Chapter Four: Today, Three.
It is not that I will not return. It is just that I cannot find a suitable opportunity, and with one project after another on my hands, it has naturally been delayed. Moreover, I did not expect that more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. " Jiang Tian watched Gu Yunsheng refill his tea, gently expressing his thanks, and continued, "The school contacted me a long time ago, and I have been hesitating. The ancient architecture in Japan is mainly based on Tang-style construction, while this project is from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is quite different from my research direction. Coming back just to fill a quota would not be meaningful. It is just ... " " The school contacted me a long time ago, and I have been hesitating. The ancient architecture in Japan is mainly based on Tang-style construction, while this project is from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is quite different from my research direction. Coming back just to fill a quota would not be meaningful. It is just ... "
Jiang Tian did not rush to get out of the car, but instead said: "Yesterday, I had dinner with Huang Daheng and his wife, and they also mentioned you..."
Jiang Tian smiled bitterly: "Well, he is an old man, and falling is always troublesome. He is nearly ninety years old, yet he still rides his bike around the yard. As a result, he fell while trying to avoid a child running towards him, and he fractured his ankle. Do not worry, I went home right after I got off the plane and visited him. Aside from being somewhat immobile, he is otherwise fine. There is Aunt Zhang at home, and my aunt has also hired a caregiver to look after him. He is quite strong; when I visited him in the hospital, he insisted on going home. Eventually, realizing that arguing with him was futile, I ended up discussing the Southern Anhui Incident with him for an entire afternoon."
Jiang Tian was initially taken aback, but soon responded nonchalantly as if in a daze: "I was an accomplice ten years ago, and you didn't expose it either, did you?"
He paused for a moment, but facing Gu Yunsheng, he still managed to express himself slowly: "A month ago, my aunt called me to say that my grandfather had fallen and was hospitalized. He is getting old, and my grandmother is not in good health either. I cannot stay outside for too long."
The conversation continued all the way to the dining table, but at this point, the topic finally shifted to Jiang Tian as desired. Gu Yunsheng asked him: "What ultimately made you decide to come back? Every year when I call your home to wish you a happy new year, I have to listen to your grandmother complain about your unwillingness to return."
Although Gu Yunsheng had a vague suspicion that Jiang Tian would not return so readily just for a maintenance project after receiving Huang Daheng's call, he was still taken aback upon hearing that something had happened to his grandfather. He quickly asked, "Is it serious? Did he fall hard? When I called your home two months ago, your grandfather's voice was still quite strong."
Qin Hai directed him, and in the evening, every road in the school was filled with students either finishing their evening study sessions or taking a walk. Gu Yunsheng drove very slowly, and Jiang Tian, seeing that he was focused on driving, did not speak to him. It was not until they had dropped off the two young people outside the dormitory and were left alone in the car that Gu Yunsheng spoke again: "Where do you live? In the faculty building or the school guesthouse?"
Hearing this, Jiang Tian also smiled and turned his face to look at Gu Yunsheng: "By the way, we've been talking about me all night and completely forgot. He Cai mentioned that you are now a screenwriter. Didn't you study software engineering? How did you transition to this field?"
After the car started again, Gu Yunsheng said softly: "My first job after graduation was as an editor at a computer magazine, where I worked for over a year. Once, I went to T City to visit a friend, and after staying for just three or four days, he ended up in the hospital with acute appendicitis after eating something outside. He is a sitcom writer and has to produce several episodes every month. When the ambulance arrived, he grabbed my hand and said the deadline was approaching, and he hadn't even started on the episodes he was working on. He begged me to help him meet the word count. Seeing him in such pain and looking so pitiful, I impulsively agreed. Later... those episodes had good ratings, and the television station approached me. The income was much better than being an editor, and I also liked T City, so I switched jobs and ended up where I am today... In short, it was an unintended twist of fate. Oh, I've gone past it; wait for me to turn back."
He lowered his head to look at the watch: "It's getting late, and you've been working hard lately, so you should rest early. Let's arrange a day to invite Huang Daheng and He Cai out for a meal. Right now, Huang Daheng is taking care of He Cai with more dedication than he would for a panda. Watching them like this is quite entertaining."
As the main entrance of T University came into view, Gu Yunsheng slowed down the car and turned to ask the two students sitting in the back, "Where do you live? Please tell me how to get there, as I am not familiar with your school at all. I will drop you off first, and then I will take Teacher Jiang."
Jiang Tian's words were delivered in a light and casual manner, yet they left Gu Yunsheng stunned, unable to move from his seat for quite some time. It was only when Jiang Tian's somewhat surprised gaze fell upon him that Gu Yunsheng finally managed a dazed smile, using the act of serving vegetables to mask his earlier embarrassment: "You always have a way of surprising people. You return without a word, and then suddenly declare that you are not leaving. Truly a man of action." After saying this, he smiled at Qin Hai and Zhou Qin, as if seeking their approval.
