Episode 4 recap: # Cong Jun Sheng as Class Teacher
In the middle of the night, Zhong Yu Ke urgently knocked on An Yan’s door. He shared the tragic news that the respected teacher Yu Liang had suddenly passed away. With school not yet in session and many teachers absent, he asked An Yan to join the school’s funeral committee to help with the arrangements. Without hesitation, An Yan agreed, expressing her willingness to learn and assist in any way she could.
At that time, An Yan was new to the village, which was impoverished. When Teacher Yu died, he had no immediate family, and the village teachers had to pool their resources to organize the funeral. Former students, upon hearing of their beloved teacher’s passing, also expressed their desire to return and pay their respects while contributing financially. An Yan was deeply moved by this outpouring of affection and decided to contribute as well, donating money and helping to sort through Teacher Yu's belongings.
Under Principal Zhong's guidance, An Yan examined the books and letters left behind by Teacher Yu, filled with emotion. Teacher Yu had dedicated his life to education; although his possessions were few, each item reflected his deep affection for his students. In particular, the correspondence between students and the teacher illuminated the pure and sincere bond they shared.
Village Secretary Shi generously contributed, and the villagers brought food and support, making the funeral both solemn and warm. An Yan was puzzled, however, by the presence of many mourners dressed in mourning attire, despite Teacher Yu having no direct relatives. Principal Zhong explained that these were Teacher Yu’s former students, who had come to express their sorrow and respect.
Wang Jianjun, one of Teacher Yu’s students, struggled to accept the loss. Upon learning that Teacher Yu had cherished postcards from all his students, he and his classmates visited in hopes of finding a trace of their teacher’s warmth in those letters. Teacher Yu’s life had been both happy and lonely; he poured all his energy into his students and school while living in a modest classroom.
Witnessing this, Wang Jianjun felt both heartbroken and inspired. He vowed to carry on Teacher Yu’s legacy and continue fighting for education. He also shared exciting news: a railway was about to reach their village, which could bring better transportation and help alleviate poverty.
Encouraged by this, An Yan affirmed that young teachers would carry the torch forward. Wang Jianjun recalled almost dropping out due to his family's financial struggles and how Teacher Yu had supported him step by step to fulfill his dream of attending university. Determined to repay this kindness, he aimed to light the path of hope for more children. Seizing the moment, An Yan encouraged the teachers to unite and form a scholarship group, gaining widespread support, including from Principal Zhong.
Meanwhile, Cong Jun Sheng was appointed as the acting class teacher due to a colleague's absence. An Yan not only offered her support but also volunteered to mentor him. However, Cong Jun Sheng was new and had limited understanding of rural students, so An Yan took him to the dormitories to experience the challenges of rural education firsthand.
Though feeling pressure, Cong Jun Sheng became more determined to excel in his role. When conflicts arose among students, such as misunderstandings involving Luo Xiaoxian due to his urban background, Cong Jun Sheng worked hard to mediate and promote harmony. He realized that as an educator, he needed to teach not just knowledge but also respect and understanding.
Throughout this process, An Yan’s guidance and support provided him with immense help and confidence. This experience not only helped Cong Jun Sheng grow into a more mature teacher but also deepened An Yan’s understanding of the importance of teamwork and legacy. Through their collective efforts, the scholarship group grew stronger, injecting new vitality and hope into rural education.
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