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It had been almost a year since Hu Ruoyun graduated from high school. He often wrote letters to Teacher Wang Hongjian at Eight Middle School but had yet to visit him. Now, his parents were not allowing him to help out at home, giving a very reasonable excuse: "Just take good care of Mao Na!"
He decided to tell his parents that he would take Mao Na back to his old high school for a visit. Although there was a Provincial Road connecting Lao Gu to Gaoqiao Town, there was no public bus service. Fortunately, with the development of the economy, the movement of people had increased, and some clever individuals had started new transportation services.
At the market in Laogu Township, five or six motorized tricycles were parked, specifically for transporting people to towns like Pingbei and Gaoqiao that lacked bus services.
Early the next morning, Hu Ruoyun rode his family's Twenty-Eight Bar Bicycle with Mao Na to Lao Gu Market. He found a tricycle and negotiated a fare with the driver. Within half an hour, they arrived at Annan County's Eight Middle School.
He informed the gatekeeper that he was a graduate from last year and had come back to visit his teacher. The gatekeeper was somewhat touched and recognized Hu Ruoyun's name, opening the gate to let them in.
Teacher Wang was in the last office, which was half a room filled with a large bookshelf and a hand-cranked mimeograph machine; it could be considered a living room as well. Upon seeing Hu Ruoyun enter, he quickly offered them seats and poured them water. When he learned that Mao Na was Hu Ruoyun's girlfriend, he was even more delighted: "You're doing well; nothing has held you back..."
They chatted about their classmates and various happenings at the school. Principal Zheng had retired at the end of last year, and the new principal was the former Vice Principal, Li Gewei. They also discussed some classmates' situations; some news was new to Hu Ruoyun: sports committee member Gao Jiazhuang and the school beauty Wang Bingbing were both studying in Jiangcheng. Gao Jiazhuang was attending Jiangcheng Vocational and Technical College (similar in nature to Jingnan Academy where Wu Mingliang studied), while Wang Bingbing was enrolled in Jiangbei Province University of Technology under a sponsored program. It was said that after graduation, her parents could arrange a job for her in the county.
At noon, Teacher Wang wanted to keep them for lunch at school, but Hu Ruoyun insisted on taking him to New Daxin instead. He practically pushed Teacher Wang along while Mao Na went off to order food.
Teacher Wang had classes in the afternoon and couldn't drink alcohol, so Hu Ruoyun took back two bottles of liquor he had brought.
Upon their first meeting, Teacher Wang was happy to see Hu Ruoyun. However, after a few cups of tea, he shared his concerns: "Principal Zheng has retired, and I was specifically recruited by him. The new Principal Li doesn’t seem to like me at all; starting this year, I’m no longer allowed to be a homeroom teacher. They say the school is undergoing major reforms and cleaning up staff..."
"I’m thinking about quitting this substitute teaching job altogether and trying my luck in southern coastal cities while I'm still young!"
Mao Na, who had been quiet until now, asked, "Teacher Wang, aside from these issues, your teaching and administrative work are going well, right?"
Teacher Wang forced a smile: "What good does it do? After Principal Zheng retired, despite being highly rated by students and colleagues alike, everything has been dismissed by Principal Li's final say!"
In a later television drama titled Infiltration, Wu Jingzhong, head of the Tianjin station of the Security Bureau, once said: "Personnel matters are politics!" That’s exactly what Teacher Wang was facing now.
Mao Na comforted Wang Hongjian: "Teacher Wang, if you’re truly talented, you will shine eventually!"
After leaving Annan's Eight Middle School, they took another tricycle back to Lao Gu Market. Riding on the bicycle with Mao Na on board, they returned home where everything was going smoothly. The family was busy with the mill and feed processing plant. He told his parents that he would take Mao Na back to the county town the next day.
With their child returned home and their future daughter-in-law seen as well, the family was occupied with their own affairs; they were fine with him leaving. Zhao Meirong packed a large bag of peanuts and half a bag of freshly ground wheat kernels for Mao Na along with a package of sun-dried locust flowers: "Na, our family may not be as well-off as yours or have anything special; please take these with you..."
Mao Na quickly took everything.
Early the next morning, Hu Qihua drove the family’s Hand-Pulled Tractor, taking the two of them to Lao Gu Market. He watched as they boarded the bus heading to the county town before starting the engine and leaving.
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