Siheyuan: I have a multi-dimensional chat group!

Work isn't too busy, but there's still a lot to do.

Because he was new, Shao Jingwen didn't assign him much work.

His main task was to be responsible for the initial review and proofreading of manuscripts, finding typos, grammatical errors, and so on.

Besides that, Shao Jingwen's biggest expectation was to give him the freedom to express himself and write better articles and poems.

To this end, Shao Jingwen also specially found many books and articles from publishers' collections for Zhou Bingkun to read.

In his spare time, he also taught Zhou Bingkun some things that needed attention.

Publishing houses and cinemas are not on the same path, so Zhou Bingkun couldn't possibly take a long detour to see Zheng Juan every day.

I only go there every few days.

Chapter 61, Zheng Juan's Straightforward Approach! (Seeking first-day subscriptions upon release!)

After Zhou Bingkun's poem "Memories of the Flames" was published in the magazine "Red Gear," it immediately caused a huge sensation in the literary circles of Liaoning Province.

It was subsequently published in other magazines and newspapers at an extremely rapid pace, and began to circulate throughout the country.

Zhou Bingkun had no idea of ​​the influence of a good poem in this era.

Since universities no longer admit students, the inability to gather together to discuss academic topics is a torment for many students and scholars.

If a good poem suddenly appears at this time, it will naturally be sought after by countless people.

The author of this poem, Xiao Chulan, quickly became a celebrity in the literary world.

Especially in Liaoning Province, Xiao Chulan is adored by countless fans.

This pen name was created by Zhou Bingkun by combining the names of Xiao Shan and Zhang Chulan.

Soon, Zhou Bingkun worked at Liaoning Provincial Publishing House for more than a month and received his first salary—50 yuan.

Of the 50 yuan, 26 yuan was wages, and the remaining 24 yuan was a writing fee.

Besides "Memories of the Flames," Zhou Bingkun published several other poems.

Of course, Zhang Chulan also helped him find these poems.

That's why the total fee for writing is so high.

Earning 50 a month is definitely not low in this day and age.

In addition to cash, the publisher also issued grain coupons, cloth coupons, meat coupons, and two industrial vouchers.

When he was leaving get off work, Shao Jingwen made a special trip to find Zhou Bingkun and slipped him a meat ticket.

They said their children weren't home, so they didn't need so many meat coupons.

Zhou Bingkun naturally wanted to decline.

But Shao Jingwen was very adamant and insisted on giving it to him, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Zhou Bingkun was in a good mood after receiving his salary. He rode his beloved old bicycle to the movie theater to see Zheng Juan.

Zheng Juan and her mother were packing their things, preparing to go home.

Taiping Hutong is a bit far from the cinema, so they need to get back early.

Otherwise, the road will be difficult to travel when it gets dark.

"Have you closed up shop yet?"

Upon hearing the familiar voices, Zheng Juan and her daughter looked up.

Zheng Juan couldn't help but smile: "Well, we're getting ready to go back. Do you want to buy some candied hawthorns?"

These days, Zhou Bingkun has become their most frequent guest.

Zhou Bingkun held out one hand: "Give me five."

"Why are you ordering so much today?" Zheng Juan asked, somewhat surprised.

Zhou Bingkun laughed and said, "Great! Here, this is the money."

Zheng Juan wrapped up the candied hawthorns and handed them to Zhou Bingkun, who then took the money.

But the next moment, she froze.

In addition to a dime, Zhou Bingkun handed over a grain coupon and a meat coupon.

"What's this?" Zheng Juan looked at Zhou Bingkun with some confusion.

Zhou Bingkun smiled and said, "Take it! I got paid today, and I'll use this to pay for any candied hawthorns I buy next time."

"No, take these two tickets back." Zheng Juan quickly refused.

At the same time, he took out the grain coupons and meat coupons and handed them back to Zhou Bingkun.

She was well aware of the value of food coupons and meat coupons.

Especially since these two tickets show a considerable weight, which is something money can't buy.

Zhou Bingkun refused to accept it and pushed it back: "Take it if you want! Didn't I tell you, I just got paid today? I work at a publishing house now, and these food coupons and meat coupons are issued every month. My mother and I can't use them all."

Zheng Juan pursed her lips and suddenly walked up to Zhou Bingkun: "Come with me."

Zhou Bingkun smiled at Zheng's mother, then followed Zheng Juan to the side.

Zheng Juan stopped and turned to Zhou Bingkun, asking, "Why are you so nice to me? Do you like me?"

"Uh..." Zhou Bingkun was taken aback by Zheng Juan's bluntness. "Yes, I like you, and I want you to be my wife!"

Having been guided by two relationship experts for so long, Zhou Bingkun naturally knew what it meant to seize an opportunity that wouldn't come again.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Bingkun said that, and Zheng Juan's face turned even redder, her previous boldness vanishing instantly.

"I...I'm not worthy of your affection. You can find someone better."

Looking at Zheng Juan, who had her head down, Zhou Bingkun smiled: "It seems you've already inquired about me and know about my family situation."

Zheng Juan nodded.

Although it wasn't her intention to inquire about Zhou Bingkun, she didn't stop her mother from doing so.

But after inquiring, she felt even more inferior.

Zhou Bingkun came from a working-class family; his father was an eighth-grade worker.

Zhou Bingkun himself still has a job, a respectable one at a publishing house.

And what about her?

No urban household registration, no job.

There is also an elderly mother and a blind younger brother in the family.

