On the surface, Zheng Qinglan's New Year was no different from the past. She just visited her relatives and friends, drank and ate, and occasionally played cards with her relatives. Outsiders couldn't tell, but he knew very well how the New Year was. It could be said that there wasn't a moment of true happiness. He was afraid that his parents would see through his emotions, so he wanted to return to the city as soon as possible. When he said that he wanted to return to the city as soon as possible, his mother asked him,"There are still a few days before work. Why are you back in the city so early? Let's not talk about anything else. You don't have to cook your own meals at home, right?”"Yes, I have something to do. I still have to pay my respects to Teacher Luo.”"Didn't we always go to work to pay New Year's greetings in previous years? Why did it change this year?”"I have something else to ask him.”"Have you told Liu Xin?" "No, she won't object." "When do you plan to leave?" "We'll leave after breakfast tomorrow." "If you have something to do, I won't keep you. Tomorrow, I'll cook breakfast early so that you can have it so that you can catch the bus. It's probably not easy to get a bus now.”
When Zheng Qinglan told Shang Liuxin and her mother that they were preparing to return to the city tomorrow, Shang Liuxin didn't say anything. She knew that Zheng Qinglan wasn't having a happy New Year. Ya Ya, on the other hand, was very excited."It just so happens that I've finished reading my book. I can go back and change to a new book tomorrow. I can also ask my classmates to go to the amusement park to play.”
The next day, Zheng Qinglan called Luo Tianyin to wish him a happy new year. Luo Tianyin asked,""It's the new year. Why aren't you at home? Why are you in the city so early?”
"I'm here to wish you a happy new year. Also, I want to know your thoughts on that manuscript as soon as possible.”He was afraid that Shang Liu Xin would become suspicious after hearing it, so he changed "mine" to "that".
"When can I not pay a New Year's visit? It's New Year's Day even if it's not the fifteenth. However, speaking of the manuscript, I hope to see you soon and talk to you.”
"Then I'll be right there."
"Alright, I'll wait for you at home. Bring Shang Liu Xin and Ya Ya over.”
"I'm afraid not."
"It's nothing. They're playing with themselves. The two of us will find a place to talk behind closed doors.”
"Then I'll tell them and see if they're willing to come over.”
"What are you talking about? Is this a dragon's den or a tiger's den? Are you going to eat them? Come, you have to come. If they don't come, you don't have to come.”
"Alright, I'll have to trouble you and Master's wife.”
Upon hearing that they were going to Luo Tianyin's house, Yaya jumped up and shouted,""I'm going to Grandpa Luo's house. There are so many books at Grandpa Luo's house.”"Grandpa Luo also likes you to go." Shang Liu Xin was a little hesitant." Ya Ya, you go with daddy. I won't go. I'll stay at home and tidy up."”"You'd better go together. If you don't go, Teacher Luo will have ideas. Besides, you can help out with some things.”Shang Liu Xin didn't say anything else.
On the street, Zheng Qinglan said to Yaya,""We're going to visit Grandpa Luo. What do you think we should buy?”
"Of course it's cigarettes and wine."
"Why?"
"Smoke produces articles and wine produces poems. Grandpa Luo is a scholar, so he definitely likes these two things.”
"Alright, we'll do as you say. We'll buy cigarettes and wine.”
"Dad, didn't you always buy these two things for Grandpa Luo in the past?”
"Yes, I want to change, but after thinking about it, I don't know what else he likes, so I asked for your opinion. I didn't expect you to think so too.”
When they arrived at Luo Tianyin's house, after some small talk, Luo Tianyin said,""Ya Ya, you can read all the books here, but don't mess them up. Little Shang, you chat with Master's wife for a while. I'll chat with Qinglan.”
"If you have something to do, do it. Don't worry about us.”
Luo Tianyin brought Zheng Qinglan and Yaya to her study and said to Yaya,""Yaya, read it yourself. Which book do you want to read?”Ya Ya walked around in front of the bookcase and said awkwardly,""There are so many books. I don't know which one to read.”
