As soon as Zheng Qinglan went to work in the morning, Luo Tianyin called her to her office. Luo Tianyin took out Jin Ling's manuscript and handed it to Zheng Qinglan, saying,""I've finished reading the manuscript. The overall feeling is not bad. It reflects some of the current social problems. The characters are also relatively thin, similar to the characters in those TV dramas in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Why is there such a phenomenon? It's because we didn't observe life carefully enough and didn't have a deep understanding of it. Although writing a novel could not be separated from fiction, the basic accumulation of life was indispensable. If one sat at home to write a novel, they would not be able to write a high-level work. Countless masters used their writing practice to tell us that this was a truth.”"Then I'll take the time to send the manuscript to her and give her your opinion.”"Alright, this matter should not be delayed. Perhaps she is still waiting with her neck stretched out.”"Alright, I'll go right away." "Well, you can stay there for a little longer and talk to her more clearly. When you leave, tell Shang Liu Xin to not let her wait for you at home.”Zheng Qinglan returned home. Shang Liu Xin was watching TV. Her eyes and nose were red. It was obvious that she had cried. Zheng Qinglan couldn't help but frown. "The director has arranged for me to go out and do something immediately. I won't be back for lunch.”Shang Liu Xin didn't even move her head, as if she didn't hear anything. Zheng Qinglan walked to her and said it again, then she replied with an " oh ". Zheng Qinglan regretted buying this TV. It might become a culprit one day.
When the teacher said that, she really looked at the door. From afar, Zheng Qinglan saw Jin Ling standing at the door. Zheng Qinglan got out of the car and waved at Jin Ling. This time, she was here under orders, and there was a foreshadowing in front of her, so she didn't have to be so reserved. Jin Ling quickly took a few steps forward and stood there waiting for Zheng Qinglan. Zheng Qinglan walked up to Jin Ling. Jin Ling smiled and said,"Coming.""Yeah, I told you to wait."”"No, I was reading for a while and my eyes were a little sore, so I came out to adjust. I just happened to see you get out of the car. Come in quickly.”Zheng Qinglan took out the manuscript and handed it to Jin Ling. Jin Ling asked,""What is Director Luo's opinion?" "Teacher Luo said that we should continue writing according to your train of thought, but there must be some twists and turns in the middle. We must highlight the power of morality and not let the male protagonist slide into the abyss of desire without any scruples. This is not only a requirement for the development of the novel plot, but also a reflection of real life. It is also a manifestation of the spiritual value of our society. If people do not have a conscience, what hope does society have?”"Yes, that's what I thought too, but I'm always uncertain about the emotional changes in the character's heart. I always feel that it's superficial.”"Teacher Luo also noticed this. He suggested that you read more famous works and discover useful writing techniques from them. He also suggested that you get more exposure to social life and obtain writing materials and inspiration from them.”"Do you have any experience in this area?”Jin Ling looked at Zheng Qinglan expectantly. Zheng Qinglan scratched her head and said embarrassedly,"I'm sorry, I'm the same as you in this aspect. I don't have any deep insights. If I want to write, I can only rely on my imagination.”"Of course it's imagination. Don't tell me that those great writers write about emotions from their own experiences? That's impossible." "On the one hand, they do have extraordinary imagination, but on the other hand, many of them have very rich emotional lives.”Jin Ling blushed. She lowered her head and didn't dare to look at Zheng Qinglan. After a long time, she said in a low voice,""Do you mean that if you want to write a masterpiece, you have to be like these literary giants you listed?”"That's not what I meant. I'm just listing some phenomena, but it's not absolute. Look at Qian Zhongshu and Yang Jiang. They were monogamy until the end. Qian Zhongshu's Fortress Besieged and Yang Jiang's Bathing were also famous works. There was also Shen Congwen. It was said that it was the same. This did not prevent his Border Town from being regarded as a classic.”"This is it. People had different temperaments and different attitudes towards feelings. This might have an impact on their works, but it did not prevent their works from becoming great works of art.”"That's true. This was due to their deep understanding and precise grasp of human nature, as well as the wonderful pen in their hands. If there were only those romantic stories but not these, it would be impossible to create extraordinary literary