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

Chapter 556 Cao Yu, Leader of the Delegation to Latin America
After dinner on the first day of the Lunar New Year, people started coming to Yang Xiuyun's door, asking her to go up the mountain to worship the mountain god. Liu Fuqing refused to go because he was a Party member.

Zhu Lin and Gu Ping prepared to accompany Yang Xiuyun up the mountain. Liu Yimin felt that the two little ones didn't see many mountains in Yanjing, so he also went along.

Religious activities are now resuming in China, and burning incense and worshipping mountain gods are no longer things of the past. On the way up the mountain, everyone chatted with each other. At first, it felt cold, but gradually they started to sweat.

The snow on the mountain hadn't melted yet, and the two little ones wanted to play in it, but the mountain path was too narrow, so I had to carry them.

They left quickly, and they came back quickly too.

Upon returning, Zhu Lin whispered to Liu Yimin, "I never want to go up the mountain again."

"What's wrong?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

"They were all praising me, so much so that I felt embarrassed."

Liu Yimin rolled his eyes at her: "Well, you know how to use the 'praise before criticism' tactic now. Are you happy now that I've praised you?"

"Of course, who doesn't praise Teacher Liu's wife? Teacher Liu, aren't you happy?" Zhu Lin said smugly.

"Yes, yes, I'm so happy!" Liu Yimin touched Zhu Lin's face; beads of sweat were falling, and his body was starting to feel cold again.

Outside, Liu Fuqing stood in the yard and called to Liu Yu and Liu Lin to warm themselves by the fire, lest they catch a cold.

"Go on, Grandpa's calling you!" Liu Yimin smiled and used a towel to wipe their faces and necks.

With nothing else to do, Zhu Lin started flipping through Liu Yimin's old books and notes. While flipping through them, he even found a meal ticket that he hadn't used back in school.

"That's not right. I used to be dirt poor. If I had meal tickets, wouldn't I have gone to eat them?" Liu Yimin said, puzzled.

Zhu Lin examined it carefully and felt that the meal ticket was a bit strange, so he picked it up and looked at it for a while: "It looks like someone wrote words on it in pencil."

"It seems so. The pencil writing is too light, and it gets even harder to read after a while. There's nothing to see here, put it down!" Liu Yimin said calmly.

Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin: "Teacher Liu, what are you feeling guilty about?"

"Hahaha, why would I feel guilty?"

"Look at you, never mind. It's good to be a little confused sometimes!" Zhu Lin tucked the meal ticket into his book, put his hands behind his back, and walked out of the room.

Liu Yimin picked it up, glanced at it a few times, and said with a sneer, "I have nothing to hide."

All day long, everyone was looking forward to the "Qi Tian Le Spring Festival Gala". Once it started, the whole family sat in front of the TV with their rice bowls in hand.

As soon as the show started airing, everyone looked up to see Zhu Lin, but unfortunately, Zhu Lin came on stage quite late and it took a long time to see her.

Zhu Lin, dressed in royal attire, can only be described as "graceful and dignified." With a beautiful woman nodding her head and a melancholy expression on her face, she portrayed a lovelorn king.

The older sister-in-law clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Linlin, you look so beautiful!"

"Sister-in-law, stop praising her. If you keep praising her, she'll float away like a feather," Liu Yimin joked.

Zhu Lin gently pinched Liu Yimin's hand: "Sister-in-law, it's all makeup."

"Sigh, if the foundation isn't good, it won't turn out well."

On television, the actors from the Journey to the West crew, whether in costume or casual clothes, delivered vivid performances that made everyone laugh.

Liu Xiao Ling Tong's several tumbling movements elicited gasps of amazement from the three little ones, with Liu An, the eldest, even wanting to try and imitate them.

Unfortunately, before he could even dream of becoming the Monkey King, his older brother Liu Yiguo dragged him back to reality.

