Chapter 151 The Dust Settles

Four days after Liao Chenghe's work group left, the atmosphere in the unit was subtle.

Shu Ran went to work as usual and handled her daily tasks, but she could sense that many people around her were waiting to see the results.

Li Weiguo hasn't been going around chatting as much as he usually does these past few days. Shu Ran encountered him twice in the hallway, and both times he simply nodded and quickly walked away.

Wang Juan couldn't help but whisper during lunch, "Shu Ran, I heard that Team Leader Li went to Secretary Zhou's office a few nights ago and stayed there for a long time."

"It's probably a work report." Shu Ran picked up a piece of cabbage.

“But the Party Secretary went to a meeting in the provincial capital yesterday,” Wang Juan blinked. “He only came back this morning.”

Shu Ran didn't reply. She knew what Li Weiguo was up to—she wasn't the only one who wanted the position of spokesperson for frontier education. There were many qualified and well-connected people in the entire frontier system. She, a grassroots cadre with a flawed background, had gotten to where she was through solid achievements, but whether she would ultimately be promoted depended on many factors.

At 2 p.m., Secretary Zhou's secretary, Xiao Zhang, came to the office: "Comrade Shu Ran, the secretary requests your presence."

Shu Ran put down the documents in her hand: "Now?"

"Yes, the secretary said it's quite urgent."

In the office, Wang Juan and Li Weiguo both looked up. Shu Ran straightened the hem of her clothes, got up, and followed Xiao Zhang out.

The corridor was quiet. Shu Ran quickly reviewed the possible scenarios in her mind—was it good news? Or bad news? Or did they need her to provide some additional materials?

Upon arriving at the secretary's office, Xiao Zhang knocked on the door, and Secretary Zhou's voice came from inside: "Come in."

Shu Ran pushed open the door and entered. Secretary Zhou sat behind his desk, holding a document in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed. Director Han was also there, sitting on the sofa next to him, his expression calm.

"Secretary, Director," Shu Ran greeted them.

"Xiao Shu, sit down." Secretary Zhou pointed to the chair opposite him.

Shu Ran sat down.

Secretary Zhou put down the documents in his hand. "I just received a call from above. There's a result regarding the spokesperson for that border region."

Shu Ran's heart started beating faster.

"The official notification will arrive tomorrow," Secretary Zhou said, "but we were informed in advance from above—it's confirmed to be you."

The room was silent for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice calmer than expected.

"It's confirmed." Director Han took over, a smile spreading across his face. "Xiao Shu, congratulations!"

Shu Ran opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

From the tool shed in the livestock company to the division headquarters, and now—she's really about to stand at the level of a national conference.

“However,” Secretary Zhou changed the subject, “there are a few things I need to make clear to you.”

Shu Ran immediately composed herself: "Secretary, please speak."

"This meeting is of a very high standard, so you must ensure that everything goes perfectly."

"clear."

"Also," Secretary Zhou picked up the document, "the higher-ups have already sent people to Shanghai to investigate your family background. This is a normal procedure, so don't feel pressured."

Shu Ran nodded.

“The most important point,” Secretary Zhou looked at her, “is that this is a rare opportunity, but also a test. There will be questions, discussions, and even clashes of different viewpoints at the meeting. You must be fully prepared. You can’t just talk about achievements; you also need to be prepared to deal with questions.”

"I will."

Secretary Zhou pushed the document over: "This is the general agenda and theme of the meeting. Take a look at it first. The official meeting materials and speaking requirements will be sent to you once the department notifies you."

Shu Ran took the documents; it was a thick stack.

"You have two weeks left," Director Han said. "For the next two weeks, put aside your other work and focus all your energy on preparing for this. If you need any support, just let me know."

"Thank you, Director."

Emerging from the secretary's office, Shu Ran stood in the corridor, looking at the document in her hand. A large red seal was stamped on the cover.

She calmed herself down.

Walking back to the office, her steps were a little unsteady. Pushing open the door, Wang Juan immediately stood up: "How did it go?"

Shu Ran placed the file on the table. "It's confirmed, it's me."

"That's great!" Wang Juan excitedly grabbed her arm. "I knew it! I knew you could do it!"

Li Weiguo stood up from his seat, forcing a smile: "Congratulations, Comrade Shu Ran."

"Thank you, Team Leader Li," Shu Ran replied politely.

"So next..." Li Weiguo asked tentatively, "When do we start preparing the speech? Do you need any help?"

"Secretary Zhou told me to focus on preparations for the next two weeks," Shu Ran said. "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble my colleagues to take care of the work in the office."

