1. I Am the Mountain
In November 2023, a film titled "I Am the Mountain" was released.
The film is based on Zhang Guimei, known as the "most beautiful rural teacher."
It narrates her story of defying fate alongside the mountain girls.
However, upon its release, the movie unexpectedly sparked huge controversy. It intentionally sidestepped the harsh reality of poverty, portraying the children from the mountains as rebellious and mischievous, transforming the contradiction between ideals and reality into a conflict between the children and the teacher.
Behind the movie lies a great story that moves everyone who watches it.
2. Live Well
In 1957, Zhang Guimei was born into a Manchu farming family in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province.
Despite being poor, she grew up surrounded by her family's love. Even though her parents lacked education, they scrimped and saved to put her through school.
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Guimei reached the fourth grade.
Yet, she noticed something odd: her classmates were dwindling.
Some were forced out due to poverty, while others, for absurd reasons—simply because they were girls.
In the local rural mindset, there was no necessity for girls to study.
Every time she met old classmates, Zhang Guimei could sense their envy.
From that moment on, she cherished her opportunity to study even more.
At 17, she went to Yunnan with her sister.
She worked at a forestry station for a few years before being transferred to teach at a school for children of workers.
She was like a movable brick, always ready to fit where needed.
What's admirable is that, no matter how harsh the environment, Zhang Guimei conquered it all.
Moreover, she was an early "bookworm," deeply embodying the concept of "being more hardworking than those who are better than you."
During her work, she studied and managed to get into the Chinese Department of Lijiang Normal College.
Here, she met someone who would accompany her for life—her husband, Dong Yuhuan.
After graduating, she taught at Xizhou No. 1 Middle School in Dali with her husband.
The two of them were seen as a couple devoted to educating and nurturing others, almost like celestial beings in the eyes of others.
Zhang Guimei had thought she would grow old with her husband by her side.
However, fate seemed to play a cruel joke on her.
In 1996, Dong Yuhuan was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Despite all efforts and savings, her husband departed from this world.
That day was an absolute nadir for Zhang Guimei.
She decided to leave the sorrowful place of Dali.
Zhang Guimei chose to teach at the remote Huaping County Ethnic Middle School.
She even volunteered to handle four graduating classes at the same time.
She wanted to armor herself with busy work, intending to "live well" despite it all.
However, at that time, she didn't know that the gears of fate had already started turning.
3. Bowing to Fate
Upon arriving in the county, Zhang Guimei discovered how helpless the students and parents were.
One parent came to pay fees and emptied a pile of change from their bag.
Upon careful examination, it was all coins of a few cents.
After half an hour of counting, she realized it only amounted to 30 yuan.
Seeing this hard-earned money, Zhang Guimei felt deeply troubled.
Therefore, she decided to use her own salary to pay the students' fees.
But just as she immersed herself tirelessly in her work, a bolt from the blue struck.
In 1997, Zhang Guimei faced her own health issue.
Doctors discovered a 5-kilogram tumor in her uterus.
The doctors urged her to undergo surgery immediately, warning of a life-threatening situation at any moment!
However, Zhang Guimei refused.
Upon learning the test results, her first emotion wasn't sorrow, but intense self-blame.
Her graduating class had only three months left before taking the exams.
A sudden change of teachers could significantly affect the students' performance.
That day, Zhang Guimei walked back to the school in tears.
She had struggled to want to live well, yet now it seemed impossible.
Back at the school, she wiped away her tears and locked the test results in a drawer.
She decided to conceal this news from her students.
Their well-being came first.
From that day on, Zhang Guimei relied on painkillers to alleviate her discomfort.
Three months later, after escorting her last student into the examination hall, she breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the strain during this time had utterly weakened her body.
Her illness couldn't be postponed any longer.
Yet, a new challenge stood before her—no money.
Over the past year, selling her house and using up all her savings had been necessary for her husband's treatment.
Even her meager salary had been spent on the students.
Zhang Guimei didn't want to burden anyone and had resigned herself to her fate.
But just then, at this crucial moment, a new twist in the tale emerged.