Chapter 005: Mother, Past and Present
During this meal, Yang Min ate in a daze and never fully regained her composure. As she was leaving for work at noon, she still couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yi, can you really publish a book?"
Yang Yi spoke with certainty: "Let's take a look and then discuss it!"
The mother and child sat silently facing each other in the midst of the glowing sunset, neither of them in the mood to mention having a meal, until the golden red hue in the room gradually faded away
Although the main historical narrative of the entire Song Dynasty is clearly etched in Yang Yi's mind, more than two-thirds of the special articles he published in the section on historical discussions during his previous life were related to the history of the Song Dynasty. However, the human brain is not a computer, and there are always some historical events that are difficult to recall clearly
Indeed, it is certain to be published! Yang kept his gaze fixed on Yang Min's eyes, deliberately avoiding the heavy topics, only mentioning those that are guaranteed to be realized... As for special recruitment and the like, hey
"Wealthy? Where do you have money?" Yang Minqi asked.
Yang Yixin had already made up his mind. Seizing the moment while swallowing a mouthful of food, he cleared his throat and said, "Oh, it is like this; this matter should also be discussed with you."
From the childhood of Zhao Kuangyin, figures from the stacks of ancient texts come forth, weaving together tales of valiant battles, deep romantic affections, and intricate deceptions; the magnificent palaces have turned into ruins, and the once loyal ministers and heroic figures now lie together in desolate graves... From awkwardness to fluency, from spending several minutes contemplating before writing a single passage to effortlessly producing over a thousand words, Yang has completely forgotten the passage of time, wholly immersed in the grand endeavor of writing
"How can that be! A festival is a festival, and a celebration is a celebration. In the evening, I will prepare you some poached chicken!" Yang Min quickly tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, and happily went out.
Oh dear, Yang Man
There is another door slightly ajar, and apart from a messy army cot piled with clutter, there is nothing else in the room. A warm breeze carrying the scent of French sycamores flows in through the window, stirring the tattered sheets that have been transformed into floral curtains, causing them to flutter.
Apart from these minor details, regarding the historical interpretation model and writing techniques that imitate "The Ming Dynasty Chronicles," Yang Yi is quite confident. He was one of the firsthand witnesses of the Mingyue Gate incident in 2006 on Tianya Community, and afterwards, he carefully read the entire set of books related to it. Setting aside the mixed reviews of this book, Yang Yi himself is quite fond of this series.
Yang Yi stared unflinchingly into his mother's eyes, their gazes intersecting without a trace of evasion or guilt, for one second, two seconds... half a minute, until Yang Min's emotions gradually stabilized, and only then did he slowly begin to articulate his thoughts.
Looking at her son’s sincere expression and the earnest tone in which he explained, he was completely different from the past when he would lower his head and remain silent after just a few words, his face full of defiance. Even though Yang Min had a lot of prepared remarks, she could not utter a single word at that moment. After a long pause, she leaned back against the worn-out sofa and let out a long sigh
"What do you want to eat tonight? Mom will buy it after work, and I will reward you well!" Just thinking about becoming a writer's mother made Yang Min feel a bit unsteady, and she wanted to share this tremendous good news with everyone she knew and even those she didn't.
The woman in the kitchen is still gossiping, but Yang Yi just stands there smiling. Some things only feel incredibly precious when experienced again.
At this age, still making adults worry, taking forever to respond to a simple question, it truly drives one to despair
It was all fine when I left at noon, so how come it turned out like this when I got home in the evening? It can't be that it knows I skipped class, right
The mature appearance of his son momentarily left Yang Min somewhat astonished, and then she became even more furious: "What do you think you are doing? You skipped class this afternoon, and yet you still have that composed look on your face?"
Although it is not the first time returning to the home from 17 years ago, every time Yang Yi surveys the nearly empty living room, a myriad of indescribable feelings still surge within his heart
In the afternoon, Yang Yi simply did not go to school, but instead ran to the library of Yuezhou University
Hearing some noise from inside the house, Yang Min, who was cooking, raised her voice in confusion: "Is that Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi, are you back?"
