Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 351 Where Money Is Spent, That's Where You Feel Comfortable
The Chinese Department's funeral committee, headed by Yan Jiayan and assisted by many professors, helped the Yang family with the funeral arrangements.

Yang Hui served as the head of the Chinese Department for the longest time, and many professors from various departments at Yenching University were acquaintances and friends of his. As a first-class professor, he had taught countless students. On that day, many people came to Yandong Garden, and university leaders came to offer their condolences.

Liu Yimin, dressed in a black Zhongshan suit and wearing a white flower on his chest, presented the elegiac couplet he had written for Yang Hui.

[On the Literary Theory of Longing for Lu Zifu]

[The heroic name of Zhao Jialou will be remembered forever]

Besides the family members, several elderly professors were extremely saddened. Feng Zhi, a professor in the Department of Western Languages ​​and Literature and currently a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, cried out in sorrow, calling out things like "old brother, elder brother."

Zhu Guangqian, who was standing next to Liu Yimin, swayed unsteadily. Liu Yimin quickly helped him up, saying, "Professor Zhu, please take care of yourself."

"In the 1950s, the Chinese Department faced many difficulties. There was a balance between the interests of various parties and political needs. Old Yang managed to stabilize the situation and turned the Chinese Department into the 'number one department in the world,' with the number of professors in the department accounting for one-tenth of the entire university," Zhu Guangqian read to Liu Yimin, recounting Yang Hui's past.

Judging from Yang Hui's condition, both of them knew this was bound to happen sooner or later, but they were still shocked and saddened to hear the bad news.

After the memorial service, the body was sent to the crematorium for cremation. The Yang family then discussed where to bury the body—in Beijing or back to their hometown.

These are their family matters.

In the office, the graduate students who were originally working with Yang Hui had nothing to do, so Liu Yimin asked him to proofread the Latin American section and then join other groups.

Liu Yimin looked at Zhu Guangqian, who seemed a little dejected, and said, "Professor Zhu, the best way to remember him is to compile the textbook."

"Yes, we have to compile the teaching materials so as not to let Lao Yang down." Zhu Guangqian shook himself up and began to concentrate on his work.

"Professor Liu, Professor Yan wants to see you." Cao Wenxuan said as he pushed open the door, his eyes darting around, scanning the busy people in the office.

“Okay, Teacher Cao!” Liu Yimin stood up and said.

Liu Yimin got up and went to Yan Jiayan's office. Yan Jiayan did not sit behind his desk as usual, but sat on the sofa and asked with concern, "With Professor Yang's passing, have you encountered any difficulties in compiling the textbooks?"

"Professor Yan, don't worry, there's nothing difficult!" Liu Yimin said.

Yan Jiayan laughed and said, "That's good. If you're short-staffed, just tell the department, and they'll find you more people. Many professors are interested. If you can manage, we won't transfer you."

"Is this what you called me here for?"

Yan Jiayan blew his beard and said, "What else could it be? I'm just worried that Professor Yang's passing will have a huge impact on you. As for the materials, I've already applied for some foreign exchange from the Ministry through the university, and part of it is for you. Write down what kind of materials you need, and the Ministry will organize an overseas study trip soon, or ask the teachers who are lecturing abroad to help purchase them."

"Okay, Professor Yan, I'll go back and tell everyone this good news right away. Professor Zhu will definitely be happy to hear it."

When Liu Yimin returned to his office, he told Zhu Guangqian what had happened. Zhu Guangqian immediately perked up and took out a piece of paper, starting to list things: "The department has finally done something practical!"

When Zhu Guangqian noticed Liu Yimin was still lingering after get off work, he asked, "What's wrong with you? You're usually the fastest runner, why are you dawdling today?"

"I'm going to my in-laws' house for dinner today. It's still early, so I'll go later," Liu Yimin said.

Zhu Guangqian laughed and said, "Haha, alright, I'll keep you company and give you some peace and quiet for a while!"

Zhu Guangqian talked to him about how to get along with his parents-in-law, wanting to share some of his experience with him.

"Professor Zhu, you're mistaken. We have a very good relationship, and my parents-in-law treat me very well," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

“I understand!” Zhu Guangqian chatted with him casually, not caring about anything else.

Liu Yimin was bored, so he was happy to listen. When he felt it was about time, he rode his motorcycle to the Zhu family's house.

Zhu Lin and his father had already arrived home. Zhu Lin helped pick vegetables, and his father asked Liu Yimin about the department head, Yang Hui. Liu Yimin told him everything in detail.

"Back then, I even went to Yenching University to audit Professor Yang Hui's classes. Professor Yang Hui was a man who would not easily give in; his slender body seemed to possess boundless strength."

