Chapter 39 "Just like that... it's over?"...

"Teacher Shu, Dr. Xu, you're back? Are you hungry? Sister Wang has kept two cornbreads warm for you, along with some pickled vegetable shreds."

Shu Ran noticed something different about her temples.

"Oh my, this is a lifesaver!" Xu Junjun didn't notice these details and went straight to the small stove in the corner.

Shu Ran thanked Xu Junjun and followed her to get the cornbread. As she ate her cornbread, she glanced at Li Xiulan seemingly unintentionally.

Under the dim light, she noticed that Li Xiulan's two braids, which were usually tied casually with strips of coarse cloth, now had small hair clips attached to the ends of each braid.

Next to the curled-edge book by her pillow, she placed a small tin pencil box with blurry landscape paintings on it, a rare find among the female workers in the production brigade.

"Xiulan," Shu Ran swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth and asked casually, "What are you looking at? You seem so engrossed?"

"I didn't look at anything, I just... just flipped through that cotton book." She avoided Shu Ran's gaze.

Sister Wang noticed Li Xiulan's change at this moment and teased her with a smile, "Oh, our Xiulan has been quite particular lately, even wearing a hair clip? Is that pencil case new? It looks really nice!"

Li Xiulan did not respond.

Shu Ran's strange feeling intensified. Li Xiulan came from an ordinary family and was recruited as a worker. She was extremely frugal and practical, always trying to save every penny. That hair clip couldn't be bought at the supply and marketing cooperative in the border company, and that pencil case was something she wouldn't normally buy herself.

More importantly, the sudden shyness and excitement she exuded, as well as her concern for her appearance, were just like the signs that Shu Ran had seen in girls who were just beginning to experience love and received their favorite little gifts when she was a homeroom teacher in her previous life.

Life in the border detachments of the 1960s was harsh, and the mindset was relatively conservative and closed. The boundaries between men and women were clear, and matters of conduct were of paramount importance. Li Xiulan's sudden change couldn't help but cause Shu Ran much concern. Especially when she thought of the booklet she had hastily hidden under her pillow, it certainly wasn't as thick as a cotton book.

She finished her steamed bun without making a sound, and waited until Xu Junjun finished eating and returned to the clinic, as someone needed to stay at the clinic that night.

Shu Ran helped Sister Wang clear the dishes. Sister Wang lowered her voice and muttered, "Teacher Shu, don't you think Xiulan... is acting a little strange?"

Shu Ran nodded and lowered her voice, "It is a bit different. Hair clip, new pencil case, the way she reads... and that hidden book doesn't look like a cotton book. Big sister, you live close to her, didn't you notice anything during the day? Who is close to her?"

Sister Wang frowned and thought for a moment: "I was so busy working during the day that I didn't really notice. She was making tofu in the sideline team during the day, and I didn't see anyone particularly following her."

She paused, a hint of worry on her face. "Could it be... that she has someone in her heart? This girl is young and naive; I don't want her to be fooled. Her new pencil case looks like the kind that cultured people use."

Sister Wang seemed to suddenly realize something, and lowered her voice even further, almost whispering, "Do you think... it could be one of the educated youth in the company?"

Shu Ran was taken aback: "Educated youth?"

"Absolutely!" Sister Wang pursed her lips. "The educated youth in the company are either technicians or cadres. They're educated and speak in a refined manner. Xiulan, that girl, admires scholars so much."

Shu Ran immediately reminded her, "Big sister, let's just talk about this privately. Xiulan is so young and all alone in Xinjiang... If even a little bit of gossip gets out, Xiulan's reputation will be ruined. Let's just pretend we don't know anything and be more careful."

"I know, I know!" Sister Wang nodded quickly. "That's why I'm telling you. We're afraid the girl will suffer."

After everything was tidied up, the dugout became quiet. Sister Wang blew out the oil lamp and lay down quietly. The sound of Li Xiulan lying down could be heard from her side as well.

In the darkness, Shu Ran lay on her bunk, but she couldn't fall asleep.

"Xiulan?" Shu Ran spoke softly, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" Li Xiulan's voice was still a little groggy from just lying down.

"It's nothing," Shu Ran tried to make her tone casual, like an older sister who cares about her younger sister. "I just noticed that you look pretty good lately and are more energetic. Are you getting used to the side team? If anyone bullies you, or if you have any difficulties, don't keep it to yourself, tell your older sisters."

