Chapter 115 The Fool

In the days that followed, the livestock company resumed its usual rhythm.

Chen Yuanjiang's injuries were healing very slowly. The fractures needed time to heal, and the frostbitten areas were itchy and painful. But he insisted on moving back to his own room from the clinic. Xu Junjun couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had to bring him medicine every few days.

Shu Ran visited him twice, each time with Xu Junjun or Sister Wang, bringing the same gifts everyone in the company received—a few eggs or a few steamed buns. They didn't talk much, just asked a few questions about his injuries, and then didn't stay any longer.

Chen Yuanjiang always kept his eyelids down, listening to her light voice and watching her come and go, feeling like ants were crawling inside him.

He wanted to ask her what she meant by that sentence, how she planned to handle the transfer order, and... whether she had really decided to leave. But when he saw her calm and aloof demeanor, he swallowed all the words back.

He found himself somewhat afraid of her. Afraid of hearing from her that he was leaving.

The rumors circulating in the company gradually subsided after several stern reprimands from the company leaders and the strong support of Sister Wang and others. After all, survival was the priority, and preparations for next year were already underway; no one had the time to keep an eye on other people's business.

Shu Ran devoted all her energy to her work.

She went to Lin Xuezhou and clearly expressed her interest in the position at the division headquarters.

Lin Xuezhou seemed unsurprised, adjusting his glasses: "Comrade Shu Ran, your abilities and contributions are evident to all. I will do my best to secure this spot for you. However, the final decision rests with the division headquarters."

"I understand," Shu Ran nodded. "Do I need to prepare any materials?"

"Take the practical cases and preliminary summaries you mentioned earlier and compile them into a detailed report. Also, include the teaching achievements of Qiming Primary School over the past six months, especially the changes in the children in the pastoral area. The more specific the data, the better." Lin Xuezhou took out paper and pen and carefully wrote down the key points. "The higher-ups value practical results very much."

"Okay," Shu Ran agreed. This was exactly what she excelled at.

As she came out of Lin Xuezhou's place, she bumped into Zhao Weidong. Zhao Weidong paused for a moment when he saw her, his face expressionless, and simply nodded as a greeting.

"Teacher Shu, are you busy?" He rarely took the initiative to speak.

"Director Zhao," Shu Ran stopped in her tracks, "I was just heading to the classroom. The New Year is almost here, and after that we'll be preparing for spring planting, so the children's classes will need to be adjusted."

“Yes, production is the most important thing, and teaching must be coordinated.” Zhao Weidong emphasized habitually, but his tone was not harsh. “If you encounter any difficulties, report them to the company in time.”

"Thank you, Director Zhao." Shu Ran smiled. "I'm doing well so far."

Watching Shu Ran's departing figure, Zhao Weidong clicked his tongue and muttered to the staff member next to him, "This Teacher Shu is someone who can handle things."

Shu Ran is indeed capable of handling things. She not only withstood the rumors, but also actively fought for a bigger stage for herself. Even Lin Xuezhou couldn't help but praise her report: "Comrade Shu Ran, your report is more solid than many of the more formally trained ones."

A few days later, Shu Ran was packing her things in the classroom when Xiao Zhao, the communications officer from the company headquarters, ran over.

"Teacher Shu! It's the division headquarters on the phone! They're looking for you!"

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm on the surface and followed Xiao Zhao to the company headquarters.

The call was made personally by Director Sun.

"Comrade Shu Ran? This is Sun Ming."

"Director Sun, hello."

"I and my colleagues in the Education Section have reviewed the report you submitted," Director Sun's voice, slightly distorted by the static, was gentle. "It's very well written! Very valuable!"

"Thank you for your recognition, Director Sun. I was just recording the actual work I did."

"Don't be modest," Director Sun smiled. "Especially the ideas you proposed, which have great reference value for our entire division's literacy campaign and grassroots education work. It seems that the decision to let you take charge of the livestock company was the right one; you've grown very quickly."

Shu Ran held the receiver, her palms slightly sweaty. "It was thanks to the support of the company leaders and comrades, and the cooperation of the children."

