The Youth Memories Recap, Plot, Synopsis

The Youth Memories Synopsis

Set in Beijing in the 1970s, it tells the inspiring story of a group of young people growing up, pursuing their dreams, and struggling.

The main character, Xiao Chunsheng, is kind and loyal, caring for everyone around him and striving for a better life.

He and his best friends, Wen Guoqing and Sun Jianjun, go through the stages of development such as college entrance exams, starting a business, going abroad and entering politics, and finding the meaning of struggle in the process of supporting each other.

The Youth Memories Recap

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The story takes place in the 1970s, during the winter in Beijing. That year, the cold was particularly bitter, with the howling north wind blowing the accumulated snow on the roadside, stinging people's faces like knives. Despite the freezing weather, it couldn't stop the figures racing and spinning on the frozen surface of Shichahai Lake. On the rosy, laughter-filled faces of young people, youth was vibrant and exuberant. And so, their story begins in that sea of ice.

Xiao Chunsheng, a child from the military compound, made his way to the library that had been closed for three years. It was filled with sealed books. Xiao Chunsheng jumped through the window secretly, taking advantage of the uprooted tree outside the window. He saw snowy footprints on the floor and unfinished foreign language and medical books on the table, with a beautiful bookmark tucked in between the pages. Curiously, Xiao Chunsheng put the bookmark away and quietly went to his own spot to read.

Tong Xiaomei, the vice commander's daughter, also lived in the military compound. She climbed through the window into the library as usual and noticed someone had been there before her. Without thinking too much about it, she began reading and took notes as she went along. Ye Guohua was riding his bike on Gulou Street when he was deeply attracted to a girl coming towards him. He stood there, gazing at her as she boarded the bus, and hurriedly chased after her. He continuously waved to catch the attention of the girl on the bus, but the people on board thought he was a lunatic. However, he persisted with enthusiasm. Suddenly, the bus driver slammed the brakes, causing Ye Guohua to fall to the ground without being able to react in time. The passengers on the bus burst into laughter, but Ye Guohua paid no attention, got up, and continued chasing the bus.

Xiao Chunsheng read for hours until noon. He took out the dumplings he carried with him and ate them heartily. Tong Xiaomei accidentally spilled ink from her pen onto the book, and she couldn't help but exclaim. The sudden sound startled Xiao Chunsheng, who, in a panic, knocked over his lunchbox. Tong Xiaomei was frightened and flustered, while Xiao Chunsheng quietly approached to see who it was. Tong Xiaomei quickly hid.

The administrator often heard sounds in the library and suspected it was haunted. He called the security captain, and together they opened the sealed door. Inside, they saw footprints covered in snow and followed them to investigate. Worried that Tong Xiaomei would be discovered, Xiao Chunsheng intentionally threw the book on the ground, diverting the attention of the administrator and the captain towards him. Seizing the opportunity, Tong Xiaomei escaped through the window while Xiao Chunsheng only caught a glimpse of her figure. Xiao Chunsheng admitted that he often came here to read and had been doing so for half a year. If they dared to report him to the authorities, they would undoubtedly be accused of neglecting their duty. After careful consideration, the administrator and the security captain decided to let him go. Before leaving, Xiao Chunsheng found a nursing book and placed it on Tong Xiaomei's desk, tucking a note inside as a bookmark.

The Shichahai Ice Rink officially opened and, as in previous years, attracted many troublemakers and ruffians from the city. They were not giving in to each other and showcasing their skills on the ice, while the worker patrol team stood ready, prepared to prevent the young people from fighting. Zhao Xiaohui, dressed beautifully, arrived.

Xiao Chunsheng, accompanied by Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun, went to the ice rink to settle the score with Guo Heizi. At the entrance, they ran into Ye Fang and Tong Xiaomei, and together they entered the ice rink. As soon as they entered, they saw Guo Heizi and a group of people. He had even brought his big brother, Qi Tian, to preside over the situation. Ye Guohua immediately recognized He Hongling, who was by Qi Tian's side, as the girl who captivated his heart. Xiao Chunsheng caught a glimpse of He Hongling's graceful figure dancing on the ice and felt a trance-like moment, convinced that she was the girl who had secretly gone to the library.

Xiao Chunsheng attached a love letter next to He Hongling's portrait, expressing Ye Guohua's love at first sight for that girl. Guo Heizi boasted about wanting to confront Ye Guohua, but since he didn't know him, Xiao Chunsheng pretended to be Ye Guohua and stepped forward to accept the challenge. He even publicly chased He Hongling on the ice rink. Tensions escalated between the two sides, but just then, the worker patrol team arrived. Qi Tian quietly informed Xiao Chunsheng to meet him at Wumen Gate three days later for a showdown.

Xiao Chunsheng held the bookmark, thinking of He Hongling's voice and smiling face, and ripples formed in his heart. Ye Guohua couldn't forget He Hongling and sat in a daze at his desk. Ye Fang packed her bags to return to the military camp, and Ye Guohua didn't even come out to see her off. He Hongling came early to inform Xiao Chunsheng not to go to Wumen Gate the day after tomorrow. She had convinced Qi Tian, but Xiao Chunsheng didn't buy it and insisted on seeking justice from Qi Tian. Xiao Chunsheng reminded He Hongling not to disappoint Ye Guohua's deep affection for her, to which He Hongling questioned if Xiao Chunsheng also liked her. Xiao Chunsheng was momentarily speechless.

He Hongling made it clear that she didn't like Qi Tian and being with him was only to avoid unnecessary trouble. She advised Qi Tian not to meet Xiao Chunsheng. Qi Tian promised not to do anything out of line. Li Shangyou was the leader of the alley gangsters, and Qi Tian had severely injured his hand. Li Shangyou had been wanting to seek revenge but hadn't made up his mind due to his lack of strength. When he heard about the dispute between Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian, he sent someone to invite Xiao Chunsheng.

Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to see Li Shangyou, but the small gangsters persisted and even assumed a fighting stance. Xiao Chunsheng had no choice but to reluctantly meet Li Shangyou. Li Shangyou wanted to team up with Xiao Chunsheng to defeat Qi Tian, but Xiao Chunsheng firmly refused. In a fit of anger, Li Shangyou reported Xiao Chunsheng to the worker patrol team.

Xiao Chunsheng sought help from Xia Ming, the former street bully known as "Big Shrimp," who had recently turned over a new leaf and was working as a chef at the Tourism Bureau's small restaurant. Xia Ming had already heard about Xiao Chunsheng's scheduled fight with Qi Tian and advised him not to stir up trouble. Ye Guohua, Chen Hongjun, and others also went to seek help, but they were afraid of Qi Tian and didn't dare to confront him. Xiao Chunsheng decided to go alone to meet Qi Tian.

Qi Tian and his brothers arrived early at Wumen Gate, and Xiao Chunsheng went to the appointment alone. Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun, along with the children from the military compound, also arrived at Wumen Gate. Xiao Chunsheng inquired and learned that Li Shangyou had informed Ye Guohua and the others and insisted on a one-on-one fight with Qi Tian, with them serving as witnesses.

Li Shangyou hid nearby, waiting for the police from the worker patrol team to arrest Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian. Captain Gao personally led the team, prepared and waiting for the fight to break out before apprehending them. Suddenly, Liang Dong arrived at Wumen Gate. He was a well-known figure in the city and also Qi Tian's older brother. He gave Chen Hongjun his sheepskin hat with a smiling sheep on top as a gift and stepped forward to mediate, apologizing to Chen Hongjun on behalf of Qi Tian.

Seeing Liang Dong's gesture, Xiao Chunsheng decided not to hold a grudge against Qi Tian and his group. Captain Gao saw that the time was right and ordered the police from the worker patrol team to go and arrest them. Xiao Chunsheng lied, saying they had come to see the flag-raising ceremony, so Captain Gao ordered a thorough search but found no weapons. He then called Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian to go back and give their statements. Afterward, Liang Dong treated Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian to drinks and helped reconcile their differences.

Liang Dong used to be a famous martial arts expert in Beijing, with many honors and awards. Xiao Chunsheng looked at the walls filled with certificates and trophies, and he couldn't help but admire Liang Dong. Xiao Chunsheng expressed his desire to learn martial arts from Liang Dong, and Liang Dong readily agreed.

Mother Ye wanted to match Ye Guohua and Tong Xiaomei together. She decided to visit Commander Tong's house over the weekend and reminded Ye Guohua to take a bath, get a haircut, and dress nicely. Ye Guohua was infatuated with He Hongling and managed to find her address through a friend. He hurriedly went to see her. After her father passed away, He Hongling and her mother relied on each other for survival. Her mother was weak and often ill, and their lives were difficult. He Hongling had to take odd jobs to make ends meet. That evening, she was moving cabbages at the vegetable stand, and her hands were trembling from the cold.

He Hongling came to Liang Dong's house to deliver cabbages, and Qi Tian and Xiao Chunsheng quickly came out to help. Xiao Chunsheng saw her hands, red and swollen from the cold, and felt a pang of heartache. Ye Guohua found the large courtyard where He Hongling lived according to the address. Many people lived there, and the courtyard was messy and disorderly. He brought some snacks for He Hongling's mother and chatted with her. Qi Tian briefly introduced He Hongling's situation to Xiao Chunsheng and could also sense He Hongling's feelings for Xiao Chunsheng.

Xiao Chunsheng escorted He Hongling home, and He Hongling explained that she and Qi Tian were just ordinary friends. She once again asked if Xiao Chunsheng liked her. Xiao Chunsheng didn't know how to answer, and at that moment, Ye Guohua came out and witnessed the scene. His heart felt sour. From that day on, Qi Tian and Xiao Chunsheng became good friends, and Guo Heizi's group no longer caused trouble under Xiao Chunsheng's leadership.

Tong Xiaomei had a great passion for medicine, but her parents wanted her to join the army as a cultural performer. They even found a mentor for her, but Tong Xiaomei refused. Xiao Chunsheng asked his sister, Xiao Yanqiu, to cook a bowl of braised pork for him. He brought it to his father, Xiao Yanpei, who was still immersed in the memories of the war. Xiao Chunsheng reminded him several times before he snapped out of it. Xiao Yanpei urged Xiao Chunsheng to join the army as soon as possible, but Xiao Chunsheng wanted to wait until his questions were resolved.

He Hongling was born into a family of musicians and loved playing the violin since she was young. She dreamed of joining an orchestra. With her excellent violin skills, she stood out in the training class despite facing mockery and criticism from classmates. From Teacher Chen, He Hongling learned that orchestras only recruited students from workers, farmers, and soldiers universities. This news disheartened her. Qi Tian asked Teacher Chen to take care of He Hongling.

Xiao Chunsheng brought hand cream for He Hongling and learned about her aspirations to join an orchestra but couldn't due to certain limitations. He also listened to her recount her experiences in the training class. Xiao Chunsheng borrowed a motorcycle and took her to the Great Wall to relax, making sure she brought her violin along. He Hongling stood on the Great Wall and played the violin, the melodious sound echoing on the walls. Xiao Chunsheng was deeply moved by He Hongling's beauty and music. He played a tune on his harmonica, and the two of them connected more as they talked.

Ye Guohua visited the training class to see He Hongling. He watched her earnestly playing the violin through the window. After class, Ye Guohua gave her a cassette tape of popular songs and invited her to watch a movie. Xiao Chunsheng went to find He Hongling and learned that she was working at the vegetable stand, so he went to help. Ye Guohua brought coal balls to He Hongling's house, and unexpectedly, he ran into Xiao Chunsheng. Both of them felt awkward.

He Hongling's mother welcomed Ye Guohua warmly and struggled to get up. Xiao Chunsheng lied, saying that he and Ye Guohua came together and quickly found an excuse to leave, giving Ye Guohua and He Hongling a chance to be alone. He Hongling was furious and speechless. Chen Hongjun and Ye Fang, the innocent couple, returned from a visit, and Ye Fang came straight to see Chen Hongjun.

Ye Guohua invited He Hongling to go ice skating, and she readily agreed. Ye Guohua invited all their friends, wanting to show off. Ye Fang learned about this from Chen Hongjun and invited Tong Xiaomei to the ice rink.

Ye Guohua accompanied He Hongling ice skating, and they laughed and talked together. Ye Guohua's vanity was satisfied. When he went to buy candied haws, He Hongling questioned Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng thought Ye Guohua and He Hongling were a good match and tried to matchmake them. He Hongling became extremely angry and accused Xiao Chunsheng of not admitting his feelings. Xiao Chunsheng was left speechless.

While waiting in line to buy candied haws for everyone, Ye Guohua unexpectedly ran into his classmate, Zhao Yan. He remembered that Xiao Chunsheng used to like her, but Xiao Chunsheng denied it. He admitted to having feelings for the girl who secretly went to the library to read and vividly described their experiences there. Tong Xiaomei realized that it was Xiao Chunsheng who saved her in the library. She had been looking for him and felt relieved knowing that he had safely escaped. She encouraged Xiao Chunsheng to find that girl and jokingly asked him to draw a portrait of her.

Ye Fang noticed that He Hongling liked Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng deliberately gave He Hongling to Ye Guohua. Ye Fang pulled Xiao Chunsheng aside and reminded him not to hurt Ye Guohua. Since Tong Xiaomei found out that the person in the library was Xiao Chunsheng, she developed different feelings for him. Ye Fang went home and waited for Ye Guohua, reminding him to stay away from He Hongling, who clearly used him to make Xiao Chunsheng jealous. Ye Guohua was unhappy and told Ye Fang not to interfere. Ye Guohua felt more and more uncomfortable, and he went to confront Xiao Chunsheng overnight, wanting to compete with him fairly. Xiao Chunsheng agreed reluctantly.

Xiao Chunsheng would take He Hongling out to play whenever he had free time. Their relationship grew deeper. Ye Guohua often visited He Hongling's home to accompany her mother and help with various tasks. Ye Guohua waited for He Hongling to return home and invited her to watch the movie "The Flower Girl" on the weekend. They had a clear conversation, realizing that they couldn't be together, and Ye Guohua insisted on buying her the movie ticket.

He Hongling's mother advised her to be with Ye Guohua since his father was a high-ranking officer, and his conditions were much better than Xiao Chunsheng's. He Hongling didn't give a definite response but intentionally mentioned to Xiao Chunsheng that she wanted to watch the movie "The Flower Girl." It was a highly sought-after movie, and even after a long time, Xiao Chunsheng couldn't get tickets. He asked Xiao Yanqiu for help, and she realized that he wanted to watch the movie with He Hongling. She advised him to think it through because if the issue with his father, Xiao Yanpei, wasn't resolved, they could be kicked out of the military compound at any time.

Xiao Chunsheng brought He Hongling to the military school to visit Xiao Yanpei. Xiao Yanpei had sequelae from his injuries during the war, sometimes being clear-headed and sometimes confused. He mistook Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling for his staff and assigned them combat tasks. Xiao Chunsheng cooperated fully, performing as directed by his father. He Hongling was saddened by Xiao Yanpei's condition. Xiao Chunsheng truthfully told He Hongling about their family situation, explaining that he couldn't help her realize her dreams like Ye Guohua could. He hoped she would think it through.

Ye Guohua arrived early at the cinema, waiting for He Hongling. However, she didn't show up even after the movie ended. Disappointed, Ye Guohua left. That night, Xiao Chunsheng, He Hongling, Tong Xiaomei, and Ye Guohua all had trouble sleeping. He Hongling didn't expect Xiao Chunsheng to have a similarly troubled fate. Xiao Chunsheng waited for He Hongling's final decision, and Ye Guohua realized that he had lost to Xiao Chunsheng. Tong Xiaomei gathered her courage to find Xiao Chunsheng and accidentally overheard that the group led by Guo Heizi planned to confront Xiao Chunsheng.

Today is the weekend, and Mother wants to take Ye Guohua to visit Commander Tong, hoping to use this opportunity to arrange a marriage between Ye Guohua and Tong Xiaomei. Father reminds Ye Guohua to dress up nicely and reveals that Xiao Yanpei's problem is about to be resolved, which means Xiao Chunsheng can join the army with Ye Guohua. Ye Guohua has been looking forward to this day, and he couldn't be happier.

Whenever Xiao Chunsheng has free time, he goes to learn martial arts from Liang Dong. Qi Tian happens to visit Liang Dong to bid farewell as he plans to develop in Guangzhou. Guo Heizi learns that Xiao Chunsheng will visit his father, Xiao Yanpei, in Yanqing every other weekend, so he decides to lie in wait on Kuliushu Street on the way to Yanqing to teach Xiao Chunsheng a lesson. Tong Xiaomei accidentally overhears this news and hurriedly waits for Xiao Chunsheng near the entrance of her house. She tells him about Guo Heizi's plan to ambush him on the way, but Xiao Chunsheng dismisses it.

Xiao Chunsheng knows about Ye Guohua's deep affection for He Hongling. He advises Tong Xiaomei to carefully consider the possibility of marrying Ye Guohua. Tong Xiaomei questions him about his own feelings, and Xiao Chunsheng lies that he has found the girl from the library, even describing her appearance. Tong Xiaomei initially wanted to reveal that she is the girl from the library, but in the end, she holds back.

Mother Ye brings Ye Guohua to the Tong family's house, and Tong Xiaomei returns home with a gloomy expression. She wants to confront Ye Guohua, and he also wants to make things clear with her. They both honestly express their thoughts. Tong Xiaomei reveals Guo Heizi's plan to teach Xiao Chunsheng a lesson, and Ye Guohua immediately goes to inform Xiao Chunsheng. Tong Xiaomei explains the situation to her parents, who were completely unaware, regretting arranging this blind date.

Ye Guohua hurriedly comes to inform Xiao Chunsheng, but he already knew about it and was fully prepared. He asks Ye Guohua and He Hongling to go to Yanqing to deliver braised pork to Xiao Yanpei while he intends to resolve the grievances with Guo Heizi. Ye Guohua insists on joining him. Xiao Chunsheng and the others arrive on time at Kuliushu Street, where Guo Heizi has been waiting for a while. Xiao Chunsheng takes the initiative to apologize to Guo Heizi, but he remains unforgiving. Guo Heizi accuses Xiao Chunsheng of stealing Qi Tian's girlfriend, He Hongling, and demands justice for Qi Tian. Ye Guohua steps forward to defend Xiao Chunsheng and exchanges words with Guo Heizi. Guo Heizi becomes furious and verbally abuses Ye Guohua. In a fit of anger, Ye Guohua punches Guo Heizi, who retaliates and calls his brothers to join in. A brawl breaks out between the two sides. Chen Hongjun sees his companion being restrained by Guo Heizi and rushes to help. In the scuffle, Guo Heizi's punch knocks off Chen Hongjun's glasses, and he instinctively picks up one of the glass legs and stabs Guo Heizi's eye. Everyone present is shocked. The group takes Guo Heizi to the hospital.

Ye Guohua wants Chen Hongjun to hide in his hometown of Baoding and calls Ye Fang, who is serving in the army there. Xiao Chunsheng takes out all the money he has and gives it to Chen Hongjun. Then he goes to the hospital to visit Guo Heizi, using the money collected by their brothers to pay for his medical expenses. However, Qi Tian doesn't agree with this and insists on holding Chen Hongjun accountable. Xiao Chunsheng positions himself as the big brother and is willing to bear all the blame on behalf of Chen Hongjun. Qi Tian allows him to take the blame. Tong Xiaomei comes to change Guo Heizi's bandages, and she overhears a conversation between Qi Tian and Xiao Chunsheng, causing her to worry. She fears that Qi Tian might harm Xiao Chunsheng, but Xiao Chunsheng is willing to take the blame for Chen Hongjun. He goes to settle the debt with Qi Tian, but Qi Tian doesn't show up and instead sends a message through Liang Dong.

Qi Tian invites He Hongling for a meal and advises her not to sacrifice herself and pursue a relationship with Ye Guohua. Monday is He Hongling's birthday, and Qi Tian has prepared a gift for her. Qi Tian invites Xiao Chunsheng to his home and offers him Maotai liquor from their collection. Qi Tian asks Xiao Chunsheng to take care of He Hongling and Guo Heizi while he goes to explore opportunities in the south and eventually heads to Hong Kong. Qi Tian advises Xiao Chunsheng not to betray He Hongling's feelings and not to let her go to Ye Guohua. Qi Tian plans to go to Badachu to pick up a batch of goods and then give He Hongling a birthday gift before leaving.

