Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 234 Temporary Return
Inside the bedroom, Zhai Da folded his clothes and put them into his suitcase.

Outside the bedroom, Lu Siwen, wearing cotton slippers, walked back and forth on the marble tiles, checking for any items that Zhai Da might have left behind.

Three hours later, he will board the flight that has already been postponed twice and will finally be able to return to Harbin.

He gained a lot from this trip to northern Beijing and had many reflections.

From witnessing the rise of the JF-12, to winning three championships at the online gala, and finally witnessing the glory of the giants, I also gained some [equipment].

He only stayed at Qian Lao's home for a few tens of minutes, but it left a deep impression on him.

Later I learned that Mr. Qian had lived there for decades, which explains why I could see seven or eight special items in the house even with just a cursory glance.

For Zhai Da, there was no reason or need to ask for anything; he was a guest, not a robber.

However, it wasn't all for naught. Before leaving, Professor Qian gave Zhai Da a gift as a small encouragement to the youngest person in recent years to bring good news to the ward.

I opened my other suitcase, the "Homecoming Suitcase," which had a charming retro style. There weren't many things inside, one of which was a gift from Mr. Qian.

"White Equipment [The Wisdom Harmonica]: In the second half of his life, he gave up the complex and gorgeous saxophone and French horn, and only this small harmonica was fortunate enough to be played often."

Ownership: Owned, Activated

"Equipment effect: When playing an existing piece, slightly enhances logical ability; when playing an impromptu piece, slightly enhances imagination."

"Note: This harmonica is severely worn and needs to be repaired to restore its pitch."

Perhaps it was because of Zhai Da's identity as a "writer" that Qian Xuesen resonated with his own artistic interests from his youth, and ultimately chose this item to give to Zhai Da, which was also fortunately a "special item".

However, just as the system said, blowing on it currently only produces chaotic noise and the smell of rusting metal.

Judging from the description, it's very similar to "The Pen of an Artistic Girl," and it should be able to create a connection with the "Memory Phonograph" in Qian Lao's living room, but anyway...
They were just going to share some good news, but it's outrageous that they took away someone's furniture when they left.

Repairing a harmonica isn't technically difficult, but he needs to brush up on his knowledge. As for whether he should specifically study harmonica playing techniques in the future, Zhai Da hasn't decided yet.

Lu Siwen poked her head out from outside the door and said with a sweet smile, "It's almost time~"

Zhai Da nodded, closed the vintage leather suitcase, stood up, and said, "Let's go."

In the underground parking garage, Lu Siwen adjusted the Land Rover's driver's seat to the furthest forward position and nervously sat down.

She's not actually short, just slender; once you sit inside, it feels like the little rabbit is almost pressing against the steering wheel.

With both hands gripping the steering wheel, he quietly recited: "Red light stop, green light go, left foot brake, right foot accelerator. Red light stop, green light go."

As he was muttering to himself, he saw Zhai Da in the passenger seat staring at him in shock.

The little deer tilted its head, asking with a cute, puzzled look, "What's wrong?"

Zhai Da opened his mouth.
Are you going to start reviewing from when you stop at a red light?

No, that's not the point. What's with the left foot braking and the right foot accelerating?!

After a long pause, Zhai Da said, "How about I drive it?"

No, that's not right either. Lu Siwen would have to drive to and from the airport by herself, so Zhai Da said, "Alright, let's take a taxi."

Going to the street to flag down a car wasted an extra ten minutes. Lu Siwen hung her head and whispered, "Sorry, I forgot everything."

Zhai Da sighed, thinking to himself, "You were a top student who got into Peking University through the college entrance exam, and you've already forgotten everything after just a few months."

That means I didn't remember it very clearly at the time!
"Since you'll be alone in northern Beijing, it's best not to move the car. Wait until your dad comes, then have him take you to a secluded place to practice."

Lu Siwen nodded awkwardly.