"Ya Ya, you have to take your time reading. You can't rush it. Since you can't make up your mind, I'll recommend you a book.”
Ya Ya took it and saw that it was a book called " Childhood'. Luo Tianyin said," This book is also about children, but it's completely different from your life. It's good for you to understand your past life. If you like it, read it. If you don't like it, change to another book. You can read here. This is food. If you're tired, take a break and eat something. I'll talk to your father inside.”
"Okay, thank you, Grandpa!"
The two of them entered the inner room. Luo Tianyin closed the door. Zheng Qinglan suddenly felt a little uneasy. His heart was beating fast. He didn't know what Luo Tianyin would say about his manuscript.
Luo Tianyin poured two cups of tea and handed one to Zheng Qinglan. She gestured for him to sit down before sitting down opposite Zheng Qinglan. The more Luo Tianyin didn't speak, the more nervous Zheng Qinglan became. Her hand that was holding the teacup was trembling. Luo Tianyin picked up her teacup, took a sip, and spoke.
"Qinglan, first of all, I want to congratulate you. Through your own hard work, you have finally achieved gratifying results.”
"Teacher, I'm afraid this isn't much of an achievement. I think it's too immature.”
" No, you have provided a unique perspective to observe society. Although this perspective is unique, people are not unfamiliar with it. It's just that most people don't notice this perspective. You are a person who is good at observing and also a person who is good at searching. You have noticed things that others have not noticed. This is also a kind of innovation. Of course, this is just a skill. Your manuscript has something more important, which is that it reflects the real state of the current society. To be more specific, it reflects the struggle of people in today's society in their emotional lives. Yes, I use the word struggle. On the one hand, this society is changing, and the people who are the main body of society will inevitably change. If these changes are positive, then it's fine. However, as the saying goes, when the great river flows east, the mud and sand will fall. Some changes are a kind of destruction. This kind of destruction will undoubtedly cause all kinds of pain. When there is pain, there will naturally be struggle. Am I right?”
"Teacher, what you said is very accurate. My thoughts are exactly the same as what you said. Although it is said that there is no depth without pain, I believe that the pain brought by this destruction is very inhumane. It hurts people's bodies, destroys people's hearts, corrupts people's relationships, and poisons the air of society. It shows the most despicable and ugliest side of people. I believe that such behavior must be corrected.”
"I think the greatest artistic quality of this manuscript is reflected in the word 'truth'. First of all, from a broader perspective, it reflected the reality of society as a whole. Secondly, from the perspective of the character's emotions and behavior, it was very consistent with the creative principle of coming from life and above life. The main characters and supporting characters in the manuscript are vivid. When I see these characters, I unconsciously associate them with a certain person in my life. I feel as if he is standing in front of me. It can be seen that you have a very detailed observation of the people in this society and have a very thorough understanding of them.”
"Teacher, you're right. I've put in a lot of effort in observing people, but I don't think it's enough. I don't think it's enough to just observe people from life. I need to have a stronger imagination and shape people from a higher level, not just stay in life itself.”
"Yes, I completely agree. I have a worry. I'm worried that this book will affect your life in the future.”
Zheng Qinglan fell silent.
Luo Tianyin sighed and said," Why did you expose yourself and your family members in this book so blatantly? What are you trying to express?"”
" Teacher, I…I didn't…"
"Don't say that there isn't. It's not up to you to say. In the history of the literary inquisition, which one of them wasn't forced by the authorities on the author? Which of those authors expected such serious consequences? Don't underestimate the lethality of those comments. If not handled properly, it will cause your family to break apart and your reputation to be ruined. More than ten years ago, I advised you not to marry Shang Liu Xin, but you didn't listen. In these ten years, you have the most right to speak. I can also see some of it from this manuscript. " Now, you are no longer alone. Let's not talk about letting go of Shang Liu Xin. How are you going to face Yaya? She is so young and so cute. Once this novel is published, it will inevitably be discussed by people. If there are people who want to add fuel to the fire, how will you end up?"”
