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Editor's Note: The results of the fifth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest have been announced on the website of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation of SCNU (see results). We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Winning entries will be published in this column.
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By Zhong Yuxi
The interview took place in the evening. When I arrived at aunty Hong's office at the Nanhai Campus of South China Normal University, she was watching the news. Although I had given her a heads-up before, aunty Hong still appeared a bit nervous at the beginning of the interview, repeatedly saying that she was an ordinary person with not many stories to tell. In fact, there are many heartwarming stories about her that require us to savor them carefully...
Because of her passion, she is willing to do it.
Aunty Hong comes from Zhanjiang, in Guangdong province. After retirement, she didn't want to be out of touch with society, so she came to SCNU to become a dormitory administrator. Aunty Hong jokes, "I think it's fate. I never went to college, but ended up working at a university."
She always greets the students coming in and out of Building F with a smile, like a friendly elderly neighbor from her hometown. Her work can sometimes be overwhelming, as she needs to inspect dozens of dormitories; getting up early and staying up late, working tirelessly day and night, is the norm. She also needs to be good at resolving conflicts among students and addressing their living issues. Aunty Hong embraces her work with enthusiasm and always faces it with a smile.
The work of a dormitory administrator may seem trivial, but in the eyes of the students, aunty Hong's attention to detail and companionship are indispensable. She often inspects the dormitories, paying attention to every corner. Whenever she finds students using electrical appliances in violation of the rules, she always patiently reminds and educates them, hoping they can understand the importance of dormitory safety. Her enthusiasm extends far beyond her job itself. Many students have already started calling her not just "auntie," but the more intimate "Hong mama."
Aunty Hong mentioned that she would sit in her office and observe the expressions on the students' faces. Once, when a student returned looking worried and down, aunty Hong invited her to her office for a heart-to-heart talk. Upon learning that the student had just had a conflict with her family, aunty Hong didn't preach a long lecture, but instead gave her a warm hug. Such care brings warmth to the youngsters away from their hometowns. Aunty Hong says, "The dormitory is also a home. The students have left their parents and come here, so it's my responsibility to fulfill the role of a parent."
Warmth flows like water, dripping into the heart.
Aunty Hong's life beyond work is also filled with warmth. She gets up early every day and insists on practicing taichi in the open space outside the dormitory. "Exercising at the entrance mainly allows me to check the condition of the dormitory and ensure the safety of every corner," aunty Hong says.
Flowers and plants planted by Aunt Hong
She also grows some flowers and plants in front of the dormitory, including devil's ivy, cockscomb, and lucky bamboo, which not only adds vitality to the dormitory but also allows students to feel the beauty of nature. There are many stray cats in front of Dormitory F, and aunty Hong tells students to take care of them and also reminds them not to touch them casually to avoid being scratched. She says, "Feel at home here, and see the flowers bloom and the cats run around, which brings a little more warmth to your heart."
With aunty Hong's companionship, generations of students have completed their studies and moved towards the broader world. She has forged deep friendships with many students. During the graduation season every year, many students actively come to take photos with her as a keepsake, even forming a queue. Such scenes fill her with emotion.
During this year's graduation season photo session, her image was even featured on the "Goodnight SCNU" public account. She jokes that she has "become an internet celebrity," but she knows that this photo represents the years of tacit understanding and emotion between her and the students. These young people from all corners of the country, carrying her advice and blessings, move towards their own futures. She says, "I am truly happy to see the youngsters moving towards a better future."
The "Xia Gu" with a heart of gold and a backbone of steel
We hit it off during our conversation and exchanged WeChat contacts. Speaking of her WeChat nickname "Xia Gu," aunty Hong chuckles and says it was a "martial world moniker" she chose for herself, representing her aspiration to be resolute, decisive, and responsible. It is this "martial heart" that allows aunty Hong to demonstrate exceptional calm in emergencies.
A while ago, there was a suspected case of dengue fever in the dormitory. News of this spread quickly, causing many students to panic and worry about the disease spreading. In the face of everyone's fear, aunty Hong stepped forward immediately to reassure the students, and quickly organize the suspected infected student to be transferred for medical treatment, while simultaneously reporting the situation to the superior departments and contacting relevant personnel for emergency disinfection. She was busy in the corridors and offices of the dormitory, checking every corner one by one to confirm the disinfection status and minimize the risk of transmission.
After the incident, students gave aunty Hong a thumbs-up for her quick response and courageous actions. She says, "There are so many students in the dormitory, and I have to ensure everyone's health and safety. No matter how urgent it is, it must be handled properly." At that moment, she truly demonstrated the chivalrous spirit of the "Xia Gu" she envisions herself to be, guarding the peaceful life of every student.
As the interview drew to a close, aunty Hong once again told me that she is just an ordinary person and that everything she does is out of love. In her humble position, aunty Hong Xia exemplified the grassroots power of "serving to educate" through her practical actions. Although she modestly describes herself as ordinary, her extraordinary dedication has warmed the academic lives of countless students. Her story is a tribute to perseverance and passion, a celebration of responsibility and dedication.
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