works. Otherwise, Xi Men Qing would naturally become a literary master.”"The styles of these two types of people might be different. The works of people like Balzac might be more secular, while the works of people like Shen Congwen might be more ethereal, with some immortal aura lingering in them.”Zheng Qinglan agreed with Jin Ling." Yes, when I read their books, I had the same feeling, but I didn't sum it up like you did. Now that you said it, I think it's true. It shows that you have a strong perception of literary works."”"You flatter me again. I wish I could become a god who can conquer the world. Unfortunately, I can't do it. I've spent a lot of effort, but I didn't gain much.”"You're still young, after all. How many people in this world are truly famous at a young age? Among the literary giants we listed just now, how many of them have become literary giants admired by everyone at our age? In the end, it was still about accumulation. There had to be a rich accumulation of life as the foundation of creation. Only then would the things written have a sense of heaviness. If he just sat in the house and closed the door to build a car, the things he wrote would inevitably feel thin and delicate.”"That's difficult. I have to guard the shop during the day. How can I have the time to experience life? Besides, I'm not a professional like you.”? Zheng Qinglan laughed." Are you stupid? There's life everywhere. Go out and have a walk. There's life everywhere."”"Then isn't it my life to guard the shop?”"Of course it's life, but it's too narrow. To put it bluntly, this shop was like the boudoir of those princesses in the past. Staying here, one would not be able to get in touch with the lively life outside. What they wrote were only those boudoir novels. Although there were also masterpieces that were handed down from generation to generation, in the end, they were not grand enough.”"I can't just close the shop and focus on writing, right? I'm just an amateur author. I still have to eat.”"That's really a problem. Why don't you discuss it with your parents and ask them to come over often to help you? You can take some time out to take a look.”"Yes, this is the only way now. I'll tell them tonight.”"If you say it, they will definitely agree. After all, you are their precious daughter.”"That's hard to say. I'm afraid that they won't agree to do something that has no hope without making money. What if they really don't agree?”"Then say it like this." Zheng Qinglan stopped talking. "Why? Why didn't you say anything? Do you want me to pay you a consultation fee?”"If I say it, you can't blame me for speaking nonsense.”Jin Ling stared at Zheng Qinglan for a few minutes. Zheng Qinglan was a little scared." Tell me, when have I ever blamed you?"”"Just say that you're married. Let's see what they say.”Jin Ling's face turned red all of a sudden. She quickly glanced at Zheng Qinglan, who was also looking at her. The moment their eyes met, they immediately looked away. "How can you find an excuse like this?”There was no reproach in his tone. "Forget it, don't worry about this. I'll tell them slowly. Ah, I talked for a long time but didn't tell my mom that you were coming. I asked her to prepare two more dishes.”"I don't need you to say that. I've already prepared it. Come and eat.”"Mom, how did you know? Why are your ears getting better and better as you get older?”"Am I that old? I'm really not likable. I saw Zheng when he got out of the car. I didn't come in to disturb you since I heard you talking. Xiao Zheng, it's all thanks to you that you came last time. Otherwise, Lingzi would still be in shock. Once you left, she would stand at the entrance of the shop every day.”"Auntie, our director knows that she's looking, and I know that she's looking. She's not looking at me, but at what she's writing. Your daughter is a promising person. You have to support her writing more.”"I support her, I support her. If she wants to eat my flesh, I'll give it to her.”"Mom, you have to keep your word. You can't go back on your word. I don't want your meat. You just have to come over and help me stand at the counter when you have time. I'm going out to exercise. Staying in this shop every day is getting me moldy.”"Sure, sure, sure. Your words are like golden words. You should go out more often. It would be strange if you didn't coop yourself up in the small shop every day. I told you to go out more, but you said you wanted to study more and blamed me for being nosy. What happened now? Am I right? How can a twenty-something girl coop herself up at home every day?”Zheng Qinglan and Jin Ling looked at each other and smiled. Jin Ling said,""Mom, I know how wise and farsighted you are. Aren't you afraid that the people from the city will laugh at you for talking so much?”"What are you talking about?" Zheng Qinglan said.”"That's right. Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go eat.”
