1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Time flies, and it's October 1st.

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

On National Day, the whole country celebrates and gets a day off.

Several newspapers, including the People's Daily, published slogans on their front pages today such as "Celebrating the 32nd Birthday of Our Motherland!" and "The Whole Country Rejoices!"

At the same time, the government issued a notice to distribute holiday gifts to every household, such as meat coupons, grain coupons, and cloth coupons.

……

"Oh my! Director Wang!"

"We've been waiting for you! What gifts are available for National Day this year?"

It was a little after six o'clock, just as dawn was breaking.

The noise from the courtyard, carried by the cool morning breeze, rushed into the bedroom through the drawn curtains, waking Cheng Kaiyan.

"Um--"

Cheng Kaiyan rubbed her eyes, sat up in bed, and stretched lazily.

"It's so noisy~ What's going on outside..."

Lying in bed, with a small blanket covering half of her body and her two slender, fair legs inadvertently exposed, the girl heard the noise outside and began to hum softly, half-asleep and with a furrowed brow.

In the past few days, they moved back from their aunt's place, and considering the National Day holiday, they went back to their mother's house yesterday.

"Go to sleep, go to sleep. It must be the neighborhood committee delivering some things. I'm going to go see the sights."

Cheng Kaiyan lowered her head to explain, then noticed a strand of dark hair that Liu Xiaoli had tucked behind her lips, and reached out to tuck it behind her ear.

The bright and beautiful face is caressed by fingertips, bringing a delicate and smooth touch that is irresistible.

"Hmm~"

Liu Xiaoli opened her eyes and rolled her eyes at him. Her voice, still soft and sweet like the Wu dialect, rang out as she playfully complained, "It tickles~"

"Go back to sleep, I'm going out to check."

Cheng Kaiyan smiled, cupped his fiancée's face in his hands, leaned down and kissed her forehead deeply. Then, satisfied, he got dressed and got out of bed, and continued:

"By the way, I have something to do at the Ark this morning and I need to go out."

"Isn't today a holiday? Why is there something going on?"

Liu Xiaoli turned over and pouted at Cheng Kaiyan, asking him in a disgruntled manner.

I finally got a holiday, but then something else happened.

Are you that busy?
Previously, Cheng Kaiyan lived a leisurely life at home, which she was not entirely satisfied with. She wanted to change him and make him work harder so he wouldn't be so lazy all the time.

Now look what's happened! They've been so busy they've forgotten about me.

I truly regret having taught my husband to seek fame and fortune!

Liu Xiaoli secretly complained to herself, and felt a little regretful.

"Today is the first day of sales, and we're also doing some giveaways at a few universities. I'll go check on things and come back soon."

Don't worry, everything will be fine after today. I'll spend more time with you from now on.

Cheng Kaiyan had already changed her clothes and shoes. She bent down and ruffled Liu Xiaoli's hair, chuckling as she comforted her, "I'm just afraid you'll feel like I'm following you too closely."

"would not."

Liu Xiaoli's gentle, starry eyes were full of smiles as she lazily waved her slender, white hand: "Go on, go on, come back early for lunch. We're having a big meal at home today."

"Haha, I'm leaving now. Xiaoli, pick up Sister Qingshui later. I already told her yesterday that we'll celebrate the holiday together."

Cheng Kaiyan laughed heartily, and just as she turned around, she turned back to give a few more instructions.

"Okay, what about Auntie's side?"

Liu Xiaoli asked.

"I'll pick it up in a bit."

Cheng Kaiyan answered in a very natural tone, then turned and left.

How has his relationship with his aunt changed during this period?
Not really.

Interactions remained normal, mindset was calm, and everything was just as usual.

There was a sense of freedom and spontaneity between the two, yet they remained within the bounds of propriety.

As I opened the door to the main room, the sparse sunlight fell on my face from afar, bringing a touch of warmth.

The once spacious courtyard is now filled with people.

Everyone was gathered around several street office cadres dressed in Zhongshan suits with red armbands on their arms.

"Brother! Come quick, come quick! It's National Day today and they're giving out gifts! Each family gets half a pound of meat, half a pound of oil, and a pound of rice. I heard each family also gets a handful of fruit candies!"

The little girl, Zhan Xinyu, had sharp eyes. As soon as she saw him, she waved and called out in a clear voice.

"Wow, they're being so generous this year!"

Cheng Kaiyan walked over, somewhat surprised.

Last October, he was recuperating at home. I remember receiving half a jin of meat coupons and half a jin of cooking oil.

"Alright, alright, it's all divided up. Wang Cuihua, this is yours; Zhao Dashan, this is yours; and Sister Yuxiu, this is yours..."

A short while later, Director Wang from the neighborhood office distributed the gifts.

"Hey! Director Wang, something's not right! How come Yuxiu's family received so much? It's two or three times more than ours!"

