Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen: Needle-like Pain

When Tang Taojiang arrived at Shumu Ridge Middle School, he did not know that Zhu Daodong's paper had been selected. When Liu Tao introduced Zhu Daodong to him, he thought, "This kid has some talent." Unfortunately, he only had a bit of talent. In Yuhua County, without connections or a powerful background, the best he could hope for was to become a principal. Tang Taojiang still believed his initial decision was right. For his own and his daughter's future happiness, he should kick away such a poor boy.

"The quality of college students is indeed different," Tang Taojiang said, though he looked down on Zhu Daodong, he tightly held his hand and praised him with a smile.

Before Zhu Daodong could respond, Tang Taojiang had already started chatting with Liu Tao. Zhu Daodong did not want to join in and just stood quietly to the side. The county education bureau office director, Song Changhan, who came with Tang Taojiang, also chatted with Zhu Daodong for a few moments. Zhu Daodong, preoccupied with his thoughts, just responded casually.

After getting in the car, Tang Taojiang said to Zhu Daodong, "Are you getting used to it?"

Zhu Daodong just nodded. Then Tang Taojiang started talking with Song Changhan, and Zhu Daodong did not want to interrupt. He just listened quietly, lost in his thoughts...

After checking into the designated reception house of the city education committee, Tang Taojiang said to Zhu Daodong for the third time, "Look over your paper carefully. Speak clearly tomorrow. If you do well, I'll consider transferring you back."

His demeanor and tone were those of a kind elder, but to Zhu Daodong, he seemed like an actor wearing a mask. The words stung his eardrums like needles, just like when Liu Tao casually walked out of Hu Lihua's dormitory and said those words.

If it weren't for the past, Zhu Daodong might have been grateful, but now, he just smiled ambiguously in response.

Lying on his bed, Zhu Daodong tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Perhaps it was because he didn't drink alcohol that night, or perhaps it was because his ears still stung. At school, Zhu Daodong didn't drink every day. For example, during the days he wrote his paper, he didn't touch a drop of alcohol, yet he slept soundly. Could it be because of Tang Taojiang's words?

Actually, when he was with Tang Taojiang that day, his eardrums had been a bit painful, but not as intensely as at night. Zhu Daodong knew that what was happening to him could not be explained by medical knowledge; it defied any common sense. Except for the nameless Taoist, no one would believe him, and they might even think he was crazy and have him locked up. Therefore, he dared not tell anyone, not even his parents.

What was wrong with his eardrums? This was a question only he could solve. Of course, he could consult the nameless Taoist when he returned, but the old Taoist seemed to know only the Turtle Breath Technique. It seemed he would have to buy some medical books to read tomorrow.

The next day, in the grand auditorium of the city education committee, Zhu Daodong was the fifth to present his paper. Last night, Tang Taojiang had told him to review his paper, but Zhu Daodong had already memorized it thoroughly. He had a good memory, and after coming to Shumu Ridge Middle School, his memory had improved even more, almost to the point of photographic recall. The 3,000-word paper was something he had carefully crafted word by word, and he could recite it fluently, even backward.

Looking at the audience from all the counties and districts and the education bureau leaders, Zhu Daodong was not nervous. He spoke confidently, "Praise-based teaching involves highly evaluating students' behavior, using nods, smiles, thumbs up, or verbal praise to encourage them, thereby enhancing their learning initiative and improving educational quality. Practical experience has shown that praise-based teaching is very beneficial for stimulating students' curiosity and fostering innovation. After several years of exploration, I have the following insights..."

His paper was well-supported and logically structured, and his standard Mandarin and expressive delivery made his speech engaging and pleasant to listen to.

After his speech, he received a round of applause. Tang Taojiang stood up with a smile, patting Zhu Daodong's shoulder twice, showing the other county and district representatives that the Yuhua County education bureau leadership valued this young teacher. But Zhu Daodong knew that Tang Taojiang was just putting on a show. He was an excellent actor, and the audience was thoroughly engaged. Zhu Daodong, however, was inwardly fuming but would never say a word. Instead, he had to play along, bowing slightly to Tang Taojiang before sitting down.

