Ordinary World: Starting with a divorce from Tian Runye

The rain stopped early the next morning.

The sun laboriously climbed over the eastern mountains, washing the sky clean. The ground was still damp, and the air was filled with a strong, earthy smell. The locust trees at the entrance of the residential compound were covered with water droplets, which pattered off to the ground with a gust of wind.

Runye's arm was wrapped in gauze, but it didn't affect her ability to ride a bicycle.

As usual, she escorted Li Xiangqian to the entrance of the cultural center.

"Come pick me up after get off work."

"understood."

Runye pedaled away without looking back.

Li Xiangqian watched her figure disappear around the corner before turning and walking into the courtyard of the cultural center.

The courtyard has returned to its former state. The excitement of yesterday's discussion was like a torrential downpour, coming and going quickly. The windows of the reading room were polished to a shine by Sister Sun, and the door to the studio was open, from which came the sound of Old Yang turning pages.

Xiao Zhao was hunched over his desk, drawing something again.

Business as usual.

Li Xiangqian strolled to the door of his studio, and just as he was about to step inside, a sudden, inexplicable unease rose from the soles of his feet.

He glanced into the studio.

The chairs by the door had been moved, and there were two enamel mugs on my desk, one of which was still steaming.

not good.

There is an ambush.

Li Xiangqian took off running.

"Li Xiangqian!"

Du Lili's voice came out first, followed by a series of hurried footsteps.

Li Xiangqian had only taken three steps when Du Lili stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

"What a coincidence."

Li Xiangqian pretended that he had just noticed Du Lili's appearance.

Du Lili put her hands on her hips and looked Li Xiangqian up and down.

Why are you running?

"No way. Who saw me run away?"

"You've just stepped halfway into the studio."

"Oh. I suddenly feel the urge to pee and need to go to the toilet."

As Li Xiangqian spoke, he pointed towards the outhouse at the back of the courtyard.

"What do you want from me?"

Du Lili crossed her arms in front of her and tilted her head to look at him.

"It's nothing. I just came to see you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangqian felt relieved and let out a long sigh of relief.

Lili is fiercer than a tiger.

Whenever she appears, she'll probably assign me some kind of task.

"You should have said so earlier. You scared me!"

After saying that, I felt something was off.

"Why are you looking at me so early in the morning?"

Du Lili smiled brightly.

"It's great! A rising literary star from Yuanxi County, you'd be wrong to miss it."

"Don't mention this to me. I helped you yesterday, please don't repay kindness with enmity."

Li Xiangqian looked miserable.

As he spoke, he walked past Du Lili and into the studio. The steaming enamel mug on the table was indeed meant for him; Du Lili had even brewed the tea beforehand, clearly indicating it was premeditated.

Li Xiangqian sat down at his desk, and the moment his bottom touched the chair, Du Lili followed him in and plopped down opposite him.

"I have something to tell you."

coming.

"Last night, Editor-in-Chief Jia called my dad and said that he wanted to publish the content of this literary symposium in written form in 'Huangyuan Literature and Art'."

Li Xiangqian picked up the enamel cup and took a sip of tea.

"What does it have to do with me if they publish their content?"

"Of course it's your business. Once it's published, you'll be famous."

As Du Lili spoke, her eyes lit up.

"There's something else. A few of our former Western-origin poetry club members contacted me, saying they want to establish a former Western-origin literary society. They want you to organize it."

Li Xiangqian almost spat out the tea he was drinking.

"This tiny county town wants to start a literary society?"

"You..."

Du Lili rolled her eyes.

"Our Yuanxi County is the largest county in Huangyuan. Although it's a bit poor, it has a large population and several communes under its jurisdiction. No one has ever said that literary societies can only be established in big cities. Besides, literature can only thrive when it grows from the soil of hardship. Look at Soviet Russian literature..."

"De de de".

Li Xiangqian waved his hand impatiently to interrupt.

"I'm just an ordinary truck driver, please find someone else. I think you're quite good."

Du Lili glared at him angrily.

"I don't care. I've already promised them."

She raised her chin.

"This is to inform you, not to solicit your opinion."

Li Xiangqian was completely dumbfounded.

