Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 6: I am one of the many things that make my parents age

Saturday came in a blink of an eye. Senior high school students naturally have no human rights. They have classes as usual on Saturday, but they don’t have self-study in the evening and can go home.

Zhang Chao went to bed at 2 a.m. for three consecutive days and got up at 6: a.m. He had completely turned into a walking corpse during the day, with empty eyes when he looked at anything.

He even fell asleep in Chinese and math classes, and the teacher threw several pieces of chalk at him and made him stand for the entire class as punishment.

During the break, the head teacher, Lao Wang, came to Zhang Chao's house and had a serious talk with him, telling him that if he slept again, he would call his parents.

However, Zhang Chao's words made Lao Wang depressed: "Teacher Wang, I don't want to do this either. But since Liu Xuyang punched me last Sunday, I have been feeling drowsy and I don't know what's wrong."

Lao Wang could actually tell that Zhang Chao was just staying up late because of all the night work. The dark circles under his eyes betrayed him. But his actions last week seemed like he was trying to cover up for Liu Xuyang. If Zhang Chao made a scene, he would definitely not be in a good situation.

After dealing with Lao Wang's criticism, Zhang Chao was actually in a difficult situation. His body would definitely not be able to bear staying up all night to write articles, but 2004 was not like 2024, and mobile phones were not popular. It was indeed difficult for a high school student in a small county to write steadily.

When I returned to the classroom, I saw a short, ponytailed, pretty girl waiting for me next to my seat.

Zhang Chao pulled this girl out of his memory - Lan Ting, the deputy editor-in-chief of the school's literary monthly "Morning Bell" (the editor-in-chief was naturally a teacher), who was responsible for various student-related writing activities in the school.

Lan Ting is a well-known talented girl in the town. She has won first prizes in various essay competitions since elementary school. She also publishes her own works in the "Essay Garden" section of the city's daily newspaper from time to time.

It wasn't until the first year of junior high school that a boy named Zhang Chao transferred from the countryside to the city. From then on, for three years, Lan Ting was consistently beaten by Zhang Chao in various essay competitions.

If there was only one first prize in the competition, it would definitely go to Zhang Chao, and she would have to settle for second prize.

If there was more than one first prize in the competition, Zhang Chao's name would definitely be ahead of hers.

After a lot of hard work, I made it to the third year of junior high school. There was an on-site essay writing competition for all the middle school students in the county. More than a hundred students were taken to Qingyun Mountain, a scenic spot in the county that had just been developed and was about to open to the public, to write among the green mountains and clear waters.

This was specially held by the county to promote the scenic spot, so the standards were very high. The deputy county magistrate, the county propaganda department director, and the county culture and tourism bureau director were all judges.

In order to give her junior high school life a "perfect ending", Lan Ting went against her principles and used her family's connections to visit the scenic area in advance and prepare a plan.

As a result of the competition, Lanting won the only first prize in the junior high school group. But this became the darkest nightmare in her life.

Zhang Chao actually relied on a classical Chinese parallel prose "Praise of Qingyun" which seemed very novel at the time, and the judges decided to temporarily set up a "special prize" for him, and it covered the high school group.

In other words, Lan Ting only won the first prize in the junior high school group; while Zhang Chao won the special prize of the entire competition.

What made Lan Ting even more angry was that after the competition, all the first-prize winning essays were sent to the city's daily newspaper by the county and published in the newspaper. The only one that was not published was Zhang Chao's "Qingyun Zan" - after being polished and improved again, the TV station filmed it into a TV essay and broadcast it during prime time on the city and county TV stations.

Seeing Zhang Chao's name mentioned at the beginning of the film, Lan Ting knew that her writing career in junior high school would be completely overshadowed by Zhang Chao.

However, after attending the same high school, Zhang Chao kept a low profile and almost never participated in essay competitions except for essays written for exams. Without her biggest competitor, Lan Ting regained her elementary school glory and swept away all the essay awards.

Only at the exhibition of model essays after each exam can you still see that once dazzling name.

However, Lan Ting never "let go" of Zhang Chao. Whenever there was a competition or essay contest, she would personally ask Zhang Chao whether he wanted to participate, but almost without exception, Zhang Chao refused.

But this time, Zhang Chao didn't want to refuse.

"What is the topic of the essay?" Zhang Chao asked bluntly.

