The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 968 - 937: Talented, Development

After listening, He Tiantian decided to share her suggestions. Whether Yuan Hua accepted them was her own affair—after all, Yuan Hua was the author of the book, not her.

"Yuan Hua, the era you’re writing about is around the year ’77. You didn’t live through it, so you don’t know that for us, the educated youth, whether we passed the exams or not, it was a year filled with hope," He Tiantian said, "Back then, everyone worked during the day and studied at night, full of fighting spirit. I know that many people didn’t pass the exams, but you can’t deny that society was progressing. After the economic reforms of ’78, it wasn’t just the economy that changed, people’s thinking did too. Some daring and enterprising people were already ahead in wealth. You could say the temporal setting of your story is positive. The characters you write are meant to criticize the time’s impact on human nature. Your intention is good, but I feel that your portrayal of characters doesn’t inspire positivity. Instead, it conveys that people are powerless in the face of their era, and even after struggling, they end up failing. A good person can only end up committing suicide with their child. Don’t you think this is too defeatist?"

Yuan Hua was startled and pondered Teacher He’s words carefully.

There are certainly some disappointments in life, but there’s also goodness, kindness, and beauty!

Her novel and the historical background did seem somewhat mismatched.

She had been intent on criticism but overlooked hope.

"Teacher He, you’re right. My novel doesn’t quite match the era it’s set in," Yuan Hua said, "So how should I change my novel?"

He Tiantian had thought about it a lot; she hoped many people could become stronger, not remain weak and resistant to change.

"Actually, you want to critique that era through a female character, but at the same time, it’s an era full of hope. The male character, Chen Shimei, abandoning his wife, has already served your critical purpose. However, depicting the female lead through tragedy to deepen the criticism doesn’t truly fulfill the intended effect. So my suggestion is to make the female lead strong and independent. It’s not important that she didn’t get into college; she could start a small business. Her daughter is still young, and though life is tough, their mutual dependence would display the mother’s greatness even more. Then through effort, the main character gets her own shop and business, and even finds love again. Her life becomes prosperous, but when that man wants to return, she refuses. Wouldn’t this more clearly reflect that, regardless of circumstances, as long as a person is brave, the outcome might be better? Such a story would be much more intriguing than the stereotypical tale of Chen Shimei and Qin Xianglian, wouldn’t it?" These were He Tiantian’s thoughts.

Yuan Hua was startled and considered He Tiantian’s words closely.

After a while, excitement shone in Yuan Hua’s eyes as she said, "Teacher He, I understand what you mean. Doing better than the other serves a more critical intent than committing suicide, and it can also guide women to be proactive, not submissive."

"Exactly!" He Tiantian said with a smile, "Writing a novel isn’t just about leaving a deep impression, but it must have its own significance."

"Yes, that’s true," Yuan Hua agreed with a smile, "I am a modern woman, I should write more uplifting novels. Perhaps my mood recently has influenced my writing."

"If you’re not in good spirits, don’t write," He Tiantian said with a smile. "By the way, your year-end holiday is coming up soon, right? When are you going home?"

"Our association doesn’t have much to do at the end of the year, so I can go home on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month. I’ll come back to work on the tenth day of the new year. If possible, I’d like to bring my father over," Yuan Hua said with a smile. "I’ve been regularly cleaning the house I bought, and with some new furniture, it will be ready to move into."

"That’s great, your father is alone at home, and you’re also worried while you’re away," He Tiantian said with a smile. "By the way, your home and Xiao Yan’s are not far apart. Her in-laws are elderly, so your dad could visit them to chat when he has nothing to do."

"Yes, Uncle Niu and Aunt Niu are good people," Yuan Hua said with a smile. "My father is retired now, and he doesn’t like staying at home. I’ve also noticed a small park nearby where people play chess. My dad doesn’t smoke or drink, but he loves to play chess, so he’ll certainly like it there."

"Hehe, that’s even better," He Tiantian said with a laugh. "While the old man is still in good health, spend quality time with your family."

"Yes, Teacher He," Yuan Hua said with a smile.

After having a meal there, Yuan Hua hurried home to revise her manuscript.

Before going on her holiday back home, Yuan Hua made another trip and left her manuscript with He Tiantian.

When He Tiantian saw it, indeed, it was refreshingly new: a strong woman, a great mother, leaped off the page. The plot was well-structured and the writing fluent.

But since Yuan Hua had gone home, she would have to wait until after the new year to praise her.

What a talented woman. He Tiantian had some ideas, but she couldn’t write them herself.

She thought again of Tang Ping’an, who, like Yuan Hua, was talented and developing in Xiangjiang.

But Tang Ping’an didn’t love Yuan Hua. She was a proud woman who didn’t want to lose herself for love, so she came to Yanjing.

One in the south, the other in the north—crossing half of Huaxia Country.

Even if He Tiantian felt it was a pity, she knew that some people are destined to be friends but not lovers.

Some time ago, He Tiantian received a letter from Xie Wanying in Xiangjiang.

The letter mentioned that Tang Ping’an was more suited for development in Xiangjiang and that his academic performance was outstanding. She had introduced him to a professor of Chinese at Xiangjiang University, who praised him, boding well for his future.

Xie Wanying’s publishing house was now fully supporting Tang Ping’an’s development.

He Tiantian was happy for Tang Ping’an and also hoped he would achieve greater success in Xiangjiang.

He Tiantian replied to Xie Wanying, instructing her to guide and advise Tang Ping’an like a senior, since he was still young and should not lose himself amidst the flashy world outside.

Previously, He Tiantian wrote to Tang Ping’an, but he did not reply.

Xie Wanying was more than a decade older than Tang Ping’an and could surely offer him some help.

As the year-end approached, He Tiantian received letters from students she had previously taught, telling her about their internships and expressing gratitude and new year wishes.

Especially as the twelfth lunar month progressed, He Tiantian received letters from her students every day.

This made Huo Yingjie envious.

Having been a class tutor for just one year, how did she suddenly give off the impression of being a beloved teacher with students spread far and wide? freeweɓnovel.cѳm

This made He Tiantian very proud!

When He Tiantian wrote back to her students, she felt especially delighted.

Huo Yingjie helped He Tiantian analyze that it was because she had few interactions at home or with friends, so she was eager to communicate with others.

After thinking it over, He Tiantian found this to be true and decided to maintain these relationships well.