A widower's entertainment

The movie "Our Millionaire" is a hit, and newspapers are full of discussions about it, along with a lot of social news. Some of these stories involve dark events, but it is only when these events are reported or brought into the light that things can change.

The film and the social issues it sparked gradually created a whirlwind.

Of course, even under such a hurricane, time remains unaffected, continuing to move forward as always, without any change.

Although it's unknown how big the hurricane will be when the movie "Our Millionaire" is released nationwide, it has undoubtedly caused quite a stir in China, and could even be described as a national sensation.

However, even before that, when Lin Zhaomei's film won the Palme d'Or, it had already caused a sensation throughout the country.

Now that the movie is out, it's not just the story that's being told, but also the stories of people living around them.

The box office of "Our Millionaire" naturally exploded. Even though the official promotion of the film was intentionally reduced, it still had a script written by the well-known writer Lin Youcheng and Lin Zhaomei won the Palme d'Or, which set a record.

The moon has always been considered brighter in foreign countries, and now that Lin Zhaomei, a young student, has plucked that dazzling moon, domestic audiences are naturally very curious and flock to the cinemas to see the movie.

Even viewers who have seen the movie will be unable to resist going to the cinema again to buy tickets to see "Our Millionaire".

"Your sister is really amazing! This movie is so well made!"

Lin Zhaoqing took his female classmate Zhao Li to the cinema again to watch "Our Millionaire". The two were moved by the love between Xu Qingshan and Xiaoyu at the end, or perhaps by the bumpy fate that Xu Qingshan had gone through. In any case, they were deeply touched by the movie.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have watched it a second time, and I might even watch it a third time.

Hearing Zhao Li's words, Lin Zhaoqing smiled and nodded, saying with a proud look, "Of course, Zhao Mei is amazing!"

Lin Zhaoqing had always known that his younger sister, Lin Zhaomei, was very capable. However, at this moment, Lin Zhaoqing suddenly realized that his brothers and sisters were all very capable. His eldest sister, Lin Zhaoxi, was naturally outstanding. She was currently pursuing a master's degree and had always been determined to follow her own path. She would also become a doctor in the future.

As for Lin Zhaomei, she also firmly chose to become a director, and has already won major awards abroad.

As for his younger brother Lin Zhaoman, he is about to take the college entrance examination and plans to apply to a military academy. Lin Zhaohuan and Lin Zhaole are still in school, but Lin Zhaohuan can not only play the harmonica, but also the piano...

As for him, the older brother, he doesn't seem to have anything particularly outstanding compared to his younger siblings.

"Zhaoqing, what are you thinking about?"

Zhao Li noticed that Lin Zhaoqing seemed to be thinking about something, so she couldn't help but ask him a question.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhaoqing shook his head and said, "I wasn't thinking about anything, I just felt that my younger brother and sister are all more capable than me."

"You're amazing too!"

Zhao Li looked at Lin Zhaoqing with a light in her eyes and said earnestly, "You are also very capable."

Hearing Zhao Li's words and looking into her beautiful eyes, Lin Zhaoqing could feel her trust in him. Touched, he reached out and took her hand, feeling nervous and his heart pounding. He said, "Thank you."

Zhao Li held Lin Zhaoqing's hand, but didn't pull away. She just nervously avoided Lin Zhaoqing's gaze and said, "If there's a chance later, I'd like to watch this movie again."

"Okay, we can watch this movie again later."

Whatever the reason, the movie "Our Millionaire" is so impactful that it's hard to calm down. Audiences have been discussing the movie and the touching plot.

After watching the movie, Lin Zhaoqing and Zhao Li returned to Xinghua Hutong together.

Clearly, this wasn't the first time Lin Zhaoqing had brought Zhao Li to the courtyard house in Xinghua Hutong. Lin Youcheng, as the father, knew that his children had found their own love, whether it was Lin Zhaoqing and his classmate Zhao Li, or Lin Zhaoxi and Zhou Chuanbai who lived in the southern part of the city.

