Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 123 Unraveling the Knot

(Two chapters combined into one)

"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully obtained 136 tree-planting gift packs!"

"Ding! 12 gift packs have been successfully deducted!"

The long-awaited system notification sound suddenly rang in Xia Tian's mind.

At that moment, he was already feeling like he was being crushed by a boulder, his nerves stretched to the limit.

Like a taut bowstring suddenly released, my whole body relaxed.

During this period, his heart was constantly shrouded in anxiety and worry.

It was as if the sun was completely obscured by thick, dark clouds.

This sudden good news was like a gust of wind, instantly sweeping away all the gloom.

Although only 136 saplings have survived so far.

But in Xia Tian's eyes, this was undoubtedly an incredibly precious beginning.

As long as there are saplings that tenaciously take root and thrive on that barren land.

This means that all the sweat and effort he had put in before had not been in vain.

This provides even stronger evidence of the arduous and challenging path of seedling cultivation in the Bashang area.

The direction he has always adhered to is absolutely correct.

At this moment, Xia Tian was sitting quietly in the Forestry Bureau's office.

Warm sunlight streamed through the window and fell on him.

But his mind was not on the warm sunlight at all.

His gaze pierced through the window, fixed on the distance.

The image of the Saihanba afforestation area, full of hope, came to mind.

Without realizing it, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

A gleam of hope shone brightly in his once dim eyes.

At that moment, he had only one thought in his mind: to return to Saihanba immediately.

Go and see for yourself those saplings that carry their countless efforts and dreams.

"Gong Chen!"

Summer keenly noticed Chen Gong entering the office, and quickly stood up to greet him warmly.

His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement, as if the previous gloom had never lingered over him.

As soon as Engineer Chen stepped into the office, his gaze fell on Xia Tian.

He frowned slightly, his eyes filled with concern as he inquired.

"Xia, are you still worried?"

He knew very well why Xia Tian had gone down to the dam this summer, and seeing Xia Tian's condition these past few days, he was also getting anxious.

After all, he personally planted each of the 3000 saplings on the dam.

He understood the hardships and difficulties better than anyone else.

Xia Tian looked at Engineer Chen as he walked in, a faint smile on her face, and responded softly.

"Engineer Chen, I'm fine."

Although Engineer Chen could detect a hint of fatigue and relief in Xia Tian's eyes.

But he still comforted Xia Tian.

"Xia, you really don't need to put so much pressure on yourself."

Engineer Chen walked up to Xia Tian and spoke earnestly, his tone full of the care and concern of an elder for a younger generation.

“We’ve been planting trees on the dam for several years now.”

"Which time wasn't it through trial and error, learning from failures?"

"Failure is not terrible. As long as we don't give up and keep trying, we will eventually succeed."

"If it doesn't work this time, there's always next time!"

"We have plenty of time and plenty of opportunities."

He tried his best to comfort Xia Tian and untangle the knot that had been troubling him.

"Engineer Chen, I've thought it through."

As Xia Tian spoke, a bright and cheerful smile bloomed on her face.

That smile was like a flower blooming in spring, full of vitality and energy.

“I’ve thought a lot during this time, and I know I can’t keep dwelling on past failures and worries.”

"Only by looking forward can we usher in new hope."

When Engineer Chen saw the smile on Xia Tian's face, most of his worries instantly disappeared.

He couldn't help but show a long-lost smile of relief and said.

"Xia, it's so good that you've come to your senses!"

"I knew you were a strong child and wouldn't be defeated by this little difficulty."

"This difficulty is nothing!"

"Yes, Engineer Chen!"

Summer echoed, then his gaze turned to the clock on the wall, and he suddenly spoke.

"Let's go, Engineer Chen, it's getting late!"

"Grandpa Liu said that we're having a special lunch today, and if we go too late, we probably won't get to eat anything good."

As he spoke, he warmly pulled Engineer Chen along and they walked together toward the Forestry Bureau's canteen.

The two chatted and laughed along the way, as if the previous gloom had become a thing of the past.

……

After meal.

Summer didn't immediately return to the office as usual.

Instead, they searched all over the forestry bureau's compound and finally found Qu He.

He walked quickly to Qu He's side and got straight to the point, telling him about his plans.

