Chapter 73

Because the new book by Gu Yongsheng was confirmed, the atmosphere at the scene became lively, and the conversation continued without end, ranging from novels to TV dramas and films, from films to celebrity gossip, from celebrity gossip to social issues, from social issues to national affairs and international events, and finally back to literature itself, as they say, three sentences never leave their old trade.

As editors who deal with content on a daily basis, they encounter various viewpoints and witness different authors' analysis of the world, exploration of human relationships, and revelations about nature... When this input reaches a saturation point, they can't help but want to output, whether it's the viewpoints they have received from others or new viewpoints they have formed, once the floodgates open, it's an endless flow.

In this process, Liu Jingtong strangely noticed that Han Shuo, known for his humor and sharpness, was now silent, with a somewhat indifferent expression, occasionally looking down at his phone.

Liu Jingtong leaned closer to Han Shuo and said, "Brother Han, why aren't you talking? Your articles seem to be fewer lately."

"There's nothing new under the sun, just the same old stuff, I don't want to repeat it."

Liu Jingtong nodded and said, "Yes, things are always the same. An article from a year ago can be used again, just change the date and a few names and places. It's quite sad when you think about it."

"Not having articles to write is also a good thing, at least there's nothing more bizarre happening."

"Unfortunately, everyone knows this, but there's been no improvement."

"Because the power of articles themselves is very limited," Han Shuo put his phone in his pocket, "they're just a way to vent emotions, with no substantial effect. The truly powerful ones are those who can make your articles disappear and make your name sensitive. You should have experienced this too."

Liu Jingtong smiled in understanding and nodded.

"By the way," Han Shuo moved his chair closer to Liu Jingtong and smiled gently, "you've been silent all along, why did you suddenly decide to set up this scene?"

"Actually, I'm not sure. I've never deliberately kept silent or chosen the right moment to appear. I do these things purely on a whim. This time, I just wanted to scare them a bit."

"I can imagine your state of mind. When I first started, I felt like the whole world was against me, everyone was targeting me, so whether I was writing articles or giving interviews, I was always fully armed, with a fierce and intimidating demeanor."

Liu Jingtong laughed and said, "Now, looking back, you probably think it was pretty cool, right?"

"I think it was a bit silly. There were better ways to handle it. Now, thinking about it."

"You mean you could have been more calm?"

Han Shuo nodded.

"Maybe it's because you've become an observer now, and observers always think there are better ways to handle things."

"Yes, that's why I never regret the past, at any age..."

Before Han Shuo could finish, his phone rang. He apologized to Liu Jingtong with a slightly apologetic look, "Wait a moment." Liu Jingtong smiled understandingly and said, "No problem, go ahead."

Han Shuo went outside the restaurant to take the call, and Liu Jingtong took a sip of his after-dinner tea, about to listen to the slightly tipsy Mr. Lu and the half-drunk Mr. Wei chatting. Suddenly, a voice came from behind him, "Excuse me, Mr. Gu, could you sign a few books for us?"

Liu Jingtong turned around and saw three female editors looking at him with earnest expressions. Each of them was holding three or four books, all copies of "The White-Haired Woman," which they were likely asked to bring.

Liu Jingtong was slightly taken aback and, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "I don't have a pen."

"Here," one of the girls handed him a ballpoint pen.

Liu Jingtong had no choice but to take the pen and start signing the books. When he wrote "Written by Gu Yongsheng," he intentionally made the "sheng" (生) character more prominent.

The ten books were quickly signed, and the girls thanked him profusely before returning to their seats, whispering to the people around them, discussing either Gu Yongsheng's appearance, which was "cute from a distance but rough up close," or praising his handwriting.

"If we organize a national book signing tour with Yi Shui'an, Han Shao, and Gu Shao, which publishing company in the country could match us?" Mr. Lu said with enthusiasm, seemingly unaware if he had said this before.

Drunk people have a notable characteristic: they like to repeat the same things.

At this moment, Yi Shui'an got up and said goodbye to everyone, returning to his room. Han Shuo, who had just finished his call, came back with a very grim expression.

Liu Jingtong, not yet familiar enough with Han Shuo to ask about personal matters, nodded politely and then got up to say goodbye to Mr. Lu, Mr. Wei, and the other editors.

"Wait, Xiao Gu," Han Shuo called out to Liu Jingtong, "why don't we go for a walk together?"

Liu Jingtong agreed happily, though it was a bit strange for two men to go for a walk in such a romantic place.

...

In November, the grassland was already cold, and the night was even colder. Liu Jingtong and Han Shuo both subconsciously wrapped their coats tighter and walked side by side on the cold street.

