Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

As the spring breeze warms, the village's greenery grows richer. The earth revives, brimming with life, just like the seed in Xiaotong's heart, quietly sprouting under the nourishment of time, gradually growing into a towering tree. The once shy little girl has now become the backbone of the village. Not only has she shouldered greater responsibilities, but she has also quietly planted a dream for the future within her heart.

On this day, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire village, and the air was filled with the fragrance of earth. Ye Wan and Xiao Tong stood on the grass at the entrance of the village, gazing at the distant mountains. Xiao Tong's eyes were filled with a sense of farsightedness as she gazed at the fields outside the village, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sister Wan," she suddenly said, a hint of determination in her voice, "I have an idea that I want to share with you."

Ye Wan came back to her senses, smiled and nodded: "Well, tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Xiaotong took a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with dreams. "I want to build a school in this village. To provide the children with an opportunity to learn. Not only can they farm and work, but they can also learn more, understand the outside world, become smarter, and be able to take on more responsibilities."

Although her tone was calm, every word was like a drumbeat beating in Ye Wan's heart, stirring up waves of ripples. Ye Wan was slightly stunned and silent for a moment. The Xiaotong in front of her was no longer the little girl who only relied on adults. There was an unprecedented light in her eyes.

"You think so far ahead," Ye Wan said with emotion. "I can sense your determination. Establishing a school not only paves a new path for the children, but also reflects your own pursuit of higher goals."

Xiaotong lowered her head, a little shy, but her eyes remained firm. "Yes, I want these children to not only rely on the land for their livelihood, but also have knowledge and more choices. We can't always let them only know how to plant seeds in the soil and how to face the wind and rain. If possible, they should also learn how to connect with the world and learn how to better create a better future for themselves and their homeland."

Ye Wan listened quietly, feeling both relieved and moved. She had never imagined Xiaotong's dream would be so ambitious, that she would dare to plan such a goal that would affect the future of the entire village. She knew that this was not just Xiaotong's personal dream, but also the aspirations of the entire village, from the foundation to the higher level.

"Okay." Ye Wan smiled and nodded, her tone revealing recognition and encouragement. "If you have the determination, I believe you can do it."

Xiaotong's eyes lit up instantly, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face. She hadn't expected Ye Wan to agree so quickly, and to be so supportive. She finally felt the unwavering strength of Ye Wan passing into her heart.

Villagers' support and solidarity

The next day, Ye Wan shared Xiaotong's idea with the other villagers. Everyone agreed, some even clapped excitedly. This idea resonated deeply with everyone, who felt that this dream could bring more light and hope to the village.

"I've always felt that children should have more opportunities to learn," said the village elder Zhang, stroking his beard. "Now that Xiaotong has proposed this, our village can no longer rely solely on the land. Knowledge is also part of our future."

"That's right," another villager agreed. "The school not only allows children to learn knowledge, but also gives us adults the opportunity to learn new skills. This is exactly the kind of resource our village lacks the most."

"I'm willing to help, too." Old Li patted his chest. "I have some extra wood in my house, so building a classroom shouldn't be a problem."

Everyone's voices rose in unison, their enthusiastic support like the spring sunshine, warm and powerful. Xiaotong stood aside, tears of excitement glistening in her eyes. She hadn't expected such widespread support for her idea, and everyone expressed their willingness to do their best to help her realize her dream.

"Thank you everyone." Xiaotong's voice choked. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "I know that my own strength is far from enough, but your support makes me more convinced that this dream can come true."

Ye Wan watched all this unfold with a smile, her heart filled with joy. She knew Xiaotong's dream was no longer just a personal goal, but the shared dream of the entire village, one everyone was willing to contribute to. This home, thanks to everyone's efforts, was becoming increasingly beautiful.

The first step to realize your dream

The next day, Ye Wan and Xiao Tong began planning the school. They first settled on a preliminary plan: to build a simple classroom on a vacant lot in the village. Using wood, stone, and soil donated by villagers, they created a small space that could accommodate about ten children. While the conditions were simple, it was sufficient for the children to gather and study.

Xiaotong contacted Xie Linchuan at the workshop, asking him to help design a simple yet practical classroom. Meanwhile, Ye Wan discussed with the village elders whether it would be possible to invite some outside teachers to teach in the village. While aware that this path would not be easy, Ye Wan knew that this was the starting point for Xiaotong's pursuit of her dream and a crucial step towards the village's future.

"We'll take it step by step, slowly accumulating." Ye Wan told Xiaotong, "The most important thing is that every action we take will bring us closer to our dream."

Every villager contributed their efforts to the construction of the school. Old Zhang and Old Li laid the foundation for the classroom, while other villagers donated furniture and daily necessities. Even some young people volunteered to help carry construction materials in their free time. Everyone seemed united, as if working towards a common goal.

One day, just as the sun was setting, the classroom, gradually taking shape on the hill at the entrance of the village, looked particularly warm in the golden afterglow. Although it was still just a simple building, it carried Xiaotong's dream and the hopes of everyone in the village.

Xiaotong stood in front of the classroom, feeling a surge of excitement and satisfaction she had never experienced before. She gazed at the unfinished small school, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future.

"Sister Wan, thank you for always supporting me." She said softly, with gratitude in her eyes.

Ye Wan walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder: "This is not just your dream, it's the dream of all of us. You have been growing and contributing your strength to this home. I am proud of you."