Suddenly, there is a disturbance outside the door. Qi Tian and Xiao Chunsheng go out to see what's happening and find Li Shangyou's subordinate, Lao Si, sneaking away. Qi Tian suspects that this was arranged by Li Shangyou. Lao Si reported to Li Shangyou about Qi Tian's plan to celebrate He Hongling's birthday and then go to Hong Kong. Li Shangyou, who has endured silently for many years, wants to seek revenge against Qi Tian and won't let go of this final opportunity.

Chen Hongjun diligently reviews his homework every day. He has a solid foundation and not only completes Ye Fang's assignments accurately but also reviews ahead of time. Ye Fang praises him highly and specially invites him to eat a famous snack, Donkey Meat Fire Cake, in Baoding.

Qi Tian has been missing for several days, and there are suspicions that something happened to him. Qi Zi immediately informs Guo Heizi, who is unable to leave the hospital due to his injuries. He asks Qi Zi to seek help from Xiao Chunsheng in finding Qi Tian, promising to settle their grievances once Qi Tian is found. He Hongling also believes that something happened to Qi Tian. Qi Tian promised to give her a birthday gift, but he didn't show up on her birthday. Xiao Chunsheng hears about Qi Tian's past dealings in selling imported recording accessories and remembers that Qi Tian mentioned picking up a batch of goods at Badachu. He Hongling speculates that Qi Tian wanted to assemble a recording device as her birthday gift using imported parts. However, only a few people knew about Qi Tian's involvement in selling recording accessories, and Xiao Chunsheng concludes that it was the work of Li Shangyou based on the eavesdropped conversation between Lao Si and Qi Tian.

Xiao Chunsheng, along with Qi Zi and others, confronts Li Shangyou to find Qi Tian. Li Shangyou denies any knowledge, but Xiao Chunsheng pressures him. At that moment, someone informs Xiao Chunsheng that Qi Tian has been arrested by the police. Xiao Chunsheng rushes to the police station and witnesses Qi Tian being taken away, tightly bound. He Hongling recalls Qi Tian's care and love for her over the past three years, feeling heartbroken and devastated. Xiao Chunsheng silently stays by her side.

Spring arrives, and another year passes. Since Qi Tian's arrest, Xiao Chunsheng has taken on Qi Tian's role and silently protects He Hongling. Ye Guohua still hopes to join the army with Xiao Chunsheng this year but can't bear to leave He Hongling. Even though he feels that He Hongling is getting further away from him, he is unwilling to give up.

Chen Hongjun gradually emerges from the shadow of Guo Heizi. He develops feelings for Ye Fang and eagerly awaits her visits every day. Today, Ye Fang is late, and Chen Hongjun anxiously waits for her. Ye Fang had planned to visit Chen Hongjun after work, but her boyfriend, Chen Tao, unexpectedly shows up and asks her to visit Commander He, who is inspecting Baoding. Ye Fang reluctantly agrees and goes with him. Xiao Chunsheng closely follows He Hongling, and as they pass by a music store, He Hongling spots a violin in the display case that she likes but can't afford. Disappointed, she leaves, and Xiao Chunsheng observes it all.

A fire breaks out at He Hongling's home. Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling rush back to rescue He's mother. He Hongling enters the burning house to retrieve her father's photo, with Xiao Chunsheng protecting her from behind. Due to the intense heat, He's mother faints on the spot. Xiao Chunsheng hurries to find a tricycle to take her to the hospital. Ye Guohua happens to pass by and offers to take He's mother to the hospital, covering the medical expenses as well.

After intense efforts by the medical staff, He's mother's condition stabilizes. He Hongling finally breathes a sigh of relief, and Xiao Chunsheng arrives at the hospital shortly afterward. The doctor suggests surgical treatment, but the only doctor capable of performing such an operation is the elderly and frail Professor Su. Many patients nationwide are waiting in line for his surgery. Ye Guohua asks his father to use his connections to try to find Professor Su for his father's treatment. Liang Dong suggests that He Hongling temporarily stay at Xiao Chunsheng's home, but Ye Guohua disagrees, as they have no other options.

Xiao Chunsheng brings He Hongling home and sees a note left by Xiao Yanqiu on the table, informing him that she had to leave on a business trip. Xiao Chunsheng settles He Hongling down. Ye Guohua returns home very late, and his mother informs him that he should participate in the new recruits' training in Beidaihe next week. Ye Guohua promises to consider it carefully before making a decision.

Xiao Chunsheng advises He Hongling not to listen to anyone else and to follow her own heart. Both he and Ye Guohua are waiting for He Hongling's final decision. He Hongling admits that her feelings for Xiao Chunsheng have never changed. Early in the morning, Xiao Chunsheng accompanies He Hongling to the hospital, and Ye Guohua also leaves to see her off. As they walk away in the distance, Ye Guohua firmly decides to join the army together with He Hongling. He requests his parents' help in arranging for He Hongling to join the military art troupe; otherwise, he won't join the army himself.

Chen Hongjun comes to the military camp to find Ye Fang. Chen Tao happens to invite Ye Fang to his home for dinner on the weekend. He dislikes Chen Hongjun and taunts him sarcastically. Unable to bear it, Ye Fang persuades Chen Hongjun to leave and then argues with Chen Tao. Their dispute escalates, and they part ways unhappily.

Xiao Yanpei suddenly falls seriously ill and loses consciousness. He is taken to the hospital for treatment. Xiao Chunsheng receives a call from the military's political department and immediately rushes to the hospital. Due to Xiao Yanpei's poor health condition, the organization allows him to temporarily suspend the investigation and return home for recuperation. Xiao Chunsheng is disappointed as it means his father's issues have not been fully resolved. Xiao Chunsheng asks Tong Xiaomei to teach him how to measure blood pressure, and she agrees to visit their home every week to measure Xiao Yanpei's blood pressure.

He Hongling takes care of Xiao Yanpei at the hospital, and Ye Guohua also visits. He asks He Hongling to join the military art troupe, a request she gladly accepts. Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling bring Xiao Yanpei back home. He Yanpei's condition fluctuates between clarity and confusion. He often regards himself as the current commanding officer and Xiao Chunsheng arranges a command post for him with the help of others.

Xiao Chunsheng specially arranged a command room and changed into the military uniform of the People's Liberation Army with He Hongling. They reenacted the scene of commanding troops to fight and defeat the enemy on the battlefield, just like they did in the past. Xiao Yanpei was very happy, and Xiao Chunsheng thanked He Hongling for taking care of Xiao Yanpei all this time. He praised her for looking heroic in the ill-fitting military uniform and even adjusted her cap for her. He Hongling felt a different kind of courage in her heart as she looked affectionately at Xiao Chunsheng, who blushed and couldn't look directly at He Hongling. Suddenly, Xiao Yanpei, who was in a wheelchair, came out to have a meal, relieving the awkwardness between Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling. They quickly prepared the meal as requested.

Ye Guohua started training in Beidaihe. In his spare time, he played basketball with his comrades. He had excellent basketball skills and a handsome appearance, attracting many female soldiers to cheer for him. Despite the admiration from others, Ye Guohua only had He Hongling in his heart. He Hongling's mother had always wanted He Hongling to join the army and be with Ye Guohua. She wanted He Hongling to move out of Xiao Chunsheng's house and live with her aunt. However, He Hongling used the excuse of not having had contact with her aunt's family for many years to refuse.

With the careful care of Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling, Xiao Yanpei's condition gradually improved. Tong Xiaomei often came to see Xiao Yanpei and praised Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling for taking good care of him. He Hongling played the violin in the room, and the melodious sound attracted Tong Xiaomei, who wanted He Hongling to play a piece. Suddenly, Ye Guohua called and asked He Hongling and Xiao Chunsheng to come over. Tong Xiaomei had no choice but to leave first.

Ye Guohua first inquired about Xiao Yanpei's condition and then eagerly told He Hongling some good news. The military arts troupe of the military district was in need of a highly skilled violinist, and Ye Guohua decided to recommend her for the position. He Hongling naturally couldn't ask for more but was worried that she might not be qualified. Ye Guohua firmly believed that she could do it. The original violinist in the troupe suddenly fell ill and had to leave the stage. The leaders decided to relax the requirements and recruit another one. As long as He Hongling passed the assessment, she could enter the arts troupe smoothly. He Hongling was eager to give it a try, and Xiao Chunsheng was happy for her.

It was late at night, and Xiao Yanpei refused to sleep in the command room. Xiao Chunsheng was extremely worried, but He Hongling had a clever idea. She suggested that Xiao Chunsheng take Xiao Yanpei on a motorcycle ride to the outskirts, recreating the scene of roughing it during the war. Xiao Yanpei fell asleep peacefully on the motorcycle. Early the next morning, Ye Guohua called the communication room to find Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling, but they hadn't returned yet. Ye Guohua felt anxious in his heart.

Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling stayed with Xiao Yanpei the whole night. As the day broke, Xiao Yanpei was still sound asleep, and He Hongling was so tired that she couldn't open her eyes. She leaned on Xiao Chunsheng's shoulder and dozed off. Xiao Chunsheng gently embraced her. Xiao Yanpei finally woke up. He was clear-headed and back to reality. He kept complaining about Xiao Chunsheng's reckless actions, but Xiao Chunsheng explained that all the arrangements were for his sake. He even rode the motorcycle to take him home to verify it. Xiao Yanpei saw the command room that Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling had carefully arranged and felt uneasy in his heart.

Ye Guohua made several phone calls in a row, but Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling were not at home. Ye Guohua suddenly realized that he was gradually detaching himself from this love triangle and felt the growing distance between him and He Hongling. Ye Guohua completed his training successfully and, when he returned home, forgot to come find Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling. He Hongling became the hostess of the Xiao family, even helping to dry sweet potatoes for Xiao Yanpei. Ye Guohua urged He Hongling to join the army with him. Xiao Chunsheng hurriedly rushed home, and He Hongling and Xiao Chunsheng had a cheerful conversation, leaving Ye Guohua feeling sour in his heart.

Chen Tao's mother invited Ye Fang to have dinner at her house and urged her to marry Chen Tao as soon as possible. Ye Fang neither agreed nor disagreed. Commander Xue asked Ye Fang and Chen Tao to get married this year. Ye Fang found various excuses to postpone it, but Commander Xue's orders were unquestionable. Ye Fang often visited Chen Hongjun, helping him with laundry and cooking. Chen Hongjun developed feelings for her and couldn't help but kiss her. Ye Fang took this opportunity to get rid of Chen Tao's entanglement and reported Chen Hongjun to the police in Baoding.

When Chen Tao learned about this, he canceled the engagement with Ye Fang on the same day. Ye's mother rushed to Baoding immediately, showing concern for Ye Fang. Ye Fang admitted that she did it on purpose to break up with Chen Tao. Ye's mother asked Commander Xue to explain the truth to the police and then came to confront Chen Hongjun. Ye's mother promised to marry Ye Fang to Chen Hongjun and asked him to lie that they had already agreed to be together. It was because Ye Fang was going to marry Chen Tao that he hit Ye Fang. In her anger, Ye Fang reported him to the police. Chen Tao agreed to testify falsely, promising to treat Ye Fang well for the rest of his life.

After completing the necessary procedures, Ye's mother brought Chen Hongjun and Ye Fang back home. Ye Guohua couldn't tolerate it and gave Chen Hongjun a beating without saying a word. Xiao Chunsheng desperately tried to stop him, but Ye Fang admitted that she had done it intentionally just to break up with Chen Tao. Xiao Chunsheng reminded her to delete Chen Hongjun from her life. Today was supposed to be the day of Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun's engagement. Xiao Chunsheng saw that Chen Hongjun was burdened with worries and called him out to advise him not to make himself miserable. Chen Hongjun emphasized repeatedly that he really liked Ye Fang.

Chen Hongjun likes Ye Fang, but he is unsure if Ye Fang truly has feelings for him. Xiao Chunsheng assures Chen Hongjun that Ye Fang also likes him, and Chen Hongjun wholeheartedly believes in Xiao Chunsheng's words, so they become engaged. The Ye family prepares a grand engagement banquet, and Mother Ye promises to treat Chen Hongjun as her own son. However, in front of everyone, Ye Fang reveals the truth. She falsely accused Chen Hongjun of assaulting her in order to escape from Chen Tao's entanglement. Father Ye angrily leaves the scene, realizing his misunderstanding of Chen Hongjun. Xiao Chunsheng quickly steps forward to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Ye Guohua eagerly hopes to join the army with Xiao Chunsheng. He learns from his father that Xiao Yanpei's issue has not been resolved yet, and Xiao Chunsheng is temporarily unable to enlist. Ye Guohua doesn't dare to tell Xiao Chunsheng the truth and every day Xiao Chunsheng eagerly awaits a phone call from the military district informing him of his enlistment, but there is still no news.

Ye Guohua wants to get He Hongling into the Arts Group, but all the slots are already full. He hears that Tong Xiaomei has an available slot and knows that she has always wanted to become a doctor since she was young. He pleads with Tong Xiaomei to give the Arts Group slot to He Hongling. Tong Xiaomei advises Ye Guohua to give up on He Hongling, as He Hongling loves Xiao Chunsheng, not him. Tong Xiaomei agrees to give the slot to He Hongling and explicitly states that she is creating an opportunity for Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling.

When Xiao Chunsheng hears that Tong Xiaomei is giving up her Arts Group slot for He Hongling, he rushes to share the good news with He Hongling. He Hongling naturally couldn't be happier, as she has long wanted to join the army with Xiao Chunsheng, but she worries about not passing the assessment. Xiao Chunsheng encourages her and cheers her on. While Xiao Chunsheng accompanies He Hongling to practice the violin, Tong Xiaomei invites the Arts Group leader, who is impressed by He Hongling's performance and praises her, instructing her to go to the group for assessment.

Ye Guohua wants to take credit for He Hongling, claiming that he persuaded Tong Xiaomei to talk to the group leader. However, He Hongling rejects Ye Guohua's claim directly and expresses her desire to join the army with Xiao Chunsheng. Ye Guohua has no choice but to reveal that Xiao Chunsheng couldn't enlist due to not passing the political examination. Disappointed, He Hongling doesn't want to make Xiao Chunsheng sad and keeps this information from him. Ye Guohua also hesitates to disclose the truth and stammers without revealing the real situation. Tong Xiaomei notices everything.

Xiao Yanqiu returns from her business trip ahead of schedule and expresses her gratitude to He Hongling for taking care of her father. She reminds Xiao Chunsheng to treat He Hongling better. Upon hearing that Tong Xiaomei gave up her Arts Group slot, Commander Tong becomes angry. He knows that Tong Xiaomei has always dreamed of becoming a doctor since she was young, but the Military Medical College does not recruit externally, and the medical team only accepts children of workers and peasants. Commander Tong cannot bear to see Tong Xiaomei working as a nurse at the hospital and has heard that she has been getting close to children from the wealthy compound lately, worrying that she might be influenced negatively. Tong Xiaomei becomes angry and bursts into tears, explaining that those children are not bad people.

Tong Xiaomei notices that the soldiers who volunteered are starting their medical examinations. She worries for Xiao Chunsheng and truthfully tells He Hongling the reasons why Xiao Chunsheng couldn't enlist. Xiao Chunsheng repeatedly visits the neighborhood committee to inquire about the results of his political examination, but there is still no news. He uses all his money to buy the violin that He Hongling desires and eagerly goes home to give it to her. He Hongling, thinking about the upcoming separation from Xiao Chunsheng, feels a mix of emotions.

Xiao Chunsheng goes to see Liang Dong to learn martial arts, and Liang Dong casually mentions that the medical examinations for new recruits have begun this year. Xiao Chunsheng's heart sinks. Tong Xiaomei notices that everyone is deliberately keeping the truth from Xiao Chunsheng, so she intentionally waits for him at the door and reveals to him the reason why he cannot join the army. Xiao Chunsheng feels deeply upset and locks himself in his room, feeling melancholic.

Today is the day of He Hongling's exam. Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua accompany her to the Arts Group. With her skilled performance, He Hongling successfully passes the exam. She shares this good news with her mother, who becomes excited and tears up. Xiao Chunsheng, Chen Hongjun, Tong Xiaomei, He Hongling, and Ye Guohua go out together to have fun. They take pictures and finally go to a restaurant. Xiao Chunsheng takes great care of He Hongling, while Ye Guohua intentionally embarrasses Xiao Chunsheng publicly, claiming that he will go to the nearest military unit to the Arts Group and asking which unit Xiao Chunsheng will join. Xiao Chunsheng admits that he couldn't enlist due to not passing the political examination, but he firmly believes that his father, Xiao Yanpei, is not wrong. Ye Guohua questions whether He Hongling can wait for Xiao Chunsheng for so long, but Xiao Chunsheng supports He Hongling's decision to join the Arts Group. Tong Xiaomei quickly changes the topic and treats everyone to ice cream.

He Hongling has been hesitating. She doesn't want to leave Xiao Chunsheng at this time. Xiao Chunsheng encourages her to go to the military and play the violin well, promising to resolve the political examination issue and find her in the army. He Hongling asks him to express his true feelings, and Xiao Chunsheng confesses his love for her. They agree to write letters to each other every day.

Xiao Chunsheng comes to help repaint He Hongling's burned house. Ye Guohua also comes to help and admits that he is not as good as Xiao Chunsheng. He decides to let go of He Hongling, and Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua resolve their misunderstanding and reconcile as before.

Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua, along with others, repaint He Hongling's burnt house. He Hongling prepares snow pear soup for them, and seeing Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua reconciled, she feels relieved. He Hongling's mother's condition stabilizes, and the doctor suggests that she can go home for rest. However, she still wants Ye Guohua to arrange for Professor Su to perform the surgery for her. He Hongling doesn't want to trouble Ye Guohua, and the doctor suggests conservative treatment would be sufficient. He Hongling's mother realizes that she has chosen Xiao Chunsheng over Ye Guohua and can't help but express her dissatisfaction. She compares Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua's qualities and advises He Hongling not to be with Xiao Chunsheng. He Hongling has made up her mind.

While waiting for Xiao Chunsheng to pick up her mother from the hospital, Ye Guohua suddenly arrives at the nurses' station. He Hongling goes to answer the phone and reminds her mother not to say anything inappropriate to Xiao Chunsheng. Ye Guohua has already contacted Professor Su, who agrees to perform the surgery for He Hongling's mother. He Hongling politely declines the offer.

Xiao Chunsheng celebrates He Hongling and Ye Guohua's enlistment in the army at home. Tong Xiaomei, Chen Hongjun, and others join the celebration. Xiao Yanpei gives He Hongling a pen as a gift, encouraging her to do well in the military. Shortly after, He Hongling and Ye Guohua depart for Yunnan to join the army. Xiao Chunsheng, Tong Xiaomei, and others accompany them to the train station. Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling reluctantly bid farewell, promising to write letters to each other every day.

Ye Fang had already noticed that He Hongling's heart only belonged to herself. Although He Hongling chose Xiao Chunsheng, they were not meant to be together. Ye Fang thought that Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng were a good match and quickly changed the subject. Once He Hongling arrives in Yunnan, she immediately writes a letter to Xiao Chunsheng, expressing her lovesickness.

Tong Xiaomei regularly checks Xiao Yanpei's blood pressure and encourages Xiao Chunsheng to be strong. Now that the "Four-Person Alliance" has been shattered, he will have many opportunities to shine. After careful consideration, Xiao Chunsheng decides to work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and is not afraid of hard work. He diligently learns from his master and impresses him. The master invites him to watch a movie, but Xiao Chunsheng makes an excuse to meet his boyfriend, so the master gives up.

Whenever Ye Guohua has free time, he visits the Arts Group to see He Hongling. He shows great concern and care for her, leading their comrades to think they are in a romantic relationship. He Hongling is also a cadre's daughter, but she doesn't explain anything. Guo Heizi sends a message through Bottle Cap, notifying Xiao Chunsheng of a meeting in the evening. The master reminds Xiao Chunsheng not to associate with delinquents to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Xiao Chunsheng assures him that he will never mix with them.

After work, Xiao Chunsheng goes to meet Guo Heizi, but to his surprise, Li Shangyou, Qi Tian's archenemy, is also there. Xiao Chunsheng wonders why he's present and happens to notice the bruises on Zhao Xiaohui's face. He casually asks about it, and Zhao Xiaohui.

