Chapter 125 The "legend" spreads...

Shu Ran and Chen Yuanjiang's group returned to the X Division headquarters a day later than originally planned.

The "legend" of Chen Yuanjiang and Shu Ran on the grassland spread almost as soon as they stepped into the division headquarters compound. The main force spreading the word was naturally the members of the guidance group who had witnessed the wrestling match and the official announcement.

Young people can't keep secrets, especially romantic and heroic stories like this. With a little embellishment, they become even more vivid and engaging.

"Deputy Director Chen's wrestling is truly amazing! He took on four skilled opponents in a row, the last of whom was the most feisty girl on the grassland!"

"You didn't see it, but after Deputy Director Chen won the race, he didn't go to look at the horses first, but went straight to Team Leader Shu! I've never seen such a gentle look in his eyes before!"

"I never expected that Deputy Director Chen, who is usually so cold and aloof, would be so..."

Various details were repeatedly discussed in the cafeteria, dormitory, and office.

Chen Yuanjiang is a promising young deputy director of the Security Department of the division, with a special background and a cold and unapproachable demeanor. Shu Ran is a rising star in the Education Section who has just returned with honors and is in the limelight. The combination of these two people makes people feel that the contrast is huge and is very much a topic of discussion.

The first thing this gust of wind naturally hit was the education department.

When Shu Ran stepped into the office, she was greeted by Xiao Zhang, an officer who couldn't hide his excitement, asking, "Team Leader Shu, I heard... Deputy Director Chen won a fine horse in a wrestling match on the grassland for you?"

Shu Ran's face flushed slightly, but her expression remained calm. As she organized the report on her tour, she casually remarked, "I simply participated in a local wedding and was respecting the customs."

She deftly steered the conversation back to work, despite the subtle shift in the atmosphere at Corey. Shu Ran didn't care; she knew that only solid work performance was the true measure of her abilities.

She quickly focused on preparing the report, leaving some people who wanted to see "what changes would occur in Team Leader Shu when she was in love" secretly astonished.

This news naturally wouldn't escape Director Sun's notice.

In the office, Director Sun held a teacup, listening to the excited discussion of several young staff members in his department. His face showed no particular expression, but a hint of understanding and satisfaction flashed in his eyes. He put down his teacup and tapped the table: "Alright, alright, is all the work done? Comrade Shu Ran and Comrade Chen Yuanjiang are both excellent revolutionary comrades-in-arms. They support each other and make progress together, which is a good thing! Let's all focus on the right path and stop discussing these things."

After seeing the young man off, Director Sun sat alone in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the desk. He thought about Shu Ran's achievements during her recent tour, the report in the *Capital Pictorial*, and then about her current relationship with Chen Yuanjiang…

Chen Yuanjiang knew perfectly well who was behind him.

This presents an opportunity for Shu Ran, but it may also come with new scrutiny. However, given Shu Ran's abilities and temperament, coupled with that kid Chen Yuanjiang... Director Sun felt that this might not necessarily be a bad thing.

He wondered if he should be more proactive in advocating for Shu Ran's recognition and awards at the end of the year. Such a role model must be established.

Almost at the same time, the news also reached Deputy Political Commissar Lin's home.

At dinner time, Deputy Political Commissar Lin listened to his wife excitedly recounting gossip she had heard, and his brow twitched slightly.

"Old Lin, what about this matter... Xiao Chen and that Shu Ran, they really got together? I remember that Yuanjiang kid, wasn't he always following that old chief in Beijing? As for finding a partner, what's the old chief thinking..." Mrs. Lin was a little worried.

Deputy Political Commissar Lin picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and chewed, without answering immediately. He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and then slowly said, "Yuanjiang is an adult. The organization will not interfere with his personal matters. As for the old leader... I suppose he also respects his personal choice."

His tone was unreadable. "As for Comrade Shu Ran, he is a good comrade. He is capable and enterprising. He did an excellent job in this tour and guidance and reception of foreign guests. It is normal for young people to be attracted to each other and make progress together."

Although he said that, his eyes were full of consideration. Chen Yuanjiang could be considered the old commander's adopted son, and was highly valued by that commander. From the old commander's perspective, his marriage partner was by no means a simple personal matter. Shu Ran came from a capitalist family, which was a disadvantage, but she herself was outstanding and had now achieved remarkable results, making her name known in the Corps and even at higher levels, which was a plus.