"Of course, of course." Li Weiguo smiled somewhat reluctantly. "Then Comrade Shu Ran, you go ahead with your work. Let me know if you need anything."

The news spread quickly. Before the end of the workday, the entire company knew that Shu Ran had been selected to go to the capital for a meeting.

When Shu Ran went to the cafeteria for lunch, people kept coming over to congratulate her. Liu Hui sat down with her lunchbox and patted her on the shoulder: "Little Shu, you've made us proud!"

"I haven't gone yet," Shu Ran said with a smile.

“It’s decided, so it’s decided.” Liu Hui lowered her voice. “I heard that there were several candidates this time, and the higher-ups were having a hard time. In the end, the ministry directly decided on you—you were strongly recommended by Team Leader Liao.”

Shu Ran paused, her hand holding the food in her chopsticks. "Team Leader Liao?"

"Mm." Liu Hui nodded.

Shu Ran lowered her head and ate without saying a word.

“But don’t take it too seriously,” Liu Hui said meaningfully. “He recommended you because you are indeed suitable. This is official business, so just handle it officially.”

"I know." Shu Ran looked up and smiled. "Don't worry, Sister Liu Hui."

When she returned to the dormitory that evening, Zhang Yaqin already knew the news and specially boiled some eggs for her. "Xiao Shu, have some to eat. You'll be busy for the next two weeks."

Shu Ran took the bowl: "Thank you, Sister Yaqin."

"No need to thank me." Zhang Yaqin sat down next to her. "Honestly, I'm happy for you. Everyone has seen the results you've achieved over the years. When you go to the capital this time, give them a good talk and let them hear how education in the border region has been accomplished."

"Um."

Zhang Yaqin seemed to remember something, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up: "By the way, this afternoon, an acquaintance from the headquarters came to check old files and casually mentioned that there have been some rumors in the capital recently about frontier cadres. It seems that an old leader is paying attention to the practical talents emerging from various fronts in the frontier... He especially mentioned the cultural and educational front."

Shu Ran seemed to remember something. The old commander?

Zhang Yaqin had worked for many years and had good interpersonal relationships, so she was well-informed, but her words still sounded somewhat vague. She didn't press for details, but simply nodded: "It might be a good sign."

"It's definitely a good sign." Zhang Yaqin smiled. "You can relax and prepare. What's meant to be yours will come to you."

"Um."

After finishing her eggs, Shu Ran returned to her room. She didn't turn on the light and sat in the dark for a while.

She pondered Zhang Yaqin's words. Was the old leader she mentioned the one who adopted Chen Yuanjiang?

If so, he's from the military system. And I happen to belong to the education and cultural sector. These two lines shouldn't intersect, unless…

Unless Chen Yuanjiang mentions her over there.

This thought made her a little uneasy. She hoped that she could forge her own path.

She looked out the window; in the distance, there were scattered lights, and further away, the dark Gobi Desert stretched out before her.

She remembered the night before Chen Yuanjiang left, by the poplar grove, when he said, "Wait for me to come back." At that time, she didn't know how long she would have to wait, nor what she would get in return.

Now, she has been given the opportunity to attend a meeting in the capital. And he, too, is probably in the capital, doing his own thing.

The world is both small and big.

*

In the days that followed, Shu Ran entered a state of extreme work.

She gets up at eight o'clock every morning and arrives at the office at eight-thirty to start revising her speech. Secretary Zhou arranged a small meeting room for her so she could prepare in peace. Director Han retrieved a batch of relevant documents from the archives for her reference and also contacted education experts from the province to help review the draft.

Shu Ran revised her manuscript again and again. The first version was too much like a work report, the second version was too academic, the third version was too sentimental... It wasn't until the seventh version that she found the right balance—it included data, stories, analysis, and a future outlook.

Every afternoon, she would practice giving speeches. She would speak to the empty conference room over and over again. By the end, she had developed muscle memory for which sentences to pause, which words to emphasize, and which gestures to use.

Sometimes Wang Juan would secretly listen outside the door, and after listening, she would say to her, "Sister Shu, you spoke so well, I was moved to tears."

Shu Ran just smiled. She knew that when she was actually on stage, facing those knowledgeable leaders and experts, it wasn't enough to just have emotions; she also needed to have substance.

A week before departure, Secretary Zhou organized a simulation exercise. All cadres at the middle and senior levels in the bureau participated, and Shu Ran gave a complete explanation.

Afterwards, Secretary Zhou asked for everyone's opinions.

"The data is solid, and the story is touching."

"The policies are very well grasped and reflect the characteristics of the border region."

"The structure is clear and the key points are highlighted."

