Volume Two: The Path to Eminence Chapter 13: First Encounter with Shu Xiaoya

Days slipped by in a haze of monotony and boredom, one after another. Before I knew it, more than half a year had passed since I had been "relegated" to the workshop. Such days wore down my spirit, filling me with despair and leaving no glimmer of hope for the future.

I had once tried to find another job, but my work experience seemed to hold little value in seeking employment elsewhere. It appeared even harder to find a job now than when I first graduated. Back then, as a fresh graduate, employers did not demand work experience. But now, their requirements were almost harsh, and securing a good position no longer seemed easy.

One Friday afternoon, after running an errand, I realized it was nearly quitting time by the time I could return to the factory. So, I decided to visit the city library instead.

As I approached the city library and reached the entrance of Jiangning People's Elementary School, I was about to cross the pedestrian crossing when I encountered students being dismissed. A female teacher was leading a group of second and third graders across the street.

The children were walking in orderly lines, but suddenly two boys began to roughhouse, chasing each other and breaking away from the group, running in the opposite direction. The teacher shouted loudly, trying to call them back. At that moment, a truck came barreling toward them. It was a dangerous situation poised to end in disaster.

Without thinking, I turned and ran after the boys. I reached them, grabbing one by the right arm and yanking him toward the safety of the median strip just as the screeching brakes echoed sharply. I tried to pull the second boy away as well, but it was too late. I leapt forward in a desperate dive, wrapping myself around him and tumbling to the ground. A searing pain shot through my leg as the truck scraped past my foot. Then everything went dark.

When I awoke, I found myself lying in a hospital bed. My calf throbbed with dull pain, but the room was empty. As I reached to press the nurse call button, a woman entered—it was the teacher who had been with the children.

She hurried over when she saw I was awake. “You’re finally awake. Thank goodness you’re okay—just a minor fracture in your calf. It’s been immobilized with a cast; it should heal in two to three months. Yesterday was terrifying. I was so worried, but you’re safe,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.

“It’s nothing. Two or three months isn’t so bad—I can rest,” I reassured her. Hearing I was alright eased my own mind. “By the way, how are the two boys? Are they okay?”

“They’re fine, just some scrapes. If it weren’t for you…” Her voice faltered, and tears began to fall again, but after a moment, she composed herself.

I studied her carefully. She had shoulder-length hair, an oval face with delicate features, and fair skin. She exuded a gentle, quiet demeanor. Her long eyelashes framed captivating double eyelids, though her eyes were still red from crying.

Over time, we grew acquainted. I learned her name was Shu Xiaoya, an English teacher at Jiangning People's Elementary School and assistant class teacher for second grade, class three. She was only 21, having just returned from studying in the UK last year before joining the school. That day, she was leading her students across the street after school, waiting for their parents to pick them up.

I had already called the factory to request leave. Upon hearing I had been injured saving others, the management readily approved it. Director Song even sent Zhu Lishan and members of the workers’ union to visit me in the hospital.

Whenever Shu Xiaoya was free from classes, she often came to keep me company. She brought homemade pork rib soup daily, saying her mother recommended bone broth to help with fractures. Fearing I might be bored, she also brought me some foreign literary classics to read.

More than two months passed, and I was gradually recovering. One day, I woke to find Shu Xiaoya sitting by my bedside, her head resting gently against it, seemingly asleep.

I didn’t have the heart to wake her, instead watching her quietly, my heart filled with a strange tenderness. Over these two months, my feelings for her had grown beyond mere gratitude. There was something deeper.

Shu Xiaoya was gentle, poised, and well-mannered—a tender soul. Being with her brought me genuine joy. Perhaps it was the indelible mark of first love, but I couldn’t help comparing her to Xiang Xiulan. If Xiang Xiulan was a delicate, humble beauty, Shu Xiaoya was a refined lady of noble upbringing. Xiang Xiulan was beautiful and gentle, always compliant, but lacked independence; she always looked to me for decisions, believing a woman’s place was to rely on a man. Shu Xiaoya was different—her character and upbringing seemed far superior. Over time, I came to see her as a kind, caring, and sincere young woman.

Xiang Xiulan was, after all, part of my past—a past marred by betrayal. No matter how reluctant I was, I had to move on and start anew.