Lin Youcheng saw Lin Zhaoqing and Zhao Li and said with a smile, "Let's eat at home today."

Zhao Li smiled and did not refuse, saying, "Thank you, Uncle."

Lin Youcheng waved his hand, saying it was nothing, and watched as Lin Zhaoqing and Zhao Li left the courtyard to go play in another courtyard. He didn't disturb them, but simply asked the nanny to send some fruit over.

Xie Shuhua flipped through some reviews of the movie "Our Millionaire" in the newspapers, her face full of smiles, and said, "Zhao Mei's movie is all positive in the newspapers."

"Of course, after all, she has won awards abroad, and Zhao Mei made a great film."

When Xie Shuhua heard Lin Youcheng's words, she sensed the pride in them and felt proud of Lin Zhaomei as well, so she nodded.

"By the way, Youcheng, when do you plan to publish the novel version of 'Soldiers' Sortie'?"

Xie Shuhua looked at Lin Youcheng, then thought of another story Lin Youcheng had been writing, and asked, "Are you planning to wait until Lin Zhaoman finishes his college entrance exam?"

Xie Shuhua also knew that Lin Youcheng intended to give Lin Zhaoman the book "Soldiers' Assault" as a gift, because Lin Zhaoman had decided from the beginning to join the army, which was the path Lin Zhaoman chose himself.

Lin Youcheng smiled and nodded, saying, "The manuscript of the novel has been sent to People's Literature magazine, and Zhang Wei has already approved it. Moreover, the publishing house will publish and distribute this novel. I will give it to Zhaoman and wish him good luck in his college entrance examination." This was Lin Youcheng's simple thought as a father, and also a simple gift.

Although Zhang Wei was quite surprised that Lin Youcheng would write such a story about the military, he was also deeply moved by this very realistic, even quite true, story. It tells the story of Xu Sanduo, an ordinary soldier from a rural background, who grows up to become an outstanding reconnaissance soldier through perseverance and never giving up. The journey is full of thrills and suspense, especially in creating a group of unique characters in the contemporary army, and expressing a spirit of never giving up.

Beyond the surprise, Zhang Wei was deeply moved, because before this, Lin Youcheng had mostly written stories about wars from the past, such as "The Message," "My Chief and My Regiment," and "Bright Sword." Clearly, stories about modern armies were quite rare for him.

However, in Lin Youcheng's writing, "Soldiers Sortie" is a rather special story.

People's Literature magazine did not reject the novel, and the publishing house would certainly not refuse to publish and distribute Lin Youcheng's novel.

It's worth noting that several publishing houses have approached Lin Youcheng, wanting to publish the novel version of "Our Millionaire," all because of its captivating story and the fact that Lin Youcheng is the author.

Xie Shuhua nodded. She had always known that Lin Youcheng wrote this novel because of Lin Zhaoman, and said with a smile, "If Zhaoman knew that this story was written for him, he would be very happy."

Lin Youcheng smiled when he heard Xie Shuhua's words. He hadn't done anything special; he just hoped that since Lin Zhaoman had chosen that path, he could follow it like Xu Shanduo, never giving up. Of course, for him, the most important thing was the child's safety.

In fact, Lin Youcheng was unaware that when Zhang Wei received Lin Youcheng's copy of "Soldiers' Assault," the entire "People's Literature" magazine had discussed it.

One reason is that the novel is too popular, and another reason seems to be more like a military version of "Ordinary World".

"I wonder why Lin Youcheng came up with the idea to write this story?"

Hearing his colleague's words, Zhang Wei laughed and said, "Isn't Lin Youcheng always so unpredictable? His previous novel, 'Hidden in the Dust,' was also quite unexpected."

These words prompted everyone else to nod in agreement.

Lin Youcheng's previous novel, "Hidden in the Dust," was a story set in a remote rural area in Northwest China, much like "Ordinary World." After all, the protagonists in the novel were very ordinary, even marginalized people with disabilities who went unnoticed by society.

