Colorful years

Faced with such a tragic situation, Congcong and the others realized that their previous method of guarding the area from early morning to late at night had completely failed.

The only way to prevent the remaining corn from being further wasted is to change tactics and set up camp in the cornfield, braving the elements and guarding this precious farmland day and night.

So they sat down together and urgently discussed a solution. In the end, they reached a consensus: to set up camp there with their wilderness survival gear and guard the area day and night.

During the day, everyone worked together to build a simple sleeping shed that could shelter them from the wind and rain.

Despite the tight schedule, everyone was undeterred and immediately threw themselves into the busy work. Some went to the nearby mountains to cut down trees, some collected hay and branches, and others were responsible for moving building materials such as stones and bricks.

After a whole day of hard work, a simple but sturdy shed was finally taking shape. As the sun began to set and night was about to fall, Congcong and his friends decided to stay a little later to finish the shed and gather the necessary items.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Congcong and his group set off again for the cornfield, carrying backpacks filled with rice, vegetables, quilts, and other necessities.

From that day on, they would stand guard here day and night, waging a protracted "defense" against the wild animals that coveted the corn. Thankfully, there were no more nighttime attacks on the cornfields by wild animals, and their hard work finally paid off.

Spending the night outdoors in the wilderness is no easy task, especially with the annoying mosquito bites, which can be quite bothersome. However, the clever and resourceful Congcong came up with a brilliant solution to this problem.

Before going to bed, he and his companions searched tirelessly and finally gathered a large bunch of mugwort that emitted a unique fragrance. Then, they worked together to light the mugwort and let the smoke fill the entire makeshift shed.

After this fumigation, the annoying mosquitoes seemed to have been scared away. At least for the next two hours, no more mosquitoes would bother us, and we could sleep peacefully.

Although the rest conditions here are nowhere near as comfortable and cozy as home, there is a unique kind of fun in the hardships.

As night falls and the stars twinkle in the sky, a few people gather around a roaring campfire, enjoying freshly roasted, steaming, and enticingly fragrant corncobs.

After everyone had filled their stomachs, a unique joke-telling competition began. Everyone racked their brains, recalling interesting stories they had heard or experienced, and vividly recounted them to others.

Sometimes a humorous joke can make everyone burst into laughter, the laughter echoing in the quiet night sky; other times a deeply moving story can make people fall into deep thought, their eyes slightly moist.

Such a night, filled with laughter and genuine emotions, became one of their unforgettable life experiences.

Over the next few days, they faced different challenges every day. Sometimes it was a sudden attack by monkeys, sometimes a swooping eagle snatching food, and sometimes a frenzied raid by wild boars.

However, no matter what difficulties they faced, they always stood firm by the cornfield, protecting this land with their courage and wisdom.

In the blink of an eye, the twelve-day protection period is coming to an end. During these twelve days, they have experienced countless hardships and tribulations, but they have also gained countless joys and growth.

They learned how to outsmart and outmaneuver wild animals, and how to work together to overcome difficulties. More importantly, they understood the importance of responsibility—protecting this land is not only for the school's harvest, but also for the harmony and balance of nature.

On the last day, they stood beside the cornfield, gazing at the land about to yield a bountiful harvest, their hearts filled with pride and joy. Their faces beamed with radiant smiles, as if to say, "We did it!"

When the second batch of guardians took over their duties, Congcong and his friends did not leave immediately. They shared their experiences and lessons learned with the second batch of guardians in detail, hoping that they could continue to protect this land.

"Remember, protecting the cornfields is not just for the school's harvest, but also for the harmony and balance of nature," Congcong said earnestly.

The second group of guardians nodded solemnly, expressing their determination to remember Congcong's words and continue to protect this land.

And so, Congcong and his friends completed their mission as the first group of guardians. Although they left the cornfield, their spirit remained forever. Their courage and wisdom became a model and source of inspiration for those who followed.

In the days that followed, the second and third batches of guardians continued to stand guard beside the cornfields. With their sweat and hard work, they protected this land, bringing one bountiful harvest season after another to the cornfields.