She felt she was not good enough for Zhou Bingkun, but she couldn't bear to part with him.

But Zhou Bingkun's actions just now made her decide that she could no longer continue to fantasize like this.

"Zhou Bingkun, you'd better not come here again!" Zheng Juan said, biting her lip. "I'm not good enough for you. With your qualities, you can find a better woman. I'm not worthy!"

Zhou Bingkun replied without hesitation, "Finding a wife isn't about conditions. No matter how good other women are, I won't look at them. No matter how bad your conditions are, I'll still like you."

"Zheng Juan, let me ask you, if I wanted to marry you, would you agree?" Zhou Bingkun stared straight at Zheng Juan and asked.

Zheng Juan dared not look Zhou Bingkun in the eye, lowered her head, and stammered, "I...I don't know."

“Not knowing means I don’t object. Okay, I understand what you mean!” Zhou Bingkun said happily.

Zheng Juan looked up in astonishment: "What do you understand? I didn't say anything!"

Zhou Bingkun looked into Zheng Juan's eyes: "Some things don't need to be said."

Zheng Juan stared blankly at Zhou Bingkun, her expression silly and rather cute.

"Come on, your mom and brother are waiting for you! We happen to be going the same way, let's go together."

After saying that, Zhou Bingkun didn't wait for Zheng Juan's response and turned back to his stall.

Zheng Juan's expression was complicated.

She originally wanted to persuade Zhou Bingkun, but before she could say two words, Zhou Bingkun adopted an attitude that left no room for negotiation.

Although she felt that Zhou Bingkun was being a bit domineering, she was secretly pleased.

Zhou Bingkun did not look down on her family or on her.

The two returned to the handcart, and Zhou Bingkun said to Zheng's mother, "Auntie, you go back to Taiping Hutong, and I'll go back to Guangzipian. It's on the way, so I'll help you push the cart."

Zheng's mother quickly refused, "No need, no need. Young man, you go back first, we'll push it ourselves."

“It’s alright, Auntie, I’m a man, I’m stronger than you!” Zhou Bingkun said to Zheng Juan. “Zheng Juan, can you help me push this bicycle? You can put your brother on the back seat.”

Then Zhou Bingkun took the cart directly from Zheng's mother and easily pulled it up.

The car was rather old, but it had quite a lot of stuff on it.

Such weight is not easy for Zheng Juan and her daughter.

But for Zhou Bingkun, that was not a problem at all.

Zhou Bingkun moved too quickly; Zheng's mother couldn't stop him at all.

By the time she realized what was happening, Zhou Bingkun had already pulled the car several meters away.

Zheng's mother could only look at Zheng Juan: "Juan'er..."

Zheng Juan was both touched and helpless: "It's okay, Mom. Guangming, come on, let your sister carry you to the car."

Zhou Bingkun led the way and left, leaving Zheng Juan to push Zhou Bingkun's bicycle with Zheng Guangming on the back.

She can't ride a bike either, and she has her mother with her, so she just pushes it.

Zheng Juan had only ever seen other people's bicycles before; this was the first time she had ever pushed one herself.

Even though it wasn't hers, she was still very happy.

It was also Zheng Guangming's first time riding a bicycle. He lay on the back seat, hugging the bicycle seat tightly.

Seeing Zheng Juan catching up, Zhou Bingkun slowed down and walked alongside them.

Zheng's mother was still a little embarrassed: "Young man, let me do it!"

“It’s alright, ma’am, this weight is nothing to me, you don’t need to be so polite with me,” Zhou Bingkun said to Zheng’s mother with a smile.

Mother Zheng sighed, "Young man, I heard from Juan'er that you work at a publishing house and are a cultured person. How can you help us push the cart? Stop it and give it to me!"

"Auntie, I work at a publishing house, but I'm not exactly a cultured person. Besides, even if I were, so what? Cultured people still need to eat and work."

“That’s different. Cultured people can’t do heavy work.” Zheng’s mother was almost sixty years old, and her thinking was more feudal than that of Zhou Bingkun’s generation.

In her mind, cultured people are superior.

Zhou Bingkun did not argue, but smiled and said, "Auntie, if I said that I like Zheng Juan and want to marry her as my wife, would you agree?"

"Ah?" Before Zheng's mother could speak, Zheng Juan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Zheng Juan's face immediately turned bright red again.

Zheng's mother's face lit up with joy: "Young man, are you telling the truth?"

It's no wonder she was happy, because she had already inquired about Zhou Bingkun's situation and knew about his family background.

Given Zhou Bingkun's family background, if his daughter were to marry into that family, she would definitely be better off than she is now.

Not to mention that Zhou Bingkun now has a job, a respectable job with a permanent position at a publishing house.

If Zhou Bingkun were willing to marry Zheng Juan, she would absolutely support him unconditionally.

Zhou Bingkun nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course it's true! As long as you agree, I'll go back and discuss it with my mother, and then find someone to propose marriage."

"I have no objection!" Mother Zheng naturally had no objection.

Seeing Zhou Bingkun and his mother talking about such things in front of her, Zheng Juan was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear into the ground.

Zheng Juan tried to stop her mother: "Mom, stop talking."

But Zheng's mother wouldn't listen and continued telling Zhou Bingkun, "Young man, let me tell you, although our Juan'er doesn't have a job or a registered residence, she's actually a burden on us. Juan'er is incredibly hardworking and has a wonderful personality. If you marry Juan'er, she'll definitely take good care of you."

Chapter 62, Li Suhua's Opposition! (Please subscribe upon release!)