Zhu's father said that some people from the Chinese department of their school also attended Yang Hui's memorial service, but Liu Yimin did not recognize any of the names mentioned.

After finishing their meal, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin returned to the courtyard house.

The next day, when Liu Yimin passed by the Overseas Chinese Apartment, he cleaned up the fans in the room and the study and took them to the school.

The office facilities were quite old and there were no power outlets, so we asked the logistics electrician to install two more. As soon as the fan was turned on, the room instantly became cool.

"Yimin, wow, with these working conditions, I don't even want to go back to my office after we finish editing," Zhu Guangqian said happily, enjoying the cool breeze from the fan.

"I'll give you a fan when we disband."

Zhu Guangqian said with a chuckle, "How could I possibly accept that!"

Although the weather in May is hot, it is not unbearable. One electric fan is enough.

On Sunday, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin withdrew 20,000 yuan from the bank and put it in their bags. They then used the remittance coupons given to them by the bank to buy air conditioners at Wangfujing Department Store.

Along the way, Zhu Lin carefully observed the people around him, seeing everyone as a potential thief who might steal his money at any moment.

"Don't be nervous. Everyone will know we have a lot of money on us just by looking at you like this," Liu Yimin said to Zhu Lin in a low voice.

Zhu Lin thought about it and agreed. He looked around and pretended to be relaxed, but he didn't stay relaxed for long before his gaze returned to the handbag.

The two were relieved when they arrived at the department store's remittance certificate section. They found the air conditioner sales area, where only three air conditioners were displayed in front of the salesperson, two of which were window units.

Zhu Lin strode forward, looking at the several air conditioners with delight, and asked softly, "Comrade, could you tell us about these air conditioners?"

The salesperson glanced at Zhu Lin, then at Liu Yimin behind him: "This is a Toshiba window air conditioner, 4000 yuan plus foreign exchange certificates. This is a Toshiba split air conditioner, with an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, 6100 yuan. Tomorrow we'll have a domestically produced Chunlan window air conditioner, which is cheaper, but you need a permit to buy it."

If you have any, you can come earlier tomorrow.

"How much cheaper?" Zhu Lin asked.

"It's half the price of Toshiba's, 2000 yuan."

Zhu Lin looked at Liu Yimin. The price was half off, and she was indeed tempted, but unfortunately, she didn't have any approval slips or coupons.

Liu Yimin patted Zhu Lin on the shoulder and said, "Now that we're here, don't waver. Hello comrade, how many split-type air conditioners do we have left?"

"How many? There's only this one right now."

When will the goods be available?

"We do have stock, but we might not be able to sell a single unit in ten days or half a month. It's too expensive; ordinary people can't afford it," the salesperson said hesitantly.

"So you can order more stock anytime? I want three!" "Three? Yes, you can. Let me talk to my supervisor, let me ask." The saleswoman turned to find her supervisor, then stopped. "Sir, you're not lying to me, are you?"

"No, no, I really need three TVs. It's so hot, I don't need to tease you. Please go to the trouble of asking for me," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Seeing that Liu Yimin didn't seem to be joking, the sales clerk turned around and went to ask him. A little while later, the manager of the air conditioner distribution department came out with the sales clerk and asked to verify the funds and remittance certificates in advance.

"Comrade, please understand."

Liu Yimin showed no displeasure, merely revealing the money in his purse to them and taking out a stack of remittance certificates.

"Okay, comrade, please wait a moment while I make a call." The manager turned around and went back to his office to make a phone call.

Liu Yimin took Zhu Lin to the mall and bought some clothes for Liu Fuqing and Yang Xiuyun back in their hometown, which they would send back in a couple of days.

"Would you like to buy another dress?" Liu Yimin pointed to a long dress in front of him.

“Teacher Liu, this dress is a bit old-fashioned. I’m not old enough to wear this kind of dress yet. Dresses from Hong Kong are much prettier. I can wear this one for a long time.”

"Let's wait until we find a suitable one before buying it!"

The two strolled around the mall, but apart from buying a few outfits, they didn't buy anything else.

When they returned to the sales office, the air conditioners hadn't arrived yet. The salesperson gave the two of them a magazine and told them to sit down and read it.

After waiting for more than an hour, the air conditioner was delivered. After testing the air conditioner, Liu Yimin handed the money and remittance certificates to the cashier and received the receipt.