However, just after he returned home, filled with a sense of accomplishment as he looked at the table full of manuscript paper, the door of the house was suddenly pushed open forcefully
Although Yang Min was aware that her son was challenging the school leaders and had taken a bold step to clear his name regarding the * picture * book, she secretly felt pleased for several days, believing her son was promising. However, whenever she thought of Yang Yi's academic performance, the strong-willed single mother felt somewhat troubled
Mom! It was wrong of me to take the initiative to skip class! In the end, it was Yang Yi who spoke first: "Over the years, you have been working hard to support the family all by yourself, handling all the big and small matters inside and out, and it has caused you a lot of stress..."
Yang Min was somewhat bewildered. She knew that her son had a strong foundation in Chinese since childhood and had won several awards for his essays, but she truly could not believe that this boy could suddenly write a book.
Seeing her mother like this, Yang Yi felt a mix of amusement and sadness in his heart: "Really, it could be sold in Xinhua Bookstore before the high school entrance examination!"
Having long anticipated this situation, Yang's eyes darted as he said, "Mom, I am about to publish this. Once it is published, I can gain extra points for the high school entrance examination, and perhaps even get a special admission to excellent schools like Yuezhou No. 1 High School or Experimental High School..."
However, the boy still suppressed his laughter and pretended to be indignant, saying: "How can this be considered a disaster? Let me put it this way... During this period, I have been conceptualizing a novel... Well, it's not exactly a novel, it's more of a popular science book. I showed it to our language teacher, and he praised it to the skies! He said it could be published!"
Before long, the mother and son sat down at the dining table. Yang Yi was contemplating which chapters needed illustrations, while Yang Min brought up another topic: "Yang Yi, how is your revision going? You need to do well in this upcoming high school entrance examination; otherwise, you'll have to pay a high price again, and that would be infuriating"
She said... Yang Min did not expect her son to respond, her unfocused gaze appearing quite haggard: "Your son is currently... very... saying he won't go to class, and he just stays at home pretending to be a great writer! At that time, all the sisters and coworkers around heard it! Son, what if there is a problem with your book and others say it is not good? How will you let your mother hold her head high at work in the future!"
Yang Yi gave a bitter smile, realizing that at his age, he was indeed very unconvincing. He could only shake his head and took out the manuscript he had typed up over the past few days, pushing it in front of his mother
Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, we will talk about it then! Yang Yi is very clear about the family's financial situation, not to mention that after drifting in society for so long, he has long been accustomed to living a frugal life.
Yang Yi chuckled, what a classic reaction
This is the old house where I spent the first fifteen years of my life
Money and material possessions are necessary but insufficient conditions for measuring happiness, a desire that Yang Yi feels intensely at this moment
Of course, rebirth has also brought him other things, such as the "川" character wrinkle that his mother occasionally furrows her brow with, which he had deliberately ignored before, and the slight joy that spreads across her lips whenever she picks up discarded items from her workplace or relatives. That is a sense of happiness that only the poor can truly understand, yet now, reflecting on it, Yang Yi can only feel profound sorrow.
Yang Yi found himself at a loss for words. In fact, even though he had great confidence in the unwritten words, the sight of his mother, who was frowning and sighing incessantly, still placed a significant amount of pressure on him
Yang Min did not detect the subtle trap in her son's words, but instead felt as if she had been struck on the head by a pie: "Writing a book, my son, that is something only highly cultured individuals can accomplish! Hey! My son is capable of that now?"
To weave oneself into a cocoon, why endure such suffering
Yes, Yang Yi carries his mother's surname. As for the name he once used in his childhood, "Hou Yi," it has long been forgotten in some unknown corner, along with the departure of that unscrupulous father.
No, there is money to pay the sponsorship fee! Yang was lost in thought about other matters and did not pay attention to what he had said
Yang Min glanced at her son, unsure whether he was speaking sincerely or trying to evade punishment, her feelings were quite complicated, so she did not respond.
Her second aunt? Yang Man's mother? A middle-aged woman, whose image Yang Yi could not quite evaluate, slowly emerged in his mind, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. This second aunt of his, usually showed little kindness towards her sister, often speaking in a sharp, sarcastic manner, and her disdain was equally evident when she looked at him.
The high school entrance examination is just around the corner, do you still have time to be distracted?" Yang Min immediately glared, her single mother's fierceness fully evident: "Studying hard to prepare for the entrance exam is serious business, stop messing around with all this nonsense!"
