Chapter 287: Expectations, Graduate Students, on the Eve of Publication

Half past six in the morning.

The sky was gloomy, with heavy light grey clouds hanging low.

In a dark room.

On a simple wooden bed, a figure lay quietly.

Breathing is even and sleeping face is peaceful.

There were strong cool breezes blowing outside the house, making the sycamore trees in the yard rustle, and the wind poured in through the gaps in the windows, making the printed curtains sway.

The sudden influx of cold air brought a chill like maggots attached to the bones, causing Cheng Kaiyan to unconsciously tighten the thin quilt around her body, and her consciousness quietly awakened.

Cheng Kaiyan opened his eyes in the dim light. It was quiet all around. He could only hear the spatulas of the people frying food in the pots, inaudible voices, and the sound of feet stepping on the raised stone slabs…

Today is October 3rd, and it has been exactly two days since Cheng Kaiyan and Xiaoli officially became a couple.

Anything that has changed?

Cheng Kaiyan felt that nothing had changed. In the eyes of others, the two of them were already a couple.

What is temporary formal?
The formalization of this kind of relationship is just a little interest and agreement between two people.

Since Sister Xiaoli cares, Cheng Kaiyan is naturally willing to follow her.

It’s always good to have a beginning and an end.

Besides…

The day before yesterday afternoon, Sister Xiaoli was held in my arms. Her eyes were full of tenderness and brightness, and her pretty face had a shy and naive look as if she had just woken up, but she also seemed to be expressing her affection openly.

She was so cute and charming that Cheng Kaiyan’s heart skipped a beat.

I was deeply moved.

For a moment, he had only one thought in his mind.

That is just like what he said on the boat, he wanted to eat her up.

“If you eat it…”

Cheng Kaiyan shook her head and didn’t think much about it. Besides, people in that era were more conservative and many people only fulfilled their marriage obligations on their wedding day.

For this kind of thing, he has always held the view that it will happen naturally and smoothly.

However, this time their relationship has gone a step further, and Cheng Kaiyan also hopes to take the intimate contact a step further. It can’t be just kissing, right?

He planned to wait until Sister Xiaoli finished her tutoring and caught up with the progress before discussing it with her.

At this time, the sound of the door being pushed open in the next room was heard, and mother Xu Yuxiu got up.

When Cheng Kaiyan heard the noise, he didn’t continue lying there. He quickly got dressed, got up, went to the window and opened the curtains.

A gust of cool air, without the obstruction of the curtains, suddenly rushed in.

“Hiss, it’s so cold, the temperature is probably only a few degrees, right?”

Cheng Kaiyan’s hair stood on end and she got goose bumps.

Looking at the sky again, it was gloomy and the whole sky was covered by thick dark clouds.

Storms and clouds are gathering.

The sky in Beijing has changed.

Obviously an autumn rain is coming, and as the saying goes, each layer of autumn rain brings a cooler temperature.

It will get colder after that.

Thinking of this, Cheng Kaiyan did not feel that she was in good health, so she endured it in just two pieces of clothing.

Instead, he quickly found a military coat in the closet and put it on, which made him feel much warmer.

Left the room to wash up.

Just then, his mother came out of the room and saw him fully armed. Xu Yuxiu said jokingly, “Kaiyan, you actually knew to change clothes. That’s really rare.”

“Why do you find it so strange?”

Cheng Kaiyan was a little speechless. She waited for her mother to come to her side before she walked out of the main room with her and came to the eaves corridor.

“It’s going to rain today, so bring your raincoat.”

Xu Yuxiu looked up at the sky and gave the instruction casually.

“understood.”

“By the way, why haven’t you written any articles these days?”

The woman suddenly asked.

In fact, she had always known that her child had been writing an essay since July.

That night when her son officially started writing, Xu Yuxiu brought him mung bean soup and secretly read the beginning of his writing behind her back.

This was what happened that year when she saw Cheng Kaiyan off to the car.

