Chapter 149 "After all... we're old acquaintances..."
Inside the Education Bureau office building, the coal stoves and heated walls emitted a temperature that barely dispelled the chill.
Shu Ran sat at her desk, her fingers stiff from the cold, marking up a summary table of literacy data submitted by various farms. Wang Juan was organizing documents beside her, occasionally breathing on her hands to warm them.
"Sister Shu, is the selection team almost here?" Wang Juan asked in a low voice, her eyes showing a hint of nervousness.
"Hmm," Shu Ran replied without looking up. Her attention was on the data; the recent growth curve of the literacy rate in one regiment was somewhat unusual. She added a question mark and prepared to verify it by phone later.
Li Weiguo entered from outside, bringing with him a gust of cold wind. He rubbed his hands together, a familiar smile on his face, but his gaze swept over Shu Ran's desk.
"Comrade Shu Ran, how are the preparations going? Secretary Zhou and Director Han have repeatedly emphasized that this selection is of utmost importance."
Shu Ran put down her pen, looked up at him, and said, "The data verification, case compilation, and speaking outline are all ready. Does Team Leader Li have any other instructions?"
“It’s not really an instruction.” Li Weiguo walked to his desk, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of the lukewarm tea. “It’s just a reminder to be mindful of your words. After all, we’re going to the capital, where we’ll be dealing with leaders and experts. If we talk too much about our local methods from the border regions, they might think it’s not proper enough or not presentable.”
Before Shu Ran could speak, Wang Juan couldn't help but mutter softly, "But Sister Shu's old-fashioned methods just work..."
Li Weiguo's smile faded slightly: "It's one thing for it to work, but whether it aligns with the directives from above is another matter entirely. Comrade Shu Ran, don't you agree?"
Shu Ran didn't respond to his question, but instead asked, "Team Leader Li, have you reviewed the data submitted by Team D? Their recent increase in the number of people who have become literate is a bit unusual."
Li Weiguo was taken aback, clearly not expecting Shu Ran to ask this question suddenly. He leaned over to take a look and said, "Oh, this? The Third Regiment recently held a crash literacy class, and it's been quite effective. The comrades below are enthusiastic, and we above should encourage them."
"A crash course in literacy?" Shu Ran picked up the report. "To make over two hundred previously illiterate employees' family members literate within a month? That's incredibly efficient. I need to call them to verify the specific methods and assessment criteria. If the data is inaccurate, it will only cause trouble when it reaches the selection committee."
Li Weiguo's expression darkened: "Comrade Shu Ran, do you not trust your subordinates? Or do you think my vetting process wasn't rigorous enough?"
“I believe in the facts.” Shu Ran picked up the phone and started dialing. “Precisely because we value this selection process, we cannot allow any questionable data to slip through. Hello, is this the switchboard? Please connect me to the Education Section of the D Group…”
Li Weiguo watched as Shu Ran started making phone calls to verify the information. He stood there, his expression changing several times, but in the end, he didn't say anything more and sat back down in his chair.
Wang Juan secretly cast an admiring glance at Shu Ran.
After the call connected, Shu Ran spoke with the education department staff of Group D for about ten minutes. After hanging up, she made a prominent mark on the report and said to Li Weiguo, "Team Leader Li, I've clarified things. Their group gathered a group of people who already had a certain foundation but hadn't participated in the final assessment, and they all passed it. The actual number of newly literate individuals is forty-seven, not two hundred and thirty. I've already had them resubmit the data."
Li Weiguo grunted in response without looking up.
After get off work, Shu Ran locked the organized materials in the drawer, put on her cotton-padded coat, wrapped the wool scarf Chen Yuanjiang had given her around her neck, and walked out of the office.
It was completely dark outside, and a biting wind was blowing. She put her hands in her pockets and slowly walked back to her dormitory.
In the hallway, Zhang Yaqin was stir-frying cabbage, the pan sizzling. Liu Hui sat on a small stool peeling garlic, and seeing Shu Ran, raised her chin: "You're back? I heard you ousted Li Weiguo again today?"
