Letter from Pengcheng

Zhao Dongchuan spent a peaceful afternoon at the Cultural Center, catching up on the work he had fallen behind on.

After work, Jia Bing insisted on inviting Zhao Dongchuan to his home for dinner, but in reality, he was itching to see Zhao Dongchuan's manuscript.

Zhao Dongchuan had originally planned to cook for himself at home, but he couldn't resist Jia Bing's persistent pulling, so he had no choice but to agree.

Upon arriving at Jia Bing's house, while his wife was busy cooking, Jia Bing couldn't wait to read the novel manuscript Zhao Dongchuan had written.

Zhao Dongchuan took out a stack of manuscripts from his bag, handed them to Jia Bing, and said, "Teacher Jia, please correct me!"

"Hahahaha, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I just want to be among the first to read it."

Then Jia Bing began to read with rapt attention.

"In life, Gu Qing was confident that his emotions were not particularly fragile.

Gu Qing had spent days and nights in the trenches, listening to the enemy's relentless bombardment...

...At those moments of constant mortal danger, his emotions had not wavered...

But for some reason, he was particularly afraid of... the long-lasting echoes in the deep valleys of the mountains...

In 1942... Gu Qing was only 22 years old... Due to work, he traveled from Huangyuan... to record the folk song 'Lanhua' from Shun Tian."

As time passed and the manuscript pages turned, Jia Bing's expression started with a smile, then gradually became solemn, and finally angry... until it all dissolved into a long, helpless sigh.

"Alas..."

"Little Zhao, although I haven't read the rest, I know this will definitely be a tragedy, but I have to say, it's very impactful. Life always has so much helplessness!" As he spoke, Jia Bing couldn't help but wipe a moist corner of his eye.

"Kid, I don't know how many young people will cry when this book is published," Jia Bing slowly recovered from the book and said to Zhao Dongchuan with a teasing smile.

"Teacher Jia, do you think there are any parts of this book that need adjustment?" Zhao Dongchuan looked at Jia Bing.

"Little Zhao, you think too highly of me. If it's about writing poetry, I might have some insights, but I'm not good at novels. However, I can see that you've put a lot of effort into this book. It's very good. Go with your own ideas; this book can definitely be published," Jia Bing said earnestly.

"Old Jia, why are you crying? Your eyes are red!" Shufen walked in with dishes and asked Jia Bing.

"No, I just got some sand in my eye!" Jia Bing smiled and said.

Zhao Dongchuan got up, took the dishes, and said to Shufen, "Sister-in-law, there's enough food. You don't need to make any more. You've worked hard. Let's eat!"

With the food and wine ready, the three sat down and began to eat and chat.

Zhao Dongchuan recounted what he had seen and heard in Shuangshui Village.

Jia Bing listened, full of praise!

"Well done, you've done a great thing for Shigangjie Commune. Director Bai and Secretary Tian will have to thank you.

Otherwise, if something had happened, they would have been held accountable!

The main thing is that the crops were saved, and the common people have food, so they won't have to beg outside! For this, let's drink!"

The three chatted, drank, and ate, and soon a bottle of wine was empty. As expected, Jia Bing got drunk again.

Zhao Dongchuan helped Shufen carry Jia Bing to bed, then said goodbye and left.

Jia Bing's salary wasn't low, and his family's situation was good, so why didn't they have a child yet?

Zhao Dongchuan left Jia Bing's house, rode his bike towards the dormitory, his mind wandering as he went.

He returned to the dormitory shortly, washed up to remove the smell of alcohol, and then resumed his studies.

...

Early the next morning, Zhao Dongchuan cooked himself a bowl of pork noodle slices for breakfast and headed towards the office. Before he reached the door, the doorman called out, "Little Zhao, you have a letter!"

Zhao Dongchuan took the letters; there were two, both from Pengcheng. One was from Hu Jianjun, and the other was from Li Yuer.

Looking at the letters, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. He had completely forgotten about them these past few days, yet they still remembered him.

Thinking of this, Zhao Dongchuan's heart warmed.

Thinking of Li Yuer, an inexplicable ripple stirred in his heart, an faint urge to immediately rush to Pengcheng to see her.

"Form is emptiness, emptiness is form..." Zhao Dongchuan silently recited.

Zhao Dongchuan calmed his emotions, went to his desk, opened the envelopes, and began to read, starting with Li Yuer's letter.

The letter, as before, spoke of the situation in Pengcheng and some interesting things happening around her. She also mentioned that she had recently been reading literary magazines and felt that some articles were very unrealistic, among other things.

Zhao Dongchuan then wrote back to Li Yuer, telling her about his situation and his recent observations.

Hu Jianjun's letter was simpler. It said he was doing well in the transport team and invited him to come visit when he had time.

Zhao Dongchuan also wrote back to him.

After writing the letters, Zhao Dongchuan continued to immerse himself in work. He had been absent for a while and needed to catch up.

After work, Zhao Dongchuan dropped the letters, with addresses filled and stamps affixed, into the mailbox next to the Cultural Center, then returned to the dormitory.

On his way back to the dormitory, he saw Du Lili with a handsome man, moving things.

"Sister Lili, is this...?"

"Oh, Little Zhao, you're back. I'm not planning to live in the dormitory anymore, just moving some things.

This is my partner, Wu Huiliang," Du Lili introduced.

"Hello, hello!"

"Hello, I'm Zhao Dongchuan!" Zhao Dongchuan shook hands with Wu Huiliang and exclaimed, "Sister Lili, your partner is not bad, he's a great handsome guy!"

"Great handsome guy?" Du Lili paused, a little slow to react.

"Uh, it just means he's a good person!"

Zhao Dongchuan had spoken a bit too soon; the term "great handsome guy" hadn't become popular yet.

"Let me help you move!"

Zhao Dongchuan then helped Du Lili and Wu Huiliang load their things onto a jeep.

Wu Huiliang's family must be well-off to be able to get a car for moving.

At this time, most people moved using handcarts; those who could use a jeep were few and far between.

"Thanks a lot. We'll treat you to a meal later!" Wu Huiliang said gratefully.

"Don't mention it, it was just a helping hand. You two take care, goodbye!"

Watching the jeep drive away, Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dormitory.

The already sparsely populated dormitory suddenly became even quieter.

That evening, Zhao Dongchuan took out the pork and vegetables he had prepared earlier and made himself a Hometown delicacy, "steamed pork with rice flour," along with scrambled eggs with yellow chives.

After happily finishing dinner, Zhao Dongchuan continued to work on his exercises.

After this period of effort, he had already devoured almost half of the "self-study series of mathematics, physics, and chemistry."

Time really flies. Mid-Autumn Festival is less than a month away, and then Spring Festival will follow soon after.

Zhao Dongchuan silently wondered if he should go back to his Hometown for Mid-Autumn Festival or Spring Festival.

He wanted to return to his Hometown to see his original parents, improve their situation, and repay a karmic debt.