Therefore, Xu Yuxiu cared very much about this novel and always wanted to read the full version.

I want to use this novel to understand, across time and space, the specific things that happened to Cheng Kaiyan during those years in the army, so as to make up for the years that my mother was absent.

But because of the mother’s face, she couldn’t ask her son directly for it.

I was also worried that it would affect his creation, so I didn’t say anything.

“The manuscript? It was submitted some time ago.”

Cheng Kaiyan was a little surprised that his mother would ask about this. He raised his eyes and met Xu Yuxiu’s clear and bright peach blossom eyes with gentleness in them.

But he also noticed the fine lines appearing at the corners of his mother’s eyes.

Although it does not affect my mother’s beauty, there is no doubt that she is aging.

Cheng Kaiyan sighed in his heart, thought about it for a while, and understood the general reason.

He explained: “Mom, if you want to see it, you could have told me earlier.”

Xu Yuxiu shook her head slightly and said nothing.

“Really? What’s the relationship between us? No matter what you want, I will get it for you no matter what!”

Seeing this, Cheng Kaiyan patted his chest and said with great pride.

“Virtue~”

Xu Yuxiu rolled her eyes at him, then put her hands on her waist and said confidently, “Okay, now you’re the next one to show me?”

“Isn’t this just an exaggeration? Once it’s published, I’ll definitely buy it for you as soon as possible.”

Cheng Kaiyan said with a smile.

It has been four or five days since I submitted the manuscript, so the results should be out soon.

After a quarrel, the mother and son went back to the kitchen to wash up.

Had breakfast.

They each took an umbrella and went out to work.

……

“Whoa whoa whoa~”

“Fuck! It’s really raining!”

“I didn’t bring an umbrella. Comrade, let’s hide together.”

The sky was gloomy and the streets were gray.

Only the shops under the awnings and the breakfast stalls still had their lights on.

The sudden heavy rain brought the whole street alive.

All kinds of passers-by were running down the street holding umbrellas or staring at their briefcases and complaining.

The sounds of hawking, cursing, and regret mixed together, making a loud noise.

Cheng Kaiyan sat by the window on the bus, with her elbows resting on the window and her chin supported, quietly looking out the window at the heavy rain that almost covered the world, and the people running like ants on the street.

I feel very happy.

Rainy days are his favorite.

Even though it’s inconvenient to travel, he still likes it.

Especially when the world is submerged, but you can shrink into a certain place, you have a different kind of sense of security.

More than ten minutes later, the familiar big stone lion at the school gate appeared in front of us.

“crunch-“

The car door creaked and opened.

The sound of the overwhelming rain suddenly became louder, the rain flooded the streets, and ripples appeared on the water surface.

Cheng Kaiyan followed the crowd and hurriedly got off the car, holding an umbrella as she walked away.

As I walked along the way, it was raining and some rain water seeped through the shoe surface into my shoes and socks, bringing a damp and cool feeling.

He endured the discomfort and finally reached the classroom.

Today is Friday, and I have classes in the first and second periods in the morning.

Walking up the stairs to the classroom, I saw many comrades from the writers’ class enjoying the rain on the balcony.

“Comrade Cheng Kaiyan, are you here for class? Are you healed?”

A gay man with a crew cut and wearing black cloth clothes caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye and asked in surprise.

“Yeah, it’s almost done. If I don’t attend the class, I’m afraid you guys will fall behind too much.”

Cheng Kaiyan responded and replied.

“It’s okay, I’ll make it up soon.”

The man with a crew cut comforted her and even wanted to lend his notes to Cheng Kaiyan, but Cheng Kaiyan said that someone had already borrowed her notes, so he gave up.

Cheng Kaiyan turned and walked into the classroom, feeling relieved.

This change actually occurred after he went to southern Xinjiang to participate in military field trip.

In any case, in today’s social atmosphere, most ordinary people still admire the fighting heroes on the front line.

As for the children of high-ranking officials, it is unknown what the big leaders think.

Enter the classroom.

