Episode 18

1
The ox cart passed in front of Baofeng’s house. Xiaoqiao handed a bag of luggage to Baofeng. A-Yuan first helped Baofeng get off the cart. Baofeng said: “Xiaoqiao, I’ll change my clothes. I’ll go over and meet you later.”

The ox cart returned to the courtyard in front of Wenyan’s house. Wenyan helped Xiaoqiao down from the cart. Wenying jumped down by herself and ran into the house ahead, shouting: “Mom, Sister Xiaoqiao is here.”

Zhou Tian walked out from inside the house, an apron tied around her waist: “Girl, you’re here!”

Xiaoqiao politely bowed and said: “Grandma, I’m troubling you again.”

Zhou Tian said: “Come in and sit, you’re welcome!”

Wenyan asked: “Where is my mother?”

Zhou Tian said: “Your mother said she first wants to dig a few bamboo shoots, then go to the vegetable garden to cut some melons and a few handfuls of leafy vegetables, and then go to the river to collect the shrimp traps you set yesterday.”

Wenyan said: “Xiaoqiao, come in first and sit down to rest?”

Xiaoqiao said: “I’ll put my things down and then go to the kitchen to help Grandma.”

Zhou Tian said: “No need, you are a guest. I’ll handle it!”

Wenyan said: “Grandma, let her help. She can’t stay idle. I’ll go to the vegetable garden and the river to find my mother.”

2
Chen Baofeng pushed her bicycle into the courtyard, parked it properly, holding a gift box and a small bag of candied fruit, and walked into the living room. No one was in the living room, but voices came from the kitchen. Baofeng placed the gift box and candied fruit on the table and went toward the kitchen.

As she stepped into the kitchen, the first thing she saw was Xiaoqiao sitting on a small stool, peeling taro. Her knife skills looked very stiff and clumsy. Baofeng casually took down an apron hanging on the wall, put it on, and walked over to squat down.

Xiaoqiao looked up and said: “Baofeng, you came just in time. Let’s handle these fruits and vegetables together.”

Baofeng looked at the pile of produce on the ground. Besides several taros, there were pineapples, bottle gourds, loofahs, and winter melons. She smiled and said: “Young lady, I’d better do this kind of rough work.”

Xiaoqiao said: “I can do it, I’m just a bit slow.”

Baofeng picked up a peeler and asked: “Where are Aunt Laichun and Wenyan?”

Wenying, who was sitting nearby peeling peanuts, said: “They went to the vegetable garden and the river. They should be back soon.”

Zhou Tian, who was blanching chicken feathers by the stove, also said: “Looking at the time, they should be back soon.”

3
Dish after dish was carried to the dining table. In no time, more than ten dishes filled the large round table. Wenyan and Wenying set out bowls and chopsticks and called out: “Grandma, Mom, Uncle, Baofeng, Xiaoqiao, it’s time to eat.”

Everyone gradually gathered around the round table. Laichun said: “These are all simple home-cooked dishes. Auntie didn’t specially prepare anything, just eat as you like.”

Xiaoqiao said: “Mother Laichun, this table is very rich and very distinctive. For example, pickled vegetable chicken soup, pineapple bitter melon chicken soup, stir-fried sweet potato leaves, salted crispy river shrimp, chilled bamboo shoots—these are dishes I rarely had before!”

Laichun laughed happily and said: “We are in a rural place here, ingredients are all locally sourced. There’s no fancy meat to entertain you.”

Baofeng said: “Speaking of Taiwanese cuisine, Auntie’s cooking is truly outstanding—better than my mother. I just learned a few dishes earlier. I can cook them for my grandfather and mother to try later.”

Zhou Tian said: “Girl, you young ladies will need to manage households in the future, so you must learn how to cook.”

Xiaoqiao said: “Of course! My mother is also worried that I don’t know anything.”

Wenyan said: “Don’t worry. If you want to learn Taiwanese cooking, my mother and I will slowly teach you. She is our family’s head chef.”

