarters. Their stomachs rumbled every single day.

When they were really starving, they had no choice but to follow others into the desert to hunt a plant called sand rice. They cooked the seeds into porridge to barely fill their stomachs.

That taste, I'll never forget it in my life!

The following spring, the two learned from their mistake and tried to plant something, albeit poorly. In this place known for its "nine out of ten crops failing," they first built a high earthen wall to block the wind.

In the end, they only harvested a little over 100 jin of millet from the last acre. It was little, but it was better than nothing!

Three years later, everyone was overjoyed to see the lush, verdant forest. With this development, many saw a glimmer of hope for their return to the city.

To everyone's surprise, within a month, a large number of trees died.

The management team also specifically requested experts and organized personnel to conduct extensive investigations to find the cause. The final conclusion was that the tree species were too limited, making the trees susceptible to disease and causing it to spread rapidly.

This meant everything had to be overturned, so Xu Jianguo and Xu Duoduo had to start all over again. Wherever the trees were planted, the dugouts had to be dug as well.

Since arriving here, the couple has never slept through the night. They have to get up in the middle of the night to shake off the sand, otherwise the sand accumulates and becomes suffocating!

More than five years have passed, and these replanted trees are almost ready to bear fruit. At this crucial juncture, if anything goes wrong again, Xu Duoduo and Xu Jianguo will go insane!

The two of them had had their fill of sand in Northwest China!

Xu Jianguo made a decision: his favorite color in this life is green! No one can shake his resolve!

……

Peking University is bustling with activity again.

Looking at the spirited freshmen of Class of '78 on campus, Xu Jing'an could understand their feelings at that moment.

Peking University is a prominent institution wherever it is located. Take its admission notice, for example. Most people receive only a plain white envelope. But Peking University's notice envelope is not only exceptionally large, but it's also made of kraft paper.

Being the center of attention and receiving praise from others fills you with unparalleled satisfaction!

Some people feel anxious and resentful when they lose praise and flattery and become unnoticed. But Zhou Fubao felt it couldn't be better after losing those things!

Zhou Fubao is now lively and cheerful, noticeably more talkative and cheerful than before. It's as if he has let go of a heavy burden, no longer restrained or cautious.

Zhao Mingming: "It's already September, why is it still so hot?"

Zhou Fubao: "Just in the next few days!"

Zhao Mingming: "I saw a really pretty dress this time, let's take a look together. It's just a pity we can only wear it for a few days!"

Zhou Fubao: "You can wear it again next year! I'll go with you tomorrow!"

Zhao Mingming: "The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow, I don't know if it's true or not."

Zhou Fubao: "It's best if it doesn't rain. Otherwise, every autumn rain brings a chill, and you really won't be able to wear these clothes for more than a few days!"

……

The next day, looking at the drizzling rain outside the window, the two girls could only regretfully decide to go another day!