Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

The morning sunlight shines on the crystal-clear dewdrops, making the bok choy, cucumbers, and long beans look even fresher and more tender.

He Nian got up and fed Da Huang and Xiao Hua (the little hens) before calling Qiao Manman to get up.

"Honey, it's time to get up, or you'll be late!"

Qiao Manman lay sprawled on the kang (a heated brick bed), sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mom, what time is it?!"

"I reckon it's past six o'clock! We don't have watches or anything, so Mom can only guess by looking at the sky!"

Qiao Manman hummed in agreement and got up to wash.

After finishing my work, I asked the system, "What time is it, everyone?"

"6:05!"

Qiao Manman: "......"

This is way too early! Ugh, she wants to sleep!

Looking up at He Nian, she saw her excitedly and enthusiastically making breakfast for her.

This reveals that in their parents' eyes, this job is a transformative ladder to success. They cannot afford to slack off.

Before long, a bowl of fragrant egg noodles was served.

He Nian helped Qiao Runming out and served him a bowl as well.

"Manman, your father's leg is better now, and your mother wants to go back to work. What do you think?"

Qiao Manman paused in her eating, then nodded after a moment: "Mom, if you want to go, then go. But work is very tiring!"

She had taken some kind of energy-boosting pills and would occasionally sneak snacks to replenish her strength, so she felt weak and sore in her legs during the wheat harvest.

"Can He Nian, with his small arms and legs, really withstand this?" Qiao Manman couldn't help but worry.

"Mom, who feeds the pigs in the team? Why don't you go feed them?"

"Huh?" He Nian was stunned for two seconds: "Why!"

Qiao Manman glanced at the corner of the wall: "Mom, have you noticed that our Dahuang and Xiaohua have particularly shiny fur?"

"Not only that, but Dahuang is also very intelligent and a great guard dog."

Although Xiaohua is a bit weak, she still gets a double-yolk egg every day.

He Nian added.

After saying that, he realized what he meant: "You mean... is that okay? That's..."

"Never mind, Mother, you should go back to farming!"

Qiao Manman knew what He Nian was worried about, and said with a smile, "How can we feed pigs refined food!"

I ground some flour a couple of days ago, and I have some wheat bran. I can mix it into the pig feed; I'm sure the pigs will love it.

Of course, this is just my wild guess. If Mom finds feeding the pigs tiring or the smell too strong, she can find some work cutting pig feed.

Now that I have a salary, there's no need for me to earn those eight work points.

As she spoke, Qiao Manman took out a stack of banknotes: "This is my salary for this month, Mom, keep it safe, buy whatever you want!"

He Nian declined, saying, "No need, no need. You still have a lot of money left over!"

There was plenty of food and drink at home; we hardly needed any money or coupons.

Qiao Manman picked up the bowl and drank the last mouthful of soup: "I'm going to Suzhou in a couple of days. I'll feel more at ease if there's more money and cash at home!"

Only then did He Nian accept the money and tickets.

Qiao Manman sat on the stool for a while before getting ready to go to work.

He Nian told Qiao Runming and changed into some old clothes before going out.

Qiao Manman drove He Nian to the brigade headquarters, chatted with Wang Defa for a few words, and then left with a smile.

Many young women and housewives were envious: "Look, look, look! He got a job just like that, and he can even ride a bicycle to get off work. How impressive!"

Zhang Xiu, a former educated youth, stomped her foot in envy: "What's with the arrogance? I don't even know how he got that job!"

Wang Zhengbao glanced at her disdainfully, then rolled his eyes in the direction Qiao Manman had left.

Zhao Zhaodi glanced at Qiao Manman with a dazed expression, her thoughts quite complicated.

Ma Qiuhua nudged her arm: "If you ask me, you should thank Man'er."

"If it weren't for her attracting Qin Youbin's attention, you'd probably have to marry that cauliflower guy!"

Zhao Zhaodi trembled slightly: "I understand, Aunt Qiuhua!"

To be honest, even now, she still can't believe that Comrade Qin is such a scoundrel.

More importantly, Qin Erhua originally planned to frame her.

What's that saying again? Misfortune always seems to strike at those who are already suffering. She's already had enough to suffer, and then Qin Erhua...

How ruthless!

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhao Zhaodi's eyes. But when she looked up, her timidity returned.

The brigade leader assigned tasks to everyone. When it was He Nian's turn, he called over Qian Qitao, an elderly woman living alone in the village: "Grandma Qi, could you please take Runming's family to the pigsty to familiarize themselves with it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone objected: "Captain, what do you mean by this? Are you saying that because Qiao Manman has a bright future, you're giving her mother special treatment?"

Wang Defa frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

You all know what kind of situation Runming's family has. Would you be happy to have her in your group?

What's more, they only need four work points a day. When they have free time, they still have to take care of their families.

"If any of you are willing to earn such meager work points, I'll immediately find you and Runming's family new jobs!"

Everyone fell silent, thinking, "What can four work points do? They can't even fill our stomachs."

However, if their son and daughter had jobs, they would probably be so arrogant that they wouldn't take the initiative to go out to work!

"Hey, Qiao Laosan's wife, is your husband's leg healed?"

He Nian smiled and said, "Not yet, but I can eat and use the toilet by myself."

"That's alright! By the way, how much does your Manman earn a month? Why don't you stay home and enjoy your life? Does your daughter not contribute her salary to the household?"

I'm telling you, if she won't give it to you, then go make a scene at the factory gate!

He Nian laughed and said, "Manman has just started working. It's good enough if she can afford to eat three meals a day. How can we expect her to support the family!"

"Well, that's true. Everyone starts out as a temporary worker."

I heard that Chen Gui's grandson worked as a temporary worker in the commune for three years without ever getting a permanent position...

He Nian took the opportunity to slip away, thinking to herself that this person was really wicked. How could she let her ruin Manman's reputation?

Following Granny Qi to the pigsty, we endured the pungent stench as we cleaned the pigsty.

Then he went to the granary and took out wheat bran, rice bran and other things to cook pig feed.

While Granny Qi wasn't looking, He Nian sprinkled a handful of bran from the mutated wheat into it.

Stir it up, and the pig feed will smell delicious, making the pigs a little restless.

He Nian felt a little guilty and tried her best to remain calm.

Once the pig feed is cooked and cooled, pour it into the pig trough.

The little black pigs rushed over like madmen and licked the pig feed clean.

She even whined and pleaded with He Nian, "Give me some more, I'm not full!"

"No, no, I can't take it anymore! I'll cook another pot for you guys, we'll be out of food by the end of the year!"

He Nian jogged to clean the pot, just as she heard Granny Qi standing by the pigpen muttering, "Oh my, these little piglets, why are they so energetic today?"

He Nian added, "Perhaps it's because the sun is shining brightly and I'm in a good mood?"

Grandma Qi laughed and told her to pack up and go home. She could come back at noon to cook pig feed.

Grandma Qi was one of the few widows and orphans in the village, and she had also served on the battlefield when she was young.

Back then, the women's army was just as passionate as the men, carrying guns and charging to the front lines, making life miserable for the poor.

His arms and legs were covered in gunshot wounds, but he managed to hold on until the 1940s, when most of China had won the victory.

Because of too many injuries, Granny Qi left the army and returned to the Qingshan Brigade.

Having witnessed too much righteousness and heroic sacrifice outside, he found a fellow villager who had also served in the army to live with.

The man lost a leg in a bomb attack and was unable to take care of himself. Grandma Qi, however, didn't mind, saying he had military medals just like her.