Cherishing the love affair with murals in my heart

　　One day, my internship supervisor, Zhang Yuxin, called me to her room and solemnly told me that Principal Xu had spoken with her and assigned an important task: to collaborate on creating a mural for the school gate's propaganda wall in the near future. The original slogans would be replaced with a poster to prepare for the district-wide education reform inspection and evaluation at the end of the year.
　　So we sat down and discussed the specifics of creating the poster: we explored its content, style, and materials. She first asked for my opinion, inquiring about the type of poster that would be suitable. After a moment's thought, I said, "I think a realistic poster would be more appropriate; it would look grand and impressive, and attract attention." My statement was based on confidence, and I also wanted to take this opportunity to showcase my painting skills and gain the admiration and favor of the school and teachers. Teacher Zhang fully affirmed my idea and determination, saying, "Your idea is excellent, and I believe you have the ability to complete it well. However, we should still consider the practical situation. Can we complete such a large project within ten days without affecting normal teaching? Also, the tools and materials for this painting are complex and costly; are they readily available? Most importantly, we are a rural primary school. Using forms of expression that children can accept and enjoy, such as decorative painting, is more in line with their appreciation habits and abilities. Moreover, the required materials are simple, and the production method is relatively easy to operate. What do you think?"
　　After hearing her explanation, I couldn't help but admire her for her meticulous, objective, and comprehensive consideration. I completely agreed with her point of view. Afterwards, she took out a color picture book of layout design, selected several pictures, and asked for my opinion. After comparing them, I suggested painting the picture on the left, and she said she also preferred this propaganda poster.
　　When discussing our division of labor, she humbly told me, "I've thought about it, and you'll be the main focus of this mural. You're a top student with formal art training, and your professional skills are excellent. I also want to take this opportunity to learn from you. More importantly, you're facing graduation and job assignments, and a good performance during your internship will enhance your resume and benefit your job placement. Furthermore, as teachers and students who have worked together for so long, and this is our first time collaborating on a large-scale mural, it's a memento and testament to our shared efforts—truly significant!"
　　Her encouraging words, showing her consideration for my future, deeply moved me. Through observing and understanding her over this period, I realized that although Ms. Zhang only has a secondary teacher's diploma, her teaching ability and professional skills are absolutely no less than those of a university graduate. Anyone in the art industry who has seen her traditional Chinese paintings would agree. Given her privileged background as a second-generation revolutionary, such achievements are truly rare. What I admired even more was her ability to work contentedly in an ordinary rural primary school position, never putting on airs like the child of a high-ranking official. She got along well with everyone, was humble and eager to learn, and was highly praised by teachers and students, reflecting her excellent character, upbringing, and cultivation. Without further ado, we immediately drafted a list of painting materials such as paints and brushes. She told me that she would go to the county town to buy them the next weekend. She was always decisive and efficient, never dragging her feet.
　　Three days later, on Monday, everything was ready, and we began painting the poster after the students finished school in the morning. This freestanding poster wall was three meters high and four meters wide, facing the school gate. Considering that classes were held from Monday to Friday, we tried to work on weekends and during lunch breaks and after school each day. Since we couldn't reach the higher parts of the wall, we borrowed a long bench from the school's carpenter.
　　At first, everything went smoothly. I spent half a day sketching the image with a pencil, while Teacher Zhang drew the grid with a ruler and wrote the title "The Future Lies in Education" in artistic lettering on a set square. The next day, we started painting the mural whenever we had a spare moment. As time went on, and with the help of the weather, we overcame many difficulties and problems during the painting process, working together seamlessly. The overall effect of the mural began to emerge, and the general feedback was positive. Everyone felt the mural had a prominent theme, was aesthetically pleasing and impactful, and the colors were vibrant yet tasteful, giving every teacher, student, and staff member a refreshing and uplifting feeling the moment they stepped into the school. It's no exaggeration to say that the mural brought brilliance and glory to this small town in the old revolutionary base area. Principal Xu praised us more than once for doing a good deed for the school.
