Literary Exchange Seminar

Zhao Dongchuan brought Li Yuer to a state-run restaurant.

"What would you like to eat?"

"I'm fine with anything, Dongchan Ge, you order..." Li Yuer had returned to her usual self, saying with a smile.

Zhao Dongchuan, no longer indecisive, nodded and ordered a few home-style dishes from the menu on the blackboard: two vegetable dishes, one meat dish, and two bowls of rice.

Soon, the food was served, and the two ate and chatted.

"Dongchan Ge, I heard my dad say that your seminar is happening the day after tomorrow?" Li Yuer asked, picking up a piece of food.

"Yes, the Cultural Bureau notified me, and I'll go the day after tomorrow!"

"Then can I come and watch?"

"Of course, but don't you have to work?" Zhao Dongchuan asked, puzzled.

"I can just switch shifts with a colleague!"

"Then you should come! Young people can exchange ideas together!"

......

After eating, Zhao Dongchuan waved goodbye to Li Yuer and turned to return to the guesthouse.

On Tuesday morning, Zhao Dongchuan arrived at the Cultural Bureau early and, guided by a staff member, went to the Cultural Bureau's small auditorium.

At this time, staff members were already setting up the venue.

There were also some young people who had arrived early, gathered together, chatting.

"I heard that this seminar has invited the authors of love of life and "yellow earth"..." a young man wearing glasses said.

"Yes, I heard that Teacher Zhao is a very kind person! I must ask him for guidance then!"

"We have many writers in Pengcheng too, why are we praising outsiders instead!" a young man said indignantly.

"Uh, what are you saying? It's all revolutionary work, there's no such thing as outsiders or non-outsiders. Whatever you say, it has to be based on your work!"

"What work do you have?"

......

Hearing the few people arguing because of him, Zhao Dongchuan couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

So he turned and found a seat.

"Hello, Comrade, may I ask your name and where you are from? This row of seats is arranged by name! You need to sit in your assigned seat!" a staff member walked over and said politely.

Just as he was about to introduce his name, a shout came.

"Little Zhao, you're here!"

Led by Director Xu, a group of people walked over, presumably all leaders and cadres from the Cultural Bureau.

"Director Xu, hello!"

"Let me introduce everyone, this is the famous writer who pioneered the yellow earth school - Zhao Dongchuan!"

"Welcome, Teacher Zhao, who has come a long way..."

"Teacher Zhao is young and promising..."

As Director Xu took the lead, everyone began to applaud in greeting!

This Director Xu was quite generous; he personally stood up to build momentum for Zhao Dongchuan. If there weren't factors related to the Li family involved, he wouldn't believe it at all.

The young people who had been discussing Zhao Dongchuan earlier also looked at him with surprise.

They had all noticed Zhao Dongchuan, but just hadn't paid attention.

They hadn't expected that the person they were arguing about was right beside them.

How embarrassing!!!

"Thank you all for your kind words, I truly feel unworthy. In literature, I am still just a fledgling young man, and I don't deserve such praise from everyone..."

Zhao Dongchuan naturally couldn't accept it calmly; this didn't align with the Chinese characteristic of humility. He inevitably had to say a few humble words.

"If it weren't for a legitimate reason to come to Pengcheng, I really wouldn't want to attend this darn seminar..." Zhao Dongchuan, while smiling and greeting everyone, secretly complained in his heart.

As everyone took their seats, the seminar officially began!

Under the moderation of Director Xu, the meeting proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere. There was no intense rivalry between writers as he had expected, nor did anyone ask harsh or critical questions, which made Zhao Dongchuan secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

He spoke about the mental journey behind the creation of his works, combining his experiences as an educated youth sent to the countryside in Huangyuan, his observations of that land, and his experience from his previous life, all of which he explained clearly and logically.

Other speakers were also local poets and writers, who shared their insights into literature and their respective works.

Most of the others were there as an audience and to listen, occasionally asking questions.

With Director Xu's concluding remarks, the morning session came to an end!

Everyone then got up and left the venue to eat lunch, some going to the cafeteria, some going home...

Zhao Dongchuan, who was chatting and exchanging ideas with the teachers gathered around him, was called by Director Xu and, along with Li Yuer, who had arrived at some point, went to a small private dining area in the cafeteria.

"Dongchan Ge, you spoke really well!" Li Yuer said softly, following beside him.

"It was all just formalities, don't take it too seriously!" Zhao Dongchuan chuckled and replied softly.

Director Xu looked at the two whispering and smiled almost imperceptibly.

As everyone sat down, Director Xu introduced the bureau's cadres to Zhao Dongchuan, and he greeted each of them.

Everyone was clearly familiar with Li Yuer, so there was no further introduction.

The food was already prepared; as soon as everyone arrived at the private dining area, the kitchen immediately brought out the hot dishes from the large pot, one by one.

Since the meeting was to continue in the afternoon, no one drank much alcohol. They just made a gesture and then began to eat.

......

"I'm very happy that Teacher Zhao could come all this way to attend our seminar this time. Through this exchange, we have learned a lot..." followed by Director Xu's concluding remarks.

The day-long seminar concluded successfully!

After it ended, the people from the photo studio, who had been waiting nearby, immediately began to arrange everyone, having them stand in order to take a commemorative photo.

After the event, Director Xu did not linger. After greeting Zhao Dongchuan, he left with several leading cadres.

Everyone else seized the opportunity and gathered around to chat with him, feeling much like a "celebrity fan meeting" of later generations.

It's unclear who started it, but someone brought a magazine to him for an autograph, and suddenly everyone else followed suit, bringing various books, magazines, and periodicals they had found from who knows where, all asking him for autographs and messages, regardless of whether his articles were published inside.

Zhao Dongchuan had no choice but to bite the bullet and deal with it. He accepted everyone, signed everything, and wrote various encouraging messages as requested.

Things like "Study hard and make progress every day!", "Smooth sailing!", and so on.

After a chaotic session of signing, Zhao Dongchuan, rubbing his slightly sore wrist, fled as if escaping.

Li Yuer was already waiting for him at the entrance.

"You're here, I thought you went back!"

"Waiting for you!" Li Yuer blinked and said with a smile.

"Let's go!"

"Okay!"

Zhao Dongchuan rode Li Yuer's bicycle and took her home.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"No need, you all eat. I still have something to do!"

"Ride my bicycle?"

"No need! You go on in!"

......

Waving goodbye to Li Yuer, Zhao Dongchuan's figure slowly disappeared into the street...