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

Chapter 603 Zhu Lin: I think I'm going to be a big sister!

In front of the Chinese Department building, Yan Jiayan took a sip of tea and told Liu Yimin that the specific award ceremony would be held next semester.

"Professor Yan, are you eating goji berries like they're your main meal?" Liu Yimin said quietly, glancing at Yan Jiayan's teacup.

Yan Jiayan's teacup is filled with dandelion and goji berries, which can nourish the kidneys while preventing internal heat.

Yan Jiayan glanced at the teacup and then glared at Liu Yimin: "You're still young. You'll understand when you're my age. Do you think I want to drink this?"

"Hahaha."

Hearing Liu Yimin's hearty laughter, Yan Jiayan quickly coughed and said, "You better keep your voice down, kid."

Liu Yimin's laughter attracted Wu Zuxiang, who, upon learning that Liu Yimin had won this year's "Advanced Individual in the Education System" award, congratulated him, saying, "Yimin, you're so young, keep up the good work. Being a model worker isn't easy; so many people are watching you!"

"Thank you, Professor Wu. I will definitely work hard," Liu Yimin said modestly.

Wu Zuxiang glanced at Yan Jiayan: "Has everyone watched the TV series 'Dream of the Red Chamber'?"

"I've read it, Professor Wu, I must congratulate you. When I went to record a program at the Central Radio Station, the people there were all saying that with the broadcast of 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' the sales of your cassette tapes of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' have continued to grow. You are now the most influential person in the field of Redology!"

The Chinese TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber" is currently airing and has sparked a surge in discussions about the novel. Many viewers are watching the series while also reflecting on Wu Zuxiang's interpretations of "Dream of the Red Chamber."

However, before filming the TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber", director Wang Fulin invited a large number of scholars of "Dream of the Red Chamber" to participate in the adaptation and guidance of the script.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about the TV adaptation. Some renowned experts on *Dream of the Red Chamber* have even publicly opposed the script adaptation. They believe that the novel is the best medium for *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and that adapting it for television would damage its narrative system, ideas, and so on.

Cao Yu and Wu Zuxiang both participated in the script adaptation, but mainly as consultants. Strangely, however, Wu Zuxiang's name did not appear in the list of consultants at the end of the series.

"Jiayan, your storytelling of 'Water Margin' is also quite good. Are you almost finished?" Wu Zuxiang immediately praised Yan Jiayan after hearing his flattery.

Wu Zuxiang pointed out several unsatisfactory aspects of the TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber".

Liu Yimin didn't read "Dream of the Red Chamber" much, but Zhu Lin and his parents did.

But usually when Zhu Lin gets home in the evening, he doesn't have the chance to watch "Dream of the Red Chamber" because he either plays with the two little ones or watches cartoons with them.

At their age, they couldn't possibly understand "Dream of the Red Chamber." Besides, there were some terrifying scenes in "Dream of the Red Chamber," which scared the two of them so much that they screamed.

Yan Jiayan laughed and said, "It will take some time to finish. Unlike you, many people don't understand my interpretation of *Water Margin*. In the minds of ordinary people, Liangshan Marsh in *Water Margin* is full of heroes, but if we look at it from another perspective, they are not like that. When the views of the academic community conflict with those of the general public, they will find it difficult to accept my views."

Fortunately, a significant portion of our audience consists of students and intellectuals, who are more receptive to novel viewpoints.

"After you finish your lecture, we'll also make a cassette tape of 'Water Margin' for you to play. Professor Yan, I believe it will be sold overseas." Liu Yimin praised him a few times before preparing to leave Yenching University.

Yan Jiayan, however, took Liu Yimin to his home for dinner. After dinner, Yan Jiayan took him to see Principal Ding Shisun.

Ding Shisun was busy with the arrangements for He Fengshan's lecture at Yenching University. Normally, he shouldn't be involved in such a lecture, but He Fengshan's international reputation is very high right now.

The relevant departments invited He Fengshan back to China before he was even on the island. His every move and the content of his speeches are being watched. If something happens, the international media will definitely sensationalize it.

"Yimin, congratulations on winning the title of Advanced Individual in the Education System. I hope you will continue your efforts and live up to the title of Model Worker of our entire system." Ding Shisun stopped his work as soon as he saw Liu Yimin and Yan Jiayan enter.