Qi Tian entrusted Xiao Chunsheng to take care of He Hongling and Guo Heizi before leaving. Guo Heizi was not happy with Xiao Chunsheng and held a grudge against him. Xiao Chunsheng tried to persuade him, but the police arrived, causing Guo Heizi and Li Shangyou to reluctantly leave. Before leaving, Guo Heizi made a threatening remark that he would come back for Xiao Chunsheng.

He Hongling represented the Cultural Troupe to participate in the artistic performance in the military region. She performed a solo piece on stage, and her melodious music deeply attracted the soldiers. Li Dongzheng, a propaganda officer who had just returned from study, fell in love with He Hongling at first sight. After the performance, he took the initiative to greet He Hongling and wanted to write an article to promote her. He Hongling asked him to report on those who were more talented instead. Ye Guohua also came to see He Hongling and immediately recognized Li Dongzheng. They grew up together in the same courtyard, but Li Dongzheng moved away with his parents later. Ye Guohua noticed that Li Dongzheng was interested in He Hongling and listed all of his shortcomings, but He Hongling didn't care.

Comrades were jealous of He Hongling and talked about her privately. Soon rumors spread that He Hongling was the daughter of Deputy Director He from the General Political Department. He Hongling didn't explain, and everyone believed it to be true. Li Dongzheng relentlessly pursued He Hongling, while she ignored him. Chen Can exposed in front of everyone that He Hongling was pretending to be the daughter of a high-ranking official, and He Hongling admitted that she was not Deputy Director He's daughter.

Captain Huang asked Chen Can to replace He Hongling as the principal violinist. Due to excessive stress, He Hongling fell ill and couldn't recover. She had a high fever and was sent to the hospital. Ye Guohua heard the news and came to the hospital to visit her, taking care of her attentively. Xiao Chunsheng hadn't received a letter from He Hongling for a long time, and he was extremely worried. He immediately wrote a letter to her.

With the college entrance examination approaching, Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun went to collect their admission tickets. They were robbed on the way, and Chen Hongjun's admission ticket was taken. Chen Hongjun hurried to chase after the robber, but Guo Heizi and Li Shangyou sent someone to snatch Chen Hongjun's admission ticket. Chen Hongjun had been preparing for the college entrance examination for two years and didn't want to lose all his efforts. He desperately pleaded with Guo Heizi to return his admission ticket, but Guo Heizi refused. Just as Guo Heizi was about to tear up the admission ticket, Xiao Chunsheng arrived in time and offered to take the blame for Chen Hongjun. Li Shangyou took the opportunity to instigate and falsely accused Zhao Xiaohui of informing Xiao Chunsheng. Out of anger, Guo Heizi stabbed Xiao Chunsheng and handed the admission ticket to him.

Despite the pain, Xiao Chunsheng accompanied Chen Hongjun to the examination center. Ye Fang had been waiting at the gate for Chen Hongjun. As the final bell rang, Chen Hongjun and Ye Fang hurriedly rushed to the examination center, while Xiao Chunsheng fainted due to excessive blood loss. When Xiao Chunsheng regained consciousness, he saw Tong Xiaomei by his side and realized that Tong Xiaomei had been captured waiting at the examination center. Tong Xiaomei advised him not to push himself so hard in the future.

Li Shangyou's dishonest intentions toward Zhao Xiaohui persisted. He urged her to leave Guo Heizi, but Zhao Xiaohui advised him to give up early. Taking advantage of the situation, Li Shangyou made inappropriate advances towards Zhao Xiaohui, but Guo Heizi arrived in time and physically confronted Li Shangyou. Xiao Chunsheng's injuries gradually improved, and Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun invited Xiao Chunsheng to have a meal to express their gratitude. The two of them performed well on the exam and had great aspirations for college life. Tong Xiaomei also joined them for the meal, and Xiao Chunsheng was curious why Tong Xiaomei didn't take the college entrance exam. Tong Xiaomei replied that the hospital was short-staffed, and she wanted to take the exam later. Xiao Chunsheng praised her for her care for Xiao Yanpei.

Guo Heizi went to Zhao Xiaohui's house to propose marriage, but Zhao's father and friends beat him severely. Zhao Xiaohui pleaded for Guo Heizi and publicly swore that she would only marry him. They sent Guo Heizi to the hospital, deeply moved by the situation. After delivering gifts to his master, Xiao Chunsheng sat by the river to relax. Tong Xiaomei, who had finished her class at the university where Ye Fang studied, passed by and had a conversation with Xiao Chunsheng about their respective ideals. Xiao Chunsheng specially left a bag of newly acquired candies for Tong Xiaomei as a token of gratitude for her care for Xiao Yanpei.

Ye Guohua trained diligently in the new recruit company and ranked first in all assessments. He was about to complete his training and be assigned to a unit. He came to bid farewell to He Hongling and happened to mention that Li Dongzheng would report and interview the new recruit company. His deeds would appear in the military region newspaper. He Hongling learned that the military region newspaper had a high influence, and her interest was piqued. On the weekend, Li Dongzheng came to pick up He Hongling to take photos. She didn't refuse and even wanted to have the photos published in the military region newspaper.

Ye Guohua came to find He Hongling but learned that she had gone out with Li Dongzheng. He had no choice but to wait patiently. Ye Guohua waited until it was dark, and Li Dongzheng finally brought He Hongling back. Li Dongzheng sarcastically mocked Ye Guohua, provoking his anger. He Hongling was dissatisfied with Li Dongzheng and listed all of Ye Guohua's good qualities, exposing Li Dongzheng's shortcomings.

He Hongling couldn't stand Li Dongzheng's arrogance and hypocrisy. She publicly humiliated him and pointed out his shortcomings compared to Ye Guohua. The soldiers applauded and praised He Hongling, leaving Li Dongzheng feeling ashamed.

Xiao Yanpei's case was finally cleared, and Xiao Chunsheng's political review went smoothly. He achieved his wish to join the army, and it happened to be the same unit as Ye Guohua. Xiao Chunsheng was overjoyed and invited Tong Xiaomei to celebrate at his home. Xiao Yanpei kept serving dishes to Tong Xiaomei and treated her like a daughter-in-law. Tong Xiaomei vehemently denied it, but Xiao Yanpei insisted on his belief. Xiao Chunsheng quickly changed the topic, and Xiao Yanpei felt remorseful. If it weren't for him dragging down Xiao Chunsheng, he would have joined the army long ago. Tong Xiaomei tried to comfort him, and he felt slightly relieved.

After the meal, Xiao Chunsheng accompanied Tong Xiaomei home. He couldn't contain his excitement about meeting He Hongling soon. He encouraged Tong Xiaomei to study hard and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Tong Xiaomei promised to do her best. He Hongling eagerly awaited Xiao Chunsheng's arrival upon hearing the news.

Before leaving, Xiao Chunsheng went to bid farewell to Liang Dong. He asked Liang Dong to take care of Xiao Yanqiu. However, Qi Tian was released from prison earlier than expected. Xiao Chunsheng asked him to protect Xiao Yanqiu, and Qi Tian readily agreed. Guo Heizi, Chen Hongjun, Ye Fang, Tong Xiaomei, Qi Tian, Zhao Xiaohui, and others gathered at the station to see Xiao Chunsheng off. Xiao Chunsheng mediated between Guo Heizi and Chen Hongjun, hoping they could reconcile. As the train slowly departed, Xiao Chunsheng bid farewell to his good friends and embarked on the journey to the army.

Xiao Chunsheng trained diligently in the new recruit company, but his performance in various assessments fell just short of surpassing Duan Lei, who ranked first. Xiao Chunsheng tried to learn from Duan Lei, but Duan Lei ignored him. Qian Amao threw his stinky socks on the bed, which infuriated Meng Jinzhu. They exchanged harsh words, and Duan Lei instigated a fight with Meng Jinzhu. Xiao Chunsheng arrived in time to break up the fight and urged Qian Amao to wash the socks to avoid affecting the dormitory's score. Duan Lei was dissatisfied and vowed to leave the dormitory soon.

Duan Lei constantly outperformed Xiao Chunsheng during training, but Meng Jinzhu cheered and encouraged Xiao Chunsheng, urging him to defeat Duan Lei and regain his pride in the horizontal and parallel bars, his strong suit. Ye Guohua was transferred to the same new recruit company as Xiao Chunsheng and witnessed their confrontation. Xiao Chunsheng managed to do seventy pull-ups in one breath, but Duan Lei effortlessly did 108. Unwilling to accept defeat, Xiao Chunsheng suggested a shooting competition, but the new recruits were not allowed to practice shooting, so they had to give up.

Ye Guohua called He Hongling, who was eager to know about Xiao Chunsheng's situation. Ye Guohua had just taken office and hadn't had a chance to talk to Xiao Chunsheng in detail. He Hongling looked forward to meeting Xiao Chunsheng during the new recruits' performance visit, while Ye Guohua hesitated to express his thoughts. Xiao Chunsheng admitted that he was not as good as Duan Lei, but he was unwilling to give up. Meng Jinzhu and others encouraged him to regain his dignity.

Ye Guohua called Xiao Chunsheng to his office after a long time apart. They were both excited and overwhelmed with emotions. Ye Guohua mentioned that He Hongling would visit the new recruit company, but they couldn't meet privately and had to wait until the training ended. Shortly afterward, He Hongling accompanied the art troupe to visit the new recruit company. From behind the stage curtains, she caught a glimpse of Xiao Chunsheng in the audience, and her heart filled with joy. Xiao Chunsheng watched He Hongling perform on stage and couldn't help but recall their beautiful moments together, feeling a mix of emotions.

Captain Huang praised He Hongling's excellent performance and heartfelt emotions in front of everyone. He expressed his hope for her to continue in the same way. Chen Can, feeling dissatisfied, was advised by He Hongling with kind words. Ye Guohua inspected the dormitory, and Qian Amao hadn't had time to tidy up his bed. However, Ye Guohua didn't pursue the matter. He recognized Meng Jinzhu as the son of the highly decorated leader Meng Tao. Meng Jinzhu wanted to achieve success in the army based on his own abilities, not just relying on his father's accomplishments. Ye Guohua called on everyone to learn from him and pointed out his problematic attitude. Instead, Meng Jinzhu questioned whether Ye Guohua relaxed the dormitory requirements due to personal relationships. Xiao Chunsheng admitted that he had grown up with Ye Guohua and firmly believed that Ye Guohua would treat everyone equally. Ye Guohua punished Qian Amao with push-ups and made the other soldiers in the dormitory join him.

Tong Xiaomei often visited Xiao Yanpei at his home. It happened that Xiao Chunsheng received a letter from home. Xiao Yanqiu was busy and asked Tong Xiaomei to help read the letter. Tong Xiaomei excitedly opened Xiao Chunsheng's letter, where he described his life in the army.

Ye Guohua led the soldiers of the new recruit company in rigorous training. Despite Xiao Chunsheng's full efforts, he always fell slightly short of Duan Lei. Xiao Chunsheng felt unwilling, but Ye Guohua encouraged him not to be discouraged.

From that day on, Xiao Chunsheng trained day and night. He was not afraid of hardship or exhaustion, refusing to give up even when completely exhausted. Qi Tian remembered Xiao Chunsheng's request and protected Xiao Yanqiu with great care, causing Xiao Yanqiu to feel overwhelmed. After Guo Heizi and Zhao Xiaohui got married, Guo Heizi became worried and secretly sent someone to track her. However, Zhao Xiaohui discovered it and went home to hold Guo Heizi accountable. Guo Heizi apologized and promised that Zhao Xiaohui would never leave him. Still, Guo Heizi remained suspicious and suspected that the swimming coach had ulterior motives towards Zhao Xiaohui. Zhao Xiaohui asked her to seek evidence from Xiao Yanqiu, who was present that day.

Xiao Yanqiu was going to attend cram school, so she asked Tong Xiaomei to take care of Xiao Yanpei. Tong Xiaomei, after finishing her night shift, rushed to Xiao's home without even resting. She inadvertently discovered that Xiao Yanqiu had dressed up carefully, and Xiao Yanqiu desperately tried to conceal it. Qi Tian had been waiting for Xiao Yanqiu at the night school gate but unexpectedly, Guo Heizi also came to speak to Xiao Yanqiu about something. Xiao Yanqiu and night school teacher Fan Jianping were attracted to each other. Fan Jianping wanted to confess his feelings to Xiao Yanqiu but suddenly saw Qi Tian and Guo Heizi, causing him to quickly shut his mouth and complain that Xiao Yanqiu shouldn't associate with people like them.

Guo Heizi and Qi Tian confronted Fan Jianping, exposing that he had a wife and child named Ye Sanmei, and he hadn't sent any living expenses to his family for three months. Fan Jianping vehemently denied it, but Qi Tian revealed that Fan Jianping had been having an affair with two Beijing girls and planned to stay in Beijing after graduation. Seeing the situation, Fan Jianping could only leave dejectedly. Guo Heizi inquired about the situation between Zhao Xiaohui and the swimming coach from Xiao Yanqiu. Xiao Yanqiu confirmed that they had no relationship and sarcastically retorted to Guo Heizi. Later, Xiao Yanqiu also gave Qi Tian a good scolding.

Tong Xiaomei went to Xiao Chunsheng's room, recalling his encouraging words, and her confidence soared. She was busy every day, either working at the hospital or auditing classes at the university. She also had to take care of Xiao Yanpei. Ye Fang felt sorry for Tong Xiaomei, but Chen Hongjun thought she meddled too much. Chen Hongjun wanted to run for student union president, but Ye Fang disagreed. She believed he was too audacious to hold such a position. Chen Hongjun and Ye Fang argued their points, but Ye Fang refused to budge, so Chen Hongjun had to compromise.

Xiao Chunsheng worked overtime every day, training until he was completely exhausted. Duan Lei began to look at him with admiration and took the initiative to befriend him. Xiao Chunsheng wrote a letter to his family, vividly describing the hardships and joys of his life in the military camp. Tong Xiaomei read the letter to Xiao Yanpei, who was deeply moved. When Xiao Yanqiu returned from work, she made tomato and egg noodles for her. Tong Xiaomei yearned for the outside world, and Xiao Yanqiu believed that she would soar high after graduating from university.

Xiao Yanqiu wanted to write a letter to Xiao Chunsheng and asked Tong Xiaomei to fetch paper and pen from Xiao Chunsheng's room. Tong Xiaomei inadvertently discovered that Xiao Chunsheng had placed her bookmark on the easel, causing mixed emotions in her heart. Apart from working odd jobs, Qi Tian often came to help at Xiao's home, and Xiao Yanpei was grateful to him. The training for the new recruit company ended quickly, and Ye Guohua gave the soldiers a two-day break. Xiao Chunsheng couldn't wait to go to the art troupe and find He Hongling.

Xiao Chunsheng arrived at the art troupe and reunited with He Hongling after a long separation. Their excitement was beyond words. With the military discipline in place, they had to restrain themselves. He Hongling had a tight rehearsal schedule, so Xiao Chunsheng went to the military guesthouse to wait for her. Comrade Meng Meng saw Xiao Chunsheng through the window and curiously asked if he was He Hongling's boyfriend, but He Hongling denied it.

After He Hongling finished rehearsing, she came to find Xiao Chunsheng, and they went to a nearby restaurant to have a meal. At a neighboring table, there were four people, one of whom was Xiang Nan. He had spent 5,000 yuan gambling on a piece of jadeite in Tengchong. When he opened it, it turned out to be a top-quality piece. Ruffian Jia Tao heard that the stone could earn him millions and pressured Xiang Nan to sell it at the original price. Xiang Nan firmly refused. He had bet all his belongings and finally managed to buy the stone. Jia Tao threatened to kill him.

Duan Lei, who specialized in criminal investigation, and his old comrade-in-arms, Zhan Jun, also came to the restaurant. Xiao Chunsheng invited Duan Lei to have a meal together, and Zhan Jun left for something. After the meal, Duan Lei, Xiao Chunsheng, and He Hongling returned to the military camp together. On the way, they encountered Xiang Nan being chased by Jia Tao and his companions. Xiao Chunsheng told He Hongling to call the police, but she insisted on staying with him. The group of people, armed with sticks, started attacking them. They fought back, but being outnumbered, Duan Lei got injured, and someone raised a stick to hit He Hongling. Xiao Chunsheng rushed forward to protect her and took a blow to the head, with blood streaming down.

Jia Tao, not wanting to prolong the fight, ordered his men to chase after Xiang Nan, while Xiao Chunsheng, He Hongling, and Duan Lei firmly blocked their way. The police arrived in time, causing the thugs to panic and flee. Xiao Chunsheng relentlessly pursued Jia Tao, who turned around and stabbed him. Xiao Chunsheng subdued him on the spot, but the knife in his hand pierced his own throat, causing him to die instantly. Shocked, Xiao Chunsheng collapsed to the ground, and Jia Tao's accomplice, Tian Guo, took advantage of the chaos and escaped.

When Xiao Chunsheng woke up in a daze, he was eager to know about He Hongling's condition. When he learned that He Hongling only had superficial injuries, he hurried to the hospital to visit her. After experiencing this ordeal, Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling both vowed never to be separated again. Ye Guohua arrived upon hearing the news and reprimanded Xiao Chunsheng without asking for details. He blamed him for not protecting He Hongling well and causing her harm. Ye Guohua showed concern for He Hongling, and she defended Xiao Chunsheng earnestly. Ye Guohua regretted not being there and missed the opportunity to perform in front of He Hongling. Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling both expressed that they would treat Duan Lei as their closest friend.

The police interviewed Xiao Chunsheng, Duan Lei, and He Hongling about the incident on the day of the crime. The police concluded that Xiao Chunsheng acted in self-defense, but he couldn't let go of Jia Tao's death. Both He Hongling and Ye Guohua tried to console him. Duan Lei came to see Xiao Chunsheng and declared that he regarded him as a life-and-death brother. Xiao Chunsheng found Duan Lei's inquiry strangely familiar, and Duan Lei admitted that he was his comrade-in-arms Zhan Jun. Xiao Chunsheng was curious about the reason Jia Tao and his group were chasing after Xiang Nan. Duan Lei found out that the jade stone owned by Xiang Nan was worth one million yuan. Jia Tao's brother, Jia Hui, was the head of a gang. Duan Lei was worried that Jia Hui wouldn't let it go and warned Xiao Chunsheng to be cautious.

Jia Hui had the body of Jia Tao buried and pressured Sweet Melon for answers. Sweet Melon didn't know the identities of the three soldiers, so Jia Hui quickly found out about Xiao Chunsheng, Duan Lei, and He Hongling being in the military hospital. He deliberately spread the news, declaring that he wouldn't let Xiao Chunsheng leave Kunming alive. Zhan Jun came to discuss countermeasures with Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei, suggesting that Xiao Chunsheng act as bait to lure Jia Hui out, while Duan Lei would assist him in capturing Jia Hui and his gang. Xiao Chunsheng worried that Jia Hui wouldn't fall into the trap willingly, so Zhan Jun hurried back to formulate a new battle plan.

Ye Guohua bought a lot of supplements and came to visit Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei. In the courtyard, he saw He Hongling and learned about the conversation between Zhan Jun and them. Ye Guohua asked He Hongling to pass on the supplements to them.

Jia Hui learned that Xiao Chunsheng, Duan Lei, and He Hongling would be discharged from the hospital today, so he sent Da Yong and his men to stake out the hospital. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei completed the discharge procedures and quickly bid farewell to He Hongling and left the hospital. Zhan Jun had already set up a dragnet, hoping to capture Jia Hui and his gang.

Xiao Chunsheng, Duan Lei, and Zhan Jun arrived at the long-distance bus station. Da Yong and his men arrived with great momentum, and he immediately recognized Zhan Jun. He had no choice but to let Xiao Chunsheng and the others board the long-distance bus, while Da Yong and his men followed closely behind in a truck. After the bus left Kunming, Xiao Chunsheng carefully observed every passenger. He soon noticed a suspicious man and woman in the front row, suspecting them to be Jia Hui's informants. Xiao Chunsheng deliberately spoke loudly with Duan Lei about Jia Hui, stating that Jia Hui wouldn't come and asking Zhan Jun and the others to return. Zhan Jun understood Xiao Chunsheng's intention and, along with several undercover police officers, got off the bus one after another and left.