Shu Ran took off her cotton-padded coat and hung it on a nail behind the door: "It's just verifying data, nothing to do with anything."
“That’s how it should be!” Liu Hui threw a clove of garlic into the bowl. “Who can’t see what he’s thinking? He’s just afraid that you’ll steal the spotlight and overshadow his team leader. If you ask me, if you really get elected this time and go to the capital, that’ll be what he’ll get.”
While stirring the vegetables in the pan, Zhang Yaqin said slowly, "Going to the capital is certainly good, but the waters there are much deeper. Xiao Shu, it's always good to be careful in everything you do."
"I know, Sister Yaqin." Shu Ran picked up the thermos, poured herself a cup of hot water, and leaned against the door frame to drink it slowly.
She knew that Zhang Yaqin and Liu Hui genuinely cared for her. In this city, this dormitory hallway became the place where she could relax the most.
“Oh, right,” Liu Hui said as if remembering something, “I heard that the head of the selection team from the capital this time is surnamed Liao. He’s quite young, and I think he works in some ministry. He’s very capable.”
Shu Ran frowned. Liao?
She swallowed imperceptibly, her tone flat: "Really? Someone who can handle this kind of selection must be exceptionally capable."
Her mind raced with calculations. If it really was Liao Cheng, did he know that the current Shu Ran had been replaced by her, a being from the 21st century? How much of the original owner's memory did he still retain? Would this be an advantage or a disadvantage in her selection process?
The advantage might lie in the familial bond, which could lead to more consideration. The disadvantage, however, is that he might be more likely to notice the differences between her and the original owner than a stranger. Although times and experiences can change a person, certain habits and perceptions can easily slip up. He needs to be even more cautious.
In the last few days of the twelfth lunar month, Shu Ran, wearing a cotton-padded coat and wrapped in a military overcoat, sat at the table copying manuscripts.
Wang Juan came in carrying a kettle and refilled her enamel mug with water.
"Sister Shu, stop copying. This is the third time already. The selection team won't arrive until tomorrow."
"Let's double-check the last few data points." Shu Ran took off her glasses and wiped them. "The materials that just arrived below need to be updated."
Li Weiguo came in from outside. He rubbed his hands together and walked to his desk. He glanced at the thick stack of materials on Shu Ran's desk and his lips twitched: "Comrade Shu Ran is really well prepared."
"Of course." Shu Ran didn't even look up.
“I heard that the working group from the capital this time is of a very high caliber,” Li Weiguo said to himself as he sat down in a chair. “The team leader, Liao, is a young cadre that the ministry is focusing on cultivating. He has studied abroad and has very high standards.”
Shu Ran paused for a moment, her pen still in her hand.
Liao Cheng.
In the original owner's memories, Liao Cheng seemed to have written several letters to her, with neat handwriting and subtle wording.
What was her response? Oh, she played dumb. She returned the letter unopened, and greeted everyone with a smile when they met, as if nothing had happened.
Shu Ran continued writing, "Then we need to prepare even more carefully."
At 3 p.m., Secretary Zhou called Shu Ran to his office.
It was much warmer inside than outside. Secretary Zhou gestured for her to sit down and took a document from a drawer. "Xiao Shu, this is the list of members of the selection team and their schedule that we just received. Take a look."
Shu Ran took it. The first name on the list was Liao Cheng, the head of the working group. His position and age followed.
The photo is a standard one-inch photo; he is wearing a Zhongshan suit, glasses, and has a handsome face.
It was the person she remembered, but not quite the same. He had lost some of his youthful naiveté and gained more composure and a sense of distance.
“This Team Leader Liao,” Secretary Zhou pointed to the photo, “I’ve heard he’s extremely strict with his work and pays close attention to the situation on the border. When you give your report tomorrow, you must highlight our unique characteristics, but don’t be too unconventional. You need to find the right balance.”