In the taxi, Zhai Da looked out at the winter scenery and said, "By the way, I'm planning to buy a house in northern Beijing. Your neighborhood or a similar newly opened upscale neighborhood would be fine, with a total price under 600 million."

The taxi driver glanced in the rearview mirror and thought to himself, "These young people nowadays will say anything to pick up girls."
If you're so rich, why are you taking a taxi?!

With the current average price of 1.3 yuan per square meter in northern Beijing, Zhai Da's budget of 600 million yuan is quite sufficient, basically covering all high-end properties. Moreover, Zhai Da will not pay in full at once, but will take out a loan. According to the current policy, the down payment is only 20%, and the interest rate is not high.

This is truly a golden age for buying a house.

Whether we live there or not is another matter; for now, it's purely an investment. We'll get one in Shanghai sometime too.

“I left the phone number of a nearby real estate agent yesterday. The agent will handle most of the work, but if there’s anything that I have to do in person, I might have to trouble you.”

Lu Siwen was overjoyed and raised her little hand, saying, "Leave it to me!"

If Zhai Daruo had a house in northern Beijing, regardless of its purpose, he would feel closer to the city.

If we could live in the same neighborhood, that would be even better!!

And he called himself one of my own people~
Lu Siwen held her hand up for a long time before Zhai Da finally gave her a high five, the smooth touch spreading through his palm.

The two often high-fived each other during their middle school years, mainly during the final stage of Professor Lu Siwen's "Advanced Learning Method," which required them to clap their hands.

"By the way, remember to revise your 'Tales of Dongyang' carefully and try to submit it to Phoenix Media at the beginning of the year. Maybe we can publish it together."

The release date for "How Long Will I Love U" has been confirmed: after the Spring Festival.

However, the first half of its online serialization will begin in January on Weibo.

In the early days of Weibo, the maximum length of a post was limited to 140 characters, which was too short for a novel, but you could use pictures instead. A living person won't die from holding in their pee.

The relevant coordination work was handled by Lu Siwen, the blog administrator, and Weibo; Zhai Da only needed to provide some instructions.

Besides buying a house, there will be many things in the future that will involve Lu Siwen.
The two had a very close relationship, and it wasn't a matter of who owed whom anything. Lu Siwen did her best, even giving up her own home when she arrived. Zhai Da also helped her with her pre-college entrance exam preparation and provided writing guidance. The blog's revenue was split 70/30 between the two of them.

When you start thinking about who owes whom more, you're already feeling uncomfortable, so Zhai Da didn't think about these things.

The car arrived at the Capital Airport earlier than planned. Sometimes you have to admire taxi drivers; no matter how you drive, private cars can't compare to their speed, and the key is that they don't get traffic violations.

Without taking a detour, in the departure hall, Zhai Da spent a long time negotiating with the check-in counter and ground staff because his "homecoming suitcase" was oversized.

When he learned that even if he was upgraded to first class, he still wouldn't be able to bring the suitcase into the cabin, Zhai Da gave up resisting and asked the ground staff to put a "valuable item" label on it for him.

Since they still had some time, Zhai Da and Lu Siwen found a place with seats.

Lu Siwen's wool mini-skirt fell just ten centimeters above her knees, revealing her long, slender legs that even fleece-lined tights couldn't ruin.

The deer was surrounded by the candy she longed for, but her mind was entirely on the pen in her hand.

She took her notebook and, making the most of the last bit of time, jotted down Zhai Da's opinions.

If writing is a marathon, she is already very close to what most people consider the "finish line," which is "publication."

But the more this was the case, the more unreal and uneasy Lu Siwen felt.

Lu Siwen sighed and said, "I suddenly feel a little timid. It's like when you're about to hand in your exam paper, and you keep thinking that it would be great if you could just keep putting it off."

Zhai Da smiled and comforted him, "You're not as bad as you think. You're only bad compared to me."

The little deer rolled her eyes sweetly: "Thank you, that's so heartwarming."

