A widower's entertainment

Lin Youcheng's "Hidden in the Dust" has sparked considerable discussion in both literary circles and society. However, this has not had much impact on Lin Youcheng, or rather, it has little to do with him. Once the issue of bloodsucking is brought up for discussion, it is no longer limited to literary creation, but becomes a topic that needs to be discussed in real society.

Clearly, this was something that the People's Literature magazine had not anticipated.

However, Lin Youcheng's novel "Hidden in the Dust" only alludes to this point without directly criticizing or attacking it. It merely draws attention to the issue, as there were already plans to pilot the exemption of agricultural taxes. This simply brings the matter to the forefront of discussion.

The People's Literature magazine is doing alright; it hasn't received any criticism from higher authorities. In fact, from the magazine's perspective, the fact that the novel "Hidden in the Dust" has attracted this kind of attention is precisely the significance of literature.

In this regard, the editors at the magazine all feel that "Hidden in the Dust" is a truly meaningful literary work, and there is currently discussion about whether to hold a seminar on the novel.

Zhang Wei undoubtedly supports Lin Youcheng's "Hidden in the Dust" and doesn't really care about the controversies and criticisms in the literary criticism circle. However, he still feels that it is not appropriate to hold a seminar on the work now, saying: "There is a lot of discussion about rural issues in all sectors of society right now, so I think it is better not to hold a seminar on the work."

Xu Huazhou, the editor-in-chief of People's Literature magazine, thought the same way. Although the higher authorities had not expressed any opinion on the novel, it was still best not to hold a seminar on the work at this time, especially since there was already discussion in the literary criticism circle.

"There's a lot of discussion about this novel right now, so it doesn't matter whether we hold a symposium on the work or not."

Zhang Wei nodded and said, "Yes, even if there is controversy, this novel is excellent and of great literary significance."

Xu Huazhou smiled and said, "Lin Youcheng's novels are as excellent as ever."

"I think Director Zhang, you should keep pushing for more manuscripts, otherwise he'll be too busy writing scripts. The newly published 'Hidden in the Dust' is a good example!"

Hearing Xu Huazhou's words, Zhang Wei nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "That's right, he should be made to write more novel manuscripts, not just screenplays!"

……

Lin Youcheng was unaware that the People's Literature magazine was trying to urge him to submit his manuscript. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care, because many people had been urging him to submit manuscripts, not only for novels but also for film scripts. It could be said that people both domestically and internationally were urging him to submit his work.

However, it was clear that Lin Youcheng would not be rushed to leave.

He's not like Ma Youtie's donkey in "Hidden in the Dust," at least not now. Before, because of the circumstances, even without being urged, he had to take care of his child, write articles, and get up early to sweep the streets. He really was a tireless donkey.

Now that conditions are so much better, why would he continue to push himself so hard?

Now Lin Youcheng naturally writes his articles in his own way, making it easier. Although he still has to take care of his child, he has a wife and a nanny, so he is no longer alone and is not as tired. Lin Youcheng is very clear that he does not need to rush. Those who want to urge him to finish his article will not be able to do so.

Lin Youcheng can write articles whenever he wants, not to mention that he no longer has to painstakingly type them out word by word. Typing on the keyboard has made things much easier for him, making it more convenient and less of a rush to finish his articles.

While Lin Youcheng's situation was quite relaxed, the Lin family's children were not.

The gears of fate keep turning.
Lin Zhaomei started the new semester and entered the Directing Department of Yanjing Film Academy. It can be said that because Lin Zhaomei ranked first in her major and was a girl, coupled with her father Lin Youcheng, even if Lin Zhaomei wanted to keep a low profile at school, the news would definitely still circulate in Yanjing Film Academy. It can be said that the most attention-grabbing freshmen this year are not only the freshmen in the Acting Department, but also Lin Zhaomei, a freshman in the Directing Department.

In particular, Lin Zhaomei, a freshman in the directing department, actually started shooting a short film before even entering the Yenching Film Academy. And now I hear that the short film has been completed and is planned to be submitted to the film festival for evaluation.

Undoubtedly, these news items have brought Lin Zhaomei, a freshman in the directing department, into the spotlight.

