Chapter 63 I welcome you on behalf of the school
But what frustrated Cheng Cheng even more was yet to come.
Here's what happened: Ever since Gao Xiaoyu had the ambition to show off to his classmates at school, he put in a lot of effort and practiced his painting skills diligently.
Even Xie Jiaohua complained to Cheng Cheng several times, saying that he was like a man possessed, and insisted that Lao Gao go to the desert to dig sand for him.
Aside from eating, sleeping, and going to school, this kid spends all his time squatting in the yard drawing monkeys, as if he's completely absorbed in it. I've never seen him so focused on his studies!
Gao Xiaoyu is so hardworking and diligent in studying painting techniques, and Batu next door is no exception. He can't lose to his younger brother who is two years younger than him, otherwise where would he put his face?
Seeing this, Cheng Cheng started setting up a small painting class in her yard every day after get off work.
Besides teaching Gao Xiaoyu and Batu to draw the majestic Monkey King, he also taught Chasuna and Naren to draw their favorite fairy Chang'e, and guided them in their drawing.
Cheng Cheng taught them for a while, and the children learned quite well enough to show off.
The children were accepted, and the next morning, Gao Xiaoyu carefully selected several evenly sized red willow branches and stuffed them into his schoolbag.
As soon as the bell rang, Gao Xiaoyu couldn't contain himself any longer. He gathered his friends and charged proudly toward the sandpit on the playground used for long jump.
Gao Xiaoyu, who was painting, seemed like a different person. She had shed her former playfulness and become calm and focused, completely unlike her usual lively self.
He imitated Aunt Chengcheng and Xiaoxiao when they were drawing, his movements were unhurried and focused, and he smoothly moved the twig across the sand.
At first, only a few of his close friends surrounded him, but then his classmates also gathered around, and gradually, more and more people gathered around the sandpit.
At first, everyone was laughing and joking around, but when a figure of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, wearing a phoenix-winged purple-gold crown with pheasant feathers and golden chainmail, gradually appeared on the sand, a chorus of exclamations of surprise erupted around them.
"Look, that's Sun Wukong! It looks just like him!"
"When did Gao Xiaoyu learn to draw this?"
"Shh, don't disturb him!"
"..."
Gao Xiaoyu ignored the sounds around him, immersed in his own world. His control over lines was not as precise and flexible as Xiaoxiao's.
But after much practice, he vividly captured the Monkey King's imposing manner and his domineering attitude during his rampage in the Heavenly Palace, bringing the image to life on the sand.
The onlookers instantly erupted in excitement. Gao Xiaoyu stood in the center of the crowd, chest puffed out, head held high, looking smug and triumphant.
"Gao Xiaoyu, when did you learn to draw Sun Wukong? You're amazing! Teach me!"
Stared at by everyone with undisguised admiration and envy, Gao Xiaoyu's face flushed red with excitement and pride.
He experienced being adored by his classmates for the first time, and it felt amazing, even more exciting than eating braised pork!
"no problem!"
Gao Xiaoyu immediately agreed, but the class bell rang soon after.
After Batu, Chasuna, and Naren also showed off their skills, a trend of "digging sand to draw pictures" suddenly swept through the base.
Not only the school playground, but also any open space in front of each house was covered with various patterns drawn by the children using twigs.
Even the chasing and playing during breaks decreased, and Ji Yunbo quickly noticed the spontaneous trend of learning to draw on the playground.
She didn't stop it immediately, but observed it with great interest for a few days.
One day during a break between classes, she personally came to the playground and saw Gao Xiaoyu and several other students teaching their classmates to draw Sun Wukong. She gently called them over, learned the reason for the situation, and asked them to draw it again on the spot.
Gao Xiaoyu and Cha Suna were both nervous and excited. They gave it their all, calmed their minds, and drew their best figures on the sand.
Principal Ji was quite surprised to see the lifelike figures of Sun Wukong and Chang'e on the sand.
That afternoon, Ji Yunbo found the address and knocked on Cheng Cheng's door.
Ji Yunbo smiled warmly and got straight to the point: "Hello, Comrade Cheng Cheng, I am Ji Yunbo, the principal of the base school."
"Principal Ji, hello, hello, please have a seat!"
Cheng Cheng poured her tea, looking completely bewildered by Principal Ji's arrival, a hint of confusion on her face.
Ji Yunbo took a sip of tea, placed the cup on the table, and looked at the woman in front of him with a warm smile, his eyes revealing appreciation.
"Before I came here, I was very curious about what kind of teacher could ignite so many children's passion for learning to draw with just a twig?"
Ji Yunbo smiled, his eyes full of approval, "Seeing you, I immediately had my answer."
Cheng Cheng felt a little embarrassed by what was said and smiled modestly.
Principal Ji continued with emotion: "Comrade Cheng Cheng, your approach has given me great inspiration! We have always emphasized the all-round development of morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics and labor, and the cultivation of laborers with socialist consciousness and culture. Aesthetic education is an indispensable and of paramount importance in this process."
“But the hardest thing to implement at our base is this beauty,” Ji Yunbo said with a sense of helplessness about reality. “Paintbrushes, paints, and paper are all scarce resources. We’re even short of paper for the children to use for their academic lessons, so how can we let them paint to their heart’s content?”
