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墨書 Inktalez
After sending Mao Na off on the bus to the Post and Telecommunications School, it was already quite late. Since it was Saturday, the older brother, Lao Da, Lao Si, and Cui Shuigen had all gone out on dates with their girlfriends, while the second brother, Miao Shujie, was diligently studying in the dormitory.
I greeted Miao Shujie and climbed into bed, turning on the bedside lamp to read, but I found it hard to concentrate. Earlier in the day, Mao Na had mentioned that the Yao Wei Incident had come to a close: the woman involved had resigned and moved to a southern city that was among the first to open up. She had also withdrawn her accusations against Yao Wei, who had been dismissed from his public office. Li Shengnan calmly proposed a divorce to him, showing no anger or sadness, as if nothing had ever happened between them.
Her attitude only served to extinguish any thoughts Yao Wei might have had about reconciliation. The house belonged to Li Shengnan, and since their child was still young, it naturally fell to her to take care of it. Li Shengnan was financially secure, and Yao Wei had hardly contributed any of his salary, so there were no further entanglements.
After obtaining their divorce certificate from the civil affairs bureau, they went their separate ways. Subsequently, Yao Wei faded from the sight of everyone who knew him in Annan County. Not long ago, Sister Lai from Jiangcheng Evening News personally delivered an internship evaluation report for him as an "Intern Reporter" over four weeks at the Evening News office. The report was filled with praise:
"Hu Ruoyun demonstrated diligence and hard work during his internship at our unit. He showed creativity and initiative in independently carrying out his work, possessing a certain spirit of exploration and innovation. He quickly adapted to new concepts and offered guidance and assistance to colleagues in areas such as computer applications. He approached his tasks with responsibility and completed all assignments given by the newspaper excellently... He fostered teamwork and received unanimous praise from his colleagues."
After reading this, Lai Wen presented him with a beautifully bound notebook: "This is a gift from my sister!"
Hu Ruoyun accepted it with both hands and opened it to find neatly pasted copies of all the articles he had published during his internship at Evening News alongside Lai Wen's name, each marked with "Intern Reporter Hu Ruoyun" at the bottom. To Hu Ruoyun, this scrapbook held immense significance; it even surpassed the evaluation report in value.
What is a benefactor? A benefactor is someone you meet at the right time who can change your life!
Perhaps influenced by economic trends, Hu Ruoyun felt that many college students were particularly restless; instead of focusing on their studies, they were eager to network with fellow townsfolk or seniors—trying to connect with so-called successful individuals in society.
Some even flaunted impressively titled business cards in class as proof of their networking skills. One female classmate cried in class after losing a card given to her by a fellow townsman; she claimed that after graduation she could work for him without needing to seek employment at a job fair!
Her sorrowful expression made it seem as though she had lost not just a piece of paper but her future.
Later, a classmate cleaning up found that card. Hu Ruoyun took a look at it; it read "Jiangcheng Advertising Group Business Director ×××" on one side and "Business Scope: Advertising banners, promotional brochures... production and distribution..." on the other.
Wasn't this just someone printing banners and distributing flyers? And they called themselves a Business Director? It seemed likely that this "group" had very few employees! Even if you were qualified to represent Jiangcheng Evening News for advertising contracts, that would still garner more attention.
Yet there were still people who placed blind faith in such things. School can teach you how to study, but some lessons can only be learned through real-world experiences—after facing setbacks and taking wrong turns.
Some people frequently flit between social circles, occasionally posting about dining with certain leaders or drinking with directors—yet once they leave those circles, their names may not even be remembered by anyone.
This society is incredibly realistic. If you lack sufficient resources and capital to exchange or earn admiration, many people will not want to associate with you; the so-called relationships are often superficial.
Let me share two true stories:
The first story is about a classmate's brother. After graduating from middle school, he worked in a rural construction team, mixing mortar, and later in a workshop for a township enterprise, and as a waiter in a restaurant in Town. He once told me, "Brother, back then when I walked down the street, people would say, 'That's so-and-so's second son; he hasn't accomplished anything. Will he even be able to marry tomorrow?'"
My classmate introduced this brother to a store in the building materials market that sold construction pipes. There was no basic salary; his income depended entirely on finding clients and generating business. Because he was willing to work hard and put in effort, he gradually opened up the market (though it was a difficult process). Later, he started his own business and eventually opened his own factory. He first bought a Passat and then upgraded to a Land Rover, and now he has constant social engagements.
The second story is about my brother-in-law. In his early years, he delivered chicken manure from a poultry farm to vegetable greenhouses, earning two to three hundred yuan a day (which was quite impressive in the early 2000s). Later, he followed his brother to run coal mining business in Datong, Shanxi, and now he is involved in engineering projects in the northwest (having achieved some success). One day after having a few drinks, he said to me, "Brother, when I was delivering chicken manure during the town's fairs, my classmates never invited me to join them. Now they all say, 'Come join us at the fair!'"
Thus, different circles do not need to be forcibly merged; different classes do not need to be forcibly integrated. The circle is not important; being strong within oneself is fundamental.
In "The Foreseen Future," Hu Ruoyun wrote a letter to his son on his WeChat Official Account:
"Son,
Your father does not intend to preach about school or education but wishes to share our family's ancestral stories for mutual encouragement.
According to your forth grandpa (great-grandfather), from your grandfather's grandfather and beyond, they were illiterate. One year during Spring Festival, your ancestor (ancestor) asked someone to write couplets for him. The person took advantage of his illiteracy and wrote: 'Buy one pound for one pound without end; borrow new debts to pay old debts without clarity.' While there is an element of rural humor in this, it also reflects our helplessness and sorrow.
In this season of 199×, your father walked into this city wearing cloth shoes with rubber soles and carrying luggage wrapped in coarse cloth sheets, feeling anxious and even fearful.
Your father was not a good student and believed that books might not necessarily lead to 'golden houses' or 'beauties like jade,' but always thought that education could mature one's mind and strengthen one's spirit. Education provides clarity and composure amidst the ever-changing social landscape; it offers more opportunities and choices for your future life!
Academic excellence requires both talent and hard work.
Your father only asks that you put in effort.
This era and society hold unimaginable wonders. Your father hopes you will 'keep pace with the times' while also being able to withstand various temptations related to the internet.
Life cannot be relived; do not waste your time during the season of learning.
Let this serve as encouragement for young people."
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