"Hmm." Director Sun pondered for a moment, "Comrade Lin Xuezhou should have mentioned the training course for grassroots education backbone personnel to be held by the division headquarters after the New Year to you, right?"

"I've already mentioned it."

"We've discussed it and decided to give this spot to you," Director Sun said firmly. "We hope you can come to the division headquarters for a period of systematic study, and also share your valuable grassroots experience with other comrades. After your studies, you may be given even greater responsibilities."

Shu Ran steadied her breathing. "Thank you for the organization's trust! I will definitely cherish this learning opportunity and study hard!"

"Okay, it's settled then. The specific instructions will be sent to the company after the New Year. Make your work arrangements in advance."

"yes!"

After hanging up the phone, Shu Ran stood there for a while before slowly walking out of the company headquarters.

She succeeded; she relied on no one. She completed her advancement without fleeing.

On the way back to the house, I ran into Sister Wang and Li Xiulan.

"Teacher Shu, what's the good news? You're all smiles." Sister Wang had a sharp eye.

Shu Ran didn't hide anything: "The division headquarters gave me a spot, and I'll be going to study for a period of time after the New Year."

"Wow! This is great news!" Sister Wang slapped her thigh. "How long will it take? Where will I learn?"

"At the division headquarters, the timing is still uncertain."

Li Xiulan was also happy for her: "Teacher Shu, you're amazing!"

Shu Ran smiled. She knew that once this news spread, the rumors about her returning to Shanghai would naturally dissipate. And in everyone's eyes, her choice to go to the division headquarters was a choice that was more in line with her identity as an "activist" than returning to Shanghai.

She glanced instinctively in the direction of Chen Yuanjiang's house.

I wonder what he'll think when he finds out.

Will I be happy for her, thinking she's found a better way out? Or will I feel disappointed?

She suddenly really wanted to know.

Chen Yuanjiang heard the news from Company Commander Ma. Company Commander Ma came to visit him and mentioned the phone call from the division headquarters.

"...Director Sun personally selected Teacher Shu to attend the training. This is an honor for our company!" Company Commander Ma said with pride. "Teacher Shu is truly capable! I initially thought she was just a capitalist's daughter and wouldn't be able to endure hardship, but she turns out to be a real talent!"

Chen Yuanjiang leaned against the headboard, listening to Company Commander Ma's words, his face expressionless.

She's going to the division headquarters to study.

Not going back to Shanghai.

It's about going to a place that may be closer to him or farther away.

He should be happy for her. This proves that her abilities have been recognized, and her future is bright. This is much more positive than the path represented by Zhang's transfer order back to Shanghai.

But why did that feeling of emptiness in my heart not lessen, but instead become even more intense?

She chose to stay, but it seemed she was now further away from him.

"When are we leaving?" he heard his own voice ask, dry and lifeless.

"It'll probably be after the New Year. We'll get more details later." Company Commander Ma, oblivious to his unease, continued, "That's great! With Teacher Shu back from her studies, our company's school is truly going to become the benchmark for the entire division!"

Chen Yuanjiang twitched the corner of his mouth. "I heard that this training is equivalent to a promotion, so maybe... I won't be coming back."

"Oh! I see! I remember you were also a cadre in the division headquarters, so this way you can look out for each other within the division!"

Chen Yuanjiang wanted to join in with a laugh, but found it difficult.

Company Commander Ma sat for a while longer, told him to take good care of his injuries, and then left.

Silence returned to the room. Chen Yuanjiang remained seated, motionless, in the same position. Light streamed in through the window, casting shadows on his face.

He remembered the way she carried him step by step through the freezing snow; he remembered her unwavering determination when she warmed him with her body; he remembered the look in her eyes when she calmly said, "The transfer order is with me"; he remembered her ambiguous words, "There's more than one chance."

It turns out she had already made her choice.

He suddenly felt that his hidden struggles and pains seemed so ridiculous, even somewhat narrow-minded, in front of her.

She never needed his protection; she was always able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

He should be happy.

Yes, he should be happy.

Chen Yuanjiang took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. The dull pain in his chest dissipated somewhat with that breath.

He slowly loosened his clenched fist.

He needs to get better as soon as possible.

