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

Chapter 612, "The King of Fairy Tales," sees sales rise again.

Inside the office, Liu Yimin quickly poured Yan Jiayan a cup of hot tea and asked him to explain in detail.

Yan Jiayan crossed his legs, picked up his teacup, took two sips, and frowned slightly, whether because the tea was too hot or for some other reason, it was unclear.

Liu Yimin asked politely, "Professor Yan, does this tea taste wrong?"

"It's a bit bland."

"It's too bland, I'll have someone add more tea leaves for you."

"I mean, the painful memory is fading a bit."

Liu Yimin couldn't help but roll his eyes. This was really pretentious. He really wanted to shout, "This is the Institute of Literature and Art, not his department head's office!"

"Thinking back to those days brings tears to my eyes. You have no idea, my son was born late; he was born after I went to graduate school and stayed on as a faculty member."

Yan Jiayan stayed on as a faculty member in the Chinese Department at the age of 25, which is quite young. However, the reason he said he was born late is because Yan Jiayan had a long tenure.

Before being admitted to Yenching University for graduate studies, Yan Jiayan had been working for a long time as the deputy director of the office of the Tongguanzhuang Mining Bureau in Anhui Province. He studied for the graduate entrance examination while working. After entering Yenching University, Yan Jiayan received a salary equivalent to that of a deputy director in the mining bureau, which was higher than that of a teacher.

To show that he was on equal footing with everyone else, he insisted on taking a pay cut of several tens of yuan.

"Just imagine, I, a university professor, am being criticized by a kindergarten teacher who says I don't know how to teach children? I," Yan Jiayan said angrily, "I really want to say that I can not only teach children, I can even teach her."

But we're under someone else's roof, so we have to bow our heads. My son is a troublemaker. When he first started school, he wet his pants and stuff, but that's another story. Later, he got into fights and wouldn't do his homework. The teacher didn't say anything to him; she just led him straight to my office door.

Once you're familiar with the routine, if you make a mistake again, the teacher will glare at you and say, "Go stand outside your dad's office!"

Yan Jiayan's expression was a mix of laughter and tears as he said this: "It's so embarrassing, so incredibly embarrassing. I've never been so humiliated before."

The other teachers knew he'd made a mistake as soon as they saw him walk into the Chinese department. Everyone joked that he was there to stand guard for us, an unofficial soldier of Yenching University's security department.

"Tsk, the kindergarten teacher doesn't give you any face at all, even though you are..."

"Who am I? I'm just a teacher. Go and look at the children inside. Aren't all their fathers teachers or professors? Besides, at that time, the whole country was filled with revolutionary enthusiasm, and everyone was working together to promote education and progress."

Revolution is only about different roles; there's no hierarchy or superiority. Kindergarten teachers and I, a Chinese literature professor, are both teachers. Who's going to give me the respect due to a teacher?

Seeing that Yan Jiayan had finished his tea, Liu Yimin quickly refilled it for him, saying, "My twins shouldn't be like that!"

"Ha!" Yan Jiayan sneered, "You're just fooling yourself. You think my child wouldn't do that? What parent doesn't think that way! If that were true, there would be no need to call the parents in."

"Professor Yan, can't you just take this as a psychological comfort? To be honest, my legs are about to break from running around all morning. My head started to ache as soon as I stepped into the kindergarten gate; the crying inside was louder than the cicadas in the trees," Liu Yimin said, rubbing his aching back.

"Haha, I'm not talking to you anymore. You're in for a good time. I have to get back to work with the new students. Our Chinese department has expanded by more than a hundred students this year. We're so busy!" Yan Jiayan put down his teacup and leisurely walked out of the office.

Liu Yimin had just sat down when the phone rang again. His left eyelid twitched suddenly, but thankfully it wasn't a call from the kindergarten.

Tang Dacheng from the Writers' Association reminded Liu Yimin again that Márquez and others had arrived in China on the 30th, and told Liu Yimin not to forget.

"I understand, thank you for your trouble!" Liu Yimin hung up the phone when he saw that Tang Dacheng had nothing else to say.

Liu Yimin sat in his office, doing nothing, his eyes fixed on the clock hanging opposite his desk.

He was very agitated, his agitation tinged with heartache. His mind was filled with the image of Liu Yu's red-rimmed eyes and tears streaming down her cheeks. Just now, seeing Liu Yu's tears welling up in her eyes, not to mention Zhu Lin, even Liu Yimin wanted to take his daughter home.

At this moment, in the director's office of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Zhu Lin held an empty teacup in his hand, staring blankly out the window, his mind preoccupied with the two little ones going to school.

