Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 516 The courtyard house in Yanjing had a total of one shi (a unit of dry measure), with Liu Yimin and Zheng Yuanjie each receiving five dou (another unit of dry measure).

At nine o'clock in the morning, Liu Yimin hung up the phone with the Institute of Literature and wanted to stay in bed a little longer. Liu Yu and Liu Lin strolled into the bedroom, taking on the mission of "waking Dad up," and started calling out to him in unison by the bedside.

"Dad, sleep a little longer," Liu Yimin said weakly.

Liu Lin tugged at the blanket: "Dad, Grandma wants you to get up and eat."

"Get up and eat!" Liu Yu shouted loudly, hands on her hips.

"go out!"

Liu Lin hesitated for a moment, but Liu Yu was not afraid and began to climb onto the bed with her shoes on. The wooden bed was high, and Liu Yu was likely to fall while climbing up.

Liu Yimin quickly threw off the covers: "Okay, okay, Daddy, get up. Little Auntie, hurry up and go out."

Liu Yu then stopped, pointed her little finger at Liu Yimin and said, "Grandma said that Dad is a lazybones!"

Liu Yimin ignored her, quickly put on his clothes, turned off the air conditioner, and took their hands as they left the bedroom.

Liu Yimin went to the bathroom to wash his face. Liu Yu and Liu Lin boasted to Yang Xiuyun about their accomplishment. Liu Fuqing watched from the side, laughing non-stop at the chubby-faced Liu Lin and the mischievous Liu Yu.

Liu Yimin went into the kitchen, took the food he had saved, and sat down under the ginkgo tree to eat with relish.

The streets were already getting hot at nine o'clock. When Liu Fuqing swept the yard in the morning, he made a point of sprinkling water on it, and the yard had a cool smell unique to bluestone slabs.

Under the ginkgo tree, Liu Yimin finished his meal and put down his chopsticks. Yang Xiuyun brought a stool and moved closer to Liu Yimin: "How's it going with Ximei's boyfriend?"

"Huh?" Liu Yimin was slow to react for a few seconds before quickly realizing what was going on: "Oh dear, I haven't been to the editorial department of 'King of Fairy Tales' lately, so I haven't had a chance to say it."

"You'd better hurry up. If you promise someone something, you have to do it," Yang Xiuyun instructed.

Xi Mei, who was in the kitchen, vaguely heard the conversation between the two. Her hands slowly stopped moving, and she unconsciously moved towards the door, wanting to hear more clearly.

Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Okay, Mom, don't worry."

Liu Yimin brought the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen, and Ximei quickly got to work, her cheeks flushed.

After putting down his chopsticks, Liu Yimin didn't say anything. As he walked outside the kitchen, he made a point of saying, "Dad, Mom, I'm going out for a bit to deliver the manuscript to Lao Zheng."

"Row."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu and Liu Lin clung to Liu Yimin's legs, wanting to go out and play with him.

"You two just stay home, Dad can't give you a ride." Liu Yimin gently tapped Liu Yu's nose.

Liu Yimin went into the study and busied himself for a while, sorting and placing the manuscripts. The screenplay for the movie about Deng Xiaoping was almost finished, and the first draft would be ready to be submitted the day after tomorrow.

After packing up, I lay on the rocking chair and dozed off for a while. Then I put the manuscript of "Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes" in my bag and rode towards the editorial department of "King of Fairy Tales".

Upon arriving at the editorial office, a postman was delivering readers' mail inside. Liu Yimin parked his car and helped carry the mail inside.

"Yimin, what a rare guest! What brings you here today?" Guo Weiwei asked with a smile.

"I'll send over the latest episode of 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes' to avoid delaying the printing at the end of the month."

Guo Weiwei nodded, then called out towards the study, "Old Zheng, Yimin is here."

Zheng Yuanjie opened the door and came out, saying with surprise, "Yimin, you're here?"

"Old Zheng, are you writing something?"

Zheng Yuanjie quickly replied, "No, no, I usually write in the morning. I'm reading a book, your 'The Pilgrimage of One Man.' I think it's very well written, with delicate emotions; such emotions could even be used in a fairy tale."

After the postman left with the reader's letter, Zheng Yuanjie said, "The children are so energetic. They receive packages of letters from readers every day. The post office even set up a mailbox at the entrance for their convenience. The children look up and see 'Grandpa Zheng.' After seeing that, I feel a great sense of accomplishment."

Not only mine, but also some for you. You can call me 'Grandpa Liu' now.

"Haha, I really don't deserve to be called Grandpa. Children are simple-minded; they treat characters from fairy tales as friends." Liu Yimin walked into Zheng Yuanjie's study.