In a corner near the window, I saw Ye Xin, Jiang Zilong and others.

Since the field trip, the relationship between them has gone beyond that of ordinary friends.

After all, they have been through a lot together.

Cheng Kaiyan walked quickly and sat in the empty seat.

Before the class started, everyone started chatting animatedly.

Cheng Kaiyan took out a notebook and organized her notes while listening to their conversation, interjecting from time to time.

“My class had planned to climb the Great Wall on National Day, but I didn’t expect Beijing to be so lively on National Day. Everyone wanted to play around in the city. It’s a pity that I haven’t been to the Great Wall yet.”

There was still some remnant of joy from the National Day on Ye Xin’s face, but also some regret.

“It’s okay. Autumn is coming. Let’s organize an autumn outing next time.”

Cheng Kaiyan replied with a smile.

“makes sense.”

Wang Anyi nodded, and suddenly thought of something, and asked with concern: “Cheng Kaiyan, you should have finished your work, right?
Brother Jiang, Ye Xin and I have reviewed and revised each other’s work, and we plan to submit it today.

Do you need my help with yours?”

Jiang Zilong also asked, “Do you need our help?”

In fact, these three people have the best literary talents in the class, and they have a very good relationship after the field trip.

This mutual review and revision was done on a whim.

But the effect is immediate and the progress is significant.

This military travel essay contest is sure to win a considerable prize.

Cheng Kaiyan shook her head and said, “Thank you. I submitted it last week.”

“Kaiyan, I’m afraid you’re going to lose this time.”

Jiang Zilong still remembered the bet about treating everyone to dinner, so he joked.

“Haha, what on earth did you write that made you so confident?”

After several people explained, Cheng Kaiyan learned that Jiang Zilon was writing a story about transport soldiers, which was actually based on the experience of the four of them transporting military supplies in the mountain stream that day.

Wang Anyi wrote a story about a medical soldier, while Ye Xin wrote a story about a heroic company on the frontline battlefield.

“Amazing, amazing! They are all successful and famous writers. They are worthy of being the winners of the second-class merit.”

Cheng Kaiyan sighed, indeed none of them were simple.

The second-class merit was because they were responsible for transmitting intelligence that day and they all received a second-class merit.

“Just wait for your treat!”

Wang Anyi winked playfully.

Everyone couldn’t help laughing, which attracted the attention and envy of many people in the classroom.

After a while, the class bell rang and an old man with a white beard walked in.

It was Zhang Guangnian, the editor of People’s Literature, who gave the writing class.

Cheng Kaiyan hadn’t seen the old man for a while. He listened carefully in class and was called upon by the old man to answer questions from time to time.

The two classes passed in the blink of an eye.

Today is Friday, and there is only one class before everyone goes home.

Cheng Kaiyan walked over to Mr. Zhang Guangnian and greeted him with a smile, “Good morning, Mr. Zhang. I haven’t seen you for a while. I missed you so much.”

“Bah, I don’t even believe what you said.”

Zhang Guangnian blew his beard and glared, then spat.

But when he heard Cheng Kaiyan’s words, his eyes were full of smiles, and he asked in a gentle voice: “Are you okay?”

“It’s all right now. Thank you for your trouble.”

“That’s good. The last time I met with Mr. Ye, he was worried and felt guilty.”

Zhang Guangnian seriously reminded that he had a very good relationship with Ye Shengtao and knew that it was Ye who arranged for Cheng Kaiyan to be the deputy leader of the field research group.

After learning that Cheng Kaiyan was seriously injured, Mr. Ye felt very worried and guilty.

“Tomorrow, I will go to the teacher’s house. I will rest at home during this period.”

Cheng Kaiyan felt warm in her heart.

In fact, it’s not that he doesn’t want to go, but the main reason is that the teacher is over 80 years old, and it would be bad if he got emotional when seeing his injuries.

So he planned to wait until his injury healed before going.

“Well, you should spend more time with him. He’s lonely.”