Wenyan did not realize he had slipped his tongue. Baofeng’s expression flashed with a trace of displeasure. Xiaoqiao quickly signaled Wenyan with her eyes.

Laichun immediately changed the topic: “Come, come, help yourselves to whatever you want! This plate of chicken is free-range chicken we raised ourselves, the meat is very good…”

Baofeng said: “Auntie, we’ll serve ourselves!”

A-Yuan, who had been waiting for the meal, could finally enjoy the feast.

4
After Wenyan, Xiaoqiao, and Baofeng finished helping clean up the dishes, everyone sat in the living room drinking tea.

Baofeng and Xiaoqiao took out their respective gift boxes.

“Auntie, this is a newly fashionable dress. If it doesn’t fit, it can be slightly altered.” Baofeng held up the dress.

“Oh my! Baofeng, how can I let you spend money? I’m just a rough rural woman. How could I have the face to wear such an expensive dress out?” Laichun said this, but she was very delighted inside.

Baofeng placed the dress against Laichun’s body, comparing shoulder width and waistline, and said: “Let me check the size. Hmm, it probably doesn’t need much alteration.”

Xiaoqiao suggested: “Mother Laichun, you should just try it on directly. That would be more accurate.”

“That makes sense. I’ll go into the room and put it on.” Laichun said, taking the dress and going into the room. After a while, she came out wearing it and turned around in front of everyone.

Baofeng said with satisfaction: “It’s like it was tailor-made for Auntie. It fits perfectly.”

Laichun laughed and said: “I’d normally be reluctant to wear this dress out.”

Baofeng said: “Clothes are meant to be worn.”

Xiaoqiao took a gift box from her bag and placed it on the table: “Mother Laichun, I also prepared cosmetics for you. They’re all from our agency. Grandma and Wenying, I also prepared gifts for you.” Xiaoqiao took out two more small gift boxes.

Laichun opened the cosmetics box and said in surprise: “Imported from Japan—Shiseido high-end cosmetics! What would I even use these on my face for?”

Xiaoqiao said: “There are skincare products inside—face cream, lotion, and toner. You can use them at home daily to take care of your skin.”

Grandma Zhou Tian also opened her box and asked: “What is this thing?”

Xiaoqiao said: “That’s a hair dryer. It’s used to dry your hair after washing it.”

Grandma laughed: “We rural people don’t have that kind of leisure. After washing hair, we just use a towel to dry it.”

Wenying opened her gift box and hugged it excitedly: “So great! It’s a doll! Its eyes can move, and its arms and legs can bend! I’ve always wanted one like this. Thank you, Sister Xiaoqiao.”

“Wenying, I also have a gift for you!” Baofeng said, taking out a box of chocolates: “This is imported chocolate I specially bought two days ago at a foreign goods trading shop in Keelung.”

Wenying said: “It’s chocolate! Thank you, Sister Baofeng.”

Wenyan pouted and complained: “Why does everyone else have gifts, but I don’t?”

Baofeng pointed at Wenyan’s nose and said: “Today is your mother’s birthday, not yours. What are you complaining about?”

Xiaoqiao pulled Wenyan aside and whispered in his ear: “Stop complaining. Your gift is me.” After saying this, her cheeks immediately flushed red.

Wenyan said: “Oh! I like this gift.”

The two smiled at each other, silently understanding one another. Baofeng nearby did not know what Xiaoqiao had said to Wenyan, and was only suspicious.

Xiaoqiao said: “Mother Laichun, you can cut the cake now. Everyone is waiting to sing you the birthday song!”

Laichun said: “Right, I almost forgot in my excitement. Come, everyone, let’s eat cake together.”

5
The next morning, Xiaoqiao and Baofeng came together to look for Wenyan. Wenyan took them to the vegetable garden beside the house.

Xiaoqiao exclaimed: “Wow! There are so many fruits and vegetables here! I’ve really broadened my horizons.”

Wenyan said: “Most of the fruits and vegetables here are taken by my Uncle A-Yuan to sell at the market. A small portion is for our own consumption.”

