At the end of the semester, Class Teacher Xu Zhuxin made an announcement. Next semester, there will be a two-month internship period with two arrangement methods: one is that the school issues a certificate and students find their own internship place or participate in social practice; the other is to come to school at the beginning of the new semester and let the school arrange an internship location. Xu Zhuxin particularly emphasized that most of the internship locations arranged by the school are temporary teaching positions in middle schools in Xilin City.

  Xu Shaojie was stunned at the time, and he thought of a terrible thing. He would soon face graduation assignment, where would he go? Would he accept an unassigned job? Xu Zhuxin's meaning had become somewhat clear: students graduating from the Chinese department had a high probability of becoming teachers, which was a situation that Xu Shaojie did not want to see.

  Xu Shaojie immediately found Xu Zhuxin's proof of opening and found an internship place for himself.

  "Shao Jie, next semester, in June you will graduate, internship is over, back to school, mainly to prepare for the graduation thesis, do you have any other plans?"

  "Teacher Xu, I don't have any plans for now."

  "Alright, I know you'll have ideas, but let me remind you that this internship is not a big deal. This kind of internship is actually an opportunity for you to think of ways to find a receiving unit on your own. For four years, I've been looking out for you. If you have any ideas, come talk to me next semester and maybe I'll think of some solutions."

  "Thank you, Teacher Xu."

  When on holiday, almost all the classmates in the class chose to have the school issue a certificate and find a place for internship themselves. In fact, everyone understands that the internship is not important, as long as they can find a place and get a certificate, they can get by. If they don't want to do an internship, they can stay at home and rest for two months. If there are other ways, they can also take this opportunity to finalize their job assignment. Why not be happy about it?

  This holiday, the people in the dormitory were mostly quiet, and they would soon be going back to find their assigned units. It's not a small matter. After entering the fourth year, everyone has discussed the allocation issue countless times, but only a few are willing to teach. Sun Yong is one of the more optimistic ones and is also one of the few who are willing to teach. Teaching has a high possibility of staying in Xilin City, so Sun Yong chose to go to school next semester and let the school arrange his internship location.

  Xu Shaojie understands Sun Yong's decision. The conditions in his hometown must be bad, and it's unclear what his fate will be after returning. Being able to stay in a big city and teach is also not bad. Moreover, Xilin University graduates who are willing to teach are still relatively popular. Ma Jianhua and Du Yuxin both chose to get certified, Xu Shaojie knew they had to go back, it just depends on the quality of the unit. Even teaching in Beijing or Shanghai is much better than in Xilin City, at least the environment is much better.

  Xu Shaojie quickly adjusted his mood, thinking that there was still several months to go before the assignment, and he would find a way. Moreover, he had thought of going to the grassroots level himself, believing that it was the right path to start from the bottom and work his way up. However, Xu Shaojie did not know that one's starting point could determine their future prospects and development space. In today's situation, the higher one starts, the faster they can advance. Xu Shaojie had read too many celebrity biographies and was not clear about the fact that heroes emerge in times of chaos. Those great figures were not only exceptionally talented but also had numerous biographies written about them, which contained the authors' own biases and promoted certain ideologies. As a result, Xu Shaojie was also misled to some extent.

  Xu Lan is also on vacation, and the whole family is finally reunited. Han Qing'e was very happy and prepared many delicious dishes, mainly to entertain Xu Lan, who lives too far away and can't take care of herself.

  On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Shaojie, Xu Yijie and Xu Lan returned to the county town to pay respects to their father. Han Qing'e stayed in the provincial city to take care of Liu Xiaomei. This time, it was Xu Shaojie who drove, and Xu Lan also wanted to learn how to drive. Xu Yijie agreed to teach her during the holidays. However, Xu Shaojie wasn't too supportive, still thinking that girls didn't need to know how to drive. As they were discussing this, Xu Shaojie suddenly thought of Tang Wanrou, that mysterious Tang Wanrou, and wondered what her status was. According to normal circumstances, Tang Wanrou should have graduated by now. The Public Security Vocational College is a three-year program, which means that Tang Wanrou should have been assigned a job by now.

