Chapter 67 The Snail Girl and the Wooden Man
Before we knew it, it was the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the day before the Lantern Festival.
The atmosphere in the company seemed to have livened up a bit more. News came from the canteen that a large pot of brown sugar-filled glutinous rice balls would be cooked on the night of the fifteenth. Although each person would only get a few, it was still a rare luxury. The children had been eagerly anticipating it, counting down the hours on their fingers.
Shu Ran's life returned to normal. The literacy class resumed its daily learning, which was led by Sister Wang and Li Xiulan, and she devoted more of her energy back to school.
She couldn't bear to use that Hero fountain pen and carefully kept it.
After school in the afternoon, she was alone in the classroom organizing her ideas for the play to be performed at the teachers' headquarters when Xu Junjun rushed in with a mysterious smile on her face.
"Guess what I brought you?" She put her hands behind her back.
"What? You got those toasted bread slices from Master Liu again?" Shu Ran joked with a smile.
“It’s better than that!” Xu Junjun magically produced a small iron box from behind her back. It had a blurry floral pattern printed on it and looked like an old item that had been around for a while.
"Frost cream! This is my last jar! This awful weather is freezing my face, let's share it!"
Shu Ran's face cream had long been given away as a favor. In this dry and frigid frontier, this box was simply a skincare miracle.
Shu Ran felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that this was something Xu Junjun cherished greatly.
"This is too valuable..."
"Enough talk! Everyone gets a share!" Xu Junjun opened the box generously, scooped out a small portion with her fingers, and forcefully smeared it on Shu Ran's hands. "Hurry up and rub it in! You're supposed to be a teacher, you need to pay attention to your image!"
The oil melts, releasing a subtle fragrance, and moisturizes the skin.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
“By the way,” Xu Junjun said, rubbing her hands together, “I just came back from the company headquarters. I think I saw Chen Yuanjiang and Company Commander Ma having a meeting again. There were maps spread out on the table, and they looked quite serious. Is there some big plan after the spring?”
Shu Ran's heart skipped a beat. The production tasks after the start of spring, the performance at the division headquarters, the literacy campaign…
Many things remain unresolved and require planning and resources.
Just then, there was another knock on the classroom door. It was Turdi and Adil. Adil was holding a small leather bag and looked a little flustered.
“Teacher Shu, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. This is for the teacher and the children.” Turdi pointed to the leather bag in Adil’s hand.
Adil stepped forward and handed the leather bag to Shuran, saying, "Ma □□, it's hot. Ata said it's good to drink during the festival."
Shu Ran took the leather bag; it was warm to the touch, and a rich, milky fragrance wafted out.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I will definitely share some with the children tomorrow."
Turdi smiled憨厚ly, waved his hand, and led Adil away. Before leaving, Adil glanced quickly at the red five-pointed star paper-cut on the wall.
“Look,” Xu Junjun nudged Shu Ran’s arm, “our work wasn’t in vain, was it? The herders remember it all.”
Shu Ran held the warm body in her arms, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.
In the evening, Shu Ran went to the canteen to get food and happened to run into Chen Yuanjiang, who was also coming out of the company headquarters. The two walked one after the other on the snowy path.
After a moment of silence, Chen Yuanjiang suddenly spoke up: "Officer Yang is urging us to submit the materials for the division's performance. You should organize them as soon as possible, focusing on innovative formats and public response."
"Okay, I'll get it done in the next couple of days," Shu Ran quickly agreed.
"Hmm." Chen Yuanjiang responded, then remained silent for a moment. Just when Shu Ran thought the conversation was over, he suddenly added, "The tasks will be heavy after spring, and we may need to transfer more people to the newly reclaimed areas. You should... be prepared in advance."
The words seemed abrupt, but Shu Ran understood them. They were a reminder that the company's focus might shift after spring, and she needed to seize the opportunities presented by the performances and competitions while also dealing with potential manpower shortages.
"I understand, thank you, Officer Chen," she said softly.
Chen Yuanjiang didn't say anything more, but quickened his pace and soon walked into the company headquarters.
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Lantern Festival.
The weather was still cold, but the village seemed even more lively than during the Lunar New Year holidays, with everyone looking forward to spring.
During the day, Shu Ran told several children who came to the classroom to talk to her about the origin and customs of the Lantern Festival. She drew a bowl of glutinous rice balls on the blackboard with chalk, explained the meaning of the Lantern Festival and reunion, and taught everyone how to fold simple lanterns using old newspapers.
