PCJ – Chapter 164 The Window of Growth

Luo Changjun was coming downstairs when Old Xiao from the neighboring fried dough stick shop was cleaning up. He poured the oil used throughout the day into a container, letting the sediment settle at the bottom so the clear oil on top could be reused the next day. People at that time didn’t mind this practice. They felt that discarding such clear oil would be a waste.

“Master Xiao, just finishing up now? Business seems good,” Luo Changjun greeted Old Xiao.

Neighbors on the same street were very familiar with each other. There’s an old Chinese saying: “Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors.” During tough times, neighbors helped each other out, often more than relatives would.

“Director Luo, I just run a small business with thin margins. Even if business is good, it can’t compare to you government officials who get paid even during holidays,” Old Xiao replied with a smile.

Luo Changjun knew that most of the small business owners on this street made quite a bit of profit despite their humble appearances. Their earnings often exceeded those with fixed salaries like his. They dressed simply, but their monthly incomes were surprisingly high. If Luo Changjun didn’t often handle cases and come into contact with these small business owners, he wouldn’t have known how much money they quietly made.

“You’re teasing me. I’m not asking to borrow money. Master Xiao, be sure to manage your stove carefully. There have been several fires in town lately. You fry oil every day, so be especially careful,” Luo Changjun said as he passed by Old Xiao’s shop and saw him casually discarding hot stove ash on the ground. The grease on the ground sizzled under the hot ashes, making Luo Changjun frown.

“No worries, this just helps burn off the grease on the ground. I’m here watching, so nothing will happen,” Old Xiao laughed.

Luo Changjun got into his jeep, started it up with a roar, and drove toward the police station.

“Changjun has really become successful. So young and already the head of his unit,” Old Xiao muttered to himself as he watched the car drive away.

When Luo Changjun returned to the police station, he got caught up with a bunch of work, completely forgetting about the two house protection charms in his bag.

Meizi’ao Primary School reopened, and the village kids returned to school. The little hill, quiet throughout the winter break, was bustling with noise again.

“Teacher Gong, I’ve changed my name. From today on, I’m Zhang Jiaohua. Jiao as in education, Hua as in transformation,” Zhang Jiaohua loudly announced to Gong Ziyuan when registering.

“Why did you change your name? This one doesn’t sound as nice as the old one. It’s not smooth to call,” Gong Ziyuan laughed.

“Calling me Beggar isn’t nice. Someone helped me change it. I’ve already updated it at the town police station,” Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t sure if Gong Ziyuan was being serious.

“Alright, I’ll change it for you. Names don’t matter much; what’s important is you. Jiaohua, you’re so smart. Study hard, and you’ll surely get into college. In a remote village like ours, college is our only way out. You can see farther from a higher place. If you don’t climb to the top of Meishan, you won’t see the farthest places or the most beautiful views,” Gong Ziyuan couldn’t help but say more after seeing Zhang Jiaohua’s grades on the report card.

In fact, almost everyone in the school knew that Zhang Jiaohua didn’t use to do homework, not even owning a workbook. Other kids brought their winter homework, but Zhang Jiaohua’s was probably lost somewhere. For other kids, Gong Ziyuan wouldn’t register them without some tears and scolding, but he couldn’t do anything to scare Zhang Jiaohua. If he didn’t let Zhang Jiaohua into the classroom, the boy would just go home, and Gong Ziyuan would have to go invite him back.

No kids at Meizi’ao Primary School compared themselves to Zhang Jiaohua because Gong Ziyuan would directly retort, “If you want to be like Zhang Jiaohua, just score the same as him.” That would end the discussion. Educational conditions at Meizi’ao were modest, and few students excelled. Almost none scored double hundreds at the end of the term.

Zhang Jiaohua now had an additional task at school. Besides textbooks, his bag contained a book given by Luo Yongming. He even took it out during class.

Seeing Zhang Jiaohua diligently reading in class, Gong Ziyuan felt a bit uneasy and went over to check, only to find he was reading a novel. The book’s cover was immediately recognizable: “Ordinary World.” Gong Ziyuan had a set himself. He thought about scolding Zhang Jiaohua but decided to turn a blind eye. He felt this book might mean more to Zhang Jiaohua than the class itself. Kids from a place like Meizi’ao might need a story like Sun Shaoping’s for inspiration. But he wondered if Zhang Jiaohua, at his age, could truly understand the book.

Zhang Jiaohua was indeed engrossed in the novel. He hadn’t experienced hunger but could understand the resilience in hardship.

When one door closes, another might open. Missing parental companionship in his growth, he found joy in books. He was immersed in the world of books, gaining insight and understanding. He began to comprehend why his parents left him behind to seek a better future.

Class after class, Zhang Jiaohua sat unmoving, only occasionally turning a page. Dumb didn’t disturb him.

A large hand covered the book in front of Zhang Jiaohua, making him look up.

“If you keep reading, you’ll have to sleep here tonight. I heard your parents went to Guangdong. You need to take care of everything at home now,” Gong Ziyuan interrupted Zhang Jiaohua after school.

Zhang Jiaohua looked around and realized the classroom was empty.

“How’s the book? Is it good?” Gong Ziyuan asked with a smile.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded.

“I can let you read any book at school, but you can’t neglect your studies. If you want to go to college, you have to master all your subjects,” Gong Ziyuan knew it wouldn’t be easy to guide Zhang Jiaohua onto the right path.