After coming back from Jin Ling's place, Zheng Qinglan didn't go home. Instead, she went straight to the cultural center and told Luo Tianyin what she had said to Jin Ling. "That's it," Luo Tianyin said."If you have time, go and see how she's doing."”"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"”"No…there's nothing wrong. I'll do as you say.”"I know what you're worried about. You're afraid that Shang Liu Xin will blame you, right?”"I never told her to go to Jin Ling's place.”"Why didn't you tell her?" "I don't want to tell her. It's better if she doesn't know.”"But what if she finds out? Wouldn't that make it easier to cause misunderstandings?”"We'll see how it goes in the future." "Do as you see fit. I believe you will handle the relationship between work and family well. You have to be more caring and considerate towards Shang Liu Xin. She's taking care of the child alone at home and has to take care of you two. Your current income is not high, and it is inevitable that your life will be hard. If you don't care about her more, she will feel that this life is really boring. If she fights with you, you won't be able to do your job well.”"Yes, Teacher. I will do as you say.”"You have to tolerate her more. It's not a bad thing for a man to be open-minded.”"Yes, teacher, I know." "That's good. If you have something to do, you can do it.”
After leaving Luo Tianyin's office, Zheng Qinglan wrote another 2,000 words. When she saw that the time was up, she went back. Shang Liu Xin was cooking while Ya Ya was playing with a small stick on the ground. Shang Liu Xin would occasionally look outside and remind Ya Ya,"Baby, slow down. Don't get sand in your eyes. Don't play with that, okay?”Ya Ya said,"I won't come in. I'll just play outside. It's choking inside."”
When Ya Ya saw Zheng Qinglan, she shouted,""Daddy, come and dig with me." "Why are you digging?" "Mom said we wanted a big house, so I dug it. After digging it, we could build a big house. With a big house, Dad would have a place to study, Mom would have a place to cook, and Ya Ya would have a place to play.”Zheng Qinglan was tempted and said,""Ya Ya, you dig by yourself first. Daddy will accompany you to dig later. I'll go help Mommy stir-fry first and let Mommy rest for a while.”Walking into the kitchen, he said to Shang Liu Xin,"You rest for a while, I'll cook."”"It's not like we're cooking a big meal.”"There's a lot of smoke in the kitchen. Go out and get some fresh air.”"Alright, the sun has risen from the west today. Let's go. I've already cooked it.”Zheng Qinglan went to get a bowl of rice. "It's hard on you to take care of the child at home. Come, eat more.”Zheng Qinglan helped Shang Liu Xin pick up a lot of food. Shang Liu Xin said,""Enough, enough. I can't eat so much.”"Today, not only did the sun rise from the west, but two suns also rose from the west. This is simply too rare." Tell me, did you do something wrong outside?”"What have I done wrong?" "Then why are you being so polite?" "I'm not fawning over you. It's what I should do. I used to only care about my own matters and cared too little about you and Ya Ya.”Shang Liu Xin's heart thumped a few times, and her eyes were wet. They had been married for more than two years, but this was the first time Zheng Qinglan had said something like this to her. Although she hoped that Zheng Qinglan would say something like this, she never had any extravagant hopes. Zheng Qinglan had always been cold and aloof. She didn't like to say those soft words. However, she was touched by what she said just now. The two of them were in a rare warmth.
After dinner, Zheng Qinglan took the initiative to wash the dishes. Shang Liu Xin then bathed Yaya. After that, Zheng Qinglan hugged Yaya and played with her for a while. When Shang Liu Xin was done, he handed Ya Ya to Shang Liu Xin and said,""You guys can watch TV in the house. I want to go out for a walk.”Shang Liu Xin knew that he didn't like to watch those Hong Kong and Taiwan TV dramas, so she didn't force him, saying,"Be careful when you walk outside. There are no street lights in some places, so you can't see.”"Got it. Don't worry."