Xiaoqiao pointed while speaking: “Look! There are loofahs and bottle gourds on the trellis, winter melons and pumpkins crawling on the ground, and eggplants, green peppers, chili peppers, basil, cauliflower, leeks, cabbage, round cabbage, leafy greens, sweet potato leaves—this is practically a vegetable paradise!”

Wenyan pointed to a corner and said: “There are also red sugarcane and red-fleshed guava that my mother likes.”

Xiaoqiao said: “No wonder you once said that after coming back from school every day, you still have so many household chores.”

Baofeng said: “We live in the countryside. Rural people are like this—there is always rough work and housework to do every day.”

Xiaoqiao asked: “Baofeng, you also do this kind of rough work at home, right?”

Baofeng said: “Of course! During tea-picking season, besides going to the tea fields to pick tea, I also have to help my brother A-Cai roast tea leaves, otherwise he and my mother alone cannot handle it.”

Wenyan said: “Young lady, among the three of us, you are the most idle.”

Xiaoqiao said: “I don’t like being idle either. I’d rather be like you all, having housework to keep busy.”

6
A-Yuan was selling tea in the vegetable market, also selling homegrown produce such as sweet potatoes and taros. When there were no customers, A-Yuan would carve wood at his stall.

A customer approached and asked: “Boss, how much is this tea? Boss…?”

Seeing A-Yuan not responding and still focused on carving wood, the customer tapped his shoulder. Only then did A-Yuan come back to his senses.

The customer asked again: “Boss, how much is this tea?”

A-Yuan pointed at the price list board beside him.

The customer looked at the prices and said: “Then give me half a jin of tea.”

The customer also picked a cabbage and two taros. After paying, the customer nodded in thanks. A-Yuan turned back to organize the large hemp sack of tea leaves and saw that only a small amount remained, so he packed up his stall and wandered around the market, picking up various discarded items such as bottles, newspapers, and used cardboard boxes.

A-Yuan picked up a stack of flyers. He could not understand what was written on them and did not care, so he directly put them into a box. He did not know that they contained radical anti-government writings opposing the Kuomintang government.

A vendor who was preparing to close his stall saw A-Yuan and took the initiative to hand over some of his discarded items: “Hey! These are all for you!”

Episode 18

7

A-Yuan looked at the sky and felt the time was about right. Only then did he drive the ox cart to the bus station to pick up Wenyan’s group and bring them back.

Wenyan, Wenying, and Baofeng saw the cart piled with miscellaneous items, and the three of them took quite some effort before managing to clear space to sit down.

Wenying complained: “Uncle Latter, you keep picking up all kinds of scrap metal. The ox cart is such a mess—how are we supposed to sit? Things keep falling off!”

Wenyan said: “It’s okay, just endure it a bit. I’ll talk to Uncle Latter when we get back. Be good, Ah-Ying.”

Yu Wenying complained again: “Will Uncle really listen? We’ve already told him so many times, and it’s still the same.”

There were many items on the ox cart, making it very uncomfortable to sit. Wenying kept squirming like a caterpillar, leaning on Wenyan in all sorts of positions. Wenyan was busy comforting his younger sister. Seeing this, Baofeng also helped soothe her and let Wenying sit on her lap.

Baofeng asked: “Wenying, do you want to hear a story? Shall I tell you one?”

Wenying said: “Yes! Yes!”

Baofeng said: “Then sit properly. Sister is going to start the story.”

After Wenying sat properly, Baofeng began:

“Long, long ago, there was a king. His queen passed away, so the king married another beautiful woman as queen. The king had a daughter from his first wife, an ugly girl named Snow White. Snow White had a magic mirror. She often asked the mirror: ‘Magic mirror, magic mirror, who is the most beautiful woman in the world?’ The mirror answered: ‘Your Majesty the Princess, the Queen is the most beautiful woman in the world.’”

Wenying grew more and more confused and interrupted the story, trying to correct Baofeng:
“Sister, the most beautiful woman in the world is not the queen, it’s Snow White! And the magic mirror belongs to the evil queen, not Snow White!”