　　Around 4 PM on the sixth workday, as it looked like it was about to rain, I was in a hurry to finish the last piece of color before it started. While shifting my position, I accidentally missed a step and fell off the bench. I immediately felt a sharp pain in my ankle, was covered in sweat, and collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.
　　Hearing someone shout, "Teacher Liu is injured!" and seeing the students at a loss, Teacher Zhang rushed over and told a student to call the school doctor. She knelt down to check my injury. Seeing my pained expression, she knew it was serious and couldn't be delayed. Without hesitation, she told me to climb onto her back to carry me to the school clinic. Just as I hesitated, she yelled at me, "Get on now!" With the help of two students, I climbed onto her back. She deftly grabbed my thighs with both hands and slowly, laboriously, ran towards the school clinic.
　　When the school doctor saw Teacher Zhang carrying me in a hurry, he immediately came over to help. He helped me sit in the examination chair, carefully asked about my injury, and felt around my ankle joints several times. He then used a stethoscope to listen to the injured area and did not hear any sound of bones rubbing against each other, that is, bone crepitus. After several examinations, he basically determined that there was no fracture. After hearing the school doctor's diagnosis, we finally relaxed.
　　The school doctor instructed Teacher Zhang: "After a sprained ankle, symptoms usually include ankle pain, swelling, heat, and inability to move. Several hours later, subcutaneous bruising and hematoma will appear on the instep. Within 24 hours of the sprain, apply cold water or ice to the affected area; then immobilize the ankle joint with a long bandage; elevate the foot while sleeping or resting to reduce swelling. After two days, switch to hot compresses. Minimize movement of the injured area, rest more, and massage it frequently. It is recommended to take professional medications to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and relax muscles and tendons. Take Yunnan Baiyao powder orally and apply pain-relieving tincture externally. If there are no complications, recovery should generally take about two weeks." As she spoke, she took two kinds of medicine from the medicine shelf and cut several meters of gauze for Teacher Zhang. After we thanked the school doctor, Teacher Zhang carried me on her back.
　　Along the way, several male teachers offered to help her, but she politely declined. Being competitive, she insisted on carrying me back to her single dormitory on the second floor. Thinking about how a 25-year-old man like myself was being carried by a beautiful teacher of the same age, and a woman of high rank and privileged status, I felt incredibly ashamed and filled with mixed emotions and guilt. This was my first time having such close contact with a woman, and a warm feeling spread through my body, making me feel both excited and uneasy. Although I am thin and not very tall, I still weigh around 100 pounds, and even a man would find it exhausting to carry me. Her act of kindness drew many admiring glances. But what embarrassed me was that I could clearly see from the strange looks of some people that some didn't appreciate her good deed, and even secretly criticized her for being reckless and lacking ladylike decorum. However, she firmly believed that as long as she was acting out of a sense of good, she would bravely forge ahead regardless of everything.
　　After learning that I was injured, Principal Xu and several other school leaders immediately rushed to Teacher Zhang's residence to visit me. He comforted me with concern and gentleness, telling me to take good care of my injury and get plenty of rest. He said, "You were injured while working at the school, and everyone will care for you and look after you." He added affectionately, "Teacher Liu came all this way to intern here, without any family or friends. The other interns also have their own internships and courses, so we'll have to trouble Teacher Zhang to take good care of him."
　　"I will take good care of Teacher Liu, please rest assured, leaders!" Teacher Zhang replied firmly. Principal Xu then said to Teacher Zhang, "If you have any specific problems or difficulties that we can help you with, please let us know." "
　　He needs someone to help him with cold and hot compresses, massage, and medication for the next few days. The school doctor advised him to avoid moving around too much, which means he can't go back to the middle school for meals and lodging every day. Could the leaders consider arranging a temporary place for him on campus so that I can take care of him?"
　　"Yes, let's see where we can temporarily settle him in?" the principal asked everyone.
