mijobooks Chapter 22 Chen Mo, why don't you try writing a novel?
Chapter 22 Chen Mo, why don't you try writing a novel?
In the morning, Chen Mo woke up and habitually glanced at the system interface first.
[Congratulations, host, on completing the "Brave Reading" task]
[Task completion progress: 7/7]
[Rewards: Appearance +1, Literary Cultivation +3, Courage +200]
[New mission progress update:]
[A Brave Run: 3/10]
[Courageous Lifestyle Enthusiasts: 40%]
[Current attribute update:]
Appearance: 77 (Good)
[Literary literacy: 78 (Good)]
[Health: 61 (Average)]
System Level LV1: 3600/10000
A warm current flowed through his body, and Chen Mo could clearly feel that his mind was clearer.
Especially regarding my understanding and insights into literature, it's as if my Ren and Du meridians have been opened up.
Those once vague concepts have now become clear and well-defined.
He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. While washing up, he took a few extra glances at his reflection in the mirror.
Her facial features are more defined, her eyes are more expressive, and she exudes a scholarly air from the inside out.
"Literary cultivation enhances one's temperament."
Chen Mo muttered to himself.
After getting ready, he changed into his sportswear and went out for a morning run.
The five-kilometer run is now much easier for him; he only sweats slightly and breathes evenly after finishing.
[A Brave Run: 4/10]
The system notification sounded promptly.
Back home, Chen Mo made a simple breakfast: fried eggs, toast, and milk.
He ate while opening his phone and scrolling through the project team's group messages.
This morning, he needs to advance the interface integration work, and this afternoon he needs to go to the property management company for an on-site inspection to obtain first-hand data.
After breakfast, Chen Mo changed into a new shirt and casual pants and headed to the company.
The project meeting this morning went smoothly.
Chen Mo brought up the camera API solution that he had discussed with Lin Wei the day before at the meeting.
Both Engineer Zhang and Engineer Liu felt that this plan was more reliable.
"Team Leader Chen has considered everything carefully."
Engineer Zhang nodded in strong agreement, saying, "Although it will take two more days to implement, it's worth it to avoid major problems later on."
"Then let's proceed with this plan."
Chen Mo made a note in the meeting minutes, then looked at Lin Wei.
"Lin Wei, please put more effort into the test cases, get involved early, and communicate promptly if any problems are found."
"Okay," Lin Wei replied, quickly jotting down notes in her notebook.
The meeting proceeded until 11:00 AM, and all tasks were completed.
Chen Mo adjourned the meeting, and everyone returned to their workstations to begin their work.
……
At 2 p.m., Chen Mo packed his things and prepared to leave.
"Team Leader Chen, are you going to the property management company?" Lin Wei asked him when she met him.
"Okay, let's connect the data."
Chen Mo checked the documents in his briefcase and said, "It will probably take two or three hours. Contact me via WeChat if anything comes up."
Lin Wei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you need me to come with you?"
"No need, I can manage on my own. I just need to ask for some data."
"Okay, then."
Lin Wei was surprised to be rejected and smiled, saying, "Be careful on the road."
After leaving the company building, Chen Mo hailed a taxi and headed to the property management company he was to meet with that day.
It was a high-end residential complex called "Yunjin Tianfu," located in a new urban area with a beautiful surrounding environment, high green coverage, and complete supporting facilities.
The taxi stopped at the entrance of the residential area, and Chen Mo got out and looked up.
The grand entrance and modern architectural style immediately suggest that it's expensive.
"No wonder the company chose this place for the pilot program."
With these thoughts in mind, Chen Mo went to the gatehouse to register.
After verifying the appointment information, the security guard opened the access control for him and pointed out the direction of the property office.
As Chen Mo entered the residential area, he was amazed by the environment.
In the center is a large artificial lake with clear water, surrounded by various green plants.
The winding path cuts through the lawn and connects the buildings.
Each building features a glass curtain wall design that sparkles in the sunlight.
"How much does one square meter of this place cost...?"
Chen Mo sighed as he walked.
Based on his current income, he would probably have to save every penny for twenty years to buy a small apartment here.
However, he quickly put those thoughts aside, found the property management office, and knocked on the door.
"Please come in."
Pushing open the door, I saw a middle-aged man sitting inside, who was none other than Manager Wang, the property manager I was to meet with today.
"Hello Manager Wang, I'm Chen Mo from Xingyao Technology, here to connect with the smart community system for data."
Chen Mo handed over his business card and said politely.
"Hello, Mr. Chen, please have a seat."
Manager Wang seemed very kind. He poured Chen Mo a glass of water, and the two began to get down to business.
The docking process went more smoothly than expected.
Manager Wang was clearly very interested in the smart community system, and he gave a detailed introduction to the various needs of the community, as well as providing a lot of valuable data.
The two talked for more than an hour, and Chen Mo's notebook was already full of key points.
That's about it.
Manager Wang concluded by saying, "We are very much looking forward to your new system and hope it will truly enhance the living experience for our residents."
"We will definitely do our best."
