"Is it selling well?" Qin Rou was very surprised when she received the call. She asked a few more questions in detail.

"It's sold out. We are reprinting now!"

...

After hanging up the phone, Qin Rou's heart was still pounding. Because the book was selling well, the people from the publishing house were much better. They also said that it would not take long to transfer the money.

"That's great. I'll be patient for a while. When the money arrives, I'll tell my sister the news."

"No, I just can't hold it in! I'm going to my sister's house right away."

Qin Rou didn't go home either. She rode her bicycle to her sister and brother-in-law's house. She wanted to tell them the good news.

At this time, a man happened to visit the Chen family. He was Chen Mian's junior high school classmate, named Tang Jiafu. His grades were not very good when he was in school, and he was not as good as Chen Mian before, but now he is doing well in a factory. He came to Guangzhou on a business trip and knew that Chen Mian was now stranded on a deserted island, so he followed a Guangzhou newspaper photography team to visit relatives and friends on the island.

Tang Jiafu was now arrogant in front of Chen Mian. He rolled up his sleeves and revealed a large watch from Shanghai. Since buying this watch, he now has to roll up his wrists when he meets people, to show them, and his big belt, to show that he is living a good life.

"Chen Mian, Chen Mian, we are old classmates. Look at you now, you have ended up like this."

"You were a good college student, but now you are a primary school teacher on this deserted island, and you live in this kind of house."

"Didn't your wife's sister marry a military officer? Why didn't she help your family..." Tang Jiafu said hurriedly. He thought to himself, studying, what's the point of studying? Just like Chen Mian, no matter how well he studied, he is still in this shabby state now.

His brother-in-law, even if he is a military officer on this small broken island, what's the point of being an officer? He even fought a naval battle at the beginning of the year, and his life was in danger.

"I am living a very good and satisfied life now." Chen Mian did not want to argue with him. He had heard too many mocking words from others over the years, and Tang Jiafu's words did not hurt him.

Tang Jiafu laughed at him: "You are stubborn. Times have changed. You should stop sticking to your old ideas."

"In my opinion, studying? Studying is useless. Now my son wants to study, but I won't let him study. I even encourage him to tear up the books. What a waste of studying."

"Chen Mian, you should have been like me and not read so many books. Reading too much makes you bookish. That's why you need to change like you are now."

Chen Mian said calmly: "Studying is useful. At least it can satisfy your spirit."

"You are still spiritually satisfied, do you really think you have enough love and water? Just live your life first. Just tell me how much money you can make in a day as a poor teacher. Your dad used to be so powerful. Hey, he is a university teacher with a high income, but he just can't get used to you. People who study knowledge don't deserve such a high salary."

"Does he still make money every day now?"

"Is your family living in difficulty now? Have your dad and your former students come to see you? Are you short of money? If you are short of money, I can lend you some."

"I just came in and took out fifty cents for your son. You didn't see how bright his eyes were. This is fifty cents. I bought my son a pair of small leather shoes for a few cents--"

At this time, someone came in trotting outside. Chen Mian turned around and found that it was his daughter Chen Juanjuan. She threw a fifty-cent note in front of Tang Jiafu, "My brother doesn't want your money!"

Followed by her brother Chen Jinghua, Chen Juanjuan shouted, "My brother and I are stupid. If we don't study, we will become fools!"

"Brother, don't talk to fools in the future!"

"Hide when you see a fool."

Tang Jiafu's face changed, "How can you talk like that, kid?"

"How did you teach your children?"

Qin Mian also came over with tea at this time. She said to Tang Jiafu brightly: "I'm so sorry, this is a child raised by a mountain girl like me, so he is a little immature. Please bear with me."

"Because I haven't read much and don't have much culture, the children I taught don't know etiquette when they go to other people's homes, let alone at home."

"That's why I let them read more. If they don't read well, they will go to other people's homes and make trouble in the future. It's so vulgar and embarrassing for the family. As their parents, we have no face to live in this world."

Tang Jiafu's face turned red because of her indirect insults, "You-"

"The people in your family are really stubborn. I hope you will die of poverty on this broken island in the future."

"If you have a good relationship with me, your son can be arranged to work in a factory in Guangzhou by paying hundreds or thousands of dollars."

"If I don't go to the factory, do I really have to feed the fish on this broken island?"

"How much money can you make teaching for a month, and you are still in this thatched house--"

Chen Jinghua said: "I won't go to the factory. When I get old, I will join the army to defend my country."

His words shocked the people around him. When Tang Jiafu heard what he said, he immediately laughed: "You are so skinny and thin, and you are as dark as a monkey. You are still going to join the army. Do you have the strength to run? You are just like your father, a scholar. No wonder people used to say that scholars are useless."

"You are still a soldier. Take a piss and look in the mirror. "

Qin Rou heard what Tang Jiafu and Chen Jinghua said outside, so she walked in and said, "Why can't my nephew join the army? Technical talents are most needed at this time. Even soldiers have to learn to read and write, let alone join the navy. Jinghua, you have seen your uncle-in-law's books at your aunt's house. Books on ships contain a lot of mathematical and physical knowledge. If this person is not smart and doesn't study, he will not be able to understand or learn."

"Aunt!" Chen Juanjuan and Chen Jinghua called her.

