Chapter 146 Attending the Meeting

Having just finished the fifth revision of her speech, Shu Ran rubbed her throbbing temples and prepared to go to the water room to get some hot water. Just as she stood up, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in."

The person who pushed open the door was Xiao Zhao, an officer from the Publicity Department, with a somewhat ingratiating smile on her face: "Teacher Shu, are you busy?"

"Officer Zhao, is something the matter?" Shu Ran put down her teacup, a little puzzled. She didn't have much contact with people from the Propaganda Department.

Xiao Zhao rubbed his hands together and smiled, "It's like this, our leader read your article in the *Frontier Education Daily* and thought it was exceptionally well-written and very representative! He'd like to ask you to take some time to give an internal exchange to the younger colleagues in our office, to share your experience in grassroots work, especially how you identify and solve problems. What do you think..."

Shu Ran frowned slightly. At this crucial time when she was fully preparing for the exchange meeting, the Publicity Department's sudden move seemed to have ulterior motives. Were they genuinely seeking advice, or trying to probe her background? Or perhaps, someone wanted to use this opportunity to make a fuss?

She gave a perfectly timed apology: "Officer Zhao, thank you for your high regard. But it's really unfortunate. Director Han personally assigned me the task of preparing for next month's Xinjiang-wide education work exchange meeting. I'm still refining my speech. I really can't find the time, and I'm afraid of delaying your work and letting down the director's trust."

Xiao Zhao's smile froze for a moment, then widened again: "I understand, I understand! Professor Shu has a lot of work to do, it's our oversight. Well... when you get back from your meeting, we'll have another chance to invite you?"

"We'll see what the bureau decides then," Shu Ran said gently.

"Okay, okay." Xiao Zhao nodded, exchanged a few more polite words, and turned to leave.

Shu Ran closed the door, her gaze turning calm. It seemed the upcoming exchange meeting had indeed made her the focus of some people's attention.

This matter spread quickly.

In the afternoon, Shu Ran went to the archives to look up a previous year's education statistics yearbook and happened to run into Li Weiguo there. Upon seeing her, Li Weiguo immediately greeted her with a smile: "Little Shu, how's your preparation going? I heard the Publicity Department wants to invite you to give a lecture; you're really famous!"

He spoke quite loudly, and people from several other departments in the archives looked over.

Shu Ran remained expressionless as she walked to Zhang Yaqin's desk. While registering the borrowed item, she replied casually, "Team leader, you're joking. Officer Zhao just came over and asked casually. I'm currently focusing all my energy on preparing for the exchange meeting, and I really can't attend to anything else. Director Han said that this is the top priority for the bureau right now."

She brought up Director Han again, which successfully made the smile on Li Weiguo's face fade even further.

"That's right, that's right, it's the work that the director is personally in charge of, it's the most important." Li Weiguo chuckled twice, picked up the documents he was looking for, and walked away quickly.

Zhang Yaqin handed the yearbook she had found to Shu Ran, and when no one was looking, she whispered, "Teacher Shu, you did the right thing. You're at the height of your fame right now, and countless people are watching. It's always good to be careful."

Shu Ran took the documents and thanked her softly, "I know, Sister Zhang. Thank you."

Back in the office with the documents, Wang Juan was helping her organize some literacy data tables submitted by the grassroots level. Seeing her come in, she whispered, "Teacher Shu, you weren't here just now. Teacher Liu from the teaching and research office came over for a visit and chatted with the group leader for a bit. It seems she also mentioned your trip to the exchange meeting."

Shu Ran put down her documents, picked up a rag to wipe her hands, and asked, "What did Teacher Liu say?"

“They didn’t say much,” Wang Juan recalled. “They just asked if you were sure you wanted to go, and said that you were young and had a lot of responsibilities, and asked the team leader to support you more in your work.”

Shu Ran paused in her hand-wiping motion. Liu Hui? She came all this way just to talk about this? Was it genuine concern, or had she overheard something and was using Wang Juan to remind her?

She smiled calmly at Wang Juan and said, "Sister Liu is very kind. Thank you for this data. I'll use it as soon as I've checked my speech."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all," Wang Juan quickly waved her hand.

After work, Shu Ran didn't go straight back to her dormitory. Instead, she went to the bureau's convenience store and bought two cans of fruit with her food coupons. When she returned to her dormitory, Liu Hui was cooking, and Zhang Yaqin was preparing vegetables.

Shu Ran placed the canned food on the table. "Sister Liu, Sister Zhang, try this. I just bought it today."

