My name is Ma Peng, I am 50 years old this year, and I am an ordinary clerk. At eight o'clock in the morning, I came to work on time. As soon as I sat down, Lao Zhou of the department came to me: "Ma Peng, the boss is looking for you, hurry up." I was a little nervous, wondering if something had gone wrong with my recent job. Fortunately, my project has been going smoothly during this time, so there shouldn't be any major problems. When I came to the boss's office, I knocked lightly on the door, and the boss let me in. "Manager Ma, please take a seat, I just came to you to ask about your plans to retire. 
Oh, I'm ready to retire next year. I said. "Next year, it's coming soon! Do you have any plans for retirement? The boss asked with interest. "I'm going to go back to my hometown, buy some land, and grow some vegetables myself. I said a little shyly. "Go back to your hometown to farm? That's pretty rare! The boss smiled, "Now that young people are running to the city, you want to go to the countryside, it's not easy!" ”
I also laughed: "Actually, I grew up in my hometown when I was a child, and I liked to help my parents farm the land, and after I retired, I wanted to get back the feeling of sunrise and sunset." "Then you go back to farming, what do your wife and children think? The boss asked. "They are very supportive, and I plan to go back to my hometown to buy some land and then build a villa so that they can come to see me on weekends or holidays. "Okay, the most important thing is to have the support of your family! We wish you all the best in your retirement! The boss nodded approvingly. 
I thanked my boss and went back to work. After getting off work, I went home happily and said to my wife Li Mei: "Meimei, the boss has talked to me about retirement today, and our dream of returning to our hometown is one step closer!" ”。Li Mei smiled and said, "Congratulations!" I can't wait to grow some flowers and plants, and I can also raise chickens and ducks! "No problem, when we both retire, we'll live a free life!" I said happily. The next morning, I went to work as usual. At lunchtime, Lao Liu, a colleague from the department, came to me and said mysteriously: "Brother Peng, I heard that you are going to retire and return to your hometown to farm?" Does your brother Ma Qiang know? ”。
I said, "I haven't talked to him in detail yet, but he should support me." Lao Liu frowned and said, "If you want me to say, you better be cautious." Your brother's temperament, hearing that you are going to the countryside, may be able to make irresponsible remarks. I smiled and said, "Brother Qiang's relationship is also very good, he should respect my choice." "Don't be too optimistic. Lao Liu pouted, "Hurry up and discuss with your brother, don't mess up your retirement dream." 
After lunch, I sat sullenly at my workstation, thinking about Lao Liu's words. I know my brother's character very well, and he doesn't say less about mine. I was so preoccupied that my work efficiency was greatly reduced. After work, I came home looking dejected. I smiled bitterly and shook my head: "The company is fine, it was Lao Liu who told me today that I should discuss retirement with my brother first, in case Brother Qiang does not agree, our dream will be in vain." Li Mei comforted me and said, "What is there to worry about, your brother is not your father, what if he doesn't agree?" It's good that we can decide our own lives, don't worry! ”
I know, but Brother Qiang's temper has to communicate with him in advance, so as not to be talked about by him every day after retirement. Li Mei smiled and said, "Okay, just hurry up and explain to your brother, I believe he will support you." Early the next morning, I plucked up the courage to give my brother a ** call and told him about his idea of retiring and returning to the countryside. I explained: "Brother Qiang, this is my dream, I want to get close to nature, farm some land, and live a simple life. ”
Simple life? Can farming be more than your pension in the city? I understand the reason, but I'm worried that you won't be able to stand the hard work! "Brother Qiang is colorful. "I'm ready and definitely can stand it. I said firmly. Brother Qiang sighed and said, "Okay, I can't stop you." Just don't make yourself too tired. After hanging up, I happily said to Li Mei: "Look, I said that Brother Qiang would support me!" ”
Li Mei smiled and nodded: "Then let's hurry up and start acting!" "A month later, I drove back to my hometown and bought a 100-square-meter piece of wasteland in the countryside to build a small yard after retirement. I smiled and didn't take his words to heart. The day of retirement was fast approaching, and I officially said goodbye to the city and came to the countryside to start a new life. 