This year, Yenching University had a total of five professors who received the title of Model Worker and Advanced Individual in the Education System and were awarded the title of People's Teacher. Liu Yimin's actual working age is only a fraction of the others.

"Principal Ding, I will definitely continue to work hard." Liu Yimin and Yan Jiayan walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Ding Shisun had someone pour a cup of tea for the two of them: "Yimin, I asked Lao Yan to call you here. I want to hear you talk about He Fengshan. Based on his personality, I can have a good grasp of what he is going to say in his speech, so I can be more flexible if something goes wrong."

“Professor Ding, China Book and Periodical Press sent me several copies of Mr. He Fengshan’s lecture materials. I read them. In addition to talking about the rescue of the Japanese, he also talked about the international environment China faced at that time, the history of the War of Resistance against Japan, and his career as a diplomat.”

Mr. He Fengshan is a diplomat, so his oratory skills are certainly not a problem. Returning to the content of his speech at Yenching University, I think it's inseparable from his diplomatic career. He is a very patriotic diplomat; although he previously worked for the GMD, his love for China transcends politics.

Liu Yimin recounted his first visit to He Fengshan's home to Ding Shisun and He Fengshan, during which He Fengshan shared his personal experience of the saying "a weak country has no diplomacy."

Hearing this, Ding Shisun felt relieved: "Yimin, when He Fengshan arrives in Yanjing, the three of us will go to the airport to greet him. Leaders from the Propaganda Department and the United Front Work Department in charge of overseas Chinese affairs will be present."

"Row!"

After leaving Ding Shisun's office, Liu Yimin went into the Institute of Literature and Art's office and worked overtime for half an hour after get off work before leaving.

Inside the courtyard house, Zhu Lin looked at his parents, who were busy at work, and asked in surprise, "Mom and Dad, why are you both off work so early? You even called to tell me to come home early?"

Zhu's mother said with a smile, "It's all because of your dad. He called me around four o'clock and asked me to take a few hours off to buy pig's trotters in the east market and vegetables in the west market so I could cook a good meal tonight."

"Dad, what's the good news?" Zhu Lin asked, placing his bag in the study with a puzzled look.

Zhu's mother smiled and glanced at Zhu's father, then happily began picking vegetables. Her contented expression made Zhu Lin even more curious.

Father Zhu said mysteriously, "When Yimin comes back, we'll have a drink together, and then I'll tell you why."

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu exchanged a glance, their smiles barely concealed.

Zhu Lin suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, and a huge guess rose in his mind. Could it be that...?

Zhu Lin was playing outside with the two little ones in her arms. When Liu Yimin drove up to the door, Zhu Lin waved to him first.

"What's wrong, Zhu Lin?" Liu Yimin rolled down the car window, looking puzzled, and asked with a grin.

"Are Mom and Dad here?"

"Your parents are here? Did you go to pick them up from the train station?" Liu Yimin frowned.

"My parents, your parents-in-law."

Liu Yimin burst out laughing: "Mom and Dad, it's perfectly normal for them to come. They can even have a nice meal while they're here."

"That being said, Mom and Dad are acting strangely today."

"Strange? What happened?"

Zhu Lin shook his head: "Nothing happened, but the two of them were very happy. You don't know, the way Mom looked at Dad just now was different from usual."

"How are they different?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

"Tsk, how should I put it, it's like a couple deeply in love, their smiles revealing admiration and respect, do you understand?" Zhu Lin even gave Liu Yimin a live demonstration.

Liu Yimin wore an incredulous expression, an expression that was certainly not something Zhu's mother would make. Perhaps she had it when she was young, but it was long gone now.

"Director Zhu's performance was quite good. It's been a long time since you've given me that look."

Zhu Lin knocked on the glass and said somewhat impatiently, "Teacher Liu, I'm telling you something serious!"

"Hiss, that's really strange. Eldest brother, second brother, what did your grandparents say when they came?"

Liu Lin shook his head. Liu Yu tilted her head, her right index finger lightly tapping her cheek as if she was thinking: "Grandpa said something about being pregnant for ten months. Dad, I don't remember."

If you give me a lollipop, maybe I can think about it again.

"what!"

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin were both stunned, neither of them responding to Liu Yu's request for a lollipop.

Liu Yimin said incredulously, "Could it be?"