The children studied diligently, and their eyes lit up especially when they heard that there would be real glutinous rice balls to eat in the cafeteria that evening.
In the afternoon, Sister Wang and Li Xiulan, along with several key women from the literacy class, came to help Shu Ran set up the classroom.
They cut new paper-cuts for the windows and strung together the crooked lanterns the children had folded, hanging them in the classroom. Although simple, it created a festive atmosphere.
"Teacher Shu, do you think this is okay?" Sister Wang finished pasting the last window decoration and looked at it with satisfaction.
"It's so beautiful!" Shu Ran said sincerely.
Li Xiulan added quietly, "It will look even better when the lights are on at night."
As evening fell, a sweet aroma wafted from the canteen. Families lined up early with their bowls and basins. Sure enough, each person's bowl was filled with four round, steaming hot brown sugar glutinous rice balls.
Its sweet and glutinous taste is a rare delicacy for a stomach that is often lacking in oil and sugar.
Shu Ran, Xu Junjun, Sister Wang, and Li Xiulan gathered together to savor this rare sweetness.
The children ate with obvious happiness, even licking the last bit of syrup from the bottom of their bowls.
After eating the glutinous rice balls, it was completely dark. The Lantern Festival night at the livestock company had a unique charm.
Every household hung homemade lanterns at their doorsteps—some were made from broken washbasins with a small candle stub lit in the middle; others were square lanterns made of red paper; and still others, more skillfully, hollowed out blocks of ice, filled them with candle stubs, and made unique ice lanterns. The lights twinkled throughout the company.
The children, carrying simple lanterns, ran and laughed along the paths of the company, their laughter and footsteps breaking the silence of the night.
The adults also had a rare moment of leisure, so they gathered at the doorway, visiting each other, chatting, and sharing simple snacks.
Shu Ran and Xu Junjun were also carrying lanterns made from glass jars, walking slowly through the company. When they reached the vicinity of the classroom, they discovered that light was actually coming from inside.
Pushing open the door, I saw Sister Wang, Li Xiulan, Accountant Shi's wife, Shuanzhu's mother, and several other women gathered around the stove, chatting and sewing shoe soles by the light of the kerosene lamp and the fire.
The kettle sitting on the stove was steaming with a hissing sound.
"Teacher Shu, Dr. Xu, come and warm yourself by the fire!" they greeted warmly.
"What are you all doing here?" Shu Ran asked in surprise.
“It’s so quiet at home, but it’s warm here, and I have company!” Shuanzhu’s mother said with a smile. “Besides, this classroom is the culmination of our hard work, so I feel at ease here!”
Shu Ran and Xu Junjun joined in. The firelight illuminated everyone's faces. They talked about their plans for spring, chatted about everyday matters, and occasionally mentioned their distant hometowns. Although there was longing in their voices, there was more of a tenacity to live life to the fullest in the present.
This is a kind of reunion that is different from that in modern cities.
Shu Ran listened and watched quietly, occasionally glancing out the window where she saw the beam of a flashlight in the distance.
After the Lantern Festival, the festive atmosphere of the New Year completely faded, and the life of the livestock company returned to the routine of production and study.
Although the weather is still cold, the days are getting longer, and the snow in sunny spots is beginning to melt, revealing the frozen ground underneath, which indicates that spring is not far away.
Shu Ran has fully recovered and is full of energy again.
She began preparing materials for the teachers' performance, while also thinking about how to take advantage of the upcoming "Outstanding Educator" competition to secure more resources for Qiming Primary School, and also to give it her all.
That Hero fountain pen became her most handy tool for writing materials at that moment.
The question about Chen Yuanjiang lingered in her mind.
That afternoon, after grading homework, Shu Ran looked at the setting sun outside the window and a thought suddenly popped into her mind.
She found the neatly folded military overcoat, hugged it to her chest, and walked towards the company headquarters.
She timed it perfectly; at this hour, Chen Yuanjiang had most likely just returned from patrolling or inspecting outside.
Sure enough, just as they reached the entrance of the Lianmen Gate, they saw Chen Yuanjiang walking towards them from the opposite side, looking travel-worn and chilly.
"Officer Chen." Shu Ran stepped forward, a perfectly timed smile on her face.
Chen Yuanjiang stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling on the military overcoat in her arms, his eyes shifting almost imperceptibly.
