Chapter 155 Reunion

Shu Ran's breath hitched.

Lin Jing sat up in bed, wide awake, and looked at the door warily: "Xiao Shu, who is it?"

Shu Ran composed herself and turned to Lin Jing, saying, "Sister Lin, this is an old friend of mine. There might be something I need to say. I'll go to the door and say a few words."

A knowing glint flashed in Lin Jing's eyes. She nodded, asked no further questions, and lay back down.

Shu Ran gently turned the door lock and opened it a crack.

The corridor was dimly lit, and Chen Yuanjiang stood outside the door. He was dressed in military green civilian clothes and looked somewhat tired.

He saw Shu Ran, his eyes flickered slightly, and asked, "Would it be convenient for you to come out and say a few words?"

Shu Ran glanced back at the room; Lin Jing was lying face down against the wall. She said softly, "Wait for me."

She closed the door, quickly changed out of her pajamas, put on her trousers and coat, and casually gathered her hair. Then she put on her coat, picked up her keys, reopened the door, and went out, gently closing the door behind her.

Chen Yuanjiang stood in the shadows of the corridor, waiting for her to approach before turning and walking towards the stairwell. Shu Ran followed half a step behind him.

The two went downstairs one after the other. The night shift worker in the guesthouse lobby was a middle-aged woman, dozing off at her desk. Chen Yuanjiang showed her an ID, whispered something, and the woman nodded before going back to her desk.

Chen Yuanjiang led Shu Ran out of the building and into the courtyard, where Shu Ran wrapped her coat tighter around herself.

The streetlights downstairs cast dim, yellowish light, barely illuminating the path.

Shu Ran followed Chen Yuanjiang to a large locust tree in the corner of the courtyard. The stone table was cold, and the stone benches exuded a chill. He stopped and turned around.

The cool, clear moonlight streamed down, outlining the strong features of his face. He had lost weight, and when he looked at me, his eyes held an undisguised longing.

Shu Ran stopped a step away from him, saying nothing, just looking up at him. The anxiety of the past few months with so little news... all the emotions surged up at this moment, choking her in her throat.

She suddenly felt a little wronged and a little angry, but mostly she felt an overwhelming longing.

"You..." she began, her voice a little hoarse, clearing her throat before continuing, "How did you find this place?"

Chen Yuanjiang's gaze seemed glued to her face, tracing every inch, as if to confirm her well-being. Hearing the question, he finally moved his lips: "It can be found."

"Oh," Shu Ran responded, lowering her eyes to look at the two shadows on the ground, almost touching. "Have you been waiting long?"

“Not long,” Chen Yuanjiang said immediately, then added, “I had something to do in the afternoon and couldn’t wait. He came again in the evening.”

So she waited all afternoon but didn't see him, and then made a special trip over in the evening. The vague frustration in Shu Ran's heart dissipated a little, but another, more complex emotion rose up.

She looked up and stared into his eyes: "When you left, you said, 'Wait for me to come back.'"

Chen Yuanjiang's Adam's apple bobbed. He sensed the emotion in her voice. He opened his mouth, as if wanting to explain something, but ultimately only said in a hoarse voice, "...The situation has changed. The mission has been extended, and due to disciplinary requirements, we cannot contact each other casually." He paused, then said in a low voice, "I'm sorry."

Looking at his face, the knot in Shu Ran's heart suddenly dissipated. She knew him too well—his responsibilities, his discipline, his constraints. She had traveled a long way to Beijing, partly for the conference, but deep down, hadn't she also harbored a secret hope of being closer to him, perhaps even seeing him?

"I don't blame you." She let out a soft breath, her tone softening. "It's just... it's always a little worrying when you suddenly lose contact with someone."

Chen Yuanjiang's eyes lit up. "I'm fine," he said hurriedly, as if afraid she wouldn't believe him. "I'm just busy, with lots of rules. Are you... tired from the journey? Are you used to the accommodations? Are you eating well?" He asked one question after another, clumsy yet eager.

Shu Ran couldn't help but smile slightly: "It's alright. Much better than when we were in that stuffy freight car." She looked into his eyes, "And you? You've lost weight. Are you... not used to it here?"

Chen Yuanjiang paused for a moment, nodded, then shook his head: "The nature of the work is different. There's a lot to learn."

