Chapter 139 "I toast you with water instead of wine."...
In the division headquarters compound, the news that Shu Ran had been awarded the title of "Advanced Individual in Literacy Education in Xinjiang" and received a major merit award quickly spread to every corner.
Shu Ran emerged from the leader's office, clutching a certificate of merit and a few dozen yuan in prize money wrapped in red paper. The sunlight was a bit dazzling, so she squinted.
"Comrade Shu Ran, congratulations!" Xiao Zhang, an officer from the Education Section, walked towards you with a smile on his face. "We haven't had an outstanding individual in Xinjiang for many years."
Shu Ran smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the organization's training and everyone's joint efforts." Her words were impeccable, a tone she had become increasingly adept at lately.
"Oh, don't be so modest," Xiao Zhang said in a low voice. "I heard they've even registered with the Production and Construction Corps. They've really made a name for themselves this time." His gaze swept over the red paper package in Shu Ran's hand, filled with envy. This money was equivalent to half a month's salary for many people.
Shu Ran subtly pulled the hand holding the red paper packet behind her back, and raised the certificate with her other hand: "Director Sun is waiting for me to report on my work, so I'll go ahead now."
"Okay, okay, you're busy." Xiao Zhang quickly stepped aside.
Shu Ran knew in her heart that countless eyes were watching her secretly, some envious, but probably even more jealous.
Back in the education department office, the atmosphere was a bit more lively.
"Our great hero from the Education Department is back!" Several colleagues gathered around to congratulate him.
"Comrade Shu Ran, you're amazing!"
"Now our department is famous throughout Xinjiang!"
"You'll have to treat us tonight, Shu Ran!"
With a smile on her face, Shu Ran greeted everyone, placing the certificates and bonuses on her desk. "Please have some candy, everyone," she said, taking out a bag of milk candy she had prepared beforehand from her drawer and distributing it to everyone.
When the candy was offered to Wu Jianguo, he was engrossed in reading documents and did not take it.
Shu Ran's outstretched hand paused in mid-air, her smile fading slightly, but she didn't retract it. She simply placed the candy gently next to the documents Wu Jianguo had spread out, her voice calm: "Officer Wu is busy with work, so I've put the candy here for you."
She ignored Wu Jianguo's changing expression and turned around to finish distributing the remaining sugar.
Director Sun walked in at this moment and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, alright, everyone get back to work. Shu Ran, come here for a moment."
Shu Ran followed Director Sun into the office.
"Sit down." Director Sun pointed to the chair opposite him, lit a cigarette for himself, and said, "You've brought honor to our division this time, very good."
"Director, this is what I should do." Shu Ran sat down, placing her hands on her knees with a respectful posture.
"Hmm," Director Sun exhaled a smoke ring, "The honor affirms past achievements, but we must look forward. The higher-ups are very interested in our teaching site experience, and the preparatory documents for the cross-regional guidance group have been issued." He opened a drawer, took out a document stamped with an official red seal, and pushed it in front of Shu Ran, "You are one of the first members to be selected."
Shu Ran reached out and picked up the document. It was written in black and white, clearly stating "Notice on the Establishment of a Corps-wide Illiteracy and Grassroots Education Circuit Guidance Group." Sure enough, Shu Ran's name was on the attached list of proposed members.
This means that her chances are greater, but the risks are also likely to be greater.
“This is a great opportunity,” Director Sun said, looking at her with expectation, “but also a greater responsibility. You need to be prepared, as you may receive a task soon.”
"I understand, Director." Shu Ran nodded solemnly. "I will sort out my work as soon as possible and prepare for the handover."
"Well, we'll let you know the exact departure time later. Also," Director Sun paused, flicking his cigarette ash, "the statistics team reported some issues when they went back this time, such as those at Hongxingyan... Of course, overall it's positive. Keep a low profile lately, and make sure your follow-up reports are more solid, especially the compilation of raw data. Don't leave any ammunition for anyone to criticize."
Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the teaching site at Hongxingyan still harbored hidden dangers. "Yes, I'll go back and organize it, making sure every piece of data is traceable."
As Shu Ran left Director Sun's office, she clutched the notice, her palms feeling slightly sweaty. A promotion was within her grasp, but she couldn't help but think of Chen Yuanjiang's words before he left, and of Teacher Liu, who had been taken away from the Hongxingyan teaching point.
"Shu Ran, the phone!" someone called from the doorway.
Shu Ran snapped out of her reverie, walked to the office phone, and picked up the receiver: "Hello, who is this?"
"It's me." Yang Zhenhua's voice came from the other end of the phone, tinged with laughter. "I heard our outstanding individual is back? Are you free tonight? The canteen has braised pork today, it's on me, consider it a celebration for you."
Shu Ran instinctively wanted to refuse. Chen Yuanjiang wasn't there, and she didn't want to get too close to Yang Zhenhua, lest she give others something to gossip about. But the words caught in her throat. She remembered the canned food Yang Zhenhua had brought last time, and the information he had revealed. Favors are the hardest to repay.
"Officer Yang, you're too kind," Shu Ran said casually. "But I wouldn't dare accept such a celebration. I happen to have something I'd like to ask you, so how about we meet at the cafeteria?"
"Okay, I'll wait for you at the cafeteria entrance at six o'clock."
After hanging up the phone, Shu Ran leaned against the wall and let out a soft sigh. Exploitation? Perhaps a little. But in this place, pure goodwill was too extravagant; it was more about ulterior motives in the exchanges. She had to learn to navigate this.
In the evening, Shu Ran arrived at the cafeteria on time. Yang Zhenhua was already waiting at the door.
"Have you been waiting long?" Shu Ran walked over.
