Return to Huangyuan City

Zhao Dongchuan ate even more happily!

This Gu Fengling was not a good person in the original story; he destroyed other people's families, completely fooled Du Lili, made her abandon her husband to throw herself into Gu Fengling's arms, and then he just walked away, which was truly despicable.

After another round of arguments, the staff gathered around, and someone, no one knew who, suddenly hit Gu Fengling on the back of his head, making him groan in pain.

Seeing that the other party had strength in numbers, he didn't dare to retaliate and had to sit down again.

Zhao Dongchuan knew when to stop; a lesson was enough, and he didn't cause any more trouble afterward.

After finishing ten catties of lamb, Zhao Dongchuan felt it was enough and didn't order any more, nor did he have the mind to appreciate Gu Fengling's gloomy expression, so he left directly.

Strolling through the streets of the ancient capital, feeling the weight of history, and looking at the simply dressed men, women, old, and young, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Reality and illusion, truly hard to describe!

Back at the guesthouse, Zhao Dongchuan tidied up a bit and got ready to leave.

He had been staying at this guesthouse for almost a month; it was time to return to Huangyuan. Zhao Dongchuan, with his bag, went to the guesthouse's front desk, paid his room fee, and then headed straight for the bus station.

...

After another bumpy journey, Zhao Dongchuan returned to Huangyuan City. He first went back to the Cultural Center's dormitory, took a hot shower, changed into clean clothes, picked up some specialties he brought back from the provincial capital, and then headed towards Jia Bing's home.

Before he even entered the courtyard, the little black dog "Baron" darted out, wagging its tail, circling him.

"Teacher Jia!" Zhao Dongchuan called out to the house.

"Oh, Xiao Zhao is back!" came the voice of Jia Bing's wife, Shufen, from inside.

Shufen was heavily pregnant, sleeves rolled up, holding a roll of cabbage, busy washing vegetables.

"Hello, Sister-in-law!"

"Xiao Zhao, you're finally back. How was it? Was everything smooth in the provincial capital?"

"It was alright, quite smooth. I expect it can be published soon," Zhao Dongchuan replied with a chuckle.

"That's wonderful! Old Jia will be very happy to hear this good news!" Shufen happily put down the cabbage in her hand.

"Where's Teacher Jia? Is he not here? Why are you still cooking? You need to be careful with your pregnancy!"

"Old Jia hasn't finished work yet, but he should be soon. My aunt went back to her parents' home a couple of days ago, and I can't sit still, so I just started busy myself!"

"Let me help!" Saying this, Zhao Dongchuan put down his things and walked towards the kitchen.

Just as he was speaking, "Baron" darted out again.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Teacher Jia came back, carrying his bag.

"Teacher Jia!"

"Xiao Zhao, you're back!" Teacher Jia said happily.

"How is it? What's the situation?" Jia Bing eagerly asked.

"Everything went smoothly!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a chuckle.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Jia Bing's three consecutive "goods" could not hide his excitement.

"Hahaha, you could say I discovered your talent. When I talk about you outside, I feel very proud!" Jia Bing said with a beaming smile, feeling honored.

"Tonight, we must celebrate ~ celebrate ~ we won't stop until we're drunk!"

"Since Teacher Jia has such an elegant interest, Dongchuan will certainly keep him company!" Zhao Dongchuan also said with a chuckle.

Then, the two of them went into the kitchen together to get busy, asking Shufen to leave.

As expected, Jia Bing got drunk again.

Zhao Dongchuan didn't let Sister-in-law Shufen do it; he directly carried Jia Bing and laid him down on the kang, then said his goodbyes and left.

...

The next morning, Zhao Dongchuan washed up, took out some hot roujiamo he brought back from the provincial capital from his spatial storage, and ate it as he walked towards the Cultural Center.

By the time he arrived at the Cultural Center, he had already finished several roujiamo.

He didn't go to his office but walked towards the finance department. He had reported this trip to his leaders; it was a business trip, so his salary would be paid as usual. He was there to collect his salary for the previous month.

"Xiao Zhao, you're back!" Aunt Wang from the finance department greeted Zhao Dongchuan warmly.

"Aunt Wang!"

"I heard you went to the provincial capital to handle something important this time?" Aunt Wang asked curiously.

"It's nothing major, just went to handle some things. I'm not sure if it will work out yet!" Since there was no result yet, he hadn't told anyone else at the Cultural Center about it, except for Jia Bing, who already knew.

"Alright, then Aunt Wang will be waiting for your good news!"

Zhao Dongchuan signed for his salary and fixed-amount vouchers, then left the finance department and headed towards his own section.

"Xiao Zhao, you're here. Let's go, let's find Director Wang!" Jia Bing had arrived early and was waiting for him.

"To report on our work to Director Wang!" Jia Bing waved his hand and said.

The two arrived at the Director's office.

Director Wang motioned for the two to sit down and said, "Xiao Zhao, I heard from Old Hei that he happened to be out when you visited, so he didn't get to see you. He was quite regretful!" Director Wang joked with a chuckle.

"Bad luck, didn't get to see the true Buddha, but seeing Old Hei's wife is just as good; she's also an elegant old gentleman."

"Indeed, Old Hei's wife is also very accomplished in calligraphy!" Director Wang nodded.

"How was it? Was it smooth?"

"Not bad, it's been settled. As for when it will be published, that depends on the magazine's actual progress. It's expected to be next month!"

"Xiao Zhao has once again rendered meritorious service to our Huangyuan Cultural Center this time. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!" Jia Bing said from the side.

"You, Jia Bing, are trying to provoke me with your words!" Director Wang said, pointing at Jia Bing and laughing.

"Put your mind at ease, I won't mistreat him!"

Jia Bing didn't speak, just smiled from the side.

"Later, after the journal is published, the Cultural Center will report to the Cultural Bureau to nominate Xiao Zhao for an outstanding award. Next year, his rank will be re-evaluated. The specific rank is hard to say now! But at least two levels of promotion are the minimum!" Director Wang picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said.

"Thank you, Director Wang, for your guidance!" Zhao Dongchuan stood up in due time and thanked him.

No matter how "overpowered" Zhao Dongchuan was now, he still needed to maintain a normal mindset and not get carried away!

Afterward, the three chatted idly, discussed literary events, and talked about some recent happenings, how the situation was unfolding... (Readers, please use your imagination!)

Not long after, Zhao Dongchuan and Jia Bing left the Director's office together and returned to their own office.

Jia Bing patted Zhao Dongchuan's shoulder and said earnestly, "After your new work is published, you'll be making your mark in the literary world. Although the genre and content you write are compliant, many people are watching, so remember to guard against arrogance and impetuosity!"

"Teacher Jia, don't worry, I'll pay attention!"

"It's good that you understand!"

...

Thus, after Zhao Dongchuan returned, he resumed his former peaceful life.

During the day, he worked at the Cultural Center, catching up on tasks, and in the evening, he did his homework, practiced, and meditated!

After several days of effort, he finally finished the last book of the "self-study series of mathematics, physics, and chemistry," Algebra.