Chen Mo closed his laptop, stood up, shook hands with Manager Wang, and said, "Thank you for your support, Manager Wang. Please feel free to contact me if you have any new needs."
"Okay, I'll take you."
Manager Wang escorted Chen Mo to the office door, and the two said goodbye.
Chen Mo walked back to the entrance of the residential area along the same route he had come from, organizing the key points of the conversation as he went.
He slowed down when he reached the vicinity of the artificial lake.
On an autumn afternoon, the sun was warm, the lake shimmered, and several white geese swam leisurely.
Such an environment truly makes one feel comfortable.
Chen Mo found a bench to sit down, took out his phone, and wanted to organize the notes he had just taken into an electronic format.
I had just typed a few words when a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind me.
"Chen Mo?"
Chen Mo turned his head and froze.
Standing behind him was none other than his blind date, Su Xiao.
She was wearing a beige knitted cardigan with dark jeans, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and carrying a canvas bag, looking like she had just come back from outside.
"Su Xiao?"
Chen Mo was also somewhat surprised and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I live here."
Su Xiao walked up to him, a delighted smile on her face, and said, "But what brings you to our neighborhood?"
"Um, I'm here to coordinate the work."
Chen Mo pointed in the direction of the property management office and explained, "Our company is developing a smart community system, and this is one of the pilot projects."
"What a coincidence?"
Su Xiao's eyes lit up, and she naturally sat down on the bench next to him.
"I thought you looked like me from a distance, and when I got closer, it really was you."
"That's quite a coincidence."
Chen Mo was also surprised.
With a population of several million, the probability of running into someone you know in a place like this is extremely low.
"Have you finished your work?" Su Xiao asked.
"Yes, I just finished talking with the property manager and am about to head back."
"Then what's the rush?"
Su Xiao glanced at the time; it was past four in the afternoon. She smiled and said, "Since we've already run into each other, how about we find a place to sit down?"
I know a nice coffee shop near the entrance of my neighborhood.
"Okay."
Chen Mo thought about it and realized that he had indeed finished his work for the day and did not need to go back to the company to clock in.
The two got up and walked towards the entrance of the residential area.
On the way, Su Xiao briefly introduced her situation regarding where she was staying.
"I bought a small apartment, about 80 square meters, which is just right for one person."
The main reason I chose this place is because of the quiet environment, which is perfect for writing.
"It really suits you."
Chen Mo nodded and said, "When I came in just now, I was thinking that this kind of environment must be very comfortable to live in."
"It's just expensive."
Su Xiao smiled and said, "The monthly mortgage payment is quite a burden, but it's worth it for a quiet writing environment."
After leaving the residential area, the two arrived at the coffee shop that Su Xiao had mentioned.
The shop is small, but it is decorated in a stylish way, with wooden tables and chairs, warm yellow lighting, and bookshelves filled with all kinds of books.
"The owner of this shop is an artsy young man who often holds book clubs."
As Su Xiao pushed open the door, she explained, "Sometimes when I get tired of writing, I come here to sit and change the environment to find inspiration."
The two found a seat by the window and sat down.
The waiter came over, Su Xiao ordered a latte, and Chen Mo ordered an Americano.
For those who have been working like cattle for a long time, only American food is tough enough and refreshing enough.
While waiting for her coffee, Su Xiao suddenly remembered something and took out her phone.
"Oh right, since we've already run into each other, why don't we take a picture and send it to my mom?"
She winked playfully and said, "That proves we are indeed 'seriously in contact'."
Chen Mo understood and smiled, "Okay, I'll cooperate with you to complete the task. Send me one too when the time comes."
Su Xiao raised her phone, and the two leaned closer, giving the camera a natural smile.
Several photos were taken with a few "clicks".
Su Xiao selected the one she liked best, sent it, and then put down her phone.
"Now my mom can finally have some peace and quiet."
"Same to you."
Chen Mo picked up his coffee and took a sip.
The two chatted for a while, and the topic naturally turned to literature.
"Have you finished reading 'Ordinary World'?" Su Xiao asked.
"I've finished watching it. I just finished watching the third one last night."
Su Xiao said, "I've read it several times, especially the part about Tian Xiaoxia's death. No matter how many times I read it, I still feel sad."
"Hahaha."
Chen Mo smiled and said, "Lu Yao's writing is too realistic, so realistic it's cruel."
Tian Xiaoxia was such a wonderful girl, and she left us so suddenly.
There was no grand farewell, just like many unexpected events in life, catching everyone off guard.
He paused, then continued, "But now I feel that Lu Yao's plot arrangement has a deeper meaning."
The reason why "Ordinary World" can touch so many people is because of its authenticity.
Life won't be kind to you just because you're the protagonist; hardship and unexpected events are something everyone may encounter.
Sun Shao-ping lost Tian Xiao-xia, but he did not collapse. Instead, he continued to live with the memory of her, continued to work in the coal mine, continued to study, and continued to grow.
This is how ordinary people face hardship.
It's not about being defeated, but about learning to be strong through pain.