" Teacher, I didn't think too much about it. I was just writing based on my intuition. I felt that this was the only way to truly express my feelings. This was definitely not my life alone. It was precisely because I felt the humiliation and pain in this that I felt the need to write it. I hope to awaken the world to pursue a true relationship, a clean relationship.”
" Different people have different views on the open-mindedness that people hold in marriage. Some people think that it's a kind of social progress, while others think that it's a kind of vulgar. Indeed, people are more open-minded in this aspect now. It's very common for unmarried cohabitation and pregnancy. If we can reach the step of marriage, it doesn't matter. If we find that it's not suitable, it will often cause a great impact on the other party, and the harm to women will definitely be greater. After all, China was a relatively conservative society. People still valued this aspect very much. If you show these things in front of everyone now, those who oppose you will definitely denounce you and insult you. They will say that you are conservative. Even those who have been hurt may blame you. You have torn open their wounds and made them feel unbearable pain again. Especially when people associate your work with yourself, it will have an unpredictable impact on you and your family. You are kind-hearted and willing to sacrifice for others. This is very good, but if you do this now, the first person you might hurt is the person closest to you. You have to think twice about this. You have to be very careful.”
"Which author's works can be completely separated from themselves? Not to mention those works that are autobiographical, even works that seem to have nothing to do with themselves are the embodiment of the author's own life and thoughts, right? What I mean is that as long as I write this, no matter how I write it, others will associate it with me. Instead of hiding it, it's better to face it directly.”
"This requires courage, extraordinary courage. As an elder, I don't want you to get hurt, so I advise you to be careful. In fact, other than this concern, I really appreciate other aspects of this work. If you can make some changes to it and make it more distant from your real life, I suggest you submit it to a publishing house. In my opinion, they will definitely publish this book. Let me remind you again, but only if you make some changes.”
"Teacher, thank you for your encouragement and suggestion. I will consider it. I will show it to you after I modify it.”
"Of course. I'm retired now anyway, so I have a lot of time. Have you contacted Jin Ling recently? How is she now?”
"I contacted her before the holidays. Later, I went back to my home in the countryside. I didn't have a phone, so I didn't contact her. She might not be well."
"What's wrong?"
"It's not that she's not doing well. It's that her sister-in-law is seriously ill. She's very worried about her sister-in-law.”
"What illness?"
"I think it's stomach cancer. It's already in the late stages. Only her brother and she know about it. She hid it from her sister-in-law and her parents because she was afraid that they wouldn't be able to take it if they knew.”
"You have to comfort her more. No one wants to. When she encounters such a thing, she can only face reality. Pain can't solve anything. My words might sound a little cruel, but it was the truth.”
"I'll call her when I get back. Firstly, I'll wish her a happy new year. Secondly, I'll ask about her sister-in-law's condition. Her sister-in-law is a rare good person. I don't know how she got such an illness.”
"Yes, the world is unpredictable. Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about something happy during the New Year. "Hmm, it's getting late. Why haven't they called us for dinner yet? Could it be that they've forgotten about us here and left us alone?" Let's go and take a look."
The two of them walked out of the study and saw Yaya reading so engrossed that she did not even notice them walking to her side. The snacks on the coffee table in front of her were untouched. Luo Tianyin waved her hand, signaling Zheng Qinglan to be quiet so that Yaya wouldn't be scared. They stood there and watched for a while, but Yaya still did not notice their presence. Luo Tianyin said softly,""Ya Ya, it's time to eat." "I'm not hungry," Ya Ya replied.”Luo Tianyin said lovingly," Silly child, how can you not be hungry? Come, let's go eat. I'll lend you this book. You can read it as long as you want. As long as you don't break it or lose it."”Ya Ya closed the book, stood up, and said,""Grandpa, I wouldn't have known if you didn't mention it. Now that you mention it, I really feel a little hungry.”Zheng Qinglan said," You've gone crazy from studying. There's so much delicious food in front of you, but you don't even know how to eat it."”"Hehe, I forgot."
