Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 289 The First New Year After the Establishment of the Forestry Farm

Meng Yue clutched the leave slip tightly in her hand.

His eyes were brimming with barely concealed excitement as he walked briskly toward the general affairs office.

Every step she took was filled with the eagerness of embarking on her journey home; her heart had already drifted to distant places.

The process of completing the formalities went very smoothly.

Filled with joy, Meng Yue quickly boarded the train to Shandong Province.

Life doesn't stop its hurried pace just because someone leaves.

Life in Saihanba continued as usual after Meng Yue left.

Sui Zhichao stood in his dormitory, holding a letter he had just received.

His face was beaming with a simple and genuine smile.

This letter was a reply from his old classmate, which he had been waiting for for a long time.

During a casual conversation, Shen Mengyin casually mentioned that she likes to drink coffee.

He does not mean that.

Sui Zhichao kept those words firmly in mind.

Living conditions in Bashang are harsh.

It's already quite difficult to get a cup of ordinary tea on a regular day, let alone coffee.

But Sui Zhichao still tried every means possible, pulling strings and inquiring everywhere about the whereabouts of the coffee beans.

Finally, the emperor pays off.

Some time ago, he received a message from his classmates on Hainan Island.

They said their company happens to grow coffee beans and they'd like to find a way to get him a bag, which they'll deliver in a few days.

Upon receiving this good news, Sui Zhichao was overjoyed beyond words.

At this moment, I look at the reply in my hand.

He seemed to already see the bag of coffee beans, and the smile on his round face grew even brighter.

Compared to her worried and frowning appearance a few days ago, she was a completely different person.

Time flies by like a fleeting moment.

Days passed quietly amidst the wind and sand of Saihanba.

Before we knew it, it was the 29th day of the Lunar New Year in 1961.

Meng Yue had returned to Saihanba two days prior.

However, this time when she returned, she seemed like a completely different person.

After taking leave, Meng Yue first went home happily.

I spent a short but heartwarming time with my parents.

She then embarked on her journey to Hubei Province.

All the way there, she was filled with anticipation, imagining the surprised and delighted look on her boyfriend's face when he saw her, her heart overflowing with sweetness.

But when she arrived in Hubei Province and went to the university where her boyfriend was studying, reality dealt her a heavy blow.

She was told that her boyfriend was not at school, and no one could say for sure where he had gone.

At that moment, Meng Yue felt as if the whole world had gone dark.

All expectations vanished in an instant, leaving me with a heart full of disappointment and helplessness.

Back in Saihanba, Meng Yue tried her best to hide her emotions and pretended to be nonchalant.

She goes to work on time every day and completes her tasks diligently.

But the observant Qin Xuemei and Xia Tian still noticed her unusual behavior.

Qin Xuemei and Meng Yue spent every day together, and Qin Xuemei was particularly sensitive to changes in her.

She noticed that Meng Yue was no longer as lively and cheerful as before.

She often stares blankly into space, a faint sadness in her eyes.

Summer noticed at work that Meng Yue often spaced out for no reason.

Meng Yue used to be completely focused when she worked.

Now, however, he seems to have lost his soul; his hands are busy with tasks, but his mind is wandering off somewhere else.

However, Xia Tian did not ask her directly, since although Meng Yue was distracted, she did not miss her normal work.

"Xia Gong!"

Early that morning, Zhao Tianshan strode hurriedly toward Xia Tian's office.

I saw him as soon as summer arrived.

He couldn't help but joke, recalling Zhao Tianshan's earlier confident promise to launch a general offensive in winter.

"Old Zhao, didn't you say you were going to launch a general offensive in winter?"

"Why hasn't there been any movement yet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianshan's smiling face instantly fell, and he waved his hand helplessly.

"Engineer Xia, please don't bring this up again."

"I was too impulsive before and didn't think things through."

"Looking back now, I realize we still have to take it one step at a time."

Xia Tian couldn't help but smile at his appearance, and then asked.

"Speak, what do you want from me today?"

Zhao Tianshan cleared his throat, his expression turning serious.

"Old Wei and I, a few of us, discussed it."

"We plan to spend Lunar New Year's Eve together as a team."

"Let's take this opportunity to get together and celebrate."

"It seems like our advance team hasn't gotten together in ages."

Xia Tian listened to Zhao Tianshan's suggestion and thought it was excellent, so she readily agreed.

"Then go ask other people for their opinions and see if everyone is willing?"

Zhao Tianshan answered with a smile.

“I’ve already asked, and everyone is very willing.”

Xia Tian nodded and made the arrangements with a smile.

"Okay, come to my dorm tomorrow."

"Let's have a reunion dinner together as the advance team!"

On Lunar New Year's Eve, the entire forest farm was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Before dawn, the crackling sound of firecrackers broke the tranquility of Saihanba.

The air was filled with the scent of fireworks, as if expressing the beautiful anticipation for the New Year.

Summer arrived at the security department's mailroom.

He looked at the stack of letters and several packages handed to him.

He glanced at the recipients carefully, then put them away cautiously.

In the afternoon, everyone in the dormitory was busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Wei Fugui'er's eyes lit up when she saw Feng Cheng walking over.

"Technician Feng, we've been waiting for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Cheng strode in.

"Hey everyone, you don't need to wait for me!"

Feng Cheng looked at everyone and said somewhat embarrassedly.

While skillfully chopping vegetables, Xia Tian glanced at Feng Cheng and said.

"Everyone's waiting for you to make dumplings together!"

Feng Cheng looked in the direction from which the sound came.

Upon spotting Xia Tian busily working in the small kitchen, I immediately became excited.

"Xia, are you cooking yourself?"

As the only person present who had tasted summer's cooking.

Feng Cheng knows how amazing Xia Tian's cooking skills are.

The food cooked in summer tastes absolutely amazing.

I never expected to have the chance to taste it again today, I can't be happier.

Xia Tian heard Feng Cheng's voice and teased him with a smile.

"Why don't you do it?"

Feng Cheng quickly waved his hand in refusal.

"No, no, Engineer Xia, you should do it. I wouldn't dare to show off my limited skills in front of an expert."

With that, Feng Cheng washed his hands and joined the group making dumplings.

Several girls in the dormitory gathered around, marveling at Xia Tian's clean and efficient technique.

They never imagined that Xia Tian, ​​who was usually so meticulous and serious at work, would be like this.

It's surprising that she has such good cooking skills even in the kitchen.

It's such a plus for a boy to be able to cook.

Everyone chatted and laughed as they helped prepare the ingredients.

Laughter and cheerful voices echoed throughout the dormitory, washing away the fatigue and hardship of daily life.

……