Liu Hui glanced at it and said, "Oh, why are you being so generous today?"

"I've been staying up late a lot lately, and my brain isn't working very well. I'll buy some sweets to help me out." Shu Ran smiled and said casually, "This afternoon, Officer Zhao from the Propaganda Office came to see me, wanting me to go and share my grassroots experience with them, but I declined. Director Han assigned me a lot of tasks, and I really don't have the time."

Liu Hui continued cooking, then snorted, "Good for you! They invited you, who knows... Hey! You're at a crucial time right now, don't get involved with them."

Zhang Yaqin nodded in agreement: "Yes, Xiao Shu. Your goal now is to be clear: prepare your speech for the exchange meeting. As for everything else, postpone it if you can, and avoid it if you can."

Shu Ran felt reassured. Liu Hui and Zhang Yaqin's attitudes confirmed her judgment.

"Yes, I know what's important."

At night, Shu Ran silently recited the revised draft one last time. Outside the window, V City fell silent, save for the occasional distant bark of a dog.

The day before departing for the exchange meeting, Director Han called Shu Ran to his office again.

This time, there was an extra person in the office: a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses.

"Comrade Shu Ran, this is Secretary Zhou, who is in charge of organization and publicity work," Director Han introduced.

Shu Ran felt a slight chill run down her spine, but greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Secretary Zhou."

Secretary Zhou glanced at Shu Ran a few times, his tone still relatively gentle: "Comrade Shu Ran, I have read your article and report. They are good, very insightful, and you dare to confront problems directly. Sending you to this exchange meeting was a decision made after careful consideration."

"Thank you for the organization's trust," Shu Ran said humbly.

"Trust is one thing, responsibility is another." Secretary Zhou's tone became serious. "This exchange meeting is different from our internal meetings. Representatives from various regions, leaders from the ministry, and even colleagues from news organizations will be present. Your speech represents not only you personally, but also us, and the image of our Corps' grassroots education work."

He paused, then emphasized, "Therefore, when you speak, you must firmly grasp the correct political direction. Achievements should be fully showcased, and difficulties should be objectively reflected, but more importantly, you must demonstrate our determination and effectiveness in cultivating builders and successors under difficult conditions, adhering to our educational principles. You must convey positive and uplifting energy. Understand?"

“I understand, Secretary Zhou. My draft has been revised and improved strictly according to Director Han’s instructions, and Director Han has reviewed it.” Shu Ran replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, while indicating that the draft had been approved by her direct superior.

Director Han chimed in, "Yes, Secretary Zhou, I've read the draft, and it's very well-balanced."

Secretary Zhou nodded and said, "That's good. Comrade Shu Ran, you are still young and have a bright future. This is a great opportunity for you to learn and grow. Cherish it, but also be cautious. If you encounter any uncertainties, consult with the senior comrades who are also attending the meeting."

"Yes, I will definitely keep Secretary Zhou's teachings in mind."

As Shu Ran emerged from the director's office, her back was soaked with sweat.

Back in her office, she did a final check of her luggage. The final version of her speech was carefully wrapped in kraft paper and placed in the innermost layer of her backpack. In addition, she took her work manual and several representative letters from grassroots staff.

Li Weiguo, unusually, offered to help her carry her luggage to the bus stop at the entrance, but Shu Ran politely declined.

"Teacher Shu, please be careful on the road, and I wish you all the best!" Wang Juan helped carry her luggage to the jeep that came to pick her up, and whispered her blessings.

"Wang Juan informed me, thank you, I'll leave the group's affairs to you."

The jeep started and drove out of the compound. Through the car window, Shu Ran saw Liu Hui and Zhang Yaqin standing at the dormitory entrance, waving at her. She also raised her hand and waved back.

The car drove through the streets of V City and headed out of the city. After leaving the city, the road conditions deteriorated, and the ride became very bumpy.

Shu Ran leaned back in the back seat, closing her eyes to rest. She had only seen the name of the place she was heading to in documents; she knew it was a city much larger and more important than V City. It was a place where people from all over gathered, and where the situation was far more complex.

A few days later, the dusty jeep finally arrived. Here, there were asphalt roads, neat buildings, and the pedestrians were dressed much more presentably.

The registration area for the exchange meeting was located in a government-sponsored guesthouse in the city center. It was a three-story building, and the courtyard was filled with cars with license plates from all over the country. People came and went, and various accents mingled together.

