Chapter 101 Symposium

Jinran practiced her presentation several times every night until she was no longer nervous and could recite the content perfectly. She also extended her knowledge about pig farming.

Jinran thought confidently, "I am now a pig-raising expert, no exaggeration."

On the day to go to the county, Jinran had just finished breakfast and was washing the dishes when Grandpa Shen arrived.

Seeing Grandpa Chen dressed up and standing at attention, she asked, "Grandpa, are you going to the county with us?"

Grandpa Shen nodded proudly, "I have to go. It's such a good thing, I have to share in the good news and give you some encouragement."

Jinran immediately smiled and said, "Okay then, I'm not afraid."

Jinran quickly finished packing and followed Grandpa Chen. However, to her surprise, there were many people waiting at the entrance of the village, as if they were going to a market.

Jinran asked the same question: "Grandpa, what are the villagers up to? I didn't hear that there's a market today."

Grandpa Shen said with a smile, "They're all just here to join in the fun. The county only asked each village to send two representatives to participate, but everyone just wanted to see you off. First, to give you confidence, and second, because everyone feels it's an honor that our village has produced such a skilled pig farmer."

Jinran suddenly felt that she had slaughtered the pig too early. She should have led her pig down the aisle.

Okay, she's not surprised that she'll ask for an autographed photo later.

The group of four rode in an oxcart towards the county, along with two village representatives: the village head and the village's women's director. Jinran was quite familiar with them. Since there was only one road to the county, they kept running into villagers from neighboring villages along the way.

After arriving in the county, everyone followed the village chief. Before long, they saw a large crowd gathered around the small auditorium.

They were talking in twos and threes.

The village chief greeted those he knew with a proud look, and then led Jinran, Grandpa Shen, and the women's director into the small auditorium with his head held high.

People outside were whispering among themselves, but their voices betrayed their envy.

The small auditorium can accommodate about three hundred people. There is a blackboard and a microphone on the stage, and benches are placed below.

Grandpa Shen instructed Jinran, "Nini, don't be afraid. After you finish telling your story, I'll take you to a state-run restaurant."

Jinran asked in surprise, "Master, are you hiding some money from Grandma? Give me half, and I won't report you."

Grandpa Shen said irritably, "You brat, your grandma gave me money, I'm rich now. I don't need you."

Jinran could only sigh with feigned regret.

This left Grandpa Shen both amused and exasperated. Then he said, "Your dad must be so anxious. He can't attend this meeting right now. He's been nagging me about it several times, telling me not to come and to give him my seat. What a pipe dream!"

Grandpa Shen kept chatting with Jinran, afraid that she would be nervous. But what Grandpa Shen didn't know was that she was no longer just an ordinary little expert, but a little expert in Wang Wei's poems.

The leaders arrived one after another, and Jinran actually saw Tuantuan's grandfather and father. They nodded to each other subtly, but Jinran did not rush up to greet them.

Once everyone had arrived, the person in charge was the same cadre who had stayed for dinner last time. He said some words of praise, and then proceeded to shower Jinran with compliments—on his pigs.

Jinran: Doesn't she deserve to be in the center position?

Jinran stepped onto the stage amidst enthusiastic applause and began her gesturing-heavy speech.

Three hours later, Jinran reluctantly ended the class. She was all too familiar with how everyone looked in the audience; it was exactly how she looked when she couldn't understand the lessons.

The leader asked a few more questions, and then said, "I wonder if Comrade Xiao Shen could teach a class in the county? Today's content was really full of knowledge, but not everyone can fully grasp it in a short time, so I can only trouble you."

Jinran said no problem, and almost said directly, "But that's a different price."

In the end, she held back, but since it was her superior, she decided to resolve the issue directly for Jinran: "How about this, during the teaching period, we'll pay her according to the salary of a regular employee, plus a meal allowance. The teaching period will be one month. Does Comrade Shen have any other difficulties?"

Jinran shook her head. "Absolutely not." She wasn't one to cause trouble; serving the people was her greatest passion.