Chapter 138 An Unexpected Peak
In the days following the departure of the statistics team, the division headquarters appeared calm on the surface, but the undercurrents did not subside.
Several diametrically opposed opinions emerged regarding the evaluation of the statistics team's investigation. Some believed that Shu Ran had turned the tide and impressed the leadership with solid original data; others privately speculated that she was merely lucky to have encountered a leader willing to listen to her sob story, and that the mess at Hongxingyan was ultimately a fatal flaw.
These rumors, more or less, reached Shu Ran's ears. She didn't react much, continuing to bury herself in her office every day, organizing the original materials with accompanying explanations that Team Leader Zheng had requested. She wrote very carefully, adding as much detail as possible to each assignment fragment and each learning record, along with a brief description of the student's situation and a comparison of their progress before and after.
She knew that submitting these documents would either become irrefutable evidence of her solid work, or it could become leverage against her by others. She had to ensure that nothing was overlooked.
That afternoon, she was copying a statement when there was a knock on her office door.
"Please come in."
Yang Zhenhua entered through the door. He had a gentle smile on his face and was carrying two cans of oranges.
"Shu Ran, still busy? I heard you haven't been eating properly these past few days." Yang Zhenhua placed a can of food on the corner of Shu Ran's table, his tone casual. "It just arrived from the logistics department. I brought you a bottle; it's very sweet."
Shu Ran looked up from the report and smiled: "Officer Yang, you're too kind. I can't accept this."
She didn't touch the can immediately, but instead asked, "You've come at the right time. I find it a bit strange that the statistics team came down so suddenly and left in such a hurry. You're in the publicity department, well-informed, have you heard anything?"
Yang Zhenhua sat down opposite her, his expression calm: "You are quite perceptive." He lowered his voice, "There has indeed been some discussion about this inspection from above. Some people say that our division is getting too high-profile and needs to be put on the defensive, especially paying attention to you..." He paused, his words subtle yet clear, "Your cooperation with Deputy Director Chen's team may have attracted the attention of those above."
Shu Ran's gaze sharpened slightly, and she lightly traced the edge of the document with her fingertip: "Where did this come from? Team Leader Zheng from the statistics group clearly affirmed our work."
"The source is still under investigation, but the rumors are definitely strong." Yang Zhenhua leaned forward. "Our department has been compiling materials recently and has also vaguely sensed this trend. In short, keep a close eye on things."
"I understand, thank you for reminding me." Shu Ran's tone became more sincere.
"Of course." Yang Zhenhua stood up. "Your outstanding abilities inevitably attract attention. The innocent will clear themselves, but if there's anything you need to discuss, just say so."
After seeing Yang Zhenhua off, Shu Ran's gaze returned to the orange jar. Water droplets glistened on the glass. She remembered this favor, but she was never one to accept gifts for nothing.
She recalled vaguely hearing a few days ago that the publicity department was preparing an important special issue on ideological reports. Time was tight and the task was heavy, and they were worried about how to extract the highlights and make the materials more outstanding.
During her time in the Department of Modern Society, she was responsible for many reports on this topic and had considerable experience in presenting data and combining it with case studies. Perhaps, at an appropriate time, without overstepping her boundaries, she could help them clarify the overall picture or provide a few novel entry points under the guise of exchange and learning.
She unscrewed the bottle cap, and the aroma of oranges filled the air. She scooped up a segment of orange with a spoon and put it in her mouth, the sweetness melting on her tongue.
She accepted this benefit, and she will always find a suitable opportunity to return it subtly in her own way.
A few days later, in the evening, Shu Ran finally delivered the thick stack of supplementary materials she had prepared to Director Sun's office.
Director Sun looked through the neatly bound and clearly explained materials and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good! Shu Ran, you did a great job! With this, we feel more confident."
"Director, when will the final conclusion from above be released?" Shu Ran asked.
