The iron gate was locked.
Summer followed Logan across the threshing ground towards Secretary Anthony's house.
Logan didn't hand her the watch and clock oil, likely not because he wanted to accompany her, but probably to ensure she didn't take any credit for fixing the clock in front of Anthony.
Summer didn't mind. She had no intention of taking credit; she just wanted to help out since everything at the school concerned her too.
When they arrived at Secretary Anthony's house, Logan returned the watch and clock oil and exchanged a few polite words with him. Summer chimed in as well.
Secretary Anthony praised both Summer and Logan enthusiastically.
After his praise, he sighed and said, "If the other ten volunteers were like you two, we'd have fewer worries. Try to keep an eye on them and help them improve. You're all from the city and around the same age, so they might listen to you more."
Summer was about to find a way to refuse this thankless task, but Logan spoke up first. "Secretary Anthony, I don't think you need to worry too much. They're just young and playful. Everyone has some flaws at their age, and it's normal. They've only been here a short time and are still adjusting. Once they get used to it, they'll be fine. For now, they're mostly okay. Aside from being a bit lazy sometimes, they don't have major issues."
Anthony found Logan's words reasonable. Young people do have their quirks.
Seeing that Secretary Anthony accepted his words, Logan continued, reassuring him until Anthony seemed less concerned.
With nothing else to discuss, Secretary Anthony invited them to stay for dinner, but Summer and Logan politely declined.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they left Anthony's house.
Due to their involvement with enrollment and the opening ceremony, more villagers recognized Summer and Logan, not just those they worked with regularly.
As they walked, villagers greeted them warmly, "Teacher Tang, Teacher Lin."
After responding to several greetings, Summer turned to Logan and asked, "Do you really believe Henry and the others are just playful, that their flaws are minor, and they don't need supervision? Do you think they'll adapt to village life and everything will be fine?"
Logan's expression was completely different from the one he had shown Anthony.
His voice was cold and emotionless as he replied, "No."
Even if the flaws were minor, there would still be issues.
Summer looked at him, stunned.
Had he been covering for Henry and the others in front of Anthony? That didn't seem like Logan's style. He wasn't the type to play the "good guy."
There had to be another reason.
Summer thought deeper and concluded that Logan might be trying to completely ease Anthony's worries so he'd stop overseeing Henry and the others, leaving them to their own devices. By downplaying their problems, Anthony wouldn't feel the need to monitor them closely. The village leaders had limited energy and plenty of other matters to handle. If they perceived serious issues, they might take early measures.
Without intervention, Henry and his group would likely encounter significant trouble.
Logan seemed to be setting them up for a fall.
Summer silently marveled at Logan's cunning.
Clenching her bag's straps, she decided not to interfere. Better to stay out of it and avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Henry and his friends, with their flamboyant independence, wouldn't easily submit to anyone's control. They needed a harsh lesson to face reality.
***
Back at the volunteer camp, life went on as usual.
Summer kept to herself, eating and sleeping separately from the others.
She had no attachment to the camp, viewing it merely as a place to eat and sleep.
Given the limited housing in the village, there was nowhere else to go.
If conditions allowed, she would have preferred to move out.
Since she couldn't, she aimed to make her presence as minimal as possible.
***
The sudden ringing of the alarm clock shattered the early morning calm of the camp.
While others got up begrudgingly, Summer grabbed her bag and hurried out.
She quickened her pace to catch up with Logan.
Slightly out of breath, she asked, "Can I sit in the back of the classroom during your first lesson? I want to learn how to teach."
Logan kept walking. "Suit yourself."
Relieved, Summer replied, "Thank you."
Arriving at the school, they felt a sense of change. Previously, they focused on enrollment; today, they were starting actual classes.
With time to spare, they each prepared mentally for the day.
At seven o'clock, Logan picked up a small iron hammer and struck the thick iron plate hanging under the office eaves.
The clear, resonant sound echoed as he struck it ten times.
Two minutes later, children began arriving.
Most carried makeshift bags made from burlap sacks rather than proper school bags.
Logan and Summer went to the classroom.
Once the children had all arrived, the classroom was bustling with noise.
Logan clapped his hands on the desk to quiet them.
Using the time initially set for reading, Logan and Summer reintroduced themselves to their students.
They started with their own introductions, instructing the children to call them "Teacher Tang" and "Teacher Lin" instead of "volunteer."
After their introductions, they had the children introduce themselves.
Many were shy and quickly mumbled their names, while a few were bold, loudly stating their names and even offering to perform tricks.
Encouraged by the bolder kids and Logan and Summer's support, the rest gradually became more confident.
After the introductions, Logan and Summer explained the school rules.
Summer said, "Remember the bell signals. One chime means prepare for class. Two chimes mean class is starting. Three chimes mean class is over. Got it?"
The children responded in unison, "Got it!"
Logan continued, "We promised to tell you stories and give you comics every week. But you must follow the rules during class. No lateness, early departures, or unexcused absences. If you're sick or have a family emergency, you can ask for leave. During class, no talking or daydreaming. Do your homework diligently. We'll check it. Help each other and avoid conflicts. There will be rewards for good behavior and penalties for bad behavior. Understood?"
"Understood!" they chorused.
One child asked, "What's the punishment? Spanking?"
Logan replied, "We said we wouldn't hit you, and we won't. There are many ways to punish, like standing in the corner, cleaning the classroom for a week, or even cleaning the bathroom for a week."
"Ah..." the children groaned.
The same child muttered, "I'd rather be spanked!"
After letting the children chat freely for a bit, Logan clapped to regain their attention.
They used the remaining time to select class officers and form duty groups.
Summer said, "We need a class president, vice president, study committee member, four subject representatives, and a labor committee member. Volunteer if you want the job. If more than one person wants the same position, we'll vote."
After the elections and duty assignments, the first period was nearly over.
Summer checked the time and rang the bell to end the class, giving the children a ten-minute break.
Seven minutes later, the preparatory bell rang.
The children quickly returned to the classroom.
When the class bell rang, Logan entered with his language book and notes.
The children stood up and greeted, "Good morning, Teacher!"
Their first lesson officially began.
After ringing the class bell, Summer quietly slipped into the back of the classroom to observe Logan's teaching methods.
She wanted to learn how to conduct a class.
Halfway through, Summer felt she had learned enough and started daydreaming. She glanced out the window and saw a figure peeking in, hiding behind the wall.
Though she didn't see the face clearly, she recognized the girl.
It was the girl with the baby on her back who had wanted to attend school for free.
Seeing her listening intently, Summer decided not to disturb her and returned her focus to Logan.
As the class neared its end, Summer left to check the exact time and ring the bell precisely. When she looked again, the girl had disappeared.
Summer sighed softly, glancing at the gate.
***
The school bell rang, and the children rushed out of the classroom.
Under Summer and Logan's direction, they lined up according to their production teams and left the school in an orderly fashion.
Once the sixty children were gone, the school quieted down.
Summer turned to Logan, "Shall we head back?"
Logan glanced at her, didn't reply, and went into the office.
Understanding his personality by now, Summer didn't mind his attitude and followed him to pack her bag. Then they walked back to the camp together.
After lunch, Logan didn't stay to rest. He washed his hands and headed out again.