In Jiang Hongshao's impression, her grandfather was actually an amiable old man. In the past, in that courtyard where everyone would bow their heads and be a little reserved when entering, she would climb the outer pillars of the courtyard house, pick fruits from the trees, or fish for carp in the pond. When her father was worried that she was not respectful enough and whispered to her, her grandfather interrupted her and said, "Children should be children by nature! Don't worry about anything, just play. Here, Hongshao, you can play however you want. This is Monkey King's free world, you can go anywhere you want..."
On some afternoons when a spot of light shone through the cottage, Grandpa would hold her in his arms, place her on his lap, and together they would look through a small box that he had preserved very well.
The box was filled with military medals. He would tell her which one was for the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, which one was the August 1st Medal, this one was called the CX Independence and Freedom Medal, the CX National Flag Medal, this one was the Northeast Liberation Medal, this one was the Central and Southern China Liberation Medal… this one was the Laoshan Area Self-Defense Counterattack Medal against Vietnam, this one was the Peace Dove Medal for the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, and the words on the back were heavier than Mount Tai, saying, Long Live Peace…
Those medals are pieces of history from that year, condensed into long-lost stories told by the elderly.
What she read on his resolute face was more of a remembrance of the past, a calmness that came after having gone through many storms, without either sorrow or joy.
When I was a child, I always felt that my family was very large and had many people. Some people would often come to visit and would say they were relatives from different sides of the family, but most of the time I would only meet them once. During the Chinese New Year, they would always be the most common people to see at home.
In that yard, my memory shows that my grandfather was always full of laughter and joy, but when other people came and he was not with me, he would be solemn and serious, making the whole family cautious in what they said and did.
In a large family, perhaps influenced by this atmosphere, the so-called family affection is not strong, and can even be said to be a little indifferent. However, the faith and feelings expressed in the words and deeds of the family members who share the same bloodline are deeply rooted.
Later, when she was seven years old, her parents' jobs were transferred. She remembered that her parents asked her whether she would like to stay in Jingshan Courtyard to accompany her grandfather, or go with them to the southwest. In the end, she chose the latter. She remembered that when she left with her parents, her grandfather told her to pack her things, and even watched them get on the car with a sense of loss.
Fortunately, I still go back several times every year. I have grown up over the years, but the courtyard in the capital has become far away. Even Jiang Hongshao feels that it is like two different worlds.
Having grown up to this age, looking back at these, I have a more or less general understanding of what a family is, what a clan is, and what my grandfather means to these relatives who share a common blood relationship.
She realized that when she was in elementary school for a temporary semester, many of her classmates filled in their parents' names on the family survey form, but she and some people skipped this step directly. She knew that her parents and their lives had their own struggles, but at a certain level, they were also marked by a certain mark. She knew that many people in her family might be affected by this family throughout their lives, and they had no choice but to carry and carry some things.
When she returned to Beijing these years, her grandfather was kind to her, but the closeness they had when she was a child could never return. And because of her upbringing, the solemn and rule-based environment at home made her feel distant from her grandfather, who had transformed from a relative into a majestic figure.
And now, he was coming to see himself.
Before boarding the plane, my father Li Jingping's voice came from the phone, "You know, your grandpa has not been in good health in recent years, and he probably wants to walk more... You should spend more time with him when the time comes. If you win any awards in the science and technology innovation competition, you can also tell him about them. Talk more about the things you young people have done. Grandpa likes to see your generation thrive the most."
Jiang Hongshao said "hmm" softly, and after some usual exchanges, she hung up the phone.
…
The holiday is over and No. 10 Middle School welcomes the return of the participating teams.
The first prize in the national youth science and technology innovation competition is of great weight. The five major subject competitions are more difficult than the college entrance examination and are very challenging. Those who win the subject competitions are generally sought after by domestic first-tier universities. The advantage of science and technology innovation competitions is that they have obvious demonstration and guiding roles. At the same time, they also serve as a window to a certain extent because they are in line with international standards and are authoritative competitions recognized internationally.