On the first day, I woke up early in the morning and was excited about a barren land. I decided to get rid of the weeds first and then choose a good tree to plant in the middle of the yard. But as soon as I picked up the shovel and started working, I found it difficult. The wasteland was overgrown with weeds, and it took me a lot of effort to dig up a small piece of land. I was shocked to turn around, it turned out to be my eldest brother! "Brother Qiang, why are you here? I asked in surprise. 
It's not that you can't stand it, I'll share your troubles for you. Brother Qiang looked serious. I said stiffly, "Who said I couldn't stand it?" I'm just getting started! Brother Qiang frowned and said: "Come on, this broken ground is only 100 square meters, you are old and young, can I afford this responsibility when I turn around and am tired?" I said: "Brother Qiang, I retired to realize this dream, you can respect my choice, but I will never give up."
Brother Qiang was stunned, he was silent for a while, and finally nodded and said, "Okay, since you have made up your mind, I respect you." Seeing Brother Qiang leave, I regained my spirits and continued to fight against the wasteland... Although the progress was slow, I was not discouraged and just kept going day by day. At first, I could only clear a small patch of weeds from the ground every day and plant vegetables on top of it, such as cabbage and spinach.
Uncle Ma, your people in the city are so worthless to spend their money on this wasteland! "That's it, if you want me to say, you still sell the land, and you have to worry about money!" I smiled and declined everyone's "kindness" and didn't take their words to heart. Because I know that as long as I do my best, I can one day turn this wasteland into a beautiful flower and fruit orchard. Every morning, I would stand in the field, looking at the little world that I had worked so hard to sort out, and I was very satisfied.
Gradually, I noticed that a few children from the village often passed by my wasteland and were very curious about what I was doing here. I readily agreed. Since then, Xiaofang often comes to me to "help", she always chats happily with me while working, and I also like this smart and clever little girl. It didn't take long for the fruit trees to grow well, and Xiaofang was very happy. She told the other children in the village about it.
The children are very proactive, and their young faces are full of happy smiles. My wasteland soon became a children's paradise. Every weekend I would tell them stories from the city or teach them to sing and dance. One day, the village chief heard about it, and he came to see me. When he walked into the land I had cultivated, he was surprised to find that it had changed beyond recognition, and it was full of green fruits and vegetables. "Uncle Ma, you are really a caring person! The village chief said with emotion, "You have turned this wasteland into a paradise for children, which is really a great thing for our village."
I smiled shyly, "That's what I'm supposed to do, I just have to make the kids happy." "Since then, my wasteland has become a special place in the village, and I have gradually earned the respect of the villagers. Just as I was basking in the joy of voluntary cultivation, an uninvited guest broke my peaceful life. One day, a strange man suddenly appeared at the door of my wasteland, claiming to be Li Xiaodong, a local real estate developer.
I immediately rejected Li Xiaodong because this land means a lot to me and the children in the village, and I can't just exchange money for my ideals. Seeing that I was unswerving, Li Xiaodong said angrily: "Uncle Ma, think about it, sell the land to me, and you can live a prosperous life after retirement, why not do it?" I said with a cold face: "Sir, the money is not mine, I will resolutely not sell it!" "Then you're too ignorant! Li Xiaodong was annoyed and angry, "This land is so barren, isn't it a waste of resources?" ”
This place is very important to the children of our village. I said calmly, "It cultivates the dreams and hopes of children." "Cut, don't say it so nobly. Li Xiaodong said disdainfully, "Isn't it just a variety of vegetables?" I made a ** acquisition, you earned and I earned, isn't it a win-win situation? ”。You despise my work too much. I said, "It's more than just growing vegetables for me. Li Xiaodong rolled his eyes, hated iron and said, "Uncle Ma, I advise you not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
I shook my head: "Thank you, sir, for your kindness, but my decision is not to sell the land." Money doesn't compare to the satisfaction of looking at the fields alive, which you can't measure with money. Li Xiaodong was annoyed and angry, and said, "You will regret it!" He left in a huff. I know it's not over yet. Li Xiaodong will not give up easily, and I must remind my friends in the village to be vigilant in case he uses despicable means to achieve his goals. Sure enough, a few days later, Li Xiaodong suddenly proposed to buy the land in our village at a sky-high price to develop the tourist area.