"Now that the weather is warmer, this coat is returning to its rightful owner." Shu Ran handed over the coat, her tone relaxed and natural. "Thank you so much. This coat has been a great help to me; otherwise, this winter would have been really tough."
Chen Yuanjiang took the coat and grunted in agreement.
Shu Ran chuckled inwardly and decided to begin her test.
She wanted to see if the "fairy godmother" who kept delivering supplies to her was really Chen Yuanjiang.
She casually glanced around, a hint of mockery in her voice, and asked with curiosity, "It's really strange, Officer Chen. Do you think there really are those... well, the Snail Maidens from folk tales around here?"
Chen Yuanjiang frowned slightly as he looked at her, his eyes filled with questioning and a hint of wariness.
Shu Ran seemed oblivious to his discomfort and continued talking to herself, counting on her fingers: "Look, when I was short of chalk, chalk would mysteriously appear at the door. I could find raw gypsum powder in the broken basket in the classroom. I could find honey when I was sick. During the New Year, I could even receive peanuts and melon seeds... Oh, and those pears! These are all rare finds."
She blinked, looked at Chen Yuanjiang, her eyes clear yet with a hint of sly inquiry: "Do you think this is some kind-hearted Lei Feng, or... some benevolent fairy godmother who took pity on me and secretly helped me?"
Chen Yuanjiang's Adam's apple bobbed, his face tense. He avoided Shu Ran's gaze and answered stiffly, "Logistics... occasionally takes inventory of surplus supplies. It's normal to distribute them to comrades in need."
"Oh—I see." Shu Ran deliberately dragged out her words, nodded as if suddenly realizing something, and then, as if remembering something, asked innocently, "Then...the Hero fountain pens were also found in the logistics inventory? Our logistics warehouse really has all sorts of treasures."
"..." Chen Yuanjiang was completely speechless, his lips pressed into a straight line, his eyes darting around, unable to find the right words to evade the question.
A rare hint of embarrassment finally appeared on that otherwise cold and hard demeanor.
Shu Ran was secretly delighted to see his rare moment of embarrassment, but she still tried her best to maintain an innocent and curious expression.
Knowing when to stop, she stopped pressing the issue and instead smiled, saying, "Whoever it is, I have to thank this kind lady; she really helped me a lot. If you know this kind person, Officer Chen, please give her a thank you on my behalf?"
Chen Yuanjiang almost immediately chimed in, his tone quick and harsh, as if eager to end the conversation: "I don't know you. You... working hard is the best way to thank me."
After saying that, as if afraid that Shu Ran would ask any more questions, he gripped his military overcoat tightly and turned to leave almost hastily.
Shu Ran stood there, watching his back, and finally couldn't help but laugh.
This guy has this side to him too.
Of course, she was well aware that in this era and in this environment, many things could only be understood intuitively and could not be explained in words.
This small, tentative, and playful remark was the boldest response she could make.
Walking back in a cheerful mood, Shu Ran even hummed the tune of a modern song.
After a while, the loudspeaker in the company headquarters stopped broadcasting auspicious New Year greetings and started announcing meetings to platoon leaders and key production personnel.
Company Commander Ma's voice regained its usual booming quality, even carrying a hint of urgency. Zhao Weidong's figure reappeared frequently in the fields, holding a small notebook, frowning as he estimated the thawing time and the progress of sowing.
Shu Ran sensed this change. She knew that the relatively relaxed winter break was over. She began to think about how to adjust her teaching and literacy work to prepare for the busy spring season.
That afternoon, she was teaching the children in the classroom, explaining the principle of "sowing a seed in spring and reaping ten thousand grains in autumn," when she heard the roar of a tractor and the noisy shouts of people outside the window.
The children couldn't help but look outside with curiosity.
Shu Ran didn't stop her; she also walked to the window. There, in the open space in front of the department, were several tractors parked, and the mechanics were inspecting and maintaining them.
Zhao Weidong and Company Commander Ma stood to one side, pointing at the distant fields and discussing something loudly. Chen Yuanjiang was also nearby, giving instructions to several militiamen, his expression stern.
An atmosphere of impending war permeated the air.
As soon as the bell rang, the children ran out to see what was happening, like birds released from their cages. Shu Ran finished tidying up her lesson plans and was about to go to the literacy class when Secretary Liu's messenger ran over to call her: "Teacher Shu, the secretary wants you to go to the company headquarters."
