Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 146 Lu Zetao's Superpowers (to be continued)

Theoretically speaking, a flight of just over an hour from Beijing to Harbin is not a long flight.

But if you factor in the time spent getting to the airport and going through security, it's a completely different story.

But there's always a risk of "once again."

Whether the extra time cost of something is unbearable depends on whether one is willing to do it.

For example, the famous speech by Empress Dowager Xuan of Qin.

At least in Lu Siwen's mind, she was happy to seek out Zhai Da, especially since she didn't have to worry about financial pressure.

If this pattern continues, they'll probably meet just as many times as they would when they were both in college in the same city.

However, Zhai Da still advised, "Every week is too much. Aren't you going to study? Even if you don't have classes on weekends, you can still have many other plans, and you still need extra time to digest your coursework."

"Of course, all of this is based on the premise that you can actually get into the Chinese Department of Peking University. If that's not a sure thing, the Chinese Departments of Nanjing University, Fudan University, and Zhejiang University can be considered as backup options."

Seeing that the food was getting cold, Qian Yarong said, "Xiao Zhai, we'll have a good chat later. We also need to learn more about your 'volunteer tutoring' business. Let's eat first today."

Lu Zetao laughed heartily: "With so many happy things happening, let's have a few drinks, you guys. Editor-in-Chief Lou, Xiao Zhai, red wine or white wine?"

Zhai Da quickly waved his hand: "I won't drink it, I'll just have a beverage."

Qian Yarong remembered the Six Walnuts beverage that Zhai Da had brought, and stood up, saying, "Zetao, you shouldn't drink either. Why drink alcohol at home? Have some of the drinks that Xiao Zhai brought~"

Qian Yarong is health-conscious and doesn't allow beverages in the house, which is one reason why her whole family is in good shape. This box of things came in handy.

The hostess brought over a box and gave each person a can, which was considered to have confirmed the principle of not drinking alcohol.

Lu Zetao could only exchange a helpless smile with Lou En, preparing to open it, but his hand stopped in mid-air.

I brought the jar closer to my eyes to take a closer look.

Lu Siwen also picked it up out of curiosity and subconsciously read it aloud:

"Six...iron? What are six irons?"

What is this?

Zhai Da also noticed it, looking at the box; it indeed contained six walnuts.
But the can in his hand was labeled "Six Irons".

Looking up: Six Walnuts.
Bowing head: Six iron
Fuck your mother~
A small shop at the entrance of Utopia!?
My students have flooded your crappy shop with ads, and you sell me this knock-off stuff?!

Zhai Da awkwardly put down the iron in his hand: "Hey Uncle Lu, let's have some more drinks, I love drinking!"

Despite a minor incident, Lu Zetao still opened a bottle of red wine. He and Lou En drank most of it, while Zhai Da only had a symbolic glass.

Lu Siwen's family cuisine is a typical fusion of Chinese and Western styles, including salads, pizzas, fish, and shrimp. After the meal, Lu Zetao, Lou En, and Zhai Da gathered in the open-air courtyard behind the villa.

The grass is fragrant, the lounge chairs are comfortable, and each person has a cup of hot tea to sober up, with the small lake in the distance.

It must be said that the developer had good foresight in choosing this location and building a villa area around this small pond in Dongyang.

Lou En, with a rosy complexion, chuckled and asked, "Xiao Zhai, how does it feel to be a writer?"

"It's just so-so."

"How does it feel to be a bestselling author?"

"That was pretty cool."

Lou En and Lu Zetao exchanged a smile. That's more like it. A young man who isn't arrogant isn't a true young man. If they had achieved this much at this age, they would be so proud of themselves that they would want to write a note on it and stick it on their faces before going out.

Lou En said, “Normally we don’t give authors high expectations, and we might even intentionally keep them down, but it’s different for you, Xiao Zhai. With the current trend of ‘The Long Road to Lu’, you can secure a place in the writing profession with just this one bestseller.”

"It's not just because of the sales figures, but also because this book isn't the kind of groaning that criticizes current affairs. Instead, it's a work with depth and deep thought, a realistic novel disguised as a romance. Take Han Han, for example. Why has he never been recognized by the mainstream literary world? A large part of the reason is that his works are more emotional than content. After reading them, you can only remember what he criticized, not what he actually said."

"By the way, it might be a bit early to ask now, but I'm still curious, have you thought about the direction of your next book?"
Zhai Da said speechlessly, "Your debut book has only been on sale for a short time, and you're already releasing the next one?"

Lou En chuckled: "Isn't it because you write fast? You finished the second half of 'The Long Road to Lu' in a week. Your name will spread like wildfire this summer. If you can write a second book within six months, you can even ride the wave of popularity of 'The Long Road to Lu'."

"Most writers are most productive in their youth, publishing one book after another, especially those who rely more on talent. Take Keigo Higashino from Japan, for example. At his peak, he published five books in a single year, including a novel of several hundred thousand words. Suspense novels, which are generally considered difficult to write, just flowed out of his mouth like eating and drinking."