One by one, I told them that we must not sell our homes just for the sake of a momentary profit. "Friends, our land has nourished us from generation to generation, and it is far more precious than money. I said sincerely, "If we ruin our homeland for the sake of temporary money, how will our children and grandchildren survive?" I ask you to think again! ”。In the end, under my persuasion, the villagers rejected Li Xiaodong's purchase. Li Xiaodong left with a flushed face, scolding and saying that sooner or later we will regret it. The expected soon happened. Seeing that he could not buy our land directly, Li Xiaodong changed his strategy and bought a large piece of land at the entrance of the village to build a luxury resort hotel and golf course.
Soon, the environment of our village was destroyed. Dust from construction pollutes the air and shatters the tranquility of the village. What's more, some tourists still spit and litter, using our village as a playground. I don't feel good. The village chief also came to me and asked me what to do. I told the village chief that now that the environment had been destroyed, we had to find a way to save ourselves. I proposed that the villagers could be mobilized to clean up the appearance of the village and keep our village clean and tidy.
The village chief agreed with me. Under his leadership, our village quickly took action and set up a village appearance management team to patrol on a rotating basis to ensure that the village was clean and tidy. Gradually, we used our own hands to clean the village again. Tourists also find it possible to buy cheap and fresh specialties and are full of praise. Seeing that the situation was not right, Li Xiaodong came to me angrily and said that we had ruined his business. I said calmly, "Sir, your hotel did cause inconvenience to our village, but we didn't complain, we just volunteered to maintain the village."
What do rednecks know! Li Xiaodong said impatiently, "Hurry up and move your small business away from my hotel door!" "I'm sorry, it's a public area and we have the right to do business. I said firmly. "You are a country ghost, you dare to argue with me! Li Xiaodong was furious, "I'll let you fulfill your wish today and go back to your broken adobe!" With that, he asked his men to begin demolishing my fruit trees and vegetable sheds. The villagers and I tried to stop it, but there were many people on the other side.
Stop it! Just then, a majestic voice came. It turned out that the village chief arrived with the people of the town. Li Xiaodong suddenly panicked. It turned out that the village chief had already reported what he had done to his superiors. In the end, Li Xiaodong had no choice but to plead guilty and apologize and compensate us for our losses. Although the wasteland was badly damaged, the villagers decided to rebuild their homes. I helped everyone clean up the rubble, and the children were actively involved. As a result of our efforts, our wasteland was soon revitalized. I smiled and said to the village chief: "We villagers are united to defend our homeland, and this unity is the wealth that Li Xiaodong can't get."
The village chief nodded with emotion. I know that there is still a long way to go, but as long as we work together, there will be no hurdles that cannot be overcome! After this twist and turn, I am more determined to build this place into a sustainable green home. I began to build this land into a comprehensive base that combines cultivation, recreation, and education. I've studied a lot of organic farming and natural recycling farming methods to make every inch of land full of life. Slowly, this wasteland attracts tourists from all over the world. I invited volunteers to explain our philosophy and experience the joy of work.
We have been continuously rated as a green demonstration site in the county, and I am also very pleased that many groups have come to learn from the experience. Three years later, in this place, a complete circular economy chain has been formed. We grow organic vegetables that can be used both by the residents of the village and by local restaurants. Our concept has been well received by our visitors, who have given high praise and generous donations. Here, I see hope for harmony between man and nature. This also infected some nearby villagers, who began to follow my example and bring the former wasteland back to life.
One day, the mayor of the town came to see me in person, and he said bluntly: "Uncle Ma, you were considered a madman by many people back then, who would have thought that you had opened up a new path!" You've become the pride of our town! I humbly said, "I'm just living the dream of an ordinary person." Each of us can make the world a better place through our own efforts. Mayor Marew nodded and said, "Your experience will surely inspire more people!" Hope you keep it up! "That night, I sat alone in the bamboo pavilion, listening to the insects and birds, and looking at the bright starry sky overhead. With a light breeze on my face, my heart overflowed with peace and joy.
This is the story of an ordinary person chasing his dreams. When we have the courage to pursue our inner ideals and persevere in the face of hardship, miracles can happen. Hotspot Engine Program