Zheng Qinglan was thinking about her novel as she walked. Suddenly, someone patted her shoulder. She looked back and saw someone smiling at her. Zheng Qinglan stood there for a few seconds before shouting,"Big Brother Zhang, Old Zhang, when did you come back?”Zhang Changfeng smiled and said," Brother, I have another title here. I also feel that I'm a little old."”"Big brother, I'm not saying that you're old. I'm just happy to see you, that's why I call you that.”"That's right. I told you to call me Old Zhang in the past, but you refused. You insisted on being polite to me and called me Big Brother Zhang.”"No, no, no, you still have to call me big brother. Old Zhang only uses it occasionally. Brother Zhang, have you had dinner yet?”"Not yet. I was just about to ask you out for a drink when I bumped into you here. Don't you think it's a coincidence? Let's go. I'll buy you a drink tonight.”"No, Big Brother Zhang, I just ate. Why don't you find a place to eat tonight? I'll treat you tomorrow night.”"How can I do that? You can't ask me to come here in high spirits and return in low spirits, right? My interest in drinking now is as strong as the crops in the middle of the day waiting for rain. I can't wait to hug the wine jar and fill my stomach. Besides, I still have something to tell you.”"Then I'll go back and tell Shang Liu Xin. Otherwise, she'll be anxious at home.”"Then I'll go with you. You didn't tell me about your marriage, and you kept your daughter from me. I haven't seen my sister-in-law and niece until now.”"No need, I'm renting a small coop that looks like a chicken coop. It's very shabby.”"It's getting late now. It's not good to disturb the mother and daughter. I'll pay them a visit another day.”Shang Liu Xin was watching TV while knitting a sweater. Zheng Qinglan told her that she was going out for a while, so she responded,""Come back early."
Zhang Changfeng brought Zheng Qinglan to a quiet alley. There was a small restaurant here. People would come and go from time to time. It seemed that business was good. To have such good business in such a secluded alley, this restaurant must have its own uniqueness. She walked in. Although it wasn't big, it was very clean and even a little elegant. Zhang Changfeng asked for a single room, so the boss took them to a small private room. This small private room was much more simple and clean than the small private rooms they used to go to. The walls were pasted with white patterns, and there were a few elegant landscape paintings on it. As soon as they sat down, Zheng Qinglan asked impatiently,""Big Brother Zhang, where are you now? Is business good?”Actually, Zheng Qinglan could tell from Zhang Changfeng's attire that he must have been doing well during this period of time. Zhang Changfeng did not hide anything and said readily,"I didn't make a name for myself, but to be honest, I don't know how much better it is than in the museum. Look at the clothes and shoes I'm wearing. They're all branded. If this was in the past, I wouldn't even dare to think about it. Even if I didn't eat or drink for a year, I wouldn't be able to buy this outfit. Are you interested in doing business? I can introduce you.”"I'm not interested." "Then let's not talk about business tonight. When you've thought it through and want to do business, I'll tell you again. We'll pick the important ones tonight. Has there been any progress on the proposal to make you the curator?”"This is simply impossible. Besides, I have no interest in being a director.”"Brother, don't be silly. This kind of opportunity doesn't come easily. Look at how good the opportunity is now. Your teacher admires you so much, and you have so many achievements yourself. Moreover, one could only see further if one stood at a high position. Although the director was not considered a high-ranking official, he could come into contact with people that one could not come into contact with now, experience things that one would not experience now, and receive training that one could not get as a commoner. What was this? This was called resources and also wealth. If there was an opportunity, they had to fight for it. If there was no opportunity, they had to fight for it. Your younger brother is good. He easily gave such a good opportunity to someone else. Haven't you heard that someone wants to fight for this position?”"No, I've never cared about this matter. Although some people have mentioned it to me, I reject this position in my bones. I don't think I'm suitable for management.”"Do you know who wants to fight for this position? Mei Dexing, that Mei Dexing whose nickname was 'No Virtues'. What did he know? Did he have a decent piece of work? He was originally a movie director. Other than eating and drinking, and having a brother-in-law who was a section chief, what else did he have to show?”"Being able to manage doesn't mean that you have to be able to do it yourself. You see, people who can command wars don't necessarily have to personally go to the front line to fight with the enemy with knives and guns.”"You're talking nonsense. With his character and standard, he'll destroy the cultural center in less than a year. As you know, the achievements