Chapter 159 "Leader Chen is extending an invitation..."
The identity of "Special Researcher on Frontier Education Policy" gave Shu Ran a balance between freedom and responsibility.
Unlike other department heads, she doesn't have to be bogged down in the daily grind of meetings, document approvals, and personnel coordination. Her office is still on the second floor, but it's now a private space, her own little haven. A large desk, several filing cabinets crammed with documents, and a simple cot—perfect for her to work late into the night or take a short break. On the wall hangs a map of China and a detailed map of Xinjiang, marked with different colored pins indicating the key areas she focuses on and the points of contact she needs.
Her schedule was relatively flexible. She spent about two days a week at the bureau handling necessary matters, attending relevant meetings, and communicating progress with Director Han or Secretary Zhou. The rest of the time, she either buried herself in piles of documents to study policies and write reports, or she would shoulder her canvas satchel and hop on buses or trucks heading to various regiments, companies, and even pastoral areas to go deep into the front lines.
This is the most satisfying state she has achieved in her career so far. She still remembers her original intention when she first transmigrated: to survive first, and then to live a beautiful life.
Now she has established herself in this era and is even quite influential. She has no regrets about herself, and she has a clear conscience regarding those children.
Time flies. After returning from the capital, it's already the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Little New Year.
Shu Ran, wrapped in a thick military overcoat and carrying a mesh bag for lunchboxes, walked out of the Education Bureau's canteen. The sky was overcast, and there weren't many pedestrians on the road. Occasionally, a bicycle would jingle as it rode by, its handlebars adorned with New Year's goods.
She walks slowly. Over the past six months, she has learned this unhurried pace.
Her status as a special researcher gave her unprecedented freedom. She no longer needed to clock in at the last minute, deal with endless meetings, or navigate the bureaucratic wrangling between departments. Her job consisted of reviewing materials, going to the grassroots level, and writing reports. The bureau assigned her a recent vocational school graduate, Xiao Tang, as her assistant to help organize materials and transcribe manuscripts. With the chores shared, she could focus more intently on her work.
I just returned from a border pasture last week. This time, I went to a teaching point in a border regiment further west. The conditions were even worse than in the livestock company back then, but the young female teacher, who had been assigned there from the Corps' teachers' college, managed to make literacy boards by pasting old newspapers on the walls and to piece together arithmetic teaching aids from colorful stones collected from the Gobi Desert. She gathered more than twenty children of varying ages in a drafty mud-brick house and taught them with great enthusiasm and skill.
Shu Ran stayed there for three days, sleeping on a wooden plank bed. At night, she listened to the howling wind outside the window and chatted with the young girl until late. The young girl said that the hardest thing was not the hardship, but sometimes feeling meaningless—day after day, with no end in sight, and not knowing how useful what she was doing was.
Shu Ran said that when she was in the animal husbandry company, the first class only had a few children who were mobilized. Later, it became more than twenty. Then, there were children from pastoral areas, mobile teaching points, and the "fire-starter" teachers.
“Look, you are teaching these twenty-odd children now. They will be able to read and do math in the future. Some of them may be able to go out and take exams, while others may settle down and start a family in the production and construction corps. But their children will definitely not be like them, unable to even write their own names.”
“Like a seed,” Shu Ran said in the darkness, “you can’t see it bloom and bear fruit immediately, but once it takes root, there is hope.”
The little girl didn't speak for a long time, then turned over and said in a muffled voice, "Teacher Shu, I understand."
As she was leaving, the little girl walked her to the intersection, gave her a small bag of dried apricots she had made herself, and said with bright eyes, "Please come again next time."
Shu Ran sat on the swaying truck, chewing on dried apricots, gazing at the boundless Gobi Desert. This feeling was different from when she first transmigrated, and different from her initial eagerness to prove herself. It was a sense of peace, knowing that she was on the right path and had the ability to continue.
She has reached the pinnacle in her heart.
In this era, in this position, it is certainly admirable to burn oneself out, but... she doesn't want to burn herself out.
Her strengths lie in observation, analysis, and proposing solutions, integrating modern educational concepts into this era. Now, she finally has the resources and opportunities to do so—a relaxed yet crucial position, a channel directly connecting her to the upper echelons, even the central government, and the identity of a frontier education expert.
