Encounter with Tian Fujun

After leaving the restaurant, Zhao Dongchuan didn't wander around but returned directly to the guesthouse to continue his studies.

The next day, Zhao Dongchuan went to the County No. 1 Middle School and, following his memory, found Class 1 of Grade 1.

At this time, in the classroom, Gu Yangmin was standing in front of the desk, reading an editorial from the "People's Daily" at the Class Teacher's instruction.

Zhao Dongchuan greeted the Class Teacher and called out Sun Shaoping, Jin Bo, and Tian Runsheng.

"Brother Dong, why are you here?" Sun Shaoping asked with a happy smile.

"Brother Dong," Jin Bo and Runsheng called out somewhat awkwardly, as they had seen Zhao Dongchuan fewer times. Although Runsheng had eaten a meal with him at his Second Uncle's house last time, there was practically no communication between them.

"Haha, long time no see. I came to see you guys. Let's go find a place to chat properly," Zhao Dongchuan said, then explained the situation to the Class Teacher. The class at this time was very relaxed, basically not teaching any substantial content, and the Class Teacher didn't stop them.

So Zhao Dongchuan led the three out of the school.

"Let's find a restaurant and chat while we eat."

Sun Shaoping, Jin Bo, and Tian Runsheng all stopped involuntarily.

Seeing the slightly awkward expressions on the three, Zhao Dongchuan chuckled, "Don't worry, since you call me brother, as your older brother, I naturally have to take good care of you. Let's go, it's my treat!"

Sun Shaoping scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"Brother Dong, there's no need, is there? We can just look at the scenery on the hillside and chat."

"Haha, I'm hungry. I rushed here to see you guys and haven't even had breakfast yet. Let's go, keep me company for a meal!"

The three were all deeply moved upon hearing this.

(Well, it's unclear if they were moved that he came to see them, or moved that Brother Dong found a good reason for them to improve their meals!)

Shaoping and the others no longer refused.

Subsequently, Zhao Dongchuan led the three to the Yuanxi County State-run Restaurant, ordered a table full of dishes, and three plates of white flour steamed buns.

"Do you want some alcohol?" Zhao Dongchuan looked at Shaoping and the others.

Sun Shaoping shook his head, but Jin Bo and Tian Runsheng seemed a little tempted. It appeared these two boys had drunk alcohol before, which made sense as their family conditions were not bad, so drinking shouldn't be difficult for them.

So Zhao Dongchuan ordered a bottle of baijiu.

The group began to eat.

At first, Sun Shaoping and the other two were a bit reserved, but seeing Zhao Dongchuan's eating style, they realized if they continued to be shy, they wouldn't get any food. So they happily joined the ranks of the 'eaters'.

Zhao Dongchuan wasn't doing it on purpose; he was genuinely hungry. After practicing Five Animal Frolics and "Basic Qi Cultivation", his appetite had greatly increased, and without eating more, he would easily get hungry.

He vaguely guessed that this was a process of energy accumulation, and later, when the body's Qi and blood were full, a quantitative change would lead to a qualitative change, and success would come naturally.

"It's like this, I'm currently writing a novel set in the Huangyuan region.

So I thought of our Yuanxi County, and our Shuangshui Village, looking for some writing material and inspiration in these places I'm familiar with."

Zhao Dongchuan pulled out a "paper" (do you know what kind of paper this is??? Hahaha!) and wiped his mouth, saying.

Sun Shaoping, Jin Bo, and Tian Runsheng stared blankly at Zhao Dongchuan while swallowing their food.

With food in his mouth, Sun Shaoping asked somewhat unclearly, "Brother Zhao... are you writing a novel?"

"Eat slowly, don't choke!"

"Yes, just trying my hand at writing!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

The three looked at Zhao Dongchuan with some admiration. In those days, people who could hold a government job and also write novels always commanded unconscious respect.

After the three had eaten most of their fill, Zhao Dongchuan began to chat with them.

Hearing Shaoping say that he had recently started slowly learning cultural knowledge, Zhao Dongchuan was greatly relieved.

This boy had not disappointed him; he was indeed changing his knowledge structure.

"You two, you must also study hard, follow Shaoping, help each other, and learn from each other! Learning knowledge is never wrong; who knows, the college entrance examination might be reinstated in the future!"

Zhao Dongchuan also advised Jin Bo and Tian Runsheng, almost explicitly stating it.

"Brother Zhao, I'm not cut out for this. I can't stand it; my head hurts just looking at it!" Tian Runsheng said with an embarrassed expression.

Jin Bo didn't speak beside him, clearly somewhat moved.

Zhao Dongchuan paid the bill; the meal cost 3 yuan and corresponding food coupons. After eating and drinking to his fill, Zhao Dongchuan suggested taking a walk to aid digestion.

Everyone naturally followed Zhao Dongchuan as he strolled around Yuanxi County.

Walking and chatting, the group unconsciously arrived at the Second Department Store. Seeing the people going in and out of the entrance, Zhao Dongchuan also followed them in.

Zhao Dongchuan had a sudden idea and bought each person a notebook and a fountain pen, and on the flyleaf, he wrote: "Study hard, make progress every day — Gift from Zhao Dongchuan."

"Keep it up, study hard, and build our motherland in the future," Zhao Dongchuan encouraged them. He hoped as much as possible to guide them to study well so they could get into a university when the college entrance examination was reinstated.

Life would be different from then on.

After leaving the department store, Zhao Dongchuan told them to hurry back to school. Before leaving, he reminded them that if they had any problems they couldn't solve, they could come to him, as he would be staying in Yuanxi County for a while.

Watching the three leave, Zhao Dongchuan felt a bit like an old father, nagging.

Sigh, he was clearly not even 19 years old yet!!!

Uh, no, he wasn't sure how to calculate his actual age. Should it be the sum of his two worlds' ages or the maximum?

Never mind ~ anyway, he was not even 19, yes, that's right. (He's clearly still just a baby!!!)

Zhao Dongchuan shook his head, casting aside those cluttered thoughts, and slowly walked towards the guesthouse.

A honking sound came, and it seemed a car was approaching from behind. Zhao Dongchuan quickly moved to the side of the road. He saw a jeep speeding over, passing by him.

He subconsciously looked into the car window but couldn't see clearly. The car body was covered in yellow dust, and he only saw dark figures inside.

Zhao Dongchuan didn't pay attention and continued on his way. Suddenly, the car in front stopped.

A sturdy man got out, with dark skin, wearing a cadre's uniform and a military overcoat.

"Little Zhao!"

The man waved at him.

Zhao Dongchuan walked a little closer and peered at him. Hey! He looked a bit familiar.

This... wasn't this Tian Fujun?

"Uncle Tian?" Zhao Dongchuan quickly walked forward.

"I thought it looked like you, so I asked the driver to stop and take a look, and it really is you!

Why are you here? Weren't you in Huangyuan?" Tian Fujun said with a chuckle.

"I'm writing a novel about our Huangyuan region and came here to gather material and inspiration," Zhao Dongchuan pulled out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes and offered Tian Fujun one.

"You boy, have you learned to smoke?"

"No, no, I just keep them on hand for others!" Zhao Dongchuan put the cigarettes back in his pocket and said with a smile.

"Hmm, good boy, cigarettes are not a good thing, don't learn!" Tian Fujun nodded, took the cigarette, lit it, and took a puff, saying.