Chapter 498 Meeting
When I knocked and entered, Professor Wang was hunched over his large desk piled high with books and manuscripts, his pen flying across the paper.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and glanced at Nan Zhiyi over his glasses, but his hands didn't stop. "Hmm, you're here. Have a seat and make yourself some tea."
Nan Zhiyi put down her bag and added hot water to Professor Wang's enamel teacup, but didn't make one for herself. "I'm not being polite to the professor, it's just that my own thermos is already full."
"Okay, please have a seat."
Nan Zhiyi sat down as instructed.
After a moment, Professor Wang put down his pen, took off his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and then took a large gulp of strong tea from his enamel mug before continuing:
“I’ve carefully reviewed the outline of the paper you submitted last time. The entry point was well chosen, and the research on the materials was also well done, not just a superficial discussion. There are a few points where the discussion could be explored in more depth. I’ll send you the annotations later.”
"Thank you, teacher."
Nan Zhiyi quickly agreed.
Professor Wang abruptly changed the subject, pulling a meeting notice stamped with an official red seal from the corner of his desk and handing it to Nan Zhiyi. "Take a look at this."
Nan Zhiyi accepted it with both hands.
The notice is titled "Symposium on Literary Creation and Theoretical Construction in the New Era," and the location is Shanghai, scheduled for mid-May.
This is a high-level academic conference with significant trendsetting implications.
"The organizers gave the department two auditing spots, and I recommended you. Your creative practice and theoretical research are well combined. You have ideas and works to support them. Go listen, chat, broaden your horizons, and make some friends with your peers. It will benefit you."
This is a rare opportunity.
She not only had access to cutting-edge academic discussions, but also met important figures in the literary and critical circles, which greatly benefited her creative work and academic research.
Professor Wang added, "There will be some materials distributed at the meeting, as well as some internal discussions. Take good care of your notes and communicate more. Travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed by the department according to regulations."
Nan Zhiyi was very touched: "Thank you, teacher, for giving me this opportunity. I will definitely prepare carefully."
Professor Wang nodded: "The department office will handle the specific itinerary and letters of introduction. You should coordinate your current courses and teaching assistant work, and revise your thesis according to the comments. When you go out to meetings, you are representing the face of the Chinese Department of Peking University, and you are also my student. Be rigorous, but don't be too reserved."
"I understand, teacher," Nan Zhiyi replied, carefully putting away the notice.
Leaving Professor Wang's office, she walked briskly along the cement road toward the gate, the evening sunset painting Weiming Lake with a golden glow.
A gentle spring breeze caressed my face, carrying the slightly fishy smell of the lake water and the fragrance of flowers and grass.
Several students rode past, chatting and laughing, their bicycle bells jingling and their skirts fluttering.
She thought, spring is indeed a season full of vitality.
When I got home, I opened the door and saw Gu Zhao's small military green backpack in the entryway.
Sister Zhang: "Xiaoman ran back as soon as school was over, saying that today's homework was easy and she finished it at school. She had made plans to play soccer with them, and had just left not long ago..."
Nan Zhiyi smiled and said, "Let him be. It's rare to have such nice weather."
On her way back, she passed a newly opened flower shop and specially bought a bouquet of fresh flowers wrapped in oil paper. The flowers were pale yellow forsythia, tender yellow daisies, light purple lilacs, and a few sprigs of asparagus fern, which were fresh and elegant.
Sister Zhang took the bouquet: "Oh, perfect! The forsythia and magnolia in the vase in the living room have been wilting for a while and need to be replaced. I was thinking of seeing if there were any fresh ones at the market tomorrow morning."
"I saw it when I was passing by, so I just bought it." Nan Zhiyi took off her coat. "Sister Zhang, you go ahead with your work, I'll handle the styling."
"No rush, no rush, all the ingredients are ready, just waiting to start cooking."
Sister Zhang removed the old flower branches and took the two porcelain vases to the sink to wash them clean.
Nan Zhiyi thanked them, sat down at the dining table, and, taking advantage of the last bit of daylight coming in from the window, slowly began to trim the flower branches, adjusting their height, and arranging them in the vase in a pleasing, staggered manner.
Just then, the phone rang.
Nan Zhiyi put down the scissors and went over to take them.
It's Gu Xiao. "Come home for dinner tonight."
Nan Zhiyi was a little surprised: "Great! Didn't you say you were busy today? How come you're back all of a sudden?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone: "I'm done with work."
He didn't say much, and Nan Zhiyi didn't press him for details.
"Wait for me to get back." He then hung up the phone.
Nan Zhiyi didn't think much of it, assuming that his work had finished smoothly and early.
Perfect timing, she also had something to tell him.
After hanging up the phone, she told Sister Zhang about Gu Xiao coming back for dinner. Sister Zhang happily agreed and turned to start cooking.
Nan Zhiyi returned to the dining table and continued to tend to her flowers.
As dusk fell, Gu Zhao rushed back, her face flushed and her hair damp with sweat.
"Mom! I'm home!" he shouted.
Nan Zhiyi accompanied her son to the restroom, watching him wash his hands and face.
She asked, "Are you having fun playing so wildly?"
"Of course I'm happy!" Gu Zhao wiped her neck haphazardly with a towel, chattering on and on. "Yangyang brought a new toy today! It's one of those transforming robots! With a few quick movements, it turns from a car into a robot, and it can even swing its arms! It's so cool!"
Nan Zhiyi wasn't very familiar with these new toys for children, but seeing how excited her son was, she asked, "Oh? They look so fun! Should I buy you one?"
Gu Zhao slowed down, thought about it seriously for a moment, and then said, "Hmm... I really want it. But... I need to think about it some more. I don't particularly need it right now..."
"If I really want to buy it, I'll use my own allowance."
Nan Zhiyi was somewhat surprised, but also somewhat relieved.
"Okay, then take your time to think it over. Make a decision after you've thought it through."
Gu Zhao nodded, hung up the towel, and followed her mother out of the bathroom. She sniffed the air and exclaimed, "It smells so good! What delicious food did you make today?"
Before the words were even finished, the person had already rushed into the kitchen.
Nan Zhiyi ignored him and turned to walk towards the courtyard gate.
The streetlights were already on, casting a hazy, warm glow.
After standing at the entrance for a while, I could see Gu Xiao striding towards me along the dim shade of the trees.
Nan Zhiyi quickly went to meet him and took his arm.
"You're back!" She looked up at him, eager to share her joy. "I have something to tell you, Professor Wang called me this afternoon. He has some good news: the department has recommended me to attend an academic conference in Shanghai..."
Gu Xiao turned his head to look at her, and even in the dim light, he could see the glint in her eyes.
He raised his other hand and patted the back of her hand reassuringly.
"Good thing."
Then, changing the subject, he said, "Coincidentally, I also have some news on my end. Want to guess?"
Nan Zhiyi immediately thought of what she had been thinking about lately and blurted out, "Is it... that there's definite news from my cousin's side?"
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