After dinner, Zheng Qinglan said she wanted to go back. Luo Tianyin said,""I won't stop you if you want to go back. You can come to this house anytime and leave anytime. Ya Ya, do you still need to read? Take your pick."
Shang Liu Xin said,"You and Master's wife are too polite to us, we don't know how to thank you."”
" Don't say thank you. We're not outsiders. I used to know that Qinglan loved to read. Now it seems that Yaya is not inferior to her father. It's really pleasing to see. My books are for these good children to read. I'm happy that they can read them.”
"Thank you, Grandpa. I will definitely study hard and strive to satisfy you.”
"Sure, sure. But Grandpa's requirements are very high. It's not something that can be satisfied easily.”
"Then I'll read it a few more times and try to satisfy you.”
"Well, I'm relieved to hear that. It's good to take notes when you're reading. It can help you deepen your impression and also help you develop the habit of thinking and enhance the effect of reading.”
"Grandpa, I know. I already have three books that are this thick.”As he spoke, he gestured with his hand for Luo Tianyin to see. Luo Tianyin laughed and said,""Good, good, good. I like children like this. Here, this is your lucky money from Grandpa. Use it to buy some books.”Ya Ya hid behind Zheng Qinglan and kept saying," No, no." "Silly child, who doesn't want their lucky money?" Luo Tianyin said.”Shang Liu Xin said," Take the red pocket money that grandpa gave you. You have to study hard and make grandpa happy. Also, we have to thank grandpa in the future."”
Luo Tianyin said," You're right to study hard. There's no need to thank me. Let's go. Ya Ya, go pick your books."”Ya Ya picked out a few books. Luo Tianyin put these books and Zheng Qinglan's manuscripts into a handbag and handed them to Zheng Qinglan. She said,""Take it well. Don't lose it. I heard that the Provincial Federation of Literature and Art has a plan to hold an exhibition in October this year. If there's time, I want to recommend your book.”
"Alright, I'll definitely make the most of the time to modify it.”
"You have to seriously consider what I said to you. Also, it's best not to let Shang Liu Xin see it.”
"Okay, I usually modify it in the museum. She won't see it.”
" Yaya," Zheng Qinglan asked," you said you were going to play with your classmates. Are you still going?"”
"Go ahead."
"Then I'll send you there."
"Okay, what about my mother?"
"Of course I'm going back. Do you want me to go to your classmate's house with you?”
"Alright, go ahead. I guarantee that my classmates will warmly welcome you, hehe.”
"You're getting more and more out of hand. I'm an adult. Why should I play with you children? Go play. Remember to come back early. Hey, are you going to play at the boy's or the girl's house?”Zheng Qinglan frowned and coughed. Shang Liu Xin glanced at him.
"Of course it's a female classmate's house."
"Alright, come back early. Don't let anyone remember you.”
"I know, Dad. Let's go.”
"I'll wait for you here." Shang Liu Xin said to Zheng Qing Lan.”
"You go back first. I'll go to the museum to take a look later. I won't go home first.”
"I have something else to tell you."
Zheng Qinglan didn't say anything else and left with Yaya.
Zheng Qinglan sent Yaya to her classmate's house and returned to Shang Liuxin's side. She asked,""What is it?"
"I just asked Ya Ya if she was going to play at a male or female classmate's house. Why are you frowning?”
"It's reasonable, but the way you asked wasn't very good.”
"Then what do you think I should ask?"
"You should be more subtle and not be so direct. You can ask that student what his name is.”
"I just want to know if she plays with male students or female students. What's the use of asking her name?”
"From the name, we can tell if it's a boy or a girl.”
"What if you can't tell from the name?”
"If you want to find out, then continue asking.”
