The first turning point after his parent’s death came when a village official surnamed Yan was transferred to the village. He was extremely concerned about the backward state of local education, wearing iron shoes and trying to persuade each household to send their children to school. Unfortunately, being remote and rural, few among the people had such foresight – most had children only to help support the family and earn money.
After hearing about the tragedy that befell Li Ming He’s family, he made a home visit to offer help.
Li Wu, who desperately wanted an education, became a beneficiary of the national poverty alleviation policy.
In the second semester of first grade, Li Wu returned to school.
To facilitate the child’s studies, Uncle Yan specially paid out of his pocket to find an electrician to install lights in their home. With one click, warm light filled the house, and Li Wu no longer needed to study by candlelight.
For the first time since his parents’ death, Li Wu smiled showing his teeth, smiling until tears appeared in his eyes, light points dancing.
From elementary through middle school, except for holidays and accompanying grandfather for check-ups, Li Wu would walk the rough mountain road for several hours every day without fail, rain or shine, under stars and moon, just to study in the county.
As seasons changed, through scorching sun and heavy snow, calluses grew thick on the young man’s palms and feet, but he was incomparably happy, never once uttering a word about pain or hardship.
After the middle school entrance exam, Director Yan, who had always shown concern for the grandfather and grandson, came to their home again and earnestly told Li Ming He, “Old Li, don’t worry. I’m trying hard to find a sponsor for your grandson. With his excellent grades, he must get into university, he must attend university, he can definitely become a pillar of the nation!”
A few days later, this grassroots cadre fulfilled his promise.
That day was during the hottest part of summer, the sun blazing like flames. Even in the lush mountains, it was stuffy and scorching.
At the time, Li Wu was sitting in front of the door washing his grandfather’s clothes when he saw three people walking up the mountain path in the distance. Leading them was Uncle Yan, followed by a man and a woman. The man wore a baseball cap, while the woman carried a parasol. They both looked like jade figures, glowing from afar, so bright and clean they seemed out of place in this dusty, unremarkable little mountain village.
Director Yan kept turning back to chat with them, smiling constantly, even somewhat fawningly.
Li Wu guessed these must be the sponsors his grandfather had mentioned. Various emotions – inferiority, bitterness, shame – welled up in his heart. The young man’s face and ears burned as he hurriedly wrung out the clothes, emptied the water basin, and carried them back inside, hiding in his grandfather’s room.
He was extremely nervous, fine sweat beading on his temples. If his grandfather hadn’t been in deep sleep, he would have been pacing back and forth in anxiety.
He hid behind the door, hearing a clear male voice ask Uncle Yan: “Where’s the boy?”
Uncle Yan called out in the local dialect: “Old Li — where’s your grandson–“
Li Wu’s heart was racing wildly, at a loss for what to do. Afraid his grandfather would be awakened, Li Wu decided to face them alone. He smoothed his clothes, gritted his teeth, and carefully cracked open the door.
The old door was weathered, long without repair, creaking as it opened.
Li Wu’s ears burned as he looked up hurriedly.
The first person he saw was the young woman in the middle, closest to the door. Her skin was fair, her gaze proud and aloof, like a magnolia on a high branch.
“Born to privilege” – that was the only phrase Li Wu could think of at first.
The moment their eyes met, the woman’s examining gaze grew heavier, becoming a look of superiority and assessment.
Li Wu grew increasingly uncomfortable, quickly shifting his gaze away as he opened the door and stepped out.
All three immediately fixed their eyes on him. Li Wu lowered his gaze, his scalp tingling, not daring to look directly at them.
“Is this him?” The man took off his cap and fanned himself.
Uncle Yan nodded: “Yes, yes.” He eagerly pointed and introduced them: “Li Wu, this is Mr. Wu, and this is Miss Cen. They’ve especially come from Yi City after learning about your situation, and they’re interested in sponsoring you.”
Li Wu’s brows were furrowed as he greeted them awkwardly and formally.
The man smiled, joking: “This is the first time I’ve heard such standard Mandarin since arriving here.”
“That’s right,” pride spilled from Yan Chang Sheng’s words. “This child has been properly educated all along.”
The man took out a pack of tissues, pulled one out, and offered it to Li Wu, his tone friendly: “Here, wipe yourself off, you’re sweating all over.”
Li Wu didn’t move.
Yan Chang Sheng urged: “Take it, quick, thank the big brother.”
Li Wu muttered his thanks, quickly wiped his whole face, and carefully crumpled the tissue in his hand.
The man pulled out another tissue for the woman beside him: “Would you like to wipe too?”
The woman didn’t move, seemingly in a mood, squeezing three words through her teeth: “Not necessary.”
The man tried to coax her with a smile: “Your nose is sweating, your makeup will run.”
The woman still wouldn’t oblige, so the man gave up and wiped himself instead.
Yan Chang Sheng smiled and invited them to sit. The woman was initially reluctant but eventually yielded to her husband’s persuasion and sat down.
Li Wu glanced at them quickly, took two bowls, and went to another room, planning to get mountain spring water from the vat.
He had intended to just scoop it directly, but remembering the woman’s fastidious manner, he carefully washed the bowls twice before filling them with water and bringing them over.
The man was refined and cultured, chatting pleasantly with Yan Chang Sheng.
The woman sat rigidly, looking bored and even somewhat impatient. Li Wu’s heart tightened as he pressed his thin lips together, carefully placing the bowl before her, afraid of spilling even a drop.
Li Wu could feel her appraising him, without purpose but sufficiently oppressive.
He felt like he had pins in his back, not daring to breathe, and only when he straightened up did his chest rise and fall in a long, gentle motion.
The woman said thank you but never touched the bowl of water, keeping her hands folded in her lap, afraid even her clothes might touch the table, as if the entire room was filled with deadly bacteria, including him.
Li Wu stood by the table, at a complete loss but forcing himself to maintain his composure and posture, after all, he was the one in need of help.
His composed behavior won their favor, at least the man seemed to like him. After signing the contract on the spot, he wanted to take a photo with Li Wu.
Li Wu didn’t like having his picture taken at all.
There wasn’t a single photo in the house.