The long-distance bus continued its journey and reached Anning. Suddenly, the truck stopped in front, and Jia Hui, Da Yong, and others blocked the road in front of the bus. They forced Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei to get off the bus, and Jia Hui aimed his gun at Xiao Chunsheng, but to his surprise, there were undercover police officers among the passengers. They surrounded Jia Hui and his men, and Zhan Jun arrived with the police, capturing all of them. Jia Hui realized that he had been tricked. After Zhan Jun reported to his superiors, various departments made thorough arrangements, and a plan was implemented to lure and capture Jia Hui. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei cooperated with them to successfully complete the arrest mission. Duan Lei praised Xiao Chunsheng for his wit and bravery, and both of them received commendations.

In private, the classmates discussed Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun, criticizing Chen Hongjun as a troublemaker. Unable to bear it any longer, Chen Hongjun got into a fight with his classmates. Ye Fang complained that he was too impulsive, and Chen Hongjun felt wronged. They argued heatedly and parted ways without reconciling.

Xiao Yanqiu happened to see Qi Tian working at the construction site and realized that the money he secretly put in her money box was hard-earned. Xiao Yanqiu felt uneasy about it. The Municipal Bureau inquired about Jia Tao's case from Xiao Chunsheng. The army specially approved Xiao Chunsheng to come to Kunming. Xiao Chunsheng visited He Hongling again, and they exchanged endless sweet words, vowing never to be separated again. Chen Can happened to pass by and saw Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling happily talking without saying hello before quietly leaving.

Captain Huang called He Hongling for a heart-to-heart talk, emphasizing once again that soldiers are not allowed to be in a romantic relationship. He Hongling denied it, and Captain Huang reminded her to prioritize her future and not disappoint the expectations of the team. The recruit training was about to end, and the company commander asked Ye Guohua to select an elite squad to take back. Xiao Chunsheng noticed that his comrades had been training vigorously lately, and Meng Jinzhu revealed that Ye Guohua would select the elite squad, joking about the not-so-friendly relationship between Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua.

He Hongling heard that the selected soldiers for the elite squad might be promoted, and she hoped Xiao Chunsheng would be chosen. Captain Huang sent He Hongling to experience life in the recruit company, and she eagerly embraced the opportunity. Meng Meng was curious if He Hongling was dating Xiao Chunsheng, but He Hongling repeatedly denied it.

He Hongling and Liu Gan came to the recruit company. Today was the last day of training for the recruits. Ye Guohua publicly announced the selection criteria for the elite squad. Meng Jinzhu questioned why there was no five-kilometer loaded cross-country, suspecting that Ye Guohua removed it because it was Xiao Chunsheng's weak point. Xiao Chunsheng and Meng Jinzhu had a big argument about it.

Xiao Chunsheng went to find Ye Guohua and asked him to include the five-kilometer loaded cross-country. Ye Guohua advised him not to act impulsively, as Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to be criticized because of it. Xiao Yanqiu returned all the money to Qi Tian, asking him to save it for the future when he gets married. Xiao Yanqiu gave a letter from Xiao Chunsheng to Qi Tian, encouraging him to find a job and live a good life. Qi Tian advised Xiao Yanqiu to find a good man and not get involved with scumbags like Fan Jianping. Xiao Yanqiu became furious and yelled at Qi Tian, but he kindly advised her, and she gradually calmed down.

He Hongling heard that Xiao Chunsheng wanted to include the five-kilometer loaded cross-country, so she went to talk to Ye Guohua on Xiao Chunsheng's behalf. Xiao Chunsheng practiced running with a heavy load day and night, and He Hongling watched him closely.

He Hongling heard that Xiao Chunsheng voluntarily included the five-kilometer loaded cross-country in the selection competition, even though it was not his strong point. She went to the training ground at night to argue with Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to reveal his weakness and make his comrades think that Ye Guohua was favoring him. He Hongling worked diligently in the cultural troupe, hoping to be promoted soon so she could openly date Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to give up this great promotion opportunity and didn't consider how Ye Guohua earned respect in the military. The more He Hongling thought about it, the angrier she became. She scolded Xiao Chunsheng and left in a huff. That night, Ye Guohua couldn't sleep and, after careful consideration, decided to remove the five-kilometer loaded cross-country from the competition. He was feeling troubled and went to the training ground to run with Xiao Chunsheng. Both had their own concerns.

The selection competition for the elite squad officially began, and the soldiers were ready. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei tied for first place, Qian Amao came in second, and Meng Jinzhu achieved third place. Xiao Chunsheng strongly requested an additional five-kilometer loaded cross-country race, but Ye Guohua rejected his proposal in front of everyone. Xiao Chunsheng was unwilling and wanted to compete with Duan Lei. He asked Meng Jinzhu to be their referee. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei ran with their heavy loads and reached the finish line together, exhausted. Meng Jinzhu acknowledged Xiao Chunsheng's ability, and Duan Lei believed in Xiao Chunsheng's character. He knew Xiao Chunsheng wouldn't take shortcuts to enter the elite squad.

Tong Xiaomei came to measure Xiao Yanpei's blood pressure regularly. Xiao Chunsheng received a letter from home and had Tong Xiaomei read it to Xiao Yanpei. Xiao Yanpei was delighted to learn that Xiao Chunsheng had entered the elite squad through his own efforts. Tong Xiaomei's heart was touched again, and she also looked forward to leaving the compound soon.

Chen Hongjun participated in the election for the Student Union, and Ye Fang came to cheer him on. Chen Hongjun went on stage to give a speech but became too nervous to speak. Ye Fang raised her hand to support him, boosting his confidence. Chen Hongjun thanked Ye Fang for her help and publicly announced their romantic relationship. His speech received praise from the teachers and students, and he successfully became the president of the Student Union.

The military district recruited a group of surgeons for support. The director recommended Tong Xiaomei to participate in the assessment, and she was overjoyed. Xiao Yanqiu hadn't received her salary for two months, and their family was running out of money. She went to ask Director Liu for her wages, but he made various excuses and delays, telling her to find a way to overcome her problems. He also pointed out that she had been frequently late and leaving early. Qi Tian happened to be at the factory to collect delivery fees and witnessed Director Liu using public funds to play mahjong. Qi Tian scolded him harshly and demanded that he pay the overdue wages. One of the mahjong players recognized Qi Tian as a prominent figure in the Gulou area. Director Liu was frightened and quickly corrected himself. He paid Xiao Yanqiu her wages and she asked him to return the money owed to her co-workers. Director Liu feared Qi Tian and had no choice but to continue paying the wages. Qi Tian helped out at Xiao's home, and Xiao Yanqiu thanked him for his assistance and encouraged him to find a stable job and not be burdened by the past.

After joining the combat unit, the elite squad underwent rigorous training under Ye Guohua's strict guidance. They quickly developed excellent special warfare skills. Through numerous training sessions, the soldiers experienced physical and mental tests, becoming the sharp edge of the military. Tong Xiaomei successfully passed the special recruitment assessment and prepared to depart. When her mother learned about it, she couldn't help but complain, but Tong Xiaomei didn't want to rely on her parents. Ye Fang came to see Tong Xiaomei off and advised her not to give up on the college entrance examination for Xiao Chunsheng and not to let love cloud her judgment. Tong Xiaomei clarified that her decision wasn't solely for Xiao Chunsheng; she wanted to explore a bigger world and realize her own value.

Tong Xiaomei spoke sincerely to Ye Fang, expressing her true feelings. Ye Fang supported her decision, and when her parents heard Tong Xiaomei's words from outside the door, they no longer opposed her going to a remote place to work as a military doctor.

Ye Guohua trained the soldiers of the elite squad diligently. It had been a long time since they had conducted shooting training, and his skills had noticeably regressed. Xiao Chunsheng encouraged him not to be discouraged. The soldiers privately discussed Ye Guohua's poor shooting skills, which Xiao Chunsheng couldn't tolerate. He warned them not to gossip behind their backs, and Meng Jinzhu, in anger, turned and walked away.

Ye Guohua asked Meng Jinzhu to demonstrate shooting to the soldiers, but Meng Jinzhu firmly refused and made many sarcastic remarks. He challenged Ye Guohua to demonstrate it himself. Xiao Chunsheng worried that Ye Guohua would embarrass himself in public, so he stepped forward to offer a shooting demonstration. Meng Jinzhu was unconvinced, so Ye Guohua demonstrated and achieved an impressive score of 89 points. Meng Jinzhu was stunned.

Xiao Chunsheng talked to He Hongling about this incident, and she complained that he acted without considering the consequences. Xiao Chunsheng also realized that his relationship with Ye Guohua had changed. He promised to think carefully in the future to avoid giving others a reason to gossip and causing trouble for Ye Guohua's work. He Hongling reminded Xiao Chunsheng to create some distance between himself and Ye Guohua, not allowing his own brilliance to overshadow Ye Guohua. Xiao Chunsheng became confused.

As He Hongling had predicted, Ye Guohua ignored Xiao Chunsheng for several days in a row. Xiao Chunsheng was frustrated and restless. Qian Amao noticed his concerns and advised him to be cautious around Ye Guohua. Since the shooting demonstration, Ye Guohua had spoken to every soldier individually except Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng began to question Qian Amao's thoughts, thinking that he was overthinking the situation. He had always regarded Ye Guohua as a good brother and comrade, never considering surpassing him. Xiao Chunsheng reflected on himself and took the initiative to apologize to Ye Guohua. The two resolved their misunderstanding and made amends.

Meng Jinzhu refused to accept Ye Guohua's authority, but Xiao Chunsheng earnestly persuaded him to let go of personal honor and disgrace. The company commander happened to hear Xiao Chunsheng's words and praised him endlessly. Qian Amao's wife, Lianfang, came to the military unit with their child Heidou. Xiao Chunsheng helped Qian Amao take a leave of absence and invited him, along with Duan Lei, to have a meal with his family. After the meal, Qian Amao settled his wife and child, and Xiao Chunsheng expressed his doubts. Qian Amao was only twenty-two years old, yet Heidou was already five or six years old. It was impossible for Qian Amao to have a child that age.

Qian Amao briefly recounted his experience. His real name wasn't Qian Amao; his grandfather, Qian Fengzhu, was a famous economist in Shanghai. His father inherited his grandfather's legacy, but their family fell on hard times. Qian Amao and his parents were driven to the rural areas of Zhejiang. His parents passed away due to illness, and Qian Amao grew up in the countryside until he was eighteen. Thanks to Brother Pan's protection, he survived. During a major flood, Brother Pan lost his life while trying to save him. Qian Amao vowed to fulfill his filial duty to Brother Pan and treated Brother Pan's wife, Lianfang, and their child, Heidou, as his own family. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei admired Qian Amao's actions after learning about his background and believed that he would achieve great success in the military.

Xiao Chunsheng hadn't seen He Hongling for several days. He Hongling called Ye Guohua and vented her frustrations. Ye Guohua asked Xiao Chunsheng to find He Hongling during his break. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to accompany Lianfang and Heidou for a stroll and also invited He Hongling to help choose local specialties. However, He Hongling firmly refused.

The next day was a day off, and He Hongling suggested going to the market with her roommates to find an opportunity to meet Xiao Chunsheng. Early in the morning, Xiao Chunsheng accompanied Qian Amao and his family to go shopping. He asked Qian Amao to spend quality time with Lianfang while he took Heidou to play around. He Hongling arrived at the market and looked around until she finally spotted Xiao Chunsheng and Heidou. She treated Heidou to an ice cream.

Lianfang was going to take Heidou back to her hometown, but Heidou clung to Qian Amao and refused to let go. Xiao Chunsheng tried to persuade Heidou, and with great effort, managed to convince him. Qian Amao accompanied Lianfang and Heidou to the train station. The elite squad received a training mission from their superiors, which required them to go deep into enemy territory to complete a reconnaissance task. Xiao Chunsheng made careful plans. When Ye Guohua saw the growing closeness between Duan Lei, Qian Amao, Meng Jinzhu, and Xiao Chunsheng, he suddenly realized that he had distanced himself from them.

Qian Amao noticed the subtle change in the relationship between Ye Guohua and Xiao Chunsheng. He advised Xiao Chunsheng not to deliberately hide his brilliance or let it shine too brightly. Both would make others feel uneasy. However, Xiao Chunsheng didn't think much of it. Zhao Xiaohui wanted to go with Guo Heizi to line up and buy the popular "Da La Mao" scarf. She started applying makeup before dawn. Guo Heizi casually mentioned Li Shangyou, who made a fortune as a profiteer in the south. Zhao Xiaohui hastily interrupted him, not wanting to mention that scumbag Li Shangyou.

Guo Heizi, Zhao Xiaohui, Qizi, and Pinggai arrived early at the department store and lined up. They arrived early and were at the front of the line. Soon, a long queue formed behind them. Thanks to Qizi's female classmate who worked here, she informed them in advance and helped them secure 40 large scarves. They bought them for three yuan each and then sold them in the alley for ten yuan each. They sold out quickly.

Guo Heizi gave Qizi ten yuan to buy a gift for his female classmate as a token of appreciation. He took out ten yuan to eat roast duck, and the remaining money became their capital. Qizi bought a brooch for his female classmate, and she provided him with inside information that the military boots from Tianjin were selling well. Qizi immediately reported this to Guo Heizi. Guo Heizi carefully calculated and realized that they could make an extra profit by going to Tianjin to purchase goods.

Guo Heizi and Zhao Xiaohui, along with two others, rushed to Tianjin. They brought back a batch of military boots overnight and sold them at the entrance of the alley. Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu passed by and Guo Heizi shared his business experience with them. Qi Tian was very interested, so Guo Heizi invited them to have Western food and explained in detail their month-long money-making journey. He invited Qi Tian to join them. Qi Tian was eager to try, but he didn't want to divide the money with them. Xiao Yanqiu believed that Qi Tian could achieve something and promised to help him wholeheartedly. Qi Tian wanted to do business with Xiao Yanqiu.

Xiao Yanqiu took a leave of absence from work early in the morning, and Qi Tian took her to various major shopping malls for investigation and visits. Guo Heizi knew Qi Tian's abilities and believed that he would soon find a profitable opportunity. He wanted to follow Qi Tian and make a fortune. Qi Tian took Xiao Yanqiu to several major shopping malls but couldn't find a suitable business. He had to send Xiao Yanqiu back home and planned to continue searching with her the next day.

He Hongling suddenly received a call from Liang Dong, informing her that her mother's heart condition had relapsed, and she was hospitalized. The doctor recommended immediate surgery, as there was a risk to her life. He Hongling hurriedly sought help from Ye Guohua, who immediately called Professor Su and then drove He Hongling to the airport. Professor Su performed the surgery on He Hongling's mother, and she finally recovered.

Xiao Chunsheng came to the performing troupe to find He Hongling but learned that she had already returned to Beijing yesterday. Xiao Chunsheng immediately went to find Ye Guohua to understand the situation. He learned that He Hongling's mother's surgery was successful, and Xiao Chunsheng felt relieved. He asked Ye Guohua for the hospital's phone number and called He Hongling overnight, promising to help raise 4,000 yuan for the operation.

Xiao Chunsheng called Xiao Yanqiu to borrow money. Xiao Yanqiu only had 1,200 yuan, so Xiao Chunsheng asked her to quickly send it to He Hongling. Duan Lei, Meng Jinzhu, and Qian Amao emptied their savings for Xiao Chunsheng. He didn't have time to thank them and immediately sent the money. The nurse urged He Hongling to quickly pay the surgery fee, so she had to call Ye Guohua to borrow two thousand yuan. Ye Guohua agreed to have Ye Fang deliver 5,000 yuan to her. He Hongling was very grateful to him.

Ye Fang came to the hospital to deliver the money and questioned He Hongling if she regretted choosing Xiao Chunsheng. Ye Fang bluntly pointed out that He Hongling wanted both love and to escape the cruel reality, and she had to make a choice between Xiao Chunsheng and Ye Guohua. She didn't want Ye Guohua to get hurt. He Hongling was not convinced and didn't allow Ye Fang to interfere in her life.

Xiao Yanqiu came to the hospital to visit He Hongling's mother and handed over all the retirement pension from her father and the money sent by Xiao Chunsheng to He Hongling. He Hongling refused to accept it, so she used the money sent by Ye Fang to pay for the surgery. When Xiao Chunsheng learned about this, he felt uneasy. Qian Amao advised Xiao Chunsheng to let go, saying that he and He Hongling were not meant to be together. Xiao Chunsheng didn't believe that He Hongling was someone who loved wealth and despised poverty. He Hongling's mother advised her to choose Ye Guohua, or else she would only suffer with Xiao Chunsheng. However, He Hongling didn't want to discuss the matter.

Half a month later, there were some small-scale frictions at the border, and the entire unit entered a state of readiness. Xiao Chunsheng and his comrades from the elite squad completed their training and officially joined the 11th Army. Everyone was eager to fight. Tong Xiaomei applied to the director to go to the front line, and after some persuasion, the director approved her request.

Superiors ordered Ye Guohua to lead a team to the front line for combat. They had to determine the location of the enemy's arrows and shotguns within twelve hours. They quickly arrived at the designated location and immediately engaged in a fierce battle. Despite the soldiers' efforts in searching, they couldn't find the location of the arrows and shotguns. The platoon leader ordered Ye Guohua and his soldiers to withdraw from the position and assigned them a new task. Ye Guohua was not willing to give up. The firepower of the arrows and shotguns was strong and caused serious losses to our side. If they were not eliminated in time, it would result in immeasurable losses for the larger force.

Ye Guohua learned that Xiao Chunsheng had already gone deep into enemy territory for reconnaissance. He requested the platoon leader to delay the withdrawal time and personally led his team to meet up with Xiao Chunsheng. Duan Lei and others volunteered to go with them. Ye Guohua and Duan Lei split up to search and agreed to evacuate the position before three o'clock.

Ye Guohua slowly advanced in the swamp and suddenly stepped on a landmine. He froze in fear, but Xiao Chunsheng arrived in time and detected that there was a booby trap beneath the landmine. He knew it was difficult, but he still wanted to clear the way for Ye Guohua. Ye Guohua didn't want him to risk his life and urged him to think about He Hongling. Ye Guohua prepared for the worst and confessed his deep love for He Hongling, wishing Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling happiness. He said that they would be brothers in their next life.

Xiao Chunsheng used his hands to firmly hold down the landmine, urging Ye Guohua to evacuate quickly. Xiao Chunsheng slowly moved his feet onto the landmine and urged Ye Guohua to go back and bring rescuers. With tears in his eyes, Ye Guohua ran back to the base and called the soldiers to rescue Xiao Chunsheng. The operation resulted in heavy casualties for the elite squad. Meng Jinzhu and Qian Amao unfortunately sacrificed their lives. Ye Guohua sent the unconscious Xiao Chunsheng to a field hospital, and Tong Xiaomei provided emergency treatment for him.

Ye Guohua anxiously waited outside the tent until it was dark. Tong Xiaomei finally finished the surgery for Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng was out of danger, but his spinal injury was severe. Tong Xiaomei couldn't guarantee anything, and Ye Guohua was extremely worried. He took a peek at Xiao Chunsheng through the crack in the door and felt slightly relieved. With the meticulous care of Tong Xiaomei, Xiao Chunsheng finally regained consciousness.

He Hongling went to the train station for several consecutive days but couldn't find out about Xiao Chunsheng's whereabouts, causing her great anxiety. Ye Guohua came to see Xiao Chunsheng, and Xiao Chunsheng eagerly asked him about Duan Lei's condition. Upon learning that Duan Lei's leg was injured, Ye Guohua reported the location of the arrows and shotguns and the enemy's deployment that Xiao Chunsheng had gathered. They quickly repelled the enemy and Ye Guohua, Duan Lei, and others returned to find Xiao Chunsheng. Amidst the smoke of the landmine explosion, they found the unconscious Xiao Chunsheng. Ye Guohua planned to recommend Xiao Chunsheng for the title of a combat hero.

He Hongling came to the train station again, and Ye Guohua and his comrades returned victorious. The comrades regarded him as a great hero who ventured alone. Ye Guohua didn't know how to explain, so he just smiled it off. He Hongling quickly asked him about Xiao Chunsheng's condition, and when she learned that Xiao Chunsheng was injured and undergoing treatment in the hospital, she felt slightly relieved. Xiao Chunsheng realized that he had lost feeling in his legs, and he was at a loss. Duan Lei came to visit him with crutches and encouraged him to face it bravely. Xiao Yanqiu learned about Xiao Chunsheng's injury and couldn't wait to go to Yunnan to see him, but Qi Tian kindly advised her against it.

