Chapter 38: The Merits of Solitude

Zhang Yu gave a thumbs up. "I never imagined Comrade Li could write such a fantastic novel at such a young age!"

Zhang Yu had always enjoyed a good relationship with her younger sister. Later, after Zhang Li finished filming *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Zhang Yu would often accompany her to visit the director, Wang Fulin. After all, Zhang Li really had Wang Fulin’s full recommendation to thank for landing the role of Xue Baochai.

Zhang Yu glanced at Zhang Li again and gave her a nod. It seemed her sister had some good taste after all; at the very least, she didn't judge people solely by their looks rather than their talent.

"Hehehe."

Zhang’s mother knew how prestigious *Beiping Literature* was, and thus she understood just how much potential the writer before her possessed. She smiled and said, "Alright then, I’ll go and get started on dinner. Oh, by the way, Comrade Li, can you handle spicy food?"

This was the first time today she had shown any concern for his preferences.

Li Yousi replied, "Auntie, I’m also from Jincheng, so I can handle it just fine."

Zhang’s mother nodded and headed into the kitchen.

Zhang Yu shook her head. "Mom is such a snob. Once she heard he was a writer, her attitude changed completely."

Li Yousi didn't respond.

Zhang Li stuck her tongue out at her sister and teased, "Heh, you’re not much different."

However, she suddenly felt much more at ease. It seemed there might actually be a real chance for her and Li Yousi after all.

"I’m just looking out for you, sis," Zhang Yu said.

"Oh, stop talking nonsense! Comrade Li and I really aren't what you all think; we’re just friends!" Zhang Li said, her voice rising in an awkward attempt to keep her sister from saying anything else.

Zhang Yu immediately shut her mouth, catching a glimpse of Zhang Li, who looked as if she were on the verge of tears.

She turned her attention back to Li Yousi, taking the magazine from his hands and retrieving another one from the bookshelf. "Since you wrote that story, that one must be boring for you. Take this magazine instead."

He took the new magazine; it was the January issue of *People’s Literature*. Inside was Zhang Jie’s piece, *The Stewardess: Notes from a Visit to the United States*.

Li Yousi flipped through the pages, feeling the atmosphere in the house was a bit stifling. He couldn't find a topic of conversation, and he knew that if he misread the situation, things could go downhill quickly.

Soon, Zhang’s father returned from work. He walked into the room slowly, his eyes landing on Zhang Li first. He was surprised, "Xiao Li, you're back?"

"Yes," Zhang Li nodded. "We get a break for the New Year!"

"Oh! And who is this?" he asked, observing Li Yousi. He felt that whoever had brought this guest home, it didn't quite fit with the usual routine of the three women in the house.

Zhang Yu took the initiative to introduce Li Yousi this time. When he heard about his profession, Zhang’s father was slightly stunned. He was the one in the family who knew the most about literature. He had recently read several literary critiques that spoke highly of Li Yousi’s short story. In his estimation, Li Yousi might very well become a top-tier writer in the country in the future.

"Comrade Li, nice to meet you." Recovering his composure, Zhang’s father reached out to shake Li Yousi’s hand. "To be honest, I’m actually a loyal reader of yours. When I saw your story a few days ago, I was just saying how it was that such an excellent young writer had emerged from our Jincheng."

He was referring to how the *Sichuan Daily* had quoted a passage from *Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots* a few days prior. The newspaper had introduced the story in detail, along with the newcomer: "This is a writer from the Jincheng Art Troupe, who describes the unique characteristics of the Sichuan-Chongqing region in his work, promoting..."

Local newspapers often paid attention to major events in the literary scene, and in this era, using Li Yousi’s story for publicity was not unusual.

"I wouldn't call myself a writer," Li Yousi replied with a smile.

"He’s also a colleague of Xiao Li’s; they have a good relationship," Zhang Yu hinted to her father.

"Oh, I see! Thank you for looking after Xiao Li!" the father said.

"I wouldn't say I'm looking after her. We’re all colleagues, and Comrade Zhang Li has been very kind to me as well!"

Soon, Zhang’s mother brought the dishes to the table. Their family was quite well-off, and by 1983, food shortages were not as dire as they had been in previous years; things were generally improving. There were four dishes in total—three vegetable dishes and one stir-fried pork with green peppers. Because Li Yousi was there, she had added a tomato and egg soup.

They sat down to eat. Zhang’s mother became increasingly curious about Li Yousi. Once the family was seated, she asked, "Where is Comrade Li from? Are you still working at the troupe during the New Year break?"

He replied calmly, "My parents passed away during the movements several years ago. Since then, I’ve been working at the Art Troupe. The holidays don't really make much of a difference for me there."

The calmer he was, the more the couple began to infer. His parents had passed away years ago, which meant he must have been only a teenager at the time. To have made it this far on his own was truly admirable. It was no wonder people often said hardship creates a writer—wasn't the man sitting before them proof enough?

Zhang’s mother sighed with pity. "Well, Xiao Li, you should eat more. Look at how thin you are."

She used a ladle to give him a bowl full of eggs from the soup, then asked, "You don't have anywhere to go for the New Year, do you?"

"I’ll be at the troupe."

"Since you and Xiao Li are friends and you don't have any family here in Jincheng, come have New Year's Eve dinner with us! It’s livelier with more people."

Zhang’s mother looked around the table; no one in the family had any objections.

Zhang Li was the most embarrassed, her head bowed so low it was almost in her bowl. The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, as she thought to herself that her whole family had misunderstood the situation.

Li Yousi looked over at Zhang Li, who still didn't dare to meet his gaze. "Then thank you, Auntie."

"If you go to Beiping in the future, you two can look out for each other!" Zhang’s father added.

"Yes, of course," Li Yousi nodded vigorously.

The meal finished quite quickly. Aside from a few words at the start, there was little conversation while they ate, a testament to the family's strict upbringing.

After the meal, Li Yousi immediately helped the women clear the table. He had no ulterior motives! Showing off? Not at all; he had always been this kind of well-behaved young man.

Once the table was cleared, Li Yousi stood up with Zhang Li. "Auntie, we’ll be heading out now. Comrade Zhang Li still needs to report to the troupe. Shall I bring her back after she finishes checking in this evening?"

Zhang Li shrank back, leaning slightly closer to Li Yousi, still feeling quite shy.

Zhang’s mother looked back at the old man, and receiving his nod, she said, "Alright, sorry to trouble you, Comrade Li."

"It’s no trouble at all."

Li Yousi led her out the door, and only then did Zhang Li breathe a sigh of relief. If she had known, she wouldn't have been so stubborn when Li Yousi said he wouldn't come over. Now, she was the one left feeling nervous and exposed.

Zhang Li stood there blankly for a moment.

Li Yousi broke her reverie with a light tap on the back of her head. "Still daydreaming? Let’s get to the troupe first!"

Zhang Li hadn't signed a contract with the director’s team yet, and her official employment records were still held at the Art Troupe, so no matter how one looked at it, she was still a member of the Art Troupe.