Literary Master 1918: Starting with New Youth

After much pleading and cajoling, Guo Xingang got his wish.

After Wu Zhu finished his tea, he was given another cup of tea, and then he went back to study philosophy.

Wu Zhu finally had some space, so he took out Huai Jin's letter, carefully tore it open, and pulled out the letter inside.

He was determined to see if Huaijin was being stubborn in this letter!

"Sir, the peppermint slices are very effective; when you hold them in your mouth, even the top of your head feels cold."

I don't understand what you mean by worldview, but I think I'll understand in the future!

Regarding your discussion of "Youth and Xiangzi," I have already conveyed it to the students, who said they benefited greatly from it. Please ask me to express my gratitude to you!

Your warning made me realize just how cheap that kind of condescending sympathy really is.

I think that to truly understand Xiangzi, one must first shed their sense of superiority.

Wu Zhu thought about it carefully.

What was your impression of Huaijin when you met him today?

First and foremost, she is good-looking, and not just ordinary good-looking.

She would definitely be very popular at school, but her personality is like that of a girl next door. Despite her wealthy family background, she doesn't have the air of a spoiled princess.

To put it another way, if Huaijin were an aloof and unapproachable young lady, she wouldn't have paid any attention to "New Youth," let alone struck up a conversation with him.

Therefore, at this moment, he was certain that Huaijin's feelings were genuine; what a rare and progressive female student she was.

My parents often say the same things about reading as you, but I don't like listening to them. However, since you've mentioned it, I'll try to do the same from now on!

"However, the *Das Kapital* you mentioned is indeed very difficult. My father found an English version, and although I've been learning English since I was little, I still struggle to read it. The sentences are extremely difficult to understand, and I have to look up words in the dictionary for nine out of ten sentences. After half a day, I haven't even finished a single page."

All I understood was that this massive work was apparently completed by two people; I gained nothing else from that...

As you said, we shouldn't be impatient; we should just take it one step at a time. However, I still hope that if you are truly committed to translating, you will allow me to be among the first readers.

Wu Zhu is determined to translate this time for Huai Jin's sake.

In his previous life, he read the Chinese version of "Das Kapital" with great enthusiasm, but if he were to read a foreign version, his brain would overload and he would crash.

I'll translate a few pages whenever I'm bored. Little by little, it'll add up and I'll be contributing to the times.

However, the copy of "Das Kapital" that Huaijin had should have been borrowed from the reading room by Ma Yuzhao; if he wanted to translate it, he would have to buy a copy himself.

Buy it if you want. With such a long article, even at one yuan per thousand words, you can earn a lot. It won't be a waste of your mental labor...

As for your new work, "Kong Yiji," I have already read it.

While reading, I kept putting myself in the shoes of the long-gowned man I had met before, yet the image became more concrete and poignant.

[Especially the scene at the end where Kong Yiji walks to the tavern using his "hands" reminded me of Xiangzi numbly pulling his rickshaw.]

The two seem worlds apart, but I think they are both, at their core, the only deformed remnants left after being swallowed up by the world.

Sir, your novel has made me realize that the ills of our society have penetrated to the bone marrow, and it is time for change.

Wu Zhu felt that Huai Jin's thinking was progressing rather quickly.

So far, the two have only exchanged a few letters, yet they can still say such profound things; their comprehension is truly remarkable.

In this world, it is rare to find a friend who shares your thoughts, let alone someone you have personally mentored, which makes him feel even more accomplished.

As for whether he had any ulterior motives...

By the way!

You said, "Encounters in this world may happen unexpectedly," and then you added, "Perhaps one day we'll bump into each other by chance." That's such a cruel thing to say!

It was both a polite refusal and a glimmer of hope.

The greatness of the modern woman lies in her independent thinking and her courage.

I wish I had the courage to suddenly understand—why can't I go to you?

Therefore, I have decided that tomorrow I will take this letter and personally deliver it to you at your address!

If it's inconvenient for you then, I won't bother you; if it's convenient for you, I'll definitely want to have a good heart-to-heart talk with you!

【whee!】

【Huaijin】

October 18th, 1918

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Wu Zhu smiled like an aunt.

He really is a braggart. He talked so big about himself in the letter, but when we actually met, he was as cowardly as an ostrich. He spoke so softly that he wanted to disappear into a bowl. His voice was softer than a mosquito flapping its wings.

