Writer 1979: Writing for the People

"When Old Xu first came to our village, he wasn't even as old as you are now..."

While helping Li Xiuzhi weed and water the plants, Zhang Cuihua chatted with her, and of course, the conversation mainly revolved around Xu Lu.

Through her account, Li Xiuzhi also learned more about Xu Lu.

Including when he first came to Zhangjia Village, he didn't know how to do any work and was called a "bookworm". Later, when Zhang Dameng broke his leg in a ravine, he found him and carried him back to Zhangjia Village...

As Li Xiuzhi listened, she would sometimes frown and sometimes chuckle, and the pale, empty figure in her heart gradually came to life.

"I know you're a young woman, and coming to a place where you don't know anyone, you must be scared."

But don't worry, Old Xu is a good man, and he's educated. Marrying him will be a good choice.

Zhang Cuihua concluded by saying this, then glanced at the other women who were working and lowered her voice.

"I'll tell you a secret: most of these people originally wanted to marry Old Xu, but none of them did in the end!"

You've really struck gold!

After hearing this, Li Xiuzhi didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed. In any case, her gaze unconsciously drifted to Xu Lu again...

……

"What did Sister Zhang say to you this afternoon? I saw you two whispering to each other the whole time."

While eating cornbread for dinner, Xu Lu asked curiously. He was worried that Li Xiuzhi, who had just arrived and was not very talkative, would not fit in, so he had been quite distracted while working in the fields that day.

Then I noticed that Li Xiuzhi and Sister Zhang were whispering to each other, and they would occasionally glance over.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuzhi recalled what Zhang Cuihua had said that afternoon, but she shook her head.

"He didn't say anything..."

Seeing this, Xu Lu didn't press the matter further. He was glad the girl could adapt. After finishing his meal, he continued writing.

  

Having learned from last night's experience, he paid attention to the time tonight. When he realized it was getting late, he moved the table away and then blew out the light to rest.

Just as I was about to close my eyes, I heard Li Xiuzhi ask in a low voice.

Are you writing a novel?

"right."

Xu Lu was somewhat surprised; this seemed to be the first time in the past few days that the other party had taken the initiative to ask about him.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Xiuzhi continued to speak.

"Can you tell me this story?"

"sure……"

Xu Lu immediately turned his body to the side, thinking it would be easier to talk that way, but when he looked at Li Xiuzhi's profile, he suddenly realized that their relationship was somewhat sensitive at the moment...

In an instant, both of their expressions became somewhat unnatural.

But if we flip it over now, it will probably be even more awkward, right?

Xu Lu had no choice but to put aside his other thoughts and start from the beginning.

Li Xiuzhi also tried her best not to think about anything else and listened attentively to the story of the little monk he was telling.

Somewhat to her surprise, the story actually sounded quite interesting.

She didn't understand what "sweet" meant yet, but as she listened to the conversations and interactions between Minghai and Xiaoyingzi in the story, she couldn't help but smile.

She found this story much more interesting than the old plays and movies that were shown repeatedly in her hometown!

In previous years, cultural and entertainment works were strictly regulated, and only a few operas and movies could be publicly released.

It's a lie to say that you don't get tired of it.

"He's really amazing; he actually managed to write such a wonderful story!"

Li Xiuzhi thought to herself.

……

"Xiao Yingzi whispered in Mingzi's ear, 'I'll be your wife, do you want me?'..."

"The Ordination" is a long story, but if it is told orally and large sections of description are omitted, it can actually be finished in less than ten minutes. So Xu Lu quickly got to the end of the story.

It was at this moment that he suddenly remembered what Zhang Dameng had said to him yesterday, "Old Xu, do you want a wife?", and he suddenly got stuck.

Li Xiuzhi listened with great interest, but not knowing the reason, she curiously asked.

"and then?"

"Then Mingzi's eyes widened, and she didn't say a word, and Xiaoyingzi..."

Xu Lu pretended to be calm and continued, adding the ending to the story.

Upon hearing that the two were together, Li Xiuzhi couldn't help but chuckle softly.

This story sounds wonderful!

"The story ends here. I've written about half of it, and I estimate I'll finish it in another three days!"

What do you think of this story?

Xu Lu asked the question, and Li Xiuzhi first gave an affirmative answer without hesitation, then organized her thoughts and tried to express them as accurately as possible.

"I think this story is quite interesting, especially the plot between Minghai and Xiaoyingzi. There is no struggle or any earth-shattering events. It feels very simple and beautiful."

Moreover, the story is easy to listen to and doesn't contain any grand moral lessons...

Xu Lu nodded. The appearance of the article "Receiving the Precepts" at this point in time was indeed quite unusual.

In previous stories, love was either a byproduct of "revolutionary friendship" or criticized as "bourgeois sentiment." It's rare to see someone as pure and simple as Minghai and Xiaoyingzi.

Moreover, "Receiving the Precepts" describes the daily life in a water town: picking water chestnuts, digging water caltrops, rowing boats, and attending temple fairs; the language is also plain, with no difficult words.

Listening to this story, you don't need to rack your brains to think about "what this character represents" or "what the deeper meaning of this plot is." Just follow the story, watch the little monk and the little girl grow up day by day, and watch the monks in the temple live their lively lives. After listening, you feel refreshed and comfortable, unlike those stories that preach profound truths, which are exhausting to listen to.

"I don't know much about literature, but I think if I can understand it and find it interesting, other ordinary people like me should also like it."

"And magazines will probably accept anything that everyone likes to read."

Li Xiuzhi couldn't articulate any profound principles; she could only offer these words to encourage the other person.

She had witnessed his hard work these past two days, going out to work during the day and staying up late to write articles, and therefore sincerely hoped that he would succeed.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Xu Lu smiled and nodded. The two exchanged a brief glance before simultaneously looking away.

"It's getting late, let's go to sleep! We still have work to do tomorrow."

Xu Lu cleared his throat and then spoke, while also straightening his body back up.

"it is good."

Li Xiuzhi responded and then closed her eyes.

As the excitement and novelty wore off, she couldn't help but worry that she might have said something wrong...

However, Xu Lu seemed to be in a good mood, so he probably hadn't made any mistakes!

That's good……