1979: My fiancée is a goddess

At nine o'clock in the morning, the morning light was bright, and the house was exceptionally quiet.

Comrade Xiaoli has already gone to school early.

Cheng Kaiyan was left alone at home. He sat at his desk, holding an artistic letter in English, and patiently read through it.

After dropping Xiaoli off at school, he went to the courtyard house and happened to run into the postman who delivered a letter to him.

It's still a letter from the United States.

Upon receiving the letter, Cheng Kai immediately guessed what it contained.

If nothing unexpected happens.

It's nothing more than publishing books and putting them on shelves, and refining and publishing papers.

To be honest, since Cheng Kaiyan sent Professor Ansel the publication consent form, all the information about the framework of her paper "On the Impossibility of Children's Literature" and that short paper in March, the two sides haven't had much contact.

The professor and his nephew must be busy with these two things.

He finished reading the letter in a short while.

Sure enough, the two books, "The Submarine at Night" and "The Alchemist," have been printed.

The title of the combined printed work is...

"Submarine and the Goatherd, haha!"

Cheng Kaiyan thought the name was quite fitting.

Aurumbra Press has decided to release the book on May 18th. With their publishing strength, they can cover 70% of bookstores in Pennsylvania, as well as more than a dozen bookstores in New York and New Jersey.

The coverage area is... quite small, but it's already pretty good for Cheng Kaiyan.

Although these two works are good and sell well in China, Cheng Kaiyan doesn't have high hopes for their performance in the United States in 1981.

"From mid-March to May, almost two months have passed, and the novel has only just finished printing and is ready to go on sale. The Americans really are slow when they get things done..."

It doesn't matter, we'll sell as many as we can. We'll make money as long as we sell one. We'll take it slow.

Cheng Kaiyan had little hope that her novel would become a bestseller and make her a millionaire overnight.

He has a good attitude, viewing this as a small trial run for landing in the United States.

"If it really flops, then don't blame me for changing my pen name and starting to plagiarize. I'll copy all the best-selling books from the 80s and 90s in America and steal twenty years of American literary luck!"

Cheng Kaiyan was plotting something sinisterly.

In addition to the novel being published, Cheng Kaiyan's graduation thesis, "A Brief Discussion on Psychological Projection in Children's Literature," has also been submitted to the top American children's literature theory journal, Children's Literature, and is currently under review.

Cheng Kaiyan knew the publication cycle of academic papers; even in the highly developed Internet era, it often took half a year, let alone now.
From submission and review to publication, everything is done manually, making the process tedious and time-consuming.

However, Cheng Kaiyan's paper was endorsed by Professor Ansel, a well-known American expert in children's literature, so the treatment was naturally different.

The professor said in the letter that he had asked his friends and that this interdisciplinary academic paper, which covers literature and psychology, had attracted a lot of interest from the reviewers. He estimated that it would be approved and published quickly in another week or two.

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan, I estimate that in another month or two, you, this rising star in academia, will be shining in the United States!"

Professor Ansel teased him like this at the end of the letter.

"Haha! The professor has quite a sense of humor. I hope it goes as you wish!"

Cheng Kaiyan was alone in the room, laughing heartily.

If you want to make a name for yourself, you still have to read that groundbreaking, epoch-making article, "The Impossibility of Children's Literature".

After sitting and thinking for a while, Cheng Kaiyan quickly calmed down, picked up her pen, wrote a simple reply, and put it aside.

He then refocused his energy on literary creation.

……

mid-October.

The entire Yunzaobang has become a blood-stained swamp, littered with severed limbs and countless M35 helmets deeply embedded in the mud, like nameless tombstones.

Large numbers of corpses floated on the narrow river, completely blocking the waterway.

At the end of summer, in the humid and sweltering heat, the corpses charred by incendiary bombs were now swollen, bloated, and stinking, and countless greenbottle flies covered the entire river surface, making a buzzing noise.

