Chapter 87 Selection Results

The first Wednesday of every month is the day when Shu Ran returns to the Education Section of the Teachers' Department to report on her work.

Once this arrangement was finalized, it became a pivotal moment in her life in the company, marked by a unique rhythm. The transportation arranged by the company usually involved a ride to the division headquarters to deliver supplies or run errands. This time, even more coincidentally, Xu Junjun also needed to go to the division's medical department to pick up medicine and attend a short training session as a medic.

"That's great! We'll have company on the road, and we won't have to stare at a truckload of potatoes or sacks of potatoes anymore!" Xu Junjun said happily, taking Shu Ran's arm as she learned that they could travel together.

Since Shu Ran started frequently visiting the division headquarters, the sisters have had fewer opportunities to have private conversations.

On the morning of their departure, a slightly worn transport truck was parked at the company gate. Besides the driver, there was room for another person to squeeze into the cab. Shu Ran pushed Xu Junjun directly into the passenger seat, saying, "You get carsick, sit in the front. I'll squeeze in with the supplies in the back; it'll be fine."

The truck bed was half-filled with sacks, it was hard to tell if they contained grain or wool, and they smelled of livestock. Shu Ran found a relatively safe corner, sat down using an old sack as a cushion, and leaned against the back wall of the cab. The morning air in the Gobi Desert was chilly, so she wrapped her coat tighter around herself; it was a coat that Sister Wang had insisted on giving her, saying that it was windy at the division headquarters.

Xu Junjun handed over a military water bottle and a small package through the car window, "Ranran, the water bottle contains hot water, and this package contains roasted wheat for the journey."

The vehicle bumped and jolted its way out of the livestock farm. Shu Ran took a sip of hot water, dispelling some of the chill. Looking at the Gobi Desert, she mentally planned what she would report on during her performance review: the stable enrollment of children in the pastoral areas, the continued efforts of the women's literacy classes during the spring planting break, and some new ideas for textbook compilation…

The vehicle traveled on a bumpy dirt road, jolting so hard it felt like her bones were about to fall apart. Shu Ran gripped the side of the vehicle tightly, struggling to maintain her balance amidst the swaying.

She couldn't help but recall the time she went to a meeting at headquarters with Chen Yuanjiang, and how he had subtly taken care of her. In contrast, this open-top truck trip was a more common mode of transportation for her, a grassroots educator.

"What are you thinking about?" Taking advantage of the driver stopping to relieve himself, Xu Junjun jumped down from the front and climbed into the back of the car to keep her company.

"I was wondering when this road would be repaired and made smoother." Shu Ran smiled and changed the subject, handing over some fried wheat. "Let's eat together."

Xu Junjun grabbed a small handful, stuffed it into her mouth and chewed, saying indistinctly, "I think you're thinking about someone, aren't you? After the last meeting, you felt like you'd lost half your soul at the division headquarters."

Shu Ran playfully slapped her, "What nonsense are you talking about? I was thinking about the performance review." She paused, then lowered her voice, "Do you think there's any news about the 'Outstanding Grassroots Educator' award this time?"

The information Yang Zhenhua had previously revealed had stayed with her. If she could receive this title, it would provide a more solid guarantee for her, for Qiming Primary School, and for the entire livestock company's educational work.

Xu Junjun blinked and lowered her voice, "I think it's going to work out! You were on the list at the Corps Conference last time, do you think Director Sun wouldn't try to get it for you? Don't worry, I think this time it's almost a sure thing!"

After traveling for most of the day, the car finally swayed into the division headquarters compound around noon. Compared to the livestock company, and even compared to the regimental headquarters, the division headquarters was indeed a bustling place. The houses were neat and tidy, the people walking on the road were dressed much more decently, and we could even see a few bicycles passing by.

Shu Ran and Xu Junjun got out of the car at the entrance of the guesthouse and agreed on a time to return. Shu Ran carried her old cloth bag containing report materials and several student assignments and walked straight towards the red brick building where the Education Department was located.

The Education Section's office was much more spacious and brighter than the company headquarters, with maps and various reports hanging on the walls. When Shu Ran arrived, Director Sun was talking to another officer. Seeing her come in, he nodded and gestured for her to sit down.

While waiting, another young officer in the department, Xiao Zhang, poured her a cup of hot water, his attitude more enthusiastic than usual: "Comrade Shu Ran is here. You must have had a long journey. Director Sun was just talking about you, saying that your report materials for this month are definitely well prepared."

Shu Ran thanked her, understanding that this subtle change in attitude was mostly related to her appearance at the Corps work conference and the selection process that had not yet been officially announced. She didn't point it out, but just smiled modestly: "It's all what I should do. The situation in the company is complicated, so it's also a good opportunity to report to the department leaders and ask for instructions."

After a while, Director Sun finished his conversation and called Shu Ran over.

