Chapter 40

Time flew by quickly, and before long, it was summer.

This was a season that brought relative satisfaction. The matured beans in the river, the alluring purple eggplants, and the fresh, crisp green cucumbers filled the market. A variety of fruits and vegetables had begun to appear, and summer was the season when it was least difficult for the common people to go hungry. The crops in the fields had also grown significantly, bringing joy to anyone who looked at them.

The townspeople had already changed into cool short-sleeved shirts, and the old man pushing the ice cream cart had become an even more frequent sight on the streets. After spending months with his classmates, Jiang Jiang had completely familiarized himself with everyone.

On June 1st, the school planned to hold a poetry reading competition. Each class needed to send two students to represent their class in the competition, which would also be attended by regional leaders.

Teacher Tian stood on the platform, seeking the opinions of the students.

Li Yanhong, the most respected student in the class, was undoubtedly the one with the loudest call to represent the class in the competition. He was quickly confirmed as the first candidate for the reading competition.

“Then what about the other student? Who is more suitable?”

“How about letting Lin Jiang Jiang go?” a classmate suggested.

Soon, another classmate echoed, “Yes, Lin Jiang Jiang is suitable.”

Teacher Tian’s gentle gaze fell on Jiang Jiang. “Jiang Jiang, what do you think?”

In fact, Teacher Tian thought Jiang Jiang was a good fit as well, considering it was a reading competition that required a certain level of literacy. Moreover, the girl had a pleasant voice and a good presence.

Suddenly being called by name, Jiang Jiang looked at everyone in surprise. “Me?”

Teacher Tian smiled, “Yes, Jiang Jiang, can you do it?”

Jiang Jiang hesitated for a moment, then saw class monitor Li Yanhong nodding at her. After thinking it over, she earnestly nodded. “Teacher, I can give it a try. I hope I won’t let everyone down.”

The representatives for the reading competition were thus confirmed. As soon as this was announced, the school bell rang, and a few naughty boys immediately became restless.

Teacher Tian called for everyone to settle down. “Alright, then Li Yanhong and Lin Jiang Jiang will represent our first-grade class (1) in the reading competition on June 1st. You two students should stay after school to discuss the reading material.”

After school, Teacher Tian discussed the matter with the two of them and ultimately decided that they would recite “On Youth China” for the competition.

When Jiang Jiang got home, she shared the news about the reading competition with He Guijuan. Overjoyed, He Guijuan couldn’t help but hug her tightly and give her a kiss. Lin Youqing was also pleased, seeing this as a rare opportunity and feeling proud of his daughter.

However, performing a complete poetry recitation on stage posed a significant challenge for Jiang Jiang. She had never engaged in poetry recitation before; she could only learn from Teacher Tian and practice repeatedly at home. Additionally, Jiang Jiang’s quiet and introverted nature meant that facing the leaders and classmates in the audience during the recital was a huge hurdle for her.

Nonetheless, Li Yanhong encouraged her while they practiced together, which greatly boosted her confidence.

On the day before the competition, Teacher Tian discussed with them, deciding not to practice today and advising them to return home early to rest.

“Alright,” Jiang Jiang agreed.

“Teacher, we will head back now. Goodbye, Teacher.”

“Goodbye.”

As they walked out of the classroom, Li Yanhong said to her, “You’ve already done very well. Don’t be nervous tomorrow; just perform normally.”

On the final day, Jiang Jiang felt a sense of relief as she nodded. “Mm, you should also go home and rest well.”

The next day marked the official competition. They changed into their competition outfits, wearing traditional student attire from the Republic of China. Jiang Jiang’s hair was styled into two simple braids. They were scheduled to go on stage third, with a senior student serving as the host.

“The next performance will be ‘On Youth China,’ which will be presented by Li Yanhong and Lin Jiang Jiang from first-grade class (1).”

The audience was large, and at first, Jiang Jiang felt slightly nervous. However, as the rhythm of the recitation deepened, she completely got into the groove.

With full emotion, she raised her voice: “If the youth are wise, then the nation is wise; if the youth are wealthy, then the nation is wealthy; if the youth are strong, then the nation is strong; if the youth are independent, then the nation is independent; if the youth are free, then the nation is free; if the youth progress, then the nation progresses; if the youth excel beyond Europe, then the nation excels beyond Europe; if the youth are strong on earth, then the nation is strong on earth. As the red sun rises, its path shines bright…”

Their recitation concluded, and a thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

In the crowd, Teacher Tian smiled and nodded at them. These two children were even more outstanding than she had imagined.

After the competition, it was time for the award ceremony. Jiang Jiang and her partner received second place, being the only awardees from the lower grades. In addition to the certificate awarded to their class, the school also gave each of them a large pencil case and a set of “Selected Works of Mao Zedong.”

This marked a complete end to their experience in the reading competition.

After school, Jiang Jiang spotted a vendor pushing a foam box filled with cream ice pops. She took out some money to buy one for herself.

“Little girl, here you go,” the old woman said as she opened the foam box and lifted a cotton blanket used for insulation, pulling out an ice pop and handing it to her.

“Thank you, Grandma,” Jiang Jiang replied as she took the ice pop from the old woman’s hand. She peeled away the translucent wrapping that encased the creamy ice pop, and a gentle mist rose from it, releasing a subtle scent of cream that wafted into her nostrils.

Jiang Jiang took a bite of the cream ice pop; it was sweet, with a rich cream flavor and a smooth texture. The hot weather made people irritable, and enjoying a cool ice pop felt incredibly refreshing.

The cream ice pops were five cents each, and there was also a fruit-flavored ice pop that cost thirty cents. However, it lacked the milky aroma and didn’t have the same smooth texture as the cream version, yet it was still very popular.

As Jiang Jiang walked home, eating her ice pop, she noticed that Xie Jinyan had things to do today and wouldn’t be going home with her. The afternoon sun stretched their shadows long, and the sunlight was somewhat blinding. After finishing her ice pop and tossing the stick into a trash can, she suddenly heard someone calling her name.

“Jiang Jiang.”

Jiang Jiang raised her hand to shield her eyes and finally recognized the person standing under the tree. A look of surprise spread across her face. “Brother Zhong Xing!”

The young man under the tree wore a simple, clean shirt. His hair was jet black, and his features were handsome, with clear eyes and a gentle smile playing on his lips.

“Slow down when you run,” Zhong Xing said with a chuckle as he steadied her.

“Brother Zhong Xing, how come you’re back?”

Zhong Xing tousled her hair affectionately. “In a few days, a youth basketball tournament will be held at the county high school, and Hanyang and I will represent the Luling Commune in the competition. If you have time, you should come and watch.”

“A basketball game? Great! I’ll definitely come!” Jiang Jiang replied without hesitation.