Everyone had heard Fei Yu-ching's song Dream Camel Bell. Most people listened to it for its beautiful melody. But in this moment, with eyes fixed on the blackboard, where painful chapters of humiliation were written like bloodstains on their hearts, it became something more. The introduction to the Begonia Autumn Leaf map on the board revealed a hidden past behind the song.
For the first time, they understood that Dream Camel Bell wasn't just a song about longing for home—it was a melody woven with history, soaked in blood and tears.
As the song ended, Jiang Luxi stepped forward and wrote eight bold characters on the blackboard: "Never forget national humiliation, rejuvenate China."
These words had been seen and heard countless times before. Yet today, their meaning resonated deeper than ever, like an unspoken oath hanging in the air.
For every Chinese soul born on this land, seeing those maps erased, territories lost—it was like a knife piercing the heart. All of it had once belonged to them.
When the music faded, Cheng Xing and Jiang Luxi walked off the stage. The audience remained silent for a breath, then the leading official broke into applause.
"This blackboard display is drawn well, written well, and spoken well," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "The world remembers the Rooster Map, but how many still remember the Blood of the Begonia?"
"Dream Camel Bell isn't just a homesick tune—it's a history of blood and tears," remarked Principal Chen Huaian of No. 1 High School.
"It seems we older folks should read more in our spare time. We remember this history, yet how could we forget the beautiful Begonia leaf?" added a language teacher from No. 2 High School, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Indeed, Lao Zheng, your students are outstanding. It looks like your class will win first place in this blackboard competition. The painting, the writing, the theme, and the presentation—everything was perfect. Ending with Dream Camel Bell was a stroke of genius," praised a language teacher from Class 9 of No. 1 High School.
"It's hard not to be envious of students like yours. Forget the students—if we teachers were to compete in this blackboard contest, I doubt we could come up with anything better," another teacher from No. 3 High School chimed in, chuckling.
Zheng Hua's face split into a wide, awkward grin. He wasn't used to smiling so much, and it showed. "It's alright," he said, trying to sound modest, though pride radiated from him.
"Let's give our scores," the leading official said, still smiling.
The judges began scoring Class 3's presentation.
Afterward, the leader approached Cheng Xing and Jiang Luxi. His gaze settled on Jiang Luxi, his expression softening.
"I know your name, and I hope you continue to work hard. Our city's education bureau has high hopes for you. If you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to reach out to us," he said warmly.
Jiang Luxi wasn't just the city's top scorer in the high school entrance exams. Last year, she had represented City No. 1 High School in a provincial competition and won first place in mathematics—the first time a student from Ancheng had achieved such a feat. The education bureau viewed her as a bright star, a potential future student of Huaxing University.
Given her past performance, she had a strong chance of winning again this year. Since No. 1 High School was under their district's jurisdiction, Jiang Luxi's success was closely tied to the officials' reputations.
The leader's eyes flicked to Cheng Xing. He didn't recall much about him, but Cheng Xing's presentation earlier had left an impression. Smiling, he patted Cheng Xing's shoulder. "Keep it up."
Then he turned and walked away with the other officials.
Cheng Xing turned to Jiang Luxi with a grin. "Looks like I basked in your glory."
He recognized the man as Tao Yong, head of the Wencheng District Education Bureau, later promoted to the director of the Ancheng City Education Bureau. In his past life, Cheng Xing had encountered him during various cultural events. At the time, he had been modestly known, and Tao Yong hadn't paid much attention.
Today, though, Cheng Xing knew this attention stemmed from Jiang Luxi's influence. A blackboard display alone wouldn't have warranted it. His rise in the past had partially ridden on Jiang Luxi's achievements. Wherever she went, she elevated the local education department.
"You did great," Jiang Luxi said. Her voice was sincere, her eyes still reflecting the awe from Cheng Xing's earlier speech, though she'd heard it that morning.
"How do you know all this? How did you write such a compelling script?" she asked, curious.
Compared to Cheng Xing's Begonia Autumn Leaf illustration, she was more impressed by his script. Despite pouring over thick composition guides to improve her writing, none of them compared to his work.
"If I say I'm a genius, would you believe me?" Cheng Xing laughed, not intending to brush her off. How could he explain his knowledge? Could he admit he was a reincarnated author?
"A genius who couldn't even handle elementary math in senior year?" Jiang Luxi teased, raising an eyebrow.
"I've learned it now!" Cheng Xing protested, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Jiang Luxi glanced back at the blackboard display before returning to her seat.
Many students were still digesting the painful history behind the Begonia Autumn Leaf.
"Chen Qing, I didn't realize our territory was once so vast!" Wang Yan exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"Yes. At its peak, China controlled Vladivostok, the largest port in the Sea of Japan, and Sakhalin, the largest island. We had most of the Amur River basin, including tributaries like the Songhua, Zeya, and Ussuri rivers. Daxing'anling, Xiaoxing'anling, Nei Xing'anling, and Lake Baikal were all ours. Even Outer Mongolia, where Huo Qubing once proclaimed victory, belonged to China," Chen Qing explained with a sigh.
Her father, a director at the culture bureau, had nurtured her love of reading early on. Yet, even she hadn't known of the Begonia Autumn Leaf map until Cheng Xing's explanation.
"What a pity. But we'll reclaim it all one day," Sun Ying declared from the front row, her voice firm.
"Never forget national humiliation, rejuvenate China," echoed a boy beside her, his tone fervent.
Hearing this, Jiang Luxi sighed softly. Chen Qing knew so much. Cheng Xing knew so much. She felt a twinge of inadequacy. Maybe they're the perfect pair, she thought, understanding things at a glance while I need everything explained.
"I've heard Dream Camel Bell many times but never knew its backstory," Sun Ying admitted.
"I want to download it and listen on repeat," Wang Yan said, chuckling.
Zhou Yuan's voice broke through the chatter. "Cheng, I just calculated—we've lost over three million square kilometers of land in the past century. It's infuriating!"
"Survival of the fittest is always true, no matter the time or place," Cheng Xing replied solemnly.