The Beginning of the World: Going to the Countryside as an Educated Youth

Chapter 151 Literary Exchange Seminar

Zhao Dongchuan took Li Yuer to a state-owned restaurant.

"What would you like to eat?"

"I'm fine with either, Brother Dongchuan, you order..." Li Yuer has returned to her usual self and said with a smile.

Zhao Dongchuan nodded without hesitation and ordered a few home-cooked dishes from the menu on the blackboard, two vegetarian dishes, one meat dish, and two bowls of rice.

Soon the food was served and the two chatted while eating.

"Brother Dongchuan, I heard from my dad that you will hold a seminar the day after tomorrow?" Li Yuer asked while taking a bite of the dish.

"Yes, someone from the Cultural Bureau came to inform me. I will go there the day after tomorrow!"

"Can I go take a look then?"

"Sure, but don't you have to work?" Zhao Dongchuan asked puzzledly.

"I can just switch shifts with my colleague!"

"Then come over here, let's have some communication together, young people!"

…………

After dinner, Zhao Dongchuan waved goodbye to Li Yuer and turned back to the guesthouse.

On Tuesday morning, Zhao Dongchuan arrived at the Cultural Bureau early in the morning and went to the small auditorium of the Cultural Bureau at the instruction of the staff.

At this time, there are already staff members setting up the venue.

There were also some young people who arrived early and were gathering together chatting.

"I heard that the authors of 'Love Life' and 'Yellow Earth' were invited to this seminar..." said a young man wearing glasses.

"Yes, I heard that Teacher Zhao is a very kind person! I must ask for your advice when the time comes!"

"We have many writers in Pengcheng, so why are we praising outsiders?" a young man said indignantly.

"Uh, what are you talking about? This is all revolutionary work. There is no distinction between outsiders or not. No matter what you say, you have to let your work speak for itself!"

"What works do you have?"

"..."

Zhao Dongchuan felt a little embarrassed when he heard several people arguing because of him.

He turned around and found a place to sit down.

"Hello, comrade, what is your name and where are you from? This row of seats is arranged according to people's names! You need to sit according to your number!" A staff member came over and said politely.

Just as he was about to introduce his name, a shout came.

"Xiao Zhao, you're here!"

A group of people, led by Director Xu, were walking over. They were probably some leading cadres from the Cultural Bureau.

"Hello, Director Xu!"

"Let me introduce this person to you. He is the famous writer who founded the Yellow Earth School—Zhao Dongchuan!"

"Welcome Mr. Zhao who has come from afar..."

"Teacher Zhao is young and promising..."

Following Director Xu's lead, everyone began to applaud!

Director Xu was really considerate enough to personally come out to promote Zhao Dongchuan. He didn't believe that there was no Li family factor involved.

The young men who had discussed Zhao Dongchuan before also looked at him in surprise.

Several of them had noticed Zhao Dongchuan, but they just didn't pay much attention to him.

Unexpectedly, the object of the argument was right next to them.

How embarrassing!!!

"Thank you all for your kindness. I am really unworthy of it. I am still a fledgling in literature and do not deserve such praise..."

Zhao Dongchuan naturally couldn't continue calmly, as this was not in line with the Chinese characteristic of being humble, so he couldn't help but say a few humble words.

"If it weren't for a legitimate reason to come to Pengcheng, I really wouldn't want to attend this damn seminar..." Zhao Dongchuan greeted and chatted with everyone with a smile, while secretly complaining in his heart.

As everyone took their seats, the seminar officially began!

Under the chairmanship of Director Xu, the meeting was held in a peaceful atmosphere. There was no tension between the writers as he had expected, and no one asked any sarcastic questions, which made Zhao Dongchuan secretly relieved.

He talked about his mental journey in creating these works, combining his experience as an educated youth in Huangyuan and his observations of that land, as well as his original experience, and he spoke very clearly.

Other speakers were also local poets and writers who shared their insights into literature and their respective works.

Most of the others came just to spectate and listen, asking questions from time to time.

With Director Xu’s concluding remarks, the morning session ended!

Everyone got up and left the venue to have lunch. Some went to the cafeteria, and some went home...

Zhao Dongchuan, who was chatting with the teachers who had gathered around him, was stopped by Director Xu and went to a small kitchen in the cafeteria together with Li Yuer, who had arrived at some point.

"Brother Dongchuan, you said it very well!" Li Yuer said in a low voice.

"They're just some polite words, don't take them too seriously!" Zhao Dongchuan chuckled and replied in a low voice.

Director Xu looked at the two people whispering and smiled imperceptibly.

After everyone was seated, Director Xu introduced the officials in the bureau to Zhao Dongchuan, and he greeted them one by one.

Everyone was obviously familiar with Li Yuer, so there was no need to introduce her further.

The food had been prepared in advance, and when everyone arrived, the kitchen immediately brought up the hot dishes from the big pot one by one.

Because the meeting had to continue in the afternoon, no one drank much. They just drank for the sake of politeness and then started eating.

…………

"I'm very happy that Teacher Zhao has come from afar and been invited to attend our seminar. We have learned a lot from this exchange..." Following Director Xu's concluding remarks.

The one-day seminar ended successfully!

After it was over, the people from the photo studio who were waiting on the side immediately began to make arrangements, asking everyone to stand in order and take photos for everyone.

After the show, Director Xu did not stay long and just said hello to Zhao Dongchuan before leaving with several leading cadres.

Everyone took the opportunity to come over and chat with him, which felt like a "celebrity meet-and-greet" in later generations.

I don't know who took the lead, but people started coming to him with journals and periodicals to ask for his autograph. Soon everyone followed suit and started coming to him with all kinds of books, magazines and periodicals that they found from somewhere to ask for his autograph and write messages, regardless of whether there were articles he had published in the books.

Zhao Dongchuan had no choice but to deal with it head on. He accepted all the applications, signed them all, and wrote various messages of encouragement as required.

Such as "Study hard and make progress every day!", "Smooth sailing!" and so on.

After a chaotic period of signing, Zhao Dongchuan touched his slightly sore wrist and ran away.

Li Yuer was already waiting for him at the door.

"You are here, I thought you went back!"

"Waiting for you!" Li Yuer blinked and said with a smile.

"Let's go!"

"it is good!"

Zhao Dongchuan rode Li Yuer's bicycle and took her home.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"No, you guys eat, I have something else to do!"

"Would you like to ride my bike?"

"No need! Just go in!"

……

After waving goodbye to Li Yuer, Zhao Dongchuan slowly disappeared into the street...