"You've been writing since you were little, which gives you a better starting point than most people. Don't be discouraged."

Lu Siwen stretched out her legs and stretched her body while sitting, revealing her graceful curves.

"Pretty much. I started writing short stories around elementary school. Back then, my grandfather had a big desk, and I had a small desk next to it."

Lu Siwen recalled that warm and bright study.

He would often proudly hold up a piece of paper full of typos, or even written in pinyin, and clamor for his grandfather to read his masterpiece carefully.

It’s interesting to think about it.

At that time, Lu Zetao and Qian Yarong were both very busy with work, and they were in the prime of their careers but couldn't leave their jobs. She grew up with her grandfather.

Sometimes she would reflect on whether her love of writing was simply a way to get her grandfather's attention when she was a child, hoping to sit on his lap and hear his critique of her immature writing.
She once thought that the Hero fountain pen, which now belonged to Zhai Da, was the link between her and her grandfather.

But now I understand that words are the key, writing is the key.

Lu Siwen looked ahead and saw people coming and going in a hurry, running or walking with their suitcases.

If it weren't for Zhai Da's encouragement to stick to my own beliefs, I might have ended up like that.

Carrying a suitcase, I went to a foreign land, year after year, severing the ties to my homeland.
Instead of now, having entered the Chinese Literature Department of Kyoto University and possessing works worthy of publication.

Lu Siwen tugged at Zhai Da's sleeve, making him turn around, and said earnestly and enthusiastically:

“Dear Zhai, you said at the awards ceremony that you embarked on the path of writing by chance because of me, but it’s the same for me.”

"Without you, I wouldn't be who I am now, nor would I be who I will be in the future. Thank you."

Her jewel-like eyes were filled with emotion.

Zhai Da felt a little embarrassed by the stare. This writer had honed his writing skills and was starting to speak in a more literary style.

He still prefers the old Lu Zetao, whose catchphrase "Awesome" was universally acknowledged.

Lu Siwen suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "I've made up my mind! I'm not in a rush anymore, and I won't force myself to publish my book with Zhai! I will revise my debut novel to a high standard, even if it takes a year, three years, or five years!"

She knew she wasn't the gifted one, and this conviction only grew stronger after meeting Zhai Da. But she was serious about writing and wouldn't take it lightly.

Zhai Da looked at Lu Siwen and confirmed that this girl had the courage to endure loneliness.

But he still shook his head and said:
"The tactic of delaying isn't always correct. Just like people, writing loses its sensitivity if revised too many times. Besides, suspense is currently very popular, but that might not be the case in a few years."

Lu Siwen's courage, which she had just mustered, dwindled a little.

She pouted, "What should we do then?"

Zhai Da smiled and took something out of his pocket.

The fact that this item wasn't in the suitcase but in the magic jacket suggests that he had decided to take it out long ago.

Before leaving Beijing.

Zhai Da asked Lu Siwen to open her palm, and then handed the "Artistic Girl's Pen" to the "Artistic Girl".

Lu Siwen's eyes grew brighter and brighter: "This is..."

Zhai Da said, "Do you remember the Zhai-style learning method I taught you before the college entrance examination?"

"I remember! Of course I remember! I'm very familiar with formations."

"This is version 2.0. The formation is the same. Remember the order of 'Kobe' and 'Conan' so you don't get it wrong. In the new version, I don't need to transfer magic to you every day anymore. I've stored it all in this pen."

It can be true or false, it's all the same anyway. Little Deer is innocent, she'll understand.

“I think you can revisit ‘The Story of Dongyang’. I’ll lend you this pen until you’ve finished revising it.”

"Don't lose it, and don't lend it to anyone else. It's my personal property now."

Lu Siwen stood up abruptly!

"Don't worry! I'll take good care of your pen! Only you and I can use it!"

Holding onto Zhai Da's suitcase, she skipped and hopped.

They became a vibrant splash of youthful energy in the bustling airport.

(End of this chapter)