Chapter 29: What If I Become a Great Writer?
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Liu Siyao stood to one side, idly twirling a fountain pen in her hand.
With a hint of amusement in her eyes, she watched Liu Jingjing and Lin Junsheng enthusiastically discussing the film *Romance on Lushan Mountain*.
“You two seem to have plenty to talk about.”
Liu Siyao smiled lightly, her tone teasing.
Liu Jingjing’s cheeks flushed faintly. She gently brushed the hair from her forehead and said, somewhat bashfully, “Not really. It’s just that the film is nearly two years old now. When it first came out, it was genuinely captivating. Zhang Yu’s character was so beautiful—the combination of innocence and quiet resilience was unforgettable.”
Lin Junsheng nodded as well, a glimmer of reminiscence in his eyes. “Yes. It wasn’t merely Zhang Yu’s beauty. The film’s deeper meaning was remarkable too. It was more than a love story; it also reflected the changes of the times and the radiance of human nature. Especially the love that endured so many obstacles—it made you feel the power of something truly sincere.”
At that moment, Liu Siyao, still playing with the fountain pen, glanced at the sheet of writing paper on the desk and frowned slightly, her curiosity stirred.
“Jingjing, what are you writing?”
There was a trace of concern in her voice.
Liu Jingjing immediately lunged forward and snatched up the paper, a blush spreading across her face.
“Nothing, nothing. Just some random notes.”
A hint of unease colored her voice, as though she were concealing something.
In those days, educated people often had such a habit: they kept a sheet of writing paper close at hand, ready to record their thoughts and feelings at any moment.
Perhaps Liu Jingjing’s notes were an expression of something deep within her heart. Yet in her eyes, they were a secret she was unwilling to reveal lightly.
Liu Siyao was familiar with this. At that stage of life, many people longed to preserve the small details of their lives in writing, and some even dreamed of becoming writers in one sense or another.
“What did you write about? You won’t even let me read your notes?” Liu Siyao pressed.
Liu Jingjing’s face grew even redder. She lowered her head, seemingly considering how best to answer.
“I… I’m embarrassed to show it.”
Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, as though she felt ashamed of what she had written.
Lin Junsheng sat quietly to one side. He had some idea of what Liu Jingjing was working on.
He vaguely guessed that she might have been preparing a submission for the writing competition organized by *Shanghai Literature*.
The thought brought a sigh from him.
Lin Junsheng remembered his previous life. He had once done odd jobs on a film set, and when he first began writing screenplays, he had felt the same way—afraid that people would discover he was creating something, terrified that they might see his work.
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After all, if someone who merely did odd jobs on a film set were discovered writing a screenplay, he would certainly be mocked.
It came from the inferiority one felt before making anything of oneself.
Liu Jingjing was embarrassed for much the same reason.
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I’m hardly a stranger,” Liu Siyao encouraged her, trying to dispel her misgivings.
Liu Jingjing looked up at her, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
Then she turned to Lin Junsheng.
Liu Siyao also shifted her gaze toward him.
The atmosphere among the three of them seemed to grow subtle and tense in that instant, while Liu Jingjing’s feelings became even more complicated beneath the attention of her friends.
“Haha, actually, there is a stranger here,” Liu Siyao teased, attempting to ease the tension.
After a brief silence, Liu Jingjing still could not bring herself to ask Lin Junsheng to leave. Her heart churned with conflicting emotions—anticipation mingled with unease.
Sitting nearby, Liu Siyao watched her intently, plainly fascinated by the secret Liu Jingjing was guarding.
“If I tell you, you mustn’t laugh at me, and you can’t tell anyone else, all right?” Liu Jingjing said weakly, her voice edged with nervousness.
“Of course not. Don’t worry. Little Sheng, right?” Liu Siyao replied at once, turning to Lin Junsheng and waiting for his promise.
Lin Junsheng nodded with a smile, making it clear that he would not tell anyone. His attitude allowed Liu Jingjing to relax a little.
Seeing how mysterious Liu Jingjing was being, Liu Siyao grew even more interested, as though she were about to lift a veil from some hidden secret.
Liu Jingjing’s cheeks flushed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she finally gathered her courage and said in a low voice, “I saw a writing competition in *Shanghai Literature*. Dr. Lin knows about it too—we were at the bookstore that day. I want to write a novel and submit it to them.”
Liu Siyao placed the fountain pen on the desk, walked over to Liu Jingjing, took her hand, and pleaded, “Let me see the story you’ve written.”
Liu Jingjing shook her head and lowered her gaze, seemingly embarrassed by her work.
“It’s not very good.”
“I just want to see what kind of story you wrote,” Liu Siyao continued gently. “Everyone’s creation is unique. There’s no need to be afraid of other people’s judgment.”
Warmth rose in Liu Jingjing’s heart. Her friend’s understanding and support brought her a measure of comfort.
She drew a deep breath, finally found her courage, and slowly said, “I wrote a novella about a female textile-mill worker who falls in love with an engineer at the factory. It’s just a small love story.”
Lin Junsheng and Liu Siyao listened attentively, as though the story had already begun taking shape in their minds.
“That sounds very interesting!” Lin Junsheng said approvingly. “Everyone has a story of their own. Being able to convey it through words is something precious.”
“Exactly. Perhaps you should be a little bolder and stop being afraid of letting people see it. What if you become a great writer someday?” Liu Siyao said with a smile.
Liu Jingjing felt her courage grow. Encouraged by her friends, she decided to share her story with them.
And so she began explaining her idea in detail.
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“The heroine is named Lin Xiaomei, an ordinary female worker at a textile factory.
Every day, she busies herself amid the roar of the machinery. Her life is simple, yet filled with hope for the future.
One day, she meets a newly arrived engineer at the factory named Li Ming.
Not only is he handsome, but he is also conscientious and devoted to his work, often staying late into the night.
The first time Lin Xiaomei sees Li Ming, her heart gives an involuntary jolt.
She has never imagined that she could feel this way about a man.
Li Ming is always so focused on his work. Whenever he occasionally looks up and their eyes meet, Lin Xiaomei’s heart begins to race.
She starts paying attention to everything about him, even secretly watching him during her lunch break.
As time passes, Lin Xiaomei and Li Ming gradually grow familiar with each other.
Li Ming is always considerate toward her, asking about her work and occasionally offering her advice.
Lin Xiaomei’s heart fills with sweetness, and she begins imagining a future with Li Ming.
Yet things are not so simple.
Li Ming comes from a scholarly family. His family is eventually cleared of the injustices once inflicted upon them, and his parents hope he will find a girl from a family of equal standing. Lin Xiaomei, by contrast, is merely an ordinary worker.
She knows only too well how great the gulf between them is, and her heart is filled with unease and insecurity.
During a date at the cinema, Lin Xiaomei finally summons the courage to confess her feelings to Li Ming.
Li Ming is stunned, but then a warm smile spreads across his face.
He tells Lin Xiaomei that although they come from different backgrounds, he has always admired her dedication. He reminds her that the working class leads everything, and that there is no difference in status between the two of them.
Yet the story does not end there.
When Lin Xiaomei’s parents learn of her relationship with Li Ming, they strongly oppose it. They believe she should not become involved with the son of a wealthy family, fearing that trouble might arise again in the future and that such people might once more be brought down. Beneath their objections lies also a mutual sense of contempt.
Confronted by the pressure from her family, Lin Xiaomei falls into deep conflict. She does not know what choice to make.”
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