Silence fell between them. A gentle evening breeze blew by, carrying the scent of nature. A few strands of Shu Ran's hair were lifted by the wind and brushed against her cheek.

Chen Yuanjiang couldn't help but reach out and gently tuck a strand of her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, behind her ear. His fingertips touched her earlobe, his movements very gentle.

Shu Ran didn't dodge; instead, she tilted her head slightly, allowing his fingers to glide more smoothly behind her ear.

Chen Yuanjiang's hand paused, his fingertips trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intently on her. Then he stepped forward, opened his arms, and pulled her into his embrace.

The hug was a bit forceful, even a little reckless. Shu Ran's face collided with his chest, and she felt that Chen Yuanjiang was holding her tightly with an almost outrageous force, as if he was afraid that she would disappear if he let go.

Shu Ran's body tensed for a moment, then completely relaxed, reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist. She buried her face in his chest and took a breath. All her emotions found temporary solace in this embrace.

She could feel his body trembling slightly; she knew it was a reaction to his intense emotional turmoil.

"Shu Ran..." He called her name from above her head, his voice filled with too many emotions.

"Mmm," she responded, tightening her grip on her arms even more.

No one spoke again.

After what seemed like an eternity, Chen Yuanjiang loosened his grip slightly, but he still held her close, his chin resting on the top of her head. "How did the meeting go?" he asked in a muffled voice.

"Not bad. I'll be speaking tomorrow." Shu Ran's face was still pressed against his chest.

Are you nervous?

"A little. But everything that needs to be prepared has been prepared."

"Mm," he responded, gently patting her back twice with his large hand in a reassuring tone. "Don't be afraid. What you're saying is the truth, it's what you've achieved. Just say what you think."

"I know." Shu Ran raised her head, moved slightly away from his embrace, and looked at his face so close to hers. "I met Vice Minister Sun and Minister Zhou today."

Chen Yuanjiang tightened his grip on her arm: "Minister Zhou? What did he say?"

Shu Ran briefly summarized the main points of the conversation, especially the strategic vision of consolidating border areas through education, integrating culture, and revitalizing the economy, as well as her implicit expectations for the two of them working together.

Chen Yuanjiang frowned as he listened. After she finished speaking, he remained silent for a moment before saying, "It seems Uncle Zhou told you beforehand. Part of the reason I was transferred here is because of this strategic planning. The fact that he talked to you shows that the higher-ups have given this matter considerable thought and approve of you." He looked at her, his gaze complex. "This means that you may have to shoulder more responsibilities and face more complex challenges in the future. The frontier will not always be like the livestock company."

“I understand,” Shu Ran said calmly. “From the day I decided to stay, I never intended to just be a teacher in Taiping. Now, the path is just clearer.” She paused, then asked, “What about you? You knew all along, didn’t you? That’s why you said ‘wait for me to come back,’ but you yourself didn’t know when you could go back, or even… whether you could go back at all?”

Chen Yuanjiang's lips pressed into a straight line, tacitly acknowledging her guess. "The organization needs it. I... had no choice. But I didn't expect them to consider you so quickly."

Shu Ran shook her head, her tone firm: "Chen Yuanjiang, you've got it wrong. I wasn't considered because of you. I came into their view because of what I did on the frontier. We are two parallel lines advancing together. Because we share the same goal, we have the possibility of intersecting, and that's why we are expected to form a joint force."

She reached out and gently smoothed his furrowed brow. "Don't think of me as someone who needs your protection or is implicated by you. We're on the same side, understand?"

Chen Yuanjiang stared at her, gazing at the independence and clarity in her eyes. Yes, how could he forget that she had managed to stand firm and take root on her own in the Gobi Desert? The guilt he felt was suddenly soothed by her words.

He looked at her with pride, took her hand that was resting on his brow, and nodded: "I understand."

“So,” Shu Ran let him hold her hand, “don’t say sorry anymore. Let’s each do our best, and then meet again here, or stand side by side wherever we are needed. Isn’t that what you said back then?”

Looking into her bright, sparkling eyes, Chen Yuanjiang felt an emotion welling up inside him, almost overflowing. He couldn't hold back any longer, lowering his head to gently press his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

"Mmm," he replied hoarsely, his breath brushing against her cheek, "Side by side."