Seeing Zhu Lin like this, Lan Tianye quickly came over and comforted him, "Little Zhu, it's normal for children to be like this on their first day of school. Don't worry, Yimin is right next door, he can get there in time if anything happens."

In my experience, the first three days are the hardest for both children and parents. After those three days, both will adjust.

"Xiao Zhu, if you're worried, you can call Yimin and ask." Su Min smiled and distributed the fruit in his pocket to everyone.

Zhu Lin looked out the window and said sadly, "Forget it, I won't call. If I hear she's crying and making a scene, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist driving over there."

"It's almost midnight, don't worry!" Xia Chun handed the newspaper to Zhu Lin, trying to distract her.

"It's been several days, and the newspapers are still reporting on 'God's Visa.' Drama clubs from major universities in Beijing have expressed their desire to come here to learn from us and then rehearse on their own. In addition, rehearsals by local Beijing People's Art Theatres are premiering one after another, and I've seen that the local newspapers are giving very positive feedback."

Ouyang Shanzun walked over, holding a teacup: "I must say, Lao Xia, you guys did a really good job this time. The form is innovative, the content is profound, and the expression is powerful. As for the wire work, we should consider using it in our next production."

"When I was rehearsing, I was afraid of letting down the trust placed in me. Seeing the result now, it's clear that everyone's hard work wasn't in vain." Zhu Lin glanced at the newspaper, but her mind was elsewhere, and she didn't have the heart to read it more.

Zhu Lin was like this, and so was everyone in the courtyard. Zhu's father, who was taking classes at the university of science and technology, couldn't help but call Liu Yimin.

Just as 11:30 arrived, Liu Yimin quickly got up, packed his things, and strode towards the kindergarten.

Liu Yu, who was looking out the door, saw Liu Yimin and ran over to him, looking aggrieved: "Dad, Dad, I didn't cry in the end, I didn't cry."

Liu Yu pointed to her eyes. Liu Yimin saw that she was trying hard to hold back her tears and quickly hugged her: "Okay, Xiaoyu is so amazing, so brave. Let's go home now, let's go home now."

After carrying Liu Yu for more than ten steps, he realized something was wrong. He turned around and saw Liu Lin reaching out to Liu Yimin in a daze, looking left and right as if he didn't understand what was happening.

"Boss, come here." Liu Yimin said quickly.

"Oh!" Liu Lin straightened his bag, then ran over excitedly and took Liu Yimin's left hand.

Compared to Liu Yu, Liu Lin's face no longer showed any tear stains. In the time before school ended, Liu Lin sat next to Liu Yu, trying her best to comfort her younger sister.

Once in the car, Liu Yu and Liu Lin happily crossed their legs, feeling a sense of wonder at everything at Yanda University.

"Dad!" Liu Yu suddenly called out.

"What's wrong? Xiaoyu?"

"Dad, can I stop going to school?"

"why?"

“Going to school isn’t fun. I don’t have a dad, a mom, grandpas and grandmas, or Aunt Ximei.” Liu Yu pouted and tapped the car seat idly with her hand.

“Xiaoyu, all children have to go to school. Mommy isn’t here, but Daddy is. Daddy is next door, and there are lots and lots of other children to play with,” Liu Yimin said earnestly, trying his best to sound childlike.

"No, it's not fun at all. Everyone's crying, everyone's crying. Everyone says they don't want to go to school anymore."

Liu Lin took Liu Yu's hand and said, "Don't be afraid, brother is here, brother won't cry."

"Hmph!" Liu Yusheng leaned his head back against the chair with a look of despair, and then remained silent.

When Liu Yimin passed by the department store, he bought some hawthorn candy and some snacks for the two of them: "Dad promised you, if you study hard, I will buy you snacks and toys."

Liu Yu and Liu Lin took the fruit leather and stuffed it into their mouths, without mentioning a word about going to school.

Before the car even reached the courtyard house, Liu Yimin saw a row of people standing at the entrance. As soon as the two little ones got out of the car, a group of people surrounded them.

Liu Yu and Liu Lin, who had stopped crying, stood there and started yelling loudly when they saw this scene.

After parking his car, Liu Yimin leaned against the door frame and watched a group of people frantically trying to soothe the two little ones.

“The more people there are, the more they cry,” Liu Yimin said helplessly.

So, only Zhu Lin and Yang Xiuyun were left at the door to coax Liu Yu and Liu Lin into the yard twenty minutes later.

Liu Yimin hung his wet pants on the rope and went to find some clean ones to take with him in the afternoon.

Ximei specially boiled pear water for the two little ones to replenish their fluids and protect their throats.