"Brother, you've really messed me up."

After walking a short distance, Han Shuo exhaled and said with a bitter smile.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Do you know who just called?"

"Was it your wife?"

Han Shuo smiled bitterly and said, "My ex-wife."

"Ah?"

Han Shuo still shook his head and smiled bitterly, walking a few steps in silence before saying, "In others' eyes, I'm bold, sharp, and talented, a free and easy man of letters, but who knows my hardships?"

"That doesn't sound like you."

"See, you've already formed a fixed image of me. Actually, I can be very calm, right?"

Liu Jingtong smiled and said, "Is this related to me?"

"To be precise, it's related to your book, 'The White-Haired Woman.'"

"Really?" Liu Jingtong was somewhat speechless, "How so?"

"Half a month ago, my girlfriend bought your book 'The White-Haired Woman' and read it with great interest. She admired the female protagonist, who was brave and independent, and decided to emulate her. She wanted to break up with me on the spot."

Liu Jingtong had heard a bit about Han Shuo's romantic life. Although girls might occasionally be playful, it was unlikely that a book would make a girlfriend want to break up. He smiled and said, "Are you sure it's the book's fault?"

Han Shuo stopped and looked at Liu Jingtong with a slight surprise, then sighed and said helplessly, "Before, there were no problems, and we could get along peacefully. Now..."

Liu Jingtong almost spat out a mouthful of blood into the dark night. The fact that Han Shuo could use the term "everyone" so calmly was truly impressive. However, Liu Jingtong wouldn't say this out loud, but he couldn't help thinking, "This breakup has nothing to do with the novel!"

Liu Jingtong said somewhat insincerely, "Girls often have small tantrums, they just want more attention from their boyfriends. But I have a question I'm curious about."

"What is it?"

"In such a situation, how do you allocate your feelings?"

Han Shuo laughed and said, "Just allocate time and money well, and everything will be fine."

Liu Jingtong continued, "Is there a hierarchy, like who you like more and who is just for variety?"

Han Shuo's smile faded, and he said, "Of course, the one who wants to leave is more important. Otherwise, why would she want to leave?"

"Is it true that what you lose is what you cherish the most?"

Han Shuo nodded lightly but didn't continue the topic. According to his character, he shouldn't be so troubled by his girlfriend's tantrums, even though he had had a bit of alcohol tonight. However, in front of a younger and more talented author he admired, his behavior was slightly less cool.

Perhaps it's not that he cherishes what he loses, but that she was the one he cherished all along.

This was Han Shuo's breakup.

...

The next day, under the leadership of Lu Yichou, Qianhong's editors and their affiliated authors began to tour the grassland. Although November is not the best time to see the grassland or ride horses, the weather was cold, and the grassland was covered in ice and snow.

Yi Shui'an had suggested coming in late summer or early autumn, when the vast grassland could be seen, but due to various delays, it was postponed until now.

Although the vast grassland couldn't be seen, the majestic snow-capped mountains overlooking the continuous snow hills had their own charm. The scene of horses galloping through the snow and racing across the vast grassland was also spectacular, making one feel refreshed and delighted.

"Tonight we will stay in tents and personally experience the night view of the grassland," Lu Yichou said with a smile, and everyone looked eager.

"Everyone can move around freely. Meet back here at 11:30 AM for a foreign cuisine lunch."

Everyone happily formed their own groups, wearing thick down jackets, and clumsily walked on the icy grass, pointing and taking photos, occasionally throwing snowballs, their laughter almost freezing in the air.

"Would you choose the city or the countryside?"

Kuang Heng followed behind a few authors, looking at the distant snow scenery, and asked loudly. Everyone stopped and looked back at him, puzzled.

"I mean, if you had to choose a place to live, would you choose the city or a place like this, or the city or a quiet village?"

"The countryside is closer to nature, with fresh air and clear water, which is more suitable for writing," one author replied.

"And it can avoid the concrete jungle, with green mountains and clear waters in sight, making it easier to calm the mind."

Liu Jingtong walked quietly with his hands in his pockets, listening quietly. Yi Shui'an, walking beside him, patted his shoulder and asked, "What do you think about this?"

Liu Jingtong smiled and said, "I think everyone has a natural affinity for nature, especially writers. I remember you once said in an interview that you would choose remote places to write."

Yi Shui'an nodded slightly and said, "Or it could be a personal preference or a state of mind."

