Chapter 97: Looking for Someone at the Cultural Palace

After finishing washing the clothes, it was already midnight, and everyone in the courtyard had fallen asleep.

Back in the West Wing Room, fearing she would disturb Lu Cheng's sleep, Lin Qingyan didn't turn on the lights; she only lit a single candle and placed it on the table near the windowsill.

She lifted the stove lid with fire tongs, added a few more pieces of coal, because Lu Cheng was afraid of the cold and needed a stronger fire.

At that moment, Lu Cheng turned over, and Lin Qingyan walked over again to tuck his blanket corner, then she sat at the windowsill and began to write a letter.

This time it wasn't a letter to her parents; the letters she had written before had never received a reply, and she didn't even know whether her parents were dead or alive.

But she firmly believed her parents were alive, just as Lu Cheng said, that they would eventually receive rehabilitation.

However, having confidence is one thing; she also had to do something and couldn't just wait passively.

So this letter mainly intends to explain her father's situation and then send it to Qin Shou's father.

When her father was in power, his household was bustling; every New Year, guests would line up from the first to the fifteenth day.

Since her father's downfall, that situation has changed.

She had previously tried writing to her father's old friends, hoping to learn the specifics, but even that simple request received no reply.

This time, she wants to write to Qin Bobo because her father and Qin Bobo had a deep friendship, to the point that the two families were discussing an arranged marriage.

The reason she hadn't approached Qin Bobo before was fear of implicating him.

But Lu Cheng just said that the policies aren't as strict now, and she suddenly thought of asking Qin Bobo for help.

She believes that, given the two families' relationship, Qin Bobo would certainly be willing to help.

Looking at the bright moon outside the window, the New Year was approaching, and reunion was her greatest wish now.

…

The next morning, Lu Cheng rode the family's old Old two-wheeled cart, first taking Lin Qingyan to work, then heading to the Cultural Palace.

He didn't go inside; he stopped at the doorway, locked the bicycle there, and waited for that turtle bastard to come out so he could deal with him.

Sitting on the seat, he casually took out a cigarette, lit it, and began to smoke.

After finishing the cigarette, he tossed the butt onto the ground.

Just then, someone slapped his shoulder.

"Throwing cigarette butts around, fine!"

Lu Cheng was startled, and when he turned around, he saw it was Big Aunt, wearing a red sleeve cuff from the Street Office.

"Not Big Aunt, where did you pop out from? You scared me; don't do that next time, you'll scare people to death."

"Hmph, ever since you started smoking, I've been watching you; you really lack manners. The whole country is carrying out a patriotic hygiene campaign, and we're in the Capital City, so we should set a good example."

Big Aunt jabbered on, quite talkative.

"Big Aunt, the patriotic hygiene campaign is about eradicating the Three Pests; is a cigarette butt really that serious?"

Big Aunt glared, "How is it not serious? This is the Cultural Palace; many foreign visitors come here, so hygiene must be even better."

"You young folks don't care about public health, so you need to learn a lesson. If you don't want to pay the fine, that's fine; tell me, which unit are you from?"

"How could I tell her my unit? If Big Aunt reports me to my unit, that would be worse than a fine."

"I have no unit!"

"No unit? Then you're a Blind Drifter; just pay the fine directly!"

Lu Cheng was speechless: "Not Big Aunt, you just said you've been watching me, right?"

"Yes, the moment I saw you I knew you weren't a good Comrade, so I caught you red‑handed." Big Aunt spread her hands.

Lu Cheng retorted immediately: "That's not right, Big Aunt. You're engaging in entrapment; you saw me smoking and should have stopped me beforehand, right?"

Big Aunt snapped: "I…"

"In the end, Big Aunt, your method is wrong; you should educate first, make education the priority, and only fine if they don't listen. Isn't that the principle? Everyone makes mistakes; you have to give them a chance to correct."

Big Aunt waved her hand irritably: "Fine, fine, you're slick‑tongued. I won't argue with you about useless things. You threw a cigarette butt, that's a fact. Cut the chatter, pay the fine, I'll issue the ticket."

"That's just unreasonable!"

Big Aunt spat on her finger twice, lifted the receipt, and began to write.

Lu Cheng immediately pointed behind and shouted: "Big Aunt, look, there's a plane!"

"Plane? Where? Where?" Big Aunt turned, craning her neck toward the sky.

He looked around but saw no plane; when he turned back, Lu Cheng, pulling his bicycle, had already run off.

"Hey, stop! Come back!" Big Aunt planted her hands on her hips, clearly furious.

He waited until Big Aunt left the Cultural Palace entrance, then Lu Cheng pushed his bicycle forward and peeked out.

After about another two hours, a group emerged from the Cultural Palace; they were clearly cultured types, their attire and demeanor exuding a scholar's aura.

The leader wore a white scarf; Lu Cheng recognized him as the famous poet Xu Wenjie.

Lu Cheng spat, noting the white scarf made him look rather flamboyant.

He had intended to find a secluded spot to deal with Xu Wenjie, but the guy stayed at the Cultural Palace entrance, chatting about poetry with others, and a young girl showed an admiring expression.

Because there were too many people, Lu Cheng waited a while longer; finally the group finished their talk and agreed to meet again next time.

When the crowd dispersed, Lu Cheng was about to step forward, but Xu Wenjie unexpectedly took the young girl aside.

Being singled out for instruction by Xu Wenjie, the girl felt immensely honored, not daring to lift her head.

"Teacher Xu, your poetry recital just now was especially passionate; I can still feel my heart stirring."

Xu Wenjie pointed his finger: "The word 'stirring' is well used. Our society is in a turbulent period; on that turbulence, adding the turbulence of poetry can completely transform our thoughts and our souls."

"If you can utter the word 'stirring,' Teacher Xu must commend you."

Hearing Xu Wenjie's praise, the girl placed her hands behind her back and took an excited deep breath.

The breath caused her chest to involuntarily lift, and Xu Wenjie stared at her without blinking.

"Then, Teacher Xu, could we go somewhere else? I especially want to talk with you more and learn more."

The girl, though she initiated the invitation, spoke shyly, sounding as faint as a mosquito.

Xu Wenjie's goal has already been achieved; with his reputation as a famous poet, as long as he shows even a hint of appreciation, any young girl will be firmly captured.

"Fine, since you are devoted to studying, I wouldn't want to suppress your enthusiasm. How about we go over to the small riverbank, keep it quiet, and make it easier for us to talk."

Seeing the two walk and chat toward the small river, Lu Cheng trailed behind at a moderate distance until they stopped, then, facing a Stinky Gutter, they began composing a poem, acting all coy with each other.

Lu Cheng suddenly changed his mind; rather than beating Xu Wenjie right now, he thought it better to call his sister over first, so they could see on the spot what kind of person Xu Wenjie is.

It's better to loosen the blockage than to reinforce it; letting his sister completely change her impression of Xu Wenjie is the most important thing right now.