After a while, the night breeze grew cooler. Chen Yuanjiang released her, took an oil paper package from his old military satchel, and stuffed it into her hand: "Here you go. Jujube paste cake, it'll keep well in this weather. This is tea and jasmine flowers, don't drink too much tonight, it'll affect your sleep."

The items were the same, and the concern remained the same. Shu Ran took the oil paper package.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"Hurry up and go up, it's chilly outside." Chen Yuanjiang glanced at the guesthouse windows; many lights were already off. "We have a meeting tomorrow."

"And you? Where are you going back to?"

"I have a place to stay, not far away," he said vaguely, clearly unable to elaborate due to disciplinary concerns.

Shu Ran didn't ask any more questions and nodded: "You should also take care of yourself and not overwork yourself."

"Okay," Chen Yuanjiang replied, but remained standing still, his gaze still fixed on her face, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her.

Shu Ran's cheeks flushed slightly under his gaze. She turned to leave, but then stopped and quickly said, "Chen Yuanjiang, I'm so glad to see you." Without waiting for his reaction, she grabbed the oil paper package and strode towards the building entrance.

Chen Yuanjiang stood there, watching her disappear behind the door. After a long while, he raised his hand and touched the space between his eyebrows where her fingertips had just touched. There seemed to be a trace of warmth and softness still lingering there.

Shu Ran entered the building. The staff on duty were still dozing off. She tiptoed upstairs and returned to her room.

Lin Jing was still awake. Hearing her come in, she turned over and asked, "You're back?"

"Mmm." Shu Ran put the snacks on the table and took off her coat.

"Are you alright?" Lin Jing asked.

"It's nothing, we just exchanged a few words," Shu Ran said, lying back down on the bed.

The room returned to silence. Shu Ran opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

He arrived. She was warm, but there was also a hint of unease and melancholy.

His explanation seemed to be that he had been transferred to the capital and his return date was uncertain. She, on the other hand, was to return to the frontier after the meeting. The distance between them was not just a few thousand kilometers, but a potential fork in their life trajectories.

She turned over, forcing herself to stop thinking. She had an important speech tomorrow and couldn't afford to be distracted.

The next morning, Shu Ran woke up earlier than usual. After washing up, she opened the pastry package Chen Yuanjiang had given her. The jujube paste cakes were neatly wrapped in oil paper, four pieces in total. The aroma of tea was enticing.

She brewed a cup of tea, placed a piece of jujube cake on Lin Jing's table, and then ate a piece. It tasted good, sweet but not cloying. Lin Jing also woke up and smelled the aroma of the tea: "Oh, this tea is quite good."

"A friend gave it to me," Shu Ran said. "Come and try it."

"No, no, you can keep it for yourself." Lin Jing waved her hand, but her eyes held a smile. "That friend from last night?"

Shu Ran smiled and did not deny it.

At breakfast, Xiao Zhao noticed that Shu Ran looked quite well: "Comrade Shu Ran, did you sleep well last night?"

"That's good," Shu Ran said.

The plenary session resumed at 9:00 AM. The main agenda item today was speeches and exchanges among the delegates. The stage was filled with leaders, and the audience was packed.

The host announced the start of the speeches. The first speaker was the director of the education bureau of an industrial city in Northeast China, who introduced how they utilized factory resources to carry out employee education and the construction of schools for factory children.

The second speaker was a representative from a province in East China, a woman in her forties. She possessed a high level of theoretical knowledge, citing numerous classical texts and presenting many cutting-edge viewpoints on education reform. Shu Ran listened attentively; some of her points were indeed insightful, but she also felt that these views were somewhat distant from the realities of the border regions.

The third speaker was a representative from a minority region in Southwest China, who shared their experiences in bilingual education and the preservation of ethnic culture. The presentation was rich in case studies.

After several speakers had passed by, it was finally Shu Ran's turn.

The host introduced: "Next, please welcome Comrade Shu Ran, a representative from the border region and a grassroots education worker in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, to speak. Her topic is 'Exploration and Practice of Literacy and Basic Education in Border Regions - A Preliminary Summary of the Spark Model'."

Shu Ran stood up and walked towards the stage. She could feel all eyes on her. She walked onto the stage and adjusted the microphone height.