Finally, the immortals offered New Year's greetings, creating a lively atmosphere filled with music and shouts. After the program, the eldest sister-in-law asked Zhu Lin when "Journey to the West" would resume airing.

Zhu Lin said, "I don't know either, but I estimate it will be soon. Director Yang said that it will be finished filming this year, and it will probably be released in early 88."

"It was really tough!" the sister-in-law sighed, noting that it had taken so many years to make a single "Journey to the West" series.

"Mom, Mom, what are you doing on TV?" Liu Yu asked, hugging Zhu Lin's leg.

"Because this was taken by my mom before!"

Don't even mention children who don't understand why people appear next to them on TV; many adults nowadays also think that when TV shows are broadcast, it's a group of people acting out the scenes.

After watching other TV dramas for a while, everyone turned off the TV. Before they knew it, the eldest brother's son, Liu An, picked up a stick and started imitating Liu Xiao Ling Tong (the actor who played the Monkey King in the 1986 TV series). The eldest sister-in-law's hand, which was about to hit him, froze in mid-air.

"Still causing trouble? The bump on your head hasn't healed yet. If it weren't for the New Year, I would have given you a good beating already," the sister-in-law said fiercely.

It didn't scare Liu An, but it did scare Liu Yu and Liu Lin, who kept snuggling into Zhu Lin's arms.

Liu Yimin picked up Liu Yu and said, "Hahaha, I've always been too good to you two. Sister-in-law, you're making an example of someone."

"Hahaha! Liu Lin and his sister are so well-behaved. If this kid isn't properly disciplined, he'll be even harder to manage when he grows up." The sister-in-law laughed when she saw Liu Yu and Liu Lin's nervous expressions.

Not long after the first day of the Lunar New Year, it was time to return to Beijing. Because Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin were carrying two little ones, the two elders didn't pack too many things in their bags this time.

Seeing Yang Xiuyun's reluctant expression, Liu Yimin said with a smile, "Father and Mother, let's come back to Yanjing for a stay after the wheat harvest."

"I understand. You two drive carefully, and remember to send a telegram when you arrive in Yanjing!"

On the tractor, Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun gave earnest instructions, holding the two little ones tightly and refusing to let go.

Li Lanyong also came over to see Liu Yimin off. After the New Year, things would be a little easier at the factory. Liu Yimin told him to find a few suitable people to help him with management, because he couldn't always do everything by himself.

"Understood, Yimin. I'd like to wait a bit before the factory's profit sharing. We need to expand production, which requires money." Li Lanyong looked at Liu Yimin, who had contributed the most to the collective investment and would also receive the most profit sharing.

“Okay, you can decide for yourself. Keep some of the money on hand to mitigate risks. We can provide benefits for the team members, but we can’t let them act extravagant just because we have money. If business goes badly one day, the welfare expenses could crush the company,” Liu Yimin instructed.

Li Lanyong nodded emphatically: "I understand!"

On their way out of the village, they passed by the village primary school. Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin went down to take a look. Although the building wasn't particularly grand, it was perfectly adequate for the children's needs for schooling.

The four large characters "Yimin Primary School" at the entrance are particularly eye-catching. Inside, there is also a brief introduction of Liu Yimin and an essay titled "A Record of Leaving Ru County," which records Liu Yimin's journey out of Ru County.

"Let's go!" Liu Yimin prepared to leave after a short visit.

Li Lanyong asked with a smile, "What's wrong? This is the best primary school in the area. Besides the children from our brigade, children from other brigades are also here."

“My name has appeared too many times. By the way, there was a surplus when we built the primary school. Let’s use that money as a reward for the children. If it’s not enough, I’ll add some more.”

“No need, no need. The brigade will cover the rest of the money spent on rewarding the children. The scholarship will be named after Peking University and called ‘Yimin Academic Scholarship’,” Li Lanyong said immediately.

Liu Yimin pursed his lips: "You decide what to do!"