Even so, the editors in the editorial department were deeply moved by the novel. It was the tragic life story of Ma Youtie and his wife that brought them such a profound emotional shock. The tragedy was an external manifestation of their fate, but the delicate emotions, the sincere and hardworking attitude towards life, and the heart that yearned for and understood love were truly touching.

That story didn't have a grand structure; it was just real. This new "Soldiers Sortie" is also more realistic, but beneath that realism, Xu Sanduo has an added touch of legend. But such legends all come from the countryside, step by step.

Most importantly, this story restrains the urge to flaunt modern military might, and instead repeatedly recounts the blood and tears paid to forge these indomitable warriors. It does not dwell on victory and glory, but instead focuses on the ordinary people who maintain their simple and kind nature amidst rules and violence, upholding the highest standards of humanity. Almost all the characters are treated equally, undergoing a transparent and fair spiritual rebirth and baptism in their respective destinies.

That's how real it is, that's how you can believe that a child from a rural area can become a legendary soldier.

"I think that once this novel is published, many young readers might read it and want to join the army."

Upon hearing this, the editors couldn't help but nod in agreement, thinking it was quite possible.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei remarked, "If someone actually reads this novel and decides to join the army, that would be a good thing!"

However, Zhang Wei thought of Lin Zhaoman, the son of Lin Youcheng, who seemed to want to apply to a military academy and join the People's Liberation Army. Could it be that the novel "Lin Youcheng" was written because of Lin Zhaoman?

The thought flashed through Zhang Wei's mind, and he felt it wasn't impossible.

Just like the story Lin Youcheng wrote for Lin Zhaomei, "Our Millionaire," it was specifically for Lin Zhaomei. Even though he wanted to publish the novel version first, Lin Youcheng refused, just to prevent the plot of Lin Zhaomei's movie from being known in advance.

However, if that's really the case, then Lin Youcheng, as a father, is truly thoughtful.

Zhang Wei thought to himself that he should ask Lin Youcheng about his creative ideas when he had the chance. Of course, Lin Youcheng's creations were always full of imagination and were described as imaginative and highly creative, but they were not necessarily created for Lin Zhaoman.

Of course, whatever the reason, the story of "Soldiers Sortie" is very exciting.

Just like Zhang Wei, after watching it, he was deeply impressed and couldn't help but think of this story and the road that Xu Sanduo built. He built the road on the grassland. His daily activities were so simple, but he persisted in doing it. Day after day, he persisted and made it great and awe-inspiring.

Some things should be done like Xu Sanduo's. Even without earth-shattering feats, one should quietly do every little thing well in their position. What is most precious is this kind of persistence and dedication, which is also the most shining quality.

Because in an environment like the Fifth Platoon on the grassland, time was the most abundant resource. The long period of isolation from the world made them forget their original goals: why they joined the army and why they came here in the first place.

In Zhang Wei's view, the Fifth Platoon staged a military version of "Waiting for Godot" on the grassland, but what they got was not Godot, but Xu Sanduo.

They did not receive salvation from chaos and disorder, but instead received a mirror, a mirror that punished multiple sins.

Xu Sanduo, upon arriving at the Fifth Platoon, adhered to his daily schedule and completed his training tasks on time and in accordance with the quota, even without guidance, supervision, or encouragement. He took on the responsibility of cleaning and tidying up the belongings of everyone in the platoon without hesitation, which only drew complaints from his roommates. This was because this was the training he had received in basic training, and he thought: "As a soldier, this is how it should be, isn't it?"
Xu Sanduo's naiveté was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting everyone's wretchedness, tearing away their fig leaves, and waking them from their self-deception, causing them pain. Compared to that group of clever people, Xu Sanduo was naturally a complete "fool," which is why he said that the meaningful thing is to live well, and to live well is to do meaningful things.

For some reason, Zhang Wei also wanted to show this story to his children, feeling that it was far more than just a story about the military.

Lin Youcheng had no idea what Zhang Wei was thinking. He glanced at the calendar on the wall, looked at the time, and knew—

The 1998 college entrance examination was approaching, and another child in the courtyard was about to take it. (End of Chapter)