"Hmm?" Lan Ting was obviously stunned. Zhang Chao had always refused without even asking. Was he really going to participate this time? Did he not want to leave any regrets in his high school career? But it must be a good thing to want to participate. Lan Ting quickly replied: "The topic is very simple. It is based on the theme of 'family affection'. You need to describe your sincere feelings towards your parents and relatives. It must reflect the unique experience and thinking of contemporary high school students."

“Are there any genre or word count limits?”

"This is a city-run essay contest, modeled after the 'New Concept Essay Contest'. There is no limit to the genre, but the word count should not exceed 5000 words."

Zhang Chao thought for a while before saying, "I can participate. But I have one condition, and I hope you can agree to it."

Lan Ting was a little angry and felt that Zhang Chao was taking advantage of her, so she said, "Why do I have conditions for letting you participate in the competition? Sorry, I can't agree to it. It's up to you to participate or not." After saying that, she turned around and was about to leave.

Zhang Chao hurriedly said, "Don't worry, I really have something to ask of you. This time I am participating, and I will definitely guarantee the quality of the manuscript. If I don't win the prize, I will come to see you with my head held high."

Lan Ting stopped walking after hearing this, turned around and said, "You are so arrogant. You can get an advance on the prize by participating in the competition. Do you think you are from the national table tennis team? Tell me, what are your conditions?"

Zhang Chao asked, "I remember you were in charge of the school's broadcasting room, right?"

"So what?"

"There's a computer inside, used to play music. Are you in charge of it too?"

"So what?"

Zhang Chao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but for the sake of his own plan, he could only patiently continue to say: "I have to use the computer to type articles recently. If you are satisfied with my manuscripts this time, let me use the computer for an hour every day at noon and in the evening when the radio station is not busy."

Lan Ting narrowed her eyes, stared at Zhang Chao and asked, "What are you writing?"

Zhang Chao said, "I can't tell you that. It's just a small article of mine. Writing by hand is too tiring. Typing is easier."

Lan Ting thought for a while before saying, "I can borrow it. But I must be very satisfied with your manuscript!"

"It's a word."

"It's a deal. Then you write well, and I'll come to get the manuscript next Monday. Mr. Zhang, two days should be enough time to finish, right?"

"Don't go yet, wait a moment." Zhang Chao stopped Lan Ting, took out the composition book from the desk drawer, and started writing quickly.

Lan Ting asked, "What are you writing?"

"The manuscript you wanted!"

"?" Lan Ting's brain stopped working. There were only five minutes left before class. What was he going to write? A poem? He had to write a poem that could be entered in a competition in just a few minutes?

Lan Ting was furious, she felt that Zhang Chao was playing a trick on her. In fact, she had been trying to find Zhang Chao to participate in the writing competition, just to defeat him once, so as to get rid of the haze on her head.

Three years, she waited for a full three years, and finally got an opportunity, Zhang Chao was willing to re-enter the competition. Lan Ting had actually written an article that she was extremely satisfied with, and even if she took it to participate in the "New Concept Essay Competition", she would have a chance to win a prize - or at least enter the semi-finals.

She didn't expect Zhang Chao to treat her so frivolously. It was simply an insult to her three years of hard work and dedication.

Just when Lan Ting was about to explode, Zhang Chao had already finished writing. He stuffed the manuscript into her hand and said, "Take a look."

Lan Ting barely suppressed her anger, glared at Zhang Chao coldly, and then lowered her head to look at the manuscript in her hand. She was stunned after reading the beginning -

I am one of the many things that made my parents age.
Zhang Chao, Class 2, Grade , Changfu County No. Middle School
I am one of the many things that made my parents age.
Job titles, mortgages, and the price of beef
I am among them, the most enduring

I am the only one who matches this middle-aged couple's symptoms.

A common disease for eighteen years
Their marriage is constantly tested

I am almost patience itself.

I am the tired side, the interval between abuses
I am the bigger stone in the water.
Divide the tears into two

2004/ 1/ 10

Lan Ting read it over and over again two or three times, as if she wanted to embed every word into her eyes. After a while, she raised her head and looked at Zhang Chao and said, "Did you really write this?"

"Weren't you just watching from the sidelines?"

Lan Ting bit her lip and spoke word by word, "I don't believe it. Wait, I'll check it online when I get home tonight."