  After returning to the county town, Xu Lan went to her relatives' home to pay New Year's greetings in advance. Xu Shaojie and Xu Yijie cleaned up the house, which had not been inhabited for half a year and was filled with dust. After resting for a day, the three of them arrived at the cemetery and made wishes in front of their father's grave.

  On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Yijie drove, and the three returned to the provincial capital.

  Xu Shaojie returned home and had a good sleep. He hadn't rested well for several days, plus he did some physical labor, so when Xu Shaojie got up, it was almost 11 o'clock. As he prepared to wash up, he saw Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan sitting in the living room. Xu Shaojie found this a bit strange - Zhang Shaocai usually came home very late, even on New Year's Eve. He was a businessman, and these days were his busiest.

  "Shao Jie, hurry up and wash your face, let's go out for a bit, I have something to tell you."

  Xu Shaojie hastily finished washing up and went out with Zhang Shaocai. Yan Yuhuan stayed at home.

  "Shao Jie, I know you're about to face the problems of internship and job assignment. Don't look at these few months, they'll pass in a flash. What specific ideas do you have?"

  "I have a general idea now, I think I want to enter an administrative unit."

  "So how do you plan on getting into the administrative unit?"

  "This matter is still a bit of a headache, and there is no good solution for the time being."

  "Shao Jie, you're clever for a moment and muddled for a lifetime. With such good connections, you don't know how to take advantage of them. Are you really going to wait until you're assigned to some small county town? By then, it'll be too late to cry."

  "Big brother, you're talking about Secretary Ding."

  "Yes, the other day I met Secretary Ding, and Secretary Ding asked about your situation on his own initiative. I said you're about to graduate soon, and Secretary Ding said he knew. Think about it, what does this mean? I came back today just to tell you about this matter. This afternoon, I'll be heading back to Huaiyang City, so what are you going to do?"

  "When the time comes, I'll go find Secretary Ding directly."

  "You're half right, the New Year is approaching and Secretary Ding will return to the provincial city around December 27th. Secretary Ding's home is in the provincial city, he'll definitely come back for the new year. You go visit him during the new year and take the opportunity to express your thoughts. I've already prepared everything, make sure you speak well and think it through. Here's Secretary Ding's address."

  "Big brother, can you take me there?"

  "Alas, this is your own matter, Secretary Ding knows you, no need for me to accompany you, you go yourself, the effect will be the best."

  Xu Shaojie has been feeling tense for the past two days. His family had installed a telephone, which was insisted upon by Zhang Shaocai. Xu Shaojie was waiting for Zhang Shaocai's phone call. This was Xu Shaojie's first time experiencing such a thing. Although in theory he accepted it, when it came to actually doing it himself, he still felt tense. It was like being a soldier who is very familiar with various war theories, but when faced with the bloody killing on the battlefield, he still feels some fear.

  The 27th day of the twelfth lunar month in the afternoon.

  "Shao Jie, Secretary Ding has already left. During the Spring Festival, he must be very busy. You should go to Secretary Ding's home tonight. Leaders need rest during the first month of the lunar year and don't want to be disturbed. Since Secretary Ding just returned today, there won't be too many people disturbing him. Tomorrow you may not have a chance to talk to him. Go at 7 pm tonight, remember. Secretary Ding's wife works at the Provincial Archives Bureau, her surname is Xiao, so call her Auntie Xiao. Secretary Ding has two sons, one in high school and one in junior high, both with excellent grades, remember."

  At 7 o'clock, Xu Shaojie's hands trembled as he rang the doorbell. He didn't know how much courage he had mustered up to ring the doorbell. The door opened and a girl in simple attire answered it.

  "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"

  Xu Shaojie felt a little dizzy, Secretary Ding didn't have a daughter, and his wife wouldn't be so young either.

  "My surname is XU, I'm Xu Shaojie, and I've come specifically to pay New Year's respects to Secretary Ding."

  "Wait a minute, I'll go ask Uncle Ding."

  The girl closed the door and went in. Xujie suddenly realized that this was an aunt, and he was really confused. He didn't even know such a simple common sense. Secretary Ding worked outside, two sons at home were studying, Xiao Aunt was alone at home, must be busy.