of our cultural center over the years are obvious to all. Not only did the bureau leaders praise it every year, but the chief also praised it at the city-wide cadre meeting. Don't you think it would be a pity if we were defeated by him? Although I don't work in the museum now, I've stayed in the museum for some years. I have feelings for the cultural center. At such a critical moment, if a person with both virtue and ability like you doesn't stand up, who else can bear this burden?”When the dishes were served, Zheng Qinglan said,""Big Brother Zhang, you can eat alone. I've already eaten.”"Why would a young man care about such a small thing? Come, I won't force you to eat much.”Zheng Qinglan knew that she couldn't refuse, so she raised her glass and said,""I wish Big Brother Zhang a prosperous business and to become a millionaire soon.”"Thank you, brother. I'll still say the same thing. I won't talk about business today. If I don't do business today, I can do it again tomorrow. If you don't seize this opportunity, you might never have another chance. Which one do you think is more urgent?”"Big brother, this is really not important to me.”Zhang Changfeng was a little angry. He sighed heavily and downed half of the glass of wine in one gulp. Then, he poured himself a full glass." Sigh, I don't even know what to say to you. Didn't you hear a single word I said just now? There are some things that I shouldn't have told you. Do you know what Mei Dexing said about you outside? Oh, he didn't say anything about you. He also knows that you have nothing to let him say. He said that after I heard about his sister-in-law, I was really angry. What kind of f * cking dirty thing is this? Brother, are you willing to let him ruin you and not do anything?”Zheng Qinglan knew what he was referring to. She was so flustered that she almost spilled the wine. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, he still couldn't escape the people's tongues. Alas, anger, shame, guilt, and all kinds of indescribable emotions surged out like a tsunami. His face swelled purple and was scalding hot, but his eyes were dim like ashes that had been extinguished for a hundred years. He sat there like a log.
Zhang Changfeng called her brother a few times, but Zheng Qinglan seemed to not hear him. She mumbled something. Zhang Changfeng was anxious. He stood up and shook his shoulder a few times. It was only then that he seemed to have woken up from a dream. He looked at Zhang Changfeng blankly and lowered his head again. Zhang Changfeng could clearly see that his eyes were filled with tears, grievances, and pain. Zhang Changfeng punched himself in the leg and scolded himself,"Old Zhang, Old Zhang, what are you saying? Brother, it's all Big Brother's fault for spouting nonsense.”Zheng Qinglan shook her head and wiped her tears. She said in a low voice,""I know what you mean. This isn't your fault. If we want to blame someone, we can only blame ourselves for not doing well and leaving the words to others.”"I don't know how to explain this to you. In short, if you want to wear something, you have to look forward. There's nothing that can't be overcome. If you can handle it yourself, you can handle it. If you can't handle it yourself, just leave it to time. It will help you handle it, but you have to be patient.”"Come, big brother, let's not talk about anything else. I'll drink with you tonight.”After saying that, he raised his head and drank half a glass of white wine in one gulp. He did not even put down the glass and wanted to take the bottle to pour more wine. Zhang Changfeng immediately held the bottle in his hand and said to Zheng Qinglan,""Brother, it's getting late. Let's stop drinking today. I'll drink with you tomorrow, okay?”"No, I can't. I'll get drunk today, but I'll have more worries tomorrow.”"Brother, we really can't drink anymore. Why don't we go out for a walk and talk while we walk?”"No, you just said that you wanted me to drink with you. How can you leave before you finish drinking?”"Brother, it's not that big brother doesn't want you to drink. You'll get drunk easily like this. What if you get drunk?”"So what if I'm drunk? What's the big deal? I just hope that I'll be drunk for a long time so that I won't be haunted by those messy ghosts.”"Then you won't go back tonight. We'll find a small shop to stay in. We'll buy a bag of peanuts, a bag of orchid beans, and two catties of pig's head meat. We'll eat and talk.”"No, it's too late. She's worried at home. I'm not capable and can't bring her any happiness, but I'll try my best not to bring her trouble.”"That's right. This is what a real man does. He protects his wife from the details. It's almost ten o'clock now. It's very late. The good TV series has already finished. If you don't go back now, sister-in-law will really come out to look for you. If she comes out, what will happen to your niece? Let's go. I'll treat you to a drink tomorrow. I mean what I say. I've made some money from my business these days. Tomorrow, I'll tell you some business stories. I guarantee you'll be satisfied. Maybe it'll be your writing material again.”As she spoke, she held Zheng Qinglan's arm and walked out.
