Whether as parents or as children, once we learn to lower our excessive expectations of each other and focus more on our own growth, life instantly becomes much happier.
Wen Ying never hoped her parents would become tycoons or high officials, and Chen Ru never harboured the unrealistic demand that her daughter must become provincial gaokao champion. Hearing Wen Ying’s estimated score of 660 was already more than enough to satisfy Chen Ru.
Of course it would be wonderful if she actually achieved it.
Even if she fell short, Chen Ru figured it couldn’t be by much.
Over the three years of senior high, not only had Wen Ying’s grades improved dramatically, she had also published three novels and become a household-name bestselling author. By Chen Ru’s standards, that was already a resounding success!
Thanks to her mother’s relaxed attitude, Wen Ying spent two genuinely carefree days at home.
On the morning she left for Beijing, Chen Ru packed her suitcase for her. The couple saw her off at the airport together and watched her board the flight to the capital.
Children grow up, and parents have to get used to these separations.
Right now it was only half a month; in the future it might be half a year or more at a time… You can’t get used to it? Tough. You can’t exactly tie the kid to your side forever.
“Let’s go. The plane’s already taken off.”
Chen Ru reluctantly withdrew her gaze. Seeing the clueless man beside her looking distracted, she almost laughed out loud.
The daughter was already eighteen, and only now was the father finally feeling a bit of paternal instinct. About time!
She had been about to scold him, but then thought better of it. The man was changing in a good direction; better to encourage than nag.
“When Yingying is on her own out there, remember to call and text her more often.”
“I’m not like you women, all lovey-dovey with texts!” Wen Dongrong huffed stubbornly. “Hurry up, it’s hot. I still have to get back to work.”
Chen Ru shot him a fierce glare. Wen Dongrong ignored it and slipped into the car.
On the drive home he proudly told himself: Send texts? Over my dead body.
…
11 a.m.
Wen Ying’s flight landed on schedule.
The first thing she did after touchdown was turn on her phone. Sure enough, there was a message from Xie Qian asking her to let him know she’d arrived safely.
She wasn’t surprised in the slightest; Xie Qian had always been cool on the outside, warm on the inside.
“Huh.”
Besides Xie Qian’s message, there was unexpectedly one from Old Wen too. That really was unexpected.
Old Wen told her to stay safe in Beijing. Even though it was the capital, there were always dark corners the cameras didn’t reach, so she should try not to go out at night.
Wen Ying was still thinking about how to reply when Mrs. Peng called.
“Little Ying, you’ve landed, right? Once you collect your luggage you’ll see me straight away!”
Mrs. Peng sounded cheerful, and Wen Ying couldn’t help smiling. “Sorry to trouble you.”
“Trouble? I’m bored out of my mind every day. I should be thanking you for giving me something to do!”
Mrs. Peng was completely sincere; being too polite would only make things awkward.
While waiting for her suitcase, Wen Ying called Xie Qian back. She considered ringing her dad too, but felt that might be a bit too clingy… Fine, a text would do. Text was what she was best at anyway.
She pulled her case out into the arrivals hall. Mrs. Peng spotted her instantly and kicked her dopey son.
Peng Guoqing came charging over with a huge bouquet of sunflowers, startling Wen Ying. “We’ve known each other forever. Is all this really necessary?”
“My mum picked them specially from our garden this morning. She treasures those flowers. Even when Dad wanted to take two stems to the office yesterday she scolded him! Peng Guoqing explained with exaggerated winks.
Mrs. Peng laughed and swatted her son. “Don’t talk nonsense. No matter how precious the flowers, can they be more precious than people? A little ceremony is nice. How can we welcome Little Ying without flowers?”
They were just ordinary sunflowers, but after the mother-and-son act, Wen Ying instantly felt how valued she was.
Peng Guoqing took her suitcase. Now free-handed, Wen Ying accepted the bouquet. Mrs. Peng didn’t want to linger at the airport in case fans recognised Wen Ying, so she hurried her into the car.
“Actually, Xie Qian’s mum really wanted to come pick you up, but changed her mind at the last minute. Don’t worry, I’ll stand in for her and take good care of you.”
Wen Ying completely understood Zou Weijun’s concern. “Auntie Zou has always looked after me. I’m glad you’re both so kind to me.”
Mrs. Peng giggled. “Because you’re genuinely adorable, that’s why.”
Zou Weijun must be head over heels for Wen Ying.
If one day Peng Guoqing managed to find a girlfriend even half as outstanding as Wen Ying, Mrs. Peng would chop down the entire sunflower garden as a gift for her future daughter-in-law!
Wen Ying wasn’t just outstanding; she was perceptive and lovely. Unless someone was already prejudiced against her, nobody could dislike her after spending time with her.
Knowing Zou Weijun couldn’t conveniently show up, Mrs. Peng took it as her personal mission to look after Wen Ying. She treated her to lunch first, then drove her to the College of Literature to check in.
After finishing the formalities, the Peng mother and son helped carry the luggage to the dorm. When Mrs. Peng saw the tiny room she frowned. “It’s so small. You can barely turn around. Will you be all right here?”
A small single room with its own bathroom: one single bed, one wardrobe, one desk.
Next to the wardrobe was crammed a little cabinet with a modest television on top.
It really was only big enough for one person; a second person wouldn’t even have room to turn.
Wen Ying pulled open the curtains. Outside the window stood lush green trees. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell across the desk, illuminating the collected works of the founding father of modern Chinese literature that lay there.
The teacher handling registration had explained that the several books on every desk were gifts for each trainee.
Wen Ying put the books away, looked around the tiny room, and was perfectly content. “Of course I’ll be fine. Who knows how many writers have stayed in this very room over the years to study. It might not be luxurious, but it’s absolutely perfect for writing!”
Writing, after all, doesn’t require luxurious surroundings.
When you have stories in your head and emotions to express, a few sheets of old paper and a pencil are enough.
Mrs. Peng was used to the finer things and couldn’t imagine living like this, let alone sense the literary atmosphere. Still, her emotional intelligence was high. She respected Wen Ying’s feelings completely. “Perfect! A whole month here; who knows, you might come out with another new book!”
Not wanting to disturb her further, Mrs. Peng chatted a little longer and then dragged Peng Guoqing away.
As they went downstairs, Peng Guoqing muttered, “Aren’t we taking Yingying out for dinner?”
Mrs. Peng rolled her eyes at her son. “Are you stupid? She’s just flown in; she needs rest. Let her nap, wake up, shower, freshen up; by then it’ll be perfect timing to meet the other trainees.”
Writers should hang out with writers; they’ll have more in common.
Even if they don’t all click, making a few industry friends is still worthwhile.
Mrs. Peng’s prediction was spot-on. After Wen Ying woke from her nap, it was just about dinner time.
Heading downstairs, she immediately bumped into someone she knew.
The other person saw her first and smiled. “I had a feeling you’d be here. When I saw the trainee list I knew I’d guessed right. I’m heading to the canteen. Coming?”
