After Jiang Yulou returned to school, he did not publicize the fact that his novel would be published in an American magazine.
The main reason is that he writes science fiction short stories, and science fiction novels are not mainstream in China. Even if he talks about it, there will most likely not be any waves.
This remuneration alone is an unexpected blessing.
After all, he didn't expect that he could get a royalties of six hundred dollars for a short story. What was even more unexpected was that Olivia's magical powers caused his royalties to increase five times when converted into RMB.
"Now all the money for decoration has come out." Jiang Yulou thought happily.
With the help of Wei Guoping, the construction team for the decoration was also found.
When the master of the construction team drew the drawings according to Jiang Yulou's requirements, he looked over them and found that there were no problems, so he signed a contract with the other party on the spot.
"I'm going back to my hometown after I finish the exam. I'll ask you to help me with the decoration of the house here."
"Don't worry. When you come back, the house will be decorated and I'm sure you'll be satisfied."
Jiang Yulou has nothing to worry about. This era is much simpler than later generations. Furthermore, the balance will not be paid until he is satisfied with the acceptance after the winter vacation.
Besides Wei Guoping, Tang Yuewen will also come over to take a look when she has time.
A few days later, the final exam began.
Before the exam, Jiang Yulou studied hard. After the exam results came out, his grades were pretty good. Not to mention top-notch, it is also an average result.
No matter what others think, he himself is extremely satisfied.
After saying goodbye to their teachers, classmates, Jessica, and Olivia, Jiang Yulou and Tang Yuewen came to the train station together.
Tang Yuewen didn't want to go back to her hometown, but wanted to send Jiang Yulou to the car in person.
In this early morning, the sun has just shined on the square of the train station, the cold wind is still biting, but the glimmer of morning light can bring a touch of warmth.
A young couple, Tang Yuewen wore a military green cotton coat, while Jiang Yulou wore something relatively simple. If he hadn't had the luggage in his hand, it wouldn't have looked like he was taking the train home.
The two stood opposite each other, and the girl's hands held Jiang Yulou's hand tightly.
The roar of the wheels came from a distance, like an irresistible god of destiny singing lowly. The train heading into the distance slowly drove into the station. Its body shone with a cold metallic luster in the sun, seeming to express the ruthlessness of parting.
Tang Yuewen stared closely into Jiang Yulou's eyes, her eyes full of deep attachment and reluctance.
Jiang Yulou's eyes looked firm. Although there was a little sadness in his eyes, they were more free and easy.
He just went home to celebrate the New Year, it's not like he won't come back, he didn't want to make it feel like a separation between life and death.
It was just the sad emotions that still spread between the two of them.
"Yue Wen, I'm about to get in the car. It's cold, so go back quickly." Jiang Yulou said softly, his voice a little hoarse.
Tang Yuewen didn't answer, just looked at him silently, with tears in the corners of her eyes. Then, she suddenly hugged the boy tightly, and her tears fell on the boy's shoulders.
"Remember to write to me and miss me every day." Tang Yuewen choked with sobs.
If possible, she wanted to stay with her sweetheart and go back to her hometown with him.
But...she can't.
"After reviving my life, why am I so sentimental?" Jiang Yulou's eyes were also a little moist, and he laughed at himself.
He sighed, patted the girl's back gently, and whispered: "I will, I will come back as soon as possible."
Then, he got into the car under the girl's reluctant eyes.
Until he sat at the window seat and saw the girl still standing stubbornly on the station in the biting cold wind. His heart suddenly hurt, and he wanted to rush out of the train at all costs.
Just when he was about to say something, the train slowly left the station, and the girl's body swayed as the train moved forward.
"Go back, go back, Yue Wen!"
Jiang Yulou waved his hands anxiously. He knew that Tang Yuewen could no longer hear what he was saying, but he did it uncontrollably.
Tang Yuewen watched Jiang Yulou's face slowly disappear from sight, and finally couldn't help shouting: "Jiang Yulou, I love you!"
The train disappeared into the distance, and the girl's tears fell like broken beads. She stood there, looking into the distance, until the train's shadow completely disappeared, then she slowly turned around and left.
The morning sun shone on her body, but it could not dispel her lonely heart.
Tang Yuewen was walking home alone, feeling empty in her heart, as if she had lost something precious. Her back looked lonely and thin in the morning light.
The train was fast, but not as fast as his eager heart.
I have been away from home for several months, and I don’t know how my parents are doing, whether my eldest brother has taken good care of the old couple, whether the money left to the family is enough, etc...
"Mom, Dad, brother, you must be well..." Jiang Yulou prayed silently in his heart.
Two days later, in the early morning, the sun filtered through the clouds and shone softly on a winding country road. In the distance, a young man was sitting on a bullock cart chatting with the driver.
This young man returned to Jiang Yulou in Shaanxi.
"Uncle Shi, how is the harvest in the village this year?"
"That's it. It's better than in previous years, but I can't make any money."
"Now that the country's economy is improving, the lives of the villagers will be better and better in the future."
"Hey, when we are old, we don't think about this. We just hope that our children can leave the village in the future, like you, Louwa, go to a big city to study and see the world."
Jiang Yulou was silent. This is the simplest emotion of the people at the bottom of our country.
They don't have many extravagant wishes. Even if they do, they still hope that their children can live a good life.
"There will be a chance." Jiang Yulou replied firmly.
"Loua, are you telling me about Yanjing? Have you seen Tiananmen, have you ever been there..."
After riding the train for several days and taking two more trains, he finally came back today.
After arriving in the village, Jiang Yulou wanted to give Uncle Shi money for the ride, but Uncle Shi refused to accept it, so he had no choice but to give up.
Soon, the news of Jiang Yulou's arrival spread in the village like the wind. People flocked to the path from all directions, preparing lively and excitedly to celebrate the return home of the only college student in the village and a great writer.
The activity was spontaneous at first, but then the village cadres saw that it was not working, so the village should just take the lead and make it bigger.
The activities became more and more grand.
So, at the invitation of the village cadre and the request of his parents, Jiang Yulou hurriedly went to participate in the event without even bothering to say a few words to his family.
When Jiang Yulou appeared in the village square, the crowd of onlookers burst into cheers and applause. The villagers threw colorful bouquets to him, and the bouquets flew in the sky like blooming flowers.
Jiang Yulou accepted the villagers' blessings with a smile, and he felt deeply warm and moved.
In the square, the village chief solemnly awarded Jiang Yulou a gold-rimmed red silk flag with the words "The First Writer of Shanghe Village" embroidered on it.
This is the pride of the people of Shanghe Village and also a personal honor for him.
In the center of the square, the village party secretary held a loudspeaker, and his voice echoed in the crowd: "Comrade Jiang Yulou, you are the pride of our Shanghe Village. I hope you go to school well in Yanjing and become an excellent writer after graduation."
"Thank you, thank you all." Jiang Yulou bowed deeply to the crowd.
On that warm afternoon, the village drums were beating loudly, and laughter echoed in every corner. Jiang Yulou stood in the square, looking at those familiar faces, his heart full of gratitude and emotion.
He knew that his success not only belonged to himself, but also to Shanghe Village, the place where he was born and raised, and to everyone who supported him and cared about him.
