Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

At 3 p.m., Du Zhengxian convened a meeting of the creative team members in the cultural center's business office.

The meeting room was basically just the business team's desks pushed against the wall, leaving a space in the middle with a few wooden chairs. A banner that read "Let a hundred flowers bloom and let the old emerge" hung on the wall. One of the thumbtacks below the banner was missing, and the right corner was drooping, but it had been taped back on.

There were five people present. Du Zhengxian sat in the middle, with Lao Yang and Xiao Zhao on his left, and Du Lili and Li Xiangqian on his right.

Du Zhengxian cleared his throat, picked up his enamel mug, took a sip of tea, and then spoke seriously.

"Comrades, we are holding this meeting today on short notice because we have an important political task."

He paused, then glanced around.

"Secretary Miao Kai of the Huangyuan Prefectural Committee will be coming to Yuanxi County next week to inspect the results of the 'Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture' campaign. Director Feng of the County Revolutionary Committee has instructed the Cultural Center to prepare a cultural performance to complement the inspection."

When Du Zhengxian mentioned Secretary Miao Kai, his tone noticeably rose by half an octave.

The local officials were the top leaders of the entire Huangyuan region. Du Zhengxian had worked at the cultural center for eight years, and the number of times he had been assigned to perform for local officials was extremely limited.

"I don't need to elaborate on the political significance of this mission. Everyone must attach great importance to it and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Li Xiangqian was sitting on the wooden chair on the far right, his eyelids slowly drooping. He had been gently pulled over by Xiao Zhao while he was dozing off in the reading room.

"Now, let's assign tasks."

Du Zhengxian took out a piece of paper with several items listed on it.

"Old Yang, you write the lyrics for the clapper talk. You're experienced, so I trust you with this task."

Old Yang nodded, his face expressionless. Writing clapper talk lyrics was his forte; he'd been doing it for fifteen years, and he could write them with his eyes closed.

"Xiao Zhao, you're in charge of drawing the stage backdrop. The backdrop for the Shigejie Commune last time was pretty good, so make sure it's to that standard this time."

"No problem," Xiao Zhao replied with a smile.

Du Zhengxian raised his head and his gaze fell on Li Xiangqian.

Li Xiangqian was on the verge of waking up, his head tilted slightly forward, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Comrade Xiangqian."

Li Xiangqian jolted awake and sat up straight.

"Are you getting used to life at the cultural center?"

Du Zhengxian asked with a smile.

Before Li Xiangqian could speak, Du Lili interrupted him.

"I'm used to it, I'm very used to it. On my first day at work, I was just like the big boss, I leaned back in my chair, covered myself with a newspaper, and fell asleep."

Upon hearing this, Du Zhengxian's expression stiffened, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

Xiao Zhao couldn't help but lower his head and suppress his laughter.

Old Yang's lips twitched downwards, and he didn't look at Li Xiangqian.

Li Xiangqian glanced at Du Lili, feeling puzzled.

What's wrong with Du Lili? Why does she keep attacking herself?

Thankfully, Runye forced herself to get up early this morning and wasn't late. Otherwise, who knows what kind of nonsense she would have made of her.

"Hey, Comrade Lili, you're joking."

Li Xiangqian coughed lightly, his face serious.

"I was so excited about working at the cultural center that I couldn't sleep all night. This morning I just closed my eyes and rested for a bit to get my energy ready for work."

Du Zhengxian quickly nodded to smooth things over.

"Hmm, Comrade Xiangqian is very enthusiastic."

Du Zhengxian cleared his throat and then continued to scan the entire room.

"There's a recitation in this cultural program that's a crucial part. The recitation not only needs to closely follow the advanced achievements of learning from Dazhai in agriculture, but also highlight the region's strengths. This matter..."

"I think this matter should be handed over to Comrade Li Xiangqian."

Du Lili suddenly interrupted Du Zhengxian and spoke directly.

Li Xiangqian...

"Didn't Director Du say that this step is very important, and there are so many leaders present? We can't do it, we can't do it."

Li Xiangqian quickly waved his hand, his tone resolute.

Du Zhengxian glanced at Li Xiangqian and pondered for a moment.