Baofeng asked: “Who told you Snow White is the most beautiful one?”

Wenying said: “That’s what all the storybooks say.”

Baofeng said: “Really? But the storybooks I’ve seen don’t say that.”

Wenying asked: “Then what do they say?”

Baofeng continued:

“Snow White was very jealous of the queen’s beauty, so she incited the king to drive the queen out of the palace and ordered a soldier to take the queen into the forest to kill her. The soldier brought the queen into the forest, but he could not bear to kill such a beautiful woman. So he let her go, killed a wild boar instead, and brought back its heart and liver to report to Snow White.

Then the wicked Snow White asked the mirror again: ‘Magic mirror, magic mirror, who is the most beautiful woman in the world?’ The mirror answered: ‘The queen is still alive, and she is living in the forest with seven dwarfs.’

So Snow White drank a transformation potion, disguised herself as an old woman, went into the forest to visit the queen, and gave her a poisoned apple, trying to kill her. When the queen bit into the apple, she immediately collapsed and died.”

At this point Wenying became anxious and wanted to defend Snow White, while Wenyan secretly laughed beside them.

Wenying said: “Sister, that’s not Snow White’s story!”

Baofeng said: “Yes it is, this is clearly Snow White’s story.”

Wenying said: “Snow White is a beautiful and kind princess! She is not an ugly bad princess, and not an evil old woman either!”

Baofeng said: “Oh? Really? You really like Snow White, don’t you?”

Wenying said: “Everyone likes Snow White!”

Baofeng said: “But sister thinks Snow White is not as cute as Wenying, and not as pretty as Wenying.”

Wenying happily asked: “Really?”

Baofeng said: “Yes, Wenying is a cute and beautiful little princess.”

Wenying happily turned to Wenyan and asked: “Brother, sister said I’m a little princess!”

Wenyan smiled and said: “Yes, you’re the cutest.”

8

The ox cart arrived at Baofeng’s house. Wenyan jumped down and said:
“Baofeng, we’re here! Wenying, get up first. Sister needs to get off the cart.”

Because Wenying had been sitting on Baofeng for too long, Baofeng’s legs were numb and she could not stand.

Wenyan asked: “Baofeng, aren’t you getting off?”

Baofeng held onto the side of the cart and said: “My legs are numb. I can’t stand up.”

Wenyan said: “Then I’ll carry you down.”

Baofeng gave a soft “oh.” Wenyan leaned against the cart frame and lifted Baofeng onto his back.

Aijiao came out of the house and saw this scene. She walked over and asked with concern:
“What’s wrong with your legs?”

Baofeng said: “Mom, it’s nothing. My legs just went numb. I’ll be fine in a moment.”

Seeing Wenyan’s thoughtfulness, Aijiao felt warm and happy inside, thinking:
“Wenyan and my Baofeng are really quite a perfect match…”

9

In Wenyan’s traditional courtyard house, A-Yuan was frying tea leaves. Wenyan was in the pigsty pouring a large bucket of sweet potatoes into the feed trench, using a large ladle to spread them evenly. Wenying and Grandma Zhou Tian were sitting at the doorstep sorting vegetables. Wenying played while sorting, sticking two leaves near her mouth.

Wenying said: “Grandma, look! I have a beard!”

Grandma smiled and said: “Silly child, girls don’t grow beards.”

Wenying said: “Oh really? Then can I grow wings?”

Wenying held the leaves, stretched out her arms, ran around the courtyard, and flapped her arms like flying.

Laichun passed by the entrance and saw Wenying playing.

Laichun said sternly: “Little sister, when it’s work time you must be serious. Don’t just play.”

Wenying lowered her head and pouted: “Oh…”

Grandma walked over and hugged Wenying:
“A-Chun, don’t be so harsh on her. She’s still young. How can she tell when she should be serious?”

Laichun said with a bitter smile:
“Mother, don’t spoil her too much.”