That's enough. She doesn't want to be a role model, she doesn't want to be at the forefront, she just wants to quietly do her research, write her reports, subtly influence some policies, and illuminate some corners of society.
She returned to the Education Bureau, pushed open the office door, and saw the stove burning brightly. Xiao Tang wasn't there; she'd probably gone to the archives. On her desk lay her notes from the last survey, next to a cup of tea that had gone cold.
Shu Ran took off her coat and hung it up, placed the lunchbox on the windowsill, rubbed her hands which were a little stiff from the cold, and sat down. She leaned back in her chair, staring blankly at the bare tree branches outside the window for a while.
The Chinese New Year is almost here.
Time flies. From the animal husbandry company's dugout to the division headquarters office, and now to this research lab in V City, I've stumbled and fallen along the way, and somehow I've arrived here.
*
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, the bureau began its annual holiday.
The atmosphere relaxed. When people bumped into acquaintances in the corridor, they mostly greeted each other with questions like "Have you prepared all your New Year's goods?" or "Are you going home for the New Year?"
Shu Ran doesn't plan to return to Shanghai—the original owner's family relationships are complicated and delicate, and going back would only add to her troubles. She plans to spend the New Year in V City, where it will be quiet and she can finish organizing the cases she has on hand.
In the afternoon, she went to the logistics department to collect her New Year's rations: five jin of wheat flour, two jin of frozen ribbonfish, a small bag of peanuts, and some fruit candies. Carrying the heavy net bag back, she ran into Zhang Yaqin and Liu Hui at the stairwell.
"Xiao Shu, are you really not going home for the New Year?" Zhang Yaqin asked with concern.
"Yes, I'll stay here. It's quiet." Shu Ran smiled.
“It’s lonely spending the New Year alone,” Liu Hui said quickly. “Why don’t you come to my house on New Year’s Eve? It’s just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks!”
"Thank you, Sister Liu, but you don't need to trouble yourself. I'm fine on my own, reading and writing."
“You’re just too hardworking,” Zhang Yaqin shook her head. “You should take a break. By the way, have you heard? There might be some big changes coming to our place at the beginning of the year.”
"What changes?" Shu Ran asked casually. There were always rumors about personnel changes in the bureau, but she didn't pay much attention to them.
"It seems the higher-ups are going to establish some kind of... Border Comprehensive Governance Office? It's a high-level office, directly responsible for the entire Xinjiang region." Zhang Yaqin lowered her voice. "They say they want to coordinate resources from education, security, civil affairs, and production and construction to conduct a pilot program. Our Director Han might be going to serve as a deputy director."
Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat. This seemed to match the news she had heard in the capital.
"It's still just a pipe dream, but the rumors have been going on for ages," Liu Hui said dismissively. "Even if it does happen, it won't really concern us lowly cadres. Shu, aren't you really not coming to my house for the New Year? I'll make sauerkraut dumplings!"
Shu Ran declined again and returned to her dormitory with the New Year's gifts. She put the things in the corner, dusted off her hands, sat down at the table, but found it hard to concentrate on the materials.
Comprehensive Governance Office... Will Chen Yuanjiang return?
The thought flashed through her mind only briefly. She shook her head, dispelling the distraction. Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, she believed he was capable of handling it. And she, she only needed to focus on her own tasks.
In the evening, she went to the cafeteria to get her food. Because it was almost Chinese New Year, the cafeteria had added more dishes, including several meat dishes. The cook recognized her and noticeably shook the meat in her spoon a couple more times than others.
"Teacher Shu, spending the New Year alone? Eat more and nourish yourself!" The old master's voice was loud and clear.
"Thank you, Master." Shu Ran, holding her lunchbox, found a corner to sit down. There weren't many people in the cafeteria; most were single employees who didn't live there. They sat sparsely, heads down, eating, with little conversation.
She ate quietly. The braised pork was tender and juicy, rich but not greasy—a long-lost delight. As she chewed slowly, watching the sky gradually darken outside the window, a thought suddenly popped into her mind: If Chen Yuanjiang were here, that would be wonderful.
It wasn't about dependence; she just felt that having someone to quietly share a meal and chat with at times like these would make life feel more real.
She quickly suppressed the thought. People who are used to being independent are not used to placing their expectations on others.
