People's Literature

“Any gains from this relaxation?” Director Wang asked with a chuckle.

“Uh, if you’re asking about gains, then there really are some!” Zhao Dongchuan replied with a slight smile.

Director Wang had only asked casually, not expecting Zhao Dongchuan to actually follow up.

“With a relaxed mind, I wrote another poem. It’s quite short, though, and I’m afraid you all might laugh!”

“What poem?”

Speaking of poetry, I’m wide awake now, Jia Bing thought, his expression immediately becoming serious as he asked.

“A short poem, I’m afraid it’s not grand enough for a formal occasion!” Zhao Dongchuan said softly with a slight smile.

“Stop playing coy! You can trust me and the Director!” Jia Bing said, looking anxious and hurried.

He knew Zhao Dongchuan; if something wasn't good, he wouldn't show it to others. Since he said he had a poem, its quality must be good.

Seeing this, Zhao Dongchuan no longer delayed and began to recite softly.

“The night gave me black eyes… yet I use… them to search… for light!”

He opened his mouth gently, reciting with intonation.

“Hmm?”

“Hmm?”

Seeing the questions in Director Wang and Jia Bing’s eyes, he nodded.

“That’s right, the entire poem is just this one line!”

Seeing Zhao Dongchuan explain this, both of them kept repeating the line.

“Night… black eyes… I… light!”

“Good, good! Although this poem is only one sentence, it’s thought-provoking!”

“Mhm, mhm, not bad!” Jia Bing also nodded.

“Where are you planning to publish this poem?” Director Wang asked.

“I haven’t decided yet, probably still in Yan River!” Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

“I have a suggestion: you could try submitting it to People’s Literature!” Director Wang suggested.

Hearing this, Zhao Dongchuan said with some surprise, “People’s Literature? Has People’s Literature resumed publication?”

Director Wang nodded and said, “Yes, it resumed publication this month!”

Zhao Dongchuan was very happy. In his opinion, the prestige of People’s Literature was very high; it was a national publication.

“Then I’ll submit it to People’s Literature!” he said without hesitation.

“Mhm, mhm, excellent!” Director Wang smiled with satisfaction.

“Here, I’ll give you the submission address for People’s Literature and some submission requirements. Take them and read them carefully!” Director Wang took out a document from his drawer and handed it to Zhao Dongchuan, apparently well-prepared, probably having anticipated that someone might need it.

“Thank you, Director Wang!” Zhao Dongchuan said, taking the document from the Director.

… … … …

Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing chatted for a few more moments in the Director’s office before leaving together with Jia Bing.

“You, kid, you really do surprise people from time to time! I didn’t expect you to come up with a poem after a trip back to Shuangshui Village. This poem looks like just one line, but it’s definitely a masterpiece!

I’ll wish you success in publishing it in advance!” Jia Bing congratulated Zhao Dongchuan as they walked.

“Hahaha, Teacher Jia, you flatter me too much. It’s just a small poem, an accidental creation, no need for such praise!” Zhao Dongchuan smiled modestly. (Good thing my skin is thick enough; I’ve already trained it!)

“Alright… just make sure you know what you’re doing! Hurry up; it’s probably too late to publish before Spring Festival, but I think there’s still a chance before the Lantern Festival. Go for it!” Jia Bing patted Zhao Dongchuan’s shoulder and turned to enter his office.

He was a person who listened to advice. Back in his office, he immediately took out manuscript paper according to the information Director Wang had given him, wrote down the poem as required, sealed it in an envelope, and mailed it out.

“I hope it gets accepted!”

Although Jia Bing and Director Wang were both confident that his submission would be accepted, he himself wasn’t entirely sure. After all, it was just one line of poetry, which was a bit unconventional for the current situation.

“No, should I just submit to Yan River? They shouldn’t mind, right?” Zhao Dongchuan muttered to himself.

New Year’s Eve was just a few days away. At this time, Spring Festival did not have a holiday, and people worked six days a week. In fact, Spring Festival used to have a holiday, but it was canceled.

Fortunately, it would return to normal soon, and as soon as the Gaokao resumed, he would take it. For students, holidays were naturally irrelevant.

So, two days before New Year’s Eve, Zhao Dongchuan requested a family visit leave from his workplace.

Originally, he didn't need to request leave; his job didn't require him to be in the office, and with his achievements and works, no one would say anything.

However, Zhao Dongchuan felt that since he had just rested for a while, and would be resting again in less than two days, he worried about a negative impression. Besides, he wasn't short on salary, so he directly requested leave and also had his workplace issue him a letter of introduction for family visits.

Although he had his work permit and the “Writer’s Certificate” issued by the Huangyuan City Cultural Bureau, which meant he didn't really need it, he still obtained a letter of introduction for the sake of being low-key and as a precaution.

“Thinking about it, I’m still a bit excited…”

Thinking about returning home soon, Zhao Dongchuan was also a little excited. He pedaled hard, riding his bicycle towards the train station.

Arriving at the ticket window, he waited in line for an hour. Using his work permit and letter of introduction, he smoothly purchased a hard sleeper ticket.

Previously, unless there were too many tickets, he would have had difficulty buying a hard sleeper ticket without presenting his “Writer’s Certificate” according to regulations. But since he had been “promoted and given a raise” on New Year’s Day, he was at least a cadre and naturally qualified.

After buying his ticket, Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dormitory and began to tidy up his room.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack. There were many supplies in his storage ring, so his tidying was just for show.

His ticket was for that evening, so Zhao Dongchuan still had half a day left.

He locked the dormitory door, pushed his bicycle, and left directly, heading towards his “secret base.”

He still needed to add some daily necessities to Uncle Huang’s house. Since he had free time now, he could go and check it out.

Midway, he put on his system glasses and rode his bicycle, arriving at the location shortly after.

He unlocked the door and entered the house; it was currently uninhabited.

Huang Laosan had his own house; he only occasionally came to see if Zhao Dongchuan was there. He rarely came at other times, and no one else could possibly be there.

Zhao Dongchuan walked towards the backyard. There were still some messy items in the front yard rooms that hadn't been tidied up yet. When Huang Laosan brought people, they would start registering and cataloging them.

Although the furniture looked old, it was made of good materials. While Zhao Dongchuan didn't understand antiques, he knew a little and wouldn't just throw them away.

He came to the master bedroom in the backyard, took out some spare household items from his space, arranged them, and then cleaned the room. He found a desk and took out selected works of mao zedong to read.

Time slowly passed with the sound of turning pages. Before long, Zhao Dongchuan heard footsteps approaching.

“Mr. Han?” Huang Laosan’s voice came from the front yard.

“Come in!” Zhao Dongchuan called out, still reading his book.