Jiang Mingzheng, a new recruit, had never seen such a disgusting scene before. He wanted to vomit but couldn't, because the railway had been bombed and logistical supplies had been cut off.

The entire regiment had been reduced to only four or five hundred men, seventy percent of whom were fighting with injuries. Regimental Commander Chen Yiding had both legs blown off, but he still crawled to the front line to command.

The complete annihilation of the army is imminent.

In late October, the Japanese army broke through the riverbank defenses and advanced directly towards Dachang.

The 512th Regiment of the 87th Division had no choice but to retreat, fighting as they went, until they reached Beixinjing on the south bank of the Suzhou Creek for defense.

After nearly two months of bloody fighting, Jiang Mingzheng had become a company commander.

The reason is simple: the company was almost wiped out.

In early November, the Japanese army landed at Hangzhou Bay and launched a direct attack on Songjiang, cutting off the Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway and forming the initial encirclement.

After announcing the withdrawal of the entire army, he hoped that Lieqiang would rescind the order and order each unit to remain in their positions.

In a very short time, two conflict orders were issued, which shocked even the new recruit Jiang Mingzheng. How could someone be so skilled in micromanagement?

Seven hundred thousand elite troops from across the country are here, about to be surrounded.

Almost everyone was terrified.

On the 8th, the Nationalist government officially announced its withdrawal.

The remaining thousand or so soldiers of the 87th Division, being the elite of the elite, were the first to embark on the retreat route and head towards Suzhou.

Jiang Mingzheng, with his left hand wrapped in a bandage, looked towards the railway line.

There stretched as far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of troops and refugees migrating with their families.

Hundreds of thousands of people are stuck on a limited number of highways and railways.

The officers' quarrels, the wounded soldiers' roars, the soldiers' complaints, the children's cries, the women's sobs...

There was also the loud noise of Japanese aircraft propellers spinning overhead.

"Boom!"

Countless bombs fell from the sky, creating deafening noise.

One of them landed not far from him, and the huge explosion stunned him.

Before he lost consciousness, he saw dark clouds and smoke obscuring the sun, while a few golden rays and massive artillery fire fell on the heads of the fleeing crowd.

This scene was deeply imprinted in Jiang Mingzheng's mind.

The great retreat turned into a great rout.

The number of casualties during this rout approached half of the total casualties in the entire campaign.

How tragic!

……

Meanwhile, across the ocean in the United States.

On this day, bookstores across Pennsylvania received new book releases.

"The Submarine and the Shepherd" is a masterpiece of Chinese children's literature.

That's how the bookstore advertised it, but the poster was only up for one day before other books were ordered.

This book, written by a Chinese author, did not attract much attention.

It was just piled up on the lower shelf of the bookshelf like an ordinary published book, and occasionally someone would inquire about it and buy it to take home.

They only sell less than a hundred copies a day.

However, as time went on, some people discovered that this work was the same one that was published in the Philadelphia Daily News last year, which once attracted considerable attention on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

Unbeknownst to them, daily sales gradually increased, albeit very slowly.

Fortunately, "The Submarine and the Goatherd" has been well received by many readers, especially children.

And so, it slowly spread through the book market in an unremarkable and lukewarm manner.

However, nobody took it seriously, not even the owner of the publishing house that published it.

The Penn Children's Literature Institute.

"How's Cheng's novel selling?"

Professor Ansel handed his nephew a cup of coffee and asked with a smile.

The paper is progressing very rapidly recently, and it may be completed in another month.

When people are in high spirits, they also have time to check on the sales of their collaborators' novels.

"It's just so-so, but fortunately the initial print run wasn't large, so we shouldn't lose too much money."

Professor Ansel's nephew, Ryder, crossed his legs and said casually, "Let's see if it sells out. If it doesn't, this book will have to be discontinued and that's it."

"Uh...is that so?"