"After taking a turn, you still have to ask openly.”
"Can't you just ask without showing any emotion?”
"If it were you, how would you ask?”
"That's what I said. This name is so special. Is it a boy or a girl?”
"Is there any difference between this and my question?”
"Of course there is. I asked this question because the main point is the name. You asked this question because the main point is the gender. Your question is too direct, and it's easy to arouse others 'disgust.”
"I like to be straightforward. Three knives and two scissors. It's more straightforward. Why would I think about so many twists and turns?”
"This also shows respect for others.”
Shang Liu Xin snorted, saying,"I didn't see anyone say you were respecting others when you spoke like this. I didn't see anyone object when I spoke like this."”
"Forget it, let's not talk about this. I have something to do.”
"Then how should I ask you subtly?”
"What I meant was that when it comes to sensitive issues, you might as well be more reserved. I don't mean that you don't talk about conditions and everything is reserved. That's not reserved anymore. It's called beating around the bush and unnecessary actions.”
"Then I'll ask directly. It's only the fourth day of the first lunar month today. What are you doing in the museum so early? There's not even a shadow.”
Zheng Qinglan suddenly thought of something and said,""The cultural center is not a hotel. What can I do there?”He lowered his head, not daring to see Shang Liu Xin's reaction.
Shang Liu Xin said in a bad mood,"Go wherever you want to go, why are you talking so much?"”Then, she left without looking back. Zheng Qinglan cast a disgusted glance at her.
There was a public phone booth not far away. Zheng Qinglan walked over and stood in front of the phone for a while. Then, she picked up the phone and dialed Jin Ling's number. As she dialed, many strange thoughts welled up in her mind. She couldn't help but feel nervous. She hoped that the phone wouldn't ring or that no one would pick up, but the phone still rang. Zheng Qinglan became even more nervous. Was she at home? There should be a lot of guests at her house. What should I say if she doesn't answer the phone? "Hello, who are you looking for?"”It was Jin Ling.
"Jin Ling, it's me, Zheng Qinglan. I'm here to wish you a happy new year. Please also wish me a happy new year to my parents, brother Jin Zhu, and sister-in-law.”
"Qinglan, it's you. Thank you. I should have wished you a happy new year first. You're older than me, so you're my brother.”It was obvious that Jin Ling was also very happy.
"You didn't visit your relatives?"
"Of course I'm going. My relatives are counting on me to go one by one.”
"What about Brother Jinzhu and Sister-in-law? Aren't they visiting relatives? How is Sister-in-law now?"
The other end of the phone fell silent. When she spoke again, the joy from before was gone. Instead, it was a deep sigh." Sister-in-law stayed in the hospital for a few days before the new year. She's been fine these few days. She just had dinner, basked in the sun with her relatives, and chatted for a while. She said she was tired and went to rest now.”
"Oh, then when will they come to the shop? I want to see sister-in-law.”
"My mother seems to know what illness my sister-in-law has. She doesn't allow her to go to the shop. She said that no one is taking care of her and she probably won't be able to go for a while.”
"Alright, I'll come to your house to see her. I'm also here to wish you a happy new year. There's something else I need your help with.”
"What do you need my help with?"
"I wrote a long manuscript. I showed it to Teacher Luo. He said that there are some areas that need to be revised. I also want you to take a look and give me some suggestions.”
"Alright, alright. Congratulations in advance. However, I have to make it clear first that I'm not giving you any advice.”
"Then when will you be free?"
"It's already late today. Let's do it tomorrow.”
"Have all your relatives gone? Won't I delay your visit?”
"It's okay. It's New Year's Eve before the fifteenth. I can go whenever I want. I have a motorcycle and it's fast.”
"Then it won't be called visiting relatives anymore. It'll become visiting relatives.”
"That's what I said. How can we finish running in one day? A family has to eat at least once. Otherwise, our relatives will have objections. I'll take my time when you come tomorrow.”
"Alright, it's settled then. See you tomorrow.”