Li Weiguo also spoke: "Comrade Shu Ran is very well prepared. I only have one suggestion—isn't this too conservative? At the national conference, each region will showcase its best achievements. If we just play it safe, won't we fail to stand out?"

Shu Ran looked at him: "What does Team Leader Li mean?"

“It could be more… impactful,” Li Weiguo said. “For example, talk more about the difficulties, about how we achieved results under extreme conditions. The more arduous the task, the more it reflects our spirit.”

Shu Ran was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Thank you for the suggestion, Team Leader Li. But I think that education in border areas doesn't need to resort to playing the victim to gain attention. We have our own methods and our own results, and that's enough. The real impact doesn't come from how difficult it is, but from how we still found a viable path under such conditions."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Secretary Zhou nodded: "Xiao Shu is right. When we report on our work, we shouldn't compare how bad things are, but rather our approaches, methods, and results. Let's follow this approach."

After the simulation exercise ended, Shu Ran returned to her office to organize her materials. Wang Juan helped her pack, whispering, "Sister Shu, what you said just now was really good. Team Leader Li's suggestion doesn't seem to align with your thinking."

“He meant well,” Shu Ran said, “but we just had different perspectives.”

Wang Juan pursed her lips and didn't say anything more.

The day before departure, Shu Ran handed over all her work. The final draft of her speech was packed into a file folder. Her luggage was simple: two sets of clothes, toiletries, and a few reference books.

That evening, Zhang Yaqin and Liu Hui came to see her off.

“Xiao Shu, don’t be nervous when you get to the capital,” Liu Hui said. “Just think of yourself as representing millions of educators in the border regions. We’ve got your back.”

"I know."

Zhang Yaqin took out a small cloth bag: "This contains dry food. Eat it if you get hungry on the road." Shu Ran took it, feeling warm inside: "Thank you, Sister Yaqin."

"No need to thank me." Zhang Yaqin's eyes were a little red. "Once you leave, you'll have seen the world. In the future... you might not come back to our remote frontier."

"How could that be?" Shu Ran grasped her hand. "I'll be back after my meeting."

"That's good, that's good."

After seeing the two off, Shu Ran sat alone in the room.

She recalled six years ago, when she had just transmigrated, lying in a stuffy freight car, listening to the sound of wheels rolling over the rails, feeling utterly lost. At that time, all she wanted was to survive.

And today, she's going to the capital to speak at a national conference. Fate is truly wondrous.

She closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

In her dream, she stood in a large hall filled with people. She began to speak, her voice echoing throughout the hall. As she spoke, she saw a familiar figure in the audience—Chen Yuanjiang, sitting in a corner, wearing a military uniform, listening quietly.

He smiled at her.

She smiled too.

The day we set off was a sunny day.

Shu Ran got up early and checked her luggage. At eight o'clock sharp, the bureau's car was waiting for her downstairs. Secretary Zhou and Director Han came to see her off.

"Xiao Shu, have a safe trip." Secretary Zhou shook hands with her. "When you get to the capital, do your best."

"Don't worry, Secretary."

"Have you brought your speech?"

"I've brought it."

"That's good." Director Han patted her shoulder. "Don't be nervous, just talk like you normally would. We're waiting for your good news."

"good."

The car started moving. Shu Ran looked back through the back window and saw Secretary Zhou and Director Han still standing at the door waving. Wang Juan also ran out and waved vigorously.

The car turned the corner and the person disappeared.

It takes two hours to get to the train station. Shu Ran leaned back in her seat, watching the scenery outside the window change from the city to the Gobi Desert, then to farmland, and finally back to the city.

Upon arriving at the train station, Shu Ran got off the train with her luggage and saw several people already waiting—accompanying personnel from the provincial department, and two other representatives going to a meeting.

"Comrade Shu Ran?" A young man walked over. "I'm Xiao Zhao from the provincial department. I'm in charge of taking you to Beijing this time."

"Hello, hello." Shu Ran quickly shook hands.

"Don't mention it." Xiao Zhao helped her with her luggage. "I've already bought the tickets, soft sleeper. It'll be a six-day, six-night journey, you'll have to work hard."

"Of course."

She boarded the train and found her compartment. It was a four-person compartment, and Shu Ran had the lower berth. She put her luggage away and sat by the window.

A long whistle sounded, and the train slowly started moving. The platform moved backward, faster and faster. V City shrank in the distance, finally disappearing into the distance.

Shu Ran leaned against the window, watching the Gobi Desert rushing past outside. She felt calm, even somewhat empty.

Having transmigrated to this world, this is my first time leaving the frontier.

I wonder what the capital city is like in this era. I wonder who I'll meet at the meeting. I wonder... if I'll ever see him.

The train rattled along.