Spring rain is as precious as oil. Everyone was draped in transparent oilcloth and wearing bamboo hats, racing against time to plant the saplings. Students from the Agricultural Academy also came to help, carefully digging out the young fruit trees. Once this batch was cleared, the land would be replanted with something else.
The muddy roads from the rain made even oxen struggle to walk, so the quick and nimble agricultural students had to shuttle back and forth, transporting the saplings.
"Has the ginger sugar water been brewed? I’ll take it to the foot of the mountain so the kids can each have a bowl."
Yang Yufen rode back on a tricycle, shouting before she even entered the canteen. She wiped her muddy shoes clean on the wet ground before stepping inside.
"It’s ready, it’s ready! There’s more brewing in the pot. We’ll make sure there’s ginger sugar water nonstop these days."
Old Zhou brought out the ginger sugar water and loaded it onto the cart, covering it with oilcloth to keep the rain from cooling it too quickly.
"Good. I’ll be back later to pick up lunch."
Yang Yufen had brought along all the mugs she once used for selling baked pears. With that, she rode off again in her usual whirlwind manner.
Old Zhou hurried back to the kitchen to stir-fry dishes. Steamed buns, plump and fluffy, were taken out of the steamer and wrapped in cloth before being packed into foam boxes, stacked neatly one after another.
To keep everyone’s energy up, the meal consisted of one meat and two vegetable dishes, all cooked in large batches and scooped straight from big buckets. There was no need for people to trek back to the canteen—a shelter had been set up at the foot of the mountain for eating under cover from the rain.
Aunt Wang was waiting under the shelter. When Yang Yufen arrived, she quickly stepped forward to help unload the ginger sugar water, then watched as Yang Yufen took the rest further up the mountain, where another shelter stood.
"Little Zhang, the ginger sugar water’s here. Call everyone over to drink it while it’s hot. I’ll go fetch the food."
At Yang Yufen’s call, Little Zhang rushed over to help, carrying the kettle to distribute the ginger sugar water while rounding people up for a meal break.
"Even walking on this mountain path is slippery, but Aunt Yang is fearless—she just charges up on her tricycle like it’s nothing."
Everyone sipping the ginger sugar water watched Yang Yufen’s retreating figure with admiration.
"When I’m old, if I’m as strong as Aunt Yang, I’ll drive one too!"
"Ha! Dream on. But Aunt Yang’s stamina really puts us to shame. Come on, we’re agricultural students—how can we let ourselves be outdone? We must not be training enough. Once these fruit trees are planted, I’m applying for an extra three plots of land this year!"
"You’re the one dreaming big. I’d settle for just one extra plot."
Aunt Wang listened to the young folks’ chatter with amusement.
The nearly hundred-acre orchard, started in early March, had finally been fully planted after a month of relentless effort.
The heavens had been kind—several light rains over the month kept the soil moist, improving the saplings’ survival rate.
But the rain also made weeds sprout quickly. As soon as the trees were planted, the next task was weeding, or else the saplings would lose their nutrients to the grass.
By April, the warm sun meant heavy winter clothes could finally be stored away. Qin Nian carried a bulky machine back to Professor Wen’s house and, after some tinkering, managed to set it up.
"Nian, is this something your research team developed?"
Professor Wen adjusted her glasses, examining the new machine in the study.
"Yes. I thought the kids should start learning early. Teacher, let me show you how to use it first. Since the children study here, it’ll be more convenient."
Qin Nian booted up the machine, relieved when the screen lit up smoothly.
"Good. It’s important to start them young—they’re the future of our country."
"The kids have been practicing on typewriters, so the basics won’t be hard. The real challenge will be programming on the computer."
Qin Nian tapped the keyboard, then motioned for Professor Wen to take a seat.
"We’re not afraid of challenges. We’ve overcome plenty to get this far."
"This one’s for office work—writing documents. There’s also a Minesweeper game, which is great for training logic and problem-solving."
When the children came home from school and found no one around, they grew curious.
"Where’s Grandma? The gate’s open—she should be home."
Li Wu craned his neck, searching for Professor Wen.
"There’s noise in the study," Wang Xing said.
Hu Zhenghao had a later class and hadn’t returned yet.
"Mom!"
Li Wu was the first to dash into the study, spotting Qin Nian immediately.
"Mom!"
"Aunt Qin!"
Li Wen and Wang Xing followed suit.
"You’re back right on time."
Professor Wen checked her watch and stood up.
"Perfect timing. This is a computer. From now on, each of you gets half an hour a day to use it. There’s Minesweeper and typing games—much more fun than typewriters."
Qin Nian smiled, beckoning the children over and explaining the basics: turning it on and off, opening games.
"Finish your homework first, then take turns. I’ll teach you how to play properly."
"I’m done!"
Li Wen spoke up first, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I just have a little left, Aunt Qin. I’ll finish now."
Wang Xing quickly pulled out his homework.
"Wait for me!"
Li Wu panicked—he hadn’t even started. He’d spent the last class playing soccer instead.
"Alright, finish your work first. Li Wen, come here."
After teaching him how to turn the computer on and off, Qin Nian opened Minesweeper and explained the rules. Li Wen gripped the mouse, tentatively starting the game.
His first attempt ended in under two minutes with a mine exploding. On the second try, he cleared half the board, completely absorbed in the puzzle.
Wang Xing soon finished his homework and watched over Li Wen’s shoulder, equally fascinated.
Li Wu kept glancing up, itching to join.
"Li Wen, time’s almost up."
At Qin Nian’s gentle reminder, Li Wen nodded, speeding up. Just as the victory fireworks exploded, his time ended.
Seeing Wang Xing take his turn, Li Wu took a deep breath. No more slacking—he had to focus.
"If you don’t hurry, Zhenghao will be back too. And this character’s wrong!"
Li Wen walked over, exasperated at his brother’s slow progress. Same old story—but he’s family. Can’t hit him.
"Which one? Where?"
Li Wu hastily erased and rewrote the character.
"Still wrong!"
Li Wen snatched the pencil and demonstrated the correct stroke order.
"Ohhh, got it!"
Li Wu copied it carefully.
"Hey, bro… can I borrow your math homework? I didn’t finish copying the problems."
After finishing his Chinese assignment, Li Wu shamelessly grinned.
"Only the questions. Or I’m telling Mom."