He sat down behind his desk, picked up the written report summary that Shu Ran had submitted in advance, glanced through it, and asked directly, "Give me some verbal supplements, focusing on the learning status of those children in the pastoral area and the women in the literacy classes. With spring plowing so busy, have there been any large-scale cases of students falling behind?"

Shu Ran was prepared and answered clearly, "Director, in the pastoral area, Adil from Tuerdi's family is doing very well in his studies and can even help maintain classroom discipline. The children from the pastoral area he brought are also basically keeping up, but they still need to work on the language barrier. Old Aken's attitude is clearly supportive, and several herding families have discussed taking turns picking up and dropping off the children, which has solved the major problems of travel distance and safety. As for the literacy class..."

She paused for a moment, then spoke frankly, “Indeed, a few of the older women have been coming intermittently lately because their families are short of manpower. But Sister Wang Guilan is taking the lead in persisting, and Li Xiulan can now help out on her own. We break down the learning content into smaller parts and use the time after work in the evening, or whenever we can find a spare moment in the fields, to teach a few words. The effect is a bit slow, but we haven’t completely stopped.”

Director Sun listened attentively, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Yes, adapting to local conditions and avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach is the right idea. We must face the difficulties squarely, but there are always more solutions than problems. You are at the grassroots level, so you know the actual situation best."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more formal, "Also, I have some news for you. The results of the selection of 'Outstanding Grassroots Education Workers' at both the Corps and Division levels have been officially announced."

Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath.

Director Sun took out an official document from his drawer and handed it to her: "You're on the list. There are only two at the corps level, and only two at the division level. Of course, you're one at the division headquarters level too."

Despite being mentally prepared, a surge of emotion still welled up in Shu Ran's heart when the news was officially confirmed in black and white.

She took the document, her eyes quickly scanning the words, and sure enough, she saw her name on the list. She steadied herself, raised her head, and said with a clear look in her eyes, "Thank you for the organization's recognition! This honor does not belong to me personally, but to all the leaders and staff of our livestock company who support education, to the children of Qiming Primary School, and to comrades like Sister Wang and Medical Officer Xu who have always helped me."

Director Sun smiled and said, "No need for formalities. This honor is an affirmation of your hard work in establishing Qiming Primary School from scratch and promoting literacy. The leadership approved of your speech at the Corps meeting. From now on, the demonstration site will have an even heavier burden, so you should be prepared."

He added, "According to regulations, outstanding workers at the corps level receive a 50 yuan bonus, and those at the division level receive 20 yuan. The bonuses and certificates will be awarded together at the division-wide commendation meeting next month."

Seventy yuan was a considerable sum at the time. Shu Ran immediately began to calculate in her mind: she could buy some supplies for the school, so they wouldn't have to rely entirely on scavenging and donations anymore; she could also buy some cheap colored paper to teach the children some crafts; and perhaps she could even buy some practical things for Sister Wang and Li Xiulan to express her gratitude…

As Shu Ran left Director Sun's office, she felt her steps become much lighter.

She first went to the relevant department to complete the formalities and collect her special researcher allowance for the following month. Although it wasn't much, it was still a supplement. Finally, she went to the library and borrowed a few related books.

In the evening, she met up with Xu Junjun, who had completed her training, at the guesthouse.

Upon meeting, Xu Junjun couldn't wait to ask, "How was it? How did the performance review go? And that evaluation..."

Shu Ran suppressed the smile on her lips and deliberately sighed.

Xu Junjun's face fell: "Huh? It didn't work out? That's impossible!"

Seeing that she was really anxious, Shu Ran chuckled and whispered in her ear, "It's done! It's done for both the corps and the division! There's even a bonus!"

Xu Junjun exclaimed with delight, almost jumping for joy. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with laughter, "I knew it! That's great, Ranran! Now let's see who dares to say that we're not doing our proper job in education!" She was even more excited than Shu Ran, pulling her outside, "Come on, we have to celebrate today! It's my treat. Let's go to the convenience store and buy two cans of meat and a serving of vegetables!"

The two girls really splurged a bit. They bought two cans of luncheon meat and a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes from the division's service shop, wrapped in oil paper. They also bought two steamed buns. Back in their guesthouse room, they closed the door and enjoyed a delicious meal.

"That's great," Xu Junjun mumbled, biting into a steamed bun. "Let's see what Director Zhao can say when we get back. This is an honor bestowed upon us by the Corps!"

Shu Ran picked up a piece of shredded potato with her chopsticks, feeling more satisfied than if she had eaten meat. She wasn't just thinking about silencing Zhao Weidong, but also about the tangible changes this bonus and honor could bring.

“This is a good start,” she said, her eyes shining. “We need to help more children use it to go out into the world and see a bigger world.”