Lin Zhaomei was naturally very clear about this. She didn't feel pressured by others because she was Lin Youcheng's daughter, because she knew very well that this was what she had to face. All she could do was study hard, make good films, and work harder!
She is already editing the short film "Destiny" because she is not in a hurry and is putting a lot of effort into it.

Her father, Lin Youcheng, and Tian Zhuangzhuang both wanted her to submit the short film to international film festivals for judging. This is similar to submitting a novel to a magazine. Initially, the goal is to submit it to top literary magazines like "People's Literature" or "Harvest." If it is rejected, then it can be submitted to a lower-level literary magazine. Right now, they are just asking her to submit it to the highest film festival for judging. No matter what the result is, it doesn't matter.

In addition, Tian Zhuangzhuang also knew about Lin Zhaomei's short film "Destiny" and thought it was quite good. He even thought that the symbolic design of the two different life paths and the bell that was rung at the beginning of school was very good, and the whole story was also very good. Such a script could even be made into a feature film.

This is why Tian Zhuangzhuang encouraged Lin Zhaomei to aim for international film festivals, which naturally required Lin Zhaomei to properly edit the footage she had shot.

Lin Zhaomei was naturally well aware of this, but she also knew that, as her father Lin Youcheng had told her, it didn't matter if she wasn't nominated. At worst, she could go to film awards in Hong Kong like Director Jia did, or to other film festivals and awards that included short film sections.

"Zhaomei, I heard that the Venice Film Festival Best Actor didn't come to our film academy, but went to the drama academy instead?"

Jiang Yan, a classmate of Lin Zhaomei in the directing department, chatted with Lin Zhaomei about the freshmen in the acting department. Naturally, they mentioned that Xia Yu, who won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for "In the Heat of the Sun," chose to study acting at the Beijing Academy of Drama.

Lin Zhaomei didn't really care about this matter and said, "Jiang Wen—"

Lin Zhaomei hesitated for a moment, not saying "Uncle Jiang Wen." Although she always called Jiang Wen "Uncle" when she saw him in Xinghua Hutong, she was worried that saying it would make people think she was showing off. Instead, she said, "Director Jiang Wen himself is from the Beijing Academy of Drama. It's not surprising that the Venice Film Festival Best Actor went there too."

This is similar to how Tao Hong also went to the Peking University School of Drama because Jiang Wen was there, and she also went to the acting department of the Peking University School of Drama.

Upon hearing Lin Zhaomei's words, Jiang Yan nodded and said, "That's true."

"Never mind that, hurry up and go to class, don't be late."

Lin Zhaomei didn't really care about those things, because she had met many big stars and directors. For example, Berlin Film Festival Best Actress Pan Hong had visited her home before, and there was also Leslie Cheung from Hong Kong, not to mention renowned directors like Hou Xiaoxian, Chen Aige, Zhang Yimou, and Jiang Wen. As for that youngest Venice Film Festival Best Actor, Lin Zhaomei genuinely didn't pay him any special attention. Hearing Lin Zhaomei's words, Jiang Yan naturally didn't say much and quickly followed Lin Zhaomei to class.

……

Since Lin Zhaomei is also studying at a university and living in the dormitory, there is one less child coming home for meals in the Xinghua Hutong courtyard. Fortunately, she is studying at a university in Beijing, which is quite close, and she can still go home on weekends, especially now that a two-day weekend system has been implemented.

Of course, even if it's not the weekend, Lin Zhaomei can easily ride her bicycle home anytime because it's so close by.
Although there is one less person at home, it is not lonely. After all, there are still Lin Zhaoman and his family, not to mention Lin Zhaoyuan, the youngest daughter, who is the one who needs the most care right now.

Lin Youcheng was playing with Lin Zhaoyuan in the courtyard. The little girl was very fond of Lin Youcheng, which made Lin Youcheng love his little daughter even more.

"Dad, I just ran into the post office staff. My cousin in Decheng sent some things."

Compared to Lin Zhaoxi and Lin Zhaomei, who rarely go home during the week, Lin Zhaoqing doesn't mind the trouble. If he doesn't have classes in the afternoon, he will ride his bicycle home from school for lunch. He came in with some things, handed the package to Lin Youcheng, and then smiled and picked up his younger sister Lin Zhaoyuan.

