One Body Two Soul

7.

Next day, Fui took me around the village introducing me to the villagers. When I greeted them, they did not acknowledge me but started ignoring my presence. I was confused as to why they were being cold towards me. Then Fui explained to me that, whenever a new substitute teacher would come to their village they would happily welcome them. But no one stayed here longer and would always quit the job and leave. The villagers would get heart broken whenever they try to get close to the new teachers.

The villagers could not bear anymore heartbreak so they stopped getting close to the teachers when they know they will quit soon. But it wasn't the same in case of Fu Hong, when she arrived at the village she tried everything in her favor to get acknowledged by the villagers. She got close to them and treated them like a family. The villagers slowly tried opening up and after few months fully accepted Fu Hong. But they were again left heartbroken when she went to the city and did not return.

The villagers were unaware of her death as the news were hidden from them. Only few knew about her death, Yunlan and the forest ranger team, Fui and the village chief. They told the villagers that she was stuck in the city due to some important work and decided to not return back. Well, instead of telling them the news of her death they told them that she left the job. The villagers would be heartbroken but not fully.

The villagers were very angry at Fei Hong for not even meeting them once before she left. They were angry that she didn't even visit once in these past months. They shut down their heart again and swore to never get involved with people from the city. Now they were showing the same coldness towards him. He had read in her book how she helped them in coffee plantations. How she helped them in taking care of the animal's. How they thought her to knit and how she made scarfs for them. He would follow Fu Hong's footsteps and win these villagers heart.

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One day, I went to the coffee plantation and found few villagers working in the hot sun. I borrowed the sun hat and a sack from Fui and went to help them in the field. I tried talking to them again and again even though I didn't get any reply back. I would not lose hope. When my first day failed, I didn't stop. I went again to the field the next day and the next day and again the next day, until one villager asked for my name and our conversations started. I was happy, I was successful in atleast talking to them. I would slowly get close to these people in time.

Morning I would teach the kids and in the evening I would go to the field and I would greet anyone I pass happily showing my attractive smile. Some ladies would wave back and some men would glare at me. Well, what can I say I do am handsome and anyone would fall for my face except for one person.

Yunlan was a cold person. I never saw him smile at anyone. He would sometimes come along with his team to the school and see how the kids are doing. Well, I cannot say for sure if he comes here to see the kids or me. Our relationship is very different. We sometimes hate each other, want to kill each other and like to play pranks on each other.

His friends have obviously saw that Yunlan was having fun whenever he tried to trick me and his blood would boil whenever he falls in my trap. His friends were always amused that he was showing any reaction. When asked why? They would say......he never tricked anyone, never played pranks on anyone, never got involved with anyone and never enjoyed himself. But, he seemed to be enjoying in my company and I wonder why he likes to tease me now.

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Yunlan POV

I went to the village clinic to get my regular checkups and the doctor working there was one of my friend.

"You are well and there seems to be no problem with you. You are fit and fine"

"Thank you Yichen"

"So.....how is your new volunteer teacher?"

"My new teacher?"

"I mean...under your care. I heard that on his first day of work you personally went to his doorsteps to pick him up. Normally, you don't make such an effort"

"Well...I was just worried about kids"

"What about that 'kid'? Is there anything to be worried about?"

"As you know, a picky eater like him cannot survive here. He will run away in a week"

"Yeah right, he is not like Fei Hong. She was even ready to be a daughter-in-law here"

A sad smile passes on Yunlan's face "Hey...I am sorry....I was just joking. Don't worry about Fu Hong now...I am sure she has become an angel right now. You should worry about the one under your care. I still wonder, why a rich guy like him came here to struggle"

"His reasons doesn't matter to us Yichen. The kids got someone to learn from, that's all that matters"

"Hmmm....I wonder when you will start mattering to him"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you know? The whole team is talking about it"

"Know what?"

"They say you keep staring at him when he teaches the kids and you continue to stare at him whenever he's eating. You avoid his eye contact when he looks your way and you find annoying him enjoyable. Everyone is saying you have gained an interest on him"

"What are you even saying Yichen....I.....I don't have any interest towards him"

"Yunlan....we all know you are gay. Even Fu Hong knew about it after she proposed to you. Do you think Wei will not find out about it?"

"There is nothing Yichen. Don't believe the idiots and don't get any wrong ideas"

"Well....I know you very well then any other person in this village. You can hide it but it does not escape my eyes"

"Shut up Yichen. Stop making stories. I literally hate him and his guts. I am leaving now, if there is nothing important to talk about. I need to get back to the village"

Yunlan storms out of the clinic. Yichen signs "He never accepts what's in his heart rather thinks from his brain. Buddy, I would bet on you that one day you will fall for that new guy or......you already have and are in denial now"

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"Teacher Wei?"

"Yes?"

"We are bored! Can't we do something more fun? We have been drawing for the whole day now. It's not interesting anymore" Ayi said.

"Hmmm...let me see......have you guys ever had field trip?"

"Field trip? What kind of game is that?"

"It's not a game. Field trip as in we will learn outside the classroom. We will go out"

"Means fun outside?" Ayi asked jumping up and down.

"Yes....Fun and learning...let's go"

As we were about to go out Fui stopped me. "Mr Wei, I don't think that's a good idea. We never took kids outside before"

"That's why this is something new for the kids Fui"

"But, chief is not with us...I don't think it's good to go out"

"Oh..come on Fui...what's going to harm if we take the kids out"

Just as I said that the kids started chanting that they want to go out. Defeated by the kids ranting Fui allowed us to go out only if he comes along as well. Getting excited, I took all of them to the waterfall where Yunlan took me the first day. While on the way, I would teach the kids what some things are called in English....Like...(.Zhíwù is called plants, Shùmù is called as trees, Niǎo lèi is called as birds).