Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

Early the next morning.

At the entrance of the Ministry of Transport's residential compound.

Li Xiangqian got off the back of Runye's bicycle, holding a watermelon in his arms.

Old Hou brought the watermelon over yesterday evening. He said it was an extra one from the transportation department's canteen, and he wanted to give one to Li Xiangqian's family so they could try it. In Yuanxi County in 1978, watermelons were still a rarity; city dwellers could only enjoy them twice a year, during the summer.

Li Xiangqian held the watermelon in his arms and gave instructions to Runye.

"Don't worry about dinner. Ask Ms. Li from your office to bring some more for you. Buy some green beans, the tender kind."

Runye rolled her eyes.

"understood."

"And garlic. Buy a few more."

"understood."

"I want scallions too."

"Li Xiangqian, aren't you annoying?"

Runye impatiently started pedaling her bicycle.

"Okay, okay."

The car drove out of the residential compound and headed towards Chengguan Primary School.

Li Xiangqian, holding a watermelon, watched Runye's retreating figure, chuckled, and turned to enter the courtyard of the cultural center.

In the studio, Lao Yang was already hunched over the table looking at materials, while Xiao Zhao was mixing paints behind the easel.

Li Xiangqian put the watermelon on the table.

"Bang."

The two of them looked up at the same time.

"Where did it come from?"

Xiao Zhao's eyes immediately lit up.

"Old Hou downstairs gave it to us, saying it was from the transportation department. Runye and I couldn't bear to eat it ourselves, so we brought it here specifically to help our colleagues at the cultural center cool off in the heat."

Li Xiangqian looked righteous and awe-inspiring.

"Xiao Zhao, go to the cafeteria and borrow a kitchen knife."

"Why!"

Xiao Zhao dropped the paint palette and ran off like a gust of wind.

Old Yang slowly raised his head from the materials, looked at the watermelon, and then at Li Xiangqian.

Li Xiangqian waved his hand.

"Old Yang, could you fetch me a basin of cold water to cool the watermelon down first?"

Old Yang grunted in agreement, rummaged under the table for a while, pulled out an enamel basin, and carried it to the canteen behind the county cultural center.

Xiao Zhao quickly returned with a kitchen knife. Li Xiangqian took the knife, chilled the watermelon in cold water for a while, then placed it on the table and chopped it into eight pieces with a few quick snips.

"Give one to Old Wu in the reading room first."

Li Xiangqian directed Xiao Zhao.

"Give another one to the sales office. Oh, take a few more, there are a lot of people there."

Xiao Zhao carried enamel plates in and out, running around like a waiter.

Li Xiangqian took a piece for himself and took a bite.

It's sweet. It would definitely be better chilled. But chilled in cold water is also acceptable.

He silently added a star to Lao Hou's name in his heart.

After a while, Xiao Zhao returned from the business office.

The enamel plate in my hand is empty.

But the expression on his face was somewhat complicated.

"forward."

Xiao Zhao spoke cautiously.

"The curator wants to see you."

Li Xiangqian was biting into a watermelon.

"Why did you call me?"

"I don't know. The curator doesn't look well."

Li Xiangqian glanced at Xiao Zhao.

Xiao Zhao's expression betrayed his thoughts. He had clearly heard something, or guessed something, but dared not say it.

Old Yang happened to come in from outside and overheard this. He paused for a moment, said nothing, and sat back down in his seat.

There was a two-second silence in the studio.

Li Xiangqian finished eating the watermelon in his hand, put the rind on the table, and clapped his hands.

"Okay. I'll go take a look."

Li Xiangqian arrived at the business office.

Du Lili was sitting at her desk, enjoying a slice of watermelon. Her eyes lit up when she saw Li Xiangqian enter.

"Oh dear, Comrade Li Xiangqian."

She held up the half-eaten watermelon in her hand.

"Thanks to you, I got to eat the first watermelon of 1978 today."

Li Xiangqian scoffed.

"Old Hou from the transportation department downstairs delivered it. Runye and I couldn't bear to eat it. Let me show you what it means to love your home and business."

"Still love the museum and the home."

Du Lili's eyes crinkled with laughter.

Li Xiangqian didn't continue the conversation, but gestured towards Du Zhengxian's office with his lip.

"What does your dad want with me?"

Du Lili was stunned for a moment.

"Looking for you?"

She was clearly unaware of it.

Li Xiangqian didn't explain. He walked around her desk, went to Du Zhengxian's office door, and knocked.

"Come in."

Li Xiangqian pushed the door open and went in.

Du Zhengxian was already standing next to the desk. When he saw Li Xiangqian come in, he immediately went up to him and politely led Li Xiangqian to a chair.

"Comrade Xiangqian, sit down, sit down."

Li Xiangqian felt somewhat uncomfortable with this attitude.

What's wrong with the curator today? He was making a profound self-criticism at the county revolutionary committee yesterday, but why is he being so polite to me today, like he's entertaining a leader?

He had just sat down when his nose was immediately hit by a strong smell of tobacco, probably from the previous day, mixed with the smell of dry tobacco and cheap cigarettes. The ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts.

Du Zhengxian carefully closed the office door.

This action made Li Xiangqian's heart sink slightly.

Du Zhengxian walked back to his desk, but instead of sitting in his own chair, he moved a chair and sat opposite Li Xiangqian. His eyes were bloodshot.

"Go forward."

He smiled.

"Have you been getting used to spending time at the cultural center lately?"

Li Xiangqian's heart skipped a beat.

That sounds a bit strange.

Did Director Du do something to wrong himself?

"fine."

Li Xiangqian nodded.

"The staff at the cultural center are very enthusiastic and speak very kindly."

Du Zhengxian's lips twitched, but he didn't reply. He lowered his head, drawing circles on the table with one hand.

"That's right, Comrade Xiangqian."

He paused for a moment.

"I called you over mainly to discuss something."

With her other hand, she touched her thigh and rubbed it back and forth.

"How so? Well, to be honest, it's partly my fault."

Seeing his expression of unspoken love, Li Xiangqian's initial doubts turned into certainty.

"Director Du, is this about a thorough self-criticism?"

Du Zhengxian was taken aback.

Li Xiangqian is really clever. He grasped the key point in just one sentence.

He nodded.

"Yesterday I went to the county revolutionary committee and saw Director Feng. I told him that the content of this exhibition was my idea. Of course, it was a suggestion from my comrades. But I made the decision, so I have to take responsibility for it, both morally and logically."

He paused and glanced at Li Xiangqian.

Li Xiangqian didn't speak. He was waiting for the "but" that followed.

"But then..."

Du Zhengxian's tone slowed down.

"Director Feng's meaning—or perhaps not his—is that the organization's intention is to not focus on the major issues while letting the minor ones go unpunished; to investigate thoroughly, to..."

He was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly looked up and changed his tone.

"Damn it."

Du Zhengxian couldn't help but swear and slammed his finger on the table.

"I don't know which bastard told the prefectural committee leaders about your suggestion. The prefectural committee leaders specifically named you. I had no choice, Comrade Xiangqian, I hope you can understand."

Du Zhengxian speaks very quickly.