"Du Lili, I've just realized how cunning you are. You just said you were fine. You just came to check on me?"

He repeated what Du Lili had just said, adding a picture of Du Lili tilting her head.

"There's no room for discussion on this."

When Du Lili realized she couldn't persuade him with words, she simply resorted to physical force.

She stood up abruptly, grabbed Li Xiangqian's arm, and pulled him outside.

"Let's go to the business office. Let's start discussing and drafting a set of regulations now."

Li Xiangqian stumbled as he was pulled, and quickly grabbed the edge of the desk with his other hand.

"Let go!"

"Come with me!"

"I'm not going!"

As the two were tugging at each other, two dry coughs suddenly came from the doorway of the studio.

"Ahem!"

Du Zhengxian stood at the door, his face flushed purple, holding the enamel mug in his hand as if it were a hand grenade.

Du Lili completely ignored him. She grabbed Li Xiangqian's arm and continued to pull him out.

"It absolutely has to be done today."

Du Zhengxian couldn't hold back any longer and stepped in, panting heavily.

"Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense!"

He walked quickly to Du Lili and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"What kind of behavior is it for a female colleague to be pulling and tugging like that in the workplace?"

Du Lili then stopped, but didn't let go.

"Dad, you're the director of the Yuanxi County Cultural Center. The establishment of a literary society in our county is a big deal. Aren't you going to say something? Tell him quickly."

Du Zhengxian nearly choked to death.

"Why...why did I say that? Let go of him!"

"I don't."

Du Zhengxian gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.

"I'll take care of Comrade Xiangqian's work. You can relax now."

Upon hearing this, Du Lili's face immediately brightened, and she smiled broadly as she released her grip, stood to the side, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Li Xiangqian.

Du Zhengxian cleared his throat and turned to face Li Xiangqian.

"Go forward."

He placed the enamel mug on the table, his amiable tone driving Li Xiangqian crazy.

"Regarding the establishment of the Former Western Literature Society, quite a few cultural workers from the former Western countries have indeed raised this issue. This morning I spoke with Director Ma, and Director Ma's opinion was that he did not object."

He paused for a moment and looked at Li Xiangqian's expression.

"Hmm, I think we should give it a try. Let's give it a shot."

Li Xiangqian felt a surge of turmoil in his heart.

I've only been at the cultural center for a few days! How come I keep running into all sorts of things? I ran into them while moving props, while writing recitation scripts, while attending a poetry club discussion, and now they want to start a literature club?

Why didn't you guys do this before I came?

"Director Du, I'm just a greenhorn at the cultural center, why are you asking me to help out?"

Du Zhengxian sneered inwardly.

Is it my fault? When you were giving your all in the discussion, why didn't you think about this day coming to pass?

Du Zhengxian put his hands behind his back, revealing a troubled expression.

"Hey, not necessarily. It's just a concept. We don't even know where the funding is yet."

Upon hearing her father's negative attitude, Du Lili's face immediately darkened again.

"Dad! You're saying it's difficult before it's even started. You, the curator..."

"What's wrong with me being the curator?"

Du Zhengxian interrupted Du Lili and glared at her.

"I don't have the official seal for the funding. Director Ma's meaning is that he doesn't object, which means you can do your thing and don't expect the county to allocate any funds."

"Dad, you're the director of the cultural center; you're responsible for Yuanxi's cultural development..."

Taking advantage of the confrontation between the father and daughter, Li Xiangqian suddenly stood up from his chair.

"You guys chat first. I'm going to the restroom."

Is this ever going to end? One thing after another, without stopping.

After he finished speaking, he turned around and strode towards the door.

"Li Xiangqian!"

Du Lili's voice boomed from behind.

Li Xiangqian quickened his pace.

Du Lili put Du Zhengxian down and followed him.

Du Zhengxian stood in the studio, feeling like he had just had a turd in his pants; his legs trembled so badly he couldn't bring himself to step out.

Xiao Zhao wisely buried his head behind the easel.

Old Yang raised his eyelids slightly, then lowered them again.

"So you've already gotten involved?"

Du Zhengxian's lips twitched, and he slammed the enamel mug onto the table.