"No, I just arrived." Yang Zhenhua smiled and looked her over. "You look good. It seems that honors are good for you."
Shu Ran didn't respond to that, and followed him into the cafeteria. Sure enough, there was braised pork at the small stove window, glistening with oil and emitting a fragrant aroma. Yang Zhenhua ordered two servings of braised pork, along with two vegetable dishes, and found a quiet spot in a corner.
"Here, congratulations." Yang Zhenhua pushed a plate of braised pork in front of Shu Ran. "You've really made something of yourself this time."
"Thank you." Shu Ran picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and ate it slowly. The meat was tender and savory, a truly rare delicacy. But she had something on her mind, so she didn't enjoy the meal.
"I heard the list of members for the cross-regional guidance group has been finalized?" Yang Zhenhua asked, seemingly casually.
Shu Ran paused, looked up at him, and said, "You're really well-informed."
“The propaganda department has to know what’s going on,” Yang Zhenhua smiled. “This is a great thing. Your horizons will be much broader from now on. Maybe next time I see you, I’ll have to call you Leader Shu.”
"Officer Yang is joking," Shu Ran lowered her eyes. "We're all working for the organization, it's all the same no matter where we are." She paused, put down her chopsticks, and said, "Speaking of which, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."
"Oh? What is it? Tell me." Yang Zhenhua became interested.
"When the statistics team came last time, although they acknowledged our achievements, they also pointed out that our grassroots publicity and summary work was not up to par. I was thinking, could you, with your excellent writing skills, help our education department refine our publicity messaging? Especially regarding mobile teaching points, how can we explain their significance more thoroughly and in a way that... aligns more closely with the current spirit?"
Shu Ran looked at him earnestly, "You know I'm good at practical work, but writing isn't my forte." This was half-truth. Saying she was asking Yang Zhenhua for help was actually a way of handing him the materials for her article. Firstly, it was to repay the favor he'd done for leaking information and the canned goods; secondly, it was to leverage his writing skills and the publicity department's connections to build momentum for her work methods and silence those who might criticize her for lacking theoretical depth or intellectual sophistication. She also knew Yang Zhenhua was concerned with his image and enjoyed being flattered.
Sure enough, Yang Zhenhua showed a pleased expression, but said modestly, "Did you find the right person or the wrong person? My skills are so limited, I don't want to delay your important matter."
“If Officer Yang isn’t competent enough, no one in our division will dare to write anything,” Shu Ran flattered. “Just consider it a favor to our department, and also to give voice to our comrades at the grassroots level.”
Yang Zhenhua pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, since you've brought it up. Later, bring me the relevant materials, especially the original records, and I'll think about them and write something."
"Thank you so much!" Shu Ran raised the water glass on the table. "I'll toast you with water instead of wine."
"Don't mention it." Yang Zhenhua also raised his glass and clinked it with hers.
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
After dinner, it was already getting dark. Yang Zhenhua offered to take Shu Ran back to her dormitory, but she politely declined.
"No, I have to go to the office and work overtime to finish the materials that Director Sun asked for." Shu Ran stood at the entrance of the cafeteria, the evening breeze blowing her wisps of hair across her forehead.
Yang Zhenhua didn't insist: "Okay, then take care to rest and don't overwork yourself."
Watching Yang Zhenhua walk away, Shu Ran didn't head to her office. Instead, she slowly walked back along the main road of the division compound.
She walked to the end of the row of dormitories, and her steps involuntarily stopped. Ahead was the row of security offices; the last one had a dark window.
Chen Yuanjiang has been in the capital for almost half a month, and there has been no news of him. Shu Ran guesses that he must have gone to see the old commander who adopted him, but he hasn't said a word about why, and she shouldn't ask.
Shu Ran looked at the dark window, took a deep breath of the cool air, and turned to walk towards her dormitory. She couldn't stop, and there was no time for sentimentality. The report materials Director Sun needed, the basic data Yang Zhenhua was waiting for, and the upcoming guidance group tasks all required her utmost attention.
Pushing open the dormitory door, a chilly atmosphere hit her. She turned on the light, and the dim yellow light illuminated the room. On the table was the military water bottle that Chen Yuanjiang had given her.
She walked over, picked up the kettle, and found it empty when she unscrewed it. She smiled, put the kettle down, sat down at the table, and spread out her manuscript paper.
The pen tip touched the paper. She wrote each word carefully, striving for logical rigor and accurate data, leaving no room for anyone to attack.
When writing the explanation about the Hongxingyan teaching site, her pen paused for a long time. In the end, she objectively stated the problem of the low retention rate caused by the remote location of the teaching site and the frequent migration of herders, and attached subsequent improvement measures. She did not mention some things at all, and some pitfalls should not be easily stepped on.
It was late at night when she finished writing the report. She rubbed her throbbing temples and took out another stack of papers. This was something she had been working on for a long time—the preliminary framework of the "Standardization Manual for Grassroots Education in Border Areas." She meticulously organized all her experiences and lessons learned during this period in teacher training, textbook writing, management of mobile teaching points, and the integration of production and learning, attempting to form a practical system that could be replicated and promoted.
She knew that once this thing was brought out, it would inevitably offend some people, especially those who emphasized ideological reform.
But she also knows that if she wants to go further, she can't rely on piecemeal, makeshift methods; she needs her own theoretical support and a systematic approach.
Outside the window, all was quiet.
Shu Ran put down her pen and stretched her stiff neck. Then she stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the distant outline of the Gobi Desert shrouded in darkness.
What is Chen Yuanjiang doing now? Will that old leader let him stay? The capital city—that's a world so far away from her.
And what about that inter-regional steering group order? Is it a smooth road or a new storm?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that no matter what lay ahead, she had to keep moving forward.
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