Chapter 439 Winter Plum
After New Year's Day, the days rush by like turning the pages of a book.
As the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month approached in 1983, Nan Zhiyi and Gu Zhao began their winter vacation.
She took a Saturday and brought Gu Zhao to visit Professor Wang's home.
Professor Wang lives in the professors' building near Peking University, where withered vines climb the blue brick walls.
Nan Zhiyi carried various gift boxes containing snacks, tea, and other items, while Gu Zhao volunteered to carry a bunch of winter plum blossoms, her little face blushing red from being covered by her woolen hat.
"Mom, will Master Wang be very serious?"
"Master is very learned and has a very kind nature. When you see people later, be sure to greet them and don't touch anything." Even though she knew her son was always well-behaved and sensible, she couldn't help but give him a few more instructions.
"Okay, Mom."
As soon as the mother and son reached the third floor, the faded wooden door opened from the inside.
Professor Wang, dressed in a slightly worn gray Zhongshan suit with his glasses chain hanging down his chest, smiled when he saw them: "Coming over in this cold weather? Come inside quickly. It's windy in the hallway."
Gu Zhao immediately bowed and said, "Happy New Year, Master!" He then held up the winter plum blossom with both hands and handed it over, saying, "I picked this out for you."
Professor Wang praised, "The sparse shadows cast obliquely, and the subtle fragrance wafts in the air. Gu Zhao has a good eye for selection; this branch has an excellent shape."
He bent down and smelled it. "The most precious thing about winter plum is its cool fragrance, which has more character than flowers grown in greenhouses."
Upon entering the house, Nan Zhiyi placed the gifts on the entryway cabinet.
Professor Wang said, "I told you not to do these things. I don't need a little food and drink."
"Please give me a chance to do my best." Nan Zhiyi smiled and took off her scarf. "It would be so awkward if I came empty-handed."
Professor Wang shook his head: "I really can't argue with you." His gaze fell on the winter plum blossoms. "Look, the gift Gu Zhao chose is just right. It's exactly like 'Jiangnan has nothing to offer, so I'll give you a sprig of spring.' You should learn from Gu Zhao."
"Alright, alright, next time I'll humbly ask Gu Zhao for advice on how to please the teacher."
Nan Zhiyi took the winter plum blossoms, walked to the elm wood cabinet against the wall, took out a celadon vase, filled it with water, and arranged the flowers. The winter plum blossoms appeared even more golden and translucent against the backdrop of the vase.
There was also the image of Professor Wang standing alone under the Gothic arcade, full of spirit, a stark contrast to his current weathered and worn appearance.
Nan Zhiyi had seen these photos before, but each time she did, she was reminded of the melancholy of "fading beauty in the mirror and withered flowers on the tree."
“Next time you come, I should put the photos away beforehand,” Professor Wang said without turning his head as he peeled an orange for Gu Zhao. “So you won’t be sighing and complaining at such a young age.”
Nan Zhiyi turned around and smiled, "I regret that I couldn't be there when you were young to discuss with you whether Keats or Li Shangyin was more melancholic."
Professor Wang had already taken off Gu Zhao's coat and hat. The two, one old and one young, were eating oranges and talking quietly.
Gu Zhao stared at the bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling, then suddenly pointed to the top of the bookshelves: "Master, is that book with the blue cloth cover 'A Study of Ancient Myths'? My mother has it in her study too, and I've already finished reading the first volume."
Professor Wang took the thick book down in surprise and handed it to Gu Zhao: "You little rascal, you're only in first grade, and you know so many words?"
“Zhao Zhao has a good vocabulary,” Nan Zhiyi said, taking the teacup. “He rarely looks at picture books now; he reads the books on our bookshelf instead. He’s read all the books, both domestic and foreign.”
Professor Wang patted the little guy on the shoulder and told him to read the book as he pleased.
At this moment, the maid brought in tea and snacks.
"The country is becoming more and more open now, and you'll have the opportunity to go abroad someday." Professor Wang invited Nan Zhiyi to sit down and have some tea. "The British Museum and the Paris Library hold many of our lost classics..."
Nan Zhiyi gently shook her head: "Teacher, given my husband's status, I'm afraid Gu Zhao and I won't be able to leave the country."
She picked up her teacup and took a sip. "When those cultural relics return home, it's the same whether I see them at the Palace Museum or not."
Professor Wang nodded: "You do seem to be quite wise in your apparent foolishness."
He turned and took out a manuscript from his desk: "I've read your new historical science fiction outline. The idea of intertwining the Dunhuang manuscripts with interstellar civilization is ingenious. However... readers nowadays prefer works with suspense elements. How about we consider adding a Western Regions exploration storyline? For example, setting up a code that spans a thousand years."
Nan Zhiyi put down her teacup in surprise: "I didn't expect that you would know so much about market trends, teacher."
"Books are commodities too. If you write a book that can't sell, isn't that just self-entertainment? This outline of yours needs some polishing..."
He mentioned many clever plot design ideas.
Nan Zhiyi blushed and said, "You're right. What if we added martial arts elements? For example, having the descendants of the cave guardians team up with archaeologists?"
"That's a good idea! I happen to be organizing historical materials about the Western Regions, and I can help you verify some ancient mechanical techniques."
Nan Zhiyi's eyes suddenly lit up. "Teacher, why don't you write a novel under a pen name? I'd love to read your masterpiece."
Professor Wang laughed heartily, "You've made my hands itch, but I'm getting old after all. I'm still good at academics, but my imagination can't compare to yours, young people."
Nan Zhiyi continued, "Teacher, please give it a try. If you're willing to write something, I'll be the first to reserve a signed copy."
"I'll take advantage of the winter break to let this old man think things through. Popular novels seem simple, but they're not easy to write."
"Okay, I'll be the teacher's first reader!"
A few sporadic firecrackers could be heard outside the window.
Gu Zhao suddenly looked up and asked, "Grandmaster, is the mechanical art you mentioned like the flying wooden bird in 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King'?"
Professor Wang rose with a smile and went into the inner study.
A moment later, he came out with a sandalwood box, opened the lid, and inside lay an exquisite mechanical bird.
The bird's body is carved from paulownia wood, with clearly visible feather patterns, and small copper mechanisms adorning the joints.
He placed the mechanical bird on the coffee table and wound up the spring under its tail feathers. With a few soft clicks, the wooden bird suddenly flapped its wings, circled halfway around the living room, and landed steadily on Gu Zhao's lap.
With its beak slightly open, the bird produced a clear chirping sound.
"Gu Zhao, your master is giving you this mechanical bird."
Gu Zhao held her breath in surprise, her little hand hovering in mid-air, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Nan Zhiyi.
Seeing her nod, he carefully picked up the mechanical bird and said in a clear voice, "Thank you, Master!"
"If you like it, study it carefully." Professor Wang looked at the child with affection as he played with the mechanical bird. "This bird has a lever principle hidden under its wings. When you're older, your grandpa will teach you how to draw the design."
Looking at her son's focused expression, Nan Zhiyi said softly, "Thank you, teacher."
"Children should be exposed to these things more often."
Just as Nan Zhiyi was about to speak, Professor Wang handed her another stack of materials: "Fill out these forms before the start of the semester. The department is adding a Contemporary Literature Teaching and Research Section next year..."
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