Shu Ran carried her luggage and walked into the guesthouse. The lobby was brightly lit, and the staff in charge of registration were very professional. They checked her letter of introduction and the list, and handed her a brown paper document bag and a key.

"Third floor, room 307. These are the meeting materials and meal vouchers. The meeting is tomorrow morning at nine o'clock in the large conference room on the second floor." The staff member spoke quickly, without even looking up.

"Thank you." Shu Ran took the things, picked up her luggage, and headed for the stairs.

The stairs were made of wood and made a creaking sound when you stepped on them. She found room 307 and opened the door with her key.

The room wasn't big, with two single beds, a desk, and two chairs. It was better than the dorms in V City, but the windows were closed, making the air a bit stuffy.

The other person in her room hadn't arrived yet. Shu Ran put down her luggage, walked over, and opened the window. A breeze blew in, and she took a deep breath, looking down at the bustling crowd in the courtyard below.

She quickly tidied herself up and took out the meeting materials to look through. The thick agenda booklet was filled with names and speaking topics. She quickly found her name and speaking time—scheduled for the afternoon of the third day, in an inconspicuous spot.

As she was looking around, the door was pushed open, and a woman in her forties walked in carrying her luggage.

"Hello, are you Comrade Shu Ran?" the other person greeted with a smile, her attitude cheerful. "My name is Sun Mei, from the xxxx Education Bureau. I saw on the list that we're sharing a room."

Shu Ran stood up and smiled, "Hello, Sister Sun Mei, I'm Shu Ran from the V City Education Bureau. Please come in."

Sun Mei was very talkative. While packing her things, she chatted with Shu Ran: "I looked at the list of participants, and you are one of the youngest representatives in this exchange meeting! That's amazing! I heard you published an article in the Frontier Education Daily?"

The news travels fast. Shu Ran thought to herself, but said modestly, "Sister Sun Mei, you flatter me. It's just a work summary, and I was lucky enough to get it accepted."

“That’s no fluke,” Sun Mei waved her hand. “I’ve read it, and it’s very well written! Unlike some articles that are full of empty talk and clichés. Our grassroots work needs comrades like you who dare to speak the truth and get things done!”

Shu Ran sensed a hint of sincerity in Sun Mei's attitude, relaxed a little, and replied with a smile: "Sister Sun Mei, you are a veteran educator with rich experience. I still have a lot to learn from you."

The two exchanged a few polite words, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Shu Ran learned from Sun Mei that this exchange meeting was indeed quite large, with many prominent figures in attendance, including several writers who frequently published articles in relevant journals, and a leader from the ministry personally leading the delegation.

"We'll probably see the real Buddha at the opening ceremony tomorrow," Sun Mei said in a low voice. "I heard that this conference, in addition to exchanging experiences, may also discuss the next steps in our work, and even... there are rumors of some personnel changes."

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat, but she remained expressionless: "Really? Then I should listen more carefully."

That evening, she and Sun Mei went to the guesthouse canteen for dinner. The canteen was bustling with noise, as representatives from various regions gathered together. Shu Ran ate quietly, but her ears were attentive to the conversations around her. She overheard snippets about various educational pilot programs, funding, and policies; the information was complex and fragmented.

Back in the room, Sun Mei was still enthusiastically reviewing the meeting materials, occasionally offering a comment. Shu Ran, on the other hand, used the excuse of preparing for her presentation to sit down at her desk and once again spread out her draft for a final check.

The opening ceremony of the exchange meeting was indeed impressive. The large conference room, which could accommodate hundreds of people, was packed. Seated on the stage were leaders from the host region, Director Li from the ministry, and several experts with high prestige in the education field.

Director Li delivered a keynote report, which was met with continuous applause from the audience.

Shu Ran sat in the back row, listening attentively and taking notes. She could sense that Director Li's report set the tone for the meeting—to acknowledge achievements while also encouraging innovation.

The atmosphere became more nuanced during the subsequent group discussions and plenary speeches. Representatives from relatively developed regions emphasized regulations in their speeches, while those from border areas or grassroots communities focused more on their perseverance under difficult conditions and the effectiveness of their methods.

Shu Ran listened carefully to each speech and observed the reactions of the people on and off the stage. She gradually got a sense of what was going on.

On the afternoon of the day it was Shu Ran's turn to speak, there seemed to be fewer people in the venue than in the previous two days. Perhaps it was because the meeting was nearing its end, or perhaps it was because her name was still too unfamiliar to most people.