Yang Xiuyun originally wanted to ask the two how school was that morning, but as soon as she asked, Liu Yu's mouth twitched, so Yang Xiuyun quickly changed the subject.

After finishing their meal, Liu Yu and Liu Lin started yawning. They must be tired after all that activity in the morning.

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin carried Liu Yu and Liu Lin into the room, and after seeing that the two were asleep, they tiptoed out.

Seeing everyone's curiosity, Liu Yimin recounted what had happened that morning. Seeing the worried expressions on everyone's faces, Liu Yimin quickly added, "She stopped crying after 10 a.m., don't worry. These past two days at Yanda University, I haven't done anything but keep an eye on the kindergarten."

I estimate it should take about a week to get used to it.

Liu Fuqing said, "Then I'll leave in a week. It won't be too late to go back and pick corn then."

"Alright, let's take a lunch break," Liu Yimin said, standing up.

When Liu Yimin returned to the bedroom, Zhu Lin wanted to ask him something, but seeing that Liu Yimin was too tired, she didn't say anything.

When Liu Yimin woke up, he found Zhu Lin leaning against the headboard, secretly wiping away tears. Liu Yimin got up, leaned against the headboard, put his arm around Zhu Lin's shoulder, and said, "It's okay, it's alright. Everyone has to go through this."

Going to school is like weaning a child twice. Zhu Lin leaned on Liu Yimin's shoulder: "Teacher Liu, thank you for your hard work. I was so anxious this morning, afraid something might go wrong."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

"Okay!" Zhu Lin nodded in relief.

After Liu Yu and Liu Lin woke up, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin had to coax them into getting into the car after much persuasion.

Zhu Lin handed Liu Yimin a thermos containing pear soup: "Teacher Liu, tell them to drink some at the kindergarten every now and then. But don't let them drink too much, or they might wet their pants."

Upon hearing that they had wet their pants, Liu Yu and Liu Lin exchanged a smile, scratched their heads, and pretended to be completely innocent.

"Row."

On the way to school, Liu Yimin told the two stories while driving.

When I arrived at the school in the afternoon, everything was fine. The teacher took the initiative to take over the task of feeding the child water: "Professor Liu, please don't come over unless necessary, otherwise the child's mind will be on you."

"Okay, thank you for your help then," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"You're too kind." After saying that, the teacher led the two little ones into the classroom. Liu Yimin saw that the two were about to cry again, so he made a funny face, which successfully made them laugh.

"Dad, remember to pick me up." Liu Yu waved her hand.

"Row!"

The situation was much better in the afternoon, and the teacher didn't call again. When it was time to let out, before the kindergarten gates even opened, Liu Yimin was already waiting at the entrance.

At the start of the new semester, the whole school was busy welcoming new students, but fortunately there were no teaching tasks at this time.

Seeing the two little ones come out, Liu Yimin waved to them happily.

"Teacher, has my Xiaoyu had any water?"

"Yes, yes, Liu Lin drank too. Professor Liu, don't worry."

After the teacher finished speaking, she took Liu Yimin aside and told him to pay attention, as children are often most resistant to going to school the next day, so he should be mentally prepared for tomorrow.

"Of course, I also hope that our child will come to school happily."

"Thank you, thank you, I understand, prevention is better than cure!"

Liu Yimin took the water cup from the teacher and judged from its weight that there was still a little water left inside.

On the way back, the two were particularly happy. Liu Yimin thought to himself that, judging from this situation, tomorrow shouldn't be too difficult.

Liu Yimin deliberately led the two to talk about interesting things in kindergarten. After asking them questions, he discovered that the two hadn't spoken to anyone else at school.

"Don't you two want friends? There are so many kids in the class, you can find anyone you like."

Liu Yu opened her mouth but didn't say anything, then turned her head to look out the window.

In the evening, after dinner, Yang Xiuyun washed the two little ones' clothes and hung them on the line, then went to prepare their clothes for the next day.

Zhu Lin held them in her arms as they watched cartoons in the room. The two completely forgot about the unpleasantness of the day, and when they saw something fun, they excitedly danced around.

Around nine o'clock, Yang Xiuyun called them to go to sleep. The two of them seemed reluctant to leave, but they still obediently slid off Zhu Lin's lap and followed Yang Xiuyun to bed.

After turning off the TV, Liu Yimin wearily walked into the bedroom, changed into his pajamas, and plopped down on the bed, letting out a tired sigh.

Zhu Lin smiled and turned Liu Yimin over: "Teacher Liu, let me massage your legs. You've had a long day."

"I'm not too bothered by the hardship, but I don't know when it will end. I felt a bit better this afternoon, but I don't know how tomorrow will be."

