A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

The work group for cadres supporting Xinjiang has been particularly lively lately. Zhou Yi's first successful surgery and Zhou Hongmei's TCM treatments have become popular in Shihezi. These tangible achievements have greatly encouraged everyone.

So, Zhou Mingyu specially convened a briefing session for cadres supporting Xinjiang, and the meeting room was packed with people.

Zhou Mingyu stood at the front, a gratified smile on his face: "The main reason I've gathered everyone here today is to report on our recent work achievements. Dr. Zhou Yi's right-sided small-incision mitral valve repair surgery saved a critically ill patient and also promoted the development of new technologies in the hospital."

Dr. Zhou Hongmei's TCM treatments not only relieved patients' urgent needs but also secured a donation of medicinal herbs from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, improving the conditions of the hospital's TCM pharmacy. Both she and her colleague have earned high praise from the hospital and the public!

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Zhou Yi and Zhou Hongmei sat in a corner, their faces showing shy smiles.

"This is the spirit and energy of our cadres supporting Xinjiang!"

Zhou Mingyu raised his voice: "I hope everyone can learn from them, expand our business as soon as possible, and produce tangible results so that the people of Shihezi can see our sincerity and capabilities!"

Afterwards, Zhou Mingyu inquired about the progress of each person's work. When he asked Li Chao, he raised his chin and asked, "Li Chao, how's the seedling planting project you're in charge of going?"

Li Chao stood up and said sincerely, "Director Zhou, I contracted a piece of land in the Ninth Company and planted crabapple saplings. Some of them have already survived."

However, the seedling planting cycle is long, and we can't see any obvious results yet. At the earliest, we'll have to wait until next spring to see how the seedlings sprout and grow before we can determine the final outcome.

Some people in the audience whispered among themselves, after all, compared to Zhou Yi and Zhou Hongmei's immediate medical results, Li Chao's project did seem to be "slow to get going".

Zhou Mingyu nodded, looking knowing: "Planting seedlings is a long-term plan, and it can't be rushed. But you have to be careful, winter comes early and hard in Shihezi. The weather is already getting cold, so you must take good care of the seedlings to keep them warm, so that the seedlings you've worked so hard to plant don't die in the winter."

This is the culmination of our hard work; whether we see results next year depends on the maintenance we perform in these next few months.

Li Chao felt a warmth in his heart and quickly wrote it down: "Thank you for the reminder, Director Zhou. I have already covered the saplings with a layer of insulation blanket. I will closely monitor the weather changes and reinforce them as soon as possible."

The day after the meeting, Li Chao went straight to the Jiulian Village Committee and met with the village party secretary, Aini Abudusai.

"Secretary, I have something to tell you. I'm planning to move my bedding to the village so it will be easier to take care of the saplings in the fields."

Upon hearing this, Aini Abdulsay shook his head vigorously, "Cadre Li, this won't do, absolutely not!"

He grabbed Li Chao's arm, his voice urgent, "Where in the village is there a decent place for you to stay? The so-called temporary dormitories are just abandoned mud-brick houses belonging to villagers, uninhabited for years, the conditions are terrible, completely uninhabitable!"

"I know the conditions might not be great, but it's okay, as long as it provides shelter from the wind and rain."

Li Chao said with a smile, "The saplings will be overwintering soon. I live here so I can keep an eye on them and deal with any issues promptly."

"Listen to me, Officer Li."

Aini Abdusay sighed and patiently persuaded, "You're living so well in the apartment in Xinjiang, with heating and hot water, and it's convenient for commuting. I'll look after the saplings in the fields for you. I'll have the villagers check on them every day, and I'll call you immediately if there's any problem. I promise nothing will be delayed!"

"Secretary, thank you for your kindness. I came to Xinjiang not to gain prestige, but because I genuinely want to do something for the Ninth Company."

Planting seedlings is a long-term plan, and now is a crucial time. I must stay here to feel at ease.

He paused, then said, "Besides, it's hard to explain the specifics over the phone. By the time I get here, it might be too late. Please let me move in. No matter how bad the conditions are, I can manage."

Looking into Li Chao's determined eyes, Aini Abdusa felt both moved and impressed.

"Sigh, you're such a stubborn child. Alright, I'll take you to see that house. If you really want to live there, then you can make a decision."

When Li Chao arrived at the temporary dormitory with Aini Abdulsay, he discovered that the conditions there were even worse than he had imagined.

Pushing open the creaking wooden door, a musty smell and dust hit you.

The house was empty, the earthen walls were pitted and cracked in many places, and the cold wind blew in through the cracks.

The plastic sheeting covering the windows was already riddled with cracks, making a rustling sound when the wind blew.

There was only a creaking wooden bed in the room, covered with a thick layer of dust.

A dilapidated table with uneven legs leaned crookedly against the corner of the wall.

There was also a small coal-fired stove, filled with ash, which looked like it hadn't been used in a long time.

Seeing Li Chao's expression, Aini Abdusay felt that he was definitely having second thoughts, so he quickly said, "Officer Li, look at these conditions, it's impossible for anyone to live here."

"Why don't you go back to the apartment for those aiding Xinjiang? Don't worry about the saplings, I'll take good care of them for you. Or, you can stay at my place. My place isn't rich, but at least we have heating, so you'll be more comfortable."

"Secretary, thank you. But don't bother, I'll stay here. The conditions are a bit poor, but I'll make do for a while and get through it."

He walked over to the wooden bed, patted the board, and said, "Look, this bed can be tidied up and we can sleep on it; the stove can be cleaned properly and we can burn coal for warmth. As long as we keep an eye on the saplings, these difficulties are nothing."

"But this..." Aini Abduse still wanted to persuade him.

"Secretary, I've made up my mind. Don't worry, I can take care of myself. Once the saplings safely survive the winter, it will all have been worth it."

Seeing Li Chao's resolute attitude, Aini Abduse didn't say anything more, but just sighed: "Alright then, I'll have someone find some clean straw to put on your bed, and bring you some coal. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to let me know."

"Thank you so much, Secretary Aini!"

After Aini Abdulsa left, Li Chao began to pack up.

He first cleaned the dust in the room, then found a rag and wiped the table and bed board.

Looking at the wooden plank bed covered with straw and the cleaned stove, he gradually felt at ease.

In the evening, Aini Abdusa sent coal and some daily necessities.

Li Chao tried to light the stove like the villagers, but the coal smoke kept pouring into the house, making him cough and his eyes burn red.

He tried several times, adjusting the size of the stove door, before finally getting the soot to escape through the chimney. A slight warmth gradually filled the room, but it still couldn't ward off the chill seeping in from the walls.

Even wrapped in the thick quilt he brought, Li Chao could still feel the cold air creeping up from under the bed at night. His feet were so cold they curled up in a ball, and he would wake up several times a night.

He curled up in bed, listening to the howling wind outside the window, but his heart was unusually firm.

There are no shortcuts in seedling cultivation. Only by staying in the field and keeping an eye on the seedlings can you respond to emergencies in a timely manner.