Chapter 53 Teaching in Mountainous Areas

Are you really sure? Are you willing to leave me?

After graduation, I decided to teach in a mountain village. I thought of Li Di's thirst for knowledge. Perhaps I couldn't change anything, but I could still contribute my share. My parents were quite supportive of my decision, believing that a successful person should contribute to society. However, Yan Yan was really reluctant to leave. If I left, she would truly be alone.

When Yan Yan saw me off, she was extremely reluctant to part, but there will always be times when people have to separate.

I came to this mountain village alone again. After registering at the school, I was assigned to my old dormitory, which felt quite familiar. Fortunately, I had learned some basic life skills last time.

My strength lies in the humanities, so I took on the responsibility of teaching Chinese and English. My arrival led to the first-ever English instruction. The books were donated by many kind-hearted people from the community, thanks to the television report we had just received. The school also got new desks and chairs.

Lai Di was very happy to see me arrive. She brought several children of the same age to help me clean the dormitory and even brought some things she grew at home. My career officially began.

There are five teachers in this school, including me, and I teach all the courses from first to sixth grade. I am very busy every day, and I seem to have forgotten about Chu Zhen. However, I have learned a lot of life skills. I can turn a seed into a dish. Every week, I will go out to call my parents and Yan Yan to let them know that I am safe. My parents did not say much about my breakup with Chu Zhen. They just told me that marriage depends on fate.

I've been here for almost two years now, and I've completely integrated into life here. Through teaching, I've also gained a deeper understanding of the mountain village. The tea cultivation here is excellent, but due to numerous hurdles, the villagers' income from tea is negligible. They also have many other mountain products that are difficult to sell outside the village. I plan to make a documentary to let people know about this village and hopefully attract investment. This way, there will be fewer and fewer left-behind children like Lai Di, and young people can work directly from home.

I wrote an article titled "Focusing on Left-Behind Children in Deep Mountains," which received a great response in both City A and City B. It wasn't until I received an invitation to the City A Trade and Tourism Festival that I returned to the city after two years.

The events are getting bigger and bigger. I remember coming here a few years ago when I was interning, but things have changed.

Huang Yanyan left Chen Weiqi's company and returned to her own company as the operations director. Today she came with her father, hoping to find a great project.

"You're really impressive! You're dressed like a strong, independent woman now, I almost didn't recognize you," I joked when I saw Yan Yan.

"Chu Zhen is here too. I saw him over there just now."

"Yes, the TV station will definitely come. I expected it." I said it casually, referring to just an old acquaintance.

"Lin Dang, I think you're becoming more and more elegant. I can't quite put my finger on it, but how should I put it, you're a bit like Chai Jing." Chai Jing is my idol, and I've always wanted to be a woman like her.

"Really? That's great! I'm getting closer and closer to my idol." I smiled. True friendship really doesn't fade with time and distance. Yan Yan and I always have so much to talk about when we're together.

I was invited by the organizing committee to give a speech. I did not refuse and went up on stage. Just like in countless classes, I confidently described everything about the mountain village and its infinite possibilities for development. Hearing the thunderous applause from the audience, I knew that my speech was a success. However, during the speech, I met those eyes. Chu Zhen was sitting in the first row.

"Lin Dang!" At the banquet that evening, I unexpectedly ran into Wang Sihong, who was there on behalf of the B Municipal Government.

"What a coincidence, you're here too?"

"Yes, I paid attention to the news from A City TV when they reported on it before. After reading your article last time, I became even more interested, so I came over today." Wang Sihong was more composed and dignified than when I met him that year, and his eyes and brows showed more maturity and composure, perhaps because he worked in the government.

"Please don't take the marriage proposal to heart. I only found out about it later from my mother. I hope it won't affect our friendship!"

As expected, Wang Sihong was unaware of the situation.

"Of course, we're like brothers, classmates and best friends for years!" I smiled, raised my glass, and drank it all with him. I still can't drink, but seeing this glass of wine reminded me of what I once told Chu Zhen, "Drinking can summon him." I wonder if I can still summon him today.

Wang Sihong didn't know my alcohol tolerance. After I finished one glass, he brought me another. We chatted there, talking about college, work, and life.

Later, Huang Yanyan told me that Chu Zhen's eyes were bloodshot that night, and he wanted to eat people, but he didn't go forward.

Yes, my alcohol tolerance is as bad as ever, but the difference is that drinking can no longer summon Chu Zhen. When I woke up the next day, I was lying in Huang Yanyan's dormitory. The house we shared had been bought by her.

"Lin Dang, how's that Wang Sihong? He seems to be really interested in you~" Huang Yanyan started gossiping as soon as I woke up.

How did I get home yesterday?

"I brought you back. Luckily, you've gotten thinner and thinner over the years, and I managed to get you back up all by myself."

“Wang Sihong is the one who asked someone to propose marriage to us before. We know each other too well, so we can’t make a move,” I said with a smile.

"I noticed something was off about the way he looked at you; it was full of tenderness."

"You look at everyone with such tenderness. You were so certain that Chu Zhen and I were a match made in heaven, but we still broke up."

"Alright, I misjudged you. But you're not getting any younger. It's not like a few years ago. You should start thinking about your marriage. Wang Sihong is really a good guy."

Wang Sihong is indeed a good person, but I really don't feel any attraction to him. Perhaps it's because I know him too well, and I always feel that I can't make a move on someone I know well.

I chatted with Yan Yan about her life over the past two years. I was amazed by her situation. The workplace really suits her. Financing and acquisition have become common terms in her mouth. I also described to her the simple yet warm life in the mountain village, where there is a kind of simplicity that big cities lack.

Are you still going back?

"Let's see if we can secure investment this time. If someone invests, I'll come back."

After chatting for a while, we got too hungry, so Yan Yan and I went out to find something to eat. I've gotten used to eating bland food these days, so I had no interest in hot pot or barbecue outside. In the end, Yan Yan and I chose the noodle shop that we had partnered with.