"By the way," Secretary Zhou asked casually, "did you hear of this person when you were in Shanghai?"
Shu Ran's face showed a thoughtful expression: "The name sounds familiar... I might have seen it when I participated in youth activities before? I can't remember clearly, it's been many years."
"Oh." Secretary Zhou didn't delve into it. "Whether you know me or not, tomorrow is just a normal work report. Just say what you need to say, don't feel pressured."
"clear."
After leaving the secretary's office, Shu Ran stood in the corridor for a while.
She needed to recall more details. How much interaction did the original owner of this body have with Liao Cheng? Besides the few returned letters, what other interactions were there? What did they talk about at the social gathering? Who were some of their mutual acquaintances?
Memories are veiled in mist, revealing only blurry shadows. The original owner of this body truly didn't take Liao Cheng's pursuit seriously back then—a girl from a wealthy family, exceptionally beautiful, was never short of admirers. Liao Cheng was too gentle, too reserved, not passionate enough, not romantic enough.
So those memories are very faint, so faint that in the years since Shu Ran transmigrated here, she has hardly thought of this person, except for the letter written from her hometown in Shanghai.
But now, she has to play the role of the original owner in front of Liao Cheng: the spoiled and somewhat proud girl who once rejected him, now a female teacher who has been tempered in the frontier for several years.
She couldn't be too unfamiliar, or it would seem deliberate; she couldn't be too familiar, or she wouldn't understand the current Liao Cheng at all; and she couldn't reveal any flaws, or people would doubt that she was the original Shu Ran.
Shu Ran rubbed her temples, suppressing those memories that weren't hers. What mattered now was tomorrow's work report. Who Liao Cheng was wasn't important; what mattered was that he was the head of the selection committee, deciding whether she could stand on the national conference stage.
She needs to think carefully about how to make a good impression on a high-minded department head who has returned from studying abroad, without giving herself away.
Before leaving get off work, Wang Juan came over mysteriously and said, "Sister Shu, I found out."
"What?"
"About that Team Leader Liao," Wang Juan said in a low voice, "I heard that he volunteered to lead a team to the border region for selection this time. The ministry had originally arranged for him to conduct research in the coastal areas."
Shu Ran's hands, still busy organizing the documents, asked, "Oh?"
“And another thing,” Wang Juan’s voice was even softer, “I heard he’s unmarried.”
Shu Ran looked up and asked teasingly, "Why are you asking about this?"
"I'm just..." Wang Juan blushed, "I just wanted to find out more about the situation for you, Sister Shu."
"Alright," Shu Ran patted her shoulder, "Prepare your materials well. The work group is coming tomorrow, so don't let anything go wrong."
"Okay."
Back in the dormitory that evening, Zhang Yaqin cooked a pot of cabbage and tofu soup and invited Shu Ran and Liu Hui to eat together.
The three people sat around the stove, the soup in their bowls steaming.
Liu Hui ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice and suddenly said, "Xiao Shu, I heard that Team Leader Liao is from the same hometown as you?"
Shu Ran picked up a piece of tofu: "I guess so, we're both from Shanghai."
"That's a perfect coincidence." Liu Hui's eyes lit up. "It's easier to talk to someone from the same hometown. When you report tomorrow, just mention it to get closer to them."
Shu Ran shook her head: "It's not appropriate. This is a formal work report; bringing up personal relationships would be inappropriate."
Zhang Yaqin nodded: "Xiao Shu is right. At this time, the more official you are, the more confident you will appear."
"That's true." Liu Hui sighed. "I'm just worried about you. This opportunity is too rare. If you get selected and go to the capital for the meeting, then in the future..."
"We'll talk about the future later." Shu Ran finished the last sip of soup and put the bowl down. "Right now, I just want to do a good job on tomorrow's report."
The next morning at eight o'clock, Shu Ran arrived at the office.