On the return journey the next day, Shu Ran, carrying joy and the anticipation of the huge sum of seventy yuan in prize money, felt that even the bumpy road was not so unbearable. The wind blowing on her face, carrying the dry smell unique to the Gobi Desert, felt exceptionally refreshing to her.

As the car approached the livestock company, Shu Ran could see the national flag fluttering in the wind on the open space in front of the teachers' classroom, and the new classroom next to the flag, which embodied the hard work of her and countless others.

Xu Junjun saw it too. She nudged Shu Ran's arm and said with a smile, "Look, we've arrived at our base."

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Author's Note: [National Day Mini-Theater]

Today is October 1st, National Day.

Before dawn, Shu Ran, Sister Wang, and Li Xiulan were already busy in the kitchen of the company canteen.

"Teacher Shu, these cornbread buns are just like you described, they've turned out to be five-pointed stars!" Sister Wang said with a smile, holding up the cornbread star-shaped buns she had cut out with a mold.

Li Xiulan carefully dotted a red dot on another pot of steamed buns: "Sister Shuran said this is called a sense of ritual!"

Shu Ran was using a small amount of mutton specially approved by the company, along with wild onions and turnip roots she had dug up from the fields, to make a large pot of thick soup. The aroma filled the air, attracting Shi Tou and Shuan Zhu, who had come to the canteen early to peek out, to sniff the air.

At 10:00 a.m. (Xinjiang time difference), all the students of Qiming Primary School, along with many staff and herdsmen who came after hearing the news, gathered on the small playground that had been leveled in front of the new classrooms.

Chen Yuanjiang, accompanied by two soldiers, marched in with synchronized steps. Today, they were to raise the national flag for Qiming Primary School.

"Raise the flag! Salute!"

As the words fell, Chen Yuanjiang tossed the national flag into the sky. Everyone sang the national anthem, and the five-starred red flag rose to the strains of the anthem.

The stone stood ramrod straight, and Adil, holding his sister Ayman's hand, watched intently as the red flag rose to the top of the flagpole. In the crowd, old Akhen stroked his beard and nodded silently.

After the ceremony, Shu Ran brought out a basket of star-shaped steamed buns and a large bucket of fragrant mutton stew.

"Today is National Day, let's have an extra meal!"

The children cheered and lined up on their own, with Sister Wang, Li Xiulan, and Xu Junjun, who was acting as a temporary helper, assisting Shu Ran in distributing the food.

Shu Ran looked down to examine the pot of mutton soup, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a gaze that was hard to ignore.

She looked up, and her gaze met Chen Yuanjiang's eyes.

Chen Yuanjiang stood a few steps away, talking to Company Commander Ma, but his gaze drifted past Commander Ma and landed on her. His eyes seemed to be confirming something, or perhaps it was just involuntary.

Shu Ran unconsciously tightened her grip on the spoon, quickly lowered her eyes, and stirred the soup in the pot.

Chen Yuanjiang seemed to realize his lapse in composure, immediately looked away, turned his head, and nodded at Company Commander Ma's words.

Shu Ran quickly handed bowls of soup to the children. The steamed buns and meat soup were mainly reserved for the children, so each child received a star-shaped steamed bun and a spoonful of meat soup.

The soldiers firmly declined the soup bowl offered by Shu Ran and the not-so-appetizing star-shaped steamed buns offered by Sister Wang, saying gently, "It's important for the children to grow up."

Chen Yuanjiang quickly led his soldiers to the periphery of the crowd to maintain order.

There were still some steamed buns and meat soup left, which Shu Ran gave first to the families with children and a few elderly herders. Most of the adult staff and herders waved happily; they had been drawn there by the flag-raising ceremony and the lively atmosphere, and seeing the children eating so heartily, their faces were also beaming with smiles.

Ayman, biting into a steamed bun, looked up at Shuran and said, "Teacher, the steamed bun is sweet!"

That was a little saccharin that Shu Ran added; it was almost the best festive flavor she could think of for the children.

Tiger swallowed the buns in a few bites, then held the bowl and drank the soup, sticking out his tongue from the heat but unwilling to put it down. Bayan and Saidar imitated the children in the company, using small forks made of twigs to eat the buns, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

Shu Ran poured herself a bowl of soup and leaned against the wall to drink it. Her gaze swept over the children's smiling faces, over the satisfied expressions on the faces of Sister Wang, Li Xiulan, and Xu Junjun as they ate their buns and drank their meat soup, and she couldn't help but feel deeply moved: the camaraderie amidst scarcity, the warmth of the community, and everyone's beautiful wishes for the future—these were more comforting than any delicious food.

When Chen Yuanjiang looked over again, Shu Ran smiled at him and mouthed, "Everything went well, thank you."

He understood, nodded gently, and then turned his attention back to the crowd.

Shu Ran withdrew her gaze and looked back at her school and her children, her heart filled with even more joy.

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[Heart] Wishing everyone a happy National Day!