“You’re making high school students wear this? What on earth are you thinking?”
Zheng Shiqiang wasn’t blaming Wu Shengli, but rather reflecting.
He trusted his old friend and knew Wu Shengli likely had his own reasons.
This old friend seemed wild and unrestrained, but in reality, every move he made held a deeper meaning.
Wu Shengli flicked some cigarette ash.
“This is for the summer. The winter version is still Hanfu.”
“And don’t just focus on the miniskirt. The top also features the traditional Hanfu right-collar design.”
Zheng Shiqiang gave him a sidelong glance.
“No kidding. Who wears short skirts in the winter?”
Wu Shengli chuckled, stubbed out his cigarette, and rested his arms on the tea table, leaning forward slightly.
Zheng Shiqiang knew that every time Old Wu took this stance, it meant he was about to start reasoning and launching into a long speech.
“Old Zheng, do you know the root cause of our 100 years of national humiliation in modern history?”
Zheng Shiqiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Really? You’re starting on such a high level?”
Wu Shengli rubbed his nose with a matter-of-fact look.
“Sorry, we educators are all like this—seeing the macro through the micro.”
Zheng Shiqiang made a “please continue” gesture.
He wanted to see what kind of nonsense this guy could spin.
“As I was saying. The root cause lies in not accepting external things.”
Zheng Shiqiang nodded, but this sentence was clearly not enough.
He didn’t interrupt, waiting for Wu Shengli to continue.
“If you don’t accept external things and only stay within a limited traditional framework, you develop arrogance, prejudice, and vulnerabilities.”
“Once something from the outside breaks through your traditional framework, you won’t be able to handle it. You’ll collapse.”
“This turns people into another kind of ‘greenhouse flower.’ That is definitely bad for children.”
“Kids these days have poor mental resilience. They jump off buildings or get depressed at the slightest shock. Why?”
“Because they are protected too well. They lack immunity to the real world.”
Wu Shengli paused, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and continued.
“But how do you accept things? You can’t just use your eyes; you have to experience it firsthand.”
“Without experience, you will never gain the most authentic knowledge. Tradition must be experienced, but openness shouldn’t be avoided either.”
“This is called ‘hearing from both sides makes one enlightened.’ Having children wear Hanfu is experiencing tradition; having them wear short skirts is experiencing openness.”
“After experiencing both, they will know how big the world is. They’ll know which one suits them better and how to make their own choices.”
Zheng Shiqiang looked thoughtful but did not interrupt.
“That’s the theory. On the other hand, there are practical considerations.”
“Girls nowadays are different from before. Their level of openness is beyond our imagination. I believe it’s better to guide them rather than block them.”
“Believe it or not, if I wrap them up tightly, some girls will find ways to show a shoulder or a leg.”
“They’d even shorten long skirts themselves. They’ll do anything to make their school uniforms look sexy or personal.”
“But if I make them wear ultra-short skirts, everyone looks the same. Instead, the mystery is gone. They become more reserved, more careful, and more mindful of their distance from boys.”
“This logic, hmmm…”
Zheng Shiqiang let out a laugh.
“It’s psychology, Old Zheng. The more you’re forbidden from doing something, the more you want to do it. If you let them, they find it boring.”
Zheng Shiqiang waited for him to catch his breath and drink water, then snorted.
“And there’s a third reason—you just want to see it yourself, don’t you?”
“Exactly!”
“You’re at least a little bit shameless!”
“Don’t talk about me. You’re telling me you don’t want to see it?”
“No matter how much I might want to see it, you can’t do this among students! They’re in puberty! It’s dangerous!”
“A wise man does not stand next to a crumbling wall. Surely you know that?”
Zheng Shiqiang’s tone became serious.
Wu Shengli remained calm, looking fully prepared.
“That’s why we have supporting facilities—our strict school rules and discipline.”
“Of course, we also have specialized psychological counselors. We don’t severely punish students for having feelings for each other or for puppy love.”
“Instead, we try to guide them. Even if it’s unavoidable, we want it to develop into mutual fulfillment and growth, rather than mutual hindrance and destruction.”
Zheng Shiqiang snorted and smiled.
