Beijing. At night.
It was past 11 PM when he reached Caishikou.
The cold wind was blowing on the streets. The temperature here was colder than the south.
Zhang Ye groped his way into his parents' district. He looked up and saw that the lights were still on. His parents were clearly not asleep and were probably waiting for him. Zhang Ye instantly felt the urge to return home. He stepped into the building and jogged up the stairs. He was even humming the tune of "Wishing We Last Forever".
Dong dong dong.
He knocked on the door and it quickly opened.
"Dad, Mom." Zhang Ye smiled, "Happy New Year."
Mom pulled her son into the house, "Come in and talk. Is it cold outside?"
Zhang Ye put down his bag and took off his coat, "It's alright. Whoa, the house is warm enough. Is the heater on?"
"What day is it? The heater is switched on on the 12th." Mom squinted her eyes, "Isn't Beijing better? There's no heater in Shanghai. "
Zhang Ye had a deep feeling, "That's right. There's only air conditioning there. I'm not used to it night after night. It's different from the natural heat of the heater. I feel uncomfortable. Besides, it's cold and humid outside. I get goosebumps all over. Hai, don't mention it." Back home, Zhang Ye found everything pleasing to the eye, "Also, unless it's directly under the sun, your mom can't even dry the clothes there. Even when it's dry, it smells damp. The air is too humid. After washing the clothes, we have to put them in the dryer. It's so troublesome."
His mother probably missed her son. "Then don't leave."
Zhang Ye smiled, "I'll have to go back in my later years. There's still work waiting for me. But I'll most likely be spending the new year at home. I can stay for quite a few days."
Dad got up from the sofa, "Have you eaten?"
"I ate a little on the plane. I'm still hungry." Zhang Ye said.
Dad instructed, "Pour a cup of hot water for the child and heat up the leftovers."
Mom chuckled and stared, "You're still ordering me around? Why don't you go? "
Dad looked up, "Heat up the food. Let's talk about his work. You don't understand."
"As if you know. Hmph, our son is now a big star, a famous host. Does he need you to give him ideas?" Mom whined as she went to heat up the food.
During dinner, his parents asked him how his work was going.
Zhang Ye did not really want to talk about his work. He was also afraid that the old couple would worry, so he avoided the important points and talked about trivial matters. Finally, he changed the topic, "Where are we going for New Year's tomorrow?"
His mother picked up some food for him and said, "Your grandmother's celebration will be over by noon today. You're the only one who hasn't gone yet. You can go and take a look yourself. Tomorrow, it's your grandmother's celebration, but it's set to be with our family. Don't sleep in. Wake up early tomorrow to help me buy groceries and cook. When the time comes, all my family members will have to come over.
Zhang Ye shamelessly said, "I can't get up."
His mother couldn't help but smack his head. "You're so lazy!"
His father said, "Little Ye has been working so hard away from home for so long. Let him rest. It's not easy for him to rest for a few days."
"That's easy for you to say. Are you going to buy the groceries and cook? You're not helping either! " His mother rolled her eyes. "I've had eight lifetimes of bad luck to have met two lazy men like you!"
The meal was over.
Zhang Ye took the initiative to pick up the plates and wash the dishes.
"Little Ye, your dad and I are going to bed first." His mother yawned and said, "Phew, we still have to work hard tomorrow. It's not easy to celebrate the festival."
His father also stretched and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Only then did Zhang Ye remember something. He turned around and said, "Dad, Mom, wait a moment. Just a few minutes. I have something to tell the two of you."
His father asked curiously, "What is it?"
"If you have something to fart, hurry up and say it. I'm sleepy." His mother curled her lips.
As Zhang Ye poured out the shampoo, he said, "On the plane today, I met a person called Wu Zeqing. She said she was …"
Before he could finish, Mom and Dad interrupted him.
"Wu Zeqing? The one from Peking University? "His mother was stunned.
His father clearly knew of her. "That Peking University Vice President?"
Zhang Ye blinked and said, "You guys know about her?"
His father said, "I'm not too sure what she looks like. I only know that she's a woman, and she looks quite pretty. She's the youngest president of a famous school, but she's not from the teaching system. She's not considered a professional academic, but a civil servant. She was parachuted into Peking University from the Ministry of Education. Didn't you see her on TV? Haven't you seen her before? Although she's a civil servant, her literary attainments are quite high. She's published quite a number of works. Besides, she was mentioned on TV as a famous calligrapher, right? She's a very prestigious person in the education world. "
His mother nodded and asked her son, "You met her?"
Zhang Ye chuckled and said, "It's more than just meeting her. We chatted for a long time on the plane. After we got off the plane, she suddenly invited me to teach at Peking University."
His father was stunned. "Ah?"
His mother was also shocked. "Go to Peking University? What do you want to teach? "
Zhang Ye said, "The Chinese department. I don't know what to teach, but if I were to teach, it would definitely be literature, poetry, novels, or history. I don't know anything else."
His mother said excitedly, "They're really letting you go?"
Zhang Ye threw up his hands. "Yes, they've already officially invited me."
His father was also very excited. "Why did Peking University look for you?"
"From what President Wu said, it seems like there's a vacancy at Peking University in this area. Anyway, that's what I think, so they asked me to fill in for a while. It can be considered as an external lecturer. I can choose any time I want to teach, and it won't affect my main job. President Wu even promised me that if my results are good and the students are satisfied, she might even consider giving me the title of Associate Professor. Of course, the other meaning is that if I don't teach well, then I'll have to pack my bags and leave."
His mother hurriedly said, "Then how did you answer?"