Shu Ran vaguely felt that it might be related to the arrangements for the beginning of spring.
Sure enough, in the company headquarters office, Company Commander Ma, Secretary Liu, Zhao Weidong, and Chen Yuanjiang were all there, looking at a large map spread out on the table.
When Chen Yuanjiang saw Shu Ran again, his gaze lingered on her for a moment before he lowered his head to look at the map, his expression unreadable.
"Teacher Shu is here, please have a seat." Secretary Liu greeted her, his tone relatively gentle, but his brows furrowed with seriousness.
“Teacher Shu,” Company Commander Ma said bluntly, “The New Year is over, and spring plowing is the top priority! There’s a shortage of labor, and everyone in every platoon and post has to give it their all. Your teaching and literacy classes can’t proceed as usual in winter; they have to give way to production. Think of a way to make flexible arrangements.”
Zhao Weidong added, "During the day is definitely not an option, as all the laborers need to work in the fields. At most, we can only utilize the morning and evening off-duty hours. We cannot affect the production schedule; that's the principle!"
Shu Ran was mentally prepared. She calmly asked, "Company Commander, Secretary, Director Zhao, I understand the importance of production. What are the specific instructions? The literacy classes and the children's learning cannot be stopped. If it is stopped, it will be difficult to pick it up again."
Secretary Liu nodded: "We know. I discussed it with the company commander and Special Commissioner Chen, and we've discussed how this works: For the school, we'll temporarily adjust the class schedule to a one-and-a-half-hour break at noon, plus the time from after work in the afternoon until dark. As for the literacy classes... I'm afraid we'll have to move them all to after dark."
He paused, then looked at Shu Ran: "The task is heavy, and the difficulties are great. But there's nothing we can do about it. You have to overcome it."
The lunch break is short, and the children may have just finished eating and are not in good spirits. Studying by lamplight at night is extremely taxing on the eyes, and after a long day, it's questionable whether the women can keep it up. Shu Ran quickly weighed the options; it was indeed a difficult problem.
At this moment, Chen Yuanjiang, who had been silently looking at the map, suddenly spoke up: "The division's performance and possible evaluation are also political tasks, related to the honor of the company. No matter how tight the time is, this part of the work cannot be neglected. If necessary, appropriate coordination can be carried out."
Zhao Weidong frowned, wanting to say something, but after glancing at Chen Yuanjiang, he swallowed his words. Company Commander Ma and Secretary Liu exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Comrade Yuanjiang is right," Secretary Liu said to Shu Ran. "You still need to keep an eye on the performance and evaluation. If you need anything from the company, just let us know."
Shu Ran felt more confident. Chen Yuanjiang had, within a limited scope, bought her some space and initiative.
"I understand, leader." Shu Ran straightened her back. "Please rest assured, company commander, I will adjust the teaching and literacy plans as soon as possible according to the new work schedule to ensure that production is not affected, and I will also strive to complete the performance and evaluation tasks well. There will definitely be difficulties, but there are always more solutions than problems."
Her attitude elicited a hint of satisfaction from all three leaders.
"Good! That's the spirit we need!" Company Commander Ma waved his hand. "Figure out the specifics yourself, and come up with a plan to report to the company."
After leaving the company headquarters, Shu Ran immediately went to find Sister Wang and Li Xiulan to tell them about the company's decision and the new difficulties.
Upon hearing this, Sister Wang patted her chest and said, "Teacher Shu, don't worry! What's there to be afraid of studying at night? We're not afraid of the dark! It's okay if the kerosene lamp is a little dim, we can just get closer! I'll go and tell those women that if anyone complains that they're too tired to study, Xiulan and I can give them extra help!"
Li Xiulan also said softly, "Teacher Shu, lunchtime is short, so I can go to the classroom earlier to help take care of the children's lunch, giving you more time to prepare."
Looking at her two capable and helpful roommates, Shu Ran felt much more at ease.
She then approached Xu Junjun to discuss whether they could get some eye-soothing herbal soup to relieve eye fatigue so that everyone could drink some while studying in the evening.
Xu Junjun readily agreed: "Leave it to me! I'll talk to Master Liu again and see if we can leave some hot water for the literacy class tonight."
Shu Ran returned to the classroom, looked at the desks and chairs and the worn-out blackboard, took out her Hero fountain pen, and solemnly wrote down her new work plan on a new page.
Outside the window, the roar of the tractor grew louder and louder.
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