Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

The dormitory environment in Xizhai is not only basic, but the number of rooms is also quite limited, requiring a lottery for allocation.

This resulted in some less fortunate students having to share private houses on Jingshan East Street and in the Shatan area, where the monthly rent was usually around two yuan.

Wu Zhu arrived late and certainly couldn't get a bed at the school. Led by Qian Xuantong, the two chatted and laughed under their umbrellas as they arrived at No. 59 Sanyanjing Hutong.

"Shizhi's students are one short of roommates, and you've found the one."

"It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early, it proves that I have a special connection with Yenching University."

"Haha, I won't go in and bother you, it might annoy the young people... Here, take your luggage."

Qian Xuantong handed the bed sheets and blankets, along with some daily necessities, to Wu Zhu. He had just bought them on his way here, and he made sure that Wu Zhu, the chief disciple, didn't spend a single penny, which showed how much he liked them.

Wu Zhu took the luggage and was about to thank him again when Qian Xuantong turned and left, his back view swift and hurried.

"very nice."

He sighed inwardly.

He's going further and further down the path of getting things for free, I wonder when a beautiful wife will suddenly appear out of nowhere...

Wu Zhu only turned to look at the courtyard gate after watching her mentor's figure disappear into the rain.

The door to the wall was ajar, pitted and scarred by insects and ants, with the red paint peeling off, making it look quite old.

He was carrying large and small bags, and had to gently kick the door open with his foot. The hinges must have been unoiled for a long time, as they made a rough "creaking" sound.

Behind the door is a small courtyard with clotheslines strung along the sides. Private stoves are placed close to the eaves, and two large cabbages sit on the pot lids.

The clothes hanging out to dry were left unattended, exposed to the rain, and the styles ranged from all walks of life.

It's obvious at a glance that this courtyard is a "large tenement" for rent. Wu Zhu's room to share is located next to the alley and is also known as a "reverse-facing room".

He placed his luggage on the dry ground under the eaves, gently pushed open the single wooden door, and found the room dimly lit by a kerosene lamp, with a faint smell of pig.

Having been a college student in both lives, Wu Zhu knew exactly what this felt like—

The unique "popularity" of the boys' dormitory.

The room was only about 15 square meters, with four beds placed side by side against the wall, and a desk opposite, leaving a narrow passageway in the middle.

All the luggage was stuffed under the bed, but Wu Zhu, with his sharp eyes, noticed that in addition to the luggage, there was also a chamber pot under the bed.

"Huff huff..."

"Hmph..."

The afternoon was filled with the sounds of snoring, and Wu Zhu knew he had come to the right place.

There was only one student behind the desk, who looked to be about twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He was wearing a simple white long gown, had neat, short hair, and a face that was both strong and frail. He was taking notes while holding a copy of "New Youth." Hearing the noise, he looked up and asked in surprise:

"Who are you?"

"Hello! I'm a researcher under Professor Qian. I heard from Mr. Shih-chih that we need one more person here, so I brought my luggage here to share the apartment."

Wu Zhu put away his bamboo umbrella.

"Welcome, welcome!"

The student quickly stood up, went to the door, and extended his right hand, appearing very polite.

Wu Zhu reached out and grasped it:

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Wu Zhu. I am from Lingling, Xiangnan. I graduated from Xiangnan Provincial Second Normal College."

"Professor Qian, you're from Hunan...you must be the student who argued with Old Gu today! I'm Guo Xingang, from Shandong, a preparatory student in the humanities. Please guide me in the future!"

Guo Xingang was very excited, and unconsciously tightened his grip, making Wu Zhu grimace.

The child is still too weak to withstand this kind of exertion!

Seeing Wu Zhu's pained expression, Guo Xingang immediately stopped, apologized repeatedly, and helped Wu Zhu carry all her luggage into the house.

The only bed available now is the one near the door, but it has a window and the light is quite good.

"Who is it!"

"How many times have I told you! Philosophers' brains aren't sharp enough; they need to sleep more during the day, instead of making a racket in broad daylight!"