Liu Jingtong was about to speak when he heard Kuang Heng say, "Many of my friends say they love country life, but none of them can live there for more than a month. This place is suitable for short stays, not long-term living, especially for office workers. There's a lack of water, no internet, occasional power outages, and you have to drive several kilometers to the town supermarket to buy instant noodles. Going to work is even more troublesome."

"At that time, they deeply realize the advantages of living in the city. If the concrete jungle is too cold, the lights on both sides of the street and the advertisements from shops emit a warm glow, don't they?"

Everyone didn't delve into this topic, but they tacitly agreed with Kuang Heng's words. The conversation then shifted to the development of the grassland in winter, discussing skiing, hot springs, winter horse racing, and bonfire parties.

Time passed quickly in conversation. They had only toured a small part of the vast grassland when it was time to gather for lunch, which included a series of foods made from sheep, such as sheep offal soup, mutton, and sheep milk.

"Even these foods, we find them delicious once or twice, but we would get tired of them if we ate them too often," Kuang Heng continued to argue his point, and at this moment, everyone felt that what he said made some sense.

After lunch, everyone visited the local residents, listening to them talk about local customs and beautiful myths that circulated on the grassland.

At this time, some problems arose. A few editors couldn't withstand the cold weather and began to have headaches and fevers, so they had to return to the hotel regretfully. The rest had to start choosing their tents for the night.

The hospitality of the grassland people is well-known, so finding tents went smoothly. Liu Jingtong and Yi Shui'an even became neighbors.

...

"Yesterday, when you got off the car, it seemed like you had something to say to me?"

After dinner, Liu Jingtong and Yi Shui'an were chatting in the tent. Yi Shui'an, recalling Liu Jingtong's hesitant look that day, asked.

Liu Jingtong smiled and said, "A very gossipy question," perhaps because of the place, his mindset had changed, feeling far from the mundane world, and mentioning such a question was no longer awkward, "like how you start a relationship and how you handle it."

"Like any ordinary woman," Yi Shui'an said calmly.

"But ordinary women don't react like you after a breakup."

"How do you know?" Yi Shui'an's eyes sparkled with wisdom, "They just don't let you see it."

Liu Jingtong nodded, and they fell into a harmonious silence. Then, Yi Shui'an began to tell her story:

"I used to work at an advertising company, and he was my colleague, the team leader," even when mentioning her ex-boyfriend, Yi Shui'an's expression remained unchanged, "he was charming, witty, and very capable."

Liu Jingtong thought, "If he wasn't so outstanding, how could he have caught your eye?"

"The relationship started quite abruptly, about three years ago. One day, after our team completed an important project, he invited us to watch a movie after work. In the end," Yi Shui'an smiled lightly, "it was obvious that only the two of us went to the cinema, and I immediately realized it was his deliberate arrangement."

Liu Jingtong commented, "A common move, but effective. He really understood you."

Yi Shui'an nodded and continued, "After the movie, we held hands. He tested me several times, and I didn't refuse."

Liu Jingtong nodded in understanding.

"Later, I quit my job. When I graduated from university, I knew I wasn't suited for the workplace, so I started writing columns and taking freelance assignments, and then I published books. I never expected my books to reach such a high circulation."

"Yes, writers who start with the idea of making money from writing often find it harder to succeed."

Yi Shui'an "hmm"ed and continued, "Our life was very peaceful, just the kind of life I hoped for, no big waves, but small warmth. I felt it would be a deep and lasting relationship, and I began to value and cherish it more and more."

At this point, Yi Shui'an's usually calm face showed a hint of sadness for the first time.

"He was promoted and got a raise because of his outstanding work ability, and his working hours increased. He often had business dinners and didn't come home for three days a week. I understood the advertising industry and trusted him completely, and I spent more time writing, so I had no complaints."

Liu Jingtong said softly, "This is probably where the problem lies?"

Yi Shui'an sighed softly and shook her head, "He's not that kind of person, I still believe that."

"Then what happened?"

"The problem probably started from the beginning. Looking back, we never truly entered the relationship. We were misled by each other's appearances and made a wrong judgment. Later, we maintained the relationship because we didn't interfere with it."

"You write, he works?"

"Yes, that night, I was stuck in my writing, completely stuck, and I couldn't write a single word. I cried on the table for a while and then called him. It happened that he didn't have a business dinner or overtime that night, and he asked me to go to a nearby coffee shop to meet him."

At this moment, Liu Jingtong suddenly noticed that Yi Shui'an had quietly shed tears, which silently slid down her pale cheeks and fell onto the table in front of her.

"When I got there, I realized I wasn't the only one waiting for me," Yi Sh