It could also be because they weren't familiar with each other yet, but that's what makes them interesting souls.

Now that they've started to really interact, he'll definitely become more and more like the character described in the letter. He's quite looking forward to seeing what daring things the bold Huaijin will do...

"Look at Wu Zhu's face, still saying he wasn't going out on a date..."

"Yes! When has he ever smiled at us like that?"

"You don't understand, this is called reserving tenderness only for one's beloved. Our great writer has probably fallen in love!"

The voices of the three roommates rang out one after another, and they even clapped at the end.

Wu Zhu put the letter in the drawer and locked it, furious and embarrassed:

"Guo Xingang, if you're going to study philosophy, then study it. Why are you staring at me like that!"

"You were laughing out loud, it was hard for me not to notice."

"I'm not going to the National Society tomorrow."

"No, no, no, I was wrong, you're busy."

Guo Xingang quickly backed down, since he was the one being manipulated.

Wu Zhu, too lazy to argue with the others, pulled a sheet of paper from the table, took a pen from his breast pocket, unscrewed the cap, pondered for a long time, and finally picked up his pen and began to write:

The Bao Family

That's right, it's the Bao family, father and son, who said "use Stamcon hair oil".

However, it needs to be adapted "a little" to suit current needs.

After all, the brand name "Standcon" hasn't even been established yet...

.......

The following day, October 20th.

Shidazi Temple is located at the south end of Chizi Street in the eastern part of Yanjing.

This place is now the headquarters of the Western Returned Scholars Association. Since Yenching University does not allow the National Society to display its nameplate on campus, it can only hold its formal founding meeting here.

Wu Zhu got up early in the morning, and led by Guo Xingang, who was bundled up tightly, they ate a meal outside and walked to this place.

The architectural style retains the framework of the ancient temple while incorporating modern functional modifications, making it a distinctive building style from the Republican era.

A number of students had already gathered in front of the gate, their conversations producing a low, buzzing sound that was somewhat deafening.

Most of them were unfamiliar faces, but their faces revealed an undisguised excitement, which was enough to show their expectations for the National Society.

Upon seeing Guo Xingang leading Wu Zhu forward, Xu Chusheng, the chairman of the meeting, strode forward and spoke in a loud voice:

"Brother Wu! Brother Guo! Welcome, welcome!"

"I've heard so much about you! I should have visited you sooner, Brother Xu, but I kept declining. I'm so sorry."

Wu Zhu replied politely.

Xu Chusheng waved his hand:

"It's truly an honor for our club to have you here. Putting everything else aside, don't leave after the meeting; let's have a proper talk!"

"Alright, who are these classmates behind Brother Xu?"

Wu Zhu pointed to several students behind Xu Chusheng who looked like key members of the group, gesturing for him to introduce them.

Before Xu Chusheng could speak, several people behind him stepped forward and shook hands with Wu Zhu one by one:

"Huang Yikui!"

"Deng Kang!"

"Zhang Teli!"

"..."

These names became household names in later generations, and Wu Zhu responded to each one.

There was a time when he never dared to dream that he would be able to shake hands with each of them in history.

Guo Xingang stood aside, feeling honored.

The exchange among the core members quickly attracted the attention of other students. When they heard that Wu Zhu from "New Youth" magazine had also come to attend the founding ceremony, they all gathered around to greet him.

There was a lively chatter in front of the door.

Under Xu Chusheng's direction, the group surged into the venue, practically carrying Wu Zhu along, his feet barely touching the ground. The enthusiasm was so overwhelming that Wu Zhu felt a little overwhelmed and his head was spinning.

I've never experienced anything like this in my past life...

Soon, the almost suffocating journey finally came to an end, and the group arrived at the venue, where they dispersed and sat down according to the seats assigned by Xu Chusheng.

Wu Zhu originally wanted to sit in the back row with Guo Xingang.

Xu Chusheng stopped him from sitting down and gestured for him to go to the front row to sit with Cai Yuanpei, Shao Piaoping, Xu Baohuang, and others, clearly treating him as a professor.

That's a bit too much, he politely declined:

"No way, I'm not qualified."

"In my opinion, Brother Wu, you are absolutely qualified."

"I'll stay with Xin Gang to keep him from being lonely. Brother Xu, there's no need to try to persuade him any further."

"Fine, but aren't you going to go say hello?"

"Let's go, together."