Gu Yunsheng quickly interrupted him: "Thank you for not exposing me until now"
The location on the weekend was harder to find than usual. Gu Yunsheng made several phone calls before securing a small private room at a familiar restaurant. The journey was smooth, and they arrived almost before they had a chance to speak. He only had time to hear Jiang Tian introduce the two people accompanying him, one named Qin Hai and the other Zhou Qin, both of whom were graduate students pursuing a master's and doctoral degree at T University. They had been assigned by the school to serve as Jiang Tian's secretary and assistant, and were also involved in research.
The atmosphere inevitably grew cold. Gu Yunsheng thought indifferently that they certainly could not be left alone together, nor could they step into matters that should have been completely forgotten long ago. What else could not be forgotten? They were originally supposed to be like brothers.
As they talked, Gu Yunsheng, who initially felt a bit restrained, began to relax. The chasm of time seemed to have no effect on them now; the two appeared to return to their childhood during the conversation, a time when there were no secrets and everything could be discussed. They shared common memories and similar social circles. Although they gradually walked on different paths, whenever they spoke of something from the past, they could quickly find common topics and suitable ways to respond.
Zhou Qin's eyes instantly brightened, and her voice trembled slightly with excitement: "I really like the script you wrote. I followed every episode of 'Four Seasons' when it was aired; and the currently airing 'Return Journey' is also very good. Your dialogue is fantastic, and I especially enjoy the sitcom you wrote for the entertainment channel. The episodes you wrote are incredibly entertaining!"
That is too formal. It is only right. Goodbye
hotel
Gu Yunsheng smiled and said, "Well, I will find some time to go back and visit Grandpa. A few years ago, I went home once and saw him; he didn't say much, but his mind was very clear. He was still very happy that you came back. How long will you stay this time? Are you planning to stay at T University for good?"
She seemed startled, hesitating for a moment before stammering, "Uh, are you Gu Yunsheng, the screenwriter?"
Finally, Jiang Tian also smiled, without much explanation or further words, and finished the meal. After eating, Gu Yunsheng drove them back to T University. At the beginning of the drive, the atmosphere was slightly silent. Qin Hai confirmed the itinerary for the next day with Jiang Tian, while Gu Yunsheng pretended to listen casually. It was not until he saw Zhou Qin's hesitant expression and flickering gaze in the rearview mirror that he asked, "Miss Zhou, is there something on your mind?"
Jiang Tian originally wanted to say, "It's fine to just take an interest," but then recalled something and held back his words. At this point, it was indeed possible to temporarily put all topics to rest, so he said, "Then I will take my leave. Thank you for seeing me off today. You should also rest early."
You might have sent it out, but before the child even gets to play with it, the two of them have already eagerly set it up and placed it on the shelf.
Watching Jiang Tian's figure disappear behind the door, Gu Yunsheng let out a heavy sigh and collapsed onto the chair. A perplexing thought slipped through his mind: indeed, in the beginning, he was wholeheartedly determined to become a scientist. How did he end up on the wrong path
He originally thought there was something significant, so he smiled, glanced at her in the rearview mirror, and nodded: "I am indeed a screenwriter, but I am not sure if I am the one you are asking about."
Goodbye
Upon careful consideration, it is indeed not without such possibilities, Jiang Tian smiled; Gu Yunsheng recalled the sight of Huang Daheng and He Cai sprawled on the floor assembling models, and found it amusing as well. After sharing a laugh, Gu Yunsheng continued: "Therefore, it is best not to deliberately guide children onto your path while they are still young. Otherwise, they may end up learning things that are of no use to them, which could lead to frustration in the future"
I had no prior knowledge at all and planned to ask the secretary in the department to send back a set of ancient architecture figurines later.
As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately noticed that the gazes of the other two people at the table were directed towards Jiang Tian. Gu Yunsheng thought to himself that this question was poorly timed and felt a bit regretful, considering how to steer the conversation away from this topic. However, it was Jiang Tian who inadvertently revealed, turning to him and saying: "I want to take this opportunity to come back and have a look. It’s only about three to four hours' drive from my hometown, and it’s very convenient to travel back and forth. If everything is suitable, staying at my alma mater would certainly be great. Otherwise, going to another university or design institute is also an option. I do not plan to go back again." It’s only about three to four hours' drive from my hometown, and it’s very convenient to travel back and forth. If everything is suitable, staying at my alma mater would certainly be great. Otherwise, going to another university or design institute is also an option. I do not plan to go back again.