The delicate political balance here... Deputy Political Commissar Lin felt he needed to observe and treat Shu Ran more cautiously. He couldn't be too close and invite gossip, nor could he deliberately distance himself and offend potential relationships. He secretly decided that in his future work, he would provide Shu Ran with all the necessary support, but he would be careful with his private interactions. At the same time, he also needed to remind his nephew, Lin Xuezhou.

Meanwhile, in the publicity department, Yang Zhenhua was organizing the publicity materials for the roving guidance group when he heard his colleague's joking retelling. His hand holding the pen paused for a moment, and the nib bleeds a small blot of ink onto the paper.

He remained silent for a few seconds, then continued writing as if nothing had happened.

Colleague Xiao Liu leaned over, winking, "Officer Yang, have you heard? That Group Leader Shu from the Education Section, and Deputy Director Chen from the Security Department..."

Yang Zhenhua didn't even look up, his tone flat: "Yes, I've heard. They're a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman."

"Hey, didn't you say something to Team Leader Shu before..." Xiao Liu was stopped by Yang Zhenhua's look before he could finish speaking.

Yang Zhenhua raised his head, his face bearing his usual gentle smile. "Xiao Liu, don't spread such unfounded rumors. Comrade Shu Ran and I have a normal working relationship, and I admire her work ability. Now that she and Deputy Director Chen share the same goals, as a colleague, I can only offer my blessings."

He spoke frankly and openly, which made Xiao Liu a little embarrassed.

Yang Zhenhua lowered his head and continued working. He did feel a little lost, but more than that, he felt a sense of relief.

He could see how much Chen Yuanjiang cared about Shu Ran, and he understood that a woman like Shu Ran needed a man like Chen Yuanjiang who was willing to risk his future for her. Yang Zhenhua knew he couldn't do that.

Since that's the case, why not offer your blessings openly and generously?

Unlike the almost open discussions in the Security Department and the Education Section, the gossip surrounding Deputy Director Chen was somewhat secretive. No one dared to utter a single word about him in front of Chen Yuanjiang.

However, the subtle changes were still noticed by a few colleagues who were closer to Chen Yuanjiang.

The old-fashioned black hand-cranked telephone in Deputy Director Chen's office used to ring very regularly, mostly with instructions from superiors or reports from subordinates.

But recently, the phone would occasionally ring once or twice, either near the end of the workday or right after lunch break. When answering, Chen Yuanjiang's voice remained the same, so steady that no emotion could be discerned.

"Um."

"knew."

"good."

But one time, Li, an old subordinate, was carrying a stack of documents when he happened to hear Chen Yuanjiang speak into the microphone, his voice seemingly half a octave lower and a beat slower than usual: "...In the office. Keep an eye on the time, don't miss your meal again."

Officer Li knew exactly what was going on. He didn't even need to guess who Deputy Director Chen was talking to; in the entire division headquarters, the only person he could get to use that tone of voice to remind someone was Team Leader Shu, who had just returned.

Deputy Director Chen's work proceeded methodically, with border patrols, internal security, and meeting arrangements coming one after another. Some observant individuals noticed that if the Education Section had an important meeting or event, Deputy Director Chen's fieldwork schedule, unless it was urgent, would always be conveniently scheduled outside of that time slot; he would always be at the division headquarters.

The white horse won from the grasslands was temporarily housed in the division headquarters' stable. Chen Yuanjiang would occasionally visit it. Before, he went to the stable purely to inspect the work. Now, he would personally feed the horse and clean it. Once, an old soldier in the stable saw Deputy Director Chen staring at the horse, his gaze vacant for a long time, a slight upward curve appearing at the corners of his mouth. Although it was fleeting, it was enough to make the old soldier rub his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things.

What truly convinced several of his former subordinates that "the iron tree had indeed blossomed" was that afternoon. Shu Ran, along with people from the Education Section, set up a bulletin board in the courtyard, displaying the results and photos of their roving guidance.

The weather turned somewhat overcast, and the wind picked up, making the display boards rattle and nearly blowing several photos away. Shu Ran and her colleagues frantically tried to secure them.

Just then, Chen Yuanjiang and two officers came out of the office building, seemingly on their way to carry out a mission. As he passed near the bulletin board, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew by, and Shu Ran, who was holding a roll of tape for securing something, lost her grip and it rolled into the middle of the road, stopping right at Chen Yuanjiang's feet.

Everyone saw this.

Shu Ran felt a little embarrassed and was about to run over and pick it up herself.

Chen Yuanjiang bent down, scooped up the roll of tape, and with a flick of his arm, the tape traced an arc and landed precisely in the materials box in front of Shu Ran.

The whole movement was fluid and effortless; he didn't even turn his head. He got into the jeep, closed the door, started the engine, and drove away.