Professor Ansel was somewhat embarrassed. After all, he had strongly recommended these two works, and now that they weren't selling well, he felt he had to take some responsibility. So he comforted him, saying, "Is that how the publishing industry is? Nobody can predict the final outcome. You can't be blamed for the publication being discontinued."

“Novels are like that, but academic papers are not. I have more faith in Cheng’s academic papers than his novels.”

Ryder shrugged. The quality of the paper was evident, especially since his uncle, an expert in children's literature theory, had given it his approval.

"Haha! That's true. Cheng's paper will be published on the first of next month, and it will absolutely amaze the academic world!" Professor Ansel laughed. The more attention this paper receives, the more importance his heavyweight paper, a collaboration with Cheng Kaiyan, will be given.

"Perhaps, Cheng's paper will boost his novel sales after it is published, since the paper uses examples from all of his works."

Professor Ansel joked.

"Maybe. If sales really surge, I'll personally go to China to deliver the royalties to him!"

Ryder crossed his legs and joked.

He didn't take his uncle's words seriously.

Sales are not so easy to increase.
……

Before we knew it, it was May 20th.

Cheng Kaiyan's creative work is also coming to an end. In "Atonement", the male protagonist experiences the Battle of Shanghai and the great retreat. On the way back, his consciousness is confused and disoriented.

The city of Nanjing, where the female protagonist lives, also fell to the enemy.

From this point on, the story actually ends.

The story then transitions to the perspective of the second young lady, Cao Hanyu. First, it tells the story of how her cousin, who had caused the male protagonist to be imprisoned, got married to a wealthy businessman in a church. Cao Hanyu was furious. Later, she found her cousin and witnessed the male and female protagonists reuniting.

However, this storyline is merely a fabrication by the second young lady, Cao Hanyu, and is simply her belated atonement and apology.

The story concludes, naturally, with Cao Hanyu, now a renowned writer, revealing the truth of the story in an interview many years later.

This part is not difficult to write; Cheng Kaiyan expects to finish it by early June.

The bedroom was very quiet in the afternoon.

"It is truly true that men conquer the world, and women conquer men."

Cheng Kaiyan sat at the desk by the bed, glanced at his watch, and realized it was already five o'clock. It was time to pick up his wife from school and come home. He couldn't help but sigh.

After more than ten days of picking him up and dropping him off at school without fail, he has gradually formed a habit. At this time, he will naturally get up and go out to pick him up.

The two now feel as if three autumns have passed since they last saw each other.

Cheng Kaiyan had to admit that she was gradually taking on Xiaoli's shape.

I rode my bike out and arrived at the Beijing Dance Academy half an hour later.

"Hehehe~ You're here really early today."

Liu Xiaoli hummed a little tune and walked gracefully with elegant steps.

After putting down her backpack, she noticed Cheng Kaiyan's slightly sweaty forehead. She took out a light blue handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped her forehead on tiptoe.

His face quickly became dry and fragrant. Liu Xiaoli smiled gently and said, "Alright, let's go home. It will be hard for you to ride your bike home later, Kaiyan."

"What's so hard about this?"

Cheng Kaiyan subconsciously shook her head, "I feel like you've become a bit too polite lately."

No, this isn't just politeness, it seems to be...

It's a feeling I can't quite put my finger on.

"This isn't just polite talk. Even in the closest relationships, you can't take someone's efforts and care for granted!"

Liu Xiaoli's lips curled up slightly, and her round, bright almond-shaped eyes narrowed as she looked at Cheng Kaiyan, offering a meaningful reminder.

"Is that so?"

Cheng Kaiyan frowned, lost in thought.

"Of course! Besides expressing gratitude, we should also do what we can for the other party, and how much we do is not important."

Just like you take me to and from school, buy groceries, and I do your laundry and cook for you at home... if we support and contribute to each other, life will get better and better.

Seeing that he was deep in thought, Liu Xiaoli realized he had taken her words to heart, so she smiled and continued.

"That's true."