Zhang Chao shrugged nonchalantly: "You can check it. If you can't find it, remember to keep your promise." He thought to himself that this poem was not written by a college student with the pen name "Tuotuobuhua" until 2015 in the original time and space, and won the special prize in the Global Chinese College Students Short Poetry Competition that year. Lan Ting couldn't find it even if she searched the Internet and literary journals thoroughly in 2004. The bell rang, and Lan Ting returned to her class in a daze.

With Lanting's promise, Zhang Chao felt more relaxed, and even his spirits for the afternoon classes were much better. During this time, Chen Huan came over again to hint that he had to return the key, but Zhang Chao just laughed it off. Although he should be able to go to the radio station to type the manuscript, the computers at the radio station have no internet, so he still has to go to the computer room if he wants to post it online.

At 5pm, the senior class finished school on time. Most of the students who lived in the county town had gone home, and Zhang Chao was no exception.

However, Zhang Chao, who was riding his bicycle on the road, felt a little complicated and a little "homesick". In the original time and space, he went home less and less after entering college. Later, he worked, took the civil service exam, resigned, started a business, failed in his business, and became a tutor...

The busy life almost overwhelmed him, and the contact with his parents became less and less. Later, every time he went back, he was as polite as a guest.

After his rebirth, he almost immediately plunged into busy college entrance examination review and writing, trying to pull his life back to a relatively familiar track. He had almost no time to think about going home.

Chen Huan rode up from behind and rode side by side with Zhang Chao. He said hello, "Will you go to the gym to play basketball tomorrow?"

Zhang Chao had a lot of things planned for his return home this time, so he rejected Chen Huan, but promised him that he would come to school early on Sunday afternoon to play ball together.

After riding for more than 20 minutes, I saw the familiar alley entrance. Many families still use wood stoves, so the curling smoke is spreading above the layers of black tiles, which is quite poetic.

Zhang Chao took a deep breath, pushed the cart into the alley, came to the familiar gate, took out the key and opened the door, and there was the familiar small courtyard and two-story tiled house.

My father should not be home yet, and my mother is busy in the kitchen.

Zhang Chao parked the car and walked slowly to the kitchen door. His mother was standing in front of the stove. Twenty years later, she still had short black hair and cooked with a quick and cool movement.

Zhang Chao's eyes became moist and he suddenly didn't know what to say or do. He saw a bag of beans by the sink and started peeling them.

His mother turned around and saw him peeling beans. She smiled and said, "What's wrong with you, young master? Why are you taking the initiative to work?"

Zhang Chao tried his best to suppress his trembling voice and said, "Nothing, I'm just hungry and want to eat early."

The mother put the freshly fried water spinach on a plate and handed it to Zhang Chao, saying, "The rice is ready, and there's soup on the table. If you're hungry, eat first. I'll cook another dish."

Zhang Chao carried the dishes to the table. At this moment, the familiar sound of a motorcycle engine came from the alley. Zhang Chao's eyes were a little moist...

Zhang Chao's parents both felt that their son was a little strange tonight, as if he had a lot to say but didn't say anything. After dinner, his mother collected the dishes and went to wash them, leaving the father and son sitting at the table in silence.

"Are you in love?" my father spoke first.

Zhang Chao almost spit out a mouthful of water and said quickly, "No, what are you thinking about?"

"You look dazed and worried tonight, just like me when we first started dating."

"..."

"It's not that you can't have a relationship, but you have to be careful about the timing. After all, you're in your third year of high school now."

"Really not!" Zhang Chao was a little anxious, and simply said: "I failed the first mock exam, and I don't think the score will be good."

"..." This time it was my father's turn to be speechless. However, he had been a teacher for more than 20 years and had seen all kinds of test failures. He quickly adjusted his mentality and said, "It's only the first mock exam. There's still half a year before the college entrance exam."

"But what if I still don't do well in the college entrance examination?" Zhang Chao asked tentatively.

"That depends on how bad it is."

"What if, what if I can't even get into college?"

Father Zhang was not too surprised this time. He knew that his son was not good at one subject and his grades were just slightly higher than the undergraduate line. If he was abnormal, he would not be able to go to college.

"Wait a minute, I'm going to get something." Father Zhang left the table and returned to his room. After a while, he took out a piece of paper and handed it to Zhang Chao, "Take a look."

