Chapter 38

Logan snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head along with Summer to see Leonardo approaching.

Summer quickly jumped down from the desk and, together with Logan, went out to greet him.

Outside the classroom, they greeted Leonardo.

Leonardo peeked into the classroom, smiling. "Are you working on the bulletin board?"

Logan replied, "Yes, we're planning to put up a welcome board for the new school term."

Leonardo was very pleased with what he saw and even more satisfied with Summer and Logan. The school had been so neglected that no one would come in, and the grass was taller than a person. Now, it was clean and bright inside and out. A decorated bulletin board would make it even more presentable.

He praised Summer and Logan for quite a while, admiring their hard work. Among the dozen young volunteers who had come to the village, Summer and Logan were the ones who had caused the least worry and given the most satisfaction. They were not afraid of hard work, never complained, and did everything beautifully and efficiently.

Summer and Logan humbly accepted Leonardo's compliments.

Then Logan asked, "Leonardo, is there something you need us to do?"

Leonardo slapped his forehead, "Oh, I almost forgot because I was so happy."

The matter was naturally about the opening ceremony for the new school term.

He told Summer and Logan, "We're keeping it simple. We'll combine the school opening ceremony with the village assembly. In the afternoon, we'll gather all the villagers in the threshing ground outside to save time. We'll use three desks pushed together as a stage, cover them with red cloth from the office, set up a microphone, and that's it."

It was indeed simple.

The threshing ground was a large open area right outside the school gate, used for drying and threshing grains during the harvest. The commune's film screenings and performance teams also used it for shows. Now, it would serve as the school playground as well.

After discussing the setup, Summer and Logan nodded in agreement.

Leonardo then smiled and said, "Logan and Summer, you two should also prepare to say a few words. The kids will be in your hands from now on."

There were only two teachers in the school—Logan and Summer. Naturally, they had to speak at the opening ceremony.

Summer and Logan didn't decline, readily agreeing, "Alright, Leonardo."

Having finished his instructions, Leonardo was ready to leave.

He still smiled and said, "That's all for now. I won't keep you from your work."

Summer and Logan courteously walked him to the gate.

After a few steps, Logan remembered something and called out to Leonardo, "Oh, Leonardo, there's one more thing we need your help with."

Leonardo stopped and turned to Logan, "What is it? Just tell me."

Logan said, "We officially start classes tomorrow, and we'll need to follow a fixed schedule. But we don't have a clock in the school..."

They had an alarm clock in their dormitory, but it was Jack's, who had brought it from home. Given their current strained relations with the others, borrowing the clock was out of the question.

Leonardo understood immediately. He thought for a moment and said, "There should be an old clock in the storage room. I'll go look for it and bring it to you if I find it."

The clock was confiscated from the wealthy Li family years ago.

Logan nodded, "Alright, thanks a lot."

Leonardo said, "No trouble at all. I'll take care of it. You two get back to work."

With no further matters, Leonardo left.

Summer and Logan saw him off at the gate and then returned to the classroom to continue working on the bulletin board.

Logan drew the outlines and patterns, and after finishing, handed the chalk to Summer, instructing, "You can color it in."

Summer took the chalk and filled in the colors according to his directions. For the higher spots, she grabbed a stool to stand on.

Logan continued drawing while advising her, "We only have one box of colored chalk, so use it sparingly. Don't color too thickly. A light layer is enough."

Summer replied while coloring, "Got it."

Logan added, "Color in one direction, don't make it messy. It won't look nice."

Summer continued, responding, "Understood."

Thus, the two stood in front of the blackboard, hands raised, working on the bulletin board.

Logan stood on the ground, and Summer stood on the stool.

Chalk lines created different colors on the lifeless blackboard, quickly forming a blue sky, floating white clouds, and spreading an atmosphere of vitality and hope.