Xiao Yanqiu was worried about Xiao Chunsheng and wanted to go to Yunnan to see him. Xiao Chunsheng lied, claiming that he only had minor external injuries and was recovering well. He asked Xiao Yanqiu to take good care of Xiao Yanpei at home, but Xiao Yanqiu still couldn't rest assured. Qi Tian advised her not to overthink.

The doctor examined the two bullet fragments in Xiao Chunsheng's spine, which were compressing the nerves in his lower limbs, causing mobility difficulties. If the fragments were not removed in time, there was a risk of worsening, leading to lifelong paralysis. However, the local hospital had limited medical capabilities, and the doctors had never performed such a high-difficulty surgery. Tong Xiaomei wanted to take Xiao Chunsheng back to a hospital in Beijing for treatment and immediately called her classmates in Beijing.

When Xiao Chunsheng felt helpless about his injury, Duan Lei came to see him and revealed that Ye Guohua had become a great hero who infiltrated the enemy camp and obtained important information. Xiao Chunsheng was just an injured soldier who accidentally stepped on a landmine. Duan Lei couldn't help but make fun of Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng didn't expect Ye Guohua to take credit for his achievements and could only smile bitterly.

Ye Guohua accompanied He Hongling to visit Xiao Chunsheng. Upon hearing Duan Lei praising Ye Guohua as a great hero, Ye Guohua blushed with embarrassment. Xiao Chunsheng quickly found an excuse to send Duan Lei away and gave Ye Guohua the opportunity to be alone with He Hongling. He Hongling was saddened by Xiao Chunsheng's injury, and Xiao Chunsheng tried his best to comfort her.

Ye Guohua asked Duan Lei about his conversation with Xiao Chunsheng and learned that Xiao Chunsheng hadn't revealed the whole truth. Ye Guohua went to explain the situation to Xiao Chunsheng, expressing his reluctance to take credit for Xiao Chunsheng's achievements and wanting to clarify things with their superiors. He believed that if Xiao Chunsheng's condition was known, there was a possibility for Xiao Chunsheng to be promoted. Xiao Chunsheng desperately tried to stop him, fully aware of his own injuries. He willingly gave up the hero's title to Ye Guohua, allowing Ye Guohua to fulfill their childhood dreams. Ye Guohua vowed to do everything possible to help Xiao Chunsheng stand up again.

During a visit by high-ranking military officials to the artistic troupe, Commander Huang recommended He Hongling to accompany the heroic group and give speeches in various places. He Hongling came to explain the situation to Xiao Chunsheng and learned about his injuries from Tong Xiaomei. Whenever she had free time, Tong Xiaomei would take Xiao Chunsheng out to bask in the sun and cheer him on. Xiao Chunsheng's mood gradually improved, and the local villagers even regarded them as a couple.

Ye Guohua gave his first public speech recounting his heroic deeds. He spoke awkwardly and nervously, and when he reached the part about defusing the landmines, he felt very uneasy. He stuttered while speaking, and He Hongling could tell that something was bothering him. Ye Guohua revealed the story of Xiao Chunsheng risking his life to shield him from the explosion, and He Hongling felt that Xiao Chunsheng and they were not on the same path. She advised him not to blame himself and to strive to fulfill their dreams together, which would be the greatest reward for Xiao Chunsheng. Only then did Ye Guohua feel slightly relieved.

He Hongling learned from Tong Xiaomei that Xiao Chunsheng might never be able to stand up again. Commander Huang revealed that she would be promoted to the leader of the orchestra after this tour. He Hongling was caught in a dilemma. She didn't want to lose Xiao Chunsheng but also didn't want to give up this opportunity for promotion. Xiao Chunsheng often called home, but no one answered. It wasn't until he desperately questioned Xiao Yanqiu that he learned his father, Xiao Yanpei, was hospitalized due to a cerebral hemorrhage and had passed away. Xiao Chunsheng was heartbroken and felt utterly devastated.

The company commander came to see Xiao Chunsheng, who was impatient to return to his former unit. His father's only hope before he passed away was for Xiao Chunsheng to serve in the military for a lifetime. The company commander didn't outright refuse him but advised him to focus on healing. Xiao Chunsheng suddenly understood everything and felt his spirits plummet to the lowest point.

Tong Xiaomei heard that Xiao Chunsheng's father, Xiao Yanpei, had passed away, and she came to comfort Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng felt that he had let down his father's expectations. Tong Xiaomei vividly remembered every time she measured Xiao Yanpei's blood pressure, he would praise Xiao Chunsheng. Tong Xiaomei believed that Xiao Chunsheng was his father's pride. Xiao Chunsheng contacted a surgical specialist through his classmates, and the specialist agreed to perform surgery on him. Tong Xiaomei encouraged Xiao Chunsheng to have confidence.

He Hongling came to see Xiao Chunsheng, and he honestly explained his injuries to her. He Hongling advised Xiao Chunsheng to take a civilian position so that they could get married. However, Xiao Chunsheng felt that a civilian position wasn't suitable for him, and he didn't want to become a burden to the army. He made up his mind that if he couldn't stand up again, he would return home as a civilian. He Hongling couldn't persuade him and could only cry continuously.

Xiao Chunsheng couldn't sleep at night and was alone on the playground, feeling melancholic. Meng Meng advised him to make careful choices as they would affect his whole life. Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun were about to graduate from college, but they had different job arrangements. Ye Fang felt more and more uneasy, thinking that Xiao Chunsheng was more like a war hero, while Chen Hongjun made fun of her.

Sitting in a wheelchair, Xiao Chunsheng went to listen to Ye Guohua's speech. Ye Guohua spoke passionately, and Xiao Chunsheng was deeply moved, tears welling up in his eyes. After the speech, He Hongling sat still for a long time, lost in thought. Ye Guohua showed concern for her, but He Hongling didn't want to give up on Xiao Chunsheng. However, she also didn't want to repeat her mother's mistakes. Ye Guohua also understood something: he was not Xiao Chunsheng and could only bear everything according to his own choices.

Commander Huang informed He Hongling to complete this tour well, and she would become the leader of the orchestra. He Hongling took leave to find Xiao Chunsheng and proposed breaking up with him. Xiao Chunsheng was heartbroken, but he couldn't change her mind. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to hold onto He Hongling, but she cruelly pushed his hand away and left without looking back. Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei both applied for civilian status, and they would be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Before leaving, they visited Qian Amao and Meng Jinzhu's graves, expressing their grief and sorrow.

Xiao Chunsheng left the hospital early in the morning, while Tong Xiaomei was still in the operating room and hadn't come out yet. Xiao Chunsheng left the fruits for the nurse on duty and bid farewell. Today was the last performance of the heroic report group, specially arranged for demobilized soldiers. Duan Lei sent a letter to He Hongling, who learned that Xiao Chunsheng was about to board a train back to Beijing. She wanted to go after him, but Ye Guohua hurriedly stopped her, urging her to prioritize her own future and complete the final performance. After careful consideration, He Hongling decided to stay and perform. Xiao Chunsheng had just boarded the train when Tong Xiaomei hurriedly followed after him.

After Tong Xiaomei finished her surgery and learned that Xiao Chunsheng had already been discharged and returned to Beijing, she wasted no time and hurried to the train station. Just as the train was about to depart, Tong Xiaomei arrived in a rush. Xiao Chunsheng thought that Tong Xiaomei came to see him off. He claimed he could take care of himself and that the train attendant would provide warmth to this disabled person. He asked Tong Xiaomei to get off at the next station, but little did he know that Tong Xiaomei had already applied for demobilization from the military to accompany him back to Beijing for treatment. She firmly believed that Xiao Chunsheng could stand up again, and Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to burden her. However, Tong Xiaomei had already made up her mind, and Xiao Chunsheng was moved to tears.

Since Xiao Chunsheng's demobilization, Ye Guohua felt increasingly suffocated under the weight of stolen honors and became even more inferior in front of He Hongling. Ye Guohua decided to reveal the truth. He explained to the military leaders in great detail how Xiao Chunsheng risked his life to obtain intelligence and how he sacrificed himself to clear the landmines for him, showing heroic deeds. Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu arrived early at the train station and felt heavy-hearted seeing Xiao Chunsheng return in a wheelchair. Xiao Yanqiu hugged Xiao Chunsheng tightly, welcoming him back home.

Returning to the long-lost home, Xiao Chunsheng found that the furnishings remained the same, but his father, Xiao Yanpei, had already passed away. Xiao Yanqiu asked Qi Tian to go to the canteen to buy groceries. Xiao Chunsheng entered the room where his father used to live and couldn't hold back his tears. He was heartbroken and couldn't bear the pain. He hadn't even seen his father for the last time.

After learning that Tong Xiaomei had applied for demobilization for Xiao Chunsheng's sake, Xiao Yanqiu was grateful to her. Tong Xiaomei had already contacted an orthopedic specialist, believing that Xiao Chunsheng would fully recover after the surgery. Tong Xiaomei noticed the deep affection Qi Tian had for Xiao Yanqiu and advised her to cherish him. Xiao Yanqiu didn't want to discuss these matters and quickly changed the topic.

Xiao Chunsheng also noticed that Qi Tian had strong feelings for Xiao Yanqiu and did his best to bring them together. Xiao Yanqiu couldn't let go of Qi Tian's past experiences, but Xiao Chunsheng advised her not to dwell on those things. Xiao Yanqiu casually asked about the progress of Xiao Chunsheng's relationship with He Hongling, and Xiao Chunsheng had to admit that they had already broken up. After revealing the truth, Ye Guohua felt relieved, and the leaders sought him out multiple times for heartfelt conversations. He Hongling greatly admired him. The military leadership decided to confer Xiao Chunsheng with the title of a heroic fighter.

When the parents learned that Tong Xiaomei had applied for demobilization for Xiao Chunsheng, they became very angry and scolded her severely. However, Tong Xiaomei had no regrets and advised her parents not to interfere with her life. As soon as Tong Xiaomei returned home, she contacted an orthopedic specialist. Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu accompanied Xiao Chunsheng to meet the specialist. The specialist presented two solutions. Due to the shrapnel remaining in his spine, the surgery would be very difficult, and if it failed, it would pose a risk of death or lifelong disability. Conservative treatment would also result in lifelong pain if the shrapnel shifted. Tong Xiaomei discovered that the specialist had previously performed such a surgery using a new method with a success rate of only 70 percent. After careful consideration, Xiao Chunsheng decided to undergo the surgery.

He Hongling was appointed as the band leader, and Huang, along with their comrades, congratulated her. However, He Hongling couldn't be happy. Ye Guohua gave her a bouquet of flowers to congratulate her and took her out for a drive to relax. Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun came to the hospital to visit Xiao Chunsheng. When Xiao Chunsheng heard that Ye Fang wanted to continue her studies and that Chen Hongjun was about to become a national cadre, he repeatedly congratulated Chen Hongjun. Chen Hongjun had to wait for the interview results to come out tomorrow.

Ye Fang accompanied Chen Hongjun to the interview. There was a long queue ahead of them, but Chen Hongjun was full of confidence. He planned to marry Ye Fang after a successful interview, but Ye Fang hesitated to speak. The specialist removed two fragments from Xiao Chunsheng's spine, but they didn't know if the nerves had been damaged. They could only determine this once Xiao Chunsheng woke up, causing Xiao Yanqiu, Qi Tian, and Tong Xiaomei to feel anxious.

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and Xiao Chunsheng finally regained consciousness. The specialist conducted a thorough examination and found that his right leg had poor sensory perception, suspecting it was caused by bleeding during the surgery. The specialist informed Tong Xiaomei of the true situation. Xiao Chunsheng tried to move his lower limbs, and his toes moved flexibly. Xiao Yanqiu and Qi Tian were very happy. Tong Xiaomei found a rehabilitation hospital for Xiao Chunsheng and promised to accompany him during the rehabilitation process. However, Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to trouble Tong Xiaomei anymore.

Every night, Tong Xiaomei reviewed postoperative rehabilitation materials and came to the hospital during the day to provide rehabilitation training for Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng endured the pain and cooperated. Tomorrow, Xiao Chunsheng would be discharged, but Tong Xiaomei had an interview at the hospital and couldn't come to pick him up. Xiao Yanqiu and Qi Tian came early to accompany Xiao Chunsheng upon his discharge.

Tong Xiaomei wanted to accompany Xiao Chunsheng for rehabilitation treatment, but he politely declined. Tong Xiaomei became sad and cried, claiming she couldn't pick Xiao Chunsheng up from the hospital because she had a job interview. Xiao Yanqiu felt something was wrong but didn't think much of it. After Xiao Chunsheng was discharged from the hospital and returned home, he couldn't wait to start his rehabilitation training. Tong Xiaomei sent him a waist wrap to relieve his back pain and provided detailed instructions for the rehabilitation training. Tong Xiaomei made excuses about being busy with work and couldn't visit Xiao Chunsheng every day. Xiao Yanqiu thought Tong Xiaomei's parents were causing trouble, but Tong Xiaomei repeatedly denied it.

Xiao Yanqiu realized that Xiao Chunsheng had rejected Tong Xiaomei and couldn't help but complain to her, urging him to lower his head to Tong Xiaomei. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to burden Tong Xiaomei. Tong Xiaomei assured her parents that she wouldn't give up on her dream of becoming a doctor, and they felt slightly relieved. Tong Xiaomei made multiple efforts to contact rehabilitation hospitals for Xiao Chunsheng, but the hospital director refused, citing a lack of equipment. Tong Xiaomei explained that Xiao Chunsheng was a heroic fighter injured in the military, and only then did the director agree to provide rehabilitation treatment for him.

Qi Tian took Xiao Yanqiu out to relax and coincidentally discovered someone selling foreign exchange coupons. Curious, he asked the person about the secrets behind it, and the person gave him some guidance. Qi Tian suddenly became enlightened and made plans with Xiao Yanqiu to meet at the front gate long-distance bus station early tomorrow morning. Tong Xiaomei came early to pick up Xiao Chunsheng for rehabilitation center.

Qi Tian took Xiao Yanqiu to the foot of the Great Wall, where they saw many foreigners visiting. They used foreign exchange coupons to buy local specialties from the villagers. Qi Tian and an old man named Ge haggled with them and bought the foreign exchange coupons. Qi Tian couldn't speak English and couldn't communicate with the foreigners, so he made up his mind to learn English. Qi Tian took Xiao Yanqiu to ask Guo Heizi for help in finding the next link in the foreign exchange trading. Guo Heizi had been waiting for Qi Tian to find a money-making opportunity, and he happened to know "Third Brother" who used foreign exchange to smuggle cigarettes from Guangzhou. Zhao Xiaohui was willing to invest all his money and follow Qi Tian, and Pinggai and Qizi also wanted to join Qi Tian in making money.

Guo Heizi brought Qi Tian to meet "Third Brother," who had already heard of Qi Tian. They offered them the highest purchase price, and they made a big profit. Qi Tian wasn't satisfied with just doing small-scale business and discussed with Guo Heizi and the others to find better and more lucrative ways to make money. Chen Hongjun achieved excellent results, ranking third in the customs interview. He was ecstatic and asked his mother for the gold bracelet his grandmother left behind to propose to Ye Fang. Ye Fang came to Ye's house eagerly and overheard Ye Fang talking to her mother on the phone. Ye Fang felt that Chen Hongjun had too much courage and wasn't suitable for customs work. She asked her mother to arrange for Chen Hongjun to work in a university or government department. Chen Hongjun felt disappointed and quietly left Ye's house.

Chen's mother was in a great mood and invited neighbors to celebrate Chen Hongjun's acceptance into the customs. Chen Hongjun returned home dejectedly and ignored the neighbors' congratulations. He went straight to his room and sulked. His mother saw him return the bracelet untouched and immediately understood everything. Tong Xiaomei accompanied Xiao Chunsheng for rehabilitation training every day, and Xiao Chunsheng cooperated fully. However, his right leg still had no sensation. The rehabilitation therapist assumed they were a couple and advised Xiao Chunsheng not to let Tong Xiaomei down. Xiao Chunsheng repeatedly explained that they were just friends, but the therapist didn't believe him.

Tong Xiaomei reported Xiao Chunsheng's rehabilitation progress to the specialist, who considered the situation grim and advised Tong Xiaomei to prepare for the worst. Xiao Chunsheng heard about a laser treatment method used abroad that was similar to his condition.

The elderly patient was feeling very depressed. If they couldn't recover within a month, they would never be able to stand up again. Xiao Chunsheng firmly believed that he could get better. Liang Donglai came to see Xiao Chunsheng and showed his concern for him. Then he pushed him to meet his new students. Liang Donglai had already told them about Xiao Chunsheng's story, and they greatly admired this heroic figure.

Tong Xiaomei worked tirelessly every day, studying rehabilitation therapy and traditional Chinese massage. She conducted experiments on Ye Fang first and also learned acupuncture from an acupuncturist. She practiced on herself at home and gradually mastered the essentials. Tong Xiaomei's mother was both anxious and angry when she saw how much Tong Xiaomei was sacrificing for Xiao Chunsheng. But Tong Xiaomei willingly devoted herself to him.

Tong Xiaomei took meticulous care of Xiao Chunsheng, attending to his every need. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to interfere with her work, so Tong Xiaomei made up excuses about her father's refusal to help her find shortcuts. Xiao Chunsheng didn't inquire further. Tong Xiaomei had gained full confidence in acupuncture and treated Xiao Chunsheng accordingly, but his leg still had no sensation. Xiao Chunsheng felt disappointed, but Tong Xiaomei encouraged him not to lose hope.

Chen Hongjun always wanted to work at the customs, but Ye Fang's mother wanted him to work at a government department. Chen Hongjun knew that it was Ye Fang's interference. He didn't want to rely on connections and insisted on going to the customs. Ye's father supported Chen Hongjun's decision, and Ye Fang had to make concessions. Mother Ye was extremely dissatisfied, and Chen Hongjun excused himself and left the house without finishing his meal. This led to a big argument between Ye Fang and her mother.

Qi Tian took Xiao Yanqiu back to the foot of the Great Wall. They couldn't find Ge, the person who exchanged foreign currency. They learned from a fellow villager that Ge had found a bigger buyer. Qi Tian understood Ge's situation. His wife was weak and sick, and they urgently needed money. Qi Tian felt useless and wanted to find other ways to make money. He expressed his feelings to Xiao Yanqiu and promised to make her happy for the rest of her life. Xiao Yanqiu was extremely moved and willing to share both the good and the bad with him. Xiao Yanqiu returned home late, and Xiao Chunsheng guessed that she was with Qi Tian. He was happy for them both.

Tong Xiaomei accompanied Xiao Chunsheng for a routine examination. She had him go with the nurse to get medication and consulted the specialist about Xiao Chunsheng's right leg. The specialist believed the situation was not optimistic and that he might end up with a lifelong disability. Tong Xiaomei wanted to use electromagnetic equipment from abroad to treat Xiao Chunsheng, but these devices hadn't been approved domestically and couldn't guarantee a cure. Tong Xiaomei cried bitterly, and Xiao Chunsheng overheard her conversation with the specialist, making a firm resolution in his heart.

From that day on, Xiao Chunsheng exerted all his strength in rehabilitation training, ignoring the pain and never giving up, even when covered in sweat. Tong Xiaomei reminded him not to be impatient and to progress step by step, as rushing could have the opposite effect. Xiao Chunsheng reluctantly agreed. Tong Xiaomei wanted to import rehabilitation equipment with the help of her mother's connections, but her mother couldn't help.

Guo Heizi tried to exchange foreign currency with "Third Brother" but was rejected. He sent people to inquire and found out that Third Brother had made a statement, prohibiting anyone from accepting Qi Tian's foreign currency. Qi Tian suspected that the person was Li Shangyou. Guo Heizi wanted to teach Li Shangyou a lesson with his men, but Qi Tian firmly refused. He didn't want to engage in more violence.

