I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 49 The dust has settled
Since it was a reunion after a long separation, Mikhail naturally talked with his mother and sister for a very long time, and talked about almost everything worth talking about.

Let’s talk about the cherry orchard in their hometown where Mikhail and Dunya often played when they were young, the changes in the lives of the neighbors around them, and then talk about those slightly bitter but also hopeful times…

Frankly speaking, it is difficult to hear much positive news in Russia today. In such an era, even though many people's lives are already difficult, they may become even more difficult at any time due to some other unexpected events.

It would be fine if life were just difficult. For many Russians, they are not only suffering, but also very clearly aware that they are suffering. In other words, they rarely endure it numbly, but face the suffering sincerely.

Just like the vast majority of serfs in Russia today, even though their thinking is indeed narrow-minded and ignorant to a certain extent, they are not completely ignorant of their situation. In the past few years alone, there have been almost thousands of serf uprisings in Russia every year.

The harsh living and geographical environment have shaped the character of this nation to some extent. The long winter and the awareness of suffering have also caused the Slavs to suppress volcanic emotions in their hearts.

In reality, the Orthodox Church is the most brutal of the several Christian denominations. Alcoholism and violence are rampant in society. Regardless of gender, Russians tend to have very strong personalities, are emotionally passionate, and do things without considering the consequences.

This sentiment is even more prevalent in literature. In "Quiet Flows the Don", the people seem to be fearless of life and death. War, disease, birth, old age, sickness and death all seem to be ordinary trivial matters.

In other works like "War and Peace", "Resurrection", "Childhood", etc., it seems that no matter whether it is a big character or a small character, everyone has their own pain and misfortune, and they are always reflecting on something. But even after going through hardships, in the end, it seems that all they get is pain.

Even if they return to religious salvation, will their hearts really be at peace?
Who can say that the characters created by Lao Tzu and Tolstoy really found happiness in the finale?

So what is truly bitter and humiliating is that this life does not end with the reward of suffering, not with the spectacular coda of an opera, but with death.

This has been the fate of most people throughout many eras.

In short, if they talked about reality for too long, Mikhail, his mother and sister would inevitably feel heavy-hearted, so when the conversation was almost over, Mikhail stopped the topic in time.

After all, we have been reunited after a long separation, so let this joyful mood last a little longer.

As for where his mother and sister should live for the time being, Mikhail quickly calculated in his mind and immediately found twenty rubles and handed them over.

To be honest, Mikhail has not earned much since he started writing, but fortunately he is frugal enough, and he has recently found an organization, which has saved him a lot of money on food, and he has also won a lot playing cards with Belinsky and others.

So, when he handed over the money, Mikhail smiled calmly and said:

"Mom, Dunya, take this money first. I know a pretty good hotel. You can stay there for a while. If you have any expenses, just tell me. I have plenty here."

Well, in addition to continuing to write, I also have Demi reserves, Panaev reserves, Turgenev dated limited edition reserves, Belinsky and Nekrasov... Forget it, they are all poor guys, and they are not considered reserves.

When Mikhail was thinking this, his mother was very happy and immediately believed Mikhail's words. However, his sister Dunya looked at Mikhail with a slightly skeptical look and said, "Brother, do you really have so much money?"

"Of course, I'm very rich." Mikhail's eyelids twitched slightly: "Give me some time, I can buy half of St. Petersburg!"

"Alright, alright." Glancing at her brother, who had suddenly become a bit boastful, with a bit of a headache, the quiet girl nodded and said, "You're an adult now. I hope you can have a clear plan for your financial situation. Otherwise, you might still need someone to help you manage it. If you don't have one for the time being, I'm willing to do it for you."

Mikhail: “…”

If I let you do it for me, my underwear will be exposed...

"I know. Let's talk about it later." He laughed it off and let the matter go for the time being. Soon, this reunion after three years finally came to an end in a warm atmosphere.

And Peter Petrovich, who had been mentioned several times by Mikhail and the others, was also wandering on the street with an indescribable mood at this moment.

To be more precise, he doubted whether what he had seen and heard a few days ago was true.
Since he had seen such a scene at Mikhail's last place and had written such words in his letter to Pulcheria, it was impossible for Peter Petrovich not to pay attention to the literary magazine "Fatherland Chronicle".

So on the day the latest issue of the magazine was published, this elderly gentleman rushed to a nearby bookstore to find out what it was.

He had originally wanted to see if Mikhail's name was mentioned in the magazine, but because the bookstore was so crowded, he heard the unpleasant name from someone else in the store first:
“Is there any new work by Mikhail Romanovich in this issue??”

"Yes, I've been looking forward to it for a long time!"

.........

After listening to the two novels with great annoyance among the young people, although Peter Petrovich felt that it was terrible, his heart sank to the bottom when he saw the enthusiastic reactions of the young people around him.

No matter how bad he thought the situation was, with the instigation of these short-sighted young men, everything he said in the letter suddenly became invalid.

Their family's financial situation would soon improve, and the words in his letter would undoubtedly cause great resentment among the family due to the current situation, coupled with the young writer's clear opposition.
In short, Pyotr Petrovich felt that his wish to find a well-educated young girl whom he admired the most was likely to be unfulfilled.

The timing was obviously right and the girl met all of Peter Petrovich's requirements, so how did it suddenly turn out like this?
Just as some newspapers have said, anyone can write these days!
Although he had been complaining in his heart and to people he knew for the past two days, and was indeed unwilling to accept it, when Mikhail's family began to renegotiate the matter with him, facing Pulcheria's sudden toughness and Mikhail's deep black eyes, Peter Petrovich softened.

And when Mikhail clearly enumerated what he had done and other reasons, even though Pyotr Petrovich was quite tolerant of him and good at defending himself, he was ultimately speechless and broke off the engagement, which was only a verbal agreement, in a rather embarrassing manner.

It seems meaningless to continue to entangle, so let's try to maintain the last bit of dignity.
(End of this chapter)