Qin Mian was also surprised to see Qin Rou, "Sister, why are you here at this time."

"Sister, I came to your house to tell you the good news. The publishing house has collected 500 yuan, all for Grandpa Chen.

"What, what five hundred yuan?" "

It's the royalties for publishing a book."

Qin Rou looked at Tang Jiafu and continued, "You look strange. Are you my brother-in-law's friend? My brother-in-law's family is going to build a new house soon. Do you want to stay and help?"

"You look as strong as a pig. Do you work as a laborer in a factory? Our family needs someone like you to move bricks and mud to build a house."

"It doesn't matter where you do manual labor, it's all about striving for construction. If you have a positive and progressive mindset, then stay and work. We can't eat pork on this island, but you can still eat fish."

Qin Rou looked at Qin Mian, "Sister, where is this person working? He looks like he just came out of a cave digging coal. He never sees the light all day, so he can't say anything bright."

Qin Mian laughed, and Chen Mian also laughed. Tang Jiafu was repeatedly ridiculed by his family members, and was driven out of the Chen family with an ugly face.

"Sister, you still have to build the house quickly, especially the front door, so that no one dares to come home."

Qin Mian smiled: "I'll scold anyone who comes, anyway, I'm different from your brother-in-law."

Chen Mian sighed, "When it comes to squeezing people out, you two are the best."

"You don't dare to say it--" Qin Mian stopped talking here. She looked at Qin Rou and changed the subject: "Sister, what you said just now, is it true?"

"I made up the five hundred yuan, but the publishing house is really going to transfer the money. I don't know the exact amount, but it must be several hundred yuan."

"Really?!!"

"Of course it's true!!"

"That's great, that's great!!!"

"That was drawn by my grandpa!!"

"The people from the publishing house asked if Mr. Chen was willing to draw comic strips. If he drew a few pages of the cover, he could make a little money."

Qin Rou asked tentatively.

Nowadays, many people who are engaged in art and calligraphy are more noble and pursue artistry. They look down on worldly things like comic strips and are unwilling to draw. Many art students who are studying painting now also cover their noses and draw comic strips for others to earn a living. The money they earn is used to buy paints and brushes to support themselves.

Mr. Chen has stopped painting for a long time. No one knows whether he is willing to start writing again.

The Chen family was delighted to hear the news. Chen Jinghua and Chen Juanjuan cheered. Qin Mian said excitedly: "This is great. When the money arrives, we can divide it between the two families. It was your idea to make more losses. I'll tell my father-in-law the news when he comes back."

"Today is a good day. Let's cut some meat to eat."

"Sister, you can stay at home for dinner. I'll roast some pork and stew vermicelli for you. We sisters can also have some Mapo tofu. You haven't eaten it for a long time. You must miss it, right?"

Qin Rou: "..." Mapo tofu?

"Sister, I'm a broadcaster. My throat can't stand spicy food."

"Okay then."

Qin Rou had a meal at her sister's house and met Grandpa Chen. Grandpa Chen has calmed down a lot in recent years. When he heard that he would be on the cover of a series of circle paintings, he also agreed to draw a few.

After agreeing, he asked, "Is it okay?"

"No problem. There are more comic books on the market in the past two years, much richer than before."

The Chen family didn't want to discuss this matter.

"Jinghua said he wanted to join the army?"

Sister Chen Juanjuan laughed and said, "He was just talking. How can a little kid like him join the army?"

"What if he doesn't join the army? Wait a few more years. If he doesn't join the army, he will go to the countryside to become an educated youth." Chen Juanjuan and Chen Jinghua are now twelve years old. Now that they have settled down here, someone in the family must go to become an educated youth. Now that he and his sister's family are in this state, they will definitely not be recommended to go to college.

Many educated youth who had connections and were good at dealing with people would return to the city after a few years. Chen Jinghua was like his father. He was good at studying but not very good at building relationships and dealing with people. So, as an educated youth, he, a junior high school student, could only be mediocre in the village and could not become a village cadre, let alone go to college through this recommendation.

"My sister and I are going to junior high school, but I heard that there are hardly any classes in junior high and high schools now, and we can't learn anything in school. I heard that many people said they don't want to go to school. A laborer can return home and help with housework. We can get a few plots of land now, and if we work hard, we can earn some dividends a year. In a few years, when I am old enough, I can join the army..."

"Jinghua, why do you think so?"

Chen Mian and Chen Yubai were silent.

Qin Rou said gently, "Juanjuan and Jinghua should study hard now. Maybe when you finish high school, you can go to college."

"Is it really possible? All universities have to recommend you now."

"But the people recommended now may not have a high level of education." Qin Rou whispered, "Just like you said, if you don't study much in junior high and high school, how can you learn real things in college? In the future, for the development of science, technology and culture, real talents will be needed to research and build. I think the way of selecting talents will change in the future."

"Maybe it will be two or three years. You are still young. Study hard first and wait for another three years."

Qin Rou smiled and said, "Then let's wait for three years. You will see after three years." A few

years ago, we played table tennis and walked on the bridge in and out of Shenzhen. In recent years, the diplomatic situation has changed rapidly, the environment has improved, and external development has also started from the south.

"Okay, in three years I will finish junior high school."