PCJ – Chapter 308 A Good Sign

Zhang Jiaohua lay in bed, clutching the blanket tightly, his body curled up and drenched in sweat. His body trembled occasionally.

“What’s wrong with Jiaohua? He’s been having nightmares these past couple of days. He’s supposed to go to school today, but he still hasn’t woken up. He hasn’t practiced his stance exercises in the past few days either,” Zhang Youlian said worriedly.

Zhang Manyin frowned, “Wake him up.”

“Jiaohua, Jiaohua, wake up quickly, or you’ll be late for school. I’ve already made breakfast, so get up,” Zhang Youlian called twice, but when Zhang Jiaohua didn’t respond, she shook him awake.

Zhang Jiaohua opened his eyes, looked at Zhang Youlian and then at Zhang Manyin, his mouth twisting as he said, “I can’t find my Taoist master.”

Zhang Manyin chuckled, “Silly child, that was just a dream! How could you take a dream seriously?”

“Yeah, things in dreams aren’t real. You’ll forget once you’re awake. Go wash up quickly before your breakfast gets cold,” Zhang Youlian urged.

Zhang Jiaohua got up quickly, dressed in a flash, neatly folded his blanket, and within ten minutes, had washed, eaten, and was on his bicycle, racing toward Meizi’ao Primary School.

On the way, he rode through thick mud, which splashed onto his bicycle, but the spinning tires soon flung it off. Without the mudguards, Zhang Jiaohua would have been covered in mud, though he still got some on himself. He didn’t care, though. He couldn’t afford to be late, especially after Xu Xuehe had just promised to make him a class officer. He didn’t want to be late on the first day.

Zhang Jiaohua entered the classroom to the ringing sound of his bicycle, quickly took his seat, and Xu Xuehe noticed the dirt all over him, smiling wryly at how distinctive he always was.

“Class, I have an announcement to make. Zhang Jiaohua has always excelled in his studies and is a role model for everyone. Recently, our class has formed a basketball team, and Zhang Jiaohua has performed outstandingly. I’ve decided to appoint him as the captain of both our class and the Meizi’ao Primary School basketball teams. If anyone wants to learn basketball, feel free to ask him for help. Also, from today, Zhang Jiaohua will officially serve as our class sports monitor,” Xu Xuehe announced, unintentionally using “Jiaohua” instead of “Jiaohua” due to how catchy the name was.

The second-graders didn’t find this surprising, as Xu Laoshi had the final say on everything. Whoever he wanted to be a class officer became one, and with Zhang Jiaohua always scoring first in class, making him the sports monitor seemed almost an understatement. But then again, for second-graders, being a class officer wasn’t that big of a deal. No one really understood the difference, as it seemed like the same whether you were one or not.

However, the class’s response didn’t meet Xu Xuehe’s expectations, leaving him a bit frustrated. He was just short of fully integrating Zhang Jiaohua into the group.

Nevertheless, Zhang Jiaohua seemed excited. Being a class officer, after all, was still something special.

“Jiaohua, from now on, you’ll call everyone to attention during class, and you’ll also organize the lineup during PE,” Xu Xuehe added, trying to encourage him further.

“Okay,” Zhang Jiaohua eagerly agreed.

But Liu Wenbo wasn’t having it. He slumped over his desk and started crying. He was the class president, wasn’t calling the class to attention his privilege? Just like that, Xu Laoshi took away his authority with a single sentence.

Xu Xuehe scratched his head. Oops, he hadn’t thought that through, but since he had already spoken, he needed to maintain his authority. “Liu Wenbo, you’re the class president. You should lead by example and follow the teacher’s instructions. If even the class president doesn’t follow instructions, how can the teacher do their job?”

Liu Wenbo quickly straightened up and wiped his tears with his sleeve. “I-I’ll listen to Xu Laoshi.”

After class, Xu Xuehe went to the principal’s office to discuss the basketball team.

“Having Zhang Jiaohua involved in a team sport is a good thing, but we must consider his unique situation. Overall, I support your efforts. Organizing a basketball team at school is a good idea. It helps the kids get exercise, and more importantly, teaches them teamwork,” Principal Ma Lishong thought, though he silently felt that young teachers liked to stir up trouble. Meizi’ao kids weren’t like city kids; they were crucial labor for their families.