Zheng Yuanjie wasn't lying. There was a copy of "Harvest" magazine on his desk, and the page was exactly turned to the one about "The Pilgrimage of One Man." It was covered with dense notes on his reading experience, indicating that he had read it several times.

Zheng Yuanjie's study looked rather messy, with several issues of "King of Fairy Tales" lying on the floor.

"The sales of 'King of Fairy Tales' have already reached 600,000 copies per issue, and the growth momentum is still increasing. The comics are also developing rapidly, now selling about 250,000 copies per issue, but the growth momentum is not as fast as that of the text version of 'King of Fairy Tales'." Zheng Yuanjie pulled out a piece of paper from the cabinet, which was the data sent by the distribution office.

After the number of copies sold exceeded 500,000, Liu Yimin and Zheng Yuanjie's revenue sharing changed. With such sales, including both the text version and the comic version, Liu Yimin could receive more than 20,000 yuan.

“It’s normal that the comic book version is expensive and not many people buy it. As long as there’s a profit, we can continue. Old Zheng, this is the latest manuscript of ‘Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes’.” Liu Yimin put the manuscript on the table.

Zheng Yuanjie picked it up and quickly glanced through it: "The storyline of this episode is very suspenseful. Also, the bet between Da Ben and Niu Xuanfeng is quite interesting. What is the development of their story afterward?"

"They are brothers and enemies. Da Ben is the master of the Thunder Sword. Both of them are straightforward, honest, loyal, and like-minded, enjoying drinking and gambling," Liu Yimin said.

"What a pity, what a pity, such a good brother couldn't make it to the end," Zheng Yuanjie said regretfully.

Zheng Yuanjie put down his manuscript and told Liu Yimin some good news: he had bought a courtyard house a few days ago, right next door.

“I saw them moving furniture when I went out the other day, so I went up and asked them. I didn’t expect they were actually selling it. I bought it for 40,000 yuan. It’s a three-courtyard house.” Zheng Yuanjie happily pulled Liu Yimin over to visit.

The interior is currently undergoing renovation, and Zheng Yuanjie has also moved some flowers and plants over.

"Finally, we have our own courtyard. Yimin, thank you. Without you, there would be no 'King of Fairy Tales' magazine. Without 'King of Fairy Tales' magazine, I wouldn't be able to afford a courtyard." Zheng Yuanjie said with emotion as he stood in the middle of the two-courtyard house.

Mentioning that old tenement building, Zheng Yuanjie felt a pang of bitterness. The building was small and poorly soundproofed; if he and his wife were doing anything, the neighbors could hear everything clearly.

Now that we have courtyard houses, we can shout at the top of our lungs without fear.

Liu Yimin gave Zheng Yuanjie a few suggestions on the renovation. Zheng Yuanjie smiled and said, "Okay, I'll pay attention to the bathroom and shower area. I don't want to have to go to the outside toilet every day."

After the courtyard house is renovated, Zheng Yuanjie and Guo Weiwei's family will move in, but the editorial office will remain unchanged, and Liang Xiangdong will continue working next door as usual.

However, Liang Xiangdong's class was indeed a bit lonely; he was a solitary guardian of the editorial department of "King of Fairy Tales".

Zheng Yuanjie suddenly asked, "Yimin, the price of courtyard houses has risen sharply recently. Do you think it's a bad deal to buy one?"

"What's wrong? Still want to buy?"

"I want to learn from you and buy more yards to display readers' letters."

“Buy it, you won’t lose out. I bought my courtyard for over 7,000 back then, and now it’s worth at least 50,000. The other courtyards have at least quadrupled in value,” Liu Yimin said.

After being told this by Liu Yimin, Zheng Yuanjie made up his mind to buy a house when he had money.

"What if one day, all the courtyard houses in Yanjing end up in our hands?" Liu Yimin joked.

Zheng Yuanjie rubbed his hands together: "The entire courtyard of Yanjing has a total of one shi (a unit of dry measure), and you and I each have five dou (another unit of dry measure)."

"Hahaha!"

Since buying ten courtyards, Liu Yimin has lost count.

"It's said that the real estate market is also going to be reformed, but I don't know where the reforms will go?" Zheng Yuanjie felt that Liu Yimin had inside information.

Liu Yimin casually remarked, "It's about confirming property rights, similar to the West, implementing a property ownership certificate system. If it's yours, you'll be issued a certificate. The country is exploring the commercialization of real estate."

"Oh, that's good news."

At noon, Guo Weiwei pulled Liu Yimin to stay in the courtyard for lunch.

