Chapter 135 Time is like a sponge

Xie Shiyu's warm big hand gently covered the back of Gu Qiuyue's hand, his eyes full of support and encouragement. The two children were still laughing and playing with the picture books in their hands. Although they held them upside down, it did not affect their happiness at all.

"Yueyue, what are your specific plans?" Xie Shiyu said gently, "Tell me, I'll help you with some advice."

Gu Qiuyue's eyes sparkled as she spread out the manuscript paper in front of her. Huahua and Shuangshuang seemed to sense that their parents were talking about serious matters, so they also quieted down and sat aside obediently fiddling with the literacy cards.

"I've thought about it. It's mainly divided into three aspects." Gu Qiuyue picked up a pencil and wrote the words "translation", "teaching", and "creation" on the paper. "Translation work is a long-term cooperation with Xinhua Bookstore. I can't give it up.

In fact, the bookstore manager asked me a few days ago if I would be willing to take on the translation of a social science book. It's quite long, but the remuneration is also considerable."

Xie Shiyu nodded: "This is a stable source of income, and it will also allow you to maintain your professional level, but will it be too hard?"

"I know my limits." Gu Qiuyue smiled, moving the pen to the second word. "As for teaching, I've noticed that the children are becoming more and more interested in learning, especially those students who originally had weak foundations. They have made great progress recently. I want to spend more time researching teaching methods to help them grow better."

At this point, Gu Qiuyue's tone became noticeably excited. "The most important thing is writing. Editor Lin from New Wind magazine wrote to me saying that readers responded very well to my last short story and encouraged me to try my hand at a novel. I've initially conceived a story set against the backdrop of a military family starting a business, but I'm going to add more characters and more conflict."

Xie Shiyu listened attentively, nodding occasionally: "This is a great idea, it's inspired by life but also transcends life. Can you arrange the time for it?"

"Over at the workshop, Sisters Xiumei and Cuifen are fully capable of handling it on their own. I've talked to them, and they both support me focusing my energy on things I'm better at." Gu Qiuyue said firmly, "Sister Xiumei has strong management skills, and Sister Cuifen is thoughtful. They complement each other perfectly. I've handed over most of the daily affairs to them, and I only visit them on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

As for time, it's like water in a sponge. If you squeeze it, there's always more." She smiled and glanced at Xie Shiyu. "Besides, don't you still support me?"

"Of course." Xie Shiyu said without hesitation, "I'll help with the housework. You can focus on your work. I'll try my best to help you find any information you need."

Just as the couple was looking at each other and smiling, there was a hurried knock on the door.

Xie Shiyu got up and opened the door, only to see Zhang Xiumei standing outside with a hint of anxiety on her face.

"Sister Xiumei, come in and sit down." Gu Qiuyue greeted her hurriedly.

Zhang Xiumei waved her hand. "I'm not going to sit down anymore. I just want to tell you something. Qiuyue, Li Caifeng isn't doing well. She's been having these last couple of days, and she's been mumbling things like 'retribution' and 'shouldn't have listened'. I can't really hear it."

Gu Qiuyue frowned slightly: "She was released?"

"Send him back this morning and let him rest at home." Zhang Xiumei lowered her voice. "Also, there's some gossip in the workshop about Director Zhao being taken away. Several versions are getting more and more outrageous. Some even say you... you're too serious and don't show any mercy.

Especially those close to Secretary Zhao, who were so sarcastic. "They were saying things like, 'It's not a good thing for a woman to be too assertive,'" Zhang Xiumei sighed. "It's really infuriating!"

Xie Shiyu's expression suddenly became serious: "The division will handle this matter fairly. Rumors stop with the wise."

He walked to the window, looked at the scattered lights in the night, and said firmly, "Secretary Zhao's behavior has violated discipline, and the organization will definitely deal with it seriously. You don't have to take these rumors to heart."

Gu Qiuyue was silent for a moment, then gently held Zhang Xiumei's hand. "Sister Xiumei, I'll leave the workshop to you. Product quality is key, and you don't have to pay attention to rumors. As for Li Caifeng, ask Sister Chen to pay more attention to her, but be careful about how you approach her, so she doesn't think we're testing her for anything."

"She's emotionally unstable right now. If we pay too much attention to her, it might just irritate her," Gu Qiuyue said thoughtfully. "Let Sister Chen, as the director of women's affairs, take care of her more. Especially make sure her two children are well fed and clothed."

Zhang Xiumei nodded: "I understand. Then you..."

"I will adjust my focus slightly, but I will still be a part of the workshop." Gu Qiuyue said firmly, "You are doing a great job. I am very relieved."

She walked Zhang Xiumei to the door and said softly, "I'm going to the workshop tomorrow. I have some new designs I'd like to discuss with you all."

After seeing Zhang Xiumei off, Gu Qiuyue took a deep breath and sat back down at her desk. This little episode actually made her determination even stronger.

Xie Shiyu looked at her with concern: "Are you okay?"

"It's okay." Gu Qiuyue shook her head, a relieved smile on her lips, "In fact, I know better what I should do now."

She picked up a pen and drew a line under the word "creation." "The more people think women shouldn't be too strong, the more I want to write about our brilliance."

She took out a fresh piece of manuscript paper and began to write a reply to Editor Lin of "Xinfeng" magazine.

The pen tip moved smoothly across the paper as she formally expressed her intention to write a long novel and briefly introduced the story idea - a story about military families becoming self-reliant and starting their own businesses, incorporating her personal experience and artistic imagination.

At the end of the letter, she hesitated for a moment and added, "Editor Lin, I wonder if your company has any plans to open a column focusing on the career and family choices of contemporary women in the near future? If the opportunity arises, I would like to use this as a starting point for my work."

After writing this sentence, she seemed to see a brand new stage opening up to her. The early 1980s was an era of awakening women's consciousness, and her pen might become a pioneer of this era.

After writing, she put the letter into the envelope and sealed it carefully.

The address of "Xinfeng" magazine was written in beautiful handwriting on the envelope. At this moment, she felt that what she was sending was not only a letter, but also an expectation for the future.

The moonlight outside the window is like water, quietly sprinkling on the desk.

Gu Qiuyue looked at her sleeping child and her husband who was supporting her, her heart full of hope. She knew that a new journey had begun and she was ready.

Xie Shiyu gently put his arm around her shoulders, and they smiled at each other. No words were needed, their mutual support and understanding were all in this warm hug.

But she didn't know what opportunities and challenges the letter she was about to send would bring her...

At this moment, she would not have thought that this letter would not only attract the attention of Editor Lin, but also attract the attention of a special person, and the appearance of this person would completely change the trajectory of her life.