After finishing my meal, I washed the dishes and went back to my dorm.
She washed her face, sat on the edge of the bed, and read for a while by the lamplight. It was a few translated works on education sent by Professor Wu, with notes he had written inside. The ideas were forward-thinking, but needed to be critically absorbed in light of the national context.
She read until after nine o'clock, and her eyes felt a little sore. She put down the book and prepared to wash up and go to bed.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
A gentle, moderate knocking motion is Chen Yuanjiang's usual style.
A thought struck her, and she immediately got up, put on her coat, and walked to the door: "Who is it?"
"It's me."
Shu Ran quickly opened the door.
Chen Yuanjiang stood in the dim light of the corridor outside the door.
He was wearing a dark military overcoat, looking travel-worn. His brows and eyes showed the weariness of a long journey, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw her.
"...Why are you here?"
"Mission complete, I'm back." He looked at her, as if trying to find the changes that had occurred during their time apart. "Reporting in."
"A transfer order?" Shu Ran didn't react for a moment. "To where?"
"V City. A newly established unit."
V City? A new workplace? Shu Ran's mind quickly pieced together Zhang Yaqin's words from that afternoon. The Frontier Comprehensive Management Office? So he really...
"You..." She opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words. Surprise, confusion, and unexpected joy filled her.
Chen Yuanjiang saw her somewhat stunned expression and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. He stepped aside, gesturing towards the corridor: "Aren't you going to invite me in? It's cold outside."
Shu Ran suddenly realized what was happening and quickly stepped aside, saying, "Come in."
Chen Yuanjiang stepped in, took off his hat, and patted the snow off his shoulder.
Shu Ran closed the door and turned around. The two stood a few steps apart, neither of them speaking.
"Sit down and rest," Shu Ran said first, pointing to a chair in the room before sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Chen Yuanjiang sat down as instructed, his gaze following her the whole time.
"When did you arrive?" Shu Ran asked, picking up the thermos on the table and pouring him a cup of hot water.
"It's dinner time." Chen Yuanjiang took the cup. "I went to my new workplace to settle in first, and then came over."
Have you had dinner yet?
"I ate something at the company cafeteria."
Another brief silence followed. Having been apart for so long, they were at a loss for words.
“You… have lost weight,” Chen Yuanjiang suddenly said.
Shu Ran touched her face: "Really? It's okay. I've been to the teaching sites a few times, so I might have gotten a little tanned." She looked up at him, "You've lost weight too. Was the mission tiring?"
“Yes. There’s a lot to learn.” He paused, looking into her eyes, “But it’s worth it.”
This was a pointed remark. Shu Ran lowered her eyes. "How's the new unit? The Borderland Comprehensive Management Office?"
"You knew?" Chen Yuanjiang was somewhat surprised.
A colleague mentioned it to me. I guess you might go.
"Yes. I'm mainly responsible for security and border stability, and also handle some coordination." He said it as if it were an ordinary job assignment, "My rank has been raised, and the responsibilities are heavier."
Shu Ran nodded. She could imagine. With his abilities and background, plus this advanced study, it was only natural that he would be entrusted with such an important task. Being responsible for the defense of the entire Xinjiang region and the stability of the border was probably quite a heavy burden.
"You must be under a lot of pressure?" she asked softly.
Chen Yuanjiang was silent for a moment, then said, "It's better than before. At least, I'm closer to you now."
Shu Ran looked up and met his gaze. "Yes, the long-distance relationship is over. It will be easier to meet up in the future."
Chen Yuanjiang hummed in agreement and said nothing more. He simply looked at her, his gaze so focused that it made Shu Ran feel somewhat uncomfortable, yet also a little soft-hearted.
"Where do you live?" she changed the subject.
"The apartment was allocated by my work unit, but it's a bit far from here," he said. "It has a small yard. I'm living alone for now."
"The conditions are good."
"It's alright." He paused. "Would you like me to take you to see it sometime?"
Chen Yuanjiang seemed unaware that his words were somewhat ambiguous, and continued, "They have a pretty complete selection there. I can take you there to try some of my cooking later..."
A sly smile played on Shu Ran's eyes. "Is Boss Chen inviting me to visit his new home?"
