Lin Lan didn’t have any pending tasks for now, so she cooled the boiled sweet potatoes at home. Then, she sliced and dried them in the sun.
She either placed them onto the mat or directly hung them on the thorny branches that Dawang and the others had cut down, drying the harvest under the eaves to be exposed to the air. The results could be eaten as a snack or she could stir-fry them as crispy sweet potato chips.
There were still some sweet potato slices left, so she heated up the pan before lathering some oil in it. After that, she placed the potato strips into the pan for frying.
It was quickly seared until golden on both sides. The aroma was enticing, quickly working up anybody’s appetite upon a whiff.
When it was done, Lin Lan asked Erwang and Maisui to prepare the rest of the meals. She filled a large bowl of fried sweet potato slices, stuffed a piece of it for Xiaowang before taking the child by the hand to find Huo Yuan.
Huo Yuan, Han Qingping and another educated youth lived in the two huts of the school.
Lin Lan led Xiaowang in as the trio were having a meal together.
Upon seeing her arrival, they were very enthusiastic. Han Qingping was especially stoked as he ushered, “Comrade Lin Lan, sit down with us and have some food.”
Lin Lan smiled, “I made some fried sweet potato slices for you all to try.”
She handed the big bowl over to Huo Yuan as the woman hurriedly outstretched her own bowl. After that, she handed the larger bowl back to Lin Lan, reinitiating their invitation for her to sit.
Lin Lan said, “Teacher Huo, you are versatile in all aspects— drawing, singing and playing instruments. You see, our Xiaowang has no other interests besides playing with the flute. I also bought a harmonica for him, so if you have the time, do you mind teaching him to blow a few things?”
Huo Yuan took a look at Xiaowang. No one would dislike a pretty, well-behaved and quiet child. She touched Xiaowang’s shoulder, knelt down and asked, “Xiaowang, are you willing to learn from me?”
Xiaowang took out his little harmonica, nodded and began to play some notes.
Although there was no melody as to what he was playing, each sound was played separately, so it was evident that he wasn’t just randomly playing the instrument.
Huo Yuan exclaimed in surprise, “Xiaowang, you are amazing!”
Xiaowang’s fair yet tender face flushed.
Huo Yuan agreed to teach Xiaowang what she knew, but he was still young, so it was not recommended that he came every day. Hence, they agreed on having him come over 3 to 4 days a week to play in the yard. There, she would teach him how to properly play the harmonica and some basic music theory.
Lin Lan then asked Han Qingping about Dawang and Sanwang’s performances in school.
Maisui loved to study, and although Erwang was not as good as his sister in regards to academics, he was not bad. Lin Lan was not worried about them; it was the Dawang and Sanwang that she was concerned about.
“Principal, if those two brats are disobedient and don’t listen well, do not hold back. You can totally discipline them.”
Han Qingping smiled as he was very relieved. As an educator, teaching 10 good students did not bring him the sense of accomplishment as compared to guiding one who strayed back to the right path. Also, what better pleasure was there than to watch a once self-deprecating shrew turn into a more beautiful and wise woman?