Chen Hongjun finally got his wish to work at the customs. Friends gathered to celebrate and congratulate him. Chen Hongjun publicly expressed his love for Ye Fang and thanked her for her constant companionship and assistance. Chen Hongjun and Ye Fang exchanged rings in front of everyone, and they were all there to congratulate them. Xiao Chunsheng urged Xiao Yanqiu and Qi Tian to get married soon, but Xiao Yanqiu quickly interrupted him. Under the influence of alcohol, Chen Hongjun tried to arrange a job for Xiao Chunsheng, and Qi Tian wanted to earn money with him. The two of them argued back and forth. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to listen to their quarrel, so he pushed his wheelchair and went outside.

Xiao Chunsheng pushed his wheelchair to the corridor. Li Shangyou came with a few friends to have a meal there. He verbally attacked Xiao Chunsheng and made jokes about his relationship with He Hongling. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to listen to his nonsense and tried to leave, but Li Shangyou pushed him to the ground and left with threatening words.

When Tong Xiaomei saw Xiao Chunsheng fall, she quickly helped him back onto the wheelchair. Qi Tian, Xiao Yanqiu, and Ye Fang came out after hearing the news. They showed concern for Xiao Chunsheng, who was deeply hurt by Li Shangyou's words. He became fully aware of his situation and the expert's opinion that he would be difficult to cure and would become disabled. Tong Xiaomei didn't want to give up and insisted on treating him. Xiao Chunsheng yelled at Tong Xiaomei in anger, and she turned and walked away.

Qi Tian didn't want to hold onto the foreign currency. He had to make a major concession, and Third Brother admitted that he rejected Qi Tian's foreign currency for personal reasons. Third Brother saw that Qi Tian was in a difficult situation and reluctantly agreed to accept the foreign currency. At that moment, Third Brother was called away by someone, instructing his subordinates to inform Qi Tian that the transaction was canceled. Qi Tian felt that Third Brother's power wasn't as great as he thought, and he grew suspicious. He sent Guo Heizi to Tianjin to find connections and then came to discuss countermeasures with Xiao Chunsheng. Xiao Chunsheng sought help from Ye Fang.

Ye Fang learned from a friend that the government was cracking down on speculative buying and selling. She advised Xiao Chunsheng to remind Qi Tian to sell the goods he had. Ye Fang sent Chen Hongjun away and couldn't help but complain to Xiao Chunsheng. Tong Xiaomei had always liked Xiao Chunsheng, and she chose to give way to fulfill Xiao Chunsheng's relationship with He Hongling. Xiao Chunsheng remembered everything Tong Xiaomei had done for him and was deeply moved, but he didn't want to burden her.

Xiao Chunsheng underwent rehabilitation training day and night, until he was exhausted. Through his relentless efforts, his right leg gradually regained the ability to stand, bringing Xiao Chunsheng great joy. Guo Heizi suddenly called Xiao Chunsheng and informed him that Tong Xiaomei had a conflict with Li Shangyou. Without hesitation, Xiao Chunsheng grabbed his crutches and rushed to the scene with Qi Tian.

Li Shangyou offered an additional three thousand yuan to buy the therapeutic equipment from Tong Xiaomei, but she firmly refused. Li Shangyou sent people to snatch it, but Tong Xiaomei held onto the device tightly. Qi Tian and Xiao Chunsheng arrived in time to stop Li Shangyou. However, Li Shangyou refused to back down. Xiao Chunsheng warned him to leave quickly, otherwise it would be too late when the police arrived. Li Shangyou disrespectfully spoke to Guo Heizi, and Qi Tian couldn't bear it any longer. He fought against Li Shangyou, and Xiao Chunsheng and Guo Heizi joined in to help. A fight broke out between the two sides.

Xiao Chunsheng was knocked down to the ground, and someone took the opportunity to try to snatch the therapeutic equipment from Tong Xiaomei. Xiao Chunsheng struggled to get up and protect Tong Xiaomei. He was knocked down again, but Tong Xiaomei saw that Xiao Chunsheng could not only stand up but also take a few steps. She was overjoyed and rushed to hug him tightly. Those people started beating them, but Xiao Chunsheng desperately shielded her. The police arrived in time and arrested Li Shangyou and the others. Tong Xiaomei cried tears of joy, and Xiao Chunsheng did his best to comfort her.

After this test, Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei truly felt each other's love. Xiao Chunsheng regretted saying those heartless words and admitted his feelings for Tong Xiaomei. They were deeply in love with each other. Xiao Chunsheng worked even harder on his rehabilitation training, and with Tong Xiaomei's assistance using the therapeutic equipment, the feeling gradually returned to his right leg. He could take a few steps, which made Tong Xiaomei extremely happy.

In the blink of an eye, five months had passed. The government began to crack down on speculation and profiteering. Third Brother was arrested, but Li Shangyou escaped. Qi Tian didn't know what to do next, so he came to Xiao Chunsheng to discuss opening a 24-hour shop. Xiao Chunsheng suggested opening it in a densely populated residential area and urged him to marry Xiao Yanqiu as soon as possible.

As Xiao Chunsheng's leg gradually recovered, he wanted to find something to do. Tong Xiaomei wanted to give up on attending university and apply for a job at a rehabilitation hospital. Xiao Chunsheng fully supported her decision.

After recovering from his leg injury, Duan Lei started working at the Criminal Investigation Department and also got himself a girlfriend. Duan Lei immediately wrote a letter to Xiao Chunsheng to share the good news. While Xiao Chunsheng was happy for Duan Lei, he also began contemplating his own job. Tong Xiaomei's birthday was approaching, and Xiao Chunsheng carefully selected several books to give her as a gift. In return, Tong Xiaomei gave Xiao Yanqiu a woolen coat as a wedding gift. While at Tong Xiaomei's desk, Xiao Chunsheng accidentally came across the "Nursing Notes" book and the note he had left inside it. Xiao Chunsheng was both surprised and delighted to realize that Tong Xiaomei was the girl from the library he had been searching for all those years.

Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu opened a shop, and on the opening day, friends and family came to show their support. Qi Tian specifically chose this day to get engaged to Xiao Yanqiu. Tong Xiaomei, Guo Heizi, Pinggai, and Qizi were among those who came to congratulate them. Qi Tian was in a great mood and raised his glass with everyone, quickly getting drunk. After the banquet, Xiao Chunsheng escorted Tong Xiaomei home and took her to the outside of the library. He recounted the fate between him and the library girl from years ago and expressed his gratitude that the girl turned out to be Tong Xiaomei. Xiao Chunsheng confessed his feelings to Tong Xiaomei, who had been waiting for those words for many years, and she was moved to tears of joy.

Captain Huang received a superior task, which required members of the Cultural Troupe to go to Luquan County for a performance. The team members were reluctant to go to such a difficult place, but He Hongling volunteered to perform in Luquan County despite having a high fever from catching a cold. She was taken to a nearby hospital by her fellow villagers. When Ye Guohua and Captain Huang heard the news, they went to visit her. In her unconscious state, He Hongling kept calling out the name "Xiao Chunsheng." Despite the efforts of medical staff, He Hongling's fever persisted, and the doctor suggested using imported antibiotics from Cuba, as it would be troublesome if it developed into myocarditis.

Ye Guohua immediately made calls and inquiries to find the medicine. Eventually, he found out that the county hospital thirty miles away had the required medicine. Ye Guohua rode his bike there overnight and brought back the medicine. He Hongling's fever subsided quickly, and she was extremely grateful to Ye Guohua. Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei began a passionate love affair, exchanging endless words of affection. Tong's mother wanted to meet Xiao Chunsheng, which made him both nervous and happy.

Chen Hongjun worked diligently at the customs to impress Ye Fang and make her see him differently. Soon, he gained the recognition of his superiors and began to thrive. Tong Xiaomei personally cooked a meal and brought it to Ye Fang. During their conversation, Ye Fang casually asked about Xiao Chunsheng's job. Tong Xiaomei decided to wait until Xiao Chunsheng had settled into his new job before discussing it.

Qi Tian's business was thriving, and Xiao Yanqiu and Qi Tian were busy with their work. Xiao Yanqiu heard that Guo Heizi and Zhao Xiaohui had been arguing about having children, so she went to find Guo Heizi to understand the situation. Guo Heizi spent his days idly playing mahjong with friends. He poured out his grievances to her, and Zhao Xiaohui had become a fashion model after retiring from the swimming team, wearing sexy clothes on stage. Xiao Yanqiu advised Guo Heizi earnestly, and he reluctantly went home. Zhao Xiaohui gave Guo Heizi the money she had earned in the past two days, but Guo Heizi found it dirty. Zhao Xiaohui explained that being a model was also a respectable job, and Guo Heizi finally let go of his resentment.

Xiao Chunsheng bought gifts and visited Tong's family. He was both excited and nervous. Tong Xiaomei encouraged him not to be afraid, and Xiao Chunsheng gathered his courage to accompany her home. Tong's mother prepared a sumptuous meal to entertain him, and Tong's father asked them about their love story and Xiao Chunsheng's job. Tong Xiaomei quickly intervened and claimed that Xiao Chunsheng wanted to start his own business.

After dinner, Tong's father called Xiao Chunsheng to his study for a heart-to-heart talk. He could see Tong Xiaomei's feelings for Xiao Chunsheng and hoped that Xiao Chunsheng would not let her down. Xiao Chunsheng repeatedly assured him that he would treat Tong Xiaomei well.

Whenever he had free time, Xiao Chunsheng would go to the park to listen to the old men chatting and learn about the current state of society and the market economy. Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian went to a restaurant to eat, and they learned from their good friend Daxia Mi that state-owned restaurants were becoming increasingly sluggish. Qi Tian revealed to Xiao Chunsheng that importing cigarettes was a profitable business and expressed his desire to partner with him.

The customs was about to establish an anti-smuggling team, and Chen Hongjun wanted to introduce Xiao Chunsheng to work there. Ye Fang strongly disagreed, but Chen Hongjun was determined and even brought up the issue of Ye Fang not wanting children. Ye Fang reluctantly agreed, but not without leaving a remark that Chen Hongjun would regret it sooner or later. Li Shangyou brought small appliances from Shenzhen to Beijing, where he could sell them for twice the price. However, he was not satisfied and believed that if he personally brought the goods through customs, he could earn three times the profit. Li Shangyou successfully passed the customs inspection by diverting attention, and his subordinates joined him in Shenzhen.

Chen Hongjun asked Xiao Chunsheng to work at the customs anti-smuggling team, and Qi Tian wanted to do the cigarette import business with Xiao Chunsheng. However, Xiao Chunsheng did not want to do it. He wanted to find something that truly suited him. Tong Xiaomei respected his decision, and Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to sit idle at home and wanted to transition by working at the anti-smuggling team for a while.

Tong Xiaomei fulfilled her wish to be admitted to the Rehabilitation Hospital, and Xiao Chunsheng hosted a banquet to celebrate. Ye Fang, Xiao Yanqiu, and Qi Tian all attended, and Chen Hongjun arrived late to inform Xiao Chunsheng that he had been accepted into the anti-smuggling team. Everyone congratulated Xiao Chunsheng together. Early in the morning, Xiao Chunsheng put on his customs uniform and officially started working. He was diligent, responsible, and meticulous in his work.

A teammate in the same group, Cao Biao, complained because he didn't receive a room. Xiao Chunsheng heard that Chen Hongjun happened to be in charge of room allocation, so he went to him to inquire about the reason. He learned that it was because Cao Biao had reported Deputy Director Xue, which made Xiao Chunsheng indignant on Cao Biao's behalf. Chen Hongjun advised him not to worry about other people's matters and promised to consider Cao Biao's situation after Deputy Director Xue was transferred. Xiao Chunsheng called Chen Hongjun, Cao Biao, and Deputy Director Xue together and directly questioned Deputy Director Xue about the unfair treatment of Cao Biao. Deputy Director Xue, thinking that Chen Hongjun and Xiao Chunsheng were plotting against him, left in a fit of anger.

Chen Hongjun went home and vented his frustrations to Ye Fang, who blamed him for arranging Xiao Chunsheng to work in the anti-smuggling team. Chen Hongjun was left speechless. Xiao Chunsheng was honest and helpful, quickly gaining the trust of his colleagues. He always became the center of attention at work gatherings, leaving Chen Hongjun feeling lonely.

In the blink of an eye, it was Chinese New Year. Ye Guohua and He Hongling were returning to Beijing to complete their marriage registration. Xiao Chunsheng invited them to his home for a gathering and also invited Guo Heizi and Zhao Xiaohui. Xiao Chunsheng personally waited downstairs for Ye Guohua and He Hongling, accompanied by Tong Xiaomei. Ye Guohua wanted to visit his parents first and sent many clothes and gifts to Xiao Chunsheng.

On New Year's Eve, He Hongling saw the brilliant fireworks outside the window, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Ye Guohua accompanied her to watch the fireworks. Early in the morning on the first day of the lunar new year, Ye Guohua and He Hongling came to see Xiao Chunsheng and were delighted to see him fully recovered. Tong Xiaomei came downstairs to greet Ye Guohua and He Hongling, and Xiao Chunsheng naturally held her hand.

Xiao Chunsheng tightly held Tong Xiaomei's hand, looking at her with deep affection. Tong Xiaomei, as the host, welcomed Ye Guohua and He Hongling. She personally prepared a table full of dishes to entertain them. He Hongling felt a pang in her heart when she saw how loving Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei were. Ye Guohua praised Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei as a perfect match, while Guo Heizi congratulated Ye Guohua and He Hongling in advance on their upcoming marriage. He Hongling remained cold and silent, so Xiao Chunsheng quickly changed the subject and raised a toast with everyone.

Guo Heizi enthusiastically talked about the interesting story of how Xiao Chunsheng pursued He Hongling on the ice rink years ago. He Hongling almost lost her temper, but Qi Tian quickly mediated the situation. Qi Tian inquired about Ye Guohua and He Hongling's wedding plans. Ye Guohua intended to discuss it after returning to the army, but He Hongling announced on the spot that they would have the wedding in a few days. Everyone congratulated them. Guo Heizi brought up the ice rink incident again, and He Hongling suggested that they all go ice skating together the next day, bidding a final farewell to their youth. Xiao Chunsheng initially didn't want to go, but Tong Xiaomei expressed her desire to go ice skating, and he readily agreed.

After dinner, Ye Guohua was alone in his room, feeling melancholic. Xiao Chunsheng approached him and had a heart-to-heart talk. He revealed that Tong Xiaomei was the girl he had been longing for. Ye Guohua was happy for him, and Xiao Chunsheng advised Ye Guohua to cherish his relationship with He Hongling. Early the next morning, Ye Guohua, Guo Heizi, and the others arrived at the ice rink. He Hongling specifically wore the same clothes she wore back then. She stood alone on the ice rink, waiting for Xiao Chunsheng, ignoring Ye Guohua's earnest pleas. Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei arrived at the ice rink hand in hand. Tong Xiaomei found an excuse to call Ye Guohua away, and Xiao Chunsheng invited He Hongling to skate with him. He Hongling happily agreed.

Ye Guohua and Tong Xiaomei sat on the side wearing ice skates, watching Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling dance on the ice. Ye Guohua poured out his bitterness to Tong Xiaomei, feeling like they had always been supporting characters. However, Tong Xiaomei didn't see it that way. She had never desired to be the lead and was willing to be Xiao Chunsheng's supporting role. When He Hongling heard the ice rink playing the same song as back then, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. Xiao Chunsheng reminded her that things had changed since then. He was now committed to Tong Xiaomei. He Hongling regretted not returning to Beijing with Xiao Chunsheng back then, as it would have avoided the situation with Tong Xiaomei. Xiao Chunsheng advised her not to dwell on such thoughts and then led Tong Xiaomei away, leaving He Hongling watching their backs with tears streaming down her face.

Tong Xiaomei asked Xiao Chunsheng to teach her how to ice skate, but he firmly refused, stating that he liked the feeling of her holding his hand. Xiao Chunsheng brought Tong Xiaomei to the library they used to visit and they revisited their past memories there. They couldn't help but recall their encounter in this place years ago, when they hadn't met face to face. Xiao Chunsheng admitted that he had fallen in love with Tong Xiaomei a long time ago but had been too afraid to face it. Tong Xiaomei had silently waited for Xiao Chunsheng all these years, and she finally heard his confession. Touched, she couldn't speak, and Xiao Chunsheng proposed to her.

He Hongling prepared the new house and prepared wedding candies. She took out the portrait of Xiao Chunsheng posted by the ice rink entrance, reminiscing about the sweet moments they had together. With mixed feelings, she burned the portrait to ashes, bidding a final farewell to the past. The relationship between Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng grew stronger. After Ye Guohua and He Hongling held a grand wedding, they returned to their respective positions in the army and worked hard.

Good friends Xiao Liu and Xiang Dong were discharged from the army and returned to Beijing. Xiao Chunsheng personally came to pick them up. Zhao Xiaohui successfully became the chief model. She was busy every day and hardly went home. Guo Heizi's jealousy acted up again. He and his men smashed the fashion show and violently pulled Zhao Xiaohui off the stage. The police took Guo Heizi away. Xiao Yanqiu rushed over upon hearing the news and saw Zhao Xiaohui with bruises on her face. She felt deeply sorry for her. Zhao Xiaohui wanted to divorce Guo Heizi and asked Xiao Yanqiu to deliver the divorce agreement to him.

Zhao Xiaohui packed her bags and left. Xiao Yanqiu advised her to wait for Guo Heizi to return and clarify things, but after playing around with each other for so many years, Zhao Xiaohui had reached her limit. When Guo Heizi was released, Zhao Xiaohui had already left without saying goodbye, and he deeply regretted it.

Chen Hongjun was promoted to section chief as he wished. Xiao Chunsheng invited Xiao Liu, Xiang Dong, Qi Tian, and others to celebrate with him. Qi Tian publicly expressed his commitment to making Xiao Yanqiu and their unborn child happy. After dinner, fueled by alcohol, Chen Hongjun asked Ye Fang for a child, but she firmly refused. They had agreed before their marriage not to have children. Chen Hongjun felt that Ye Fang didn't love him, and Ye Fang didn't want to explain further, which only fueled Chen Hongjun's anger.

The military was planning a major reduction in force, and the cultural troupe faced the fate of being disbanded. He Hongling didn't want to leave and pleaded with Captain Huang to help her stay. Captain Huang revealed that a few key personnel would be retained in the troupe. He Hongling asked Ye Guohua to help her stay, but he advised her to transition to civilian life and develop locally instead.

Ye Guohua and He Hongling took leave and returned to Beijing. Chen Hongjun invited them and their good friends to get together. Xiao Liu, Ye Guohua, and Xiang Dong arrived early, but Xiao Chunsheng couldn't make it due to other commitments. After leaving the military, Xiang Dong started a business and was doing well, which made Ye Guohua envious. Xiao Liu and Chen Hongjun added fuel to the fire, firmly believing that Ye Guohua was also good at business. The more Ye Guohua thought about it, the more unfair he felt. He Hongling didn't want to listen to his complaints and hurriedly went to the station to buy tickets. He Hongling's mother visited Qi Tian's shop to buy things, and he gave her some eggs and vegetables. He Hongling came to pick up her mother to go home. Her mother was searching for remedies everywhere, wanting He Hongling to have a child soon. He Hongling wanted to settle the matters regarding staying in the military first before making a decision.

Captain Huang announced the order to disband the cultural troupe, allowing them to perform one final show before they left. He Hongling sought help from Ye Guohua, but he had already applied for a transfer to Beijing. He urged He Hongling to go back with him, but she didn't want to take off her military uniform. Guo Heizi had all his assets seized when a batch of imported cigarettes he brought in was confiscated by customs. He came to Xiao Chunsheng seeking help, and Xiao Chunsheng agreed to inquire about the situation.

He Hongling practiced the piano day and night, wanting to give a great performance in the final show. Ye Guohua urged her to return to Beijing together, but He Hongling firmly refused. Ye Guohua earnestly tried to persuade her. Xiao Chunsheng learned from the warehouse manager Xiao Liu that Guo Heizi's batch of goods was imported cigarettes and couldn't be recovered due to suspected smuggling. Xiao Chunsheng had no choice but to confront Guo Heizi and advised him not to engage in illegal activities anymore.

Guo Heizi originally wanted Xiao Chunsheng to help him retrieve the batch of imported cigarettes confiscated by the customs. However, Xiao Chunsheng not only refused to help but also earnestly advised Guo Heizi to give up on the idea and pretend that the cigarettes didn't exist. Guo Heizi was afraid of Qi Tian scolding him, so he asked Xiao Chunsheng to keep it a secret from Qi Tian.