He began to plan. Secretary Miao Kai was coming to inspect, and Li Dengyun, as the deputy director of the county revolutionary committee, would certainly accompany him. If he had Li Xiangqian write the recitation text, Li Dengyun would undoubtedly gain face, and wouldn't that securely deliver the favor?

Why didn't I think of this?

Du Zhengxian glanced at his daughter, Du Lili, who was usually quite unreliable, but surprisingly possessed such political acumen, which he greatly admired.

"Comrade Xiangqian!"

Du Zhengxian turned his gaze to Li Xiangqian.

"Since you're new here, consider this a good practice session. You'll be in charge of writing the recitation script for this cultural performance."

Recitation text?

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment.

He got a job on his first day at the cultural center.

That's not what Yu Hua told me.

"Is everything alright?"

"No...no problem."

Li Xiangqian reluctantly agreed, glancing up at Du Lili, the instigator.

Du Lili was winking at him.

Old Yang sat opposite him, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

He'd been writing promotional materials for fifteen years; whenever the cultural center had a writing assignment, it was always his job. Now, someone who just arrived has been given a recitation script on their very first day?

What is a clapper talk script? It's a prelude, a warm-up, used to fill in the blanks before the recitation begins.

The recitation is the main program.

Old Yang suppressed his anger, picked up the enamel mug, took a sip of tea, and swallowed the tea with a crisp, clear sound.

"Alright, the meeting is now adjourned. Everyone must take this task very seriously. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

These words were directed at Li Xiangqian. Du Zhengxian's meaning was very clear: if you can't write it, you can come to me and I'll write it for you!

However, Li Xiangqian clearly didn't understand, and just hung his head, looking as if he was in unbearable pain.

As everyone left the venue, Du Lili suddenly walked around behind Li Xiangqian, patted him on the shoulder, and said...

"Write well, fellow poet."

Li Xiangqian: "..."

Dirt is a classic flavor...

evening.

As Runye rode her bicycle into the courtyard of the cultural center, dusk had just fallen.

Under the old locust tree at the entrance of the courtyard, Li Xiangqian sat alone on a stone stool, unconsciously tearing a locust leaf into thin strips.

What are you doing sitting here?

Runye stopped the car and braced one foot on the ground.

"Wait for you."

"There was a meeting at school today, so I got off work late."

Runye looked at his expression and found it somewhat amusing.

"It's just a short walk. If you can't wait for me, just walk back yourself."

"One step?"

Li Xiangqian threw the torn locust leaves on the ground and stood up.

"Show me how you walk four or five miles in one stride."

After saying that, he got on the back seat.

The Phoenix brand bicycle wobbled twice before leaving the courtyard of the cultural center.

"How was your workday?"

Runye gripped the handlebars, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, and asked.

"It was fine at first."

"..."

"Your friend, that Du Lili, does she have a grudge against me?"

Runye didn't turn around, and after thinking for a moment, she said.

"Yes, she hates evil as much as she wants."

"..."

Back home, Runye went into the kitchen, and Li Xiangqian followed to help. The two of them made do with dinner: a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar, which Runye cut, and a bowl of egg drop soup, which Li Xiangqian made. The main dish was two steamed buns that Runye had brought back from the school cafeteria, which she heated up.

At the dinner table, Runye noticed that Li Xiangqian was eating absentmindedly, his chopsticks poking at the shredded potatoes for a long time without putting them in his mouth.

"What's wrong? You're being picky about food again after just one day at work? You made all of these dishes yourself."

"Hey, it's not about the food."

Li Xiangqian put down his chopsticks and frowned.

"How can the work at the cultural center be like this?"

"how?"

"I received an assignment on my very first day. Some leaders from above were coming down for an inspection, and they asked me to write a recitation script."

Runye ate a meal with chopsticks.

"You're asked to write it?"

"Um."

"Can't the cultural center find anyone who can read?"

Stop gloating.

Li Xiangqian glared at her, then suddenly remembered something else.

"By the way, why did you take my recipe to show others?"

Runye felt a pang of guilt and paused for a moment before asking.

"Is this task given to you because of what you wrote?"

"I feel so."

"How was I supposed to know... I'll have to avoid her from now on."

After Li Xiangqian finished speaking, he stared at Runye.

Runye avoided his gaze and stuffed a large mouthful of shredded potatoes into her mouth.