Chapter 129 "Regarding...personal matters,..."

That evening, Chen Yuanjiang arrived as promised, carrying a bag of apples.

Shu Ran let him into the dormitory and closed the door.

The two sat facing each other, the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

Shu Ran poured him a glass of water and pushed it towards him.

Chen Yuanjiang took the cup, but didn't drink it. His gaze fell on her face, and he broke the silence first: "This afternoon... my attitude wasn't good." He admitted it readily, his voice somewhat low.

Shu Ran shook her head, indicating that she didn't care at all.

Chen Yuanjiang didn't dwell on that and went straight to the point: "What are your plans regarding the letter?"

He didn't dwell on Liao Cheng, but instead asked her directly about her plans. This relieved Shu Ran, and she realized that his jealousy that afternoon might just be an emotional outburst; he was more concerned about the predicament she was facing.

"What can I do?" Shu Ran gave a bitter smile. "The meaning in the letter is very clear. My family is afraid that I'll become too famous and bring trouble to them. That Liao Cheng is just their safe way out. After all, they don't know you, and besides, to them, Liao Cheng is currently working in a ministry in the capital. He's got a good political background and might be able to... protect them before any potential storms break out." She carefully chose her words.

Chen Yuanjiang keenly caught the word, his brows furrowing slightly: "Disturbed by the storm?"

Shu Ran sensed something was wrong and quickly tried to cover it up: "It's just... there will probably be some difficult times in the future. I guess they're just being prepared."

As she spoke, a hint of grievance crept into her voice. "I just don't understand. Logically speaking, my achievements on the frontier and the political recognition I've gained should be a good thing for my family. Why are they even more afraid? The higher I climb, the more panicked they become."

Chen Yuanjiang paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. He put down his cup, his gaze becoming calm, carrying a clear understanding of the complexities of the world.

"Shu Ran, you're oversimplifying things. The problem in your family isn't that you're not doing a good enough job, but that you're doing too well, and too fast."

Shu Ran was stunned: "What do you mean?"

“Think about it,” Chen Yuanjiang leaned forward slightly, patiently analyzing the situation as if he were explaining the enemy situation to his soldiers, “If a child from a capitalist family goes to the frontier and just follows the routine, blends into the crowd, or makes a little progress, then it means that this method of separating oneself from one’s family background is effective, safe, and in line with expectations. But what about you?”

He looked at her, his gaze piercing: "You founded a school, and your literacy efforts were remarkably successful, earning you commendations from the company, division headquarters, and even the corps. You became a role model and were singled out by top leaders. What does this mean?"

Shu Ran followed his train of thought, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

“This means you are no longer easily controlled,” Chen Yuanjiang pointed out incisively. “You have gained a reputation and influence that exceeds their expectations. This is not good news for your family in Shanghai, but rather the greatest uncertainty.”

He further explained, “The more outstanding you are, the more people will be watching you. Your family background is like a landmine. It’s fine when it’s buried, but once you stand in the sunlight, it can be dug up and triggered at any time. What they fear is not your mediocrity, but the risks that come with your brilliance. Any question about your past background can be magnified infinitely, not only ruining you, but also implicating them and making their situation even worse.”

Shu Ran pondered. Coming from a later era, she was accustomed to the logic that personal struggle could change one's fate, but she underestimated the ever-present destructive power of class background issues and the cruelty of collective punishment in this special era. Her previous smooth sailing was, to some extent, due to the environment of the military corps and her truly impressive achievements, but this protective shield was not indestructible.

Chen Yuanjiang continued his analysis, his tone softening slightly, "Your family's panic isn't necessarily all about fearing you'll drag them down; it could also be... fear that you'll leave their protection. The more you achieve here, the further you'll drift from them. That Liao Cheng might be the safest option in their eyes—you return to their familiar circle and gain protection through marriage. But the path you're taking now is too risky; they don't understand it, and they don't dare to gamble."

