Colorful years

Congcong's family is still struggling to make ends meet, so they don't have anything delicious to bring to school to share with their classmates.

Chen Ning never looked down on Congcong because of their poverty. Whenever this happened, the kind and generous Chen Ning would always share the delicious food with her friend Congcong without hesitation. They would find a quiet corner, sit down, and slowly savor the food.

During this process, they share their stories and feelings, strengthening their bond. This sharing is not just about food, but also about exchanging ideas and conveying emotions.

Not only that, but every Sunday when he has time off, he often enthusiastically invites Congcong to see a wonderful movie together, and then they happily go out for a delicious meal. They will discuss the plot and themes of the movie together, and share their feelings and thoughts.

In the movie theater, they immerse themselves in the world of the film, forgetting all their worries and stress. After the movie, they choose a favorite restaurant and enjoy various delicacies. At the table, they laugh and chat, savoring this wonderful time. Their relationship is incredibly close, truly like that of brothers!

On their journey home, Congcong and Chen Ning reminisced about the past, their hearts filled with emotion and warmth. They knew this friendship would accompany them throughout their lives, becoming their most precious treasure. And they would carry this friendship with them, bravely facing future challenges and creating an even brighter future.

"Chen Ning, you're finally back in your hometown! What kind of job do you most want to do?" Zhang Cong asked curiously.

Chen Ning smiled and replied, "Hey, do you even need to rack your brains to think about this? Zhang Cong, have you forgotten? When we were doing our internships, we went to middle schools to teach math! I think the Education Bureau will most likely assign us to middle schools to continue teaching!"

Zhang Cong nodded after hearing this and said, "Yes, that makes sense. After all, we majored in mathematics, and if we don't go into research, it seems like teaching is the only path we can take."

But to be honest, my true passion is literature! I spent four whole years of university studying it diligently. So, to be honest, I'm a little reluctant to become a math teacher!

Chen Ning nodded understandingly, "What can we do if we're unwilling? Sometimes we have no choice but to accept the arrangements of fate."

That being said, how could Zhang Cong easily give up his burning passion and deep love for literature? The thought of this filled him with a profound sense of helplessness.

Looking back on those four long years of university, which should have been a wonderful time to immerse oneself in mathematics, Zhang Cong did not devote his main energy to it.

Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight stream into the campus, he would rush towards the quiet and mysterious library, filled with anticipation and longing.

Once he stepped into it, he felt as if he were in a boundless ocean of knowledge, swimming in it tirelessly.

Here, cultural masterpieces from ancient and modern times, both Chinese and foreign, shine like dazzling stars, attracting him to explore and savor them with great eagerness.

Through daily reading, his understanding of classic Chinese literature deepened and became more comprehensive. From Confucius's philosophy of benevolence and Mencius's noble spirit, to Laozi and Zhuangzi's philosophy of non-action, to the magnificent and unrestrained poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu, to the open-minded and carefree style of Su Shi's lyrics, as well as Cao Xueqin's depiction of the vicissitudes of life and Lu Xun's sharp criticism...

All of this flowed gently into his heart, nourishing his soul.

At the same time, Zhang Cong was not content to be confined to the scope of Chinese culture alone.

With an open and inclusive mindset, he explored a wide range of knowledge treasures, including foreign literature, history, and philosophy. This included the profound wisdom of ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, as well as the magnificent theoretical systems of modern Western cultural giants like Marx and Engels.

Whether it's the stirring and beautiful melodies of European classical music masters Beethoven and Mozart, or the extraordinary paintings of Renaissance art giant Leonardo da Vinci;

Or perhaps the world-changing inventions and theories of modern scientific giants like Edison, Newton, and Einstein... all of these broadened his horizons and deeply inspired him.

It was through this persistent reading and in-depth learning that Zhang Cong's horizons broadened and his thinking became increasingly active.

He began to learn to examine the world from a unique perspective and to analyze the essence of problems with the ability to think independently. All of this valuable accumulation and experience undoubtedly laid a rock-solid foundation for his future literary creation.

Without a doubt, what deeply touched Zhang Cong's heart and evoked his strong resonance were the literary giants from abroad who had a huge influence.

Take Britain for example, which has a theatrical genius like William Shakespeare, whose many classic plays are still being performed on stages around the world today.

There is also Charles Dickens, a representative figure of realist literature, who, through his delicate and profound writing, depicted the suffering and struggles of the lower classes in Victorian society.

Jane Austen, with her unique insights into women's emotions and married life, wrote a series of love stories full of wisdom and humor;

As for Oscar Wilde, his sharp and witty remarks bring a smile to readers' faces.