Sister Wang chimed in at the opportune moment: "Yes, Xiulan, just treat us like your older sisters. If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to tell us."

After a few seconds of silence in the darkness, Li Xiulan's voice came through, carrying a hint of sweetness and composure: "Thank you, sisters. I'm fine... no one is bullying me. It's just... I just feel it's good to learn more."

She paused, then lowered her voice even further: "Go to sleep, Teacher Shu. We have to get up early to work tomorrow."

"Okay, you should go to sleep early too." Shu Ran didn't ask any further questions.

The dugout fell completely quiet, with only Sister Wang's soft snoring remaining.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Shu Ran and Xu Junjun stepped out of their dugout at almost the same time.

They hurried toward the row of low, mud-brick houses that served as the company office.

The light in the mud-brick office of the company was still dim. Secretary Liu sat behind the old desk, listening to Shu Ran and Xu Junjun describe the current situation in the pastoral area, Old Aken's proposal, and the difficulties of the herders.

“…Secretary, Old Aken has volunteered to set up a teaching point in the pastoral area, using open spaces or shared areas near the yurts, where I will regularly go to teach. This will not only solve the children’s safety issues due to the long distance, but also help some adult herders to become literate, truly bringing knowledge to the doorstep of the yurts. This is a good opportunity to consolidate national unity and promote literacy!” Shu Ran’s tone was earnest.

Secretary Liu frowned, stubbed out his cigarette, and said with a troubled expression, "Comrade Shuran, I believe what you've said! I'm also aware of Old Aken's prestige and sincerity! I've seen the difficulties in the pastoral areas and I'm deeply concerned! But the current situation is that every household is struggling, not just the people in the pastoral areas, but which family in the production team is having an easy time?"

He abruptly changed the subject, slamming his finger heavily on the table. "It's tough! The current situation doesn't allow us to be reckless!"

He counted on his fingers, analyzing each point one by one, his tone heavy:

"First of all, it's only been a few days since that incident, right? The security department's notice is still posted on the wall! Be vigilant against any remaining spies, strengthen personnel control—this is a death order! The pastoral areas are scattered and fragmented; how can I let a woman like you go there alone every few days? What if something happens? How can I explain it to the organization? How can I explain it to Officer Chen?! Before he left, he repeatedly emphasized that your safety is of paramount importance!"

"Secondly, Qiming Primary School has more than a dozen children, and you're the only one supporting them! Preparing lessons, teaching, maintaining discipline, handling miscellaneous tasks, and even weekends and workdays—that's already a full workload for you! How can you manage your energy if you have to go to teaching points in pastoral areas? How can you guarantee the quality of teaching? If you collapse from exhaustion, the literacy campaign in the company will have to stop! I can't bear this responsibility, and neither can you!"

"Third! Even if we overcome all difficulties to set up a checkpoint, where should we set it up? Build new sheds? It takes time to get approval for materials like wood and tarpaulin, and the regimental warehouse may not even have them ready-made! Borrow yurts from herders? Their space is cramped. Old Aken means well, but in practice, there are a bunch of practical problems: disturbing the people, hygiene, and coordinating time! It can't be solved with just a few words!"

He spread his hands, his face full of helplessness: "Shu Ran, I understand how you feel. I want to push the literacy work to the pastoral areas more than anyone else! But you have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time! In the current situation, the teaching points in the pastoral areas can't be rushed! We have to wait! Wait until the security situation is completely stable, and see if we can get another teacher from the regiment headquarters to come down and provide support, or think of other more reliable and sustainable solutions!"

Shu Ran's heart sank lower and lower. Every single difficulty Secretary Liu mentioned was a real obstacle, trapping the hope that had been ignited within her.

She opened her mouth, wanting to argue for "long-term significance," but found that her words seemed so powerless in the face of reality.

At this moment, Xu Junjun, who was standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer. As a medic, she had a deep impression of Saidar's mother's condition: "Secretary! Safety is important, but the children's health is important too!"

Her tone carried the professionalism characteristic of a medic: "I witnessed it with my own eyes yesterday. The herders couldn't understand the instructions for the medicine powder issued by the company, which led to improper use of the medicine and the loss of their precious livestock!"