He concluded, "So, it's not that they don't want you to succeed, but rather that they don't want you to succeed in a way that they can't predict or control. What they want is stability, even mediocrity, rather than the glory of being in the limelight."

His words, like a gentle nudge, were a revelation to Shu Ran. Looking into his eyes, she whispered, "You've thought things through much more deeply. I... I really hadn't considered it that thoroughly before."

Chen Yuanjiang looked away, picked up his cup, and took a sip of water. "You've seen it all. Now you understand?"

"I understand." She picked up an apple and handed it to him. "Have an apple, it looks sweet."

Chen Yuanjiang took the apple, weighed it in his hand, and suddenly asked out of the blue, "That Liao Cheng... has he ever seen the stars in the Gobi Desert?"

Shu Ran was stunned for a moment, then realized that his subtle jealousy had not completely dissipated, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Probably...no." She replied with a smile, her eyes sparkling, deliberately drawing out the last word, "We haven't seen each other in so long, I'll ask for you next time?"

Chen Yuanjiang's fingers tightened slightly as he held the apple. "No need to ask."

His voice was muffled, carrying a hint of sullenness that he himself was unaware of. He lowered his head and took another big bite of the apple, chewing it rather forcefully, as if he had a grudge against the apple.

Seeing his awkward expression, Shu Ran's mischievousness intensified. She leaned closer, "Why not ask? Maybe Comrade Liao Cheng observed nebulae with a telescope while studying abroad. Wouldn't that be clearer than the stars we see in this Gobi Desert?"

Two flames seemed to ignite in Chen Yuanjiang's eyes. "It's different when viewed through a telescope."

He took a step closer, with an almost stubborn seriousness, and said, word by word, "The stars in the Gobi Desert must be seen with eyes, with heart. They must be seen... like we see them."

Shu Ran was stunned by his serious expression, and the smile on her face froze slightly.

Seeing her stunned expression, Chen Yuanjiang seemed to realize he had spoken too harshly, and his imposing manner instantly diminished. He turned his face away somewhat awkwardly, a blush spreading from the base of his ears to his neck, and his voice lowered: "What I meant was... if he hasn't met him, then forget it. There's no need for him to know."

The atmosphere finally eased. Shu Ran also picked up an apple and started eating.

"Then... how should I reply to this letter?" Shu Ran steered the conversation back on track, her tone questioning.

Without realizing it, she had come to regard him as someone she could face difficulties with.

Chen Yuanjiang thought for a moment and said, "You should write a reply. Report the good news, not the bad. Talk about your work progress at the division headquarters, the attention you have received, and emphasize the organization's trust and cultivation of you. The tone should be positive, but calm. Don't mention too many specific honors, and don't mention model worker or possible reports for the time being."

He paused, then added, "Regarding...personal matters, you can mention that you already have a stable partner, a model cadre in the Production and Construction Corps, and that you are currently getting to know her, so your family doesn't need to worry. But don't mention my name or specific position."

Shu Ran listened carefully and nodded. This reply both reassured her family and showed that she was "safe" to them, while also subtly rejecting their arrangements, and incidentally... made an official announcement? She looked up at him; his ears seemed a little red.

“As for the future,” Chen Yuanjiang’s voice turned serious, “we’ll take it one step at a time. The more upright you are, the more solid your work is, and the more achievements you have, the safer you will be. When that day really comes…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but the determination in his eyes made Shu Ran understand that he wouldn’t let her face it alone.

"I know." Shu Ran felt much more at ease. "I will do my job even better, and no one will be able to find fault with it."

After finishing the apple, the two chatted for a few more minutes about work-related matters. Chen Yuanjiang glanced out the window, stood up, and said, "It's getting late, you should get some rest."

Shu Ran saw him to the door. He opened the door, paused, and turned to look at her. "If you receive any more letters that cause you trouble, you can show them to me."

Shu Ran felt a warmth in her heart, but deliberately asked, "What? Is Deputy Director Chen going to examine my family letters?"