"See you tomorrow. See you."
After dinner, Zheng Qinglan said to Shang Liu Xin,""I'll go out for a while tomorrow."
"It's the new year. Where are you going if you don't stay at home?”
"I have an appointment with my literary friend to discuss the manuscript.”
"It's up to you. You can go wherever you want. I don't care. I have something to do tomorrow.”
"We're all gone. What about Yaya?”
"If you ask me, who should I ask?"
"How about this? I'll go out tomorrow, and you go out the day after tomorrow.”
"Why can't you endure it for a day? It's as if you're the one who has something to do and I'm the one who has nothing to do.”
"Didn't I already make an appointment with someone else? You didn't tell me that you were going out in advance. Why don't I make an appointment another day?”
"You didn't tell me you were going out. How would I know? Why don't you bring Yaya along tomorrow?”
"It's New Year's Eve. I'm afraid it's not good to bring the child to someone else's house. They're not relatives.”
"It's your daughter, not your wife. Who else can the child follow if not his parents?”
"Okay, okay, okay. I'll tell Yaya later and ask her to go with me tomorrow.”
Zheng Qinglan came to Yaya's room. Yaya was sitting at the table reading. Zheng Qinglan said,""Ya Ya, can you go out with Daddy tomorrow?”
Ya Ya nodded. After a while, she looked away from the book and said to Zheng Qinglan,""Dad, what did you just say? I didn't hear you."
"You're becoming a bookworm. I'm asking if you're willing to go out with me tomorrow.”
"Where? Grandpa Luo's house?"
"No, she's at a friend's house and likes to write. I'm going to talk to her about the manuscript tomorrow.”
"I'm not going. I'm not familiar with them.”
"Your mother has something to do tomorrow. We're all leaving, so you're the only one left at home.”
"It's okay. You guys go ahead. I'll be home alone. Don't worry, I'll make my own food.”Shang Liu Xin walked in from outside and said,"I'm worried about you staying at home alone. You must go with your dad."”
"No, I'll stay at home alone. Mom, why do you have to make me go with my dad? My dad is going to discuss business with others, not to play. Why should I follow him?”
"Talking about things is what he says. Who knows what he does? He's been sneaking around all day.”
Zheng Qinglan didn't wait for her to finish and walked out of the room. Shang Liu Xin followed. Zheng Qinglan pulled her into the room, closed the door, and asked sternly,""What do you mean by that? How am I being sneaky? Be careful in front of Ya Ya. Why can't you tell me something? Why do you have to say it in front of the child?”
"Hmph, I just want to say it in front of Yaya and let her supervise her father to see what her father is doing.”
"What did I do?"
"You know that."
"I'm not sure. If you have something to say, just say it. Don't you always flaunt that you like to be straightforward? If you have something to say, just say it.”
"Stop putting on airs as if you really didn't do anything.”
"What did I do? Please tell me.”
"I won't say it. Think about it yourself."
"Unreasonable. I can't even talk to you.”
"That's why you want to go out every day. You don't even want to stay at home during the New Year.”
"I've already told you that I'm going out to discuss the manuscript with them. What else do you want me to tell you?”
"Who knows if what you said is true or false.”
"You're back to where you were just now. Do you think it's interesting to say those words in such a disorderly manner? Since you want to understand, you can come with me tomorrow.”
"Come on, just now, you said that it was inconvenient for you to bring Yaya along, but now you say that you want to bring me along. Isn't this obviously fake? I'm not bothered to join in the fun.”
Zheng Qinglan knew that Shang Liu Xin didn't have any serious issues that she had to go out tomorrow. He also knew that even if something really happened, she wouldn't leave Yaya alone. The reason why he said those words to Ya Ya and requested Shang Liu Xin to go with him was to shut Shang Liu Xin's mouth so that she wouldn't criticize him when she mentioned this matter in the future. He also knew that Shang Liu Xin wouldn't stop him from doing proper things.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]