She gave the materials a final check and silently read her speech one last time. At 8:30, Secretary Zhou and Director Han, along with several other bureau leaders, went downstairs to welcome the working group.
Shu Ran stayed in the office and waited.
Wang Juan was restless, glancing out the window every now and then, adjusting her collar. "Sister Shu, are you nervous?"
"A little," Shu Ran said honestly.
"I'm so nervous." Wang Juan rubbed her hands. "I heard that this Team Leader Liao is particularly serious. Last time he went to another province, he left a leader who was giving a report speechless."
"We are well prepared and we're not afraid to ask questions," Shu Ran said, pouring herself a glass of hot water and drinking it slowly.
At 9:10, footsteps and voices could be heard in the corridor.
Wang Juan immediately stood up. Shu Ran also put down her cup and straightened the hem of her clothes.
The door was pushed open, and Secretary Zhou came in first with a smile on his face: "Team Leader Liao, this is the office of our education guidance group. The conditions are a bit simple."
A figure followed them in.
Liao Cheng was wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit today, made of wool, and it looked crisp and clean. He was a bit taller than he appeared in the photos, with straight shoulders and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. After entering the office, his gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Shu Ran.
"This is Comrade Shu Ran," Secretary Zhou introduced.
Shu Ran stepped forward and extended her hand: "Team Leader Liao, hello."
Liao Cheng took her hand. His hand was cold, but his grip was firm. "Comrade Shu Ran, hello." His Mandarin was perfect. "Long time no see."
These words, spoken so naturally, made Shu Ran's heart tighten. She maintained her smile: "Yes, it's been many years. I never expected to see you here."
"I didn't expect that either." Liao Cheng released her hand, looking at her through his glasses. "You've changed a lot."
"The wind and sand on the frontier are grueling," Shu Ran said half-jokingly, stepping aside to let her sit down.
The working group consisted of five people: Liao Cheng, two other officials, an accompanying person, and a recorder. The office suddenly felt crowded.
Liao Cheng sat down in the chair opposite Shu Ran, took the teacup Wang Juan handed him, and thanked her. He didn't immediately talk about work, but instead asked, "How have you been these past few years?"
It was just a casual greeting, but Shu Ran sensed a probing undertone.
"It's great." She chose the safest answer, "I've learned a lot at the grassroots level."
"I've heard about it." Liao Cheng nodded. "Your deeds have spread far and wide."
Shu Ran smiled but didn't reply. She wondered how the original owner would respond in this situation—would she be reservedly humble, or would she generously accept the compliment?
Fortunately, Secretary Zhou interjected at the right moment: "Team Leader Liao, why don't we listen to Comrade Shu Ran's report first?"
"Okay." Liao Cheng took out a notebook and pen from his briefcase. "Comrade Shu Ran, please."
Shu Ran opened the materials and began her report.
She spoke for forty minutes. Liao Cheng listened attentively, taking notes from time to time. His questions were very precise, but Shu Ran noticed that his gaze would occasionally linger on her face, as if he were comparing something.
Halfway through the report, Liao Cheng suddenly asked, "Comrade Shu Ran, you mentioned teaching methods adapted to local conditions in the manual. How did this idea come about?"
Shu Ran quickly considered the situation. This was a work-related issue, but it might also be a personal observation. She replied, "I didn't think too much about it at first. It's just that in actual work, I found that simply copying the textbooks and methods from the mainland doesn't work. The children have to help with chores at home, and the parents think that recognizing characters is useless, so we have to find ways to show them its usefulness."
"So it starts with recognizing work points and ticket certificates?"
"Yes. They will only be willing to continue learning if we solve the immediate difficulties first."
Liao Cheng nodded, paused his pen on the notebook, and wrote a few more lines. When he looked up, he suddenly said, "I remember you used to dislike arithmetic, saying that numbers were too boring."
Shu Ran's back tensed up instantly.
How should she respond? Admit it? Deny it? Or leave it ambiguous?