Li Lanyong laughed: "You're still not happy? If I do well in my studies, I'll use my name."

Upon arriving at the station, the family waved goodbye. Liu Yu and Liu Lin were reluctant to part with Liu An and tears streamed down their faces as they boarded the train.

Zhu Lin wiped away the tears from the corners of the two little ones' eyes: "We're both busy with work, so we live in the Overseas Chinese Apartment and the courtyard house. They don't have many friends except for playing by themselves."

"I'll start school in the summer, and then I'll make friends," Liu Yimin said helplessly.

On the evening of the eighth day of the first lunar month, the family landed in Yanjing. With more taxis available in Yanjing, they no longer needed to squeeze onto the bus to get back.

"Teacher Liu, shall we go see Mom and Dad tomorrow?" Zhu Lin asked.

"Okay, let's go first thing tomorrow morning!" After returning home, the family took a good shower, put on their pajamas, and relaxed on the sofa in the living room watching TV.

Liu Yimin was a little tired and was about to fall asleep on the sofa when Zhu Lin nudged his head: "Teacher Liu, the phone is ringing in the study."

"I go."

Liu Yimin walked into the study, and Cao Yu's caring voice came from the other end of the phone: "Just got back?"

"I just took a shower," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Cao Yu asked Liu Yimin how his trip home for the Spring Festival went, and Liu Yimin told him about his family's situation.

Cao Yu said enviously, "That's wonderful. The older people get, the quieter the house becomes."

“Teacher, we’ll come to see you the day after tomorrow,” Liu Yimin said.

"It's alright. Quite a few people came to our house. Actually, your teacher's wife and I have been so busy we haven't had a moment to breathe."

Liu Yimin understood Cao Yu's meaning. He didn't want this kind of lively atmosphere; he wanted his family and relatives, not his subordinates, to be sitting on the sofa.

"Okay, I called you because there's something. The delegation to Latin America has been finalized. Guess who's leading the team?"

“It’s definitely not me,” Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Cao Yu didn't rush to answer, letting Liu Yimin guess again.

"Qian Zhongshu, the old man?"

"He is there, but he's not the team leader. Guess again!"

"Ba Jin? But Mr. Ba's health isn't very good these days."

"Guess again!"

"Could it be you?"

"Why can't it be me, kid? Am I not worthy to be your teacher?"

"You're really going? I'm surprised."

“There’s no way I can go. I’m in the drama business. But the Federation of Literary and Art Circles thinks that someone has to be in charge. After looking around, they found me. Comrade Zhongshu and you are both deputy heads of the troupe. Old Shen said that we should give young people opportunities and let you gain more experience. In the future, when you go out, we won’t have to send someone to keep an eye on you every day.”

Sending Cao Yu out was not only the opinion of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, but also the opinion of higher authorities. If Cao Yu is to be elected as the chairman of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles next year, he needs to be given more exposure and participate in some important events.

Cao Yu is set to serve several consecutive terms as chairman of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and Liu Yimin's days of dominating the literary and art circles are just around the corner.

"I haven't gone out with you yet, but I will definitely do my best to assist you," Liu Yimin said happily.

"Just don't scare me to death. You're always restless wherever you go, which is why the Federation of Literary and Art Circles is worried about you."

After Cao Yu finished speaking, Li Yuru, who was next to him, took the phone and asked Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin how their New Year was, and whether the two little ones had caused any trouble.

"Master's wife, they are both very happy and will come to see you the day after tomorrow!"

"Okay, you've just gotten back, so get some rest too." Li Yuru hung up the phone with a "click".

Cao Yu rubbed his temples: "I haven't told Yimin the specific list of my delegation yet!"

"Anyway, there's still a month before you set off, so you'll have plenty of time." Li Yuru pulled Cao Yu to go to sleep.

Zhu Lin walked in and asked, "Is this for Teacher Wan?"

"Yes, the list of the delegation to Latin America has been finalized, and Professor Wan will be the leader."