“You still have some of that innocence from the education industry.”
Wu Shengli didn’t argue and continued.
“As for male teachers, we have a strict selection process.”
“During interviews, we ask them questions about female students. Anyone who isn’t genuine or fails the test won’t be hired.”
“If a male teacher truly develops feelings for a student and reports it actively to receive counseling, we will reward him rather than punish him.”
“Of course, if it truly affects a student’s studies or if there’s any further crossing of boundaries, we will resolutely strike him down!”
“And what if something actually goes wrong?”
“I’ve already signed a formal guarantee with the higher-ups. If a single accident occurs, we’ll compensate as required, and I will resign!”
“I’ll go back to my village and be an elementary school principal!”
“You certainly have the courage to take responsibility!”
“Otherwise, how could I be the brother of Zheng Shiqiang?”
Zheng Shiqiang thought of his daughter, who spent all day in a tracksuit, busy in the kitchen, on the floor, at the toilet, in the drains, and even at the ceiling.
He let out a laugh and a sigh.
“Fine, Old Wu. I’ll consider myself barely convinced. We’ll have to see how you perform.”
“By the way, are the uniforms ready? I’ll take two sets back for my Yangyang.”
Wu Shengli pointed at him and laughed.
“Look at you. You’re more impatient than I am. You want to see it too, don’t you?”
“It is indeed pleasing to the eye. It would be a lie to say I don’t want to see it, but it’s definitely not just for that.”
“Perhaps… this kind of slightly unconventional clothing can break the shell around her heart. That girl needs to start acting a bit more like a girl.”
“Give it a rest. Explaining is just a way of covering it up.”
Wu Shengli took a paper bag out of the cabinet and handed it over.
“Two sets. One size 160 and one size 165. See which one fits her better. Come back and exchange it if it doesn’t fit.”
Zheng Shiqiang took the bag, weighed it in his hand, and suddenly asked, “Old Wu, tell me the truth. Will the parents have issues with this uniform policy?”
“They will. Of course they will.”
Wu Shengli lit another cigarette.
“But my attitude is—those who want to come, come. For those who don’t, there’s a traditional school next door.”
“My own daughter is enrolled here, so what can anyone else say? This school is meant to cultivate children who can live clearly in this era.”
***
When Zheng Shiqiang returned home with the bag, Zheng Yang had just finished making dinner and was wiping the stove in the kitchen.
Hearing the door open, she poked her head out, still wearing disposable gloves to keep the grease off her hands.
“Dad, you’re back? Perfect timing, I just finished cooking…”
“Don’t worry about that yet.” Zheng Shiqiang shook the bag in his hand. “I brought you a Wenjing Academy uniform. Try it on.”
“Mine?” Zheng Yang was stunned.
She slowly took off her gloves, walked to the living room, and stared at the paper bag.
The words Wenjing Academy were printed on the bag in an ancient clerical script.
Next to it was a line of small text:
**[Investigate things to attain knowledge, and benefit the world.]**
She took it with both hands, becoming unusually nervous.
For many years, she had a special fondness for the image of girls wearing Hanfu.
Whether it was grand or simple, she thought it was beautiful, elegant, and culturally unique.
Although the wife hadn’t been interested and never listened to her suggestions to wear it, she never thought she would actually wear it herself.
Wenjing Academy… just hearing the name brought a scholarly atmosphere.
What would their uniform look like?
If it was for school, she hoped it would be simple and loose.
She didn’t want long robes or wide sleeves.
She hoped for a style that could show the charm of Hanfu while remaining convenient for movement.
Zheng Yang suddenly felt a bit of anticipation, mixed with a hint of shyness.
She held the uniform bag, not daring to open it for a long time.
*’Can I really wear this? Me, an old man…’*
“What are you standing there for? Open it and try it on!”
Zheng Shiqiang urged.
Zheng Yang pursed her lips and nodded.
She reached into the bag and pulled out the uniform…
***
“An… An Ultra-Short Skirt?!”
Zheng Yang’s voice cracked.
“Dad, did you grab the wrong one?”
Zheng Shiqiang mimicked Wu Shengli’s tone.
“I didn’t. This is exactly your uniform.”