"Uncle Qu, I plan to go to the dam in a couple of days."

"Winter is just around the corner, I need to go back and check on those saplings!"

"We also need to do some preparations before winter."

Qu He turned around after hearing Xia Tian's words and carefully examined him.

He was overjoyed when he saw Xia Tian's smiling face.

Xia Tian is an invaluable talent in the Forestry Bureau.

Qu He greatly admires both her professional skills and her work attitude.

If anything were to happen to Xia Tian, ​​Qu He would be heartbroken.

Fortunately, judging from Xia Tian's current state, he seems to have emerged from the previous gloom.

"Xia, have you figured it out?"

Qu He narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of relief in them.

"Uncle Qu, I'm sorry to have worried you during this time."

Xia Tian looked at Qu He with a hint of apology on her face and smiled slightly.

"I haven't been in a good mood lately, and I've caused you and everyone in the bureau a lot of trouble."

"I'm fine with it, it's just that I see you locking yourself in your office every day."

"He can't eat properly, and he can't sleep soundly."

"I feel really bad about it."

Qu He looked at Xia Tian with eyes full of concern and affection.

He didn't just regard Xia Tian as an ordinary employee of the Forestry Bureau; he considered him as a junior member of his own family.

At first, he didn't know about Xia Tian's past, but he did after he became the director.

After reviewing Xia Tian's files at the Forestry Bureau, it was learned that Xia Tian was an orphan of a martyr.

His fondness and tenderness for summer instantly intensified. In his eyes...

Xia Tian is not only an excellent forestry worker, but also a child worthy of his careful care.

"Uncle Qu, it's all over now, isn't it?"

Xia Tian looked at Qu He with eyes full of sincerity and determination.

“I know I can’t stay depressed forever. There’s still so much work to be done in Saihanba.”

"Besides, those saplings need me too, and I can't let everyone down."

"Fortunately, Xia Xia has figured it out herself!"

Qu He said with immense relief, reaching out to gently pat Xia Tian's shoulder.

"I'm relieved that you can pull yourself together."

"The afforestation work in Saihanba still needs energetic and innovative young people like you."

"If you need anything, just tell me, and the bureau will definitely give you its full support."

"Thank you, Uncle Qu!"

Summer said gratefully, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I will definitely work hard and live up to your expectations."

"By the way, Uncle Qu, there is indeed something!"

Summer and Qu walked and chatted, and before they knew it, they arrived at the office door.

As Xia Tian pushed open the office door, she spoke to Qu He.

"what's up?"

The two entered the office one after the other.

Qu He sat down at the desk and then looked at Xia Tian and asked a question.

"Uncle Qu, this is what I think!"

"Isn't winter just around the corner?"

"I plan to set up a literacy class in Bashang!"

"Among the comrades in the advance team on the dam, apart from Lao Zhao, none of them could read."

"You can't work in the dam area if you can't read!"

"They have no way of understanding much about forestry."

That's why I had this idea!

"Uncle Qu, what's your opinion?"

Summer had this idea more than a month ago.

He discovered this while giving a lecture to the advance team members.

The advance team members were all confused.

That's why the idea came up in the summer.

With winter just around the corner, let's give the advance team a crash course in basics.

Let them learn more words.

You're never too old to learn.

Qu He listened to Xia Tian's idea, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He leaned forward slightly and spoke with great interest.

"Xia, that's a great idea!"

"Indeed, our team members are full of enthusiasm."

"But if one's education level can keep up, it will definitely be of great help in carrying out the work."

"This will not only help them better understand forestry knowledge, but also improve everyone's overall quality!"

"This will give us more confidence in the future development of the Bashang area."

Xia Tian saw that Qu He had approved his suggestion, and his face was filled with an excited smile. He quickly continued.

"Uncle Qu, that's what I think too."

"The members of our advance team are all exceptionally hardworking."

"They are very hardworking, but their education level is limited."

"If only we could take advantage of this relatively quiet time before winter."

"Give them a basic education, so they can learn some forestry knowledge."

"When spring comes next year, everyone will definitely be able to devote themselves to the tree planting work in a better state."

Qu He nodded gently, his eyes revealing his appreciation for summer.

"You've thought this through very thoroughly."