Grandma said:
“This child has had no father since birth. As her grandmother, it’s only right that I love her more.”

Laichun was moved and said:
“Mother… Ah-Ying not having a father—that’s just her fate.”

10

In the library of Keelung Middle School, Wenyan, the Yu siblings, Baofeng, and Xiaoqiao were studying together. Mingdao hurried over excitedly, holding a small stack of application forms.

“Yutang, I got the Party membership application forms you wanted from Instructor Ma. After you fill them out, just send them to the instructor’s office yourself.” Mingdao said happily, not noticing Baofeng and Yutang exchanging looks and signaling him.

Wenyan looked up and asked curiously:
“Join the Party? Yutang, you’re also joining the Kuomintang?”

Yutang scratched his head awkwardly:
“It’s my father’s idea. He said joining early makes it easier to apply for scholarships, and later there might be chances for party cultivation and public office positions.”

Wenyan said lightly:
“If it’s a purposeful party entry, then I wish you smooth advancement from now on.”

His tone carried implication, which felt somewhat sharp to others. Baofeng tried to smooth things over:
“Everyone has their own path. Let them be.”

Mingdao said gently:
“Wenyan, Baofeng, I didn’t expect that after so many years, you still hold such resentment toward the government.”

Wenyan said solemnly:
“Mingdao, you’re wrong. It’s not just resentment—it’s hatred from the bottom of my heart. Those cold-blooded killers destroyed our village and killed our fathers and brothers. This hatred is irreconcilable.”

Xiaoqiao felt Wenyan’s deep resentment and did not know how to comfort him, only biting her lip and looking at him worriedly.

Yutang said:
“All right… everyone understands your experiences and grievances.”

11

On the weekend, in the dining room of the Xia family mansion, a maid brought breakfast. Xiaoqiao ate soy milk and egg pancake while reading the newspaper.

She noticed a headline and thought:
“Hey! The Moral Education Month essay competition results are out. Maybe Wenyan’s name is there…”

Indeed, the name Yu Wenyan appeared:
“Wow! First place in the national high school group!”

Xiaoqiao jumped up excitedly from the sofa:
“Mom! Mom! Come quickly and look!”

Wearing pajamas, Zhai Jialing came out of the bedroom, still sleepy:
“What’s all the noise about? It’s the weekend. Let me sleep a little more.”

Xiaoqiao handed her the newspaper excitedly:
“Mom, look! Wenyan is in the news again! First place in the national high school essay competition!”

Jialing glanced at it, stretched lazily, and joked:
“How come the prince charming won an award, and my Snow White is so excited?”

Xiaoqiao said:
“Mom, I just knew Wenyan would stand out!”

Jialing said:
“You, behave yourself. Don’t let your father know.”

Xiaoqiao said:
“Mom, I’m going up the mountain with this newspaper to find Wenyan.”

Jialing said displeased:
“What? You’re going up the mountain again? No. Don’t forget what day it is today.”

Xiaoqiao then remembered her younger brother Zixuan was flying back from the United States:
“Oh… anyway, he’s already grown up. You and the housekeeper can pick him up at Songshan Airport. Why must I go?”

Jialing said unhappily:
“As his sister, how can you say that? Just because you have a boyfriend, you’re going to ignore your family?”

Xiaoqiao felt uncomfortable after being scolded:
“Fine, fine. I’ll call Baofeng later and ask her to inform Wenyan.”

12

Baofeng rode her bicycle to Wenyan’s house carrying a newspaper. Only Wenying was in the living room doing homework.

Baofeng asked: “Wenying, is your brother home?”

Wenying pointed outside: “My brother is in the vegetable garden.”

“I’ll go find him.” Baofeng said, and quickly rode toward the garden.

She entered the vegetable garden and saw Wenyan repairing the melon trellis.

Wenyan looked up: “Baofeng, why are you here so early? It’s the weekend. Why not sleep more?”

Baofeng said: “Xiaoqiao just called me and asked me to bring you good news.”

Wenyan stopped working and joked:
“Good news? I haven’t gone helping fallen national flags recently.”