"Distinguished leaders, representatives, and comrades, good morning." Her voice resonated throughout the hall through the speakers. "I come from the grassroots level in the border region. Today, I'd like to report to you on some of our explorations in carrying out literacy and basic education under the special conditions of the border areas, which we call the 'Spark Model'..."

She began to speak. Without flowery language or empty slogans, she recounted concrete people and events, as if reporting to her superiors on a mission in the frontier: how to establish Qiming Primary School under extremely rudimentary conditions; how to go door-to-door to encourage children to attend school; how to overcome language and cultural barriers in pastoral areas; how to cultivate local seed teachers; how to integrate teaching with practical production and daily life; and how to maintain teaching enthusiasm through practical incentives…

She spoke of stones, Adil, Sister Wang, and Li Xiulan; she spoke of the children who wrote with lime blocks, whittled sheep bones into pencils, and studied on adobe stools. She spoke of successes and failures; of experiences and lessons learned; of achievements and the difficulties that still exist.

Her speech did not deliberately exaggerate the hardships, but the specific details—the leaky tool shed, the dormitory where one had to walk several kilometers to fetch water, the children who wrote their homework on the back of waste paper—in themselves sketched a true picture of the grassroots in the border region.

Many people in the hall were moved.

The speech lasted twenty-five minutes. At the end, the hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.

She returned to her seat. Xiao Zhao, her face flushed with excitement, whispered, "Comrade Shu Ran, that was wonderful!"

Shu Ran smiled but didn't say anything.

After the speeches, there was a Q&A session. Several representatives raised their hands, and most of the questions focused on the specific operational details of the "Spark Mode." Shu Ran answered them one by one, clearly and logically.

Then, an elderly gentleman who looked like a scholar, sitting in the front row, raised his hand. The host handed him the microphone.

"Comrade Shu Ran, your speech was very vivid, and your approach was very pragmatic." The veteran comrade's voice was loud and clear. "But I have a question. You emphasized 'survival education first' and the practicality of education, which is good. But I want to ask, under this highly pragmatic educational model, won't education become too utilitarian and fragmented, lacking the cultivation of the spiritual world and cultural foundation?"

The room fell silent, and everyone looked at Shu Ran.

Shu Ran calmly replied, "Thank you for your question, senior. Your question is very important, and it is something we have been thinking about and exploring in practice." She said sincerely, "First of all, I would like to clarify that 'survival education first' does not negate the educational function of education, but rather is a path choice based on the realities of the frontier grassroots."

She paused, then continued: "In the border regions, many people, whether workers or herders, have survival as their primary need. If we start by talking about grand principles and systematic knowledge, they won't understand, nor will they have the time or energy to learn. As a result, they might never even step into a classroom."

"Therefore, our approach is to first address these most practical survival issues so that the masses feel a willingness to learn and for their children to learn. Once the masses have a basic cultural foundation and have benefited from education, we can then gradually introduce richer content—patriotism, collectivism, national unity, scientific knowledge, cultural traditions, and so on."

She cited Adil's example, then looked at the elderly man: "We believe that education must be based on what the learner can understand and accept. In areas with harsh conditions, this foundation is survival education. First, let people survive and live well, then let them live a life of great achievement and fulfillment—this may be a more humane approach."

"As for whether it will lead to utilitarianism and fragmentation," Shu Ran continued, "it depends on whether educators have systematic thinking and a long-term vision. When training teachers, we emphasize that they should not only teach practical skills, but also consciously integrate cultural inheritance and value guidance into daily teaching. At the same time, we are also exploring how to establish a connection mechanism from literacy to basic education, so that children with potential can continue to learn more systematic knowledge. This is indeed difficult, but we are working hard."

She finished speaking. The room was silent for a few seconds, then applause broke out. The elderly gentleman who had asked the question nodded and didn't pursue the matter further.

The Q&A session continued, and several more representatives asked questions, which Shu Ran answered calmly. She could sense that after the previous exchange, many people in the room were more in agreement with her approach.

The Q&A session ended, and the morning meeting concluded. As the meeting adjourned, many delegates gathered around Shu Ran to chat, some asking for materials, some seeking clarification, and others inviting her to their meetings. Shu Ran responded politely, while Xiao Zhao helped take notes.