At lunch, Zhu Daodong did not want to sit with Tang Taojiang. Compared to Liu Tao, he even found Liu Tao more likable. However, Zhu Daodong's performance that day was outstanding, and he was likely to win at least a third prize. As a leader, Tang Taojiang's face shone with pride, so he pulled Zhu Daodong to sit next to him, much to Zhu Daodong's discomfort.

Fortunately, Zhu Daodong found an old acquaintance at the table, which lifted his spirits. "Hello, Principal Wan," he said. The man, named Wan Jianhua, was Zhu Daodong's former middle school principal, and he was unexpectedly attending this educational seminar.

"You are... Zhu Daodong!" Wan Jianhua quickly recognized Zhu Daodong. He had felt Zhu Daodong looked familiar in the auditorium, like one of his former students. Now that Zhu Daodong spoke, he immediately remembered.

"I am Zhu Daodong. How are you, Principal Wan?" Zhu Daodong sat naturally next to Wan Jianhua. He had always been a top student and a model student, and he respected his former principal deeply.

"Principal Wan is now the deputy director of our county education bureau," someone at the table said with a smile.

"Deputy, deputy. I'm now the deputy director of the education bureau. Zhu Daodong, you graduated this year, right? How did you end up in Yuhua?" Wan Jianhua had always valued Zhu Daodong. After hearing his speech, he felt even more that Zhu Daodong was a talent. How could a talent from Furong County end up in a neighboring county?

"Zhu Daodong is a teaching backbone in our county. We recruited him even before he graduated," Tang Taojiang explained with a smile.

"I see. Director Tang, you're overstepping. Such a talent should return to Furong County," Wan Jianhua said, feigning annoyance. He and Tang Taojiang were acquainted, often meeting at city meetings.

"That's not possible. We won't let go of someone like him. At most, Zhu Daodong can show his respect to his former principal with a few drinks," Tang Taojiang said with a grin.

Zhu Daodong felt another sharp pain in his eardrums.

But Tang Taojiang was right. Wan Jianhua was a respected elder, and since he couldn't work under him, showing respect with a few drinks was only proper. At the table of eight, after toasting Wan Jianhua, Zhu Daodong also toasted everyone else, starting with Tang Taojiang.

Although they were drinking 38-degree Xixing wine, the glasses were large, each holding more than an ounce. By the time he finished the round, the bottle was almost empty.

"Zhu Daodong, sit down and have some food. Drinking too fast can make you drunk," Wan Jianhua said as Zhu Daodong sat down.

"Thank you, Principal Wan." Although Wan Jianhua was now a deputy director, in Zhu Daodong's eyes, he would always be his principal. He appreciated Wan Jianhua's kindness and would not refuse. When drinking with the nameless Taoist, the Taoist never encouraged him to eat more, but rather ate quickly himself, as if afraid Zhu Daodong would take his food.

"Zhu Daodong, you've brought honor to our county. I, on behalf of the education bureau, will also toast you," Tang Taojiang said, standing up with his glass.

This was a great honor, and Zhu Daodong could not refuse. However, the others at the table looked down on Tang Taojiang, thinking, "He just drank nearly a pound of liquor, and you're toasting him again? What's the point? Let him rest a bit before drinking more."

"Director Tang, talents need to be protected, not just discovered. You're going to make him drink himself sick," Wan Jianhua said, though joking, he was actually criticizing Tang Taojiang's intentions.

"It's fine, Principal Wan. Thank you, Director Tang, and the bureau for your concern," Zhu Daodong said, filling his glass and clinking it with Tang Taojiang's before drinking it in one gulp. He then turned the glass upside down to show it was empty.

Seeing Zhu Daodong's readiness, Tang Taojiang's plan to embarrass him in front of his former principal failed. He was a seasoned official, and from the look of it, Zhu Daodong could handle another bottle.

"I was too hasty. Zhu Daodong, don't drink too fast. It's fine now, but when you're older, it will take a toll on your health. Your body is the capital of the revolution," Tang Taojiang said with a smile, deftly deflecting Wan Jianhua's criticism and presenting himself as a caring leader.

Zhu Daodong felt another needle-like pain in his eardrums!