　　"The school's facilities are a bit tight, and there aren't any separate rooms available. Fortunately, we can borrow one for ten days or half a month, which will do as long as it's habitable,"
　　Teacher Zhang said. "The music, physical education, and
　　art office next door has a storage room for sports equipment. Could we move the items there together to free up some space?" "Then let's go take a look next door." So Principal Xu led everyone to the music, physical education, and art office. The storage room was about 15 square meters, mostly filled with sports equipment and wooden cabinets for storing the equipment, among other miscellaneous items. Someone suggested that the cabinets could be used to divide the room into two parts, so that Xiao Liu could stay in the inner room and the sports equipment could be placed in the outer room, leaving a corridor for easy access.
　　His suggestion was met with agreement from everyone. Afterward, Principal Xu instructed the head of the teaching department to notify Teacher Li, the head of the physical education group, to come over immediately and find a few people to start working so that Xiao Liu could settle in there that night, and Teacher Zhang could begin his cold compress exercises.
　　A short while later, someone brought Teacher Li over. Principal Xu explained the purpose and intention of summoning him and hoped for his cooperation with the school. Without hesitation, Teacher Li immediately found two strong physical education teachers, assigned tasks, and they got to work. Some moved cabinets, others tidied up equipment, and they all started cleaning at the same time. In about half an hour, they had tidied the room according to plan. Teacher Zhang was very satisfied after seeing it and expressed his gratitude. Although I wasn't there, I heard the sounds and noises coming from next door very clearly, and I was deeply moved!
　　After the scene was cleared up and everyone had left, Teacher Zhang found a single iron bed at home and moved it to the next room. He then took out cotton wool and a quilt from the wardrobe and told me, "Now I'll make your bed and then come to give you a cold compress on your ankle. After dinner, get some rest early tonight."
　　"Thank you, Teacher Zhang!" I replied gratefully.
　　After all that work, Teacher Zhang returned to his room. I watched as she fetched a basin of well water (cooler than tap water) from downstairs, soaked a new towel in the water, drained it slightly, and came to my side. She found a small wooden stool and had me put my feet on it, then squatted down. I quickly rolled up my trouser leg, exposing my injured ankle. She carefully placed the wet towel on the wound, constantly comforting me, "Don't be afraid, be good, you'll feel better soon."
　　Each time the wet towel touched my swollen ankle, a cool sensation would soothe me, relieving the burning pain instantly. Each application lasted about 10 minutes, then she would wet the towel again, let it cool, and apply it again. She did this several times, repeatedly and patiently, until, as the doctor had instructed, after an hour. She asked me, "You must be hungry, right? I'll cook you a bowl of noodles with boiled eggs right away. Just have something simple for today. Tomorrow I'll go to the farmers' market and buy some lean meat, chop it into patties, and steam it with crucian carp. It'll be delicious and nutritious."
　　"Teacher Zhang, don't be so polite. It's not a serious illness. There's no need to make such a fuss. You're spoiling me like this, which makes me feel embarrassed," I said earnestly.
　　“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Everyone faces unexpected events in life. Helping each other through tough times is a basic principle of friendship. You don’t need to be so reserved.” She then took out several novels and picture books from the bookshelf. “Take your time reading. Wait here a moment; the noodles are ready, I’ll bring them to you.” She took an aluminum pot from the kerosene stove, filled it with water, lit the fire, and started washing scallions and chopping garlic, getting busy herself.
　　Looking at this warm, kind, bold, meticulous, and efficient teacher—my internship supervisor—she seemed like a cheerful and sunny older sister, giving me confidence and strength. I silently thought, “Good people are always rewarded!”
　　Sure enough, a week later, the Gannan District Education Commission inspected and evaluated Gupo Primary School, finding significant achievements in education, teaching, and holistic education, and awarding it the title of Advanced School in Educational Reform. They even took a group photo with leaders and teacher representatives in front of the “The Future Lies in Education” mural. This photo became a precious snapshot of my life.