Chapter 128: The Editor Comes to Request a Commission

Lu Ying muttered to herself that Lu Cheng has a few ounces of ink in his belly; as his older sister she knows this better than anyone.

Only that kind of shitty, urinating, farting poem fits her brother's cultural level.

Shit, urine, fart? Lu Ying quickly understood why Cai Hua had come all the way here.

"Lu Cheng, did you… that shitty, urinating, fart… poem?"

Lu Ying tapped her head, couldn't recall at the moment; Da Hu took over: "It's the meteor in the bathroom."

"Right, the poop meteor—did you send it to the Youth Poetry Gazette? It must be that; such a disgusting poem you also submitted there, no wonder they came looking for you. Apologize to them quickly!"

Cai Hua came to see them, surely feeling insulted; after all, their Youth Poetry Gazette is a sacred place for literature‑loving youths nationwide, and no one can stand receiving such a poem.

It must be for that reason; there is no other cause.

Yet Cai Hua gave her a dissatisfied glance: "You little Comrade, why does everything you say consist of shit, urine, fart? Such thoughts are unsuitable for poetry."

Lu Ying, stung by the rebuke, wore an embarrassed face: "I…"

Lu Cheng placed his hand over his sister's face and shoved Lu Ying to the back.

"Hello, Editor Cai, you came looking for me; what do you need?"

Cai Hua hurriedly shook hands, smiling very politely: "Hello Comrade, I'm here because of that poem of yours; you've really done me in!"

Lu Ying clapped her hands: "See? I told you they were angry."

Lu Cheng again pressed her head and pushed her back; he had never seen anyone so eager to slap a face.

Then, still smiling, he replied: "Editor Cai, how did I ruin you?"

Cai Hua tapped his fingers: "You said you're a dung‑remover; I searched every dung‑remover in the city, finally asked a kid playing by the river, first found this guy called Da Hu, and then found you."

What on earth are these two talking about, what dung‑remover? Lu Ying opened her mouth to ask, but Lu Cheng pinched her mouth shut.

"I see, Editor Cai, you're here because of the poem 'Facing the Sea', right?"

Cai Hua indeed came for that; back then, Xu Wenjie's scandalous behavior caused a huge uproar, and this guy had no face to stay in the literary world.

He spent the whole day muttering a poem as if struck, and upon probing, learned it was written by a dung‑remover.

Cai Hua had searched for many days; today they finally found someone, and their expression couldn't hide the excitement, clasping both hands again.

"Exactly, your poem is superb—full of ideals and everyday feeling, beloved by the youth; I came especially to ask you for a commission."

"Commission?" Lu Cheng thought for a moment; he hasn't memorized many poems—each use reduces it, you can't just write one casually.

He wonders whether Cai Hua could pull some strings and contact Director Liang of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Plant, since an editor knows many people…

If he could arrange that, writing another poem wouldn't be a problem.

And Lu Ying, standing nearby, finally understood, her mouth agape in surprise.

That favorite poem of hers—was it really written by her little brother?

Lu Ying didn't believe it at all, pulling the dazed Lu Cheng aside.

"Don't pull me, sis; I'm negotiating a commission with Editor Cai, Editor Cai, wait for me a moment."

"Alright, alright," Cai Hua nodded.

After moving to an empty corner, Lu Ying pointed at him: "The poem 'Facing the Sea', did you really write it?"

"Ah!"

"You're full of crap! How could you write a poem like that?"

"See, you still don't believe it—Editor Cai came personally, how could it be wrong!"

Lu Ying tilted her head, still unconvinced: "You must have copied it; how could you deceive anyone?"

In the end, his sister still understood him, but Lu Cheng obviously couldn't admit it; even if he had copied, his sister had no proof, since the poem hadn't been published yet.

"Don't frame me; you say I copied—who would I have copied? You've read so many poems, and Editor Cai has read even more; if I had copied, wouldn't it be obvious at a glance?"

