Chapter 32: Subsequent Impact (Part 2)

It was said that Shi Xiaolian was also being pestered, but since she had always been known as someone who didn’t talk much, she simply refused to say anything.

With nothing to pry out of her, the disappointed village women had no choice but to leave.

It turned out that being quiet had its advantages.

However, what Mu Mian didn’t expect was that she thought this matter would only be a topic of discussion within their brigade for a few days.

But then, one day, Xu Lele came running over excitedly, saying that her father had just returned from a meeting at the commune. Apparently, the leaders had praised him, saying their brigade was doing a great job in education.

The little girl was so excited that her words were all over the place, jumping from one point to another. Mu Mian only managed to catch about seventy to eighty percent of what she was saying.

Right now, many crops were entering their ripening stage, and the autumn harvest was just around the corner. This was the most critical time of the year for the brigade.

After working hard for half a year, everything came down to this moment. The commune leaders were highly focused on it.

The brigade leader had likely gone to a meeting about production matters, and during the discussion, the commune leaders casually brought up Mu Mian and Shi Xiaolian.

Since the magazines required real names and affiliations when submitting articles, her piece clearly listed “Hongxing Commune, Qingfeng Brigade” in the author section. So it wasn’t surprising that the commune found out.

Mu Mian didn’t think much of it. It didn’t affect her in any way.

But while she wasn’t particularly concerned, the brigade leader seemed to be. That evening, he came straight to her house.

Liu Shuangcui was the first to see him. “Brigade Leader? Are you looking for Old Mu? He’s not back yet.”

Xu Yongshou waved his hand. “Not looking for him. I’m here for Mian girl.”

Mu Mian, who was tending the fire in the kitchen, poked her head out of the window. “Looking for me? Uncle Xu, what’s the matter?”

Xu Yongshou grinned. “I wanted to hear your thoughts—yours and Shi Xiaolian’s—on whether there’s anything we can improve about our brigade’s elementary school.”

In the past, Xu Yongshou hadn’t paid much attention to the elementary school. The only time he really cared was when they were setting it up, thinking that as long as the kids had a place to study and could learn to read, they wouldn’t end up illiterate.

But now, looking back, he realized that if kids learned more, the benefits were plenty.

Over the past few days, many parents had come to pay school fees, and half of them were for daughters.

When school reopened in a few days, there would probably be at least twenty to thirty percent more students than usual.

However, there were still plenty of kids who didn’t take their studies seriously. Parents always hoped their child would rank first, but whether the child could actually absorb the knowledge was a different matter altogether.

His own daughter, for example, just couldn’t get into studying, which gave him quite the headache.

Hearing his question, Mu Mian quickly stepped out of the kitchen and sat on the bench beside Xu Yongshou. “Uncle Xu, have you asked Shi Xiaolian?”

Xu Yongshou nodded. “I did. She said she’s not attending school, so she has no opinions about it. She told me to come ask you instead.”

If this were before, he wouldn’t have cared about the opinions of two little girls. But now, he was genuinely interested in hearing what they had to say.

Mu Mian: “……………”

That did sound exactly like something Shi Xiaolian would say.

Speaking of their elementary school, Mu Mian actually did have some thoughts. However, they weren’t about the school itself but rather about the teacher.

Over the past half-semester, she had noticed that the educated youth, Qian Xun, wasn’t teaching properly at all.

Even when she only happened to overhear his lessons, she could tell that he was making mistakes in some places.

Sometimes, he would overcomplicate simple topics or oversimplify complex ones, going around in circles. It gave the impression that he had no idea how to teach.

In other words, it meant that Educated Youth Qian lacked ability and had not put in the effort to prepare.

The teachers at the brigade’s elementary school did not receive a salary, but their work points were quite high. They only had to teach for half a day to earn seven work points.

Although these work points weren’t enough to support an entire family, they were more than sufficient to sustain one person.

Everyone else cherished the opportunity to be a teacher, but who knew where Educated Youth Qian’s mind had wandered off to?

Faced with Xu Yongshou’s question, Mu Mian did not exaggerate but simply told the truth.

After listening, Xu Yongshou frowned. When selecting teachers before, aside from Jian Mulan, the other three candidates were all about the same level. Among them, Qian Xun was only slightly better.

However, there was no one else to choose from at the time, so Educated Youth Qian was selected.

Now, Xu Yongshou left with a thoughtful expression.

Since this matter was not something a child could decide, Mu Mian set it aside after speaking her mind.

—

The next day, when Mu Mian went to the river with her mother to wash clothes, she saw Nie Sihui also washing laundry there.

Nie Sihui waved at them. “There’s a spot here where you can sit. Xiao Mian, come over and sit here.”

Mu Mian walked over and plopped down on a large rock beside her. The three of them chatted while washing clothes.

As they talked, Mu Mian thought of what had happened the night before. She leaned closer to Nie Sihui and whispered, “Sister Sihui, did you graduate from middle school or high school?”

Nie Sihui paused for a moment. “I only have a junior high school diploma, and I still have half a semester left in high school, so I don’t have a certificate. What’s wrong?”

Back then, her mother had already started arranging a marriage for her, seemingly eager to have her drop out and get married.

Rather than marry a stranger, Nie Sihui preferred to go to the countryside.

Mu Mian hadn’t expected this answer and was momentarily stunned. She didn’t press further about why Nie Sihui hadn’t completed high school.

Instead, she whispered, “I think the brigade leader is planning to reselect the elementary school teacher. Sister Sihui, you should secretly prepare. I have high hopes for you!”

Nie Sihui had always had a good reputation among the villagers.

She never slacked off at work, was willing to learn unfamiliar tasks, and once she became skilled, she could keep up with the older women in her work group.

As her mother, Liu Shuangcui put it, she was a reliable person.

Upon hearing Mu Mian’s words, Nie Sihui’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Of course, everyone wanted an easier job. Nie Sihui was no exception. Right now, she toiled all day long in the fields, earning just about seven work points.

Mu Mian wasn’t entirely certain. “It’s almost a sure thing. I saw the brigade leader seemed to have this in mind. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

Given the brigade leader’s usual approach to decision-making, this matter was practically settled.

Nie Sihui scooted closer to the little girl. “Xiao Mian, thank you! I’ll start preparing right away!”

Mu Mian smiled. “No need to thank me. I don’t actually know how the brigade leader will make his choice.”

Nie Sihui chuckled. “No matter how he picks, we’ll definitely have to teach him a lesson in front of everyone. I’ll get ready first.”

Mu Mian nodded in support.

The two of them sat close together and exchanged a smile.