Leading Lin Mo, Grandma Chen, and Little Guo’er across the newly completed granite arch bridge, Principal Zhang Guilan beamed with pride as supply trucks rolled into the Clear-Cloud Mountain Girls’ School parking lot.
Principal Zhang guided them into the newly renovated dormitory wing, where fresh mountain air drifted through the clean brick courtyards.
Radiant solar heating warmed the red brick hallways, keeping the mountain chill at bay.
In every dorm room, sturdy pine bunk beds held thick down quilts and clean woolen blankets.
Down the corridor, the Taichu Health Clinic was already stocked with clean bandages, antibiotics, and Dr. Gu’s herbal tonics.
“Chairman Lin,” Principal Zhang said, her eyes shining as she touched the smooth banister. “The girls slept in warm beds last night for the first time in their lives. Not one child coughed.”
Lin Mo smiled warmly. “A school should protect its students, Principal Zhang. This is how it should have been thirty years ago.”
Just then, a loud, tinny bell rang across the courtyard.
