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

When Xu Jianguo woke up, he saw a pair of bloodshot eyes.

"Jianguo," Xu Duoduo asked with concern as soon as she saw her husband wake up. "How are you feeling now?"

Xu Jianguo had recovered and shook his head.

"Wife, don't worry. We've spent ten years on this. We can't afford any problems at this crucial moment! You've been married to me for so many years, and you've suffered a lot, but you haven't enjoyed any of the good times."

"A person who's willing to risk his life, why would he care about such a small difficulty?" After drinking a bowl of hot water, Xu Jianguo's forehead was already sweating.

Seeing that her husband was indeed better, Xu Duoduo finally felt relieved.

That night, the couple had a rare heart-to-heart talk.

Xu Duoduo looked somewhat bewildered: "Jianguo, do you think I made a mistake back then? If I hadn't tried to take advantage of Lao Si..."

Xu Jianguo immediately grabbed Xu Duoduo's hand: "It's not you, it's us. I agreed to that matter back then, so there's no reason to pin the blame on you just because there's a problem."

Xu Jianguo, who always shifts the blame to others, did not shirk his responsibility this time.

What's wrong with competing for resources? If a person doesn't compete or fight, they're either rich enough or someone is looking out for them.

The lives of ordinary people are like weeds; they have to exert all their strength just to survive.

I've always been competitive since childhood, but that was just a fleeting moment of confusion and self-doubt. I immediately pulled that ridiculous thought back.

"Yes, there's never a mistake in vying for something. The mistake lies in setting boundaries!"

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: "Jianguo, why were we sent to the Northwest? I've thought about it carefully, and it's because we were too greedy."

"If we hadn't been greedy and provoked the second sister, she wouldn't have made a move at all. Mom would have felt sorry for us, but the fourth sister doesn't have that kind of brain."

Xu Jianguo nodded. "Yes, from now on we'll keep our eyes wide open and be more discerning. If we can't afford to mess with someone, we'll just stay put."

Duoduo continued, "Everyone wants good things, and no one ever complains about having too many benefits. You can think of it that way, but you can't do it that way!"

"No one can have all the advantages. That would push them to the brink. Once they have no other way to survive, they'll resort to desperate measures!"

Xu Jianguo was silent for a moment, then had to admit, "Back then, Mom's job was icing on the cake for us. But for the fourth son, it was a lifeline."

That's why the incident of the fourth son going to the countryside angered Xu's parents. They chose to stand idly by and watch the whole thing, which involved sending the couple to the Northwest.

It was because the couple's argument crossed the elderly couple's bottom line.

As the eldest son, Xu Jianguo held a natural advantage in the Xu family. He never had to fight for anything; the benefits were always delivered to him.

Xu Jianguo grew up spoiled by his parents. He has never shown any sense of responsibility or commitment.

At home, Xu Jianguo doesn't need to defer to anyone, nor does he need to worry about what others think. He only considers himself and is always straightforward.

Therefore, among his siblings, Xu Jianguo was the one who lacked both cunning and skill.

Xu Duoduo broke the silence: "Jianguo, we're going back soon. What are your plans and arrangements?"

Xu Jianguo knew he wasn't thinking straight: "Wife, I'll listen to you." There's nothing shameful about relying on your wife for a living!

Duoduo snuggled closer to her husband: "This is what I'm thinking. We can't go back to our old jobs. The oxygen plant factory has no future there, and it has nothing to do with our tree-planting!"

The title of "hero in desertification control" sounds impressive, but it has no practical effect on the work.

"If we go back exactly as it was, wouldn't all the suffering of the past ten years have been for nothing? Wouldn't that be like a blind man looking at a beautiful view—all that effort for nothing?"

Xu Jianguo immediately asked, "So, where are we going?"

Xu Duoduo replied crisply, "Forestry Bureau!"

Over the years, whenever she was exhausted and couldn't take it anymore, Xu Duoduo would start to dream about the future. It can be said that she had long ago engraved her future life plan in her heart.

"We're here to plant trees and combat desertification, contributing to our country. These trees belong to forestry, so naturally they belong to the Forestry Bureau!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jianguo excitedly exclaimed, "Great! Great! Great!"

He didn't feel bad at the moment. "We're basically working for the government now. It's a public institution, so our income is guaranteed!"

Xu Duoduo smiled and said, "We're both employed, so applying for housing will be easier. Plus, we've had good track records, so the leaders won't be too harsh when assigning us jobs!"

……

The two spoke softer and softer, and then snoring gradually began.

May

Xu Duoduo and Xu Jianguo wrote one application to join the Party every year, and it took them seven years to become probationary Party members.

Ten years of hard work paid off, as they received notification from the factory leadership that they had become Party members and had been recognized as advanced workers.

When that moment finally arrived, their hearts gradually calmed down.

Xu Jianguo and Xu Duoduo, dressed in old military uniforms and wearing big red flowers, accepted an interview with reporters.

Behind them stretched vast, lush forests. This vibrant green, set against the backdrop of the desert, was so delightful and captivating.

"Two heroes in the fight against desertification, show us your certificates of honor. We just need to take another picture!" Reporter Liu called out enthusiastically to the two men.

The two immediately opened the certificates and held them to their chests.

Okay, smile.

He grinned widely, his teeth practically disappearing from his eyes.

"Click!"

After thanking the reporter, the two returned to the farm headquarters to complete the formalities without stopping. These included getting a letter, transferring their household registration, receiving their wages, and most importantly, obtaining their work transfer order.

Over the years, Xu Duoduo and Xu Jianguo have helped many people. Some of them couldn't hold on and died, while others survived and were exonerated.

Once they had confirmed their work assignments, the two started pulling strings. Their past kindness had finally paid off! Looking at the two forestry bureau transfer orders in their hands, they were overjoyed.

Forestry Bureau Employee Transfer Order

Following a decision by the Forestry Bureau Party Committee, Xu Jianguo/Xu Duoduo, employees of the L Farm, are to be reassigned to other positions within the Forestry Bureau. Please inform them to complete all necessary paperwork and report to the Political Work Section on June 28th with a letter of introduction from their work unit.

Feeling the bright red company seal, the two were filled with mixed emotions. They carefully packed their belongings and hurriedly went back to pack their things!

That evening, the two sat in the courtyard, peacefully appreciating the desert night sky.

Over the past decade, many have realized for the first time that the desert night sky isn't simply black. The stars are countless, so dazzling and brilliant!

The stars emitted light that was blue, pink, and even purple. She began to understand what it meant to have "a dazzling starry sky, as if emerging from within."

The cold desert wind made Xu Jianguo sniffle. "Duoduo, let's go back." If he got sick now, he'd be mortified!