Chapter 196 Further Studies
He then went on to explain the printing and distribution plans in detail. Nan Zhiyi listened attentively and felt that the magazine had made very thoughtful arrangements.
"Thank you for your trouble in making these arrangements."
Lin Yuan took out more manuscript paper from his bag: "I've read the seventeen new chapters that were sent; they're a big improvement over the previous ones. It's just that the interstellar war section... I think it could have some more detail added..."
He carefully explained his opinions, and Nan Zhiyi listened attentively.
"You're right, I'll change it."
"Is it possible to finish the last 30,000 words?"
"It's almost finished writing. I'll need to revise it for another ten days or so before I can submit the manuscript."
“No rush,” Lin Yuan said, placing the manuscript on the coffee table. “We still have enough stock for the serialization. We’ve advertised the standalone volume in the magazine, and readers have written in saying they’ll definitely buy it when it’s released.”
The two then discussed the ending of the story and finalized the plot...
Lin Yuan took another sip of tea, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Comrade Nan graduated from a vocational school. Does he have any plans to pursue further studies?"
Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Of course I want to, right now..."
"Why not take some time to review your academic knowledge?" Lin Yuan said meaningfully. "Who knows, you might have the opportunity to take the college entrance exam someday."
Nan Zhiyi's teacup trembled slightly: "You mean..."
Lin Yuan simply smiled and said, "It's never a bad thing to be prepared."
He got up to take his leave, and before leaving, he added, "Comrade Nan is very talented and should not be overlooked."
This implication is even clearer.
After seeing Lin Yuan off, Nan Zhiyi stood at the door for a long time, unable to come back to her senses.
As evening fell, Gu Xiao returned home from get off work and saw Nan Zhiyi sitting on a swing, swaying slowly. Unusually, she wasn't upstairs writing.
Xiaoman was entertaining herself on the slide, babbling in words only she understood.
"What's wrong?" Gu Xiao approached and noticed that his wife's eyes were fixed on something, clearly preoccupied.
Nan Zhiyi pulled him to sit on the swing and lowered her voice: "Editor Lin came today...and said that the college entrance examination may be reinstated."
Gu Xiao raised an eyebrow: "You want to participate?"
He remembered that during the school closures and revolutionary activities of 1966, she had just graduated from junior high school and had no chance of going to university...
Nan Zhiyi nodded emphatically: "My mother always said that girls should study even more, it's a pity..."
Gu Xiao understood that his mother-in-law had studied abroad and valued education above all else.
She hesitated for a moment, "It's just that Xiaoman is still too young..."
Gu Xiao held her hand: "Take the exam if you want. I'll take care of Xiaoman. If you miss him, you can apply to a university in Beijing. Normal University or Peking University are both fine. You can commute."
Nan Zhiyi's eyes welled up with tears, and she leaned on his shoulder.
Although I had expected him to support me, I was still moved to hear it in person.
She leaned close to his ear: "I want to tell Anping and Yueran, especially Yueran, how much she loves studying..."
"Whatever you want." Gu Xiao ruffled her hair. "Shall we have Xiao Liu drive you to the bookstore tomorrow?"
"good!"
The next morning, Gu Xiao's bodyguard, Xiao Liu, was waiting outside the compound in his car.
Nan Zhiyi entrusted Xiaoman to Sister Zhang.
She changed into a simple blue cloth dress, and went out with a cloth bag and money in her pocket.
The Xinhua Bookstore in Wangfujing was crowded, but the college entrance exam review area was deserted.
There were only a few self-study books on mathematics, physics and chemistry in the counter, and the covers were covered in dust.
Nan Zhiyi ordered two sets, and the sales clerk muttered as she looked for the books, "Why are so many people buying this these days..."
She then picked out review materials for Chinese and Politics, but English books were almost impossible to find. In the end, she could only buy a tattered copy of "Basic English Grammar".
"Is that all?" Xiao Liu helped her carry the books and suggested, "Sister-in-law, how about we go to a used bookstore?"
Nan Zhiyi nodded.
The car turned into the Dongdan Used Bookstore, and sure enough, we found a few high school textbooks in a corner.
When she got home, she carefully arranged the books on her desk.
When Gu Xiao returned, he asked, "Did you buy everything?"
“It’s still a bit short. I’ll ask Editor Lin to help me find some more.” She picked up the English grammar book. “It’s just that this one is too old, and many words are blurry.”
Gu Xiao picked up the book and flipped through it: "I'll ask the comrades in the military translation office; they should have the information."
A few days later, Gu Xiao and Editor Lin indeed found more review materials.
Nan Zhiyi carefully packed a set of "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry" and an English grammar book, and added a few newly bought workbooks, preparing to send them to Zhang Yueran.
She knew that Yue Ran had excellent grades when she graduated from high school, and that she should still have all her textbooks.
In the letter, she wrote, "Yueyue, I'm enclosing some study materials so you can review your lessons in your spare time. I've heard there might be opportunities for further studies in the future, so it's always good to prepare early. If you need any books, just write to me..."
Then he described Xiaoman's recent situation to Aunt Feng in detail, saying that a new swing had been set up in the yard and that Xiaoman could already walk unsteadily...
Finally, I carefully tucked the three photos into the letter: a solo photo of Xiaoman, a photo of her and her son, and a family photo. The dates were written in pencil on the back of each photo.
After sending the packages and letters.
Nan Zhiyi asked Xiao Liu to take her to the performing arts troupe.
Zhou Anping was stretching his legs in the rehearsal hall when he saw her and ran over excitedly: "Why did you come all of a sudden? I was just about to come see you because I have the day after tomorrow off!"
The two sat down in the lounge, and Nan Zhiyi handed over the Arctic Ocean soda she had brought: "After watching your performance last month, I haven't been able to see you, so I had to come here to wait for you."
Anping gulped down several mouthfuls of soda, wiped his mouth, and said, "I'm going on a tour to the military base next month, so I've been training extra every day lately. But I like it this way. Standing on the stage, with the lights shining down on me, I feel it's all worth it."
Nan Zhiyi lowered her voice: "I'm here because it's important. I heard... the college entrance exam might be reinstated."
Anping paused for a moment, then laughed: "I know you mean well, but I just want to focus on dancing. I'm the lead dancer now, and studying... I really don't have the energy for that."
Nan Zhiyi squeezed her hand: "I just feel this is a big deal, and I have to tell you in person. Just think it through."
Zhou Anping gripped his hand tightly in return. "Of course I'm happy that you're thinking of me. I'll consider it carefully."
A light rain started to fall in the evening, pattering against the windowpane.
After settling Xiaoman in, Nan Zhiyi crawled into bed.
She snuggled gently into Gu Xiao's arms: "You were right, Anping doesn't really want to take the exam."
Gu Xiao gently stroked her long hair: "Everyone has their own way of living. It's a good thing that she can find happiness on stage."
“But…” Nan Zhiyi suddenly sat up, “We still have to tell Gu Yan! Isn’t Dad always worried that he’s not doing his job properly?”
Gu Xiao chuckled and pulled her back into his arms: "You, you worry about this and that. I'll call him tomorrow."
Nan Zhiyi smirked smugly: "How is this worrying for nothing? Dad will be so happy if Gu Yan can get into university."
Gu Xiao lowered his head to kiss her, his fingers gently caressing the buttons of her pajamas: "Now... can you worry about your husband first?"
Nan Zhiyi blushed and tried to push him away.
The rain grew heavier, and the rose bushes in the courtyard swayed gently in the night rain.
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