Feeling too lazy to think much, the originally tense heart relaxed again. Looking at his mother, who was both anxious and angry with a face full of disappointment, Yang Yi patted the sofa that could barely accommodate two people, appearing quite calm and composed: "Sit."
Moreover, there are tangible sales results to consider
Do you know, son, when I mentioned to your mother Wang this afternoon that my son is going to publish a book and become a young writer, do you know what your second aunt said? Yang Min sat on the sofa in a daze, and compared to noon, she seemed completely drained, lacking any trace of spirit.
Yang Yi, you have caused a great mess!" Almost crashing into the room, Yang Min shouted at the top of her lungs as soon as she entered, nearly beside herself with anger. She had never been this intense, even when cursing at the doorman's wife, whom she had always had a contentious relationship with.
Indeed, it was an extremely effective tactic. Upon hearing this, Yang Min immediately lost her appetite for food: "What? There are special tactics? Is that so? What have you written that is so appealing?"
One should not be distracted while eating, for what purpose does this serve
However, whenever the mother and child find it difficult to get by, they can still lend a helping hand, yet they cannot escape the incessant gossip and idle chatter.
"If only everything were as simple as you think!" Upon hearing her son say this, Yang Min became even more agitated: "If you don't get special admission, there will be no hope, and your scores won't improve. I see that you will be useless for the rest of your life!"
In recent days, I have been frequently reprimanded by my mother, but for Yang Yi, the reborn individual, this kind of complaint, which used to be the most bothersome, now sounds like heavenly music, endlessly enjoyable to hear.
In the tenement building of the old town, Yang Yi's mother, Yang Min, was busy in the kitchen
A worn-out rattan sofa sits in the living room, while an old black-and-white television rests in the broken cabinet across from it. The living room, which is just over 10 square meters, does not seem large, but in the presence of this sparse furniture, it appears spacious.
However, the matter of me writing a book is indeed true, and the publication is also quite certain. It is precisely because I want to take a chance before the high school entrance examination to see if this book can create some impact that I am in such a hurry. By that time, even if I cannot be specially recruited, at least I will not have to worry about the high school tuition fees.
Before Yang Yi could respond, Yang Min, who rushed out of the kitchen in a hurry due to the concern that outsiders had entered the house, saw Yang Yi standing there in a daze. She then shot him an annoyed glare and said, "Yang Yi, are you deaf? I've been asking you for a long time and you haven't said a word. I still have dishes cooking in the pot!"
Seeing his mother genuinely angry, Yang Yi felt a tightness in his heart and was somewhat at a loss.
This is a disaster; one's own mother is not just an ordinary housewife who can be easily deceived. Yang Min, who raised her child alone, is known for being strong-willed and shrewd. With her mind racing, Yang ultimately decides to speak the truth.
That girl who has always looked down on herself in my memory, however, she is not in the same class as me, so how could it be...
The final rise in tone of the modal particle is not entirely one of excitement; it also carries a hint of incredulous doubt. Yang gazed at his sensitive, strong-willed, and simple mother, and thought of those half-baked celebrities in later generations who eagerly pursued writing books and autobiographies, as well as the overwhelming prevalence of juvenile online novels on the internet. Suddenly, he found his mother, who regarded publishing a book as such a sacred endeavor, to be quite endearing
After being angry for half a day, Yang Min, who had never spoken such harsh words before, felt that she had misspoken. With a long sigh, she forced herself to regain her composure and said: "Forget it, there's no point in saying more. You've already skipped class, and it won't help to talk about it now! When the time comes to pay for the grade difference, you'll have to go find your uncle and them."
For the sake of her son, Yang Min had often sought help from her family and her brother-in-law, but after doing it so many times, she would only receive disdainful looks each time.
Usually, Yang Yi is straightforward and never gives any prior notice. Now that he has spoken up like this, Yang Min immediately becomes somewhat alert, her chopsticks pausing as she fixates on Yang Yi: "What, did you get into trouble outside?"
What?" Yang Min cast a weary glance at her son, who was both a source of pain and frustration for her
It was not until the time close to the end of school that Yang Yi returned home, holding a thick stack of materials and the manuscript completed in the afternoon
Moreover, during the imitation process, Yang Yi can incorporate countless internet slang and novel elements from later generations, making him an expert in capturing the readers' attention, and he can guarantee a success rate of one hundred and twenty percent.