Wang Cuihua glared with her tiny, green-beaded eyes and started shouting.

"Yes, Director Wang!"

Others chimed in, raising their own questions.

"Go! Go! Go!"

"Sister Yuxiu's family is a family of first-class merit recipients! They already enjoy generous benefits! What do you know!"

Director Wang straightened his face and reprimanded him.

"Oh, I see..."

Wang Cuihua then remembered that Cheng Kaiyan was not only a great writer but also a recipient of the First-Class Merit Citation. She quickly smiled sheepishly and said, "Look at my memory! I'm sorry, Yuxiu. Let's not talk about the person, I just didn't remember."

"fine."

Xu Yuxiu shook her head, not caring about these things. However, she was still quite satisfied with the envious looks from her neighbors who saw how many things her family had received.

"Kaiyan, take the things back."

Xu Yuxiu turned to her son and gave him instructions, then asked, "Kaiyan, is your school giving out gifts today too?"

"The school will issue them; they should be similar to these."

Cheng Kaiyan picked up the gift and looked at her mother with amusement.

You even started showing off.

"That's great. It looks like we won't need to buy groceries for a while."

Xu Yuxiu glanced casually at the neighbors in the courtyard and began to make plans quietly.

As the saying goes, wealth should not be flaunted; a family's riches should not be displayed openly.

However, there's nothing wrong with showing off this kind of treatment on the surface.

"Wow! Professors really do have better benefits and treatment!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuihua was immediately filled with envy.

"When Ruixue returns to China, she'll be a top-notch talent! Her treatment will definitely be excellent!"

Aunt Zhao glanced at Xu Yuxiu's radiant face and snorted somewhat unconvinced, "Is that right, Kaiyan?"

"International students, of course they get better treatment. Alright, alright, everyone go home and make breakfast."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Kaiyan scratched her head somewhat awkwardly, then pulled her mother's arm and went into the house.

It was already eight o'clock when I finished breakfast.

Cheng Kaiyan rode her bicycle out and arrived at Beijing Normal University in the blink of an eye.

The school was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners.

After the students were allowed to leave school for the holidays, some went out in small groups to play in the streets, while others strolled around the school playground or participated in club activities. Among them was a place with a banner that read "Children's Literature Knowledge Quiz Competition," where a group of teachers and students were gathered.

"Comrades, our prizes today are very generous. You can get a cafeteria lunch voucher by answering five questions correctly in a row."

If you answer eight questions correctly, you'll receive a children's literature magazine as a reward.

Answer ten questions correctly and receive a free copy of "Ark," China's first academic journal on children's literature theory!
Our colleague Cheng Kaiyan from Beijing Normal University has had his academic paper published simultaneously in China and the United States today!

Professor Pu Manting and a staff member from "Ark" stood in front of the crowd, using a megaphone to promote their work.

"I'll participate!"

"I'll join in too!"

It immediately attracted many people to try it.

Cheng Kaiyan walked a little closer and watched silently, seeing many acquaintances participating.

Among them were former friends Yang Mengshan, Ji Qinglan, and Zhang Chun, accompanied by a petite girl.

They're probably their new roommates?

Yang Mengshan answered four questions correctly, but failed on the fifth.

Ji Qinglan was lucky; she answered eight questions correctly and won two prizes.

Zhang Chun has five.

Cheng Kaiyan even saw a cold and indifferent figure go on stage to participate, and with a perfect score, he caused a sensation among the students.

"Professor Jiang is amazing! He got them all right, and he could even answer questions about children's literature appreciation theory!"

"Of course! He's an academic heavyweight!"

"Hey! Look, Professor Jiang's name is on Professor Cheng Kaiyan's paper! Translator: Jiang Ting."

"So it was Professor Jiang who translated it. And her paper was published right after Professor Cheng Kaiyan's! What a great collaboration between teachers and students!"

Many students, while curiously flipping through "Ark," discovered a number of hidden things and immediately began to discuss them with great interest.

Cheng Kaiyan went to Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University and other schools one after another to observe. She sent out quite a few journals, but they didn't really make any waves in the short term.

However, he was not in a hurry. The influence of an academic work is far-reaching and needs time to ferment.

Meanwhile, at Ye Shengtao's home.

A group of old friends sat in the courtyard drinking tea, reading books, and chatting.

Just then, the postman arrived on his bicycle. "Mr. Ye! Your subscription has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately stood up to greet him, and his old friends turned to look at him.

The postman handed over a thick package.

"What books did Old Ye order?"

Uncle Chen took a sip of tea and asked curiously.

""ark"."

The old man dismantled the machine as he walked.

"Ark? Where did this new magazine come from? It's so thick!"

"What magazine is this? You have no taste at all."

This is China's first academic journal dedicated to theoretical research in children's literature, published by the Children's Literature Research Association under the Ministry of Culture. It was created by Cheng Kaiyan and Chen Zijun!