"That's a good thing. With Teacher Wan around, he can clean up your messes in time if anything happens," Zhu Lin said subconsciously.

Liu Yimin looked at Zhu Lin: "What could possibly happen? I'm not one to cause trouble. Besides, I can clean up my own mess."

"Haha, come on, go to sleep, the two little ones' heads are drooping." Zhu Lin laughed and pulled Liu Yimin up from his seat.

The two slept exceptionally well that night. Although the cotton quilt was nice, they were covered with too many blankets, making it difficult to turn over. When they got up the next morning, they didn't even need to lift the covers; the Siberian cold air rushed into the bed.

The next day, just after I finished making breakfast, Ximei knocked on the door and came back to work, wearing new clothes and dressed very beautifully.

Zhu Lin laughed and said, "Young people should be like this, without makeup, just wearing nice clothes makes them look energetic. Xi Mei, how was the New Year?"

“Professor Liu, Sister Lin, Happy New Year! I’m doing very well. Now that I’m here, our income is higher, and everyone at home is very happy during the New Year. Yesterday, Xiangdong even invited me to go boating at the Summer Palace. He’s a really fast rower,” Ximei said excitedly.

Zhu Lin shared her dating experience: "You two should get along well. Dating is about mutual tolerance. Everyone has flaws."

"Okay, Sister Lin. I'll tidy up the house this morning. The sun is shining outside, so I'll air out the blankets and stuff too."

"Thank you for your hard work. Teacher Liu and I are going back to my parents' home."

Xi Mei put her bag back in her room and got ready to work. Liu Yimin smiled and handed her a "start-of-work red envelope": "Xi Mei, Happy New Year!"

"Thank you, Professor Liu."

"It's okay!"

When they arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Zhu's place, the two of them happily hugged Liu Yu and Liu Lin, showering them with kisses and asking after their well-being. Finally, they stuffed a red envelope into their pockets.

"Mom and Dad, why are you giving us money? We're too young, we don't know how to spend it yet!" Zhu Lin said.

“If you don’t know how to spend it, just save it. You can give it to them as pocket money when they go to school, or save it for college. Although they don’t need our financial assistance, it’s still a token of our goodwill,” said Zhu’s mother.

Mr. Zhu straightened the clothes of his two sons and said, “I think the day when tuition fees for college are not far away is coming soon. The current series of policies prove that the country cannot, and does not have, the financial resources to support free college education.”

"Our Yenching University has already started discussing pilot programs, but the fee will only be charged to students who are not part of the planned training program; students within the planned program will still receive free tuition."

Instead of preparing a meal for the two of them, Zhu's parents suggested that they go and visit Cao Yu and Li Yuru.

Liu Yimin first called Cao Yu and Li Yuru to ask if they were busy at home. If they were, they wouldn't go to join in the fun.

"Coming today? Come on in! Your teacher has already put up a 'No guests allowed' sign at the door, no one else is coming," Li Yuru said happily.

Upon hearing this, the whole family immediately went to Muxidi. Zhu Lin's driving skills were becoming increasingly proficient, and he was currently in a phase where his driving confidence was rapidly expanding. Liu Yimin, sitting in the passenger seat, would occasionally give him a nudge.

Zhu Lin smiled and said, "Teacher Liu, I understand. We should have reverence for cars and care for pedestrians."

“Linlin, Yimin is right, we can’t be careless,” said Zhu’s father.

"Got it, Dad!"

When we arrived at Muxidi, it was unusually crowded. Since it was home to high-ranking officials, holidays were the perfect excuse to visit them.

Liu Yimin also met several people from the arts and culture circles, who shook their heads and carried gifts as they came downstairs.

Zhu's father said in bewilderment, "It's already the eighth day of the lunar month, and there are still quite a few people coming to see Dean Wan!"

"Most people have a very sensitive nose!"

(End of this chapter)