“Stop joking.” Baofeng said, handing him the newspaper.
“Your Moral Education Month essay won first place in the national high school category.”

Wenyan looked at it and said:
“I thought I’d fail this time.”

Baofeng said:
“Xiaoqiao originally wanted to come tell you herself, but she couldn’t get away.”

Wenyan said: “Oh.”

Baofeng said:
“I’ve delivered the message. The day after tomorrow at school, we’ll see how you plan to respond.”

Wenyan smiled foolishly and said:
“Oh… do I really need to respond? That’s troubling…”

13
The news that Wenyan had won a major award was of course also seen by Teacher Zhang Ronghua. On Monday morning during early self-study, the teacher announced the news in front of the whole class:

“This classmate Yu Wenyan has won first place in the national high school division of the Moral Education Month essay competition. Please give him a round of applause!”

Applause broke out in the classroom.

“You have to treat us!” said someone.
“Treat the whole class to shaved ice!” the students took turns teasing Wenyan, urging him to treat everyone. Wenyan smiled, but looked somewhat troubled, because he usually only had a monthly bus pass in his pocket and no pocket money at all.

Mingdao and Yutang of course knew Wenyan’s little secret. The two discussed in a low voice, and Mingdao stood up to help him out. Mingdao said:
“Of course shaved ice must be treated! But Yutang and I have decided that after school we’ll invite the whole class to gather at Guo Dezhu’s ice shop.”

Guo Dezhu immediately responded:
“Brothers, I’ll chip in for the treat too!”

After class, the broadcast system immediately rang, calling Wenyan to go to the principal’s office. Teacher Ronghua accompanied Wenyan, and under the escort of Mingdao, Yutang, Dezhu and others, they arrived at the entrance of the principal’s office.

The Dean of Academic Affairs Longhua, the Director of Student Affairs Du Jincheng, and the Chief Military Instructor Zhou Dayou were all present. Teacher Ronghua led Wenyan into the office, where Principal Shi Ji personally came forward to shake hands with the student and teacher.

Principal Shi Ji smiled broadly:
“Teacher Ronghua, this student Wenyan is truly remarkable! Not only is he a patriotic youth, he is also a writer who has repeatedly brought honor to our school. He is truly the pride of Keelung High School!”

Director Longhua also echoed:
“Yes indeed! As the saying goes, a famous teacher produces outstanding students. This is all thanks to Teacher Ronghua’s excellent guidance!”

Shi Ji said:
“Director Long, at the school assembly this Friday, I want to publicly commend Student Yu again. Please prepare for it.”

Longhua replied:
“Yes, Principal.”

“Teacher Ronghua, this Friday I will have Wenyan go on stage and read aloud his award-winning essay. Also, Director Du, this essay will be fully published in this semester’s school magazine.” The energetic Principal Shi Ji issued two directives in succession.

Du Jincheng replied:
“Understood, Principal.”

Chief Instructor Zhou Dayou said:
“Principal, I will submit the reward application for Student Yu tomorrow for your approval.”

Shi Ji said:
“According to precedent, give him a major commendation. Chief Instructor.”

Zhou Dayou responded:
“Yes, Principal.”

14
After Wenyan won the grand prize this time, Cheng Weiming, Lu Juntin, and Wu Jinglun fell into internal disagreement.

Cheng Weiming said:
“Just winning some essay prize and he already acts so proud. What nonsense is this?”

But Wu Jinglun said:
“Weiming, I think we should view Wenyan’s award in a positive way. His writing is indeed very good and worth learning from.”

Lu Juntin asked:
“Jinglun, what’s wrong with you? You got bought over by Wenyan over just a bowl of shaved ice?”

Wu Jinglun said seriously:
“I’m speaking the truth. Wenyan being able to stand out in a national competition means he has real ability. I once participated in a city calligraphy competition and had firsthand experience. In formal competitions, participants compete purely on strength—there is almost no luck or chance involved.”