She walked steadily onto the stage. A sea of ​​heads below, all eyes fixed on her. She saw Director Li in the center of the front row, Secretary Zhou who had also come to attend the meeting as a regional leader, and some representatives in the seats beside her.

She adjusted the microphone. "Distinguished leaders and comrades, my name is Shu Ran, and I come from the Education Bureau of V City. Today, I would like to report to you not on profound theories or perfect achievements, but on some real situations we have encountered in carrying out literacy and basic education work in the border areas, especially in agricultural and pastoral farms and pastoral areas, and some of the local methods we have figured out."

This opening remark surprised most people and attracted a lot of attention. Those who had been somewhat indifferent turned their attention back to her.

Shu Ran didn't look at the script. She started by talking about the first tool shed classroom at Qiming Primary School in the livestock breeding area, about the problems encountered at the teaching point, and how they learned from their mistakes and improved their methods; she talked about the hardships and perseverance of those substitute teachers at the grassroots level...

She didn't shy away from the difficulties—the shortage of teachers, the lack of resources, and the resistance from differing opinions—she laid them all out. But she emphasized even more how to find solutions in the face of these challenges, grounding herself in reality. She quoted core viewpoints from her own writings and illustrated them with vivid examples.

When she mentioned Jiang Yonghong's letter, the audience fell silent.

"...Distinguished leaders, comrades," Shu Ran raised her voice slightly as she surveyed the room, "I believe that the unique characteristic of education work in the border regions, and indeed in many grassroots areas of our country, lies in the fact that we must first address the practical issues. Only by solving this survival education can cultural education proceed smoothly, and the guidance of ideal education truly resonate with people. Without this reality, any beautiful blueprint may become a castle in the air."

She paused slightly, and the room fell silent.

That concludes my remarks. Thank you everyone.

After a brief silence, applause broke out. At first, it was scattered, but then it grew enthusiastic. Shu Ran saw many representatives from grassroots levels clapping vigorously and casting approving and excited glances at her. She also saw Director Li in the front row nod slightly and exchange a few words in hushed tones with the expert next to him. Secretary Zhou wore a gratified smile.

She returned to her seat, and Sun Mei immediately leaned over and whispered, "Xiao Shu, you spoke so well!"

The subsequent speakers seemed to be influenced by Shu Ran's remarks, and more or less began to connect them with reality. The atmosphere of the meeting changed slightly.

That evening, while eating in the cafeteria, Shu Ran clearly felt that more eyes were being cast her way.

She had just sat down when a middle-aged man brought over a meal.

"Comrade Shu Ran, would it be convenient for us to sit together?" he asked with a smile.

Shu Ran recognized him as one of the experts who had been sitting on the dais during the day. Shu Ran quickly recalled the man's identity: his surname was Wu, and he was a well-known education scholar in China, known for his focus on grassroots issues.

"Professor Wu, please have a seat." Shu Ran quickly stood up.

Professor Wu sat down opposite her, his attitude very approachable: "I was very inspired by your speech this afternoon. In particular, your idea of ​​prioritizing survival education was very insightful and relevant to reality. I have also read your article, and hearing you present it here today has given me an even deeper understanding."

"Professor Wu, you flatter me. I have simply summarized the practices of our comrades at the grassroots level."

"Practice makes perfect," Professor Wu smiled, then changed the subject, "I noticed you mentioned a 'Standardization Manual for Grassroots Education in Frontier Areas' in your speech?"

"Yes, it is still being improved and modified, and it is not very mature yet."

"Could you find some time to let me take a look?" Professor Wu asked expectantly. "I think your idea is excellent. Grassroots work needs guidance, but it can't be guidance divorced from reality. If your manual can truly be combined with the methods you mentioned to form a set of workable standards, then its significance will be extraordinary."

Professor Wu's approval and his offer to look at the manual was undoubtedly an opportunity. Suppressing her excitement, she replied, "Of course! It would be my honor to receive guidance from Professor Wu. I brought the manual with me; I'll give it to you tomorrow."

"Okay, then let's do it after the meeting tomorrow." Professor Wu nodded, chatted with Shu Ran for a few more minutes about grassroots education, and then got up to leave.

As soon as Professor Wu left, Secretary Zhou came over with a smile: "Xiao Shu, you did a great job! Director Li just praised your speech. Professor Wu rarely takes the initiative to communicate with younger colleagues, so this was a good opportunity!"

"Thank you, Secretary. I will seize this opportunity."

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Author's Note: Writing these chapters was a real pain because... it's so incredibly relatable! [laughing and crying emoji]