She chose to smile: "People change. In the border regions, arithmetic can help children calculate their family's work points and help women understand the accounts of the supply and marketing cooperative, so it is no longer boring."
Liao Cheng looked at her, his gaze deepening: "Yes, people can change."
These words were spoken lightly, but Shu Ran understood the implied meaning.
She needs to be more careful.
It was almost 11 o'clock when the report ended.
Liao Cheng closed his notebook: "Your work is very solid. Even more solid than I imagined."
"Thank you," Shu Ran said.
“However,” Liao Cheng took off his glasses and wiped them, “I have a question I’d like to ask you privately.”
Secretary Zhou and Director Han exchanged a glance and stood up tactfully: "Then you two, Team Leader Liao, can talk first. We'll go arrange the afternoon's itinerary."
The others followed them out. Only Shu Ran and Liao Cheng remained in the office.
The door was gently closed.
Liao Cheng put his glasses back on, leaned back a little, and relaxed. "Shu Ran, don't be nervous. This is a private conversation."
Shu Ran's inner alarm bells were ringing. The more private the conversation, the more dangerous it was.
"Team Leader Liao, please speak."
Liao Cheng took out a document from his briefcase and pushed it over: "These are your articles and reports published over the years, as well as that handbook. I've read them all."
Shu Ran took it and flipped through a few pages. There were pencil annotations on it, the handwriting neat and clear, just like the words on the letters she remembered.
"It's very well written," Liao Cheng said. "The part about ethnic integration education, in particular, is very insightful."
"Thanks."
“But what I’m curious about,” Liao Cheng looked at her, “is that these thoughts and insights don’t seem to have come about overnight. When you were in Shanghai…” He paused, “you didn’t seem interested in these things.”
Shu Ran put down the materials, looked up and stared directly at him: "Team Leader Liao, people's experiences are different, so their thoughts will naturally change. Moreover, the more you see and think about these things, the more naturally you will have these thoughts."
She spoke sincerely and truthfully. She simply omitted the most crucial part—these reflections were infused with the experiences and perspectives of another time and space.
Liao Cheng was silent for a few seconds, then smiled and said, "You're right. I was being narrow-minded."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the gray sky outside. "You know, I was very surprised when I heard that you signed up to support the border regions."
Shu Ran didn't reply.
"I thought you couldn't handle hardship." Liao Cheng turned around. "Now it seems I was wrong."
"People are forced to do things." Shu Ran also stood up. "Once you get here, you have to do it whether you want to or not."
“It’s not just about doing things,” Liao Cheng walked back to the table and tapped the stack of materials with his finger. “You’ve made a name for yourself. Your manual and your experience have already attracted the attention of the capital. At this National Education Work Conference, the border regions need a spokesperson, and you are one of my recommended candidates.”
Shu Ran was stunned.
"Surprised?" Liao Cheng smiled. "After reviewing your application, I felt you were a good fit. You have grassroots experience, theoretical knowledge, and..." He emphasized, "courage."
"Thank you for your trust, Team Leader Liao."
“However,” Liao Cheng changed the subject, “many people are eyeing this position. You should be prepared.”
Shu Ran nodded: "I understand."
“Also,” Liao Cheng looked at her, his tone softening, “if there’s anything I can help you with, just say so. After all… we’re old acquaintances.”
The words were spoken subtly, but Shu Ran understood. He was extending goodwill and redefining their relationship—from pursuer and pursued to superior and subordinate, as well as old acquaintances.
How should she respond? Accepting this kindness means maintaining this private relationship, which carries greater risks. Refusing it could offend a key figure.
"Thank you, Team Leader Liao." She chose the most official answer. "I will work hard and live up to the organization's trust."
Liao Cheng nodded and said nothing more.
A knock sounded on the door, and Wang Juan poked her head in: "Team Leader Liao, Secretary Zhou said lunch is ready."
"Okay." Liao Cheng picked up his briefcase. "Let's go, Comrade Shu Ran."
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