He Hongling completed the procedures for her job transition, and Ye Guohua came to pick her up and return to Beijing. He Hongling felt reluctant to leave the military compound, thinking about all the hard work she had put into the art troupe day and night, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings. Chen Hongjun left work early and prepared a table full of dishes, no longer mentioning the matter of having children. Ye Fang felt uneasy and increasingly unable to understand Chen Hongjun's thoughts.

Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu's small shop was thriving, and they were busy all the time. The neighbors advised Xiao Yanqiu to have a child soon and even provided her with secret recipes for getting pregnant. Guo Heizi invested all his savings in that batch of imported cigarettes and borrowed money at high interest rates from everywhere, hoping to turn things around. However, the cigarettes were confiscated by the customs, and Guo Heizi was beaten up by his creditors. He sought help from Qi Tian but couldn't bring himself to ask because he saw that Qi Tian was leading a warm and happy life. He made up some random excuses and left.

With no other options, Guo Heizi came to Xiao Chunsheng again and ran into Chen Hongjun downstairs. He called Chen Hongjun out for negotiation and threatened to report to the police about the incident when Chen Hongjun injured his eye years ago. Chen Hongjun had no choice but to promise to help him retrieve the cigarettes. Suddenly, Li Shangyou appeared and asked Guo Heizi to push all the blame onto Xiao Chunsheng. In return, he promised to arrange a meeting with Zhao Xiaohui after the matter was settled. Guo Heizi reluctantly agreed. Chen Hongjun asked Li Shangyou to write a report to the disciplinary committee, accusing him of favoritism towards Xiao Chunsheng and covering up for him. Li Shangyou agreed without hesitation.

With Chen Hongjun's mediation, Guo Heizi successfully took the cigarettes from the customs warehouse and delivered them to Qi Tian's small shop. Guo Heizi distributed the money from selling the cigarettes to the bottle cap and others, but unexpectedly, the police suddenly showed up and arrested them all. Xiao Chunsheng was under investigation for allegedly helping Guo Heizi retrieve the smuggled cigarettes. The disciplinary committee presented a signed and stamped outgoing document by Xiao Chunsheng. Fortunately, Xiao Chunsheng had kept copies of all the outgoing documents he handled, and each one was numbered. The disciplinary committee staff carefully examined each document and decided to investigate the matter thoroughly before making conclusions. Xiao Chunsheng returned home burdened with worries, and Tong Xiaomei accompanied him to drink and relax. She advised Xiao Chunsheng to resign and go home, but he smiled bitterly and remained silent.

The disciplinary committee received Li Shangyou's report and called in Chen Hongjun for questioning. Chen Hongjun admitted that he had recommended Xiao Chunsheng to work at the customs and was held accountable for his improper personnel decisions. Xiao Chunsheng's charges were confirmed, and he decided to resign from the customs. Chen Hongjun meticulously planned to drive Xiao Chunsheng out of the customs, and he pretended to invite Xiao Chunsheng for a drink while secretly plotting his rise to higher positions.

Ye Guohua returned to Beijing and began market research, hoping to find profitable opportunities as soon as possible. He Hongling couldn't forget her days in the military and eagerly awaited the results of the art troupe's assessment. Ye Fang found Li Shangyou's business card in Chen Hongjun's pocket and called him, subtly asking about Chen Hongjun's visit to Li Shangyou yesterday. Xiao Chunsheng resigned and left the customs, and his colleagues were all reluctant to see him go. Chen Hongjun secretly stood by the window, watching Xiao Chunsheng's figure disappear, and let out a sigh of relief. Xiao Chunsheng came to the hospital to find Tong Xiaomei, who could tell he had something on his mind and warmly inquired about it.

Chen Hongjun was in a great mood and specially bought Ye Fang's favorite braised pork knuckles after work. Ye Fang asked about Xiao Chunsheng, and Chen Hongjun regretted not listening to Ye Fang's advice and introducing Xiao Chunsheng to the customs anti-smuggling team without authorization. Xiao Chunsheng was not good at handling interpersonal relationships and ended up being forced to resign. Ye Fang confronted him, exposing his intention to get rid of Xiao Chunsheng from the customs and unwilling to be labeled as disloyal. He joined forces with Li Shangyou to frame Xiao Chunsheng and asked Chen Hongjun to clarify the matter with Xiao Chunsheng, but Chen Hongjun firmly refused and made excuses.

Ye Fang came to talk to Xiao Chunsheng, who regretted joining the customs anti-smuggling team and ultimately implicating Chen Hongjun. Ye Fang hesitated to reveal the truth, unable to bring herself to do so. Ye Fang went home and confronted Chen Hongjun, who thought Ye Fang had told Xiao Chunsheng about his and Li Shangyou's conspiracy. Chen Hongjun shouted and insulted Ye Fang, bringing up past events to humiliate her. Chen Hongjun went to see Xiao Chunsheng and saw that he appeared normal, putting his mind at ease.

Xiao Chunsheng wanted to go to Kunming, Yunnan, to visit his old comrades, but Tong Xiaomei couldn't accompany him due to an exam and repeatedly urged him to be cautious. He Hongling felt pressured in the new orchestra and practiced the piano tirelessly to maintain her position as the principal musician. Due to exhaustion, she collapsed, but Ye Guohua arrived in time to take her to the hospital. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, He Hongling lost the baby in her womb, leaving Ye Guohua devastated.

Xiao Chunsheng went to the Kunming Criminal Police Brigade to find Duan Lei. The two hadn't seen each other for many years, and their excitement was evident. Duan Lei immediately sensed that Xiao Chunsheng had something on his mind. Xiao Chunsheng poured out his grievances to him, revealing how Guo Heizi used his name for smuggling and how Chen Hongjun set a trap to drive him out of the anti-smuggling team. Duan Lei kindly advised him, and Xiao Chunsheng learned that Duan Lei had a steel nail in his leg, which sparked an idea in his mind.

Duan Lei casually mentioned Xiang Nan, the jeweler whom Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei had risked their lives to protect. Xiang Nan's jade business was thriving, and he often visited Duan Lei, leading to a close friendship between the two. Xiang Nan inquired about Xiao Chunsheng's situation multiple times, wanting to personally thank him for saving his life. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to first pay his respects at the graves of Ao Mao and Meng Jinzhu.

After returning from the cemetery, Duan Lei invited Xiang Nan to catch up. Xiang Nan expressed profound gratitude to Xiao Chunsheng. After the meal, Xiao Chunsheng questioned Duan Lei about the purpose of inviting Xiang Nan. Duan Lei admitted that he wanted to connect Xiang Nan and Xiao Chunsheng, hoping Xiao Chunsheng would develop the jade and jewelry business in Beijing. Xiao Chunsheng was clueless and didn't want to take advantage of the situation.

While Ye Guohua was handling He Hongling's hospital discharge procedures, he learned from a doctor that He Hongling had known about her pregnancy for a long time but had kept it hidden from him, leaving him dissatisfied. Xiang Nan invited Xiao Chunsheng and Duan Lei to his shop for tea and asked Xiao Chunsheng for help in opening the jade market in Beijing. Xiao Chunsheng was not interested, but Xiang Nan vividly described China's profound jade culture, expanding Xiao Chunsheng's horizons. He immediately wrote a letter to Tong Xiaomei, who had successfully obtained her medical practitioner qualification, and shared the good news with her.

After Guo Heizi's arrest, the police discovered that his smuggled cigarettes were being sold at Qi Tian's store. Qi Tian fully cooperated with the investigation. Xiang Nan and Duan Lei taught Xiao Chunsheng about jade every day and took him to visit factories. Xiang Nan revealed his plan to rely on the Arts and Crafts Corporation to open up sales channels in Beijing. Xiao Chunsheng remembered that his childhood friend worked at the Arts and Crafts Corporation's headquarters and wanted to contact him in Beijing.

Qi Tian persuaded Xiao Yanqiu to go home and rest, and he reduced the prices of all the items in his store. Within three days, the merchandise in the small store was completely sold out.

Qi Tian looked at the empty shelves and recalled the sweat and effort he and Xiao Yanqiu had put into opening the small store. He felt a mix of emotions and handed the deposit back to the landlord. Qi Tian's small store officially closed.

When Chen Hongjun heard that Guo Heizi had caused Qi Tian's store to close, he pretended to remind Liuzi and Xiangdong to run their businesses legally, but deep down, he took pleasure in their misfortune. He wanted to see how Xiao Chunsheng would handle the situation when he returned from Yunnan. Tong Xiaomei waited anxiously by the phone every day, hoping to receive a call from Xiao Chunsheng. But after several days with no news, Tong Xiaomei became restless, and her parents noticed her unease.

Xiao Chunsheng rushed back from Yunnan, covered in dust and dirt. He couldn't help but embrace Tong Xiaomei tightly until he saw that Tong Xiaomei's parents were also at home, and he reluctantly let go of her hand. Tong's father couldn't wait to know Xiao Chunsheng's next plan. Xiao Chunsheng expressed his desire to start his own business, and Tong's father had high expectations for him, believing he was exceptional.

Since the closure of the small store, Xiao Yanqiu had been making a living by pasting paper boxes. She worked hard every day, while Qi Tian, devastated by the store's closure, refused to get out of bed until noon. Xiao Chunsheng felt sorry for Xiao Yanqiu and vented his anger at Qi Tian, scolding him harshly.

Xiao Chunsheng asked his childhood friend Xiao Yanpei to contact Director Xiong from the Arts and Crafts Corporation. Director Xiong, who grew up in the Foreign Trade Compound, had already heard of Xiao Chunsheng's reputation. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to cooperate with the Arts and Crafts Corporation to develop the jade and gemstone business. Director Xiong readily agreed and mentioned that the corporation happened to have a jade processing factory. As long as the jade could pass the inspection of Master Jin, the jade expert at the factory, Director Xiong promised to purchase Xiang Nan's jade at a high price. Xiao Chunsheng immediately called Xiang Nan and informed him of the good news. Xiang Nan was overjoyed and started preparing the goods, planning to come to Beijing soon. Tong Xiaomei was also thrilled for Xiao Chunsheng and Xiang Nan.

He Hongling's health gradually improved, and she wanted to return to work in the orchestra as soon as possible. Mother Ye suggested that she stay at home to prepare for pregnancy and help Ye Guohua with his business. He Hongling was unwilling to become a housewife, feeling that all her years of hard work would go to waste. Mother Ye reluctantly admitted that her position in the orchestra had been replaced by someone else. He Hongling suspected that Mother Ye was behind all of this, and she was heartbroken, but Mother Ye refused to change her stance, insisting that He Hongling should give birth to a child for the Ye family first.

Xiang Nan brought jade of different grades to Beijing. Xiao Chunsheng instructed him to meet with Master Jin to have the jade appraised. At a glance, Master Jin could tell which mine the jade came from. He accepted all the goods and set prices for each piece of jewelry. Xiang Nan was in high spirits and decided to return to Yunnan to bring more goods to Beijing as soon as possible. However, he didn't have enough money at hand. Xiao Chunsheng asked for Qi Tian's help in raising the money. Qi Tian gave him all his savings, and Xiao Chunsheng sent the money to Xiang Nan. Xiang Nan promised to deliver the next batch of goods to Beijing soon. Xiao Chunsheng was puzzled by Xiang Nan's behavior but didn't inquire further. Xiang Nan delivered the second batch of goods to Beijing, and Master Jin accepted all of them after inspection.

Xiang Nan gave half of the profits to Xiao Chunsheng, but he refused to accept it. Xiang Nan didn't lack money at all; he intentionally borrowed money from Xiao Chunsheng to make him feel at ease. Although Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to take advantage of Xiang Nan's generosity, Xiang Nan insisted, and Xiao Chunsheng reluctantly accepted. Xiao Chunsheng visited the rehabilitation center to see Old Li and other patients. From their conversations, he learned that the center lacked equipment, and the therapy device he left behind was also broken.

The young patient Dongzi, due to the inability to afford the upcoming rehabilitation fees, his mother wanted him to return home. Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei encouraged him not to give up.

Through the unremitting efforts of Xiang Nan, Xiao Chunsheng, and Qi Tian, their jade business flourished. Tong's father reminded Xiao Chunsheng to use the money for righteous purposes. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to purchase a batch of medical equipment for the rehabilitation center, and Tong Xiaomei had the same idea. They coincided and Tong Xiaomei suggested that Xiao Chunsheng import the equipment through Chen Hongjun's channels. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to face Chen Hongjun and was worried that he wouldn't help. Tong Xiaomei couldn't think of a faster solution, so Xiao Chunsheng reluctantly went to find Chen Hongjun.

Xiao Chunsheng went to see Chen Hongjun and straightforwardly explained his purpose. Chen Hongjun made various excuses and evasions. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to ask Ye Fang for help, but Chen Hongjun was afraid that Ye Fang would tell Xiao Chunsheng about past events. Reluctantly, he agreed and even took Xiao Chunsheng to visit a medical equipment company. From the warehouse of a company, Xiao Chunsheng quickly found the rehabilitation treatment device. Director Ma arrived and nodded and bowed to Chen Hongjun, obediently following his commands. Xiao Chunsheng bought the rehabilitation equipment and donated it to the rehabilitation center. The director of the center was extremely grateful to him. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to become a distributor of medical equipment and help Duan Lei and more patients achieve complete recovery. Tong Xiaomei fully supported his decision.

Qi Tian took full responsibility for connecting with the Arts and Crafts Corporation, and Xiao Yanqiu managed the financial records. The jade business gradually normalized. Xiao Chunsheng and Xiang Nan discussed becoming agents for imported rehabilitation equipment. Xiang Nan wished him success in his venture. Xiao Chunsheng shared his ideas with Qi Tian and Xiao Yanqiu, and they both found them feasible. Qi Tian promised to help Xiao Chunsheng and suggested bringing Ziqi, Pinggai, Xiao Liu, and Xiangdong on board. Ye Fang also volunteered to help Xiao Chunsheng, and he gladly accepted.

After a month of market research, with Ye Fang's help, Xiao Chunsheng successfully became an agent for Purwillie Company. He named the new company Chunxiao Medical and adopted the slogan "Quality First, Benefiting the People." Xiao Chunsheng called everyone together for the first regular meeting, inviting Director Liu Chun from Purwillie Company to attend. He assigned tasks to each person and made them original shareholders, boosting their confidence. Xiao Chunsheng felt the pressure on his shoulders was immense, but Tong Xiaomei promised to support him wholeheartedly.

Xiao Chunsheng went to five or six hospitals in a row to promote the medical equipment but faced rejection everywhere. Qi Tian suggested that he go to Director Qin for help. However, Director Qin refused, citing the high prices of his medical equipment. Xiao Chunsheng tried to explain that the cheap medical equipment on the market was counterfeit and inferior, but Director Qin didn't buy it. Disappointed, Xiao Chunsheng left.

Tong Xiaomei advised Xiao Chunsheng to seek help from her mother. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to take the backdoor approach, but Tong Xiaomei heard that the hospital where her mother worked was about to receive a batch of medical devices. Moreover, her mother was known for being strict. Xiao Chunsheng introduced the performance of the medical equipment to Tong's mother and promised to let the hospital try it first. Tong's mother agreed to take him to meet the procurement department of the hospital tomorrow.

Tong's mother took Xiao Chunsheng to the hospital's procurement department. Xiao Chunsheng gave a detailed introduction about the performance of the medical equipment, and the leaders of the procurement department agreed to import Xiao Chunsheng's medical equipment. Xiao Chunsheng secured an order from Jingxi Hospital and immediately shared the good news with everyone. He promised to pay them salaries with a down payment and invited everyone to a celebratory dinner.

Suddenly, Xiao Yanqiu experienced unbearable abdominal pain. She was about to give birth, so Xiao Chunsheng and Qi Tian hurriedly took her to the hospital. Xiao Yanqiu successfully gave birth to a daughter, and Qi Tian was overjoyed and moved to tears. Xiao Chunsheng visited Director Qin again, and Director Qin was satisfied with his medical equipment. He allowed Xiao Chunsheng to have a face-to-face meeting in his office. Xiao Chunsheng heard that the hospital's president was applying for a cardiac research base. He entrusted overseas distributors to collect cutting-edge information on cardiac treatment and attributed the credit to Director Qin. Director Qin wanted to present the information to the president immediately and asked Xiao Chunsheng to deliver several far-infrared treatment devices as soon as possible. He also promised to use his company's medical equipment in the future.

Ye Guohua searched everywhere for business opportunities but ended up empty-handed. He returned home with a dejected look. He Hongling casually asked about the situation of other friends, and Ye Guohua suspected that she still had feelings for Xiao Chunsheng. He advised He Hongling to give up early since Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng were about to get married. Ye Guohua vowed to surpass Xiao Chunsheng sooner or later, but He Hongling became upset and ignored him. Ye Guohua poured out his grievances to Chen Hongjun, and Chen Hongjun suggested they start a company together and make big money by utilizing his connections in customs. Ye Guohua naturally welcomed the idea.

Xiao Chunsheng's offer to allow Jingxi Hospital to try the medical equipment for free angered his competitors. They came to cause trouble and insisted on fighting Xiao Chunsheng without any explanation. Xiao Liu secretly called the police, and Director Ma arrived in time to defuse the situation. After a lot of persuasion, they managed to convince those people to leave. Suddenly, Xiao Chunsheng's old injury flared up, causing him unbearable pain. Tong Xiaomei accompanied him to the hospital for a check-up.

A customer urgently needed five far-infrared treatment devices, so Qi Tian hurriedly went to the medical equipment company to pick them up from Liu Chun. The company was temporarily out of stock, and coincidentally, Xiaoshuanzi, an old neighbor they hadn't seen in years, came to the company. Xiaoshuanzi claimed to have been involved in the medical equipment industry for many years and had three far-infrared treatment devices. He promised to help Qi Tian find two more. Qi Tian confirmed that the treatment devices had all the necessary certifications and allowed Xiaoshuanzi to go and pick them up.

Chen Hongjun got drunk at a bar, and a female salesperson from the Li Shangyou company approached him, trying to sell their new red wine. Chen Hongjun couldn't hold his liquor and quickly got drunk. In his intoxicated state, Chen Hongjun returned home, and Ye Fang suddenly noticed a red lipstick mark on his collar, feeling disgusted. Chen Hongjun tried to take credit for himself and claimed that he had played a role in connecting Xiao Chunsheng, but Ye Fang retorted.

The far-infrared treatment devices that Xiaoshuanzi sold to Qi Tian turned out to be counterfeit and inferior products, causing harm to the customer who got burned. The hospital demanded a large compensation, but Qi Tian couldn't find Xiaoshuanzi anywhere. He quickly reported the situation to Xiao Chunsheng, who decided to do everything possible to raise money for the compensation. However, they only had five days, and Xiao Chunsheng couldn't gather that much money in such a short time. Xiao Chunsheng received the news of Duan Lei's passing and couldn't sleep all night due to grief. He remembered the hardships they had gone through together, and his heart was filled with pain.

Tong Xiaomei borrowed money from her parents to help Xiao Chunsheng solve his problems. Xiao Chunsheng didn't want to trouble her parents, so he and Xiao Yanqiu had already decided to use all their savings for the compensation. After handling the aftermath properly, Xiao Chunsheng successfully weathered this crisis and decided to pursue his own medical equipment. Qi Tian believed that relying solely on their small group wouldn't be enough and that they needed to recruit talented individuals. However, he was concerned that university graduates might not be willing to work in a private enterprise. Ye Fang suggested implementing income advances and recruiting retired professors for research and development. Xiao Chunsheng and everyone else brainstormed and came up with a specific implementation plan. That night, Xiao Chunsheng drank a lot of alcohol and wept bitterly, recalling the memories of the deceased Duan Lei, while Tong Xiaomei kindly advised him.

Ye Guohua established Huasheng Trading Company, and with Chen Hongjun's assistance, he secured many large orders. The company's business flourished, and Chen Hongjun urged Ye Guohua to quickly upgrade to a larger villa. Ye Fang became increasingly worried and feared that once Ye Guohua's business became strong enough and he no longer relied on Chen Hongjun, Chen Hongjun would try every means to undermine Ye Guohua. Chen Hongjun believed that Ye Fang looked down on him and erupted in anger fueled by alcohol, lashing out at Ye Fang.