“Principal, the PE room only has three basketballs, and they’re all rubber ones. Could the school buy more? For proper practice, each player should have their own ball so they can improve faster,” Xu Xuehe wasn’t just looking for moral support; he needed practical help.

“Xu Laoshi, you don’t understand how tight our budget is. Every semester, I have to make several trips to the district just to get a few sheets of paper for exams. It takes endless effort to get a ream of white paper or a stencil sheet. And here you are, asking me to buy a basketball for every kid? You might as well kill me and see if you can drain enough blood to afford all those basketballs,” Principal Ma immediately started complaining about the school’s poverty.

Feeling discouraged, Xu Xuehe left the office. Although he hadn’t secured the funding, his enthusiasm remained. He immediately went to the other classes to talk about the basketball team. The idea was met with excitement from most students, but many had farm work to do after school. Only a few kids had the time to stay and play, especially the older students who were vital to their families.

By the end of the school day, only about 20 to 30 kids had gathered on the court, and some of them were just there to learn basketball.

“Xu Laoshi, we only have five basketballs, even counting mine and the mute kid’s. How are we going to practice with so many people?” Zhang Jiaohua was enthusiastic. Every kid dreams of being a teacher in their own right.

“Well, there’s nothing I can do. The principal didn’t agree to buy more basketballs, and you know Meizi’ao isn’t a wealthy place. The village doesn’t have the funds, either. So, we’ll have to make do,” Xu Xuehe’s own salary wasn’t much, so he couldn’t contribute either.

“Oh,” Zhang Jiaohua didn’t push the matter further.

If anyone else had been made basketball captain, the older kids might have objected, but with Zhang Jiaohua in charge, no one said a word. Zhang Jiaohua patiently demonstrated various basic techniques and explained the key points, much to Xu Xuehe’s surprise. Zhang Jiaohua’s memory was remarkable. He remembered everything Xu had taught him, even things Xu himself had forgotten.

“No wonder this kid never does homework or studies but still scores first in the class. If he doesn’t get into a good university with this memory, it’ll be a waste,” Xu thought, growing even more determined to steer Zhang Jiaohua in the right direction.

Even with only five basketballs for over 30 kids, Zhang Jiaohua divided them into groups to take turns practicing, keeping everyone engaged. For the Meizi’ao kids, basketball was a high-end game. The basketballs themselves were fancy, industrial-made toys. For kids used to playing with slingshots, water guns, and mud, basketball was an exciting new experience.

Zhang Jiaohua and a few second-graders with some basic skills played a match, pushing the day’s basketball enthusiasm to a peak. The kids were eager to roll up their sleeves and join in.

“Alright, that’s all for today. Everyone head home early,” Xu Xuehe said as the sky darkened, disbanding the team.

Zhang Jiaohua gathered the basketballs and put them in the PE room, then packed his own ball into a net bag and hopped on his bicycle to head home.

“Zhang Jiaohua, you did really well today. The basketball team is off to a great start. Keep it up tomorrow,” Xu Xuehe praised him, seizing the moment to encourage him further.

Zhang Jiaohua, embarrassed but happy, scratched his head and hopped onto his bike, feeling like he could fly.

“Hey, Jiaohua’s been coming home like a new person lately. It seems like that issue is finally behind him, though he’s still having nightmares at night,” Zhang Manyin said with joy.

“Yeah, I heard he’s been playing basketball at school. Boys are energetic, and exercising makes them feel better,” Zhang Youlian said.

“Maybe we should have Yuanbao stay with him at night. You and Youping only have one son each, and they’ll be like brothers when they grow up. I think Jiaohua’s even closer to Yuanbao than he is to Mute. Honestly, Youlian, you shouldn’t have distanced yourselves from Jiaohua before. We’re family, after all,” Zhang Manyin believed that Jiaohua’s nightmares were caused by sleeping alone.

“Alright, I’ll have Yuanbao stay with Jiaohua tonight,” Zhang Youlian immediately agreed.

“Let’s not rush into it. Go ask your wife first, see if she agrees. I’ll ask Jiaohua, too. He’s an opinionated kid. If we decide for him and he doesn’t agree, it’ll be awkward,” Zhang Manyin suggested after thinking it over.