1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 28 Mr. Ye's Comments
The next day, Wutong Courtyard.

Cheng Kaiyan got up early in the morning and packed her things.

It would have been fine if I hadn't gone out, but I was shocked when I did.

The yard was full of yellow sand, and the smell of dust irritated the nose so much that it made people want to sneeze.

"Mom! Are there any more scarves? Why is there so much sand outside?"

Cheng Kaiyan carried the washbasin, turned around and walked into the house, shouting.

"It's in the cupboard, just look for it yourself."

Xu Yuxiu also got up at this time. They both worked at school and had the same working hours.

Yesterday, after buying a bicycle, the mother and son agreed that Cheng Kaiyan would take Xu Yuxiu to school every day, and then he would go to Beijing Normal University.

"Oh my! The yard is full of sand. I guess there was a sandstorm yesterday."

Xu Yuxiu opened the door and looked outside. As expected, the ditches in the yard and the branches and leaves of the sycamore trees were covered with a layer of yellow sand.

Fortunately, the windows of Cheng Kaiyan's house were closed tightly. For example, several families in the east and west wing rooms were reluctant to replace the glass windows in one corner, so the house was probably covered with dust at this moment.

The 1980s and 1990s were the time when Beijing experienced the most sandstorms.

Last March, an article titled "Sandstorms Pressing Beijing" sounded the alarm for the dangers of sandstorms in Beijing. In the winter and spring of that year, there were five major sandstorm areas around Beijing, which poured sand into the city from different directions. When the wind blew, the city was filled with yellow sand, so that the windows of houses that were not tightly closed were filled with dust. Most girls covered their heads with scarves when they went out.

When the wind blew, dust flew up the streets and alleys, and the sandstorm made it hard for people to open their eyes. When a dust storm hit, the sky over the capital was gray and yellow, and the daytime seemed like dusk.

On the north bank of the Yongding River and south of Dahongmen, a sand dune has appeared. These conditions indicate that the wind and sand are pressing on Beijing, with the potential of "an army at the gates of the city".

Cheng Kaiyan took out two silk scarves from the closet, put them on her face, tied a knot at the back of her head, and looked in the mirror. She looked like a kidnapper.

Xu Yuxiu looked at him and laughed, "What are you carrying? You look like a bandit."

Then he put it on Cheng Kaiyan again.

The two packed up and went out. Cheng Kaiyan drove her mother to Dengshikou. They had some breakfast and then went to work.

There is no wind now, otherwise I wouldn't be able to open my eyes while walking on the road.

After riding for half an hour, I finally arrived at the Normal University.

Cheng Kaiyan did not have any classes today, so as usual, she clocked in at the corridor of the Chinese Department's office.

The so-called punching in at work means turning over the sign with your name on it hanging in the office, which means you have signed in for work.

After clocking in, he walked into his aunt's office. She hadn't come yet, probably because she was having breakfast. Cheng Kaiyan picked up the kettle and went to the water room to boil water.

When winter comes, hot water is indispensable in the office. Fortunately, Cheng Kaiyan works in her aunt's office, and there are only two of them, so they don't drink water quickly.

But there are always people coming here to get some water.

Just like now.

A woman's voice came from the empty corridor, and she said slowly, "Cheng Kaiyan, give me one too."

Cheng Kaiyan turned her head and saw a woman in her twenties who was wearing a bright red jacket, had short hair and freckles on her face. She was holding an enamel teacup with the word "harmony and happiness" printed on it and handed it to her from the side.

"Okay, next time you come first, remember to boil water."

Lin Xiaohong, a Beijing native, has parents who are cadres at the Normal University, and she is also an assistant professor in the Chinese Department.

Because he and Cheng Kaiyan are of similar age, the two of them are friends.

"Don't worry, as long as I, Lin Xiaohong, am here, you will have hot water to drink."

Lin Xiaohong patted her extremely barren chest generously, and it made a bang bang sound. There was really no movement at all, it was just the touch of her palm and ribs.

"Thank you." "You're welcome. By the way, Director Fang said there's a meeting in the morning, so don't run away before you get off work."

Lin Xiaohong reminded kindly.

"OK!"

"What are you talking about English?"

The two parted ways, and Cheng Kaiyan ran to the journal reading room and took a copy of "Yenching Daily".

One good thing about working in the Chinese department is that there are people who will deliver various literary journals and newspapers to the journal reading room.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then held it in his arms to keep warm while flipping through the "Yanjing Daily".

After a while, I saw a title:
"The best pure literary fairy tale in recent years", subtitled "One side of growing up is growth, the other side is wear and tear", written by Ye Shengtao.

"Recently, a story in children's literature, "Submarine at Night," has caused a rush of students and parents to subscribe to it. It is a beautiful fantasy for children but a deep regret for adults.

This story made me very sad. It was like I suddenly obtained a treasure that was invisible, incomparable and beautiful only to me. You know that it was a miracle that was almost God-given and belonged to me alone.

But forced by reality, this damn and helpless reality, you are forced to discard it just to return to "ordinary" and mediocrity.

When you finally have the energy or regrets after many years and want to recreate the sun-like brilliance of that day, only you know that in any case only a faint flickering flame like a candle will remain.

……

This is a story about the alienation of children by reality, society, and others. I vaguely see the shadow of The Metamorphosis in this novel.

The Metamorphosis describes the unimaginable alienation that modern society has brought to adults, while Submarine at Night shows that society has already started to attack children, but people are still unaware.

Could it be that imagination as brilliant as a shooting star cannot escape the gravity of reality like a shooting star?
It is worth our deep consideration. Written by Ye Shengtao in BJ on January 4, 1980, in the winter.

……

"Ahem... Mr. Ye, you are exaggerating too much... How can I be compared with Master Kafka?"

Cheng Kaiyan said this with a big smile on her face.

I think the sales of children's literature will increase rapidly after this report comes out, but this has nothing to do with him money. After all, no matter how many books are sold, he will not get any money.

He planned to visit Mr. Ye after finishing the first volume of Fangcao.

After a while, Aunt Jiang Ting walked into the office carrying a briefcase. Seeing Cheng Kaiyan lowering her head and concentrating on writing something, she nodded secretly in her heart.

"Although Kaiyan is a bit lazy, he has been quite diligent recently."

Xu Yuxiu asked her to take better care of Cheng Kaiyan at work.

Although Jiang Ting's personality was a little cold, she still treated him as her own nephew and still hoped that Cheng Kaiyan could work hard and improve himself.

“What are you writing?” she asked.

Cheng Kaiyan scratched his head and said, "Just write some articles."

Jiang Ting smiled in her beautiful eyes and said with concern, "Keep working hard and produce some results. I'll report to the director before the New Year and have you become a regular employee."

"Thank you, aunt."

Cheng Kaiyan's eyes lit up. This is possible.

I started working on the 20th of last month, and my salary will be paid in a few days, on the 5th. I estimate it will be only ten yuan.

Just like in later generations, even in the simple times of the 1970s and 1980s, there was no such thing as paying you a full month's salary if you did not work for a full month. It was calculated proportionally.

"Keep busy. Oh, there's a meeting later. Don't run away."

(End of this chapter)