Chapter 137: Ascending the Mountain

Everyone sighed, but that was all they could do. There are too many things in this world that one is powerless to change.

That evening, the bold and spirited senior student drank a great deal. She rested her hand on Ming Han’s shoulder and stammered, "Junior, let us compose some poetry."

Ming Han demurred, "I’d rather not!"

"You must, you absolutely must. Junior, let us collaborate on a poem—it must be magnificent and earth-shattering, a poem to commemorate this great volunteer teaching trip of ours."

Ming Han had also consumed about four ounces of white liquor. Dazed and tipsy, he was spurred on by his senior’s encouragement and suddenly found himself interested.

"Fine, fine, fine! Senior, I will recite the first line, and you provide the second."

The senior nodded excitedly. "I never imagined you were such a person of refined taste. To meet a kindred spirit today is truly our good fortune!"

Ming Han stared at the moon with a hesitant gaze, pondering deeply...

Su Lei and the other senior student were also expectant; they had never heard that this junior had a talent for poetry!

Finally, Ming Han recited the first line: "Goose, goose, goose."

Su Lei and the other senior were immediately stunned into silence.

The senior student clapped repeatedly. "A fine line, a truly fine line." She frowned, lost in thought. "Bent neck, singing toward the sky."

"White feathers float on green water."

"Red webs paddle the clear ripples."

Ming Han and his senior exchanged a smile and said in unison, "It truly is a great poem!"

"Having stumbled upon such a masterpiece today, we are surely destined for eternal fame."

Su Lei watched the two drunks with resignation and remarked, "Who knew that people who are drunk could be so adorable!"

...

The next day, Ming Han woke up with a headache. It was his first time drinking white liquor, so this was only natural.

Su Lei brought him a cup of radish juice, saying, "Auntie Wang squeezed this for you. She said it cures hangovers."

Auntie Wang was the village chief's wife!

Ming Han drank it in one breath, exhaled deeply, and asked Su Lei, "How did I get back last night? I’ve forgotten everything."

Su Lei covered her mouth and laughed. "Junior, I never expected you to be such a person of refined taste. You and Yafang were reciting poetry all the way back."

Yafang was the name of that senior student; her full name was Yang Yafang!

Ming Han was confused. "Reciting poetry?"

Su Lei vividly recounted the poetry competition from the previous night. The more Ming Han heard, the more embarrassed he became... My glorious, aloof persona has completely collapsed!

Seeing Ming Han’s shyness, Su Lei patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Actually, it was quite cute. Hmm! How are you feeling now?"

Ming Han shook his head, feeling a wave of dizziness. "My head still hurts!"

"Then let’s go up the mountain and breathe in some fresh air!" Su Lei suggested.

They had been there for several days to volunteer, but they had not had any time to look at the environment surrounding the mountain village. As it happened, today was the children’s day off, so they could finally embrace nature properly.

"Alright."

Ming Han put on his sneakers, Su Lei brought her small camera, and the two set off.

They climbed the mountain along a path carved out by human feet, breathing in deep lungfuls of fresh air and listening to the wind rustling through the leaves...

Su Lei, wearing white sneakers, ran about, picking wild flowers from various nooks and crannies.

"Do they look good?"

Ming Han glanced at them. "Protecting flowers, plants, and trees is everyone's responsibility."

Su Lei immediately lost all desire to speak to this junior.

Seeing his senior was unhappy, Ming Han tried to appease her, "I only saw that slogan on the flower beds in my residential complex; it’s already quite friendly. You should know that when I last visited a tourist spot, the signs there were much harsher."

Su Lei asked, curious, "What did they say there?"

"Those who destroy flowers and trees shall have their entire family perish."

Su Lei’s face darkened as she walked quickly toward the mountain, whispering to herself: I am not angry! I am not angry!

Upon reaching the summit, the view opened up!

Su Lei sighed, "Being here, I feel as though I am so far removed from modern civilization."

Ming Han agreed. During this time, he hadn't been able to browse any news on his phone, and he couldn't receive QQ messages or texts. He only occasionally received fragmented mobile notifications.

He was oblivious to everything happening in the outside world. How was the situation at the Diaoyu Islands? Were those celebrities his mother discussed still bickering in the media?

But this was quite nice, too! Every day consisted only of teaching, chatting, and sleeping. The electricity here was unstable, and the lights would flicker at night. Ming Han had already grown accustomed to falling asleep at eight o'clock.

"Actually, I quite like the life here," Ming Han said.

Su Lei looked at him and asked, "If you were really made to live here forever, would you be willing?"

Ming Han pondered for a moment and shook his head. "There is a line in Qian Zhongshu’s *Fortress Besieged*: 'Those inside want to get out, and those outside want to get in.' Isn't this place just a fortress?"

Life here was transparent at a glance; one’s entire life would be the same state of existence, as if nothing would ever change, devoid of hope. That was why the village chief was so desperate for the children here to pass exams, get out, make something of themselves, and see a larger, more wonderful world.

But the village chief surely didn't know that while the outside world was wonderful, it was also far more complex. Interests dictated everything, and everyone struggled desperately to acquire more resources to rise above others. For that, anyone could be anyone else's stepping stone.

Su Lei laughed, "If we lived here forever, we’d go crazy! There’s no internet, no entertainment centers, and no place to listen to the latest music."

She sat down and began to hum an Irish folk song, full of rustic flavor.

Ming Han listened quietly, and when she finished, he began to sing Li Jian’s *By the Lake Baikal*.

Li Jian’s voice was like flowing water, ethereal and clear.

Ming Han’s version had a bit more substance, but it fit the current environment perfectly.

After sitting for a while, Ming Han suddenly felt invigorated.

Tomorrow, he would be able to teach those little brats in his best state once again.

They walked back to the dormitory together, chatting and sharing funny stories about the kids. When they heard about Xiao Hei feeling sorry for Ming Han for not having a girlfriend, Su Lei laughed until she was breathless.

As they walked through the school gate, the sound of a basketball hitting the ground came from the court.

Ming Han was surprised, "The senior doesn't know how to play basketball, right?"

Su Lei nodded.

"Could it be the village chief?"

Ming Han and Su Lei headed straight for the basketball court and saw a youth, about 178cm tall, shooting hoops.

His form was standard and his technique skilled; he utilized pull-up jump shots and turnaround jumpers with ease.

"To have such a high shooting percentage—are there such experts in the village?"

Su Lei was also puzzled. Could it be a new volunteer teacher? Her father had said there would only be the four of them this year!

Su Lei looked closely and saw the youth’s clothes were tattered and his hair was messy, appearing as if it hadn't been groomed in a long time.

Just then, the youth missed a shot. The ball rebounded in Ming Han’s direction and rolled to his feet.

The youth noticed Ming Han for the first time. He turned around, showing no intention of picking up the ball, and actually prepared to leave.

"Friend! Want to play a couple of games?"

The youth stopped, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Alright."