This is indeed an exaggerated number, as if this person also has some kind of fortune telling. The key is that the quality is not bad, and there is a blockbuster product every now and then.

It is a legend in the industry.

Zhai Da shook his head: "I don't have any ideas for now. My schedule is packed every day, but if I come up with a plan, it's not out of the question." Royalties are still tempting.

If we refer to the creative method of "The Long Road of Lü", that is, to draw inspiration from movies seen in later generations, to focus on full emotions, and to use one's own writing skills as the framework, it is actually not difficult to write.

A film adapted from a true story would be even better, as it would be more authentic.

Soon, he came up with a topic that was also adapted from a real event, but the box office was many times higher than the original "The Long Road to Luyu" and left an important mark on the mainland film industry.

I just don't know if readers will think he has a medical inclination since everything is somewhat related to medicine.

While I was thinking, Lu Zetao spoke first: "After reading Xiao Zhai's book, I also had some inspiration. I've been working on it for a while now and I'm preparing to write my fourth book."

As he spoke, he confidently raised his teacup at Zhai Da as if it were a glass of champagne, and said with a flourish, "When the time comes, let's see who finishes writing first and whose sales are higher."

Silence, deathly silence
The cicadas' chirping suddenly became abrupt.

Zhai Da and Lou En exchanged a glance, as if both were saying: Say something!
In the end, Zhai Da reacted quickly: "Uncle Lu, what genre are you planning to write? A novel?"

"No, no, no, literature is not such an inconvenient thing. I have decided to write a novel in the style of poetry, telling a love story in the turbulent environment of the Republican era in the form of a long poem. I will blend the cruelty of war with love, telling the story of the love and hatred between a warlord and a dancer. It will be called..."

"How about 'The Barrel of the Gun and the Holster'?"

Lou En finally convinced his conscience and clapped his hands: "Great! It sounds like a good name!"

It seems he will have to "overrule the objections" again and arrange for Lu Zetao to publish his work at his own expense.
Lu Zetao said happily, "Perhaps in the future, Siwen will enter the Chinese Department of Peking University and also have her own works. Including my father, three generations of people will be involved in literature. It will be a wonderful story."

Zhai Da had heard Lu Siwen mention her grandfather; he wasn't exactly a writer, but he was a cultured man.

He participated in the compilation and revision of the Dongyang County Annals, and in that era, he was a respected figure.

Zhai Dacheng said sincerely, "I believe that Xiao Lu will definitely have her own excellent works released."

Lu Zetao: "Then you'll have to give her a lot of guidance. I try to teach her to write, but she never listens and never learns."

Zhai Da:
Today has really changed my perception of Lu Zetao. I thought his "superpower" in becoming a writer was being super rich.

So you're just "overconfident" huh?
Lu Zetao even remarked, "Young people are always more willing to learn from their peers than from their parents. Siwen is lucky to have a friend like you."

As they were talking, Lu Siwen pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard: "Student Zhai, could you come to my room for a moment? I want to show you something."

Zhai Da glanced at Lu Zetao. Being invited into someone's daughter's room in front of her own father, he should at least get her permission.

Lu Zetao smiled and said, "You guys go ahead, Uncle Lou and I will sit for a while longer."

Lou En and Lu Zetao looked at the two men's retreating figures and smiled at each other.

Lou En: "I've seen many outstanding young people who are talented and accomplished at a young age, and some are even more outrageous than him. But it's rare to see someone with such a peaceful and humble mindset. Before I came here, I thought he would be a proud bookworm."

Lu Zetao remarked with emotion, "Xiao Zhai is indeed different; sometimes I even forget that he's from the younger generation."

Lou En suddenly became interested: "Siwen and Xiao Zhai, are they showing any signs of that? It's unrealistic for her to fly a thousand kilometers every week, but it's already strange that she has this intention."

Lu Zetao chuckled and took a sip of tea: "I really hope the two of them are together, but unfortunately, my judgment is that they aren't. My silly daughter probably doesn't even understand herself, and as for Zhai Da, he probably already has someone else in his heart."

"Another top scorer? I saw someone on the news say it was a 'couple who both got top scores,' and I thought it was a joke."

"It's pretty much the same. I only found out about these things because as a local company, we had to show our appreciation when the county produced a top scholar."

Lu Zetao's expression was calm; he wouldn't try so hard to bring them together like in TV dramas, nor would he try so hard to break them up like in TV dramas.

Are you bored?

Eighteen years old. Life hasn't even officially begun yet.

There are still four years until I graduate from university, and perhaps ten years until I start thinking about marriage.
Ten years is enough time for everything to change.

For example, people who were once inseparable gradually drift apart.

Or perhaps the addition of him/her to your life surpasses everything before.

People who worry about their own fate are just asking for trouble.

　Chapter Two will be revised temporarily and released later.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)