The two security officers who were with him knew exactly what was going on. Given Deputy Director Chen's cold and aloof nature, he wouldn't have bothered with such a trivial matter unless he was extremely concerned, let alone use throwing techniques to ensure the item landed where it should, avoiding the trouble of her having to bend down to pick it up.

After get off work, Officer Li couldn't help but sigh to his small circle of just a few old buddies: "Our Deputy Director Chen has really fallen... We've never seen him like this before."

Another laughed, "Good riddance! Team Leader Shu is both beautiful and capable, she's a perfect match! I've noticed that Boss Chen's complexion hasn't been so icy lately."

"Shh... Keep your voice down! If he hears you, next patrol will only take the hardest routes!"

That noon, Shu Ran arrived at the cafeteria near the end of the day because she was organizing materials. The large cafeteria was much emptier, and she immediately spotted Chen Yuanjiang sitting by the window. He was still at the same table with several officers from the security department.

Almost the instant Shu Ran walked in, Chen Yuanjiang looked up as if he sensed something. His gaze pierced through the crowd and precisely caught her.

Shu Ran walked towards the food window with a normal expression. After getting her food, her colleagues from the Education Department had already left. She glanced around the cafeteria, and almost without hesitation, she gracefully carried her lunchbox to Chen Yuanjiang's table.

Now that their relationship has been made public on the grasslands, there is no need to deliberately avoid it.

The security officers who were still talking at the table lowered their voices as they saw her approaching, their eyes filled with curiosity as they looked at Shu Ran.

Officer Li reacted the fastest, immediately moving aside and warmly inviting, "Team Leader Shu, please sit here!"

Shu Ran smiled and thanked him, then sat down in an empty seat, which was diagonally opposite Chen Yuanjiang.

As soon as she sat down, Chen Yuanjiang asked in a casual tone, "Just finished?"

These three words made the several officers who had been listening attentively simultaneously exclaim "Oh wow!"

Shu Ran was opening her lunchbox when she heard him. She looked up, met his gaze, and replied naturally, "Yeah, I just finished organizing the ingredients." She picked up her spoon and casually asked, "You guys finished pretty early today?"

He said this to everyone at the table, but his gaze lingered on Chen Yuanjiang's face.

"There's a border situation analysis meeting this afternoon, so it's a bit earlier than planned," Chen Yuanjiang said, his gaze falling on the stir-fried vegetables in her lunchbox.

The atmosphere at the table became lively, and Officer Li seized the opportunity to interject: "Team Leader Shu, I heard that the report in the Capital Pictorial is about to be published? We all have to see it when it comes out!"

"No problem. Once the publication arrives, I'll send it to the security department for everyone's feedback as soon as possible," Shu Ran replied with a smile.

At this moment, Chen Yuanjiang seemingly casually pushed the almost untouched, glistening plate of meat and vegetables next to him towards the center of the table, the movement as natural as if he were merely adjusting the position of the plate. Then he picked up his water bottle, unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and returned his gaze to his bowl.

But Officer Li, who was sitting next to him, saw it clearly: the plate of meat was pushed towards Shu Ran's side.

Officer Li was internally screaming: You usually hate it when people touch your food plate! Especially the meat!

Shu Ran also saw the plate that was pushed over, and the way he then pretended to drink water as if nothing had happened.

She smiled slightly, but didn't immediately reach for the food. Instead, she ate the dishes she had prepared. After a moment, she naturally picked up a piece of meat and vegetables from the plate, put it in her bowl, and said softly, "This dish looks good."

Chen Yuanjiang didn't respond or look up, but his grip on the kettle loosened slightly.

This interaction was observed by everyone else at the table.

Chen Yuanjiang finished eating quickly and said to everyone at the table, "I'm done eating, you can continue. Shu Ran," he paused, then reminded them in his usual tone, "Isn't there a summary meeting in the Education Department this afternoon? Don't be late."

"I know, there's still time." Shu Ran nodded.

Chen Yuanjiang said no more and got up to leave.

Shu Ran continued eating, occasionally responding to Officer Li and the others' curious questions about the report.

The heated discussion about the romance lasted for several days at the division headquarters before gradually fading with time. Just then, news began circulating at the headquarters: in recognition of Comrade Shu Ran's outstanding contributions to grassroots education innovation, roving guidance, successful reception of foreign guests, and gaining attention from the *Capital Pictorial*, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was considering awarding her the title of "Model Worker" for this year.

Well-informed individuals began to stir, offering various analyses and speculations. People then realized that Shu Ran had reached a new level of success through her achievements.