  Before long, the door opened again, and it was still this little girl.

  The decorations in Secretary Ding's home, Xu Shaojie didn't notice at all. He lowered his head and followed behind the nanny, so nervous that he forgot to change into slippers, and held the gift tightly in his hand.

  Ding Yuan was watching TV in the living room, Xiao Xinglan sat on one side, there were no other guests at home, and the two sons were doing their homework in the bedroom with a teacher who had been invited to tutor. Ding Yuan had long noticed Xu Shaojie, Xu Shaojie's tense expression and behavior did not escape his eyes, Ding Yuan held back his smile, it seemed that Xu Shaojie was doing this for the first time.

  "Xu Shaojie, a senior at Xilin University, haha, we meet again, take a seat quickly."

  Xu Shaojie saw the slippers worn by Ding Yuan and Xiao Xinglan, as well as the clean floor, and suddenly remembered something.

  "Director Ding, Aunt Xiao, I'm sorry, I forgot to change into slippers."

  As he spoke, Xu Shaojie hurriedly turned around and went to the door to change into slippers. At this point, Xiao Xinglan couldn't help it anymore and burst out laughing. The nanny also couldn't hold back her smile. When Xu Shaojie changed into slippers and walked over, his face was already completely red.

  "Alright, stop laughing, it's Little Xu's first time, she's nervous, just relax a bit, Little Xu."

  Seeing Xu Shaojie carrying a bag, Ding Yuan's face was somewhat serious.

  "Xu Shaojie, it's fine to come home and play, but what does it mean to bring these things along? Take them back later."

  Xu Shaojie finally found an opportunity to speak.

  "Director Ding, Aunt Xiao, this is my first time coming to pay New Year's respects, of course I should bring gifts. As a student of Chinese, the Chinese nation is known for its etiquette and propriety, and the education I received emphasizes understanding etiquette. You are seniors, I am junior, when juniors visit seniors' homes, they should bow their heads, let alone bring some gifts."

  "Haha, that's a new one! I've never heard of such an explanation before. If I don't accept gifts, it means I'm not following Chinese etiquette, but I've never seen any historical precedent for this!"

  "That's invisible, no one would have such a record, even if there is, it's estimated that it wouldn't be passed down, however, our Chinese department students all know that without rules, nothing can be accomplished, and in front of elders, we must follow the rules."

  "Haha, what a load of nonsense! Look at you guys, you've already mastered this set before even graduating."

  Ding Yuan's face was filled with a smile, completely unlike his usual expression when refusing others' gifts. Xiao Xinglan understood Ding Yuan's meaning and smiled as she spoke up.

  "Alright, Old Ding, Little Xu is still a student, don't make things difficult for him."

  Xu Shaojie was clever at this time and quickly spoke up.

  "Thank you, Aunt Xiao."

  Ding Yuan couldn't help it either and burst out laughing.

  "Xinglan, take a look, Little Xu has found a backer, this kid is like that, climbing up the pole."

  Xiao Xinglan already knew from Ding Yuan's tone that Ding Yuan had a good impression of Xu Shaojie, and they had known each other for a long time. She also had a good feeling about Xu Shaojie, who was polite, knowledgeable, and knew how to free himself. Thinking of this, she stood up.

  "Xiao Xu, you're home now, don't be nervous, take your time and talk about whatever is on your mind."

  As she spoke, Xiao Xinglan invited the nanny into the house. The nanny had already made tea for Xu Shaojie, and at this moment, Xu Shaojie also relaxed a lot, putting the gift under the coffee table.

  Ding Yuan had always thought highly of Xu Shaojie, and after their last conversation, Ding Yuan did not forget about Xu Shaojie. In the few subsequent conversations with Zhang Shaocai, Ding Yuan learned some specific details about Xu Shaojie's situation, and he felt a sense of closeness to Xu Shaojie, probably due to his similar background. Ding Yuan had also lost his father at a young age, so he thought that Xu Shaojie shared the same experience as him. Such a young man should have very good adaptability.