The manager asked for Liu Yimin's address to prepare for on-site installation. Liu Yimin then gave the addresses of the courtyard house and the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

"No wonder you can afford three air conditioners. You live in the Overseas Chinese Apartments, right? That's a place only the rich can live in. I heard that the houses there are built with leftover materials from the Great Hall of the People. You can hit the walls with a sledgehammer and they won't leave a mark. They're as solid as a rock!"

Liu Yimin said helplessly, "It's all just hearsay. There's no such thing as an impregnable building."

"You're being modest. Someone who can live there isn't an ordinary person."

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin waited for them at the courtyard house first, and then went to the Overseas Chinese Apartment after the courtyard house was renovated.

Upon arriving at the Overseas Chinese Apartments, the workers looked around the buildings in the compound with great interest, patted the walls, and after entering and seeing the layout, they kept clicking their tongues in amazement.

"Master, please be careful when installing the outdoor unit!" Liu Yimin said.

"Don't worry, we're professionals, it'll be done soon."

Liu Yimin watched as the worker crawled out with only a rope tied around his body, and he was filled with worry. He silently helped another worker pull the rope.

Fortunately, there were no problems. After the air conditioner was installed, the three workers wiped their sweat and said, "Comrade, please turn it on and try it out."

The air conditioner had been on for a short time, and you could feel the coolness as soon as you stood at the door. Zhu Lin smiled and took out popsicles for everyone to cool off.

"Goodbye, comrade. This Japanese air conditioner works well. If there are any problems, just go to the business department and find the comrade in charge of maintenance."

After everyone left, Zhu Lin turned on the air conditioner and felt the coolness: "Teacher Liu, this air conditioner is really useful!"

"Where you spend your money, you'll feel comfortable!"

Zhu Lin turned around, checked the air conditioner for a moment, and then turned it off; it was a waste to keep it on now.

"Let's get a dog for the courtyard house. You'll be alone there at noon, so it'll be safer to have a dog on a leash."

"dog?"

"Correct."

Zhu Lin considered it for a moment. Going to the courtyard alone at noon was indeed too quiet. So he decided to go to his workplace and ask if anyone had a puppy and ask for one.

"Yimin, when it's time to go up on stage and present the graduation certificates to everyone in order, have you prepared your speech? These students admire you the most," Yan Jiayan said to Liu Yimin.

The graduation ceremony for the Chinese Literature Department was held in a large lecture hall, with a radio playing music nearby.

Yan Jiayan took the stage first to speak amidst applause. After he finished speaking, Liu Yimin took the stage to speak: "Students, you are the third cohort of students since the resumption of the college entrance examination. Some of you will continue your studies, while others will go on to work."

As everyone knows, our former director, Professor Yang Hui, has passed away. I hope that everyone will not only grieve for the old professor, but also remember the May Fourth Spirit he left behind. We are students of Yenching University, and we shoulder the mission of making our nation prosperous and strong.

Starting today, every graduating class of the Chinese Department at Yenching University will sing the "Graduation Song." This was my suggestion to the department. Some students expressed their confusion, feeling that we live in a peaceful era, no longer in the era of national salvation.

Here I would like to quote a sentence I said to international students at the Los Angeles Consulate: When the country was in ruins and our homes were destroyed, our young people were never absent. Now that we are at peace, should we young people sit idly by? I hope that everyone can devote themselves to the front line of the country's construction. Those who have entered the workforce should serve the people and the country well.

Okay, I've finished speaking.

As the applause subsided, music began to play. Led by Liu Yimin, the Chinese Literature Department students sang "Graduation Song" in unison. The stirring lyrics about national salvation filled everyone with patriotic fervor.

Next came the distribution of graduation certificates. The students stood in rows on the stage, and the professors from the Chinese Department presented them to the students.

"Congratulations, Luo Yihe!" Liu Yimin said with a smile as he presented Luo Yihe, a student from the class of '79, with her graduation certificate.

"Professor Liu, do you remember me?"

“Although we haven’t seen each other often, I remember you. Where are you working?” Liu Yimin asked kindly.

"I became an editor at October."

"Great company, keep up the good work!"

Luo Yihe's face flushed red, and she suddenly mustered up the courage to say, "Professor Liu, may I ask you for articles in the future?"

The students and professors around him laughed, and Liu Yimin withdrew his hand: "Okay, Editor Luo."

After all the graduation certificates were awarded, the students reluctantly left the classroom, while the professors looked exhausted.

Zhu Guangqian waved his hand and said, "Don't let the old man come again. He's too old to stand up!"

"Yimin, you're right!" Yan Jiayan said to Liu Yimin.

Wu Zuxiang, disregarding his image, tugged at his shirt to let in more air: "Professor Yan, Yimin's lecture, when have you ever missed it!"

(End of this chapter)