"Yimin, you don't look too well today. Did you skip breakfast? I specially cooked some yam and pork rib soup. Try it. Old Zheng has been addicted to it lately." Guo Weiwei served Liu Yimin a bowl.

Zheng Yuanjie nudged Liu Yimin on the shoulder and chuckled, "Try it, it's very nourishing!"

"I was busy all day yesterday and didn't go to bed until one or two in the morning. I'm a bit tired," Liu Yimin explained.

"Yes, I understand." Zheng Yuanjie put another piece of yam on Liu Yimin's plate.

Liu Yimin looked at Liang Xiangdong: "Little Liang, you don't have a girlfriend yet, right?" "No, I don't," Liang Xiangdong replied nervously when the topic turned to him.

Liu Yimin asked, "Have you found anyone you like?"

"What? Yimin, are you here today to introduce someone to Xiangdong?" Zheng Yuanjie asked curiously.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Just asking."

"No, Professor Liu, we live in a hutong (traditional alleyway). My older brother just got married, and I have a girlfriend, but we don't have anywhere to get married," Liang Xiangdong said helplessly.

"It's just dating, you're overthinking it."

Liu Yimin had no experience in matchmaking, but after chatting for a while, he steered the conversation toward Ximei.

Zheng Yuanjie and Guo Weiwei, who were standing nearby, realized that they were trying to find a partner for the nanny. Guo Weiwei winked at Zheng Yuanjie, who immediately understood: "Xiangdong, I think Ximei is a good match. She's clever, skillful, and eloquent. The key is that you know her well."

"Xi Mei?" Liang Xiangdong asked instinctively.

Liu Yimin immediately retorted, "What? You think Ximei isn't good enough for you?"

"No, no, no, that's not it." Liang Xiangdong stammered in a panic, which made Liu Yimin, Zheng Yuanjie, and the other two burst into laughter.

Liang Xiangdong blushed and asked everyone not to laugh, then cautiously asked, "Professor Liu, would Ximei like me?"

"Oh, it seems like this is a couple who never confessed their love, like Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai!" Guo Weiwei clapped her hands with a smile.

Liu Yimin breathed a sigh of relief; he could finally go back and explain things to his mother.

Guo Weiwei said, "Xiang Dong, are you stupid? If Xi Mei didn't like you, why would Comrade Yi Min ask? It must be that Xi Mei told Comrade Yi Min."

Liang Xiangdong hurriedly looked at Liu Yimin, his eyes wide open, his face full of longing, not daring to blink.

“Yes, I know what Ximei is thinking, so I came to ask. Xiao Liang, should you be bold and pursue your love? I'll give Ximei a day off tomorrow. You can ask her to see a movie or go to the park or something,” Liu Yimin said.

"Okay, Professor Liu, thank you!" Liang Xiangdong said loudly.

Instead of eating, Liang Xiangdong ran out of the editorial office to the nearest movie theater to see if there were any tickets available.

Zheng Yuanjie said with a smile, "Xiang Dong is a good kid. He is meticulous in accounting, and most importantly, he loves to learn. Our magazine's accounts are simple, but he is willing to learn some complex financial knowledge, which is very good. It's just that he is a bit introverted sometimes. It's rare to see a young man quietly staying in the room all day."

“Old Zheng, if things get busy in the editorial department, it wouldn’t be bad for you to hire another employee. Sometimes it’s necessary to share the workload,” Liu Yimin said.

"it is good."

After finishing his meal, Liu Yimin didn't stay long at Zheng Yuanjie's place. He first went to Dashilan and bought three roast ducks, along with some cooked food. Before returning to the courtyard house, he also needed to buy some vegetables at the Chaonei Market.

Professor Wu invited all the trainees from the Institute of Literature to dinner, so it wouldn't be right for me not to invite them before the course ended.

Meat at the Chaonei Market is no longer rationed; you can buy as much as you want. It's perfect for large gatherings, especially for hot pot.

Liu Yimin bought several kinds of meat. The beef and mutton were rolled up, and it wasn't enough for just hot pot, so he also stir-fried several dishes with pork.

"Boss, give me five catties of tofu, three catties of bean sprouts, and some greens, I'll take the greens too."

Nowadays, bean sprouts are grown without any technology. The roots are not long or white, and they look very thin, but they taste great.

Back at the courtyard house, Liu Yimin took a pile of ingredients into the kitchen and told Ximei to cook early today, as the group of people would be coming around four o'clock.

"Okay, Professor Liu, don't worry. I'll have a good idea of ​​how many people there will be."

"Let's do it for fifteen people." Besides the teachers, there were also Yan Zhen and a few other staff members.