Chen Yuanjiang visibly choked for a moment, his fingers tightening around the cup. "No...it was just something I said offhand." He looked away. "You're busy, you don't need to go."
Seeing his awkward expression, Shu Ran's smile deepened.
"When I have time," she said, her tone becoming more relaxed. "I happen to be free during the Chinese New Year holidays."
Chen Yuanjiang's eyes lit up: "Aren't you going home for the New Year?"
"I'm not going back. I'll stay here."
"So... what are your plans for New Year's Eve?"
"I'll just live by myself. I'll make some dumplings and read some books," Shu Ran said casually.
Chen Yuanjiang frowned. "Alone?"
"Um."
“My company has a dinner party on New Year’s Eve, but it ends early. I… I can come over. If you don’t mind the trouble, you can come to my place. I have everything I need, so it’s convenient for cooking New Year’s Eve dinner.”
After he finished speaking, he stared at her without blinking.
Shu Ran didn't answer immediately. Instead, she got up, walked to the stove, and used tongs to put a piece of coal in.
The fire in the stove burned even brighter.
"Chen Yuanjiang," she said, her back to him.
"Um?"
"You were transferred back, was it just because of work arrangements, or..." She turned around and looked directly at him, "...did you have other considerations?"
"Work arrangements are the main reason," he answered seriously. "The newly established organization needs people, and my expertise and experience meet the requirements. The organization consulted me."
He paused, his voice lowering, "But I did... report my personal situation to the organization. I said I have people I care about in V City. If I could be transferred back, it would help stabilize my personal situation and allow me to better dedicate myself to my work."
Shu Ran turned to look at him, and he looked at her too.
"I understand." Shu Ran smiled.
"Then... New Year's Eve?" he asked again.
"Is it convenient for you over there?" she asked, mainly considering the potential impact.
“It’s convenient,” he answered readily. “The courtyard is detached, and the surrounding residents are all colleagues from my workplace.”
Shu Ran thought about it. Her dormitory was indeed cramped, and the stove wasn't very strong, making it a bit cramped to make dumplings and cook. Spending the New Year alone would definitely be lonely. Going to his place would be better; the place was bigger, and the supplies would probably be more plentiful—given his current rank, his New Year's rations would certainly be much more abundant than hers.
More importantly, she wasn't opposed to the suggestion. In fact... she even had a vague sense of anticipation.
"Okay, then I'll come and bother you for a bit." She didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement.
"Have you completely completed your mission to the capital this time? Do you want to go again?" Shu Ran sat down again and asked about the important matter.
Chen Yuanjiang's expression also became more serious, and he began to tell her about his experiences and new ideas beyond the classified information. He spoke very concisely.
Shu Ran listened, occasionally interjecting with a question. The two chatted about the development of the frontier for nearly an hour.
It wasn't until the fire in the stove gradually died down that Chen Yuanjiang realized it was getting late. He glanced at the horseshoe clock on the table; it was almost eleven o'clock.
“I should go.” He stood up and picked up his hat.
Shu Ran also stood up: "Be careful on the road. The roads are slippery in the snow."
Chen Yuanjiang nodded, pushed open the door, and left.
New Year's Eve arrived quickly.
Shu Ran was awakened by the faint sound of firecrackers and knocking on the door. She sat up, wrapped in the covers, and looked at the horseshoe clock on the table; it was only a little past nine in the morning.
She put on her coat, slipped on her shoes, and walked to the door: "Who is it?"
"It's me." Chen Yuanjiang's voice came from outside the door.
Shu Ran opened the door. Chen Yuanjiang stood outside. This time he wasn't carrying anything, and seeing her sleepy-eyed appearance, his gaze softened.
"Did I wake you up?" he asked.
"It's alright, it's time to get up." Shu Ran smoothed her hair. "Are we going so early?"
She had originally planned to buy some things from the supply and marketing cooperative to take with her, as it would be inappropriate to go empty-handed.
"No rush." Chen Yuanjiang stood outside the door, showing no intention of coming in. "I'll wait for you in the yard." He pointed to the military green jeep parked not far away.
Shu Ran quickly washed up, changed into a Lenin suit, and carefully combed her hair. After thinking for a moment, she put the flour, ribbonfish, and peanut candy she had prepared yesterday into a mesh bag. Although she knew that these things might not mean much to him, it wouldn't be good to go empty-handed.