Chen Yuanjiang was taken aback by her retort. He glared at her and said irritably, "I'm leaving because I'm afraid you'll do something stupid!" Without waiting for Shu Ran's rebuttal, he strode out.

Shu Ran watched his figure disappear and closed the door. The gloom brought by the letter from home was somewhat dispelled by his company. She walked to the table and began to reply to the letter.

*

In the days that followed, Shu Ran put aside the matter of the family letter and devoted herself wholeheartedly to her work.

After reading Shu Ran's draft proposal on mobile teaching sites, Director Sun greatly appreciated it and asked her to prepare to speak at the upcoming Xinjiang-wide education work exchange meeting.

Upon hearing this news, the expressions of several senior staff members in the Education Section became somewhat subtle.

Wu Jianguo bumped into Shu Ran in the break room and said with a forced smile, "Young Section Chief Shu is really promising; at this pace, we old guys can't even catch up." He emphasized the phrase "Young Section Chief Shu." Shu Ran was currently just a staff member, still some distance from being a deputy section chief.

Shu Ran calmly filled the enamel mug with hot water, a perfectly timed smile on her face: "Officer Wu, you flatter me. It's all thanks to Director Sun's excellent leadership and the experience of the senior colleagues in the department. I only did some summarizing and organizing. When I speak, I'll need your valuable advice."

She adopted a humble attitude and spoke eloquently, but Wu Jianguo's punch landed on cotton. He didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

Shu Ran watched his retreating figure, her mind perfectly clear. Her rise to power had been too rapid, and she'd gained such a prominent position; it was inevitable that she'd attract envy. This was just the beginning; similar open and covert attacks would likely follow.

She took a sip of water. She wasn't worried; as long as she didn't make mistakes at work and her achievements spoke for themselves, these idle gossips wouldn't damage her foundation.

The afternoon before the exchange meeting, Shu Ran was finalizing her speech in her office when Yang Zhenhua from the publicity department arrived. His attitude towards Shu Ran was much more natural now; the initial feelings seemed to have truly settled into a professional bond.

"Shu Ran, how's the preparation going?" Yang Zhenhua asked with a smile. "I'll give you some close-up shots tomorrow for when we send out the news report."

"That's about it, thank you, Officer Yang." Shu Ran looked up and smiled.

Yang Zhenhua lowered his voice: "I heard that Deputy Director Li from the Logistics Department will also be attending this exchange meeting."

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat. Deputy Director Li was the one who had questioned her about wasting resources at the meeting last time; he used to be a section chief and was now a deputy director.

"What is he here for?" Shu Ran asked calmly.

“I don’t know,” Yang Zhenhua shook his head. “It might involve the logistical support for the subsequent promotion. When you speak tomorrow, be careful with your wording, especially the parts involving funding and materials. Try to be… more tactful.”

This was a kind reminder. Shu Ran nodded gratefully, "I understand, thank you."

After Yang Zhenhua left, Shu Ran looked at the draft and fell into deep thought. Deputy Director Li hadn't gotten anywhere last time, and his return this time was probably more than just a casual attendance. She picked up her pen and underlined several data points regarding material needs, forming a plan in her mind.

When she was leaving get off work, she met Chen Yuanjiang at the entrance of the office building, who was obviously waiting for her on purpose.

"A meeting tomorrow?" he asked in a low voice as they walked out side by side.

"Okay." Shu Ran nodded and told him what Yang Zhenhua had reminded her of.

After listening, Chen Yuanjiang nodded: "Understood. Prepare as usual, and say it exactly as you normally would."

Shu Ran turned her head to look at him: "You're not going to slam your fist on the table at the meeting again, are you?"

Chen Yuanjiang glanced at her sideways: "Am I such an unreasonable person?"

Shu Ran thought to herself that you were even more frightening when you started arguing, but she smiled and said, "Deputy Director Chen is the most principled person."

Chen Yuanjiang seemed pleased by these words, a slight smile playing on his lips, before quickly regaining his composure. "Shall we go eat?"

"good."