After they left, Zhang Changfeng said,"Let me send you home."”Zheng Qinglan sneered and said,"I want you to send me?" It's really unnecessary." Ever since Zhang Changfeng knew Zheng Qinglan, he had never heard her speak to him in such a tone. He knew that Zheng Qinglan had a huge pain buried in her heart. He couldn't help but worry for Zheng Qinglan. He also felt extremely regretful for what he had said to Zheng Qinglan at the wine table.
Zheng Qinglan returned to her rented apartment. The lights were still on. Zheng Qinglan stood at the door for a long time. When she calmed down, she took out her key and opened the door. The TV was turned off. Shang Liu Xin was leaning against the bed knitting a sweater. When she saw Zheng Qinglan come in, she asked,""Why did you go at this time? Why did you drink again?”" Mm."" Mmh my ass. Come here. I'll measure your body to see if the sweater I knitted for you is the right size."”"What's there to measure? Just knit it like that.”"It's a little strange. If you wear it out and someone asks who knitted it, how are you going to answer them? If the weaving is wrong, you will make a fool of yourself and I will make a fool of myself.”"Isn't it just a sweater? It's not a big deal. It has nothing to do with ugliness. What's truly beautiful or ugly has to do with a person's moral character.”"According to what you said, there is nothing particular about wearing clothes. As long as it is a piece of clothing, both men and women, old and young, can wear it. Isn't this a joke? Tomorrow, you can get a woman's clothing and wear it on the streets. It would be strange if people wouldn't laugh at you.”As she spoke, she couldn't help but laugh. Zheng Qinglan didn't smile at all. Her face was cold and she didn't say a word. Shang Liu Xin got off the bed, put on her shoes and walked behind Zheng Qinglan. She put the clothes on his back and measured his weight. She said with satisfaction,""Both the size and length are not bad. Let me tell you, I'm not bragging, but my knitting skills are very good at my place. If you wear this dress, I guarantee that you'll look especially good.”Zheng Qinglan thought to herself," What a joke! I've already lost all my foundation, and I still have face." She just didn't say it out loud. "How boring. I stayed up all night to knit sweaters for you. I was so tired that my back was sore, but I didn't even say a word of gratitude. It was as if I owed you something and insisted on chasing after you to knit.”As she spoke, she threw the sweater on the bed.
Zheng Qinglan firmly believed that if it was someone else, she would have sung praises and created a warm and romantic atmosphere. However, in front of Shang Liu Xin, he couldn't say those hot words. He felt that it was too fake and pretentious.
When Zheng Qinglan was done washing up and went to bed, Shang Liu Xin was already fast asleep. Zheng Qinglan lay there with her eyes closed. She couldn't fall asleep no matter what. Those unbearable scenes flashed in front of his eyes. Those harsh words rang in his ears again and again. He shook his head, but could only drive them away for a moment, and then they came back like ghosts. She only fell asleep in a daze after midnight.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]