Su Xiao listened quietly to Chen Mo's insights, her eyes shining.
"Your angle is very interesting."
She said, "I used to look at this part more from the perspective of a tragic love story, and I felt that Lu Yao was too cruel to break up such a beautiful couple."
But now that you mention it, I suddenly understand. Tian Xiaoxia's death wasn't just a simple tragedy, but a lesson Sun Shao-ping had to learn on his path to adulthood.
"right."
Chen Mo nodded and said, "If Tian Xiaoxia hadn't died, and she and Sun Shao-ping had actually gotten together, it would have weakened the work's impact."
Because such an ending is too idealistic and doesn't align with the spirit conveyed by the title "Ordinary World."
"An Ordinary World..."
Su Xiao murmured these words repeatedly, then suddenly asked, "Do you think that Sun Shao-ping's decision to work in the coal mine was a compromise?"
Or perhaps, life eventually wore down his rough edges?
I don't think so.
Chen Mo thought for a few seconds and said, "Sun Shao-ping going to the coal mine is not a compromise, but a choice."
He reads, thinks, and pursues a richer spiritual world, but he also knows clearly that he is an ordinary person who needs a job to support himself.
Working in the coal mine is hard and dangerous, but it's how he earns his dignity through his own labor.
Moreover, he didn't stop reading or thinking even while he was in the coal mine.
You see in the book, after get off work he would read by the light of a kerosene lamp in the workers' shed, discuss national affairs with his coworkers, and help those in need...
How can you say that life has worn down the edges of such a person?
He simply learned to plant the seeds of his ideals in the real world.
"..."
Su Xiao fell silent.
But as she looked at Chen Mo, her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"Chen Mo, are you really just a programmer?"
Su Xiao smiled and said, "You have a natural sensitivity to characters, plots, and themes."
This is a skill that many writers may not be able to acquire even after years of practice.
Chen Mo felt a little embarrassed by her question and changed the subject, asking, "What have you been writing lately? A new book?"
"Yes, I'm preparing a new story."
When the topic turned to writing, Su Xiao's expression became complicated: "But I'm experiencing writer's block, a really bad one."
"Where is it stuck?" Chen Mo asked curiously.
"The female lead's character design."
Su Xiao sighed: "I wanted to write about an independent, strong, and career-minded modern woman, but as I wrote, I felt that she was too thin."
It seems that apart from being highly capable at work, this person has no other charm.
Readers might find her excellent, but they won't like her or feel sorry for her.
She took a sip of coffee and continued, "I tried adding a romantic storyline, a family background, and childhood trauma to her, but it always felt deliberate and unnatural."
I've been stuck for a week now, and every time I open the document, I don't know how to start writing.
After listening, Chen Mo thought for a moment and asked, "What profession did you set for her?"
Creative Director at GG Company.
"What specific difficulties does she encounter at work? Not the kind of general difficulties like 'the project is difficult,' but specific, detailed difficulties."
Su Xiao paused for a moment, then began to think.
"For example... her creative ideas were unreasonably rejected by the client?"
Or are the subordinates in the team not cooperating?
Or perhaps, working overtime continuously for a project leads to health problems?
"As a working person, or a corporate slave, I think these are all good entry points."
Chen Mo said, "But I think you could write about these difficulties in more depth."
For example, her idea was rejected not because she did a bad job, but because the client was an ignorant layman who used his power to intimidate her.
She argued her case forcefully, but ultimately had to compromise because the company needed this client.
After get off work, she sat alone in her office, watching her painstakingly crafted plan being completely altered, feeling a deep sense of frustration and helplessness…
He paused, looking at Su Xiao's increasingly bright eyes, and continued, "For example, the reason why her subordinates in the team are uncooperative is not because they are lazy, but because they think she is too young and inexperienced, and they do not respect her."
So she faced the question of how to earn their respect. Should she use power to intimidate them, or something else?
In fact, the plot and difficulties that Chen Mo mentioned are somewhat similar to his current work situation.
He was using himself as a template when suggesting suitable storylines to the other party.
Although he didn't know how to write novels, he thought that a good novel should make the reader feel immersed in it.
That's at least how he feels when he reads novels.
He can't get into novels that don't immerse him in the story.
"What you said is indeed feasible." Listening to Chen Mo's suggestions, Su Xiao suddenly had a lot of inspiration and ideas in her mind.
Because she had never worked a regular job, she ultimately didn't have as much experience with workplace matters as Chen Mo.
"Yeah?"
Chen Mo said somewhat embarrassedly, "These are just some ideas I've given you based on my own work experience. I hope they can be of some help."
"Of course it can help me."
Su Xiao said happily, "I have a lot of ideas in my head right now, and I wish I could go back and write them right away."
Thank you so much! I think I've had enough to write for the past month.
Chen Mo: "You're welcome."
"I think you have a real talent for writing."
Su Xiao suddenly asked tentatively, "Chen Mo, would you like to try writing a novel?"
……
P.S.: This chapter is a two-in-one, 4600 words long. Happy May Day everyone! (To the readers of this old book, please leave your comments, thank you!)