Chapter 558 Grinding Flour
When taking a break from working in the fields, Qi Tongwei would sit on the ridge with the children and tell them some stories about agricultural scientists: "Children, there is a grandfather named Yuan Longping who has been studying rice all his life so that we can have more food to eat and no longer go hungry. He worked hard in the rice fields and after countless experiments, he finally cultivated high-yield hybrid rice. You should also study hard, and maybe you can make great contributions to agriculture like Grandpa Yuan in the future."
As time went by, the children learned a lot of knowledge in this experimental field that they could not learn from books. They learned how to identify different crop seeds, how to take care of crops according to weather conditions, and even learned some simple ways to use farm tools. Qi Tongwei was very pleased to see the children grow up little by little. He knew that he was laying the foundation for the future of these children in a brand new way on this land, and also redeeming himself for the mistakes he had made.
When the rainy season came, Qi Tongwei took the children to dig drainage ditches beside the fields. As they dug, he explained: "If rainwater accumulates in the fields, the crops will be drowned, so we have to dig drainage ditches to allow the water to flow away smoothly. Just like us as human beings, when we encounter difficulties, we must find ways to solve them and not let problems trap us." Although the children were tired and sweating, they were still full of energy. They knew that this was an important skill to learn to protect crops.
In between classes, Qi Tongwei would often fall into deep thought, thinking about the changes he had gone through, and looking forward to bringing more growth and hope to the children in the future. Days passed one by one, and one morning five days later, the sun shone on the path in the village, and a familiar figure slowly walked over. It was Gao Yuliang.
Qi Tongwei was reciting poems with the children under a big tree at the entrance of the village. He looked up and his eyes met Gao Yuliang's. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the past flashed through their minds. Qi Tongwei was stunned at first, and then a complex expression appeared on his face, with surprise, guilt, and more of a calmness after experiencing vicissitudes. He walked quickly towards Gao Yuliang and whispered, "Teacher, why are you here?"
Gao Yuliang looked at the student who was once high-spirited but now dressed in simple clothes, and felt mixed emotions. He sighed softly and said, "Tongwei, I came to see you. Seeing you like this now, away from those disputes, I feel a little comforted." Qi Tongwei lowered his head slightly, with a trace of regret in his eyes: "Teacher, I have taken too many wrong paths. Now in this village, with these children, I really feel the meaning of life."
Gao Yuliang followed Qi Tongwei into the village. Seeing the simple houses and the simple villagers, he could not help but feel moved. Qi Tongwei took Gao Yuliang to the small house where he lived. The simple furnishings in the house told of his hard life. Gao Yuliang sat on the worn wooden bench and said, "Tongwei, tell me about your life here, and the stories between you and these children."
Qi Tongwei's eyes brightened instantly, and he began to talk about his confusion and discomfort when he first arrived in the mountain village, and how he gradually integrated into the village, worked with the villagers, and taught the children. He talked about the children's innocent smiles, and how their thirst for knowledge was like the dry land's expectation for rain. He told Gao Yuliang how he taught the children to farm, how he prepared textbooks for them at night, and how he encouraged the children to bravely solve problems like facing the problems of crops.
Gao Yuliang listened quietly, and he saw the determination and enthusiasm in Qi Tongwei's eyes that he had never seen before. He knew that the student in front of him was no longer the one who was blinded by the desire for power. Qi Tongwei brought Gao Yuliang to the experimental field again. When the children saw Teacher Qi bringing guests, they gathered around and looked at Gao Yuliang curiously. Qi Tongwei smiled and said to the children: "This is my teacher. He is very good. You can say hello to him." The children shouted in unison: "Hello, Grandpa Gao!" The crisp voice echoed in the field, and Gao Yuliang felt a warm current in his heart.
He watched Qi Tongwei interact with the children in the field. Qi Tongwei patiently answered the children's questions and taught them how to identify crop diseases and pests. Gao Yuliang couldn't help but say: "Tongwei, you are doing the right thing. These children need you, and you have found your own value here." Qi Tongwei raised his head and looked at the mountains in the distance: "Teacher, I want to spend the rest of my life to make up for my past mistakes, so that these children can have a better future and no longer follow my wrong path."
At night, Qi Tongwei and Gao Yuliang sat in front of the hut, with the stars lighting up their faces. Gao Yuliang said earnestly: "Tongwei, life is still long. Although you have made mistakes, as long as you stick to the current path, you can also create different brilliance." Qi Tongwei nodded silently. He knew that the teacher's recognition was a great encouragement to him.
During the few days Gao Yuliang stayed, he also participated in Qi Tongwei's teaching interaction with the children. He told the children about the vastness and diversity of the outside world, and about the power of knowledge that can transcend mountains, rivers, lakes and seas. The children listened with fascination, and their horizons were further broadened by Gao Yuliang's narration. Qi Tongwei watched from the side, full of gratitude in his heart, grateful that the teacher came here, gave him support and understanding, and also gave the children more enlightenment.
When Gao Yuliang was about to leave, he patted Qi Tongwei on the shoulder and said, "Tongwei, hold on. I believe in you."
When Gao Yuliang turned around and was about to leave, Qi Tongwei stepped forward and blocked his way. In his hands, Qi Tongwei held a bag of carefully selected and processed wheat and a basket of ripe tomatoes. The wheat grains were full and glowed a light golden color in the sun, and the tomatoes were bright red, as if they condensed the hard work and hope he had put into cultivating this land.
Qi Tongwei said with a hint of expectation and sincerity: "Teacher, you are leaving soon, and I don't have anything good to give you. This is the wheat I planted myself, and these tomatoes. You can take them back and grind them into flour and taste the purest farm flavor. This is also a little gift from me to you. Thank you for coming here and giving me so much encouragement."
Gao Yuliang frowned slightly, looking at the agricultural products with an embarrassed expression: "Tongwei, I appreciate your kindness, but it's too troublesome to carry it. I have everything in the city, so you can keep these for yourself or share them with the children in the village."