After the Chinese New Year, Su Ting took time to meet with Wang Jingfang.

Wang Jingfang was the editor of "Lianhuan Pictorial" and also Su Ting's direct editor. Over the past year or so, the two had exchanged letters and made phone calls but had never met.

This is a very normal thing in this era. Transportation is so inconvenient that many editors and authors have never met each other.

Su Ting had never thought about meeting Wang Jingfang, but when she received the royalties for the second and third volumes of "The Educated Youth" before the New Year, along with the remittance slip was a New Year's greeting and a letter urging her to submit her manuscripts from Wang Jingfang.

Because she had to take care of the children and study, and Su Ting was very conflicted in the early stages of the new story, she drew this story very slowly, and finished the manuscript just before receiving the remittance slip.

It was already late January, with only a few days left until the Chinese New Year. I thought that if I sent a letter, Wang Jingfang would not receive it before the New Year, and there would be a lot of things to do during the New Year, so it would be easy for the letter to be lost.

So Su Ting took advantage of the Sunday when she went to the city to withdraw money and buy things to bring back to the capital, and called Wang Jingfang to wish her a happy new year and to tell her that the new story had been completed and that due to various reasons, the letter might not be sent out until after the tenth day of the first lunar month.

After hearing this, Wang Jingfang casually asked her if she had any plans for the New Year.

Su Ting thought that although they had never met, they had been dealing with each other for more than a year and could be considered friends, so she told others that she was going back to her in-laws' home to celebrate the New Year.

Wang Jingfang works in the writing field and was quick to notice the strangeness in Su Ting's words.

She knew that Su Ting was a military wife and had followed the army to Pingchuan Island. She also knew that her ancestral home was in Hu Province, and she had always thought that her husband and she were from the same place.

But if this is true, then Su Ting should be talking about returning to her hometown to celebrate the New Year. According to the language habits of Chinese people, usually when you leave the city, the same city is your hometown, and when you leave the province, the same province is your hometown.

Speaking of returning to the husband's family, either the two of them were from different places, at least different provinces, or there was no one left in her family. Wang Jingfang asked, "Are you and your husband not from the same place?"

"Yes, his ancestral home is in the same place as mine, but his parents are both in the capital."

Wang Jingfang was immediately interested and asked, "So you are coming to the capital to celebrate the New Year?"

"right."

"Our publishing house is also in the capital. Since you are coming, why don't you take some time during the New Year to treat you to a meal? It just so happens that we have known each other for such a long time, but have never met before," Wang Jingfang immediately extended the invitation, and did not forget the business, saying with a smile, "Don't mail the manuscript, how about you bring it over and give it to me in person?"

So, the meeting was decided.

Because Su Ting didn't know what would happen after she returned to the capital, and whether she would be busy before the New Year, she made an appointment with someone for after the New Year, on the fifth day of the New Year. By then, most people had finished paying New Year's greetings, and there were only a few days left before returning to the city, so the timing was just right.

The two agreed to have lunch, so after getting up on the fifth day of the New Year, Su Ting did not rush out. She stayed at home until after ten o'clock before going out with He Dongchuan to catch a ride.

Considering that they were discussing serious matters, they did not bring their children.

He Yan was very sad about this, as he also wanted to go out and play, but He Dongchuan was very happy. They had been married for almost two years and had never gone on a date alone.

Although Su Ting was going to work today, they still had the whole afternoon after dinner. They could go to the movies or visit the park...

Well, visiting the park in the cold winter is not only unromantic, but also very painful. But they can go somewhere else. There are so many fun places in the capital, there must be some that are not painful.

On the way to the agreed hotel, He Dongchuan briefly mentioned his idea to Su Ting: "...we will go to the hotel to eat tonight and then go back after dinner."

Su Ting hesitated a little: "This... is not a good idea, right? What if Aunt Wang cooks our meal?"

"Don't worry, I told Aunt Wang before I left that I wouldn't be back for dinner." He Dongchuan was well prepared and said with a smile.

Su Ting heard it and asked with a smile: "When did you make this plan?"

He Dongchuan confessed honestly: "Yesterday."

Although Su Ting did not devote herself to the child after the birth of the baby, she was indeed soft-hearted. Even if they agreed to go on a date alone and there were people at home, as long as He Yan knew about it and she acted coquettishly, the world of the two of them would instantly turn into a family gathering.

During the New Year period, except for a brief period of time when He Yan was separated from them while skating, they had never been alone together.

