Chapter 69 "Alright, alright, Teacher Shu, you've come to your senses..."
The spring sun brought some warmth, melting the snow and revealing mottled wet patches on the ground.
The atmosphere in the company was somber, with the heavy burden of the large-scale production task weighing on everyone's minds. The children were also under pressure; the adults had been transferred to newly reclaimed areas, and the older children also had to take on some production duties, not to mention the pressure of a performance by the nearby division headquarters…
Both the adults and the children looked listless.
One day, Xu Junjun came to the classroom with her first-aid kit to change the dressing of a child who had scraped his knee. Looking at the listless little heads in the room, she frowned: "This won't do. They all look like wilted eggplants, with no energy. They'll easily get sick in the spring. If a cold snap comes, they'll all be bedridden! We need to get them moving!"
Shu Ran was worried about the possibility of reduced teaching time. Upon hearing this, she sighed and said, "There's nothing we can do. That's just how the atmosphere is in the company."
Xu Junjun's eyes lit up, and she leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, I think we should make something special? How about a small...sports meet? Let the kids run and jump, get some exercise, and be more energetic. The employees' families will be happy to see it too."
Shu Ran was taken aback: "Sports meet? At this critical juncture, would the company agree to it? Besides, where would we get the equipment and prizes?"
"What do we need for proper equipment?" Xu Junjun said dismissively. "Can you play beanbag toss? Can you play hopscotch? We can always find a tug-of-war rope, right? As for prizes? We can just make some little red flowers. Don't you still have some pencil stubs and candies in stock? We're not going to do anything big. We'll just play in this open space in front of the classroom. It won't take up much time!"
Shu Ran's mind started working. This idea was indeed good; it cost little, involved little, and had a big effect.
But she immediately realized the key point: "It's good, but who will be the referee and give the orders? We need to find someone who can keep the order in check and whose word no one dares to renege on."
She paused, and almost immediately a name and a figure flashed into her mind. Her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
Xu Junjun had obviously thought of the same person as well, and winked mischievously: "Look, isn't that Chen, the clerk, just right? Brilliant, fair in his work." She emphasized the last two words.
Shu Ran's face flushed slightly. She glared at her, but her mind was racing with ideas.
Going to him is indeed the most suitable option. But... what reason should I use? Should I just say it directly? He'll most likely dismiss it with a "nonsense." I need to find a reason that he can't refuse, yet is also businesslike.
She cleared her throat and said in a serious tone, "Yes, Officer Chen is indeed the best candidate. This is a good thing that will enhance the cohesion of the company and enrich the cultural life of the masses. It is only right to ask him for his support." She spoke so eloquently that she almost believed it herself.
But deep down, she harbored a sliver of hope that she herself was reluctant to delve into: perhaps... he wouldn't think this was utter nonsense?
Xu Junjun chuckled: "Alright, alright, Teacher Shu, you're so insightful! Go and invite your best candidate!"
She stood up briskly: "Then, I'll go talk to the company commander first!"
Shu Ran found Company Commander Ma and didn't mention anything vague like boosting morale. She simply said, "In response to the call from higher authorities to improve people's physical fitness, we'll use a quarter of an hour after class to organize a small-scale physical exercise activity to ensure that it doesn't affect production."
Company Commander Ma was overwhelmed by production targets, but when he heard that it was a small activity that cost little money and effort and could earn him a good reputation, he waved his hand and agreed: "Go ahead and do it, just be careful."
After leaving the company commander's office, Shu Ran straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and walked towards Chen Yuanjiang's office.
Along the way, the wind blew on her face, carrying the coolness of the remaining snow, which calmed her feverish mind a little.
She muttered to herself: "Shu Ran, Shu Ran, what are you thinking? Asking for his help is asking for his help, don't think about anything else. If he agrees, great; if not… then we'll think of another way. Yes, let's keep it official."
Just then, they bumped into Chen Yuanjiang coming out, holding a roll of blueprints in his hand, his brows furrowed as usual.
"Officer Chen," Shu Ran called out to him, putting on her most polite smile.
