Chapter 83 Returning Home
The next morning, Shu Ran was awakened by the sound of a bugle. After getting up, she felt much more refreshed.
She first went to the canteen for breakfast—corn porridge, steamed buns, and a small dish of cold shredded radish. The canteen was bustling with people, and several familiar-looking staff members from the education department greeted her, their attitude noticeably warmer than before.
"Comrade Shu Ran is back?"
"I heard you've been doing quite well at headquarters!"
"I'll need to consult you more about the demonstration site in the future."
Shu Ran responded with a smile, her attitude neither humble nor arrogant. She noticed that some gazes carried scrutiny and distance. She understood that the title of "demonstration site" was both a halo and a target.
In the morning, she arrived at Director Sun's office in the Education Section on time. Director Sun had already prepared tea and gestured for her to sit down.
"Xiao Shu, sit down. Tell me about the specific spirit of the headquarters meeting and your specific ideas for the next steps at the demonstration site," Director Sun said, getting straight to the point.
Shu Ran was well-prepared. She took out her meeting notes and the summary from her bag and gave a clear and organized report. She emphasized Deputy Political Commissar Zhang's affirmation of her down-to-earth approach, and also mentioned the difficulties that might be encountered and specific matters that required the division's support, such as teaching materials, a small number of building material quotas, and teacher training slots.
Director Sun listened attentively, nodding occasionally and interjecting to ask for details.
"Yes, that's the right approach. We need to seize this opportunity and really make the livestock company a success."
"Regarding the textbook issue, Corey can try to coordinate a batch."
“The building materials quota is quite tight. I’ll make a note of it and try to get it from the logistics department.”
"Regarding the training slots..." Director Sun pondered for a moment, "There's a situation right now. There might be personnel adjustments at the division headquarters recently, and Officer Yang Zhenhua might be transferred. It's not yet fully decided who will be mainly responsible for coordinating the education department in your regiment. When you go back, you should continue to communicate through the existing channels for the time being, but you should also be mentally prepared."
Shu Ran's heart sank. The personnel changes at the regimental headquarters could very well mean a reduction in support, or even the emergence of new obstacles. She remained outwardly calm: "Yes, Director, I understand. I will handle it flexibly according to the actual situation."
As Shu Ran left Director Sun's office, her mood grew heavier. She had just stepped into the courtyard when she ran into Xu Junjun. Xu Junjun had come to the division hospital to pick up medicine, and upon seeing Shu Ran, she excitedly ran over.
"Shu Ran! You're finally back! I heard you shone brightly at headquarters?" Xu Junjun grabbed her hand, looking her up and down. "You haven't lost weight, you look great! Tell me, what's headquarters like? Did you meet any high-ranking leaders?"
Seeing her friend's concerned face, Shu Ran showed the most relaxed smile she had shown in days. The two stood under a poplar tree in the corner of the courtyard. Shu Ran briefly recounted the meeting, omitting the specific details of the difficult situation she had been subjected to, and only mentioned the outcome.
Xu Junjun's eyes lit up: "Great! Now let's see if Zhao Weidong and the others dare to look down on us! By the way," she lowered her voice, "while you were away these past few days, nothing major happened in the company, except that Zhao Weidong was again complaining about the tight production schedule and implying that the school was using our labor. Sister Wang and Li Xiulan were helping you out."
Shu Ran nodded, understanding the situation.
At noon, Shu Ran and Xu Junjun went to the cafeteria for lunch. Just as they sat down after getting their food, Shu Ran saw Chen Yuanjiang and several security officers walk in. They got their food and sat at a table not far from them, talking quietly as they ate, their expressions serious.
Chen Yuanjiang seemed to notice her gaze and looked up in her direction. Their eyes met briefly in the air. Shu Ran nodded subconsciously, and Chen Yuanjiang's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he nodded in response and lowered his head to talk to his colleague again.
Xu Junjun nudged Shu Ran with her elbow and whispered, "Hey, Special Envoy Chen seems to be looking at you."
Shu Ran's face flushed, and she lowered her head to eat her rice: "Eat your food and don't talk nonsense."
In the afternoon, Shu Ran went to the supply and marketing cooperative to see if there was anything she could bring back for the children. She bought some stationery and several thick labor record books from the Production and Construction Corps, with blank backs so they could be used as exercise books.
Back at the guesthouse, she began packing her luggage, putting away the things she needed to take back. She also carefully put the study materials and meeting summaries issued by the division headquarters into the innermost layer of her handbag.
In the evening, Xu Junjun came to say goodbye, as she was going to catch a truck from the transport company to rush back to the livestock company overnight. "I'm the only one in the company's clinic, so I can't stay away for too long. Be careful on your way back tomorrow."
After seeing Xu Junjun off, Shu Ran took a walk alone in the division compound. The setting sun gilded the mud-brick houses and poplar trees with a golden edge.
She saw Chen Yuanjiang and several other men leading horses, seemingly about to go out on a mission. He had changed into his military uniform, stood tall and straight, and was checking the saddle.