"Yeah, what about tomorrow?" Zhu Lin also collapsed onto the bed, feeling dejected.

The next morning after breakfast, the two little ones saw the schoolbag Yang Xiuyun handed them and ran frantically around the ginkgo tree.

It took the whole family working together to catch the two. Liu Yimin put the schoolbag on Liu Yu, who said pitifully, "Dad, I don't want to go to school, I don't want to go to school!"

"Be good, you'll meet lots of friends at school, and the teachers are great," Liu Yimin comforted her.

Seeing that gentle persuasion wasn't working, Liu Yu opened her mouth, raised her head, and tears streamed down her face: "Waaaaah!"

"."

Seeing that Liu Lin also wanted to learn, Liu Yimin glared at him and said, "If you dare to cry, I'll beat you up! You have to set a good example for your sister, understand?"

Liu Lin pouted and turned to snuggle into Yang Xiuyun's arms.

After much persuasion, Liu Yu finally asked Zhu Lin to take her to school: "I won't let my stinky dad take me. Dad bullies little kids."

"Okay, okay, I won't take you. Let Mom take you."

Zhu Lin drove in front, with Liu Yimin following behind. As they passed through the alley, many elementary school students on their way to school were chasing and playing, shouting:

"Blue Rabbit is dead. I have no intention of explaining right and wrong anymore. May Heaven and Earth live on forever!"

"I'm going to use the final move of Fire Dance Whirlwind!"

"Black Tiger, where do you think you're going!"

"Rainbow Cat, let's talk this out."

"Hmph, Everlasting Green, let's perish together!"

The students, each holding a stick they found by the roadside, used it as a weapon and chased and fought with each other.

The story of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit has now reached its most exciting point, with Rainbow Cat preparing to avenge Blue Rabbit with his life.

Today is the second day since this issue was released, and I didn't expect that elementary school students in Yanjing would already be chasing and imitating it.

Along the way, whenever they passed through areas frequented by elementary school students, they could hear shouts of fighting and killing. At the same time, they were reciting lines from the TV series "Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes".

The print run of this issue of "King of Fairy Tales" reached 850,000 copies. Zheng Yuanjie predicts that with this issue alone, "King of Fairy Tales" can reach a sales volume of at least 800,000 copies.

At this moment, inside the editorial department of "King of Fairy Tales," Zheng Yuanjie was excitedly predicting the total sales of this issue based on yesterday's sales figures.

Liang Xiangdong walked in with the data: "According to the distribution center's statistics, 30,000 copies were sold in Yanjing yesterday, and nearly 70,000 copies were sold nationwide. Based on past data analysis, there is absolutely no problem in achieving the sales target of 850,000 copies this period."

"Okay, 850,000 copies, that's only 150,000 copies away from one million." Zheng Yuanjie made up his mind to reach one million copies by the end of the year, just as Liu Yimin had said.

While driving, Zhu Lin didn't forget to tell the two little ones the story of "Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit Seven Heroes": "Look, so many big friends like Dad's work."

"Dad is so amazing," Liu Yu said with a smile.

"Yes, your father is the most amazing writer. Do you know how to become a writer?"

"I don't know." Liu Yu and Liu Lin shook their heads.

Zhu Lin said with a smile, "To become a writer, you have to study hard. If you don't study, you won't be able to write, and if you can't write, you can't become a writer. Do you want to learn from your father?"

Liu Yu and Liu Lin exchanged a glance, unsure whether to say "yes" or "no".

After Zhu Lin gave them a few more pointers, the two shouted in unison, "We should learn from Dad!"

"Then you must study hard. Dad didn't cry when he went to school!"

“I won’t cry either,” Liu Lin said.

“Mom, I’m not crying, but all the other kids are crying, and I can’t help it.” Liu Yu swung her little legs.

“When other children cry, you can comfort them. You are a strong child, and you should also teach other children to be strong,” Zhu Lin continued to gently guide them.

After Liu Yimin parked the car, the two little ones had already been taken out by Zhu Lin. Many parents carried their children towards the door, but often, as soon as they put them down, the children would frantically run back.

Normally polite and refined teachers and professors had no choice but to chase after them frantically, some even cursing in their hometown dialect.

Zhu Lin squatted down in front of Liu Yu: "Xiao Yu, do you remember what Mom just said?"

"What did Mom say?" Liu Yu asked innocently, flashing two rows of white teeth.

Zhu Lin felt his blood rushing to his head. After letting out a light breath, he said, "Mom said that we should learn from Dad. Dad doesn't cry when he goes to school."

(End of this chapter)