Zhang Guangnian’s expression eased slightly, and he said with a smile, “I have a good news for you. We have editors from People’s Literature who are also participating in the review of the manuscripts for the essay contest. Your work was reviewed by two editorial team leaders before National Day.”

“How about it?”

Cheng Kaiyan asked quickly.

“It has passed review and will be published in the first issue. The other three editors all gave it very high praise.

It’s a pity that if it weren’t for the military essay contest that insisted on publishing it in “People’s Liberation Army Literature and Art”, I would have snatched it away to take a look and then published it in our “People’s Literature”.

Zhang Guangnian shook his head and did not tell him directly that it was the first prize.

These messages from the General Political Department are actually confidential and cannot be disclosed casually.

“Next time, next time for sure.”

……

After the two finished chatting, they left.

Cheng Kaiyan did not go back, but turned around to find her aunt.

A classroom with number 404.

My aunt, who is tall and plump, was writing on the blackboard at the podium. She was wearing a black knitted sweater, and the collar covered half of her snow-white swan neck.

The lower body is a pair of classic black loose trousers and brown leather boots, which makes her look more elegant and graceful, with a cool and beautiful figure.

Cheng Kaiyan walked into the classroom, found an empty seat at the back and sat down to listen to the lecture.

As one of the most outstanding young professors at Beijing Normal University in recent years, my aunt has been given a lot of extra courses this semester.

This class is a junior course called “Research on Modern Chinese Grammar”.

Cheng Kaiyan also saw many familiar faces, including Zhang Chun, Ji Qinglan, and Yang Mengshan, who had just entered their third year.

But none of the three girls noticed him.

I was completely confused during the class.

Fortunately, although his aunt noticed him, she didn’t ask him to answer the question.

Two classes are finished.

It’s already noon.

Cheng Kaiyan stood up and was about to look for her aunt, but saw her standing in the corridor talking to a tall boy.

The boy has regular features and a handsome face.

He was smiling as he spoke.

Although my aunt’s pretty face was cold, her expression was serious.

What’s going on? What are you talking about?
Cheng Kaiyan frowned slightly, and an inexplicable emotion rose in his heart.

The two chatted for nearly ten minutes, and Cheng Kaiyan finally became impatient and walked over.

“Professor Jiang?”

he shouted.

Jiang Ting glanced at him calmly, and then continued, “Since you are ready, you can give it a try, but I am very strict with my students.”

“Thank you very much for Professor Jiang’s answer. I hope I can really be Professor Jiang’s student. It would be a great blessing to study under Professor Jiang.”

When the tall boy heard this, he seemed relieved and filled with joy.

You have to know that Professor Jiang is a recognized beauty among the boys in their school. She has a high level of education, a strong background, and is intellectual and elegant.

When Cheng Kaiyan heard what the boy said, she felt unhappy and looked at her aunt again.

I saw that she frowned slightly and looked a little helpless.

“Aunt, are you going home for dinner today?”

Cheng Kaiyan walked to his aunt, stretched out his hand to hold the beautiful woman’s snow-white arm that was gently lifted by her sleeve, and spoke in a gentle voice.

After being held like this, Jiang Ting slowly turned around to look at Cheng Kaiyan, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

The beautiful woman was smart and soon realized something. She raised her lips slightly and said calmly, “Then let’s go buy some vegetables first. There’s no vegetables at home.”

“Well, I’ll cook later.”

When Cheng Kaiyan heard this, her mood improved.

He looked calmly at the tall male student in front of him and asked puzzledly: “Who is this?”

“I’m Xiao Zimu, a senior, and the vice president of the Student Union of Beijing Normal University.”

The tall boy looked at the two people’s arms linked together, with a look of suspicion on his face, and introduced himself in a cold tone.

He naturally recognized Cheng Kaiyan, the young talent, but he had no interest in him and no intention of admiring him.

Xiao Zimu looked at Jiang Ting, put on a friendly and respectful smile and said, “Teacher, I won’t bother you anymore. Please give me more advice in the future. I’ll treat you to dinner when I have the chance. Bye.”

