Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

Cultural Center.

Du Zhengxian's office.

Du Zhengxian sat alone behind his desk, the door locked tight.

The tea in the enamel mug turned a soy sauce color.

Today, I was summoned to the county revolutionary committee by Director Ma and given a lecture.

As the director of the cultural center and a veteran of eight years of resistance against Japan, Du Zhengxian was not immune to criticism from his superiors. But he had never been summoned for two consecutive days, and each time the criticism was more severe than the last.

The first day was marked by Ma Guoxiong's one-on-one criticism.

The next day was a one-on-two confrontation, with Feng Shih-kuan criticizing both Ma Kuo-hsiung and Tu Cheng-hsien together.

Miao Kai was truly furious this time.

Old Gao inspected Yuanxi for three days. These three days were basically Miao Kai's days of suffering.

After the symposium at the Yuanxi Hotel, Gao Lao enthusiastically took a car back to his birthplace, Gaojiayuanzi Village, the next day. The commune director had been notified in advance and made all the necessary arrangements. This part went relatively smoothly, including Gao Lao meeting with his old friend Gu Jianling from his youth. Back when Gao Lao fought in this county, he had been wounded twice, and it was Mr. Gu who cured him both times. This part also went well.

Feng Shih-kuan had originally planned to visit several communes for the rest of the trip.

But suddenly, Gao Lao said he wanted to visit the home of one of his old subordinates.

The result can be imagined.

Almost every time they visited a new place, Miao Kai's face would darken. They went to about ten places in a row. Cave dwellings, earthen beds, quilts patched upon patched, three people sharing the same pair of pants... Miao Kai's face had become completely bloodless.

Last night, Feng Shih-kuan was called into Miao Kai's room for a long talk. Clearly, Miao Kai was venting his anger on Feng Shih-kuan. Feng Shih-kuan didn't sleep a wink all night.

This morning, Feng Shih-kuan called Ma Kuo-hsiung and Tu Cheng-hsien into his office.

Feng Shih-kuan doesn't need to say anything more; simply repeating Miao Kai's original words is already very damaging.

In Miao Kai's words, the work of the cultural center is superfluous; it's creating difficulties where none exist.

Why can't we just showcase the advanced achievements of Yuanxi County in learning from Dazhai in agriculture? Why do we have to find another way?

Whose idea was this anyway?

This kind of eagerness to take credit and claim credit is unacceptable.

Du Zhengxian took a sip of herbal tea, making a gurgling sound in his throat.

Old Gao had just left, and the real punishment hadn't even been handed down yet. Du Zhengxian knew in his heart that this time the cultural center was definitely going to be used as a punching bag.

Miao Kai asked, "Whose idea was this?"

Du Zhengxian felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this.

Whose idea was this? It was Li Xiangqian's idea.

But Li Xiangqian's son is Li Dengyun's son. Li Dengyun is the deputy director of the county revolutionary committee.

How do we report this to our superiors?

If he exposes Li Xiangqian, he will offend Li Dengyun. If he doesn't expose him, he will have to take the blame for Li Xiangqian.

Du Zhengxian was restless and took another sip of cold tea from his enamel mug.

With a creak.

The office door was pushed open.

Du Zhengxian raised his head.

Du Lili.

Du Lili rushed in, looked at Du Zhengxian whose face was contorted like a walnut, and spoke.

"What happened? I heard from the staff at the cultural center that you were called in and criticized by the county leaders?"

Du Zhengxian's expression changed, and he slammed the enamel mug directly onto the table.

"Who spread the rumor?"

Du Lili smiled.

"With a face like yours, who else would you need to spread the word about?"

Du Zhengxian glared at her.

"I was there to report on my work, have a friendly chat, and summarize my work experience. To spout nonsense without knowing anything shows a complete lack of discipline. This cultural center is doomed to close down sooner or later."

Du Zhengxian sat in a chair, clutching his stomach with both hands, and turned his head away in anger.

Du Lili waved her hand.

"Oh, I understand. A friendly chat. A friendly chat."

Du Zhengxian pursed his lips and stared blankly at the teacup.

Du Lili pulled up a chair and sat down, taking a close look at her father.