As she walked out carrying the net bag, Chen Yuanjiang was leaning against the jeep. Hearing the noise, he turned around and his gaze fell on the net bag in her hand.
“You don’t need to bring these,” he said. “They have everything over there.”
"It's just a small token of my appreciation." Shu Ran smiled, opened the car door, and got into the passenger seat.
Chen Yuanjiang didn't say anything more and got into the car. The car started and drove out of the backyard.
The streets of V City were much quieter than usual, with few pedestrians. Occasionally, a child wearing new clothes and a cotton hat would run by.
After driving for about twenty minutes, the car turned from the main road onto a relatively quiet street. Neat courtyard walls lined both sides, clearly indicating a higher standard than where Shu Ran lived. Chen Yuanjiang stopped in front of one of the iron gates.
"We've arrived." He got out of the car, took out his keys from his coat pocket, and unlocked the padlock on the iron gate.
Pushing open the door, one finds a very neat courtyard. The ground is paved with bricks and swept clean, with neatly stacked coal and kindling in the corner. In front are three houses facing south, a simple shed on the east side with some miscellaneous items piled underneath, and a small patch of land on the west side, currently covered with snow, presumably where something can be planted in the spring.
"Come in." Chen Yuanjiang stepped aside to let her in first.
Shu Ran walked into the courtyard, looking around curiously. The house had clearly been carefully cleaned; there was no dust on the windowsills, and the steps at the entrance were swept clean. Chen Yuanjiang opened the door to the middle room. This was the main hall and living room, quite spacious, with red bricks paving the floor. Against the wall stood an eight-immortal table, two chairs, and a low cabinet. The most eye-catching feature was the stove with a heated wall in the center of the room, which was now emitting heat, making the entire room cozy.
"Take off your coat, it's hot inside," Chen Yuanjiang said, taking off his own coat and hanging it on the coat rack behind the door. Underneath, he was wearing a military green fleece jacket, which made his broad shoulders and narrow waist appear even more prominent.
Shu Ran also took off her thick cotton coat. Next to the stove was a tin kettle, steaming.
"The room on the right is the bedroom, and the room on the left is a study that also serves as a guest room," Chen Yuanjiang explained simply. "The kitchen is behind the main room, connected to a small dining room. The toilet is in the southwest corner of the yard."
As he spoke, he led Shu Ran on a brief tour. The bedroom was simply furnished, with a large wooden bed covered in a military green sheet, the blanket folded into a perfect square. In the study, there was a desk, two bookshelves filled with books and documents, and a huge map hanging on the wall.
The kitchen was indeed spacious, with a proper stove, and the cupboard was fully stocked with pots, pans and bowls. Cured meat and dried beef hung on the wall, and the rice and flour containers in the corner were full. Fresh vegetables and a large piece of pork were also on the cutting board.
The supplies weren't just complete, they were abundant. The little Shu Ran brought suddenly seemed meager.
"Did you bring the supply and marketing cooperative back with you?" she couldn't help but tease.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Chen Yuanjiang's face: "These were distributed by the unit, and some were given by old comrades and colleagues. I can't finish them all by myself."
He walked to the cupboard and took out an enamel basin: "Sit down for a while and warm yourself by the fire. I'll go knead the dough. I chopped the filling yesterday and it's been chilling in the cupboard. It's cabbage and pork, with some dried shrimp for extra flavor." He paused and added, "I asked someone to bring the dried shrimp over from the border."
Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat. Dried shrimp... a rare commodity in this inland border region. He not only prepared it, but also specifically explained its origin—was he afraid she would think the goods were of dubious origin?
"I'll help you." She rolled up her sleeves. "I can knead dough too."
"No need, you rest." Chen Yuanjiang had already deftly scooped the flour into the basin. "The water's cold."
"Let's hurry up." Without waiting for a reply, Shu Ran found an apron, tied it on, and then grabbed a small basin to scoop water.
Chen Yuanjiang glanced at her, then didn't insist further, and silently handed her the thermos.
The two busied themselves in the kitchen. Chen Yuanjiang kneaded the dough with practiced ease, quickly making it smooth and no longer sticky. Shu Ran took out the bowl of filling from the cupboard, stirred it again, tasted it, and added some salt and sesame oil.
