This is the scene at the wheat milling ground in my village in Longxi. Grandpa and Dad shovel the grains and wheat husks into the air, while Mom pushes a fan in the front, using wind to separate them. The grains fall in the same area, and the wheat husks and impurities are blown aside by the wind. The piles of wheat are then put into bags for storage. The harvest is not big and is used mainly for our own consumption.
Our family income is mainly from growing Chinese medicinal herbs, such as astragalus and codonopsis. In recent years, we also raised cattle. The hut in the far end of the picture is our cattle pen, where seven or eight cows are raised every year. The income from livestock is relatively high, and the family’s economy should gradually improve.
My parents are very happy as I have become a postgraduate this year, so they don’t have to worry about me anymore. After graduation, I will take good care of them. However, they will continue to work in farming and will not leave this land.
Chen Jipeng – Postgraduate of Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University
It’s the first time I am in Beijing, the national capital. Apart from missing my hometown, I am otherwise overwhelmed by excitement and happiness.
Hurray! I finally see Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the National Grand Theatre, the Monument to People’s Heroes and other buildings with my own eyes. I have seen them only on TV and mobile phones in the past. Seeing them with my own eyes is a different feeling. Seeing our motherland so beautiful, I have the motivation to work harder and harder!
I will exert my best to stay in this great city of Beijing!!!
Zhang Pei – Admitted to Capital University of Economics and Business in 2020
This is a river beach near our school, about a 15-minute walk away. On September 1, 2020, after nearly a year of online classes, I took the train to Wuhan with a feeling of unusual nostalgia and excitement. I was neither afraid nor worried, but full of confidence in this heroic city of Wuhan. I trust it, so I rush to it without hesitation. The dark cloud will eventually pass, giving way to the rising sun. I have a deep feeling for Wuhan during the past three years of studies here. I will embrace it with all my enthusiasm in the remaining days.
Lu Meimei – Wuhan University of Science and Technology
Our school is famous for its good food in the canteen, and some people called it “Shaanxi Dining University”😅. The canteen on the second floor, the favourite of the students, is always crowded at meal time. There is a long line in front of every counter, and all you can see are heads moving.
I rush to the canteen after class and my face always looks blank! There are too many people for the seats available, especially now that partitions have been placed during the epidemic, which reduces the number of seats. Very often, I can’t find one.
To bring take-away food back to the dormitory can be more comfortable. But on the one hand, you have to pay the take-away charge; on the other, this is a bit of a waste of resources as most of them use plastic boxes or cartons. I should consider bringing my own container next time.
I can’t help but miss the meals made by Mum in my hometown even more.
Wang Xinyuan – Shaanxi Normal University
This photo was taken during a walk near home earlier. Haha, five ducklings, so cute! I stayed at home for a few months in the first half of the year because of the pandemic. Dad was not in good health, and the family would go out for a walk after dinner every day.
I have nice parents. There are still people in the village who think it is useless for girls to study. Thus many girls go to work after graduating from junior high school. My parents think that knowledge can change our destiny, so they are determined to let my sister and me go to school.
When we were walking, my sister and I would hold Dad’s hands on each side. The acquaintances we met on the road would greet Dad, saying, “Hey, you are taking a walk with your two daughters again.” Dad would always smile and answer, “Yes, taking a walk with two daughters!” At that time, I felt that Dad was really happy. In his heart, the happiest time was when my sister and I were by his sides.
I also feel very happy: Dad watches me growing up, I watch him getting old, and then together we go to see the beautiful scenery. I love you.
Zhao Yanling – Sichuan Agricultural University
This is the Mirror Lake on the campus. The cafe is right next to it. If there is no class after dinner, I will go there for a walk.
It has just rained that day, and the sky is clear. I am walking on the campus, and the air is fresh and the scenery clean. Yes, clean, this is my first feeling. The trees on the campus are lush and beautiful. At that moment, I think that although nature is very complicated, there is only one real charm of it, and that is life. Life is the eternal hymn of nature.
Li Fu – Admitted to Northeast Normal University in 2020
The last time I participated in military training was when I was in Senior One in high school three years ago. I am participating again in the first year of university and the feeling is very different. The continuous rain has not stopped the pace of our military training. We sit in the playground wearing camouflage uniforms and raincoats for the school opening ceremony cum military training mobilisation meeting. The drizzle of rain fails to put out the flames in our hearts but makes our blood boil even more.
Li Xiaoyan – Admitted to Wuhan University of Technology in 2020
This is the Mid-Autumn Festival party by the Ruyi Lake in our school, which also celebrates the birthday of the Motherland. There are light decorations, singing and dancing, and fireworks. It is very happy and lively. We have an eight-day holiday starting from October 1. I could have gone home, but I didn’t because I had found a part-time job. I can only wish everyone a happy double festival from afar at school!
Bai Ailin – Northwest Normal University