The two people who were fast asleep in bed were woken up. They were still sleepy and their tone was full of impatience.

Wu Zhu froze as she tidied the bed.

"This is our new roommate, Wu Zhu. She is Professor Qian's researcher and was introduced by Professor Hu."

Guo Xingang took the initiative to help them out of the predicament.

Wu Zhu also raised his hand to greet them.

Upon hearing this, the student sleeping in the innermost bunk slowly sat up, rubbed his eyes, and wanted to see his new roommate's face.

"...You're quite handsome. My name is Wang Kunlun, an undergraduate student in philosophy. Please bear with me in the future."

The thin, gaunt student hummed.

The last student leaning against the wall also stood up at this moment. His slicked-back hair was messy, like a bird's nest, but his face was quite refined. He cleared his throat heavily:

"Wu Zhu, right? My name is Chen Gongbo, an undergraduate student in philosophy."

"I rented this room for four yuan a month. Before you came, the three of us paid one yuan and fifty cents a month, and we used the extra money to buy candles and other communal supplies."

"Now that you're here, we'll each contribute one yuan per month, and we'll take turns buying communal supplies. Is that acceptable to you?"

I didn't make a single extra penny at this price; I was just finding someone to share the rent.

Wu Zhu readily agreed: "No problem."

After saying that, he took out a silver coin and pretended to hand it to Chen Gongbo.

"We usually pay rent at the beginning of the month. There are only a few days left this month, so you can stay here for now and start paying next month."

Chen Gongbo pushed the silver dollar back.

Thank you!

"Alright, keep your voice down when you're packing. We're going out to eat together tonight."

"Yeah! You're even weaker than Guo Xingang, so I'll take you to Haiquancheng for some stir-fried pork kidneys!"

After exchanging pleasantries with Wang Kunlun, Chen Gongbo rolled his eyes and fell asleep again.

Kuretake almost laughed:

"Have these two always been like this?"

"Since I moved here at the beginning of the year, they both have to come back and take a nap after every philosophy class."

"Do you know what this is called?"

"What?"

"Pig brain overload".

......

There weren't many things in Kuretake, and even though he tiptoed around, it didn't take him more than ten minutes.

Finally settling down in Yanjing and successfully entering Yenching University, he specially changed into a black "youth uniform" made of the most ordinary hand-woven homespun cloth, with several patches on the sleeves, making it look somewhat shabby.

However, the Parker gold pen tucked upside down in the chest pocket, combined with his appearance and demeanor, gives him the air of a poor but noble man.

"Brother Wu, where did you find this pen? I'd like to go and try to get one too."

"What are you saying! This is a gift from Professor Qian as a formal apprenticeship present! Isn't it exquisite?"

Guo Xingang nodded repeatedly, filled with envy.

However, Wu Zhu didn't show off. After tidying up, he took out the notebooks and ink he had bought on the way and arranged them neatly on the desk.

"What's wrong with you?"

"When writing a novel, if inspiration strikes, you can't let it slip away."

Wu Zhu removed the pen cap, unscrewed the pen holder, and filled the ink tube.

He never considered hiding his novel writing from those around him and pretending to be weak to deceive others; there was absolutely no need for it.

Guo Xingang sat down closer and lowered his voice:

"Everyone in the class is saying that you wrote a novel that's comparable to 'Diary of a Madman,' and that 'New Youth' magazine is fighting over it. Is that true?"

"It's not that exaggerated, but your submission has been approved, and you'll be able to see it next month."

"He's truly talented. I can only take my notes and ask Mr. Shouchang for advice. If I can publish an article in *New Youth*, I won't have any regrets even if I never get married in my life..."

Guo Xingang's tone didn't seem fake; he appeared quite determined.

Wu Zhu smiled, opened the notebook, and without any hesitation, made the first stroke.

Guo Xingang praised the neat small regular script repeatedly, while also glancing at the title:

Rickshaw Boy