Liao Cheng walked over and waited until everyone had mostly left before saying to Shu Ran, "Your speech was excellent, and your answers were even better. Minister Sun is very satisfied."

"Thank you, Team Leader Liao."

"The group discussions will continue this afternoon. There will be a small symposium this evening. Minister Sun would like to invite a few grassroots representatives to chat. You can also attend. It will be at 7 p.m. in the small conference room in Building 2."

"good."

Liao Cheng glanced at her, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end he just nodded, turned around, and left.

At lunchtime, Shu Ran became the center of attention in the cafeteria. Many delegates came over to sit at her table and continue their discussions. Lin Jing smiled and said to her, "Delegation Shu, you're quite famous today."

Shu Ran smiled but didn't say anything. She could sense that her experience and methods had been recognized after the morning's presentation and Q&A session.

The afternoon group discussions were even more harmonious. The representatives in each group showed greater interest in Shu Ran's "Spark Model" and discussed many specific implementation issues. Deputy Director Zhang also affirmed the model, saying it had reference value for similar regions.

Before the discussion ended, Liao Cheng revealed some information: the ministry was considering selecting several representative regions to conduct pilot projects for comprehensive reform of grassroots education, and might provide certain policy support and resource allocation. Although he didn't say it explicitly, his gaze drifted towards Shu Ran.

Shu Ran learned of this news before Xiao Zhao did.

After the meeting, Xiao Zhao excitedly said, "Comrade Shu Ran, could this be an opportunity for our border region?"

"It's not certain yet," Shu Ran said, but she was also thinking about it. If there really is a pilot opportunity, it will be a significant boost to education in border areas.

After dinner, Shu Ran tidied up briefly and arrived at the small conference room in Building 2 at 7:00 sharp. There were already seven or eight people in the conference room, including Vice Minister Sun, Liao Cheng, five other grassroots representatives, and Lin Jing among them.

The meeting was relaxed, with no fixed agenda; it was just a chat. Vice Minister Sun asked everyone to share their most genuine feelings, their most pressing needs, and their most specific suggestions.

The delegates spoke freely, saying many things that were inconvenient to say in formal meetings: the hardships at the grassroots level, the difficulty in implementing policies, the troubles of formalism, and the desire for support.

Shu Ran also discussed the specific difficulties in the border regions and her expectations for the pilot policies.

The meeting lasted until after 9 p.m. At its conclusion, Vice Minister Sun said, “I heard many valuable opinions today. The Ministry will study them carefully. Education reform is a systematic project that requires both top-level design and grassroots exploration. The explorations you have undertaken in the border regions, like those of Comrade Shu Ran, are very valuable. I hope you will continue your efforts, and the Ministry will consider providing more support.”

That was very clear. Shu Ran felt reassured.

After the meeting, Lin Jing and Shu Ran walked back together. Lin Jing said, "Shu Ran, it seems you two are about to have your chance."

"I hope so," Shu Ran said, "but ultimately it depends on how the policy is implemented."

“Yes, policy implementation is key,” Lin Jing remarked. “But you’ve done the best you could. The rest is up to those above.”

Shu Ran and Lin Jing returned to their room. She felt a little tired, but her spirits were high. Today's speeches and discussions went very smoothly, exceeding her expectations.

After washing up, she leaned against the bed, picked up the bag of pastries Chen Yuanjiang had given her, and ate a piece of jujube cake.

She recalled their meeting last night, and the way he stood in the moonlight. She'd been busy all day and barely had time to think about him, but now that things were quiet, his image resurfaced in her mind.

Will he come again? The meeting ends the day after tomorrow. If he wants to see her again, it should be tomorrow.

She didn't know. Nor did she want to guess.

She wrapped up the pastries, turned off the light, and lay down. Tomorrow was the last day of meetings; she couldn't let her guard down.

But before falling asleep, she couldn't help but wonder: after she returned to V City, would Chen Yuanjiang go back to X Division? Even if he returned to the frontier, she and he wouldn't be in the same place for the time being. V City and X Division aren't close, so what would happen in the future…

"Forget it, there's no point in thinking about it so much, I might as well go to sleep." Shu Ran sighed, closed her eyes, started counting sheep, and quickly fell asleep.