The sunlight shone on the four large characters "Yangping Primary School," their golden letters glimmering in the morning light.

Cars were parked everywhere near the school gate, including sedans from the county, minivans from the town, and the villagers’ three-wheeled motorcycles and electric vehicles. People walked toward the campus in small groups, with expressions of curiosity and anticipation on their faces.

Teacher Wang stood at the school gate, welcoming each guest. She had taught at the village’s primary school for over thirty years, witnessing its transformation from a few dilapidated flat houses to what it was now.

"Teacher Wang, you look so spirited today!" a parent said with a smile.

Teacher Wang looked down at her attire, a dark blue suit she had bought especially for the day. She smiled and said, "A new school calls for a new look; one must dress formally." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The parent nodded and led the child inside. The child, about six or seven years old, carried a new backpack and looked around curiously, fascinated by everything.

The campus was becoming more crowded.

A makeshift podium was set up in the plaza in front of the teaching building, with a row of tables and chairs draped in red cloth. The backdrop displayed large characters: "Yangping Primary School Inauguration Ceremony."

A crowd had already gathered below the stage, including students in uniforms, parents in simple attire, leaders in suits, and reporters with cameras.

Principal Li, Yang Ping’s brother-in-law, was standing beside the podium, talking with some leaders. He wore a dark jacket, with his hair neatly combed and a gentle smile on his face.

"Principal Li, congratulations!" a middle-aged man with glasses came over and shook his hand.

This was Deputy Director Zhang from the county’s Education Bureau, who had come especially for the ceremony, arriving early to pave the way for the subsequent leadership group.

Principal Li smiled and said, "Director Zhang, you are too kind to make a special trip."

Deputy Director Zhang waved his hand: "How can this be called a special trip? This is a major event for our county; I had to be here!"

He looked around at the brand-new teaching building, the spacious playground, and sighed, "Principal Li, this school is truly the pride of our county. I’ve been in education for over twenty years and have never seen such a well-equipped rural primary school."

Principal Li nodded: "Yes, all thanks to President Huang and Mr. Cheng. Without them, this school wouldn’t exist."

Deputy Director Zhang said, "Professor Yang Ping’s contribution is the greatest. Without him, these two businessmen wouldn’t have come here to donate for education. He is the one we should be most grateful to."

Principal Li smiled and didn’t respond. He knew well who they should be most grateful to, but it felt better to have someone else commend his family member.

As they spoke, there was a commotion in the crowd.

Several small cars drove into the campus and parked beside the plaza. As the doors opened, several people got out, some in suits, some in casual clothes, and others with cameras.

Principal Li quickly went to greet them.

Leading the group was the Vice County Magistrate in charge of education, surnamed Liu, followed by the Education Bureau director, deputy directors, and department heads, altogether about ten people.

Vice County Magistrate Liu shook Principal Li’s hand warmly: "Principal Li, congratulations! The school is beautiful!"

Principal Li replied: "County Magistrate Liu, you flatter us. Please, this way."

The group headed toward the podium, the atmosphere very joyous.

Some people were already seated beside the podium. There were town leaders, village secretary Old Yang, and representatives of the contributing businesses. Although Huang Jiacai and Cheng Liquan were unable to attend, they sent representatives.

Upon hearing of Vice County Magistrate Liu’s arrival, they immediately got up to greet him.

Vice County Magistrate Liu sat in the center of the podium amidst the crowd, with Principal Li next to him, and the others seated in succession.

Below the stage, the students were already lined up, altogether six grades, over a hundred students, all in uniform. These students were not only from Yang Family Village but also from nearby villages.

The first graders stood at the front, small and looking up at the adults on the podium, their eyes full of curiosity.

The ceremony began!

The host was a young female teacher, surnamed Chen, a recent graduate assigned to the school this year. She wore an elegant suit and stood in front of the microphone with a clear voice.

"Leaders, distinguished guests, teachers, and students, good morning! Today, we gather together to celebrate the inauguration ceremony of Yangping Primary School..."

Applause erupted.

The first to speak was Vice County Magistrate Liu. He stood up, glanced at Principal Li, and then walked over to the microphone, clearing his throat.

"Teachers, students, today is a good day. We are here to witness the inauguration of Yangping Primary School. This school is the first rural primary school in our county built to the standards of major cities. Its completion is thanks to the care of Professor Yang Ping, the generous donations of Mr. Huang Jiacai and Mr. Cheng Liquan, and the joint efforts of leaders at all levels and all teachers..."

He spoke for about ten minutes, covering topics from the importance of education to rural revitalization, from Yang Ping’s growth story to the significance of this school. The audience listened and applauded from time to time.

Next, Deputy Director Zhang spoke, followed by the town leader, and then Village Secretary Old Yang.

It was Old Yang’s first time speaking in front of so many people, and he was so nervous he didn’t know where to put his hands. Stammering, he said: "I, on behalf of the entire village, thank Professor Yang Ping, thank President Huang and Mr. Cheng, thank all the leaders. This school is built so well that now the children of our village and surrounding villages can also receive a good education..."