Chen Yuanjiang stopped and looked at her face. The sharpness in his eyes softened for a moment, and he simply nodded slightly, waiting for her to speak.
"Officer Chen, there's something I'd like to ask for your support on." Shu Ran spoke calmly, "In response to the call from higher authorities to improve people's physical fitness, and taking advantage of the warmer weather, we'd like to use tomorrow afternoon's break to organize a small physical activity for the children, such as beanbag toss, hopscotch, tug-of-war, and other similar games."
She carefully observed his expression, but he remained expressionless, simply listening.
“Although the activity is small, it still needs a capable and fair-minded person to give the orders and referee, to prevent the children from arguing.” She added, her tone becoming more sincere, “After thinking it over, you’re the most suitable person in the company. I wonder if you could spare a little time tomorrow afternoon…”
After she finished speaking, she stared at him without blinking.
She saw that after he finished listening, his eyebrows twitched, and his gaze shifted from her face to the trunk of the poplar tree beside him.
Is he hesitating? Or does he find the request boring? Is he looking for a reason to refuse?
There was a few seconds of silence, but those few seconds felt incredibly long to Shu Ran. She almost thought he would refuse.
She even began to regret her actions, wondering if she had been too rash. How could someone as serious as him be interested in such a childish game?
Finally, he turned his gaze back to her face, his expression still cold and hard, but he only uttered one word: "Fine."
She agreed? Just like that? Shu Ran breathed a sigh of relief, trying to suppress the upturn of her lips and maintain her gratitude: "That's great! Thank you, Officer Chen, for supporting our work! Tomorrow afternoon, in the open space in front of the classroom."
"Okay," he responded, indicating that he understood. Then he added, "Please be careful."
"Don't worry! I absolutely guarantee your safety!" Shu Ran assured her immediately.
Having achieved her goal, she knew when to stop: "Then I won't disturb your work any longer." With that, she turned and left. After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but look back.
Chen Yuanjiang was still standing there, his gaze seemingly still fixed on her back. When she turned around, he seemed to be burned, immediately averting his gaze and pretending to look at the blueprints in his hand, his movements so quick that they only served to make things worse.
Shu Ran quickly turned back, her initial smugness turning into an irrepressible smile. Even this blockhead has his moments of weakness. At least, he doesn't dislike being involved in her affairs, and that's enough. As for the rest… take it slow, no rush.
Once Shu Ran received confirmation, she immediately took action.
She asked Sister Wang and Li Xiulan to mobilize the women in the literacy class to sew several sandbags using scraps of cloth mixed with bran. She also had Shi Tou take the older children to a relatively flat area and draw hopscotch lines with lime blocks. The tug-of-war rope was readily available, so they borrowed a thick hemp rope from the warehouse.
As soon as the news spread, the children were in an uproar. All their dejection vanished, and they surrounded Shu Ran, asking her all sorts of questions, their eyes shining brightly.
"Teacher Shu! When is the competition?"
Can I sign up for beanbag toss?
"Our team will definitely win the tug-of-war!"
The sports meet was scheduled for the afternoon break on the second day.
On the day of the sports meet, the sun was shining brightly. The small open space was crowded with children, and even many employees and their families who had finished work early were attracted to come over and watch with smiles.
Chen Yuanjiang arrived as expected, carrying an old tin whistle. He stood at the edge of the field, his posture ramrod straight, his expression serious, a stark contrast to the playful atmosphere around him, like a headmaster who had wandered onto the wrong movie set.
"First event, sprint! Ready—" He raised his whistle, his voice cold and hard, eliciting good-natured laughter from the adults around him. The children, however, immediately tensed up, their little faces stiffening as they assumed starting positions.
"Beep—!" The whistle rang out.
The children dashed off like little ponies, kicking up a cloud of dust. Sure enough, the herder children Bayan and Saidar were at the forefront, their little leather boots stomping loudly on the ground, drawing cheers from the onlookers.
While Shu Ran was busy organizing, she couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye from time to time.