Cheng Kaiyan didn't think much of it, after all, these were undeniable truths.

"Let's go home. I'll make you something delicious as a reward later."

Liu Xiaoli's smile grew even brighter as she pressed her cheek against Cheng Kaiyan's back and spoke softly.

"it is good."

The two rode their bicycles home.

After arriving home, Liu Xiaoli said she was going to take a shower first, and then she would come out to cook in a little while.

Cheng Kaiyan thought for a moment, then went to the kitchen to rinse the rice and wash the vegetables.

After a while.

After taking a shower, Liu Xiaoli came over wearing a cool, tie-front nightgown and wet slippers.

Her entire being exudes a purity and beauty like a lotus emerging from clear water.

She secretly chuckled when she saw Cheng Kaiyan cooking with an apron on.

Walking up to her, he poked Cheng Kaiyan's soft waist and teased, "You've been so diligent today! Here's a reward for Comrade Cheng..."

Before he could finish speaking, he tiptoed and gently pecked Cheng Kaiyan's cheek, leaving behind a moist, watery scent and a delicate fragrance.

Liu Xiaoli looked at Cheng Kaiyan with her watery eyes, full of affection and shyness.

He was very satisfied with Cheng Kaiyan's recent performance, and also felt a little proud and pleased.

What great writers and talented scholars? Aren't they all just as easily subdued by my gentle, nurturing education and transformation?

"It's your birthday today, how can we let the birthday person cook! I'll do all the housework today! Oh, and I also prepared a gift for you."

As Cheng Kaiyan spoke, she took out a small box from her pocket and opened it.

A necklace appeared before the girl's eyes; it was exquisite, beautiful, and glittering with jewels.

"Wow! My birthday present? When did you buy it?"

Liu Xiaoli exclaimed in surprise and took it with great delight, examining it closely.

"I prepared this while I was in Japan. Do you like it?"

Cheng Kaiyan asked.

"like!"

The girl nodded emphatically, her voice crisp and pleasant, "Please put it on for me!"

"Ah."

Cheng Kaiyan quickly went behind the girl and put the necklace on her slender swan neck.

Liu Xiaoli looked down at the ruby ​​hanging between her collarbone and snowdrifts.

Her fair skin and rosy jewels complemented each other beautifully.

"so beautiful!"

The girl looked up with delight, tiptoed, and kissed Cheng Kaiyan on the lips.

Touch it and leave.

"Woooo..."

Cheng Kaiyan couldn't resist his wife's temptation, so he wrapped his arms around her slender waist and lowered his head to bite the girl's soft, moist lips.

"Let's eat first!"

The girl weakly punched his back and grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Eat you first!"

Without saying a word, Cheng Kaiyan took the girl in her arms and slowly led her from the kitchen to the sofa where they sat down.

"Eat...eat me? What do you mean?...You!"

The girl was a little confused, but quickly realized what he meant.

She felt a surge of shame; she had never heard such embarrassing words before.

Cheng Kaiyan sat on the sofa, and the girl sat on his lap, facing each other.

The girl's fair shoulders were exposed as the straps of her nightgown slipped down, revealing a glimpse of the outer edge.

The skirt was in complete disarray, and the soft hem at the back of her legs had been pulled down to her buttocks...

"Um...not here...go back to your room."

The hot breath scalded the girl's delicate skin, making it turn red. She pushed Cheng Kaiyan away, feeling ashamed and uneasy, and pleaded in a weak and pitiful voice.

Cheng Kaiyan didn't take the girl's words to heart, burying her head in her soft heart.

"It actually... no, it's disobeying me!"

Helpless, Liu Xiaoli held Cheng Kaiyan's head, stroking his soft hair, and let out a mournful cry in her heart.

She suddenly realized the importance of educating and reforming Cheng Kaiyan during this period under these circumstances.

It's completely useless.

That bastard's mind is now filled with nothing but bad deeds and bullying her! (End of Chapter)