"Alright. You're getting on in years, and you still want to improve so much. Take it easy."

Du Zhengxian did not respond.

"Where did you go yesterday? I didn't see you anywhere."

Du Zhengxian suddenly asked.

"I went to Huangyuan."

Du Zhengxian frowned.

"What are you doing in Huangyuan? Did you see Huiliang?"

Du Lili sighed.

"Sigh. It's all because of the symposium."

Du Zhengxian's brows furrowed even more deeply, enough to trap a mosquito.

"What kind of seminar?"

Du Zhengxian is now allergic to the words "symposium".

"Have you forgotten? The last time with the Huangyuan Poetry Society. We had agreed to publish the symposium in Huangyuan Literature and Art. But then they said it wouldn't work. I didn't understand, so I went to Huangyuan to ask Editor-in-Chief Jia in person."

"Just for this?"

"Hey, you don't understand."

Du Lili sighed.

"If this article is published, it will be especially important for the cultural development of Yuanxi. If Li Xiangqian's speech is published, he will become famous immediately. This will also be beneficial to the establishment of our Yuanxi Literary Society."

She sighed again.

"Sigh. It's all for Li Xiangqian's sake. I feel this is especially unfair to Li Xiangqian."

Du Zhengxian felt a slight headache.

"Mind your own business with Li Xiangqian. It's none of your concern. My daughter, you should use your energy to care for Huiliang instead."

"Huiliang hasn't encountered any unfair situations."

Du Lili pouted.

"Editor-in-Chief Jia said that Li Xiangqian's remarks were problematic and could not be published."

"I think Editor-in-Chief Jia is right."

Du Zhengxian loudly affirmed Huang Yuan's work in literature and art.

Du Lili paused for a moment and glanced at Du Zhengxian.

"Dad, you're so old-fashioned."

Du Zhengxian did not respond.

He knew perfectly well what was going on. When Editor-in-Chief Jia said that "opinions are not suitable for publication," it wasn't a matter of literary aesthetics, but something else entirely. Whether a poem can be published in *Huangyuan Literature* depends not only on its quality of writing but also on its ability to withstand scrutiny.

If Li Xiangqian's "money theory" had been made two or three years ago, it could have landed him in jail.

The wind has eased a bit now, but it's not something you can just climb anytime.

"You went all the way to Huangyuan and didn't even go to see Huiliang?"

Du Zhengxian changed the subject.

"I've met you."

Du Lili nodded.

"I'll have Huiliang transfer Runye over there as soon as possible."

Du Zhengxian felt his head ache even more.

"Why don't you just hand your father over to the police station?"

His voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"The couple is doing just fine; don't think I don't know what you're up to. I advise you to give up!"

"I just have feelings for Li Xiangqian. I don't care."

Du Lili tilted her head.

"you……"

Du Zhengxian was so angry that he slammed the enamel mug on the table again.

"I'll call Huiliang right now and tell him not to meddle in Li Xiangqian's family affairs."

"Stop hitting him."

Du Lili sighed helplessly.

"I'll call tonight. Runye said she doesn't want to go to Huangyuan."

Du Zhengxian's brows suddenly relaxed.

Heavenly Mother and Father.

Finally, some good news.

"That's more like it!"

He slammed his hand on the table.

"The couple is deeply in love, why do they have to force themselves into a long-distance relationship?"

He glanced at his daughter, his tone conveying both comfort and guidance.

"In this respect, Xiangqian's wife is more sensible than you."

Du Lili stood up from the chair and patted the dust off her pants.

Runye said it was because she couldn't bear to part with the students at the school.

"That's right. Runye is very responsible."

Du Lili walked to the office door, opened it, and turned around.

She looked at her father, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly upwards.

"Oh, right. Runye said she doesn't like Li Xiangqian."

"hey-hey."

Du Lili chuckled.

"Hehe what?"

Du Zhengxian's face instantly contorted into a grimace.

"Stop right there!"

Du Lili had already dashed out of the office.

The door slammed shut.

Du Zhengxian sat alone behind his desk, sticking out two fingers and jabbing his temples hard.

Brain pain.