Yang Xiuyun was playing with the two little ones when she heard that there were fifteen people. She was startled and quickly went to the kitchen to help.

Liu Yimin cleaned the copper pot and placed two in the yard, mainly because there were only two in the house.

Around 3:30, Dai Jianye and his group arrived in the courtyard. After entering, they first greeted Liu Yimin, followed by Yang Xiuyun and Liu Fuqing. The two were overjoyed to hear their greetings of "Uncle and Aunt."

When it was Dai Jianye's turn, he ran over and playfully called out, "Teacher Tai!"

"We didn't come here just to feed you. Come wash the vegetables with me," Liu Yimin said.

A group of people rolled up their sleeves and got busy, teasing Liu Yu and Liu Lin as they picked vegetables.

When Liu Yu and Liu Lin saw so many people arrive, they ran around the yard like crazy.

By five o'clock, the food was almost ready, and two copper pots were placed in the middle of the courtyard, steam rising into the air.

One hot dish after another was brought to the table, but no one touched their chopsticks because Zhu Lin had not yet returned.

Xi Mei placed the last dish on the table: "My cooking skills are not good. If you feel that the taste is not right, I will make it again in the kitchen."

"It must taste delicious. The aroma is making my stomach rumble," Yan Zhen said with a smile.

Zhu Lin returned home from get off work at 5:30. Yan Zhen called out "Teacher's wife," and the others joined in, also calling out "Teacher's wife."

Zhu Lin quickly said, "Everyone, please sit down and eat. Your teacher, Ms. Liu, has been saying she wants to invite you to her home for a meal, but unfortunately, we never have the time."

Dai Jianye and the others looked at Zhu Lin with curiosity, secretly giving Liu Yimin a thumbs up in their hearts. A teacher is indeed a teacher!
"Alright, everyone, hurry up and eat. This is what it's like to eat at home." Liu Yimin waved his hand, telling them not to be polite anymore.

After Liu Yimin took a bite of food, the others quickly started eating. For a moment, the sound of chopsticks clattering against plates and the sound of swallowing filled the courtyard.

After taking a few bites, Yi Zhongtian praised, "Delicious, Teacher Liu. We didn't even have lunch because we came here to freeload."

"Look at you guys, so pathetic. Hurry up and eat. If you're not full, I'll have someone go buy some cooked food," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Liang Yong'an said, "That's enough, that's enough. Please don't listen to Lao Yi's nonsense. We didn't eat lunch because we weren't hungry."

"Haha, Lao Liang, you're not telling the truth," Dai Jianye teased.

Looking at this group of people, Yang Xiuyun was overwhelmed with maternal love and told them to eat as much as they wanted, and to come whenever they wanted to eat.

Zhu Lin said, "Your teacher Liu praises you at home every day, saying that the teachers who came for training this year have a high level of knowledge and will definitely become the backbone of domestic literature professors in the future."

"Really? Professor Liu, you clearly said at the Institute of Literature that we were the worst class you've ever taught." Yi Zhongtian's lips were bright red from the spiciness of the hot pot.

Liu Yimin laughed and scolded, "How many training sessions has the Institute of Literature and Art ever held? You're just stirring up trouble."

“Strictly speaking, we are the first cohort. Comrade Li Liangrong is considered to be with us, while Comrade Zhang Liqun, who came even earlier, is an exception.” After a long analysis, Dai Jianye assigned these people the title of senior brother.

Liu Yimin said, "Go back to your respective schools and do your jobs well. The teachers who will be training you later are watching. But don't try to form any academic alliances or cliques."

"Understood, Teacher Liu."

Ximei then brought three large watermelons and cut them open in the yard so everyone could share them.

At 8 p.m., the group finished their meal. Liu Yimin called Yi Zhongtian, Dai Jianye, and a few others into the house, returned their papers to them, and the rest of the group helped clean up the mess in the yard.

"There are scores above. Dai Jianye's highest score is 90. You two are 85 and 79 respectively. Go back and take a good look at the comments."

"Understood, Teacher Liu." Yi Zhongtian's score didn't surpass Dai Jianye's, and he was a little down.

Hai Zi was helping to wipe the table when Liu Yimin walked over and asked in a low voice, "How was the meal?"

"I'm full, Teacher Liu."

"How do you feel about the atmosphere of this gathering?" Liu Yimin asked.

"It's very lively, but sometimes I'm a little scared. Perhaps, as Mr. Lu Xun said, 'Human joys and sorrows are not shared,' I just find their noise annoying."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. Humans are social animals. There's no need to deliberately find a corner to hide yourself in. Quietness has its advantages, and liveliness has its own fun."

(End of this chapter)