After going around in circles and changing buses several times, the group finally arrived at their destination.
Meng Wan was glad that she hadn't neglected her exercise over the past four years. Looking at her companions who were panting heavily, Meng Wan wiped the sweat from her forehead, and seeing that there was still halfway up the mountain road, she silently mourned for them for three seconds.
Although I knew it was remote, I really didn't expect it to be this remote.
I changed vehicles three or four times along the way, some by bus and some by three-wheeled motorcycle. I thought I had finally arrived, but I didn't expect that I would have to climb a mountain.
A group of people, all pampered and spoiled in the city, had never experienced such hardship. Before they even got there, half of their initial ambition had been worn away.
"Hang in there, everyone. We'll be able to rest when we get there." The instructor was also tired, but at this moment he could only force himself to cheer everyone up.
Now that things have come to this point, going home is out of the question, so the group had no choice but to grit their teeth and keep going.
"Teacher, it sounds like someone is coming down." Meng Wan's voice drew everyone's attention.
A group of people looked up and saw what looked like a group of little creatures running down the narrow mountain path.
As they moved cautiously, the children moved as if on flat ground, each running incredibly fast, which terrified the children.
In the blink of an eye, they were surrounded by children. Just as they were about to ask a question, a thin man in his forties or fifties appeared behind them.
"Is this Teacher Chen?"
"Are you Village Chief Wang?"
The teacher realized what was happening, and the two shook hands.
"You must be exhausted from your journey," the village chief said with a kind smile. The villagers, somewhat shy, waved their hands repeatedly. They all looked innocent and harmless, with clear and sincere eyes.
"These older brothers and sisters will be your teachers for this period of time. They've come all this way to teach you, so you can't be naughty. Be good, okay?"
The village chief looked at the group of children hiding behind him and patiently gave them instructions.
The children responded, looking at the group with the same curious eyes.
Meng Wan accidentally made eye contact with one of the children, and the child's evasive expression reminded her of the first time she met Meng Zhiyao.
Meng Wan smiled at her in a friendly manner, but unexpectedly, the little girl suddenly ran up to her.
"Teacher, can I help you?"
The little girl is nine years old. Due to malnutrition, her hair is frizzy and dry, and she is so thin that she is just skin and bones. She looks like a six or seven-year-old child.
She spoke softly, and seemed hesitant to look Meng Wan in the eye, as if afraid of being rejected. She clutched the hem of her clothes, looking flustered and uneasy.
"Of course, could you please help me with this?" Meng Wan didn't refuse, but handed her the small backpack she was carrying.
The little girl's skin was somewhat dark, seemingly from sun exposure, creating a stark contrast with Meng Wan's skin tone.
Hearing Meng Wan's words, her eyes lit up, her big eyes darting around with a hint of surprise.
She nodded frantically, as if afraid Meng Wan would change her mind, and deftly took the schoolbag, smiling shyly. Her initial anxiety about being disliked had subsided.
Meng Wan ruffled her hair, an affectionate gesture that made the little girl even more shy. The others were also somewhat envious, but they didn't make any rash moves, and one by one, they hid behind the village chief at some point.
"It's getting late, everyone. Let's hurry on our way. We'll be there soon. The villagers have prepared a big meal for all of you teachers. Let's just grit our teeth and get there."
The group of people naturally knew the situation in the village and didn't have high expectations for the so-called feast. However, they still echoed the village chief's words and encouraged each other. One of the boys was very humorous and immediately livened up the atmosphere.
The village chief patted the back of the head of the two slightly older boys next to him. The two boys were sensible and silently took the suitcases from the other girls without the village chief saying anything.
They didn't say anything. When they took the suitcase, they wiped their hands on their clothes again and again, as if to prove that their hands were clean and hoping that the other party would not be disgusted with them. It made people's noses feel a little sore.
They were initially embarrassed to ask the children for help, but seeing them like this, they were afraid the children would misunderstand and cause a rift.
Only kind and simple people would voluntarily sign up to come to this desolate place.
Both sides were somewhat awkward.
The village chief noticed this too, and waved his hand, "Let them take it. These kids have grown up carrying heavy things since they were little, and they might be stronger than those three boys."
"Then we'll have to arm wrestle when we get there and prove my strength." The boy who started first patted his arm, which was full of muscles.
"Stop joking. A grown man like you isn't ashamed to arm wrestle with a seven or eight-year-old." The girl patted him, and it was clear at a glance that their relationship was special.
"I'm twelve years old," the oldest child said, his Mandarin being one of the few that was fluent.
"Twelve years old?" The girl was somewhat incredulous.
The village chief nodded. “Most of their parents have gone out to work, and they live with their grandparents. You know the conditions in the mountains, so it’s hard for them to get enough nutrition. But things have improved a lot in the last two years. The government has been providing support. The school desks and chairs have been replaced, and a canteen has been built. It’s just that they didn’t get enough nutrition in the early days, but they’re just kids. With proper care, they’ll definitely grow taller.”
"Yes, yes, our school also has a basketball court. We all go there to play basketball. Teacher Wang said that playing basketball can help you grow taller."
"I can shoot three-pointers!"
The children chattered amongst themselves, some speaking in their local dialects, others struggling to speak somewhat awkward Mandarin, their eyes shining with anticipation for the future.
“Teacher Wang is my wife. She is now in charge of teaching these children. However, there are only about a dozen children in the village, so they are not divided into grades. My wife and another teacher are teaching them.”
The village chief explained, and everyone understood. The children started talking, and since there was also a cheerful and outgoing leader in their group, they chatted and laughed all the way, making the atmosphere much more relaxed and dispelling the initial fatigue and anxiety.
"What's your name?" Meng Wan asked the little girl beside her.
"Su Su, Li Su Su." Su Su's voice was a little soft, and she repeated it again in case Meng Wan didn't hear her.
"Su Su? Hello, my name is Meng Wan, Meng from Mencius, and Wan from evening." Meng Wan tried her best to explain to her in simple terms.
"I know Mencius; Teacher Wang taught me about him." Su Su always kept her head down when she spoke, not daring to look at Meng Wan.
"Can you write my name?"
"Yes, but my handwriting isn't very good," Su Su said, a little embarrassed.
"Before I go home, could you write my name a little nicer? As a thank you, I'll give you a gift, how about that?"
Su Su looked at Meng Wan. There had been some teachers before, but none of them were as beautiful as Meng Wan, like a fairy in a fairy tale.
As if bewildered, Su Su nodded.
"good."
A small agreement was made at the very beginning of the story.
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