They worked together seamlessly, as if they had done this many times before.
While the dough was resting, Chen Yuanjiang began preparing the other New Year's goods. He took out the large fish, deftly scaling and gutting it, cleaning it thoroughly, making a few cuts on its body, and marinating it with salt, scallions, and ginger. He then chopped the two chickens into pieces, preparing to make soup later. He sliced the cured pork and washed the vegetables.
Shu Ran wiped the eight-immortal table in the main room clean, laid a clean plastic sheet on it, and prepared a curtain and a rolling pin.
Everything was ready, so we started making dumplings.
Chen Yuanjiang rolled out the dumpling wrappers, and Shu Ran filled them. Chen Yuanjiang was a little slow at first, but he quickly got the hang of it, rolling out the wrappers quickly and roundly. Shu Ran's dumpling-filling technique was skillful, and in no time, dumplings were arranged on the bamboo steamer.
"Did you used to make dumplings often?" Shu Ran asked casually.
“Not many times.” Chen Yuanjiang’s hands kept moving. “My parents passed away early. Later, I joined the army. The cooks would organize everyone to make dumplings together for the New Year. I learned how.” He looked at the dumplings in Shu Ran’s hands and smiled. “You made them very nicely.”
"Practice makes perfect." Shu Ran smiled. "During those years in the animal husbandry company, sometimes when we wanted to improve our meals, Sister Wang and the others would organize to make dumplings, and I learned from them."
When the topic of the livestock company came up, both seemed to have many memories, but neither went into detail. Some shared past experiences are best kept in the heart.
The fire blazed brightly, and the water boiled quickly. The first batch of dumplings went into the pot, bobbing up and down in the boiling water, gradually becoming glistening and plump. Chen Yuanjiang held a strainer, intently watching the heat.
"That's fine," Shu Ran said.
Chen Yuanjiang scooped up the dumplings, placed them on a plate, and they were steaming hot and smelled delicious.
Besides dumplings, he also stir-fried two other dishes: cured pork with garlic sprouts and stir-fried cabbage with vinegar. He braised the fish and stewed the chicken in a wild mushroom and potato soup. They weren't particularly fancy, but the portions were generous, the colors were appealing, and they filled the tables in the small dining room.
Outside the window, it was completely dark. The sound of firecrackers was much more frequent than during the day, rising and falling, near and far, mixed with the laughter of children, and occasionally fireworks exploded in the night sky.
Chen Yuanjiang took out a bottle of homemade wine from his fellow villager and two small wine cups.
"Want a drink?" he asked.
"Okay." Shu Ran nodded.
The two sat down facing each other.
"Happy New Year." Shu Ran raised her wine cup and smiled.
"Happy New Year." Chen Yuanjiang gently clinked glasses with her, his eyes showing exceptional tenderness.
A small sip of wine brings a warm feeling.
"Eat your food." Chen Yuanjiang placed a large piece of fish belly meat on her plate. "Be careful of the bones."
"Eat some yourself too." Shu Ran also picked up a dumpling for him.
The food smelled delicious, with a home-style flavor. The two ate quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words, commenting on the saltiness of the dishes, or talking about interesting things that happened at work during the Spring Festival.
After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, they cleaned up the dishes together. Chen Yuanjiang wouldn't let Shu Ran touch cold water and washed all the pots and pans himself. Shu Ran then wiped the table again and brewed a pot of tea.
The two moved into the main room, sat on chairs by the stove, and held hot tea.
The firecrackers outside crackled and popped, and the firelight shone through the window, casting flickering shadows on the two people's faces.
Amidst the deafening noise, the small main room was unusually quiet.
"Another year has passed," Shu Ran said softly, looking at the fire in the stove.
"Hmm," Chen Yuanjiang responded, his gaze falling on her face. "Time flies."
"This past year must have been tough for you, right?" Shu Ran turned to look at him. New company, new position, so many things to do, the pressure was unimaginable.
Chen Yuanjiang took a sip of tea. "It's alright. I'm used to it." He looked up at her. "It's better than I imagined. At least... I feel at ease."
He didn't explain why it was set, but Shu Ran understood. She lowered her eyes, looking at the water in her glass, and a slight smile curved her lips.
