As the saying goes, poverty shortens ambition.
Although Yuan Guoqing was a self-reliant person who had always strived to improve his family's circumstances through his own efforts, his family was ultimately too poor.
Due to their extreme poverty, the once outstanding young man, after enduring countless disdainful glances and cold shoulders, lacked confidence.
He had once thought that once he graduated from university and secured a job, he could change his family's conditions and allow his mother to live a good life.
But who would have known that just as he received his graduation certificate, he heard the news that his mother was ill.
Between going home to care for his mother and reporting to his new job, Yuan Guoqing chose to return home to care for his gravely ill mother.
While work was important, his mother was more so.
If he lost his mother, even with a job, it would hold no meaning for Yuan Guoqing.
He made his choice; his mother survived, but he lost the "iron rice bowl" he was about to receive.
However, he never regretted it.
Without his mother's years of painstaking effort and worry, he would not be where he was today.
One must know how to be grateful.
In Yuan Guoqing's heart, he would give his life for his mother, let alone just losing a job.
Yet, this matter weighed heavily on his mother's heart.
Yuan Guoqing heard his mother sighing with regret over this matter more than once.
His mother had also said more than once that if it weren't for her own ill fortune, she wouldn't have delayed her son's future.
Yuan Guoqing's father had passed away early, and Yuan Guoqing was raised by his mother alone.
But in the early years, many people had said that Yuan's mother was a jinx who brought misfortune to her husband.
Therefore, Yuan's mother always felt that it was because of her own bad luck that she had hindered her son.
Yuan Guoqing tried his best to comfort his mother, telling her that this matter had nothing to do with fate, but Yuan's mother insisted on believing so.
Yuan Guoqing's eagerness to find a job was also due to this reason.
He once worried that if he couldn't find a job, his mother would fall ill from worry.
It was at this time that the news of the research base needing someone reached his ears.
For the first time, Yuan Guoqing proactively approached Mayor Liang for his future, recommending himself.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Upon learning that he was a graduate of an agricultural university, Mayor Liang not only refused the small rooster he brought as a gift but also introduced him to Teacher Shen.
With her son securing a job, Yuan's mother's spirits improved significantly.
While waiting for Shen Zizhen and the others, Yuan's mother still did not forget to offer a few words of advice.
"Guoqing, you must work hard in the future."
With such a good opportunity, Yuan Guoqing felt he would be letting himself down if he didn't work hard.
"Mom, don't worry, I will definitely work hard!"
Teacher Shen said that they would be leaving soon and that the research base would then be handed over to him.
He also asked him to complete the remaining work.
At that time, he was actually lacking in confidence, but Teacher Shen had said that he believed he could do a great job.
Moreover, Teacher Shen had taken great care of him.
Although he had not fully participated in this research project, Teacher Shen did not keep the early research data from him but instead granted him access.
This was also something that deeply touched him.
Was this about data?
No, it was about trust!
The insecure Yuan Guoqing felt for the first time how wonderful it was to be trusted.
While the mother and son were talking, they saw someone riding a bicycle from the village.
"Mom, Teacher Shen and the others are here!"
Yuan Guoqing, with his sharp eyes, saw that the person riding the bicycle was none other than Teacher Shen.
Shen Zizhen and the others had come by bicycle today.
Shen Zizhen rode one bicycle, which belonged to An Rongxue's family.
Su Sangong rode another, with Su Xiaotian as his passenger. This bicycle belonged to Secretary An's family.
Hearing that they were going to visit Yuan Guoqing's home, An Rongxue helped them find the bicycles.
If they hadn't had these two bicycles, it would have been quite a walk for the three of them to get here.
"Teacher Shen, you're here?" Yuan Guoqing respectfully stood at his doorstep to greet Shen Zizhen.
Shen Zizhen smiled heartily and said, "Guoqing, it's really not easy to find your place. Fortunately, we left early, and after asking for directions all the way, we've arrived at this time."
Along the way, they had asked people seven or eight times before finally finding their way here.
"It's a good thing we were in this area yesterday; otherwise, we'd probably still be wandering around," Su Sangong also said with a smile.
They had known from the start that the roads here were difficult to navigate, but they hadn't expected them to be so hard to find.
Hearing their words, Yuan Guoqing's face instantly flushed red.
"Teacher Shen, I should have come to meet you." Yuan Guoqing felt it was his fault for not thinking of this earlier.
"Meet us for what? Although we took some wrong turns on the way, we got to see different scenery, which was also quite nice."
Shen Zizhen was unfazed. Having lived this long, he had reached a state of accepting things as they came.
Yuan Guoqing was about to say something more, but Shen Zizhen stopped him.
Yuan Guoqing was a good child in every way, except for one thing: he was too cautious and meticulous.
If it were just a slight degree of caution, it would be fine, but this child was excessively cautious, inevitably making him a bit timid and hesitant.
Yuan's mother also stood beside Yuan Guoqing, initially feeling a bit apprehensive, afraid of being looked down upon.
However, she hadn't expected Shen Zizhen to be such an approachable person, which greatly eased her worries.
"Teacher Shen, please come inside and have a seat." Although Yuan's mother was nervous, she tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor as she invited the guests.
"Guoqing, is this your mother?" Shen Zizhen asked.
"Yes, Teacher Shen!"
"Hello, Madam. Your son, Guoqing, is a very good and outstanding child. You've raised him well!" Shen Zizhen said politely.
Hearing the esteemed figure her son spoke so highly of praising her son, Yuan's mother felt much prouder and spoke with more confidence.
"Teacher Shen, you flatter me. Guoqing has troubled you."
After the two elders exchanged pleasantries, they went to sit under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.
Su Sangong then took the gifts they had brought down from the bicycle and handed them to Yuan Guoqing.
"Guoqing, this is our first time visiting your home, and we weren't sure what to bring, so we just bought a few things. Please don't find them too common."
What Su Sangong was holding was a mesh bag containing a can of malted milk, two packs of biscuits, and a pack of brown sugar.
These were gifts they had bought when passing by the supply and marketing cooperative.
In this era, such gifts were considered quite generous.
After all, when visiting relatives during the Spring Festival, many people would only bring a few steamed buns or mantou that they had made themselves.
Yuan Guoqing quickly tried to refuse.
He was inviting his teachers for a meal, yet they had brought so many things. What kind of situation was this?
"Please keep these for yourselves; I cannot accept them."
"Please accept them. They are for your mother to regain her strength. If you don't accept them, we won't be able to eat this meal with peace of mind today."
Su Sangong smiled and firmly placed the items into Yuan Guoqing's hands.