Xu Junjun realized her words were inappropriate and added, "Although I'm not a veterinarian, I do know a little about this! If the herders had known some basic hygiene knowledge earlier and treated the illnesses promptly, they wouldn't have gotten so bad! Uncle Aken's suggestion to set up teaching points isn't just about literacy! This is the best opportunity to carry out basic hygiene education, popularize disease prevention knowledge, and dispel superstitions! Literacy and hygiene are inseparable in pastoral areas! If the teaching points can be set up, I can go there regularly to take the temperatures of adults and children, teach them about hygiene, and treat minor injuries and illnesses! How much pain and loss can this reduce? This is a real guarantee of safety and production!"

Secretary Liu shook his head: "Comrade Junjun, I understand your feelings. You are a sanitation worker, and it is your duty to care about the health of the masses. But safety is a red line that cannot be crossed. The militia's strength is also limited, and it is impossible to send someone to escort Teacher Shu to the pastoral area every time."

He looked at Shu Ran, his tone carrying an undeniable determination: "The matter of the teaching point in the pastoral area is temporarily put on hold! This is the organization's decision!"

Shu Ran knew that there was no point in persisting at this point, and she could only accept this "stopgap measure".

Seeing her silence, Secretary Liu softened his tone: "Of course, putting it aside doesn't mean giving up! We can't let down the children in the pastoral areas who want to learn."

He proposed a compromise: "Shuran, your tool shed has been reinforced now, and there's still enough space. Go back and explain to the children, and also tell Adil to pass on the message to the pastoral areas: any children from the surrounding pastoral areas who want to learn to read are welcome anytime! Treat them as auditors! Just like the regular students at Qiming Elementary School, they'll have a seat! They can learn as much as they can! No need for any procedures or to pay anything, just tell your family to be careful on the road!"

He paused, then added, "This is a door that our company has opened to the children from the pastoral areas! It's also the only feasible solution right now! When the time is right, I will personally go to the regimental headquarters to advocate for the teaching point! For now, we can only ask you to make do with a few more children."

Shu Ran looked at Secretary Liu and understood that this was the best result they could achieve at the moment.

"Understood, Secretary. As long as the children are willing to come, there will be a place for them in my Shu Ran's classroom."

Secretary Liu finally showed a hint of approval on his face. "Safety first, you must emphasize this repeatedly and make sure parents take it seriously! If it is indeed necessary for the militia to occasionally provide assistance in specific sections of the road, you should submit a report!"

"Thank you, Secretary!" Shu Ran and Xu Junjun said in unison. Xu Junjun still looked somewhat unwilling, but as a medic, she understood the weight of safety issues and could only sigh helplessly.

As Xu Junjun walked out of the company headquarters, she couldn't help but complain, "It just... fizzled out like that?"

Shu Ran looked at the distant, snow-capped mountains and pondered for a moment. "It won't fall through, Junjun. It's just a different approach. Let's go to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat first; we still have to nail the benches this afternoon."

It was the end of lunchtime, and the canteen wasn't crowded. The portly cook was tidying up the large serving basins when he saw them come in and pointed to the side: "There's still some vegetable soup and cornbread left."

The two of them found a corner to sit down, carrying their bowls. They had just taken a few bites of their steamed buns when a figure carrying a lunchbox sat down on the bench next to Shu Ran.

"Teacher Shu, Dr. Xu, have you just eaten?" It was Zhou Wenbin.

"Technician Zhou." Shu Ran nodded, her tone indifferent, and continued drinking her vegetable soup. Xu Junjun only gave a vague reply; she didn't have a good impression of Zhou Wenbin.

Zhou Wenbin didn't mind and spoke to himself with a touch of Shanghai accent and concern: "I heard you went to talk to Secretary Liu about the teaching point in the pastoral area? That's not easy! What did the secretary say?" He asked as he slowly peeled potatoes.

Shu Ran swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth and said succinctly, "For safety reasons, it's temporarily on hold. Children from the pastoral areas are welcome to audit classes at Qiming Primary School anytime."

"Oh? It's been shelved?" Zhou Wenbin's tone was unreadable, whether it was regret or something else. He looked up at Shu Ran, his gaze behind his glasses seeming to hold a hint of inquiry. "Secretary Liu's caution is understandable. But Teacher Shu, your workload is even greater now. Those children from the pastoral areas have poor foundations and don't speak the language. They must be difficult to teach, right? You've really worked hard."

These words sound like concern, but they also subtly carry the implication of "See, I knew it wouldn't be easy."

