I admit my showdown!

Zhao Dongchuan, listening from the side, naturally knew what was being discussed and felt quite helpless. This kind of situation wasn't something an individual's power could change. With such a vast disparity between the rich and poor, both internally and externally, people would inevitably think about leaving. But development always has a process; this was the growing pain of an era.

Zhao Dongchuan buried his head in his food, not speaking. Li Yuer and Hu Jianjun also ate in silence, not daring to comment.

Mr. Li and the cadre clearly realized that the topic was too heavy and unsuitable for the occasion, so they dropped it and moved on to other things.

"I recently read a new poem that was exceptionally well-written and deeply moved me. I wonder if you've seen it!" With that, the cadre took out a periodical, looking at everyone teasingly.

"Director Wang, what's with the suspense? If it doesn't move me, you'll have to drink three penalty cups!" Mr. Li joked.

Director Wang chuckled, opening the periodical. It was titled "Yan River" on the cover.

"This is the latest issue of Yan River, given to me by a friend from the northern Shaanxi region. He specifically recommended I read the poetry section, and once I did, I was captivated!" Director Wang exclaimed with a sigh.

With that, Director Wang opened the periodical, directly to the poetry section, the first column of which was an editor's special recommendation. He read aloud as he looked:

love of life

"I don't think about"

"whether I can succeed"

"Since I've chosen the distant path"

"I'll only brave the wind and rain"

"..."

"Everything is within expectations."

Everyone listened silently to Director Wang's recitation, their hearts surging with emotion, immersed in the feelings expressed by the poem.

Mr. Li took the periodical from Director Wang's hand, reading and re-reading it, savoring every word.

Zhao Dongchuan was also momentarily lost in thought. He hadn't expected the Yan River periodical to be printed and distributed already. Thinking about it, he'd been here for over ten days, so it had probably been released for a few days now.

He felt a subtle touch of emotion within, even though he had read it many times. He still couldn't help but feel a stir. Perhaps this was the charm of poetry. This poem was in his textbook when he was in middle school, and his teacher even made the students memorize it.

He never expected it to reappear in this world in written form, exuding its unique charm.

Li Yuer and Hu Jianjun also passed it around and read it.

When Zhao Dongchuan picked up the periodical, he felt very excited. The feeling of his own manuscript being printed in lead type was completely different. He felt as if he was creating history.

"Speaking of which, this author is a farmer-poet, and he's also from your hometown. Oh, and they both have the surname Zhao," Hu Jianjun said, pointing to the author's signature: "Zhao Dongchuan, Shuangshui Village, Yuanxi County."

"Zhao Dongchuan, Zhao Dongchuan, why does that name sound so familiar??" Hu Jianjun muttered to himself as he read.

Then Hu Jianjun suddenly saw Li Yuer's gaze change, her eyes wide as she stared at Zhao Dongchuan.

Zhao Dongchuan rubbed his nose, not speaking.

Hu Jianjun immediately realized something, turning to look at Zhao Dongriver, his mouth agape, stammering, "You, you...!"

"This poem is so well-written, so inspiring, especially at this time. Too many people need this kind of spiritual encouragement," Director Wang couldn't help but exclaim from the side.

"This author has endured the hardships of life yet has bloomed a brilliant spiritual flower amidst the suffering," Mr. Li also praised generously.

Mr. Li noticed the unusual behavior of Li Yuer and Hu Jianjun, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Yuer suddenly smiled, glanced at Zhao Dongchuan, and then told Mr. Li, "Dad, I'm fine!"

Hu Jianjun also recovered from his stammering, but his excitement was still evident. He kept winking at Zhao Dongchuan, which left Mr. Li and Director Wang bewildered.

"Is this child perhaps ill?" Mr. Li muttered to himself.

The meal ended in this unique atmosphere. Since Zhao Dongchuan hadn't said anything, Hu Jianjun and Li Yuer tacitly didn't expose him.

Leaving aside the undercurrents in Hu Jianjun and Li Yuer's hearts, Zhao Dongchuan thoroughly enjoyed his meal.

As she left, Li Yuer whispered, "Well written, excellent farmer-poet!!!" with a playful expression on her face.

"I'll write to you, and you must write back to me!!!" Li Yuer suddenly said, blushing, as she left.

Looking at the shy, timid, and charming Li Yuer, Zhao Dongchuan couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine.

"Form is emptiness, emptiness is form..." Zhao Dongchuan quickly recited in his mind.

He himself wasn't sure about the future, not knowing when he might run off to another world, so he was temporarily unwilling to touch certain things.

Perhaps one day, when he's figured things out and completely transformed into a "scumbag"... maybe he wouldn't care? He hoped he wouldn't become a "scumbag"...

Subsequently, under Hu Jianguo's interrogation, Zhao Dongchuan had to admit that he was the author of "love of life."

There was no other way; he had already told him his origins on the train. The location and name matched, so it would be unreasonable to deny it further; the other person wasn't an idiot.

While friends shouldn't boast, a basic level of honesty is necessary.

After promising Hu Jianguo ten signed copies, Zhao Dongchuan was finally released from Hu Jianguo's resentful gaze.

Zhao Dongchuan spent the rest of his time practicing Wuqinxi and doing practice questions.

............

Having paid the room fee, Zhao Dongchuan, carrying his bag, boarded the train back to Huangyuan City.

Indeed, when entering the station, Zhao Dongchuan noticed staff members patrolling and inspecting.

Those with particularly large packages were especially scrutinized, but Zhao Dongchuan, carrying a small bag, didn't attract attention. Of course, he wasn't afraid of being searched; the space in his storage ring was a "BUG" here.

And so, Zhao Dongchuan endured another long journey, returning once again to Huangyuan City.

It was midsummer, and Huangyuan City was enduring the scorching sun, like an overturned brazier mercilessly baking the earth.

Zhao Dongchuan wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling a little thirsty.

He took out a bottle of boiled water, still from the Cultural Center dormitory, from his space and took a big gulp.

Zhao Dongchuan first went back to his dormitory, took a shower, changed his clothes, and then rode his bicycle to Teacher Jia's house.

Entering Teacher Jia's house with familiar ease, Zhao Dongchuan saw Teacher Jia, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Teacher Jia, long time no see, I've missed you very much!"

"Hahaha, you little rascal, I don't know where you learned that, making fun of me now," Jia Bing said with a laugh.

Zhao Dongchuan brought some specialties from Shenzhen when he arrived and gave some to Teacher Jia. Jia Bing didn't stand on ceremony and had his wife accept them. He also insisted that Zhao Dongchuan stay for dinner that night.

Zhao Dongchuan naturally didn't refuse, and just like last time, Zhao Dongchuan helped out in the kitchen.

With the dishes ready, the three of them began to eat. During the meal, Zhao Dongchuan told Jia Bing about some of his experiences and observations in Shenzhen, which left them sighing with emotion.

"I never thought that in Bao'an, so many people would disregard their lives to..." Jia Bing took a sip of wine, a bit wistfully.