“I’m doing well here too,” she said. “The case study has been submitted and the response has been good. In the spring, I plan to focus on promoting the report on teacher development and the comprehensive governance pilot program. If they are implemented, I would like to seek more substantial support in the education sector.”
"The pilot program is already going through the procedures," Chen Yuanjiang provided concrete information. "Education is an important component, and you may need to participate in some of the design process."
"Okay." Shu Ran nodded.
They also discussed their work plans and their views on the development of the border regions.
The sound of firecrackers gradually subsided, with only one or two occasionally breaking out, making the night seem even more still.
Chen Yuanjiang glanced at the clock; it was almost eleven. He stood up: "It's getting late. Shall I take you home?"
Shu Ran also stood up and hesitated for a moment. It would take more than forty minutes to drive back and forth from here to the Education Bureau dormitory. It was freezing outside, and he would be exhausted from dropping her off and coming back.
"How about..." she began, hesitating slightly, "that I stay in the guest room on the left? Would that be convenient?"
Chen Yuanjiang was clearly surprised that she would offer to stay. He paused for a moment, then immediately nodded, "It's convenient. The blankets and sheets are clean; I aired them out yesterday." He spoke a little quickly, "The stove is always burning, so it's not cold. It's just... the conditions are a bit simple."
"It's okay, it's no worse than the dorm." Shu Ran breathed a sigh of relief. This way it's more convenient for everyone, and it feels more natural.
Chen Yuanjiang went to check the guest room and confirmed that the fireplace was working properly and the blankets were thick. He put a kettle of water on the stove, brought over a bucket of cold water, and also gave her a new towel and toothbrush, as well as two enamel basins. He even thoughtfully prepared a hot water bottle.
"I've filled it with hot water. You can keep it warm if it gets cold at night." He handed her the hot water bottle.
"Thank you." Shu Ran accepted it.
"Then you should get some rest." Chen Yuanjiang stood at the door of the guest room, showing no intention of going in. "I'm right next door. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay, you should go to bed early too."
Chen Yuanjiang nodded and closed the door for her.
Shu Ran stood in the guest room, listening to footsteps outside the door heading towards the main room, followed by the soft sound of the door closing. She walked to the window, looking at the courtyard occasionally illuminated by distant fireworks.
I felt a sense of peace and warmth that I couldn't quite describe.
This Lunar New Year's Eve was completely different from what she had expected.
After washing up, she lay down in bed. The blankets smelled of sunshine, and the hot water bottle at her feet was nice and warm.
As she drifted off to sleep, she heard footsteps coming from the main room, which lasted only a short while before silence returned.
-----------------------
Author's Note: The story is nearing its end, and I've been pondering for a long time how far Shu Ran's career should go.
When she first arrived, all she thought about was surviving. Later, in the dugout and at Qiming Elementary School, that thought transformed into living a better life. To put it more selfishly, it was about gilding herself and letting her ideals slowly seep out.
Having worked her way up from the tool shed of the livestock company to the office of the division headquarters, and then to the research lab in V City, she has reached a position that many envy. She influences policy, and her voice reaches the decision-making level. More importantly, she has a voice and the power of choice, able to decide how to allocate her time, energy, and passion.
My decision to end her career here was made after careful consideration.
Because Shu Ran's success has never been, in my mind, a constantly climbing career ladder. She doesn't need to become a nationally recognized role model, nor does she need to be involved in the center of power. Her current position is enough for her to cultivate her ideals, connect with superiors and subordinates, protect those on the front lines, and do things for the long term—this has already fulfilled her original aspirations.
Perhaps this also contains a bit of my own selfishness. I can't bear to see her always on edge, exhausting herself with greater power and responsibility; I would rather give her a more relaxed way of life.
Personally, I believe that a woman's fulfillment shouldn't be limited to reaching the pinnacle of her career. Shu Ran has proven her ability and courage, and now she has chosen a more comfortable pace. She is an educator, and an educator's success doesn't necessarily involve burning oneself out to illuminate others.
So this is the kind of happy ending I understand. She doesn't have to conform to all the fantasies about the pinnacle of womanhood; she just needs to be herself—conscious, self-sufficient, with choices and the capacity to enjoy life.
Thank you all for your support along the way. I hope this story will give you some food for thought on success and happiness.
See you in our story.
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