Lin Youcheng glanced at Lin Zhaoqing with Lin Zhaoyuan. He knew that these were some local specialties sent to him by Zhao Gensheng. Zhao Gensheng had already called him before. In fact, Zhao Gensheng had always remembered his uncle over the years. He had long since returned the money he had given Zhao Gensheng, and now he would send some local specialties to Beijing from time to time.

"Your cousin is still so thoughtful."

Lin Youcheng looked at the contents of the package. In addition to the items from Decheng, there were also items from Yunnan Province. It was truly a thoughtful gesture.

In fact, Lin Youcheng's family is not lacking in these things now, but he knows Zhao Gensheng's intentions and has always been grateful for his help to him and his son. Their relationship has never been broken, and even though he remarried, they still keep in touch.

However, perhaps because he felt that he had remarried in Beijing, he no longer came to Beijing to stay for a period of time as before. Even though Lin Youcheng had called to invite him, he had not come over in the past two years. Of course, Zhao Gensheng would call to greet him during holidays.

Now, Zhao Gensheng's family is living a better and better life in Decheng, and their lives are moving forward.

"Dad, next time I have a holiday, I'll go back to Decheng to see my cousins. It's been a long time since I've been back to Decheng."

Lin Zhaoqing, holding Lin Zhaoyuan, turned around and said with a smile, "Shall I take Zhaoman and the others back to visit as well?"

Upon hearing Lin Zhaoqing's words, Lin Youcheng said, "It's fine if you go back alone, but forget about taking your younger siblings with you."

"Dad, you don't believe me!"

Lin Youcheng waved his hand, there was no way he would let Lin Zhaoqing take Lin Zhaoman and the others by himself. After all, the train journey was long, and he still remembered how tiring it was when he took several children to Shanghai by himself. Although conditions were better now, the dangers on the road were also greater. As for taking a plane back, that was something he could consider, but he would never let Lin Zhaoqing take his younger siblings to Dezhou.

"If you want to go back and see for yourself, then go ahead, but don't bring them with you!"

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Lin Zhaoqing looked at Lin Zhaoyuan and said, "Perhaps they didn't intend to go back. After all, Zhaole and Zhaohuan grew up in the capital, and they probably don't have much of an impression of Decheng."

Lin Youcheng felt that Lin Zhaoqing's words made a lot of sense. After all, Lin Zhaoqing was different from Lin Zhaoxi, Lin Zhaohuan, and Lin Zhaole. Looking at his son Lin Zhaoqing, he was now the same height as him and was a young man. Time flies. It was obvious that Lin Zhaoqing still had a deep memory of Chunfeng Lane in Decheng.

"If you really want to go back and visit later, bring some local specialties from Beijing for your cousins."

"Of course! But Dad, you'll have to give me the money then!"

Lin Zhaoqing smiled and said, "I can pay for the travel expenses myself, but this—"

Upon hearing Lin Zhaoqing's words, Lin Youcheng said, "Can't you take out the New Year's money you saved up? Wenjie is your nephew, so you'll have to give him a red envelope later."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhaoqing quickly replied, "So I'm about to give you a red envelope?"

"I'm still in school!"

"Knowing you're still in school, then study hard!"

Lin Youcheng replied, then took Lin Zhaoyuan's hand and walked in the courtyard. Suddenly, as if noticing something, he asked, "Are you dating someone at school?"

These words surprised Lin Zhaoqing, who replied, "Dad, I really am studying hard and I haven't been dating."

Lin Youcheng glanced at Lin Zhaoqing suspiciously but didn't ask any further questions. After all, he didn't think there was anything wrong with Lin Zhaoqing dating in college at this age, since he was a young man. Of course, if it were Lin Zhaomei and Lin Zhaoxi, Lin Youcheng, as a father, might have a different opinion, especially since Lin Zhaomei was still very young in his eyes, and even if she went to college, she would still be a child.

As for Lin Zhaoqing, he is already a sophomore in college this year, so dating is not a big deal. Just don't let him suddenly bring home a grandson or granddaughter.

His daughter, Lin Zhaoyuan, is only a little over a year old. If he were suddenly made a grandfather, it would be quite a shock to his heart. (End of Chapter)