So when Su Ting mentioned yesterday that she was going out to have dinner with Wang Jingfang today, he had an idea in his mind. He urged her to do some serious work and it would be better not to take care of the children, and then he planned a date for today.

Su Ting uttered "Oh——" in a long voice, glanced at He Dongchuan with a smile, and turned to look out the car window.

He Dongchuan saw the curve of her lips and knew that she must be secretly happy in her heart, so he stretched out his left hand, went around her back and held her left hand.

There were few people on the bus, and the two of them were sitting in the last row, their bodies close to each other, so no one would notice their little action.

…

The place where Su Ting and Wang Jingfang agreed to meet was a mutton hotpot restaurant. The restaurant was quite large, with two floors. The downstairs was the lobby with about twenty tables, both square and round. There were only two square tables at the staircase entrance on the second floor, and the rest was full of private rooms.

At that time, there was no such thing as a seven-day statutory holiday for the Chinese New Year. Service units generally had three or four days off, while state-owned factories and government agencies might have more holidays, up to seven or eight days.

But for those who have seven or eight days off, in many years they only have their day off on the 27th or 28th, and have to go back to work on the 4th or 5th day of the New Year.

So when she entered the store and saw that it was full of people, Su Ting turned her head and muttered, "Aren't many companies working today?"

"Many people like to eat hotpot in winter," He Dongchuan replied.

Su Ting understood. She also loved eating hot pot in winter. She would eat hot pot as she went along and feel warmer and warmer.

Passing through the bustling lobby, the two followed the waiter upstairs. There were quite a few people in the private rooms on the second floor. As they walked through, they could hear conversations coming from the private rooms on both sides.

The private room Wang Jingfang booked was at the back. The waiter took them to the door and left.

Before entering the house, Su Ting straightened her clothes a little, turned around and asked, "How do I look?"

"Good."

Su Ting felt relieved and reached out to push open the door of the private room.

Wang Jingfang had arrived a while ago and was sitting at the dining table thinking about something. When she heard the voice and looked up, she saw an overly young girl appear at the door.

"Su Ting?" Wang Jingfang asked, without calling Su Ting by her pen name.

Su Ting nodded and said with a smile: "You must be Sister Wang, when did you come?"

"I just came a while ago and haven't been sitting for long." Wang Jingfang stood up and walked to Su Ting, gave her a hug and said, "How old are you this year? You look much younger than I thought." She looked up at He Dongchuan and said, "Is this your husband?"

"Twenty-three." Su Ting said as she pulled the person behind her aside and introduced him, "Yes, his name is He Dongchuan."

"Hello, Comrade He." Wang Jingfang nodded but did not extend her hand.

He Dongchuan had no intention of shaking hands with her, and only nodded in response: "Hello."

After introducing themselves to each other, Wang Jingfang invited the couple to sit down. There was a round table in the private room. She and Su Ting did not sit next to each other, but they were not far from each other. He Dongchuan sat next to Su Ting.

After they sat down, Wang Jingfang pushed the menu to the two of them and said with a smile, "The soup bases here are all clear soup. I wonder if you are used to it?"

"All right."

Wang Jingfang nodded and continued, "I ordered two lamb legs and one beef leg..." After reading the dishes, she said, "If you don't like any of these, you can tell me. You can return the dishes now. You can take a look at the menu again. You can also order more dishes."

Su Ting said calmly, "I eat everything."

He Dongchuan smiled when he heard this. Su Ting looked at him and he quickly pursed his lips and said seriously, "Yes, we eat everything."

As for extra dishes, Su Ting felt that Wang Jingfang ordered a lot of dishes with a complete variety, including both meat and vegetarian dishes, and one of them was noodles, which could be used as a staple food.

It would be a waste to add too much food, but it would seem too restrained to not add one dish. So Su Ting looked at the menu, selected some snacks, and asked the waiter to bring a spoonful of sour plum soup.

Mutton can cause heat in the body, while sour plum soup can relieve it, the combination is perfect.

Shortly after the dishes were served, three waiters came upstairs. Two of them carried copper pots, and one carried a bucket of burning charcoal. With a fire tong in hand, they moved the charcoal one by one into the charcoal basin in the middle of the dining table.

Hot pot restaurants use fine charcoal. Seven or eight pieces of charcoal can be ignited and burn for two or three hours, which is enough time for a meal.

Not long after the copper pot was placed on the table, a waiter came to serve the dishes. The beef and mutton were all freshly cut, dark red in color, and sliced ​​thinly, and were spread flat on the plate.