After that speech, Lu Ying didn't know how to reply; it seemed to make sense.

"So it really was you who wrote it? Is my brother that talented?"

Seeing his sister half‑doubtful yet a bit more convinced, Lu Cheng puffed up, raising his thumb.

"What's the big deal? It's just a tiny poem, you can hold it in your hand."

"Tsk, you're bragging after just two compliments!" Lu Ying looked back at her brother, her smile returning: "Then… teach me how you did it, I also want to get a commission."

"Ahem, this poem is art; art comes from life, and surpasses life—this must surpass life, okay?"

Lu Ying listened intently, "Very good, keep talking."

Lu Cheng paused, unable to continue: "When you have time, you should go to work first; you're going to be late."

"So you're not seeing me off?"

"I have a visitor, you can take the bus."

Lu Ying stamped her foot, adjusted her shoulder strap, and had to go to work on her own.

Lu Cheng returned to the Hu Tong Entrance: "Editor Cai, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Take your time. How about it, Comrade Lu Cheng? Think over the commission I mentioned, and write a piece for our poetry society; the fee will be paid per line."

Lu Cheng couldn't agree so readily; otherwise he'd seem frivolous.

"This… sorry, Editor Cai, I've been busy lately and truly can't find the time."

Cai Hua didn't even think: "That's fine, good food isn't afraid of being late; writing poetry isn't like factory production—once the machine starts, the product comes out. For us who use our brains, inspiration is also crucial. So I'll wait; I'm willing to wait."

So I'll wait; I'm willing to wait.

"Hehe, Editor Cai's metaphor is spot‑on," Lu Cheng laughed outwardly, but muttered inwardly, "Why isn't this editor moving up?"

A normal person would ask, "What's holding you up?" He also went along with the conversation.

"Editor Cai, I'm truly sorry; maybe I'll never be able to write poetry in this life—there's something weighing on my mind that I can't settle."

Speaking so gravely, as expected Cai Hua then took the initiative to ask.

"Hey, what's the matter? Look, I've already come all the way; tell me, maybe I can help."

Going along with the topic, Lu Cheng pretended to hesitate and brought up that Sun Yan Hong wanted to take over the post, said a bit, and finally sighed.

Ah, this person is my sister, she's quite pitiful—I've been running around everywhere for this matter lately, I'm worried to death, how could I still have the mood to write any poetry!

Cai Hua nodded as she listened: "The section chief Liang at the agricultural machinery repair factory? Her husband died, so it's fine for her spouse to take over the shift."

Who says it isn't, but this section chief Liang just keeps dragging his feet and won't process it, and I don't know what the other party means.

Cai Hua pondered for a while: "Well then, let me see if I can leverage my connections to inquire in the middle."

Lu Cheng quickly waved his hands: "No, no, how could I trouble Chief Editor Cai Hua? It's inappropriate, inappropriate."

Hey, Comrade Lu Cheng, don't stand on ceremony with me—just focus on writing your poems, I'll handle this.

Lu Cheng pretended to be embarrassed: "Well then, thank you, Chief Editor Cai Hua."

No need to be polite, I'll not disturb you any further; I still have some matters to attend to.

Goodbye, Chief Editor Cai Hua.

Cai Hua had just gotten on her bicycle when she suddenly thought of something: "Right, Comrade Lu Cheng."

Lu Cheng slowly turned his head, wondering if this guy had gone back on his word.

"Chief Editor Cai Hua, if you think it's inappropriate, then forget it."

"No, no, no, I just wanted to ask you: do you have a pen name?"

"A pen name?" Lu Cheng let out a breath of relief, thinking they wouldn't approve it.

"Exactly, it's a form of cultural expression and can also serve to protect privacy; of course, you can also use your real name, on a voluntary basis."

Lu Cheng replied with a smile: "I prefer to keep a low profile, so I'll use a pen name, huh? Just call me Langzi (Pen Name) (Pen Name)."