"It'll probably take a while. They need to compile the situation across Xinjiang and conduct evaluations." Director Sun put down the materials and looked at her. "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncertain?"
Shu Ran nodded frankly: "A little. Red Star Rock is ultimately a hidden danger."
"The working group hasn't reached a conclusion yet with Teacher Liu," Director Sun sighed. "But don't worry, as long as our main work is solid, a few isolated issues won't affect the overall situation. You've worked hard these past few days, go back and get some rest. You don't look too well."
Shu Ran did feel exhausted, not only physically but also mentally. She nodded, "Thank you, Director. I'll head back now."
As she stepped out of the office building, it was already dark. The cool evening breeze helped to clear her head. Instead of heading straight back to her dormitory, she went around to the poplar grove behind the office building.
The woods were quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
She leaned against a sturdy poplar tree, closed her eyes, and took a few deep breaths. The natural scent in the air calmed her troubled mind somewhat.
After an unknown amount of time, a familiar sound of footsteps approached from afar.
Shu Ran didn't open her eyes, but simply asked softly, "You're back?"
"Hmm." Chen Yuanjiang's voice sounded beside him.
She opened her eyes and saw him standing a few steps away. He had stubble on his chin and looked travel-worn and somewhat haggard.
Shu Ran assumed he had gone on another mission and didn't ask any further questions.
The two looked at each other from a few steps away. After a while, Chen Yuanjiang stepped forward, took out an oil paper package from his satchel, and handed it to her.
Shu Ran took it, opened it, and inside were several pieces of roasted meat, still warm and emitting a meaty aroma.
"I took a taxi on the way here, and it's already cooked," he explained succinctly.
Shu Ran picked up a piece and took a bite.
"The statistics team has left," she said calmly as she ate.
"I've heard about it." Chen Yuanjiang looked at her, his gaze lingering on her noticeably thinner face. "You did a great job."
"We don't know the result yet." Shu Ran chewed on the meat, her voice slightly muffled.
“The process is more important than the result.” Chen Yuanjiang paused, then added, “What you did was worthy of those people.”
He was referring to the students. He could always see right through her and know what she cared about most.
Shu Ran didn't say anything more and ate silently. Chen Yuanjiang stood beside her, keeping her company in silence.
After finishing the last bite, Shu Ran patted the crumbs off her hands.
"Let's go back," Chen Yuanjiang said.
"Um."
The two walked out of the poplar grove one after the other and headed towards the dormitory area where the lights were scattered.
He stopped in his tracks when he reached the entrance of Shu Ran's dormitory.
“I’m going to the capital tomorrow,” he said.
"Um."
"Get some rest." He looked at her, his eyes appearing particularly deep in the dim light.
"You too." Shu Ran nodded, turned around, took out her keys, and opened the door.
The moment she pushed open the door and went inside, Chen Yuanjiang suddenly whispered, "You, wait for me to come back."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away without waiting for Shu Ran's reaction, quickly disappearing into the night.
Shu Ran stood at the door, holding the key, looking in the direction where there was no one. After a long while, she pushed the door open, went inside, and closed the door.
Shu Ran didn't ask too many questions; Chen Yuanjiang would tell her what he wanted to tell her.
The days of waiting became rather long.
Shu Ran forced herself to return to her daily work rhythm, continued to revise teaching materials, track the situation at various teaching sites, and even began to plan how to strengthen weak links such as Hongxingyan.
She filled every minute with busyness, not allowing herself any time to overthink.
The atmosphere at the division headquarters became somewhat delicate. The voices predicting the worst seemed to have subsided somewhat, but the wait-and-see attitude had intensified.
Occasionally, acquaintances from her workplace would come to visit her, their conversations often filled with inquiries, which Shu Ran would always brush off with "waiting for further notice."
Director Sun seemed more confident than before, emphasizing at several departmental meetings that this should be used as an opportunity to make the groundwork more solid.