At this time, the charcoal was already burning, and the soup in the copper pot was already boiling. Jingfang took the lead in picking up a piece of mutton and put it in the soup pot. While simmering it, she chatted with him: "Did you go out to play during the New Year period?"

“Yes.”

"Where did they go?"

"The Forbidden City, Wangfujing, I also went to watch the flag-raising ceremony, and went ice skating at Shichahai..." Su Ting listed the itinerary during this period one by one.

Wang Jingfang smiled: "That's great. To my shame, I was born in the capital and I haven't gone ice skating for more than 20 years."

"If you know anyone who can skate, you can go and learn. It's fun."

"Yes, I have to go there if I have the chance."

The two chatted while eating, but they were not in a hurry to talk about work. Instead, they talked about everything from the attractions in the capital to their families.

It is not easy to talk about private life between people who are not familiar with each other. If you talk too shallowly, you will not be able to get closer, and if you talk too deeply, it will easily offend the other party. But Wang Jingfang was very smart and took the initiative to talk about small things in life, which could resonate with people. Under her leadership, Su Ting gradually talked more.

In just one meal, the two people, who had never met before, went from being an editor and a comic book author, to friends who could chat about their private lives. Their seats were also moved closer together from being two seats apart at the beginning.

It was not until this time that Wang Jingfang asked about the new story.

Su Ting was drinking sour plum soup. The room was warm from the charcoal fire, and drinking some sour plum soup made her feel more comfortable.

Hearing Wang Jingfang's words, she hurriedly reached out to He Dongchuan. He picked up the backpack on the empty seat next to her, took out the manuscript from it and handed it to her, and she passed it to Wang Jingfang.

In the phone call before the New Year, Su Ting briefly introduced the new story to Wang Jingfang and told her that this story was very different from her previous style, so she should be mentally prepared.

Wang Jingfang felt that she was mentally prepared, but after reading two pages, she couldn't help but ask, "Is your story this time too different from the previous ones?"

The comic strips Su Ting published in the past two times were serious and realistic in both style and story. However, this time, both the style and story are cheerful and completely children's literature.

There is nothing special about children's literature. The Comic Book has always been tolerant. As long as the drawings and stories are good and the values ​​are correct, they will accept them.

But Su Ting's new comic strip this time is more like a comic strip.

Comics are a form of comic strip art. They flourished before the founding of the People's Republic of China, and many excellent works emerged. However, due to various reasons, there are fewer related works after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Now line drawing and sketch comic strips are popular.

"Sanhuo's Work" is different from traditional comic strips. The latter is still realistic, while the former is more cartoon-like. In addition, Su Ting replaced the script with text bubbles to strengthen the interaction between the characters, so the style is more inclined to the popular comics of later generations.

The benefits of this change are obvious. One is increasing role interaction, and the other is lowering the reading threshold.

But the disadvantages are also obvious. The popular comic strip style now focuses on text scripts. Pictures are usually drawn based on text, and text is more descriptive. A plot point can be told in a few paragraphs.

Therefore, comic strips are generally not long. Those published in picture magazines usually only have thirty or forty pictures. Those published in collections will be longer, but only have about a hundred pictures.

Short and concise was the characteristic of the popular comic strips at that time.

The focus of comics is on the pictures. According to the length of the comic book, only one dialogue can be drawn in one picture. The sense of interaction is increased, but the length is also lengthened.

For example, if it is turned into a comic strip, it may only require about a hundred pictures, but if it is turned into a cartoon, the length is twice as long.

It was also the main reason for Su Ting's entanglement in the early stage.

On the one hand, she felt that drawing it as a comic strip would not produce the effect she wanted. On the other hand, Su Ting was not sure whether readers could accept this style and whether the publishing house was willing to take the risk.

After the tangle, Su Ting decided to follow her own heart.

It would be best if the publisher is willing to take the risk, but it doesn't matter if they are not willing, since she is not short of money now. If she wants to print the story in the future, she can choose to publish it at her own expense.

Although she couldn't afford much money, she could print a few hundred copies.

After listening to Su Ting's idea, Wang Jingfang thought for a moment and said, "If you are willing to serialize this story under your current pen name, it should be no problem for you to approve it."

Su Ting wanted to change her pen name to serialize "Sanhuo Working Diary", which was one of the reasons why Wang Jingfang hesitated.

With two consecutive hits, the pen name "Yi Ke Durian" has become a rising star in the comic book world and has accumulated a large number of readers. It has been nearly half a year since the serialization of "The Educated Youth" was completed, and the publishing house still receives many letters from Su Ting's readers.