*

The weather grew warmer day by day, the snow melted away, and patches of green sprouted on the Gobi Desert. The salt flats were bleached white by the sun and felt hard underfoot.

Chen Yuanjiang's injury had mostly healed, and he was able to walk slowly. His left arm was still in a sling, but his complexion had improved significantly. He began to appear at the company headquarters to handle some backlogged official business, and occasionally strolled around the company.

He started meeting Shu Ran more often. In the cafeteria, at the entrance of the company department, and on the way to the water room.

Each time, he would greet her with a greeting. Shu Ran would respond with the same politeness.

After the spring plowing mobilization meeting, the company became extremely busy.

The school also gave students a spring planting break. The older children went home to help, while the younger ones were organized by Shu Ran to play near the classrooms or help the cafeteria gather firewood.

Shu Ran also took on the task of helping the sideline team cultivate sweet potato seedlings. The work wasn't strenuous, but it was time-consuming and required patience.

That afternoon, as she was bending over to sow seeds, a shadow fell over her. She looked up and saw Chen Yuanjiang standing beside her, holding a brown paper envelope in his free right hand.

"Teacher Shu," he said, his voice clearer than before.

"Special Envoy Chen." Shu Ran straightened up, patting the dirt off her hands. "Is your injury healed?"

"Almost there." He shook his left arm, which was in a sling. "It's just that this guy still needs to rest for a while."

The sunlight was a bit dazzling, and Shu Ran squinted at him. He had lost a lot of weight, and his facial features were more defined, but his eyes had lost their former calmness, though there seemed to be something else in them.

"Is something the matter?" Shu Ran asked.

Chen Yuanjiang handed over the envelope in his right hand. "It was just sent by the division headquarters; it's the official notice for the training course."

Shu Ran took it and pulled out the letter inside. It was indeed an official document issued by the Education Section of the Division Headquarters, specifying the study time, location, and registration details. The date was ten days from now.

"Thank you." She slipped the notice back into the envelope, her tone calm.

Chen Yuanjiang looked at her, seemingly trying to read something from her face. But she simply put away the notice calmly, then continued bending over, preparing to get back to work.

"I'm leaving," he suddenly said, his tone tinged with a touch of melancholy.

"Hmm." Shu Ran didn't even look up. "Going to study is a good thing."

“…It’s a good thing,” Chen Yuanjiang echoed, pausing as if he had made a great decision before continuing, “The division headquarters offers a large platform and many opportunities. You…make the most of it.”

Shu Ran paused for a moment while scattering the seeds, then resumed her normal actions. "I know."

Another silence followed.

“Um…” Chen Yuanjiang seemed a little hesitant, “about the transfer order…”

"I burned it," Shu Ran said bluntly.

Chen Yuanjiang looked at her, a flash of shock crossing his eyes, followed by a deeper emotion. Burned? She actually…

“Going back to Shanghai is pointless.” Shu Ran finally raised her head, looked at him, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “I think we might be able to make a name for ourselves in the frontier.”

Her eyes were sparkling.

Chen Yuanjiang looked at her like this and for a moment forgot to react.

"You..." He opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words. All his advice, all his "for your own good," were useless in the face of her goals.

“Special Envoy Chen,” Shu Ran looked at him, her tone becoming more serious, “thank you for bringing back the transfer order back then.”

Thank you for not using it to try and keep me; you let me choose for myself.

Shu Ran didn't say those words aloud, but she believed he understood.

Chen Yuanjiang truly understood. He looked at Shu Ran, at the clarity and understanding in her eyes, at her confidence, and suddenly felt the weight that had been pressing on his chest for so long disappear.

All his inner turmoil was relieved and rendered meaningless by her candid and even somewhat ambitious words.

He watched as she finally showed her first genuine smile in days, one without any gloom.

"good."

Shu Ran smiled, lowered her head, and continued sowing her seeds.

Spring has truly arrived, and the sun is shining warmly.

Chen Yuanjiang stood there, staring at Shu Ran's profile for a long time before turning and leaving.

Shu Ran listened to his receding footsteps without looking up.

This idiot isn't so stupid after all.