"what?"

Mr. Chen Bochui was stunned for a moment, but quickly became interested and reached out to ask, "Let me see it, I'll read it for you..."

The two elderly people sat side by side, flipping through academic papers.

Before I knew it, the morning had passed.

"This paper is really well written! Compared to the previous brief paper, this one has constructed a complete theoretical system that is so flawless that it's hard to find any fault with it..."

"Old Ye, you've really taken on a good student! This paper was published simultaneously in China and the US. Before long, Cheng Kaiyan will be a renowned scholar internationally!"

After reading the paper, Chen Bochui looked at Ye Shengtao with envy and even jealousy.

"It's not like my reputation has been wasted..."

The old man stroked his beard calmly, exuding the air of a master.

But his cloudy eyes had already lit up, burning brightly.

"..."

Chen Bochui was speechless. "Come on, let me borrow your paper first, and I'll write a commentary on it later!"

……

After three relatively peaceful days.

Finally, there was a commentary on Cheng Kaiyan's paper in the literary newspaper, written by Mr. Chen Bochui.

He said, "Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's paper on the essence of children's literature, through in-depth yet accessible case studies of numerous classic children's literature works such as Peter Pan, The Alchemist, and Aesop's Fables, and with a complete theoretical framework, constructs an irrefutable truth:"

Cheng Kaiyan shattered the deeply ingrained, pure, and eternally beautiful myth that had been firmly rooted in people's hearts since the birth of children's literature.

The so-called "impossibility" of children's literature is like trying to catch the moon's reflection in water—

While adults weave innocent fairy tale kingdoms with words, true childhood is quietly slipping through their fingers.

The greatest works of children's literature are merely humble acknowledgments of this inevitable failure:

They are not a beautiful Eden built for children, but rather a boundary marker standing between the harsh reality of the adult world and the beautiful and pure childhood.

It is covered with misunderstandings, projections and misalignments, and beautiful kiss marks.

Childhood is gone, things have changed, and we reminisce about the fleeting years.

Perhaps it is this perpetual misalignment that makes children's literature the gentlest tragic practice of humankind?

……

This commentary, published in the Wenyi Bao (Literary Gazette), quickly attracted the attention and sparked heated discussions among domestic children's literature researchers and creators.

Professor Jiang Feng of Zhejiang Normal University published a commentary in the Zhejiang Daily, stating:

"The development of children's literature in China began with the publication of the first dedicated children's literature theory journal, 'Ark'."

In the future, we will surely cultivate a group of professional scholars of children's literature, and under the leadership of scholars such as Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting, they will go beyond China, beyond Asia, and into the world!

Subsequently, Ms. Xie Bingxin finally managed to find time amidst her busy schedule to publish a commentary in the Children's and Youth Daily, stating:
"Children's literature is spiritual nourishment for children and teenagers and an important factor in their healthy growth."

The emergence of "The Ark" signifies that the creative and critical environment for children's literature is no longer a murky mess, but can now receive complete and professional theoretical guidance.

The next generation of our motherland will surely receive spiritual nourishment and grow up strong and healthy..."

With numerous prominent figures praising the work, more and more people in academia are beginning to pay attention to Ark and the papers published on Ark by Cheng Kaiyan, Jiang Ting, and the other ten scholars.

The domestic scene gradually became lively, while at the same time, on the other side of the ocean.

Similarly, the publication of "On the Impossibility of Children's Literature" in the latest issue of "Children's Literature" has caused a sensation in academic circles.

This left the American scholar, who had just months earlier raised profound questions and offered a powerful rebuttal to that brief essay, speechless.

October 5, Professor's apartment at Goethe University, Germany.

Professor Klaus, the founder and president of the International Society for Children's Literature (IRSCL), received a letter from the United States early in the morning, delivered by the postman. The letter contained the latest issue of the American academic journal "Children's Literature".

"On the Impossibility of Children's Literature? Cheng Kaiyan, a Children's Literature Scholar from Red China?"

Professor Klaus's rough fingertips traced the paper as he raised an eyebrow before patiently flipping through it.

Inside the room, the clock ticked away.

The coffee on the table had long since gone cold, but Professor Klaus's eyes grew increasingly excited, and he muttered to himself, "Interesting, interesting... no, very interesting! It's actually from China..."

"This paper is unprecedentedly groundbreaking, and I dare say that Professor Cheng and Ansel have already secured the IRSCL Honorary Award for this year's academic society!"

"Such talent must be invited to our association!"

With this in mind, Professor Klaus immediately wrote a congratulatory letter to the address provided in Professor Ansel's letter.

At the end, they extended a warm invitation to this Chinese scholar to join their International Society for Children's Literature.

"It seems... Cheng should be the second member in all of Asia to join the society, right? The first was Professor Torigoe Shin of Waseda University in Japan..." (End of Chapter)