People are always more willing to trust people they know. When readers read comics, they are more willing to read the works of already famous comic artists. If it is a new style, they are also more accepting of already famous people.

With the previous appeal, even if "Three Fires Working Diary" is not popular, it should not be unknown, and it will not be a problem to publish it after the serialization is completed.

Seeing Su Ting's hesitation, Wang Jingfang continued, "Actually, I support you changing your pen name to your real name, but I think that Leaving Taoyuan Village and Educated Youth are also your works. We don't need to completely cut off from your previous works, don't you think?"

Wang Jingfang has always felt that the pen name Su Ting is not very good and not serious enough. If it can be changed to her real name, she will raise her hands and feet in favor, and I believe that readers will also be able to accept it.

In fact, Su Ting changed her pen name not to completely break away from her previous works, but because she felt that this story was too different from her previous style, so she wanted to serialize it separately.

As for why I use my real name as my new pen name, it all started with the pen name 一个榴莲.

A Durian was Su Ting’s Weibo name in her previous life. She chose this name because she was particularly fond of durian at that time but couldn’t bear to buy it.

She used it as a pen name just to gain popularity. The comic strip she serialized on Weibo suddenly became popular. By the time she realized she needed to change her name, she was already famous. The publisher was also worried that fans would not recognize her if she changed her name, so they suggested that she use her Weibo name as a pen name.

After using it for several years, Su Ting developed an attachment to this informal name, so she continued to use it when submitting her work after traveling through time.

But after traveling to this world for almost two years and buying so many issues of pictorials, Su Ting saw that other authors either used their real names or pen names that sounded like their real names. She was a little influenced by this and felt embarrassed to use a slang term when choosing a pen name, so she decided to use her real name as well.

However, Su Ting still plans to continue using the pen name Yiguo Durian. She has decided that in the future, she will use this pen name to serialize stories with a serious style, and will use her real name to serialize stories with a children's literature style.

Well, that seems a bit counterintuitive, but who cares, as long as she is happy.

Su Ting did not hide anything and told Wang Jingfang all her plans, saying: "I don't plan to expose these two pen names to the public in the short term, so... if they can be approved, that's the best. If not, forget it, and I will think of other ways."

But what else can I do with my manuscript? I can only change magazines and continue to submit it.

If Su Ting was a new artist, or her previous works had received mediocre responses, Wang Jingfang might not care too much about her submitting to other magazines. But the fact is just the opposite. Su Ting's previous two works were both popular. As long as she can maintain this level, she may become a popular comic artist in the magazine in the future.

After reading this story, Wang Jingfang had to admit that although the style was not popular nowadays, the story was indeed vivid and interesting, making people smile knowingly while reading it.

After thinking for a long time, Wang Jingfang said, "How about this? I'll take the manuscript back to the editor-in-chief and try to serialize it for two issues. If the response is good, we'll continue. If not, we may interrupt the serialization. Do you think that's okay?"

Su Ting knew that this was the biggest concession Wang Jingfang could make, so she thought about it and said, "Okay."

…

After finishing the business, Su Ting went on a date with He Dongchuan.

No matter what era it is, a date always involves three things: watching a movie, eating, and shopping.

Of course, shopping malls in this era were called department stores, and eating out was an activity that only people from better-off families could prepare for a date. Not only did it cost money, but tickets were also required. There were also few movie options, and they were basically all war movies.

Su Ting really had no interest in the war film, but she did not sleep during the movie. Instead, she tilted her head and stared at He Dongchuan.

Although the Japanese had been driven out of China and most parts of the country had been liberated when He Dongchuan was born, the country experienced several external wars during his growth.

After joining the army, He Dongchuan himself went to the battlefield and killed enemies, so when he watched war movies, he felt more deeply than ordinary people.

During the movie, his expression changed according to the plot, sometimes relaxed, sometimes fierce, and sometimes he couldn't help tightening his jaw.

As they watched, Su Ting reached out her hand and took He Dongchuan's hand while no one was paying attention in the dark. She whispered in his ear, "It's all over. Our country will become stronger and stronger in the future, and no one will dare to bully us anymore."

He Dongchuan turned his head and looked at Su Ting in the dim light.

She faced the light cast from the large screen and raised her head slightly. Under the contrast of the light, her eyes became even more distinct, and her eyes were filled with determination and hope.

He Dongchuan held Su Ting's hand tightly and said, "I look forward to this day."

He Dongchuan didn't know that Su Ting was talking about the future, he just thought it was her vision.