“You taught Gao Xiaoyu and the others to draw in the sand, that’s a great idea! Sand is the one thing we have plenty of here, it’s always available and inexhaustible.”
"It doesn't cost much, and if they make a mistake, they can just wipe it off and start over, giving the children endless creative possibilities. This is not only a good method, but it also shows that Comrade Cheng Cheng is very thoughtful and knows how to adapt to local conditions and stimulate the children's nature."
This is quite remarkable. Ji Yunbo had seen the paintings that Gao Xiaoyu and the others had drawn in the sand, and they were very well done, which shows that Comrade Cheng Cheng not only knows how to draw, but also how to teach.
Thinking of this, Ji Yunbo leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming solemn and earnest: "Comrade Cheng Cheng, on behalf of the school, I formally invite you to come to our school as an art teacher and teach art classes to the children."
"We need comrades like you who have ideas and know how to teach to enrich the children's extracurricular life."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng was taken aback. She was initially pleased to be recognized and trusted by Principal Ji, but a moment of hesitation quickly arose in her mind.
She never considered moving; working at the library has always been her unwavering first choice for retirement.
As for being a teacher, although the profession hasn't yet degenerated to the point where even dogs wouldn't do it in later generations, it's still a very sacred and dignified profession. But when it comes to teaching one child, a few children, or a group of students, you don't even need to think; you know which one to choose.
"Principal Ji, thank you so much for thinking so highly of me. To be honest, I'm really happy to hear you say that!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yunbo had a bad feeling, and sure enough, he heard the word "but".
"But working in the library is very meaningful to me. I love my current job and have no other plans or ideas."
Ji Yunbo nodded in understanding. She knew that her arrival was sudden, and that Comrade Cheng was doing a good job, but she had not given up.
Having grasped the core of the issue, he earnestly advised her: "I understand your thoughts, but Comrade Cheng Cheng, I would like to ask you not to reject me yet, but to listen to my thoughts first."
"Everything we do now serves the revolutionary cause, whether it is the work of the library or the educational work of the school."
"In educating the next generation, we must not only teach them to read and write, but also cultivate their healthy aesthetic sense and noble revolutionary sentiments, and let them use their paintbrushes to depict the magnificent landscapes of our motherland and the heroic figures of our workers, peasants, and soldiers..."
Ji Yunbo then spoke about the country's education policy. Her words were sincere, carrying a sense of responsibility and urgency to cultivate successors for the revolutionary cause.
The person who became the principal must have some skills; with that level of expertise and eloquence, they are indeed well-suited for ideological education work.
Cheng Cheng listened quietly. Principal Ji's words reminded her of the bright, eager eyes she saw when she was teaching Gao Xiaoyu and Cha Suna to draw in the sand.
She sighed inwardly; it seemed she could no longer refuse.
After a moment's hesitation, Cheng Cheng raised her head, her eyes shining with a gentle yet firm light. "Principal Ji, you've put it this far, it would be too inappropriate for me to refuse."
“It is my honor to be able to contribute my share to the revolutionary cause,” Cheng Cheng paused, then continued, “How about this? I will continue my work at the library, but I can set aside one or two afternoons each week to teach art classes to the children at the school, as an extracurricular activity. Is that alright with you?”
Upon hearing this, Ji Yunbo's face immediately lit up with a relieved smile, and he tightly grasped her hand: "That's wonderful! Comrade Cheng Cheng, on behalf of the school, I welcome you!"
Cheng Cheng smiled. Since she had decided to do it, she also put forward her own requirements and opinions, and the two chatted about the issue of aesthetic education.
Ji Yunbo's eyes lit up as she listened. Her trip had been so worthwhile; she had not only found a great teacher, but also met a kindred spirit in education!
"Comrade Cheng, you're right. Art education isn't about tools, but about inspiring children's eyes and hearts. When we teach children to draw a tree or a flower, it's not just about teaching them how to draw, but more importantly, about cultivating their ability to observe life, discover beauty, and create beauty, and fostering a well-rounded personality..."
Inspired by Principal Ji's enthusiasm, Cheng Cheng shared some of her thoughts.
"I just think that children are born with the ability to discover and create beauty, and we teachers are more like helping them open a window."
"For example, we can take children to observe the sunrise and sunset in the Gobi Desert, watch the seasonal changes in the poplar forest, and even the neat red brick houses and fluttering red flags of our base are all beautiful materials. The key is to guide children to observe, pay attention, and think..."
Ji Yunbo became more and more excited as he listened, and couldn't help but gently slap the table. "Yes, yes, yes! That's it! Comrade Cheng Cheng, your ideas are exactly what our school lacks most right now. Inviting you to the school to teach the children today is the best decision I've ever made."
Students are fortunate to have such a thoughtful and visionary art education teacher.
Ji Yunbo looked at Comrade Cheng Cheng with admiration and joy in his eyes, as if he had found a treasure.
The two chatted for a long time before Ji Yunbo reluctantly stood up and took his leave.
As he left, he held her hand tightly: "Comrade Cheng Cheng, it's settled then! I'll be waiting for you at school next Tuesday. The children will be so happy to know you're coming!"
However, Ji Yunbo's joy at "finding a treasure" did not last long, as her "precious talent" was snatched away.
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Author's Note: See you tomorrow!
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