Shu Ran was too lazy to play along with him and simply hummed in agreement.

Zhou Wenbin changed the subject, as if chatting casually: "By the way, Teacher Shu, your roommate Li Xiulan seems to be in pretty good spirits lately?" He picked up a peeled potato and slowly took a bite.

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm and looked up at him: "Oh? Technician Zhou has noticed our junior colleague in the dormitory?"

Zhou Wenbin smiled, with a touch of intellectual reserve: "I wouldn't say I paid attention. It was just that a few days ago I was looking after the experimental fields at the sideline production team and happened to run into Comrade Li making tofu. She looked quite energetic, so I casually complimented her by saying that she was a clean young lady. She is indeed an honest and hardworking girl."

He spoke in a flat tone, as if he were merely stating a trivial matter.

Xu Junjun, who was listening from the side, was puzzled and interjected, "Xiulan? She's always been quite diligent." She didn't notice the sudden sharpness in Shu Ran's eyes.

Shu Ran's heart sank. Zhou Wenbin's seemingly casual words revealed two key pieces of information: he had proactively contacted Li Xiulan and even offered his evaluation. This seemingly innocuous remark confirmed Sister Wang's suspicions and solidified Shu Ran's worries.

“Yes, Xiulan has always been very reliable.” Shu Ran lowered her eyes, her voice flat, and continued to gnaw on the steamed bun in her hand, seemingly unconcerned about Zhou Wenbin’s words. “Teacher Zhou, please eat slowly. We still need to go check on the classroom.” She quickly finished the last bit of soup in her bowl and pulled Xu Junjun, who hadn’t finished eating, to get up.

"Teacher Shu is busy." Zhou Wenbin nodded with a smile, his gaze lingering for a moment on Shu Ran's calm face before he focused on his boiled potatoes again.

As they walked out of the cafeteria, Xu Junjun asked, "Ranran, why are you in such a hurry? I haven't finished eating yet."

"Nailing the benches is the priority," Shu Ran changed the subject, but a weight was pressing on her heart. Zhou Wenbin had indeed set his sights on Li Xiulan.

His seemingly gentle and harmless "praise" might not have been so light and easy for a naive and innocent girl like Li Xiulan, who had a biased view of intellectuals.

In the afternoon, Shu Ran told Adil about Secretary Liu's decision. A hint of disappointment flashed across Adil's little face at first, but when he heard, "Children from the pastoral area can come anytime and sit on benches to learn just like you," his eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded vigorously: "Teacher! I'll tell Bayan! Saidar! And... everyone else!"

"Great! Adil, you're the little messenger between Qiming Primary School and the pastoral area!" Shu Ran encouraged him with a smile.

She then announced the news to Shi Tou and the other children, emphasizing that their friends from the pastoral area would soon be coming to study together, and that everyone should help each other. The children were filled with anticipation for their new friends' arrival.

After class in the afternoon, Adil couldn't wait to ride his horse to the pastoral area to deliver the news.

Shu Ran rummaged through the warehouse and found a few discarded thick planks in the corner. She then went to borrow a saw and nails. Sister Wang saw this and came over to help. The clanging and hammering sounds echoed outside the tool shed.

As Shu Ran sawed the planks, she kept an eye out for the dormitory. Li Xiulan returned from work and saw her nailing the stools, so she put down her things to help.

"Xiulan, are you tired from today's sideline team?" Shu Ran asked casually.

"It's alright, Teacher Shu." Li Xiulan lowered her head and deftly held the wooden board. "It's just grinding tofu, the usual."

"Okay, take care and get some rest." Shu Ran didn't ask any more questions.

A few days later, in the early morning, Shu Ran pushed open the door of the tool shed. In the classroom, besides Shi Tou, Hu Zi, and Shuan Zhu, there were two slightly cramped little figures in the corner—Ba Yan and Sai Da Er.

Their little faces were washed clean, and they sat nervously and excitedly on the newly nailed stools, their eyes sparkling as they looked at the blackboard. Adil puffed out his chest, like a little master, and placed two small pieces of ground lime in front of them.

Seeing this, Shu Ran picked up a block of lime, turned around and wrote two large characters on the blackboard: "Welcome".

"Classmates," her voice was clear and warm, "today, we will learn two new characters, which are also what we want to say to our new friends—welcome!"

"Welcome!" The children's clear and loud voices rang out in the classroom.