"No way!"

"Hiss, it does look like it!"

"Teacher Liu, don't talk nonsense, how could that be?"

“Why not? She’s not that old. What if she gets pregnant and I’ll be her older sister?” Liu Yimin slammed on the gas pedal. “I’ll park the car and go back to ask.”

"No, Dad just said he'd tell us himself later, and he also wants to have a couple of drinks with you."

Back in the courtyard, Liu Yimin suppressed his questions and quickly went into the kitchen, staring intently at Zhu's parents who were cooking.

"Something's not right," Liu Yimin muttered.

"What? Yimin, why are you staring at me and your dad? Is there something dirty on your face?" Zhu's mother asked suspiciously.

"No, no, Mom and Dad, why are you so happy today?" Liu Yimin couldn't help but ask.

"Haha, because there's good news!" Mother Zhu shook her head proudly.

In Liu Yimin's opinion, this action was something only a teenage girl would do. He walked out of the kitchen and gave Zhu Lin a gloating look.

At 6:30, the food was served one after another. Liu Yimin happily put the wine on the table and said, "Dad, let's drink more today. Congratulations. Anyway, don't worry, Linlin and I are both in a good mood."

Zhu's mother asked doubtfully, "A very good attitude?"

Zhu Lin kicked Liu Yimin with his foot, a clear warning, then looked up and smiled at his parents: "Mom and Dad, we know."

"knew?"

"Know what?"

"We know why you're all so happy today?" Zhu Lin said with a "don't pretend" expression.

"Why?" Zhu's mother asked with a smile.

Zhu Lin lowered his head and didn't speak: "Oh dear."

Liu Yimin said seriously, "Mom and Dad, go ahead and tell us the good news. Linlin and I are listening."

Father Zhu picked up his wine cup and poured himself a drink: "Ten months of pregnancy, one day of childbirth."

"Congratulations!" Liu Yimin raised his glass and said, "Dad, Mom, don't worry, I really like children. Although there's a big age gap, there's absolutely no generation gap."

Zhu Lin took a deep breath and said, "Mom and Dad, I know this isn't your fault. Mom, you still need to get a checkup to see if it's suitable. Also, the key issue is the policy; you both have jobs. Of course, if you decide to have the baby, Teacher Liu and I will support you."

"What?" Zhu's mother placed her hand on Zhu Lin's forehead. "He doesn't have a fever. What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Dad, Mom, don't you have one?" Zhu Lin asked instinctively.

Mr. Zhu's brows furrowed deeply: "What's wrong with you two today? I wanted to tell you that my paper has been published in the internal reference, and leaders at the provincial and ministerial levels and above can see my article. A high-ranking leader even sent me a letter of commendation, encouraging me to do solid research."

Hearing this, Zhu Lin and Liu Yimin breathed a sigh of relief. They had spoken sweetly, but the truth was still hard for them to accept.

Mother Zhu asked, "What are you two thinking about? You said you gave birth? What were you thinking?"

Zhu Lin awkwardly lowered her head and ate her rice. Liu Yimin laughed and said, "Oh dear, Mom and Dad, it's a misunderstanding. Linlin saw you two were so happy, and Xiaoyu said she heard you talking about ten months of pregnancy, so we thought... cough cough..."

There was no other way; Liu Yu had to take the blame. At such a young age, she was perfectly capable of shouldering the blame.

After realizing what was happening, Zhu's father burst into laughter: "When I said ten months of pregnancy, I meant the hardship of writing a thesis, it was just a metaphor. Xiaoyu is still young, what does she know!"

"You two are really something, believing everything you hear." Zhu's mother reached out and pinched Liu Yu's little face, unable to help but laugh.

"Dad, congratulations!" Liu Yimin said, raising his glass.

Mr. Zhu downed the wine in his glass in one gulp: "Yimin, thank you, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to find a way to publish it. This article has already been sent to car companies or relevant research institutes for reference. These dishes were all bought with the royalties. Xinhua News Agency is really generous with its royalties."

After finishing his drink, Liu Yimin couldn't help but kick Zhu Lin, his gloating expression obvious.

Zhu Lin also picked up his wine glass, congratulated his father, and then looked at his mother: "Mom, you should be nicer to my dad. If you weren't so nice to me, I wouldn't have misunderstood."