Su Ting understood what He Dongchuan meant, but did not explain. If He Dongchuan could survive next year, he would see this day. If...

Su Ting held He Dongchuan's hand tightly.

There is no if, he must survive.

…

Before leaving the capital, Wang Jingfang brought good news to Su Ting. The editor-in-chief of "Comic Pictorial" agreed to give her two issues to serialize "Sanhuo Working Diary". If the response was good, it would be serialized until the end.

Wang Jingfang didn't say what would happen if the response was bad, but both of them knew it.

The next day after receiving Wang Jingfang's call, Su Ting and her friends were about to return to Pingchuan Island.

He's father was busy with work and had no time to see them off, but he arranged for a guard to drive them to the train station, just like before the New Year. Cheng Xiaoman changed her shift and took a car with Aunt Wang to the train station to see them off.

The management of the train station was not that strict at that time. As long as you bought a platform ticket, you would be taken all the way to the train platform.

He Dongchuan bought a platform ticket for Cheng Xiaoman and Aunt Wang respectively. The two of them followed him into the waiting hall, and after the train arrived, they followed him onto the platform.

The capital is a big station and trains stop longer.

After entering the platform, they did not rush to get on the train, because Cheng Xiaoman had something else to tell them: "After getting on the train, be sure to take good care of your luggage. If you are hungry or thirsty, eat what you need to eat and drink what you need to drink. Don't skimp."

Although she and Aunt Wang had explained these things many times when they were at home, Su Ting still responded with a smile.

Cheng Xiaoman continued, "When you get to Pingchuan Island, remember to contact your family if you encounter any problems. Your father and I are here and will help you if we can. Don't just force yourself, understand?"

Although these words were addressed to Su Ting, Cheng Xiaoman was actually looking at He Dongchuan.

Her son is good in every way except that he is stubborn. He never complains to his family when he encounters difficulties. A few years ago, he was injured during a mission and they only received the news after he was discharged from the hospital.

At that time, Cheng Xiaoman was so angry that she wanted to call and scold him that night. Later, she really scolded him. As a result, he promised to respond well on the phone, but then he continued to do his own thing and only reported good news but not worries.

Now that Su Ting was watching over him, she could finally feel more at ease.

He Dongchuan understood what his mother meant. He felt helpless. After Su Ting agreed, he pointed at her and said, "I always listen to my wife."

Cheng Xiaoman smiled contentedly: "It's good that you know to listen to your wife."

Before they had even finished saying goodbye, the train whistled and the conductor got off the train to urge people to leave. Cheng Xiaoman had already explained everything that needed to be said many times, so she didn't waste any more time. She gave Su Ting a hug and said, "Get on the train. When you get to Rong City, remember to call home if it's convenient."

"must."

After Su Ting finished speaking, she gave Aunt Wang another hug and said, "You should also take care of your health at home."

He Yan saw this and gave Cheng Xiaoman and Aunt Wang a hug, repeatedly emphasizing: "If you want to miss me, don't forget me."

The two laughed and said, "Don't worry, I won't forget you no matter who I forget."

The conductor saw that they were still talking and came over to remind them: "The train is about to leave, passengers who want to get on should hurry up and get on."

He Dongchuan picked up the luggage with his left hand, picked up the girl with his right hand and said, "Right away." Then he turned around and said to Cheng Xiaoman and Aunt Wang, "We're getting in the car."

"Go." Cheng Xiaoman waved her hand and said with a long sigh.

The family of four boarded the train one after another. There were many people at the train connection point, so they walked directly into the carriage after boarding. When they found the corresponding bed on the ticket, He Dongchuan slowly put the baby on the bed, and then carried the luggage and stuffed it onto the luggage rack.

Just after putting away his luggage, He Dongchuan heard someone shouting, "Mom and Dad, look, Grandma and Grandma Wang are still standing there!"

Su Ting and He Dongchuan looked outside in the direction he pointed, and sure enough, they saw Cheng Xiaoman and Aunt Wang standing on the platform arm in arm. They didn't know where they were, so they could only look around from window to window.

Su Ting opened the window and shouted outside: "Mom, Aunt Wang, please go back!"

Hearing the sound, the two looked over, and when they saw their figures, they smiled and waved their hands vigorously. Su Ting and He Yan saw this and also waved their hands.

Not only them, but also people in the carriage and on the platform who were going through a breakup were trying to wave their hands at each other, until or when they finally took action and completely took the other person out of their sight.

Looking at the scenery passing by quickly outside the car window, Su Ting silently said in her heart:

Goodbye.