"However, running literacy classes is not an easy task."

"Teaching materials and teaching aids need to be prepared, as well as teachers. How do you plan to solve that?"

Summer thought for a moment and then said.

"As for teaching materials, we can compile some simple and easy-to-understand materials ourselves."

"It covers basic literacy, arithmetic, and basic forestry-related knowledge."

For teaching aids, a simple blackboard and chalk will suffice.

"As for the teaching staff, isn't there a ready-made university teacher in Bashang?"

"If Feng Cheng can teach college students, teaching a few illiterate people is a piece of cake, isn't it?"

Qu He stood up, paced back and forth in the office, and spoke after thinking for a moment.

"Hmm, Xia, your idea is very good."

"Okay, the bureau will fully support you."

"I can arrange for someone to help you collect some relevant teaching materials."

"Furthermore, if there's a genuine shortage of teachers..."

“I can transfer one or two experienced colleagues from the bureau to Bashang to assist you.”

"We definitely have enough manpower; there are only a handful of people in Bashang!"

"If Feng Cheng can't make it, I'm still here!"

Xia Tian smiled, looked at Qu He, and added a sentence.

"With the support of the bureau, I feel more confident."

"I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to run this literacy class well."

Over the next few days, Xia Tian kept busy without stopping.

Qu He was also busy collecting relevant teaching materials.

After the basic preparations were completed.

With full confidence and anticipation, Xia Tian embarked on her journey back to Saihanba once again.

Bashang.

Feng Cheng and his advance team continued to water the seedlings every day without fail.

"Chang Wei!"

As soon as Xia Tian returned to the camp, the sharp-eyed Chang Wei spotted him.

He was very excited and pounced on Xia Tian.

Xia Tian did not bring Chang Wei with her when she went down to the dam this time.

Instead, they left Chang Wei on the dam.

"Chang Wei, have you missed me?"

Xia Tian caught Chang Wei as he pounced on him, patted his head, and asked a question.

Chang Wei has been spending too much time with Xiao Liu.

His behavior and mannerisms are increasingly resembling those of a sixth grader.

"Oh~"

Chang Wei called out to Xia Tian with a pitiful expression.

"Boss, you have no idea."

"I've had such a miserable time these past two days."

"Not only is there no meat at every meal, but sometimes we don't even get enough to eat."

Chang Wei looked as aggrieved as a 200-pound child.

Hearing Chang Wei's aggrieved cries, Xia Tian slapped his head in annoyance.

"You've really been spoiled rotten!"

"If there's no meat to eat, can't you go out and hunt for yourself?"

"Someone like you? You want to be the wolf king?"

Chang Wei felt even more aggrieved after hearing Xia Tian's words.

"Woo~wu~"

"Okay, stop howling!"

Summer rolled her eyes in exasperation.

He took a piece of beef from the daily necessities gift pack and fed it to Chang Wei.

What can he do?

You brought this upon yourself, and this is the pet you raised.

I guess I'll just have to pamper myself.

Chang Wei saw the meat that Xia Tian threw out.

It hurriedly broke free from Xia Tian's grasp, like a hungry wolf...

Bah! It was just a hungry wolf, and it pounced straight at the meat.

Xia Tian looked at Chang Wei and rolled her eyes again, speechless.

"A sin!"

Summer sighed and returned to her dugout.

Just as Xia Tian was tidying up the underground cellar, she heard voices outside.

Summer put down what she was packing and went outside.

"Xia Gong!"

"When did you come back?"

With his sharp eyes, Feng Cheng spotted Xia Tian standing in front of the underground dwelling at a glance.

He dropped his tools and rushed towards Xia Tian.

Xia Tian looked at Feng Cheng rushing over and said something.

"stop!"

If it were a beautiful woman rushing towards him, Xia Tian might not have refused.

But the one charging towards them was Feng Cheng, a greasy, unshaven man.

Of course, you should resolutely say "no" to summer.

Feng Cheng looked at Xia Tian's disdainful eyes and actions.

The car was brought to a stop in time.

But the grievance in her eyes was something she couldn't suppress.

"Alright, alright, you're a grown man, why are you acting all wronged!"

Looking at Feng Cheng's pathetic appearance, Xia Tian said something in an annoyed tone.

……