Guo Dezhu, who happened to pass by, heard this and walked over to pat Wu Jinglun on the shoulder:
“Brother, you’re right! Any competition is about strength! For example, people often challenge me to billiards—winning or losing is also about skill and ability.”

Cheng Weiming sneered:
“Jinglun, it looks like you’ve already betrayed us.”

Wu Jinglun said:
“Betrayal? Isn’t that a bit too serious? I’m just reminding you not to look at Wenyan’s achievement with sour-grape mentality.”

Guo Dezhu praised him:
“Jinglun, you are a reasonable friend!”

15
During recess at the Keelung High School library, Xiaoqiao, Baofeng, and Yuhui were waiting for Wenyan, Mingdao, and Yutang to arrive.

In the corridor, Wenyan ran into School Magazine Society President Mu Minhua and senior student Shao Yanling.

Mu Minhua smiled:
“Wenyan, congratulations!”

Wenyan scratched his head shyly and smiled foolishly:
“I didn’t expect the news to spread so fast!”

Yanling said:
“The red honor board was just posted. The president and I saw it when we passed by.”

Mu Minhua said:
“Wenyan, at noon during lunch break, please come to the school magazine office. We need to discuss something with you.”

Wenyan said:
“Okay, I will go.”

Mu Minhua said:
“The president and I are going to the extracurricular activities section. The section head said there is a problem with this issue’s magazine submissions.”

Wenyan asked with concern:
“A problem? What kind of problem?”

Yanling said:
“We are not sure yet. We will know after we go and discuss it.”

16
President Mu Minhua and Shao Yanling went together to the extracurricular activities section of the student affairs office. Director Du Jincheng and section head Zhou Meihui were already waiting.

Zhou Meihui handed a manuscript to Mu Minhua:
“President Mu, except for this story, all other submissions for this issue are fine.”

Minhua looked at the manuscript. It was Yu Wenyan’s short story: “The Child from the Mountain Village.” She asked in confusion:
“What is the problem with this story, Teacher Zhou?”

Director Du replied with a stern expression:
“I’ll answer this. Student Yu Wenyan’s writing is indeed excellent, and this story is very touching. However, it involves a sensitive historical period and is not suitable for publication in the school magazine.”

Shao Yanling could not accept this explanation and felt anger rising in her chest. She could not help but retort:
“Director, to put it bluntly, you just don’t have backbone! Why drag so many excuses into it…”

Surprisingly, Director Du did not get angry. Instead, he said calmly:
“Student Shao, I understand your dissatisfaction. But think about it calmly. If this article is published, it will not only bring trouble to the school, but also cause unnecessary trouble for the author.”

Zhou Meihui said:
“We temporarily removed this story without informing the principal or other teachers. President Mu, I hope you can understand our intention and difficulties.”

After hearing their explanation, Yanling’s anger subsided a lot.

Director Du continued:
“Student Yu Wenyan’s award-winning Moral Education essay has been instructed by the principal to be published in this issue of the school magazine.” He handed a newspaper clipping to Mu Minhua. “Please retype and reformat it.”

Then Du added:
“Also, President Mu, regarding the next president of the magazine society, you consider Yu Wenyan to be an ideal candidate. I have no objection to him, but according to past practice, he must hold Party membership. According to the application files I currently have, his name is not included. This part requires you to personally communicate with him.”

Mu Minhua said:
“Alright, Director. I will talk to Wenyan about this.”

Mu and Shao then left the student affairs office and headed back to the school magazine office.

Shao Yanling complained:
“This Director Du clearly has prejudice against Wenyan and is deliberately making things difficult! Since when did our magazine society have such a strange rule?”

Mu Minhua said:
“I also find this somewhat strange. However, in the past, every magazine president indeed had Party membership. It has now become a prerequisite for succession.”

Shao Yanling said indignantly:
“We can all see what Director Du is thinking. He is deliberately using Party membership as a condition to make us back down!”

Mu Minhua said:
“Let’s not talk about this for now. When Wenyan comes later, we’ll discuss it with him.”