Chapter 21: Temporary Transfer

Zhu Daodong was full of complaints about having to go to the township government to help with an exhibition even though the school was on holiday. Didn't Zhang Zhichun know he was from Furong County? How could he assign him such a task? Wasn't this just making things difficult for him? It was only about ten days until the New Year, and if the exhibition took a bit longer, wouldn't he only be able to return home on New Year's Eve?

"Mr. Zhu, you seem a bit upset?" Zhang Zhichun observed his expression and, with just a few glances, could guess what Zhu Daodong was thinking.

"I'm not upset, just a bit eager to go home. Principal Zhang, can you arrange for someone else to do this?" Zhu Daodong said hesitantly. If it were any other time, he wouldn't have hesitated, but now, at this time of year, it seemed inappropriate.

"Ha, Mr. Zhu, you can go home anytime, but the opportunity to organize an exhibition is rare. Don't think I'm making things difficult for you; on the contrary, I'm a bit envious of you," Zhang Zhichun said with a mysterious smile.

"Envious of me?" Zhu Daodong was taken aback. The school was on holiday, and all the teachers had gone home, but he was the only one called to help the township government, and for free. Was this something to be envious of?

"Let me tell you the truth. You were personally chosen by Secretary Chen. If Mr. Zhu has a bright future, don't forget us old colleagues," Zhang Zhichun said, almost revealing everything. Chen Shuli had already discussed Zhu Daodong's situation with him and planned to transfer him to the township government as a secretary after the New Year. Although the position of secretary seemed insignificant, the worldly-wise Zhang Zhichun knew that if Zhu Daodong really took the position, he would rely on him in the future.

"Secretary Chen?" Zhu Daodong's eyebrows twitched. There was only one Secretary Chen in the township, and he certainly didn't mistake him for someone else. Being personally chosen by the township party secretary to help was something worth pondering.

"Otherwise, why would I be envious of you? Secretary Chen has already spoken to me. After the New Year, he plans to transfer you to the township government as a secretary. This is a great opportunity," Zhang Zhichun said, seeing that Zhu Daodong still didn't fully understand. He decided to go all the way, doing a favor to the fullest, so that Zhu Daodong wouldn't forget his efforts in the future.

"Be a secretary?" Zhu Daodong was even more surprised. He had graduated from the provincial normal university and had always thought he would be a teacher for life. But now, after just half a year, he was about to leave the lectern. Even though it was a temporary transfer, who knew if he would ever return to the school?

Zhang Zhichun had been gone for a while, but Zhu Daodong was still in a daze. He suddenly remembered a saying: the road of life is long, but the critical steps are few...

This might be the most crucial step in his life, but Zhu Daodong felt no joy. For others, going to the township government as a secretary might be a good thing, but for him, he might prefer to stay at Shulin Ridge Middle School.

Zhu Daodong aimlessly left the school and only came to his senses when he saw the sign for the Sanqing Taoist Temple. This was his spiritual haven. He walked in, perked up his ears, and soon heard that the nameless Taoist was drinking wine and eating pork head in the front room.

"Are you here to say goodbye?" The nameless Taoist looked up and saw Zhu Daodong, moved his lips, and smiled slightly.

"No, I'll be staying a few more days," Zhu Daodong sat down opposite him and grabbed the old white spirit, taking a big gulp.

"What's wrong, another worry?" The nameless Taoist was perceptive and could see that Zhu Daodong was troubled.

"Yes, next year I might not be able to teach anymore. I'm supposed to be transferred to the township government as a secretary," Zhu Daodong sighed. He hadn't made up his mind yet. If he didn't want to go, it was simple—just go home. Whether it was Secretary Chen or the new secretary, he wouldn't care about their face, and they wouldn't transfer him. But from what Zhang Zhichun said, this seemed to be a rare opportunity, which was why he was so conflicted.

"I don't even know what a secretary does, so don't ask me about it. As long as I can drink two bottles of wine every day, I wouldn't trade this life for anything, not even a god's!" The nameless Taoist chuckled. He had no desires and lived a carefree life.

"You can always draw a fortune stick in the main hall. Why don't you draw one and ask the heavens?" Zhu Daodong was surprised by the Taoist's irresponsible words.

"Actually, drawing a fortune stick or consulting the I Ching is just for psychological comfort. As long as you think about your life's ideals and goals, you can make the right decision," the nameless Taoist said with a light laugh.

The path is right under your feet. Whether it leads to a broad avenue or a muddy path depends on the destination ahead. Zhu Daodong had come to Shulin Ridge Middle School to be with Tang Xiaoli. Otherwise, he would be at a high school in Furong County. But now, he was at Shulin Ridge Middle School, perhaps at a critical juncture in his life.

Zhu Daodong suddenly thought of Tang Taojiang, his extremely hypocritical face. Back then, due to his naivety, he was assigned to the most remote Shulin Ridge. Was he really going to be looked down upon by Tang Taojiang and stay here teaching for the rest of his life?

This time, even though it was just a temporary transfer, it might be another chance for him to change his fate. If he seized it, he might not have to endure Tang Taojiang's arrogance anymore.

Zhu Daodong had two major goals in life: one was to leave Yuhua and return to Furong, but without power, connections, or influence, it was a pipe dream. The other was to achieve something, to show Tang Taojiang and Tang Xiaoli how wrong their choices were.

But as long as he was in the education system and Tang Taojiang was the deputy director of the education bureau, his two goals would be hard to achieve. In terms of connections, influence, and power, he was far behind Tang Taojiang. Any achievement he made could be easily nullified by a single word from the other side. At the last city-wide teaching seminar, if it hadn't been bypassed by the education bureau, his paper, no matter how good, might not have been sent to the city.

The Taoist's words were like a splash of cold water on Zhu Daodong's head. His original life goal was to marry Tang Xiaoli and work and live together at any school. After a few years, they would have a son and enjoy family happiness. That was his life goal.

But now, by chance, the township government wanted to transfer him to be a secretary. Wasn't this an opportunity to change his fate? It was laughable that he was still hesitating, worrying about returning home a few days earlier.

"Old Taoist, I've made up my mind. I'll be a secretary. People strive for higher ground, and water flows downhill. I don't believe I, Zhu Daodong, will be a teacher for the rest of my life," Zhu Daodong stood up, his eyes filled with determination, and said firmly.

But the next words from the nameless Taoist shattered the serious atmosphere: "I only found out today that your name is Zhu Daodong!"

After such a long time, it was indeed the first time Zhu Daodong had revealed his real name to the nameless Taoist.