“You don’t understand, your dad likes me this way,” Zhu’s mother said casually.

Liu Yimin looked at Zhu's father and thought, "This father-in-law is involved in BDSM!"
"No, your dad likes someone to keep an eye on him. If I weren't in charge, he'd be all slovenly and go straight to his study, and none of you would want to talk to him."

Liu Yimin breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; the meal had been quite an adventure.

Even after getting into bed that night, Liu Yimin was still laughing non-stop. Zhu Lin said angrily, "Teacher Liu, I didn't mean it that way. You were the one who said it first."

"Really? Hahaha!"

Zhu Lin, his face dark, threw the clothes at Liu Yimin's head: "Serves you right for laughing! Serves you right for laughing!"

Liu Yimin folded Zhu Lin's clothes and placed them on the bedside table: "Come on, let's have a meeting in bed."

"If I didn't come, it would be because you laughed at me." Zhu Lin said this, but still smiled and came closer:

"Teacher Liu, if Mom and Dad really get pregnant, I really don't know what to do." Zhu Lin put her right arm around Liu Yimin's shoulder and whispered to him, leaning against his neck.

"Do you think it's appropriate to discuss this now?" Liu Yimin skillfully raised his hand.

"Come on, Brother Yimin!" Zhu Lin said in a deliberately low, seductive voice.

"Coming right here!"

Afterwards, Zhu Lin lay on Liu Yimin's chest and recounted the events of the evening once more.

The next day, after Zhu Lin went to work, Liu Yimin saw that it was almost time and immediately drove to Yanjing Airport. On the way, he encountered a convoy of vehicles from Yan University, and not far ahead were vehicles from the propaganda department and the united front department.

Upon arriving at the airport, everyone happily stood aside chatting, while several staff members stood by holding flowers.

When He Fengshan came out, everyone smiled and applauded to welcome him. He Fengshan said thank you and handed the flowers in his hand to He Manli, who was following behind him.

"Professor Liu, we meet again. You've carried this old man around the world quite a bit," He Fengshan joked.

Liu Yimin grasped He Fengshan's hand and said, "We should let everyone see the good deeds we've done. It's better than some countries fabricating touching stories."

He Fengshan was interviewed by CCTV reporters at the airport. He Manli smiled and said to Liu Yimin, "Professor Liu, I never thought my father would become a positive role model. We never imagined that one day we would be so popular in the United States."

"Ms. He, you've worked hard. Please take a good rest in Yanjing."

“There’s no chance to rest. Austria has already extended an invitation to us, inviting Father to return to Vienna,” He Manli said helplessly.

"Ms. He, thank you for your hard work."

"Haha, it's nothing, it's just that my father is a bit old. Actually, as long as he rests properly, taking a walk is no problem. My father has actually been quite happy lately. He didn't have many friends in San Francisco and felt quite bored. Being able to come out and see the world has made him feel much better than before."

I used to have trouble sleeping at night, but now I sleep soundly until dawn.

Ding Shisun and Yan Jiayan came over to talk to He Manli. When they learned that one was the president of Yenching University and the other was the head of the Chinese Department, He Manli quickly shook hands: "President Ding, Director Yan, thank you for your welcome."

"Ms. He, welcome back to the motherland." Ding Shisun said with a smile, talking about his experience in the United States: "I am not as famous as Yimin, otherwise Ms. He, as a reporter, would definitely know me."

After arriving in Yanjing, He Fengshan first attended a meeting organized by the Propaganda Department and the United Front Work Department. The United Front Work Department invited many former members of the KMT, such as Huang Wei and Zheng Dongguo, to discuss topics such as the changing times, international Chinese, work with overseas Chinese, and reunification across the Taiwan Strait. Liu Yimin listened to the meeting as an observer.

Afterwards, relevant departments took He Fengshan on a tour of Yanjing, including places such as the Forbidden City, the Old Summer Palace, and the Summer Palace.

However, due to the hot weather, He Fengshan was physically exhausted, and the trip was shortened considerably.

On the day He Fengshan gave his lecture at Yenching University, students from nearby universities flocked to Yenching. The lecture hall had limited capacity, so the university allocated seats in advance based on the number of students from each school. Because many people couldn't get in, chaos nearly broke out on campus.

P.S.: The next chapter will be released later, around 1 a.m.

(End of this chapter)