bookrandom Chapter 244 Li Jia Reveals Her True Feelings
Chapter 244 Li Jia Reveals Her True Feelings
On the other side, in Yuanyao Ancient City, after a whole month of intense work, surveying, organizing, drawing, and making models, Teacher Ruan and her students finally developed a complete plan.
At this moment, Officer Zhang from the county was standing behind Teacher Ruan, listening to him explain the planning and design.
On a large table, miniature models of the ancient city of Yunyao were displayed, miniaturizing the entire ancient city onto this tabletop.
"Our Yunyao has been designated by the higher authorities as a small to medium-sized city for developing light industry and machinery. Our design concept is to thoroughly preserve the old city and thoroughly renovate the new city. The old city needs to be protected, and the city also needs to develop." As Teacher Ruan spoke, she pointed to different areas of the model to help Director Zhang understand more intuitively.
Looking at the model, Officer Zhang couldn't help but ask, "How exactly is this old city old?"
Teacher Ruan patiently explained: "This is Mr. Liang's concept of old city renovation: the new city and the old city are separated and developed separately. The old city is not demolished. The new city is built on the open land directly to the south outside the old city, and an industrial park is planned along the railway line to the west outside the old city. In this way, the historical features and cultural heritage of the old city can be preserved, while providing enough space for the modernization of the city."
As Zhang listened to Teacher Ruan's explanation, he found it quite reasonable and nodded repeatedly.
But then a crucial question suddenly occurred to him. "Teacher Ruan, it's absolutely essential that the old town be accessible by car."
Teacher Zhang, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and handed the drawing to Teacher Ruan.
Teacher Ruan took the blueprints, opened them, and pointed to the route. "The city has designed it as a circular one-way street."
Officer Zhang scratched his head, looking puzzled. "What's a one-way street?"
Teacher Zhang smiled and continued, "I'll draw a diagram to show you in a bit, and you'll understand. A one-way street is a road that only allows vehicles to travel in one direction. This can effectively alleviate urban traffic congestion and improve road efficiency. For a place like Yunyao Ancient City with a relatively unique road layout, the design of a one-way street is perfect."
Teacher Ruan continued, "The old city will undergo a major renovation to improve people's livelihoods and living conditions, including electricity, water supply and drainage, and telecommunications projects."
Officer Zhang was holding the design drawings and walking towards the main entrance.
"Professor Ruan, you truly live up to your reputation as a professor at Tongji University. I am completely convinced. I will take these drawings to the county office as soon as possible and report it to them. I hope the county will adopt your design plan."
Teacher Ruan warmly extended her hand and firmly grasped Officer Zhang's hand.
"Thank you, thank you! Thanks to your support and cooperation during this time, the planning scheme for Yunyao Ancient City has been able to proceed so smoothly."
Officer Zhang responded with a smile, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, Officer Zhang turned and left with the design drawings in his arms.
After Officer Zhang disappeared outside the door, Teacher Zhang, who had come with him, stepped forward and made a suggestion.
"Teacher Ruan, we only have two rolls of film left in our camera. It's not easy to come to Yunyao Ancient City. How about this, I'll take a picture of everyone as a souvenir?"
Upon hearing this, Teacher Ruan thought it was a good idea and immediately nodded in agreement: "Okay, students, come out and take a group photo!"
Hearing Ms. Ruan's call, the students rushed over from all directions, and three girls and two boys quickly squatted down in front.
Zhuang Tunan stood next to Teacher Ruan, his posture upright.
Teacher Zhang adjusted the camera angle, looked at the viewfinder again and again, and pressed the shutter after confirming that everything was correct.
With a crisp "click," this moment was frozen in time, marking the perfect end to Yun Yao's journey to protect the ancient city.
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In the darkroom of the ancient city, Li Jia and Zhang Wanshu were developing the photos they had taken over the past few days in Yunyao Ancient City.
The darkroom was dimly lit, with only a safe light emitting a faint red glow. In this quiet space, the two stood by the table.
While skillfully operating the photo developing tools, Li Jia would occasionally glance at Zhang Wanshu out of the corner of her eye.
During this time, she had been observing Zhuang Tunan and Zhang Wanshu's interactions and had a rough idea of what was going on.
However, since neither of them had made their relationship public, she wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
However, looking at them, she couldn't help but feel envious.
She envied Zhuang Tunan and Zhang Wanshu, and what they had.
Li Jia seemed to have mustered her courage, turned to look at Zhang Wanshu, and slowly said, "Wanshu, sometimes I really envy you. You have a wonderful family, loving parents, and you've never had to live under someone else's roof, never had to live cautiously watching other people's faces, and never had to live under immense pressure every day."
Zhang Wanshu was very surprised to hear these words.
Li Jia had never told her roommates about her family situation, and no one expected her to suddenly say something like that.
She reached out and gently put her arm around Li Jia's shoulder, asking with concern, "Li Jia, are you feeling down? Did something happen?"
Li Jia gently shook her head. "I just feel so tired of living. I returned to Shanghai with my parents' expectations and worked hard to get into university, thinking that life would be easier, but I didn't expect the pressure to still be so great. I'm so tired, I feel like I can't breathe."
Zhang Wanshu listened attentively and gently patted Li Jia's back.
“Li Jia, your parents are certainly important, and we can’t ignore their expectations. But you have to understand that you are also an independent individual with your own thoughts and pursuits. I think it’s not right for them to put all the pressure on you. You need to have your own judgment and not always force yourself to meet all their expectations, otherwise you will only end up driving yourself into a dead end.”
Li Jia nodded thoughtfully, apologizing, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure today. I shouldn't have said these things to you."
Zhang Wanshu smiled and took out her handkerchief from her pocket, gently wiping away the tears from Li Jia's eyes. "Talking about it will help you feel better. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else."
Li Jia took the handkerchief. "I'll wash it for you when I get back and then give it back to you."
Zhang Wanshu smiled and nodded: "Okay!"
The two resumed their work developing the photographs, and the darkroom returned to silence, with only the slight sloshing of chemicals and the occasional low murmur of conversation.
Zhuang Tunan's voice came from outside.
"Wanshu, Lijia, are you done? Teacher Ruan wants us to come over!"
Li Jia and Zhang Wanshu looked at each other.
Zhang Wanshu gently squeezed Li Jia's hand. "Coming right now!"
They walked out of the darkroom hand in hand. Zhuang Tunan immediately noticed that Li Jia's eyes were red, as if she had just been crying. "What happened to you two?"
Zhang Wanshu glanced at Li Jia. "This is a little secret among us girls; you male students wouldn't understand."
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