Time Travel: Volume 1! Starting from a Small Mountain Village

Long Lifan's words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in the room. Everyone was shocked; the opportunity to go to university was so rare, they couldn't understand why Long Lifan would refuse.

Of course, this decision means that Long Zhiqing will continue to stay in Dongwan Brigade and fight alongside everyone.

Lin Guodong and the others snapped out of their shock, exchanged smiles, their eyes gleaming with elation. They knew all too well how important Long Zhiqing was to the Dongwan Brigade. Now, the chicken farm was expanding, and the pig farm was under construction; Long Zhiqing's continued presence undoubtedly gave them peace of mind. They seemed to see an even more prosperous future for the Dongwan Brigade, their hearts filled with anticipation and confidence.

Secretary Ma, standing to the side, was also stunned for a few seconds. He looked deeply at Long Lifan, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Since last year, thanks to Long Lifan's leadership, the Dongwan Brigade had provided a steady stream of eggs to the commune, even earning praise from higher authorities. He understood that all of this was inseparable from Long Lifan's hard work and intelligence. Therefore, deep down, he didn't want Long Lifan to leave.

Secretary Ma spoke slowly, his voice trembling slightly: "Long Zhiqing, are you really determined to stay?" His words were full of expectation and pleading. He also hoped that Long Zhiqing could continue to contribute ideas for the development of Dongwan Brigade and lead everyone to a better future.

Long Lifan smiled and nodded, her eyes firm and full of strength. There were too many ties here now, making her think twice before taking any steps. Not only was the fact that her grandfather and his family lived next door causing her immense worry, but she also felt a deep reluctance to leave her close friends, including Hu Lili, whom she considered like sisters.

Moreover, this sudden and inexplicable university spot had just fallen into her lap. She had always acted with integrity and honesty; to accept it so ambiguously would be contrary to her usual conduct…

"Can you tell me why you don't want to go to university?" Secretary Ma asked sincerely. This spot was specifically allocated to Long, the educated youth, but he had refused it. He wanted to know so he could answer if anyone asked, and also because he wanted to know why Long had given up such a good opportunity.

“Secretary Ma, I’ve always longed to go to university. But the current situation is indeed somewhat special.” Long Lifan looked sincerely at Secretary Ma, her eyes shining with determination.

"The projects at the chicken farm and pig farm were proposed and promoted by me. The villagers had high hopes for me, and the brigade leader and others also gave their full support, which is why the projects were able to proceed smoothly. If I were to leave now to go to university, it would not only be a betrayal of the villagers' trust, but also a betrayal of the support of the brigade leader and others."

Of course, Long Lifan couldn't tell the truth: she didn't want to go to university because she didn't want to attend this so-called "recommendation" university. But that didn't stop her from trying to win over Secretary Ma first. She wasn't a saint; she'd be staying here for several years, and what if she needed Secretary Ma's help?

“good good”

Ma Jianshe said "good" several times in one breath, and his eyes were full of admiration when he looked at Long Lifan: "I heard Captain Lin say before that you are a conscientious and capable educated youth sent to the countryside. I didn't expect you to be so responsible as well."

Secretary Ma offered a few more words of praise before riding away on his bicycle. After he left, Long Lifan suggested to the team leader that they speed up the work at the pig farm. The temperature had recently warmed up, and the pig farm construction had to be completed before people went to work in the fields.

Lin Guodong and the others nodded in agreement. After handling the pig farm matters, Long Lifan turned to leave. Reaching the gate of Jiang Nian'an's courtyard, she hesitated briefly before deciding to go in. Inside, Jiang Nian'an lay pale-faced on the bed. Hearing someone enter, he forced himself to sit up, managing a weak smile upon recognizing the person: "Sister Fan, what brings you here?"

Looking at her sickly appearance, Long Lifan asked with concern, "How are you? Are you feeling any better?"

Jiang Nian'an nodded and replied softly, "I'm feeling much better after taking the medicine prescribed by Yang Zhiqing." Long Lifan felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this, but still reminded her to rest well and take care of her health.

"Oh, by the way, I have some good news to tell you!" Long Lifan had already guessed Jiang Nian'an's situation based on her performance during her time in the countryside. But since Jiang Nian'an didn't say anything, she wouldn't ask.

"What good news is it!" Seemingly not wanting to disappoint her sister, Jiang Nian'an dragged her sickly body and asked expectantly.

The worries she'd been carrying these past few days were the main reason Jiang Nian'an fell ill; it was a kind of mental illness! So Long Lifan planned to tell her the final outcome for Huang Shi and the others.

"real…"

After listening to Long Lifan's account, Jiang Nian'an's voice suddenly rose, her tone filled with joy and relief. Sharing Long Lifan's view did not mean that her grandparents were currently safe.

A moment later, she realized her reaction had been too intense. Would Sister Fan notice? And why would Sister Fan tell her all this? Did Sister Fan already know? So she timidly began, "Sister Fan, you…"

"Alright! Everyone has their own little secrets, hidden in the corner of their heart. If you don't want to talk about them, I naturally won't ask any more questions."

Long Lifan smiled, her eyes gentle and understanding, and patted the other person's shoulder lightly, as if conveying silent support and comfort through her actions. A warm and tacit atmosphere filled the air.

That evening, Long Lifan went to bed early, her heart filled with worry for her grandparents. The next morning, as soon as the sky began to lighten, she got up, rode her bicycle, and quietly left Dongwan Brigade.

She figured that her grandfather and his family must be living in a simple cowshed, lacking basic necessities. So, she got up early and packed all sorts of daily necessities, food, and even some simple medical supplies, quietly putting them into her personal belongings. Then, she set off for Shimo Village in Yunyang Commune.

Shimo Village, the name comes from the several weathered giant stone millstones at the entrance of the village. It is the address of Lin Weihong's maternal grandmother's home, and also the place where her maternal grandfather and others have been sent down to the countryside.

As they approached Shimo Village, Long Lifan found a suitable opportunity to put her bicycle into her spatial storage before stepping into the village. She had subtly inquired about the location of the cowshed from Lin Weihong some time ago, so she knew its approximate location.

The cowshed in Shimo Village is not inside the village, but at the junction of the village and the back mountain. Long Lifan walked to one side according to Lin Weihong's description.

After walking for about ten minutes, Long Lifan spotted a simple building in the distance. It couldn't be called a real house, though, because its structure was too rudimentary; it was simply constructed from adobe bricks or mud.

The roof was haphazardly constructed from wooden beams and bamboo rafters, then covered with a thick layer of wheat straw, plastered with mud, and compacted. This structure didn't resemble a proper house at all; it looked more like a temporary shelter, standing alone in this empty space.