Zhang Chao actually knew what it was when his father took out the paper. It was a certificate proving that his father had been a teacher in a rural area for more than 20 years.

However, in the original time and space in 2004, Zhang's father only took out this certificate after the college entrance examination, when he applied for admission.

"This is the certificate I got from the Education Bureau a while ago to prove my teaching experience. The country has a policy that in my case, if you apply for the early admission of a normal school, you can get 20 extra points. I didn't show it to you before because I was afraid you didn't review well."

Zhang Chao suddenly felt like he saw his homeroom teacher, Lao Wang, confiscating the Spalding basketball.

In the original time and space, this certificate didn't work in the end, because my score was just enough. But now it's different, these 20 points may play a key role.

At this time, Zhang's father took out another piece of paper, which listed the names of more than a dozen normal colleges and last year's liberal arts admission scores: "These schools are all good. Even if you did not perform well in the exam, you can still be admitted with my 20 points. So you can rest assured and just focus on your study."

Zhang Chao saw the name of his former school listed on it.

The timeline is trying to pull history back to its original track? If I don't write those articles, don't make those efforts, but review well, can I also get into the original school?
Is there any meaning to all this? Is it going in the direction of losing control?
Zhang Chao couldn't figure it out for a while, but he still expressed his determination to his father. Then he hurriedly put the money in his pocket and went out to get a haircut.

Although it is impossible to predict what the consequences will be, his article has already been published and it is impossible to retrieve it. As for whether he will meet that person again after changing schools... the timeline will give the answer...

The most important thing now is to take care of your own image.

In 2004, Zhang Chao had the medium-length : split hair style that was common among boys at that time. However, it had no fixed style and he had no time to take care of it, so his hair looked greasy and sloppy.

The clothes he wore were too fancy and tacky from the perspective of 2024. All this made Zhang Chao feel ashamed of himself.

Zhang Chao didn't go to the familiar barber shop. The masters there only knew how to make three hairstyles: bald, crew cut, and 3:7 split. The advantage was that they were cheap.

He went to the only flat street in the county with a bit of modern commercial atmosphere, and found a hair salon run by a young master. He talked and gestured for more than an hour, and made the master almost crazy, before he made a hairstyle that was similar to the American front spiky hair, but not so ostentatious.

After the hairstyle was finalized, the master was stunned. He didn't expect to be directed by this young boy. Just when he thought he was going to get the ugliest hairstyle in history, the result turned out to be so good? Clean, refreshing, and neat, it made this ordinary boy look a little handsome.

Zhang Chao was also very satisfied. This hairstyle made him look more energetic. Just as he was about to pay, the master refused to accept it and asked, "Young man, where did you see this hairstyle?"

Zhang Chao smiled secretly - this hairstyle would not become popular for nearly 20 years, and by then it could be seen everywhere on the streets - and replied, "I just came up with it randomly."

"Can you stay for a moment so I can take a picture of your hairstyle?"

"Ha, this is my personal hairstyle. You want to cut it for others? It's not impossible. Then you have to give me a discount when I come to get a haircut next time."

"No problem, from now on, my dear, haircuts will be free." This master is very calculating, and he saw at a glance the potential for this hairstyle to become popular. As long as he is the only one in the county who can do this in the next six months, he will make a small fortune.

Even if Zhang Chao comes once every half a month, how much does that cost?
After a while, the master borrowed a camera and took a lot of pictures of Zhang Chao's head from front to back, left to right, for fear of missing any details.

After the shoot, he asked Zhang Chao for advice on the details. Zhang Chao was not stingy, and he also hoped that the master would cut more hairstyles of this kind, become more skilled, and handle the details more delicately. This is just like writing, which requires practice.

Shaving, pedicure, cotton-fluffing, writing novels, teaching, and driving a cargo business are essentially all manual labor.

After talking with the master, it was already past eight in the evening, and Zhang Chao finally returned home. His parents were stunned when they saw Zhang Chao's new look.

"You...you still said you're not in a relationship?"

"Uh...Mom and Dad, have you ever heard of the old saying: Women dress up to please themselves. Now study is my girlfriend, I have to please my girlfriend, is that wrong?"

"..."

"Lao Zhang, where did you put the bamboo stick? This kid hasn't been beaten for a long time, and his skin is itching!"

"Mom, I'm going back to my room to review!"

(End of this chapter)