During this time, Shu Ran took some time to visit the livestock company.
The children and their families from Qiming Elementary School greeted her warmly as always. Sister Wang held her hand and chatted on and on about the trivial matters of the company, while Li Xiulan quietly told her that Zhou Qiaozhen's company didn't seem to be doing well. Shu Ran listened, feeling a pang of sadness, but even more so, a deep concern for this land and these people.
She went to visit Adil. The young man had grown quite a bit taller, running around with Technician Liu, his skin even darker from the sun, but his eyes were even brighter. He took out a notebook, on which he carefully recorded in pencil the common diseases and medications for various livestock.
"Teacher Shu, Technician Liu said that once I've learned more thoroughly, he'll let me try to handle minor problems independently." Adil's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.
Shu Ran looked at the boy who had once stubbornly rushed into the classroom and shouted "bad teacher," and now that he had found his direction, a sense of accomplishment welled up in her heart.
This is perhaps the meaning behind all her persistence.
Returning from the livestock company, she felt somewhat at ease. Regardless of the outcome, she hadn't gone astray.
As time went by, news about the evaluation of literacy achievements across Xinjiang disappeared without a trace.
Even Director Sun was getting restless. He made several phone calls to his superiors, but the response he received was always, "We are currently compiling and studying the information. Please wait patiently."
That afternoon, Shu Ran was checking a list of newly arrived literacy books when the office door was pushed open, and Director Sun walked in happily, holding a document in his hand, his face beaming.
"It's here! Shu Ran! The notice from above has arrived!" Director Sun said excitedly.
Everyone in the office stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to Director Sun and Shu Ran behind him.
"Director, what was the result?" a young clerk couldn't help but ask.
Director Sun composed himself, "Our division...our division's literacy work has been praised throughout Xinjiang! We were named an advanced literacy division!"
"Wow!" Cheers erupted in the office.
Director Sun continued reading the notice: "...especially affirming our practice of conducting mobile teaching in harsh pastoral areas and remote production teams, adapting to local conditions, focusing on practical results, and accumulating a wealth of first-hand information... considering this 'a valuable experience worthy of being promoted throughout Xinjiang'!"
The cheers grew louder, and some people even clapped.
Shu Ran stood there, feeling her heart pounding.
They succeeded? They really... succeeded?
Director Sun walked up to Shu Ran and patted her on the shoulder. "Shu Ran! Well done! You deserve the most credit! The higher-ups specifically requested that you compile the experience of the mobile teaching sites into detailed materials and submit them to the Education Department! Moreover, the notice specifically mentioned that, in view of your outstanding contributions..."
He looked at Shu Ran and said, word by word, "We have decided to award you the title of 'Advanced Individual in Literacy Efforts Across Xinjiang'! We will also award you a major merit!"
The office fell silent again, everyone looking at Shu Ran. Being named an outstanding individual across Xinjiang was a rare honor.
Shu Ran opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. A huge wave of joy and relaxation washed over her, almost overwhelming her.
She tried to remain calm, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the turmoil in her heart.
"And there's more!" Director Sun dropped another bombshell. "The notice says that the higher-ups plan to establish a cross-regional literacy work guidance group, and they need to draw key personnel from all over Xinjiang! Our division recommended you! Shu Ran, you're very likely to be transferred there!"
This news shocked Shu Ran even more than the previous honors. To go to a larger platform and guide literacy work throughout Xinjiang? This was a future she had vaguely hoped for but dared not think about deeply.
Her colleagues' congratulations rang out again, surrounding her. She responded mechanically, her mind a complete mess.
The joy was real, and the excitement of finally gaining recognition was genuine. But along with it came a deeper sense of bewilderment and uncertainty. Should I leave here? Leave...him?
She glanced out the window instinctively; the sky was a clear blue. Honors and opportunities had propelled her to an unexpected peak. But atop that peak, the scenery and the road ahead remained unknown.
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