Developing new maps

After watching a movie, Zhao Dongchuan was already hungry. It was late, and he had no intention of wandering around outside, so he went straight back to his dorm.

Upon returning to his dorm, Zhao Dongchuan didn't feel like cooking, so he took out the leftover lunch from his space and ate it. Time in this space was relatively still, making it incredibly convenient to use. The food placed inside remained warm, just as before, which was even better than a refrigerator, though it couldn't cool or heat.

Zhao Dongchuan shook his head, casting aside these unrealistic thoughts!

Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, Zhao Dongchuan ate every last bit of his meal before taking the dishes to the communal sink outside to wash them.

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan resumed his studies. As the saying goes, "Study hard and make progress every day." He had to live up to the system's fountain pen!

The night passed without incident…

In the following days, Zhao Dongchuan worked diligently, catching up on the lessons he had missed. He had grown accustomed to traveling back and forth between Shuangshui Village and Huangyuan City during this time.

After catching up on all his previous work, Zhao Dongchuan relaxed for a few days before finding Jia Bing.

"Teacher Jia, I plan to go to the provincial capital in the next couple of days to meet with the editor of Yan River and discuss the publication of yellow earth!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile to Jia Bing.

Jia Bing looked at Zhao Dongchuan, chuckling, and said, "Alright, you should have done this sooner. I saw you weren't in a hurry, so I didn't press you, thinking you had just finished your novel and were busy with work at the library, which must have been tiring!"

"How about this, I'll take you to see Director Wang to report this matter. If it can be published, it will be an honor for our library. Perhaps Director Wang can also offer you some suggestions and help you!" Jia Bing said, leading Zhao Dongchuan to Director Wang's office.

Jia Bing stopped at Director Wang's door, knocked, and then heard Director Wang's voice.

"Come in!"

Jia Bing led Zhao Dongchuan into the office.

"Director Wang!"

"Hello, Director Wang!" Zhao Dongchuan echoed.

"Ah, Teacher Jia and Xiao Zhao, come in, come in, have a seat!" Director Wang put down his newspaper and busily motioned for the two to sit.

Seeing that Director Wang was about to pour them tea, Zhao Dongchuan, being the youngest present, quickly stood up and said, "I'll do it!"

With that, he eagerly took the teapot and poured a cup of tea for both of them and himself.

Director Wang didn't stop him, just watched Xiao Zhao with a smile.

"Tell me, what brings you two here together?"

"It's like this, I mentioned it to you before, Xiao Zhao has been writing a novel set against the backdrop of the yellow earth. He has now finished it and wants to go to the provincial capital to discuss publication with the editor of Yan River. So he came to report on his work!" Jia Bing said concisely and directly.

"Haha, this is good news! Teacher Jia told me you put a lot of effort into this book, even going to the countryside for research and to collect material!" Director Wang said, chuckling, as he looked at Xiao Zhao.

"Yes, Director Wang, I've been returning to Shuangshui Village from time to time to collect some material. Mainly, I feel I get more inspiration there!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a slight smile, though inwardly he felt a bit guilty, as many times he was actually off opening new instances.

"Excellent, excellent, it's rare to see you so down-to-earth and diligent in your writing. Now you have a new work, which is truly gratifying. If you plan to go to the provincial capital, I can arrange something for you. I have an old friend there, and I can ask him to look after you!" With that, Director Wang picked up a pen and paper and immediately wrote a letter of introduction.

"Take this letter. I will also notify him. When you arrive in the provincial capital, go find him." Director Wang handed the letter to Zhao Dongchuan.

Director Wang then told Zhao Dongchuan his friend's name and address.

The three sat down and chatted for a while. Director Wang then asked Zhao Dongchuan for the novel's manuscript, read it for a bit, and then returned it to him.

"I originally wanted to be the first to read it, but I'm afraid once I start, I won't be able to put it down, which would delay your trip. I'll wait until it's published before I read it!" Director Wang said with a hint of regret.

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing bid farewell and left together.

"Old Hei is a renowned veteran writer in the country! I never thought our Director Wang, who keeps such a low profile, would be friends with someone like that!" Jia Bing said to Zhao Dongchuan with a surprised look after they left the office.

"I've also heard of Old Hei. His influence is immense in our province and even nationwide. I often see his editorials in the newspapers!" Zhao Dongchuan also hadn't expected this.

Initially, he had only thought that the director was just introducing an old friend to provide accommodation, never expecting it to be such a heavyweight figure.

He knew Old Hei; he was a character who appeared in the original novel, not many times, but his presence was significant!

Coming with Jia Bing to report to Director Wang this time was indeed the right choice. Not to mention the novel's publication, just getting to know such a senior figure was a special experience.

Of course, Zhao Dongchuan had no intention of currying favor. He was quite confident in himself, after all, he was a "cheater"! Who was he looking down on?

He thought that once things were mostly handled, he could visit this elder and get to know him.

After parting ways with Jia Bing, Zhao Dongchuan got off work and went straight back to his dorm. He cooked himself a big meal, and after eating his fill, he grabbed his bag and rode his bicycle towards Beiguan Yangou.

He planned to say goodbye to Li Huiying and explain the situation before he left, as he had told Li Huiying to wait for his news.

Zhao Dongchuan rode his bicycle quickly. The weather was gradually turning cold, and many people on the road were already wearing thick cotton coats, but he, wearing only a long-sleeved shirt, didn't feel cold at all.

Perhaps it was because he frequently practiced Wuqinxi. With his current physical fitness, ordinary bacteria and viruses could not affect his body.

Additionally, Qi Refining Introduction allowed a faint aura to circulate within his body. Although he hadn't reached the point of being immune to all illnesses, he was close.

About half an hour later, Zhao Dongchuan arrived at the Beiguan Yangou brigade.

Following the address Li Huiying had given him earlier, and after asking some villagers for her whereabouts, he soon arrived at a courtyard in front of a three-arch cave dwelling. Zhao Dongchuan noticed a half-finished "construction site" on one side of the courtyard!

Presumably, this was the new cave dwelling Li Huiying's ex-husband had planned to rebuild before his accident.

Zhao Dongchuan knocked on the door, and soon heard light footsteps approaching.

"Creak!"

The door opened, and a little girl with pigtails peeked out from inside. It was Cao Yuan, whom he hadn't seen in many days.

"Oh, Brother Zhao is here!" Cao Yuan recognized the person and couldn't help but exclaim.

Then Cao Yuan happily jumped up and shouted into the courtyard, "Mom, Brother Zhao came to see us!"

Inside, Li Huiying, who had heard her daughter's excited cry, was getting up and walking out. Hearing this, she quickly picked up her pace and hurried into the courtyard.