The winners of the National Science and Technology Innovation Competition are eligible to compete in the "ISEF", the "Intel International Science and Engineering Fair", which is known as the "World Cup" of global youth science and technology innovation. 90% of the winners are directly snatched away by Ivy League schools. For some students who want to go abroad and enter world-class universities, it is a channel.
Of course, these are beyond the scope of ordinary students. In most high schools in China where people only read books of sages, they have never even heard of them. For example, Cheng Ran, let alone being in a second-rate high school, even his classmates in Shanhai No. 1 Middle School did not have such opportunities and channels to participate in the competition.
In fact, most ordinary middle schools that pursue the rate of admission to first-tier universities are obsessed with the pursuit of score-first. They believe that grades are the key to success and that each student's learning ability must be demonstrated within the syllabus and main subject content specified in the textbooks, regardless of whether you are interested or not, or whether your talents lie in other areas.
One of the most valuable points of No. 10 Middle School is that it attaches importance to the cultivation of personal interests, does not kill various possible talents, and gives the greatest support in terms of the policies that the school can offer.
Probably, later generations also held this view, which led to the fact that No. 10 Middle School was gradually surpassed by No. 27 Middle School in the rate of admission to key universities. As a result, many voices appeared in the province, pointing out that No. 10 Middle School was on the decline and no longer had the glory and reputation of the Confucian Temple official school.
But in fact, in Cheng Ran's opinion, this relaxed atmosphere and encouragement for students to develop their own personality are the reasons why No. 10 Middle School deserves to be a top high school.
However, under a system that judges success by academic performance, the school's purpose of "developing students' true nature and potential" also feels helpless and lonely, with "no one to share with".
Winning the honor of the science and technology innovation competition is also a medal of No. 10 Middle School. The first flag-raising ceremony after the National Day holiday is the school's commendation to the participating teams. Jiang Hongshao will speak on stage on behalf of the team.
For school leaders, this is a decision that can be made without hesitation, so those who are good-looking and talented will not be given any chance to survive.
Inside, students were crowded together, whispering, "Look, look... she's on the stage... Wow, she's wearing a white shirt."
"I can't take it anymore... Your legs are so beautiful..."
"Although the loudspeaker is not good, the sound is good..."
The school leaders on the rostrum cast uniform, kind and gentle glances at Jiang Hongshao, full of doting.
Even the principal Cai Peizhong thinks that this is the best of No. 10 Middle School. In fact, every time I go out for exchanges and meet schools like No. 27 Middle School, besides normal exchanges, I can't help but feel a little bit of criticism and complacency in my heart: Good grades are not a skill. Do you have as many students with good grades and good looks as us? Can you compare with our No. 10 Middle School? I just want you to be envious...
At this moment, on the podium, listening to Jiang Hongshao thanking the school for its platform and teaching, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in educating people and bringing them up...
At this time, Jiang Hongshao paused for a moment and said, "In addition, I would like to thank a classmate... Cheng Ran."
"If he hadn't provided constructive suggestions on the topic during my search for the answer, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to win the first prize in the national competition. The ancients said, 'There must be a teacher among three people', 'Choose the good ones and follow them, and change the bad ones', so this first prize belongs to the teachers who gave us selfless help, the parents who supported us, the sweat, hard work and dedication of each of our members, and students like Cheng Ran, who, although they were unable to join us in the competition, gave us guidance, support and enthusiastic help with their unique insights. This medal has a share of your contribution. Thank you all!"
On the stage, Jiang Hongshao bowed.
Some of the school leaders had no expression on their faces, while others had smiles on their faces. Glancing down, he saw some teachers who seemed to be whispering.
Below the stage, students in formation were whispering to each other, and the sounds of mixed discussion were rising and falling.
This is the first time that the name Cheng Ran has entered the public eye in such a formal way.
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