He seemed oblivious to Shu Ran in the distance. Shu Ran didn't go up to greet them either, but simply watched as they rode out of the courtyard and disappeared into the twilight-shrouded Gobi Desert.
This day's rest at the division headquarters felt like a brief respite, allowing her to catch her breath, gather some information, and see that the road ahead was still far from smooth. But at this moment, her heart was at peace.
The next morning, Shu Ran was carrying her packed luggage, preparing to have breakfast at the canteen and then find a car to return to the livestock company, when Yang Zhenhua stopped her at the entrance of the guesthouse.
"Xiao Shu! Wait a minute!" Yang Zhenhua rushed over, clutching a folder in his hand, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement. "I have some good news to tell you first!"
Shu Ran stopped in her tracks, a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Officer Yang, what good news is it?"
Officer Zhou looked around, lowered his voice but couldn't hide his joy: "The selection is in the works! It's that outstanding grassroots educator!"
Shu Ran maintained her composure: "Really? What happened?"
"Yesterday afternoon, the Education Section and the Publicity Section held a meeting to discuss the year-end commendations." Yang Zhenhua spoke quickly. "Director Sun specifically mentioned your name and the situation of the Livestock Company's demonstration site. The Publicity Section also recognized your performance at the headquarters meeting, saying that you have ideas, methods, and can withstand pressure, demonstrating the solid work style of our Corps' educators!"
As Shu Ran listened, she felt her palms getting warm. She tried to keep her voice calm: "So... this is just a preliminary discussion, right?"
"Oh, Comrade Shu Ran! The fact that you were singled out in the initial discussion is a signal! It means that the higher-ups have a very good impression of you! As long as your demonstration site doesn't run into any problems and produces results, this honor is almost certainly yours!"
Yang Zhenhua continued, "I heard that Deputy Political Commissar Zhang at headquarters also has a very good impression of you. This time, the division headquarters will definitely want to set an example, and you are young and have achieved real results at the grassroots level, so you are the most suitable! Maybe we can even recommend you to the corps level!"
The news came somewhat suddenly, and Shu Ran was a little overwhelmed. She took a deep breath and said to Yang Zhenhua, "Officer Yang, thank you for telling me this. But this matter is not yet finalized, so let's not make a fuss about it. The demonstration site is just starting out, and there is still a lot to do. We can't let the leaders down."
"Don't worry, I understand!" Yang Zhenhua said knowingly. "I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you'd be on the safe side. Okay, you go ahead and get busy, I have to go to my meeting too." With that, he left with the documents.
Shu Ran stood there, the morning sun warming her. She carried her luggage, her steps lighter than before. This news swept away all her fatigue of the past few days and the slight anxiety before her return journey.
On her way to the cafeteria, she ran into Zhang Ming, an officer from the Education Section. Upon seeing her, Zhang Ming's face broke into an even warmer smile than usual: "Comrade Shu Ran, are you going back already? Has Director Sun finished his instructions? Keep up the good work, you have a bright future ahead of you!" The implication in his words was clear.
Shu Ran ate her breakfast silently, already planning in her mind: Upon returning, she first needed to solidify the existing foundation and ensure the work at Qiming Primary School and the women's literacy class was carried out more thoroughly; secondly, she needed to launch the pilot program for mobile teaching points in pastoral areas as soon as possible, as this was crucial to the success of the demonstration sites; and thirdly, she needed to find ways to overcome any potential obstacles…
After breakfast, she went to the logistics department to complete the formalities and prepared to hitch a ride to the regimental headquarters to transport supplies.
While waiting for her car in the parking lot, she saw Chen Yuanjiang and several soldiers leading horses back, the horses carrying some loads, as if they had just returned from a mission. The men were covered in dust, their trouser legs splattered with mud.
Chen Yuanjiang also saw her, his gaze lingering on the luggage beside her. He gave his companion a few instructions and then walked towards her.
"Back to the company?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse, as if from staying up all night.
"Okay, waiting for the car." Shu Ran nodded, looking into his eyes, and couldn't help but ask, "How...is your mission going?"
Chen Yuanjiang hummed in response. He paused for a moment, then casually mentioned, "There might be changes to the education work at the regimental headquarters. There might be new people involved in the follow-up coordination."
This was the second time Shu Ran had heard this news. She nodded and said, "Director Sun told me. I'll handle it."
Chen Yuanjiang glanced at her but said nothing more. Just then, the car heading to the regimental headquarters honked its horn. Shu Ran picked up her luggage: "The car's here, I'm leaving."
Chen Yuanjiang nodded, his gaze deep: "Be careful on the road."
Shu Ran turned and walked towards the car. She could feel that gaze fixed on her back until she got in and closed the door.
As the car drove out of the division headquarters compound, Shu Ran looked back through the window. That figure was still standing there. She recalled the good news Yang Zhenhua had revealed, and then she remembered Chen Yuanjiang's reminder just now, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Some things that have quietly grown may need time to be clarified.
As the car accelerated, Shu Ran adjusted her posture and looked out the window at the gradually familiar Gobi Desert scenery, her heart filled with longing to return home.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
