Volume Two: The Path to Ascendancy Chapter 17: The New Year Celebration

Since that conversation on Qingyun Mountain with the old Taoist priest, I had regained my vigor at work. After those words from Shu Xiaoya’s father, I threw myself even more earnestly into my tasks, completely shedding the lingering tragic sentiment in my heart, as if I were Qu Yuan exiled in sorrow.

Director Song was visibly pleased to see me in such a state and trusted me more. Several times, when Deputy Factory Director Shi Guangsheng, who oversaw production, came to inspect the workshop, Song would have me accompany him and would praise and recommend me enthusiastically, leaving a deep impression on Shi Guangsheng.

Before I knew it, it was the end of 1997 by the lunar calendar. According to factory tradition, a series of cultural and artistic activities were to be held again. Aside from basketball, which I was good at, I had little interest in the arts. Now, with the leadership’s basketball games, I wasn’t considered for participation at all.

But this year’s cultural events left a deep impression on me. One was the calligraphy work of the newly promoted Deputy Party Secretary of the factory, Deng Zitu. His willow-style script was meticulously arranged, vigorous, elegant, and fluid. It won the first prize in the calligraphy competition without dispute, earning widespread admiration. What puzzled me, however, was why someone with such high-level calligraphy skills hadn’t participated in the competition in previous years. The first prize had always gone to the former Deputy Party Secretary, whose calligraphy was heavily imitative—capturing form but lacking spirit—and whose skill was far inferior to Deng Zitu’s.

The singing competition also took me by surprise. Held in the factory’s grand auditorium, I sat among the audience. The earlier performances nearly lulled me to sleep until the host announced:

“Next up, the song ‘All Is One Love,’ performed by Zhu Lishan from Workshop Three.”

It was Zhu Lishan! My eyes widened as I fixed my gaze on the stage. The curtain slowly drew back, and Zhu Lishan stepped out gracefully, her appearance completely different from usual. Though her short hair remained neat, she wore a long dress that accentuated her slender, upright figure. Her face was richly made-up, lively and enchanting. The moment she opened her mouth to sing, the entire hall fell silent.

Golden trophies and shining medals
Forged through countless sweat and marked by countless moments of glory...
Countless struggles, countless failures,
We persistently pursue, never changing...
Sweat flows, sincerity pours out—
Honor and disgrace tie together thousands of families as one love.

The applause rose, tears welled up.
Success and failure touch thousands of families, united as one love.

This song was originally performed by a famous female soprano at a Spring Festival Gala several years earlier. Perhaps because I was hearing it live, Zhu Lishan’s rendition carried a different charm. Her voice was both soaring and deeply emotive. Though written for athletes, recalling my own setbacks and failures, the sweat and tears of the past two years, I couldn’t help but feel my eyes grow moist.

When Zhu Lishan finished, the entire audience rose, applauding passionately.

Unsurprisingly, she won first prize in the singing competition. This performance catapulted Zhu Lishan to instant fame. She was naturally lively, approachable, and well-liked, and now her reputation and influence in the factory soared to new heights.

As the Spring Festival approached, Zhu Lishan’s work situation changed. She was transferred to be Deputy Section Chief of the Trade Union Office in the Party and Mass Work Department, entering the ranks of section-level cadres. Rumors spread that Deputy Party Secretary Deng Zitu had taken a fancy to her. Some whispered that Deng had a reputation for being lecherous, though it was unclear why his taste had shifted to someone with a boyish character like her. I didn’t want to believe such gossip. Given Zhu Lishan’s warmth, liveliness, affability, and the artistic talents she displayed in the competition, working in the trade union was a fitting role for her.

To be frank, deep down I was reluctant to see her go. During our time together in Workshop Three, we got along exceptionally well. Especially during my low moments, she had cared for me with meticulous attention in life and had helped me tirelessly at work without keeping count, taking on many tasks that were rightfully mine. Still, she had been promoted. Although I felt a bit down by comparison, overall, I was happy for her.

On the day Zhu Lishan came to formally bid us farewell, I felt a touch of reluctance but did not want her to notice. When we were alone, I smiled and said:

“Congratulations, Section Chief Zhu.”

She playfully punched my arm. Though it stung a little, it made me glad—she hadn’t treated me like an outsider.

I asked, “Don’t you regret giving up your specialty?”

“Why should I? Am I supposed to stay in the workshop my whole life? I want to be like you—striving to become a versatile talent.” Perhaps sensing she’d said too much, she stopped and softly added:

“But honestly, Dongshan, sometimes your high-mindedness really needs to be toned down.”

She paused, then said, “I’m not saying you have to flatter and brown-nose—your nature wouldn’t allow that anyway. But who doesn’t like pleasant words? If you want to advance, being so aloof won’t work.”

Hearing this from Zhu Lishan surprised me. Was this still the carefree Zhu Lishan I knew? She seemed to see my thoughts and fixed me with a steady look.

“People change. It depends on how you change—whether you adapt better to society or drift further away. It’s not too late for you yet. But if you wait a few more years, even if you want to change, it’ll be too late. Workers can stay in the workshop all their lives and be content, but their education level isn’t high. Have you thought about whether you want to spend your life in the workshop?”

Her words stabbed sharply at my heart. Was I really going to spend my life in the workshop? I knew she was right, but truly changing myself was difficult.

She continued, “I might sound harsh, but if I don’t say it, no one else will. After I leave, even though we’ll still be in the same factory, there will be fewer chances for me to remind you directly. I just think that with your qualifications and abilities, you should have a bright future—don’t waste it.”

Zhu Lishan had never been so serious before. Deep down, I understood she truly meant well. Toward the end, she laughed, saying, “Do I look like your teacher now, lecturing you so earnestly?”

“Yeah, Teacher Zhu it is,” I joked.

She immediately smacked my shoulder again. “You have no sense of seriousness,” she teased.

I became earnest. “Actually, I really appreciate you saying this. I have decided to change myself, though it’s a process.”

“It’s not as hard as you think. You have to start by changing your mindset. Well, I won’t say more—if I say too much, I’ll really be Teacher Zhu. Anyway, I believe that once you decide, you can do it. Okay, I’m off now.”

I stood to see her out, but she smiled and said, “No need to see me off. I’m still in the factory, not going somewhere far.”

I thought about it and felt it might be a bit sentimental to walk her out, so I stayed seated, smiling and waving goodbye. She waved back, then turned and walked away. I watched her figure disappear through the workshop office door and felt a deep sense of loss.