"I haven't thought about it yet, so I haven't replied yet. President Wu wants me to give her an answer by tomorrow, so I wanted to ask the two of you." Zhang Ye said.
His mother immediately turned anxious and slammed the table. "You still want to ask?! Hurry up and go! I'm telling you, if you don't go, I won't have a son like you! "
Zhang Ye: "…"
Holy sh * t! That can't be, Mom!
Who knew that his father would stand on the same side as his mother this time. "Son, you have to listen to us on this. Go, you have to go! What kind of place is Peking University!? It's a world-class institution! I know your goal is to be a celebrity, but these two goals do not conflict. In fact, it will be of great help to you. No matter how good you are as a celebrity, no matter how popular you are, that popularity is only superficial. But if you have the title of Associate Professor at Peking University, the meaning will be different. This is the most authoritative affirmation for you academically. With this backing, your popularity will be even more solid. It can even be considered official recognition. Didn't many people from the Writers' Association think that you can't write poems and essays? When you were a host, didn't people from the SARFT find fault with you? If you become an Associate Professor, and it's even an Associate Professor at Peking University, with such an authoritative backing, who wants to find trouble with you in the future? In terms of your artistic attainments, I believe no one will doubt you anymore. "
That was true.
When it came to literature and art, most of the time, it was not about the masses, nor was it about the audience. It was more about the affirmation and qualifications of the industry.
It was very vulgar, and also very unreasonable.
But there was no other way. This was the current situation in the country.
Zhang Ye listened, but was still worried, "What if I don't teach well?"
His father said, "If you don't teach well, then say so. You can't let go of this opportunity." The reason why he was so enthusiastic in persuading him was mainly because he valued his son's development in literature. The older generation had more traditional views. When they were young, there were no celebrities. They were all entertainers and could not be seen in public. Although this view had slowly changed later on, to his generation, the halo of Peking University was still more dazzling. Or was the title of Professor more glorious? They did not object to his son wanting to be a celebrity, but wouldn't it be better if he could have both?
Seeing that her son was still hesitating, Mom could not help but say, "You aren't even afraid of causing damage on a live broadcast. You don't even care about scolding the Leader or the SARFT. It's just being a lecturer, what are you afraid of!?"
Zhang Ye hesitated for a moment before finally nodding heavily. He had made up his mind, "Alright, I'll listen to the both of you. I'm going! Who cares about your mom!? "
What was there to worry about!
If he really couldn't teach well, then we'll talk about it again!
Besides, he had so much knowledge from his previous world in his mind, so how could he lead people astray!
After making up his mind, Zhang Ye was no longer confused or conflicted. Being a Peking University lecturer was too awesome of a halo. It was also an attempt and a challenge. Zhang Ye felt that he could accomplish it. Besides, he had nothing to do in the two weeks that he was back in Beijing. Since his goal was to be number one in the world in terms of popularity, and his other conditions were not very good, he had to work even harder. Zhang Ye could not afford to waste a single moment. Only then could he have a chance to create a miracle and achieve his dream!
"Then quickly tell President Wu!" Mom was even more anxious than him. She urged, "What if they already have someone else in mind? Hurry up!"
Zhang Ye looked at his watch, "It's already 12 PM. She should be asleep, right?"
Dad suggested, "Just send a text message to wish her a happy new year. Then mention that if she's asleep, you can still see her tomorrow morning."
Zhang Ye acknowledged and accepted his parents' suggestion. He had no choice but to accept it. His parents' eyes were staring at him. If he did not comply, they would probably beat him to death!
Hence, he sent a message to Wu Zeqing.
He wrote: President Wu, Happy New Year. I was afraid that you would be asleep, so I sent you a text message. Yes, I accept your invitation. I'm very honored to be able to contribute to education.
Very quickly, the other party replied.
Wu Zeqing: Thank you. Happy New Year to you too. As long as you have made up your mind, come directly to Peking University to look for me at 9 AM on the 2nd of January. As for the curriculum arrangements and teaching contract, we will discuss it then.
Zhang Ye sent: Alright, rest early.
Wu Zeqing: Send my best wishes to your parents too.
… …
The text message exchange ended.
Zhang Ye passed his cellphone to his parents, "Take a look."
When Dad saw it, he was overjoyed, "Good! Good! Good! "
Mom was so happy that she could not close her mouth, "Hahaha, my son is still the best! He's going to teach at Peking University! You've really done me proud! "
Zhang Ye was not as happy as his parents. He nonchalantly took back his cellphone, then rolled up his sleeves and continued washing the dishes, "The two of you should sleep first. It's not early anymore."
Mom suddenly shouted, "Put it down!"
"Ah?" Zhang Ye turned his head in a daze. He nearly dropped the bowl in his hand, "What are you doing? You gave me a fright. What should I put down? "
Mom immediately pushed him away and grabbed the bowl and chopsticks with a smile, "Mom will do it. Go and rest."
"Don't, I'm already halfway done." Zhang Ye went up to snatch it, "Go to sleep."
Mom was having none of it, "If I say I'll do it, then I'll do it. Don't fight with me. Haha, my son is now a Peking University lecturer. How can I let my son do the dishes!?" While washing the dishes, Mom hummed a Peking Opera tune and muttered to herself, "Tomorrow, I can brag to the neighbors again! When my son's broadcasting hosting qualifications were revoked by the SARFT, that bunch of people actually muttered behind his back that my son was finished and couldn't make it? Ha! See if I can stab them to death this time! My son can become a Peking University lecturer! Can they do it? Tomorrow, I'll tell them why the flowers are so red! "
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