Ye Fang was worried that Chen Hongjun would harm Ye Guohua just like he did to Xiao Chunsheng in the past. Chen Hongjun immediately became angry and vented all the pent-up resentment he had kept inside for years. He also criticized Ye Fang for not having children. After saying these words, Chen Hongjun slammed the door and left. With nowhere else to go, Chen Hongjun wandered the streets and suddenly thought of Gu Lin. He went to find her and drink together to ease his mind.

The Tong family was satisfied with Xiao Chunsheng and wanted Tong Xiaomei to marry him as soon as possible. Tong's mother went to discuss it with Tong Xiaomei. Today was a joyous day for Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng as they got married amidst the blessings of family and friends.

Time flew by, and quickly the 21st century arrived. Beijing successfully bid for the Olympics, and the whole country celebrated this grand event. Tong Xiaomei was still busy at the hospital, He Hongling completely left her beloved stage, and the relationship between Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun reached a freezing point. Chen Hongjun often didn't come home and spent time with Gu Lin outside. Xiao Chunsheng gathered all the brothers from the ice rink and summoned them to Chunxiao Medical.

Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun decided to export a batch of medical equipment, marking the company's first foray into the overseas market. They both didn't dare to be negligent. Ye Guohua carefully examined domestic medical equipment companies and had high hopes for Chunxiao Medical. However, he didn't have a clear understanding of Chunxiao Medical. Li Shangyou was determined to win this deal. Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun discussed meeting with the person in charge of Chunxiao Medical.

Mother Ye often sent He Hongling traditional Chinese medicine to regulate her body in the hopes of her getting pregnant soon. He Hongling had no choice but to take it as instructed. Ye Guohua used his dislike for the taste of Chinese medicine as an excuse to stop He Hongling from drinking it. He had already lost hope for having children. Xiao Chunsheng didn't know whether he should meet Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun, but Tong Xiaomei knew he couldn't let go of their brotherly bond and advised him to go and see them.

Early in the morning, Ye Guohua went to the airport to pick up European businessmen and learned that there was a high demand for medical equipment overseas. He and Chen Hongjun discussed the need to seize this opportunity and lay the foundation for the company to enter the overseas market. Chen Hongjun and Ye Guohua arranged a meeting with the person in charge of Chunxiao Medical at a hotel. To their surprise, Xiao Chunsheng turned out to be the owner of Chunxiao Medical. Ye Guohua was dumbfounded. Xiao Chunsheng invited them to a small restaurant they used to frequent when they were young to reminisce.

The small restaurant was owned by childhood friends Xia Ming and his wife Hong Jie. Xia Ming passed away from cancer last year, and Xiao Chunsheng acquired the restaurant, allowing Hong Jie to continue running it. Xiao Chunsheng, Ye Guohua, and Chen Hongjun enjoyed their time together over drinks. Xiao Chunsheng didn't expect that Huasheng Trading was owned by Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun. He thanked Chen Hongjun for introducing him to the medical equipment industry. Chen Hongjun revealed that he couldn't be openly involved but was working behind the scenes. The three of them continued to toast and talked about many past events.

After dinner, Chen Hongjun left first. Xiao Chunsheng reminded Ye Guohua not to involve Chen Hongjun in business matters to avoid affecting his future. Ye Guohua and Xiao Chunsheng agreed to compete in the bidding next Monday. When the nanny was cleaning, she took out He Hongling's violin and wiped it clean. Seeing her beloved instrument, He Hongling couldn't help but think of Mother Ye urging her to give up her career and focus on having children. She felt a deep pain inside and casually played a tune.

Ye Guohua happened to come home and applauded to show his appreciation for He Hongling. He deliberately mentioned that Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei already had a teenage daughter. He Hongling didn't want to listen to his ramblings and ignored him. Chen Hongjun asked the driver to take him home but realized it was his and Gu Lin's home. He asked the driver to take him back to his own home.

Tong Xiaomei had been waiting downstairs for Xiao Chunsheng. He briefly recounted his meeting with Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun. Chen Hongjun specially bought a bouquet of flowers for Ye Fang and questioned why she didn't want to have children with him, deliberately hiding the fact that Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei had a child.

Chen Hongjun took advantage of his drunkenness to ask Ye Fang to have a child and even tried to force her. Ye Fang desperately tried to free herself from Chen Hongjun's entanglement and had to admit that she had been taking contraceptives all along. Chen Hongjun was furious and couldn't believe that Ye Fang had been secretly taking pills to avoid having a child with him.

As planned, Ye Guohua visited Xiao Chunsheng's factory, where Xiao Chunsheng personally showed him around and explained in detail the performance and unique advantages of their flagship product, the ventilator. Ye Guohua was greatly surprised to see that not only was Xiao Chunsheng doing well in business, but he also possessed advanced technology.

Ye Guohua discovered that his childhood friends and comrades were all working at Xiao Chunsheng's company, which made him admire Xiao Chunsheng even more. After leaving the military and transitioning for so many years, Ye Guohua had been secretly competing with Xiao Chunsheng. He had vowed not to meet him until he achieved some results. However, he never expected that Xiao Chunsheng never saw him as a rival and even showed such sentimentality. Ye Guohua felt inferior and lamented his own shortcomings. Li Shangyou was determined to secure the export order from Huasheng Company. When he heard that Ye Guohua was visiting Xiao Chunsheng's factory, he went to argue with Chen Hongjun, saying many bad things about Xiao Chunsheng. Chen Hongjun decided to use this opportunity to suggest increasing their share of the profits and also mentioned the possibility of divorce. Li Shangyou readily agreed to his proposal.

Ye Guohua was satisfied with the ventilators in Xiao Chunsheng's factory. While they were discussing cooperation, Chen Hongjun sent a message to prevent him from signing the contract. Ye Guohua had no choice but to make an excuse and leave. Ye Fang went to visit Tong Xiaomei and personally cooked several dishes. However, her cooking skills were not as good as before. Tong Xiaomei noticed that something was bothering her, but Ye Fang didn't want to talk about it, and Tong Xiaomei didn't press further.

Ye Fang returned home and confronted Chen Hongjun. She told him that she wanted a divorce and exposed his extramarital affair with Gu Lin. Chen Hongjun felt wronged. He had loved Ye Fang deeply, but her haughty attitude made him feel intimidated. Chen Hongjun agreed to the divorce and was willing to leave the house and money to her, but Ye Fang politely declined and only took her own belongings. Before leaving, Ye Fang reminded Chen Hongjun to stay away from Li Shangyou.

With nowhere else to go, Ye Fang had no choice but to seek refuge with Tong Xiaomei. Chen Hongjun informed Ye Guohua about this, and Ye Guohua called Tong Xiaomei, asking her to persuade Ye Fang. Ye Fang poured out her grievances to Tong Xiaomei, thinking that Chen Hongjun was the one who was best suited for her. But things didn't go as planned, and Ye Fang also reflected on her own mistakes in this marriage. She finally understood a truth and revealed that He Hongling had always deeply loved Xiao Chunsheng.

Tong Xiaomei mentioned He Hongling to Xiao Chunsheng, and Xiao Chunsheng made it clear that his relationship with He Hongling was not love, at best it was a kind of mutually hurtful emotion. This somewhat eased Tong Xiaomei's mind. Guo Heizi heard that Li Shangyou had lost a large sum of money in the stock market and suspected that he wanted to steal their core technology. Qi Tian firmly believed that their product was the best and that only their company possessed the core technology required by Huasheng. He believed that Ye Guohua wouldn't be foolish enough to choose Li Shangyou.

Chen Hongjun tried hard to sow discord between Ye Guohua and Xiao Chunsheng. He brought up Xiao Chunsheng and He Hongling's past relationship to manipulate Ye Guohua into cooperating with Li Shangyou. However, Ye Guohua firmly refused, and Chen Hongjun advised him not to get involved. He promised that Li Shangyou would find a way to obtain the core technology.

Li Shangyou heard that Guo Heizi had lost a lot of money in stocks, so he discussed with Chen Hongjun the idea of stealing the core technology through Guo Heizi. Chen Hongjun warned him to be careful. Li Shangyou took the initiative to propose giving Guo Heizi enough money to recoup his losses and to steal the core technology from Chunxiao Medical. He also revealed Zhao Xiaohui's whereabouts. The two reached an agreement.

Bebi's birthday was approaching, so Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng discussed inviting Ye Guohua and He Hongling to celebrate together. After much consideration, Ye Guohua decided not to give the order to Li Shangyou. He sent a message to inform Chen Hongjun and then received a message from Xiao Chunsheng inviting him to celebrate the birthday. Ye Guohua returned home late and found He Hongling drowning her sorrows in alcohol. He became extremely angry and reluctantly told her about Xiao Chunsheng's message. Today was Bebi's birthday, and Tong Xiaomei invited classmates to celebrate. Ye Guohua went alone and made an excuse that He Hongling couldn't attend due to some matter.

He Hongling arrived shortly after and gave Bebi a pair of ice skates. She also talked about their younger days of ice skating. However, Bebi didn't like the style of the ice skates, so Tong Xiaomei quickly intervened and thanked He Hongling for the thoughtful gift. After the birthday banquet, Ye Guohua and He Hongling went home together. Ye Guohua became furious and accused He Hongling of still holding feelings for Xiao Chunsheng. He Hongling didn't want to explain, remaining silent. In anger, Ye Guohua got off the car and walked away.

He Hongling returned home very late and asked Ye Guohua for a divorce. Ye Guohua believed that she still had feelings for Xiao Chunsheng, but He Hongling repeatedly emphasized that it had nothing to do with Xiao Chunsheng. Ye Guohua refused to believe her. Chen Hongjun asked Ye Guohua to give the order to Guo Heizi and Li Shangyou, and Ye Guohua no longer insisted.

Qi Tian welcomed Ye Guohua's arrival with the workers, but Ye Guohua was late in appearing. Qi Tian learned that Ye Guohua had taken the foreigner David directly to Li Shangyou's factory and suspected that Li Shangyou had stolen their core technology. He went to the R&D department to find out more. Li Shangyou held a banquet to celebrate successfully obtaining the order, but Ye Guohua felt uneasy. He believed that Chen Hongjun and Li Shangyou were going too far, but they didn't seem to care.

Xiao Chunsheng couldn't sleep and tossed and turned. Tong Xiaomei comforted him, and Xiao Chunsheng vowed to find out the truth. Early in the morning, Qi Tian discovered that Guo Heizi hadn't come to work and learned that he had sought refuge with Li Shangyou. Qi Tian concluded that he had betrayed their core technology to Li Shangyou. Qi Tian regretted not applying for a patent in advance. Xiao Chunsheng obtained the latest technical data from Xiao Zheng in the R&D department and asked Qi Tian to personally supervise the development of this technology and ensure its confidentiality.

Xiao Chunsheng went to find Ye Guohua to clarify the situation. Ye Guohua advised Xiao Chunsheng to give up, as Li Shangyou's company had received David's approval and successfully obtained the order. Xiao Chunsheng was worried that Li Shangyou's products would not meet the required standards, which would tarnish Ye Guohua's reputation and harm patients. However, Ye Guohua didn't listen and brought up the incident of Xiao Chunsheng taking He Hongling away from him. Xiao Chunsheng had no choice but to leave. Qi Tian confronted Guo Heizi and completely cut ties with him. Ye Fang and Chen Hongjun both signed the divorce agreement, and Ye Fang packed her belongings and left home.

Xiao Chunsheng and his colleagues in the R&D department worked tirelessly and finally overcame the technical difficulties, making the ventilator reach an advanced level. Ye Guohua delivered the ventilators from Li Shangyou to the foreign client as scheduled. However, he quickly received a testing report from David stating that Li Shangyou's products didn't meet their requirements. David demanded a return of the products and a refund, and he stated that they would no longer cooperate with Huasheng. Ye Guohua was dumbfounded. He directly went to confront Li Shangyou, who not only refused to admit fault but also demanded that Ye Guohua pay the remaining balance promptly. Otherwise, he threatened to sue him in court, citing loopholes in the contract. Ye Guohua was infuriated by his shameless behavior.

Qi Tian consulted with a lawyer and learned that Guo Heizi would be sentenced to at least five years. Qi Tian couldn't bear to see Guo Heizi go to prison again, but Xiao Yanqiu reminded him not to enable Guo Heizi any longer. Li Shangyou arranged for Guo Heizi to temporarily stay in the United States, but when he was about to leave, the police intercepted him at home.

Ye Guohua was pressured by Li Shangyou and the foreign businessman, and he found himself in an unprecedented crisis. Xiao Chunsheng, regardless of past grievances, took the initiative to help Ye Guohua and provided him with the latest technical information from Chunxiao Medical. He promised to help Ye Guohua replace all the core components to meet the requirements of the foreign client. Ye Guohua couldn't believe that Xiao Chunsheng would lend him a hand. Xiao Chunsheng had always treated him like a brother, and Ye Guohua was deeply moved.

Xiao Chunsheng asked Qi Tian to allocate a production line and had the workers work overtime to fulfill Ye Guohua's order. Qi Tian didn't say much and only requested overtime pay for the workers. Xiao Chunsheng promised to give everyone a generous bonus at the end of the year. Some workers took sick leave due to colds, and those who remained on duty were demoralized. Qi Tian was extremely anxious, but Xiao Chunsheng believed that the exhaustion from recent overtime work was the cause and asked Qi Tian to distribute the bonuses in advance, allowing everyone to have a good New Year.

Zhao Xiaohui learned from Xiao Yanqiu that Guo Heizi was serving his sentence in prison. She hurried back to Beijing to visit him. Guo Heizi was thrilled and eager to know if Li Shangyou had harmed her. Zhao Xiaohui advised Guo Heizi not to believe Li Shangyou's nonsense. Guo Heizi sincerely apologized to Zhao Xiaohui, and she encouraged him to undergo rehabilitation, promising to wait for his release. Zhao Xiaohui planned to leave by plane that day, and Xiao Yanqiu and Qi Tian accompanied her to the airport. Xiao Chunsheng personally supervised the workshop, not getting a wink of sleep for two days and nights. Tong Xiaomei felt sorry for him and personally made dumplings and sent them to Xiao Chunsheng.

Soon, it was New Year's Eve. Xiao Chunsheng invited Xiao Yanqiu's family, Ye Fang, and Ye Guohua to celebrate the New Year at his home. He Hongling didn't come. Ye Fang helped Tong Xiaomei cook, and Tong Xiaomei learned that Ye Fang was living happily at her parents' house after the divorce and hoped she would find someone suitable for her soon. After dinner, they went out together to enjoy the lanterns. Xiao Chunsheng asked Ye Guohua to call He Hongling, but they couldn't reach her. So Xiao Chunsheng drove with Ye Guohua to her home to pick her up.

Ye Guohua brought He Hongling out and even held her hand. Xiao Chunsheng took photos of everyone, and He Hongling asked Bebi to join them in the photos. Ye Guohua and He Hongling returned to their own home. He Hongling asked Ye Guohua to have a drink with her and reminisced about the time thirty years ago when Ye Guohua chased after a bus on his bicycle. Both of them were deeply moved. Ye Guohua helped He Hongling pluck out her white hairs and took the opportunity to apologize to her. He Hongling also reflected on her actions over the years, admitting her selfishness and vanity. Ye Guohua and He Hongling opened their hearts and expressed all the words they had suppressed for many years. They resolved their misunderstandings, and He Hongling decided to go to Paris to study music and fulfill her unfinished dream.

Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei visited Master Cai in the hospital, bringing him overtime bonuses. They learned from the doctors that Master Cai's condition had worsened and had affected his lungs. Xiao Chunsheng was very worried, and the doctors revealed that there had been many cases of lung infections recently. The workers had worked overtime to complete the order, and the delivery time was approaching. However, the customs approval was delayed. Ye Guohua and Qi Tian came to discuss the matter with Xiao Chunsheng, and they all knew that Chen Hongjun was behind it.

Ye Guohua and Xiao Chunsheng went to find Ye Fang and asked her to expose Chen Hongjun. After careful consideration, Ye Fang presented the evidence of Chen Hongjun's corruption. After Chen Hongjun was arrested, Li Shangyou was also arrested. Master Cai collapsed due to heart and lung failure, and medical staff made every effort to save him. Tong Xiaomei learned that there were many patients with similar symptoms in the hospital and suspected a new type of infectious virus. She called Xiao Chunsheng to inform him and asked the workers to isolate themselves as soon as possible.

Tong Xiaomei had contact with patients infected with pneumonia, and Xiao Chunsheng was worried that she would get infected. Tong Xiaomei assured him that she would self-isolate and repeatedly reminded Xiao Chunsheng to take care of himself. Xiao Chunsheng immediately instructed everyone who had contact with Master Cai to stay in place and asked his daughter Beibei to go directly to Xiao Yanqiu's house after school.

The workers didn't understand what was happening, and Qi Tian was anxious to complete the orders. Xiao Chunsheng trusted Tong Xiaomei's judgment but didn't know how to explain the situation to the workers clearly. David was very satisfied with the goods delivered by Ye Guohua and promised to continue the partnership. Ye Guohua immediately approached Xiao Chunsheng and proposed going to the Southeast Asian market together. Xiao Chunsheng insisted on isolating himself in the factory and let Ye Guohua go to the market alone, believing that he would successfully secure the orders.

Tong Xiaomei and the medical staff worked tirelessly to save one pneumonia patient after another. Xiao Chunsheng explained the situation to the workers and urged everyone to stay in isolation. The workers believed him wholeheartedly. That night, Xiao Chunsheng and Tong Xiaomei called each other to express their farewells and cheer each other on. Suddenly, Tong Xiaomei developed a high fever and realized that she had been infected with the virus. Beibei called to check on Tong Xiaomei, but Tong Xiaomei concealed her condition.

Xiao Chunsheng called Tong Xiaomei, and she couldn't hold back her sadness and grievances anymore. Tears uncontrollably streamed down her face. Xiao Chunsheng sensed something was wrong, and Tong Xiaomei had to admit that she had contracted the virus. She was worried that she wouldn't make it through this time and wouldn't be able to see Xiao Chunsheng and Beibei again. Xiao Chunsheng encouraged her to stay strong, bravely face the illness, and Tong Xiaomei promised to do her best to hold on.

Tong Xiaomei's condition worsened, and she fell into a coma. She was taken to the intensive care unit. Xiao Chunsheng couldn't reach her on the phone and wanted to visit her in the hospital, but Qi Tian desperately tried to stop him. Ye Guohua successfully secured David's new order and called Xiao Chunsheng to share the good news. Xiao Chunsheng decided to discuss further when Ye Guohua returned.

The isolation period for the workers was over, so Xiao Chunsheng asked everyone to go home first. He decided to produce masks and donate them free of charge. Xiao Chunsheng mortgaged his own property, and Qi Tian willingly gave up his bonus to support him. The workers responded to Xiao Chunsheng's call and were willing to stay and produce masks. Tong Xiaomei finally turned the corner, and Xiao Chunsheng eagerly awaited her discharge from the hospital.

Xiao Chunsheng noticed that the ear straps of the masks were easily broken, so he asked Qi Tian to bring the technical personnel from the R&D department to solve the issue. The raw materials for mask production had significantly increased in price, so Xiao Chunsheng had to go to the bank for a loan. The workers worked overtime to produce the first batch of masks. The hospital leadership called Xiao Chunsheng to express their gratitude. Xiao Chunsheng wanted to visit Tong Xiaomei, so he personally delivered the masks to the hospital. When Tong Xiaomei and Xiao Chunsheng locked eyes, thousands of words surged in their hearts.

In the blink of an eye, it was Chinese New Year. Everyone gathered at Xiao Chunsheng's home to celebrate the new year. Xiao Chunsheng raised his glass to toast to Tong Xiaomei. Tong Xiaomei, who had experienced the life and death of many families, deeply felt the fragility of life. Ye Fang couldn't withstand Tong Xiaomei's persistent questioning and publicly announced that she had just started dating someone. Ye Guohua called to wish everyone a happy new year. Xiao Chunsheng mentioned their youthful days at Qianhai Lake, where their dreams began.

Another winter arrived, and some people and events in the story had come to an end. Xiao Chunsheng and his loved ones cherished the past, carrying their original intentions and aspirations for life, continuing the unfinished story.

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