“Goodbye.”

Jiang Ting’s eyes were slightly cold.

Cheng Kaiyan, who was standing by, frowned when she heard this.

Why does this kid look so determined to win?

……

After Xiao Zimu left, Jiang Ting retracted her gaze and focused on Cheng Kaiyan, “What’s wrong? Kaiyan?”

“Goodbye, teacher. I’ll treat you to dinner next time.”

Cheng Kaiyan felt a little sour in her heart and imitated him in a sarcastic way.

“This is normal communication between teachers and students, Cheng Kaiyan.”

Jiang Ting looked down at her arm that was held by Cheng Kaiyan, gently broke free, and explained in a flat tone.

“…”

Cheng Kaiyan was upset when she heard this and quickly explained: “Aunt, I’m just worried about you.”

“you are not.”

Jiang Ting folded her arms across her chest, raised her cold and beautiful face, looked at him quietly, and spoke in a firm voice.

“Then what did you say it was?”

Cheng Kaiyan took a few deep breaths and asked back.

“do not know.”

Jiang Ting blinked her narrow phoenix eyes and refused to answer.

However, seeing Cheng Kaiyan looking a little jealous at this moment, even though she was so cold, she couldn’t help but feel a little happy in her heart.

“follow me.”

After thinking for a few seconds, the beautiful woman waved her hand and turned to go downstairs.

Cheng Kaiyan looked at the beautiful woman’s plump and graceful back, feeling a little confused.

He followed him, walked up to his side and walked side by side with him.

Then I heard the beautiful woman explain slowly, “The school held a meeting yesterday. There is a graduate student exam at the end of the year. Director Fang asked me to supervise a few graduate students. I couldn’t refuse, so I only agreed to one student. The student just now is the nephew of the vice president. He came to find me after he found out.”

It was rare for the beautiful woman to say so many words in one breath. After she finished speaking, she remained silent and quietly observed Cheng Kaiyan.

“I see!”

Cheng Kaiyan suddenly realized and breathed a sigh of relief.

But his expression changed quickly: “Graduate student? The only spot?”

My aunt is an associate professor at Beijing Normal University. If she wants to be promoted to professor, she has to supervise graduate students.

The school has arranged this matter without any problem.

But graduate students are different from undergraduate students.

The relationship between graduate students and their supervisors in the 1970s and 1980s was much deeper than the relationship between bosses and employees in later generations.

The relationship between teachers and students in ancient times was not much different.

What’s more, this is my aunt’s first graduate student and her only student.

Regardless of the relationship, at least they are together day and night.

Thinking of this, Cheng Kaiyan’s heart sank and his brows furrowed.

He subconsciously murmured: “What should I do?”

Jiang Ting was standing aside. When she heard this, her face melted and she smiled beautifully. She pretended to be calm and said, “Simple, Kaiyan, how about you be my student?”

“I?”

Cheng Kaiyan pointed at herself, her face full of surprise.

I’m just a high school student. Auntie, you want me to take the postgraduate entrance exam?

……

Ever since Cheng Kaiyan learned about the graduate student’s matter that day, she immediately became determined in her goal!

He must be admitted to his aunt’s graduate school, and he will never allow anyone to dare to interfere between him and his aunt!
Never allow it!

Thus, Cheng Kaiyan’s lazy life was finally gone forever.

Jiang Ting developed a series of study plans for him to help him get into graduate school.

As a result, Cheng Kaiyan was immersed in intensive study every day.

For a moment, he felt like he had returned to the hundred days before the college entrance examination.

During this period, “People’s Liberation Army Literature and Art” also sent a manuscript fee invoice for 1,280 yuan.

And a good news.

“Youth” will be published on the 15th in the “Special Issue on Military Writers” of the first issue of “People’s Liberation Army Literature and Art”.

Soon, time flew by.

October 15th has arrived.

(End of this chapter)