Chen Yuanjiang stood at the finish line, his seriousness bordering on rigidity. He strictly judged those who stepped off the line, distinguishing who reached the finish line first, making this simple sports meet seem a little more formal.
Next up was beanbag toss. The girls had the advantage; Xiao Ya threw the beanbags accurately and far, winning the most cheers.
Chen Yuanjiang was holding a small notebook and a steel tape measure, and he was still recording grades.
The hopscotch competition was full of laughs, with the children hopping on one foot and stumbling all over the place, occasionally stepping on the line or falling down, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Chen Yuanjiang frowned as he made a strict judgment, but he was surrounded by a group of children arguing with him and felt somewhat helpless and embarrassed.
Finally, it was time for tug-of-war. The children from the company and the herders were mixed together. The company children strained as one, shouting slogans; the herder children pulled with all their might. The rope was taut, and their faces turned red from the effort.
The adults watching also got excited and shouted encouragement.
Chen Yuanjiang was watching the tug-of-war, a hint of gentle emotion flashing in his eyes.
Shu Ran was also among the crowd cheering when her eyes met Chen Yuanjiang's. Their gazes briefly locked. Shu Ran instinctively wanted to smile at him.
Chen Yuanjiang immediately looked away, his expression instantly hardening. Seeing that the outcome was decided, he suddenly blew his whistle.
In the end, one team narrowly won. The children cheered, hugged each other, and rolled around on the ground.
Shu Ran and Xu Junjun were busy giving out prizes to each participating child: a big red flower made of old newspaper and dyed with red ink, and the winner would get an extra pencil or a handful of fruit candy.
Every child looked like they had received a precious treasure, their faces beaming with smiles.
Chen Yuanjiang stood to one side, watching the noisy and joyous scene, and Shu Ran's busy figure. He quietly put the whistle back into his pocket and turned to leave.
"Officer Chen!" Shu Ran, with her sharp eyes, called out to him and ran over with the largest red flower in her hand. "Thank you for your hard work! This is your referee's reward!"
Chen Yuanjiang stared blankly at the large red flower handed to him, his face showing a bewildered expression, as if he had never dealt with such a situation before.
People around him jeered, "Officer Chen, just accept it! It's your hard-earned money!"
"Exactly! Teacher Shu's cooking is amazing!"
Chen Yuanjiang's ears turned slightly red. He hesitated for a moment, but finally reached out and took the big red flower, saying vaguely, "I have something to do." Then he immediately turned and walked away, the big red flower swaying in his hand with each step.
Xu Junjun had somehow gotten close to Shu Ran and nudged her lightly with her elbow, her voice laced with a mischievous laugh:
"Tsk, see that? Our Special Commissioner Chen is finally getting his comeuppance! He's practically stumbling over this big red flower! This wooden stake is probably receiving flowers from a female comrade for the first time, isn't he?"
Shu Ran's face flushed slightly at her teasing, but she quickly calmed down.
"Dr. Xu, be clear-headed. Officer Chen came to help, this is normal comradeship. Besides, he was thinking about work, he didn't have time to deal with our little squabbles."
Xu Junjun let out an exaggerated "Oh—" drawing out the tone, her eyes gleaming with even more mockery: "Thinking about work, huh? Thinking so much your ears are turning red? Okay, okay, if you say it's normal, then it's normal. But," she leaned closer, lowering her voice even more, "you've really gone all out for this, even preparing your referee's fee in advance, and you even specially picked the biggest one... Hey, don't pinch me!"
Shu Ran withdrew her hand from Xu Junjun's arm in an annoyed manner, but a smile couldn't help but appear on her face again.
She didn't reply, and continued bending down to pick up the sandbags and lime blocks scattered on the ground.
She knew, of course, that this wasn't normal, or at least not entirely so. The man's silent yet ever-present care had long surpassed ordinary revolutionary friendship. And she had even begun to enjoy these small, secret interactions.
She bent down, picked up a sandbag, dusted it off, and thought: This is good enough as it is. Poking it would only cause more trouble.
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