Chapter 89: The Tragic Poet

  Han Qin gently placed the wolf hair on the inkstone, smiled lightly: "Sorry, I've made a fool of myself! Please, Principal Jiang, give me more guidance!" Although it was already late autumn, Principal Jiang's forehead was still sweating, his oily face turned red and white, as if he had been slapped in the face!

  Jiang Tianfeng took a long time to calm down, his face red as he said: "Director Han is indeed a young and talented man, I admire him!"

  Han Qin smiled and said, "Principal Jiang is overpraising me, it's just a trivial skill! I've long heard that Principal Jiang is a master of calligraphy and painting, and I'll definitely ask for your guidance when I have the chance!" Han Qin said this, and Jiang Tianfeng seemed to have been slapped in the face again. Other people's skills were just trivial, while his own abilities were not even worth mentioning!

  Jiang Tianfeng pulled out a chair and let Han Qin sit down, forcing a smile: "Director Han, is there something I can help you with?" Han Qin saw that this guy had become much more subdued, his previous arrogance gone, so he didn't bother to hold it against him anymore.

  Han Qin smiled and said, "Principal Jiang, just now two young people from society came to the office and said that Zheng Danyan and a female student had an abnormal relationship. They threatened us to dismiss Zheng Danyan, otherwise they would make us look good. Principal Qian said that all teachers in the school are responsible for hiring by the Teaching Affairs Office, so I'll report it to you! It's said that Zheng Danyan was originally a colleague of yours at the Cultural Center, Principal Jiang should be quite familiar with him, right?"

  Habitually pushing back his long hair with both hands, Principal Jiang said: "This Zheng Danyan is very talented, a member of the Chinese Writers Association, and a famous poet. However, he has a rather strange personality, never married, and is very mysterious! I originally worked with him at the Municipal Cultural Center, but we only exchanged nods, without any real interaction!"

  Han Qin smiled lightly, "Isn't it true that all artists have their own unique characteristics and like to act independently? Now another eccentric poet has appeared! Han Qin said seriously: "Principal Jiang, since they've come to our doorstep, we must take them seriously. The emotions of the elderly are a very sensitive issue, if something goes wrong, our school will definitely be affected. Why don't Principal Jiang represent the school and have a talk with this poet first?"

  Jiang principal waved his hand repeatedly and said, "No, no. Director Han, I'm not good at talking, work-related things can barely cope, but private life is definitely not on the same level as Zheng Danyan. I think... it's better for you to go talk to him, we fully support your work, fully support!"

  Han Qin shook his head and smiled wryly. This office director was just a figurehead, managing the private lives of old men and women! He checked the course schedule and found that Zheng Danyan had a class this afternoon. Han Qin called Zheng Shiran in advance and asked him to chat after class. Zheng Danyan hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

  The conversation took place at the Pinming Tea House next to the school. Han Qin arrived ten minutes early, ordered a pot of Longjing tea, and sat there sipping it while thinking about how to bring up the topic with the poet.

  To be honest, Han Qin is not a fan of modern poetry. The feeling is that it's a bit sour! When it comes to poetry, the first recommendation is Tang poetry and Song lyrics, which are the essence of language. As for modern poetry, it can only be said that it's unappreciable, and I don't dare to flatter. Since the emergence of "Pear Blossom Style" and "Lamb Body", poets have become a title with very rich meaning. I wonder if this conversation with poets can take place in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere!

  After drinking half a pot of tea, the poet arrived. A dozen photographs later, Han Qin felt that Zheng Danyan looked somewhat familiar, but couldn't recall where he had seen him before. This poet didn't have any distinctive features in his appearance, no long hair or beard, just wearing casual clothes, a bit sloppy.

  Han Qin smiled, poets and painters are two different art categories, naturally they cannot be the same in terms of standards. Those who like to keep long hair are mostly painters, those who do not care about format are likely poets!

  When he saw Zheng Danni coming over, Han Qin stood up and smiled: "Teacher Zheng, hello. I'm Han Qin from the school office. I'd like to chat with you for a bit, sorry to take up your time."

  Zheng Danyan was not as strange as Jiang Tianfeng said, but rather easy-going. He shook hands with Han Qin and smiled: "You're the new office director, aren't you? Indeed young and promising!"

  Han Qin smiled and said, "Teacher Zheng is overpraising me." Zheng Danyan waved his hand and said, "We are the heroes of Dongfang City who dare to do what is right! After your story was reported in the newspaper, I even wrote a long poem about it, which was published in the Dongfang Evening News. What everyone lacks is this kind of blood nature. If everyone could be like this, where would there still be soil for bad people to survive? Who would dare bully us?"

  The age on Zheng Danyan's file is fifty-nine, but he looks a bit older. The poet gets excited and has the heroic spirit of pointing to the mountains and rivers! I remembered that Jiang Tianfeng said Zheng Danyan was not married yet, at this age, he had an evening sun romance, there must be stories on this person's body!

  With this opening, the two of them didn't seem so awkward anymore, and they chatted about everything under the sun. Han Qin fiddled with his teacup, thinking about how to steer the conversation back on track - after all, that was the real purpose of today's meeting!

  Han Qin just drank tea without speaking, Zheng Danyan calmly said: "Director Han, the two of us sitting together today won't be just drinking tea. Are you thinking about what's going on between me and Fan Wenjun?"

  This poet is quite straightforward, saving the detours and euphemisms! Han Qin said sincerely: "Teacher Zheng, I'm really sorry. You're older than my father, you should be my elder. By reason, I shouldn't pry into your personal life. But sitting in this position, I have no choice..."

  Zheng Danyan looked at Han Qin, the young man's face was full of sincerity, without a hint of jest! Zheng Danyan sighed and said sorrowfully: "Director Han, I understand what you mean. In many people's eyes, my affair is just a scandal, unseemly! I won't drag the school down with me either, I've already written my resignation letter. From now on, no matter what happens to me, it has nothing to do with the school!"

  At this point, Zheng Danyan let out a long sigh again, as if he had suddenly aged a lot. Han Qin felt heartbroken just looking at him! A big man like him wouldn't have such an expression without having gone through some deeply emotional experiences!

  "Teacher Zheng, I can understand your feelings. The school didn't mean to interfere either. It's just that Fan Wenjun's family found the office through an unconventional way. I came over to represent the school and get a sense of the situation so nothing unexpected happens. Teacher Zheng, is there anything we can help you with?"

  Zheng Danyan's expression turned solemn as he said, "Thank you, Director Han. I'm not afraid of being laughed at, but Wenjun and I can be considered childhood sweethearts who were separated by fate. We lost contact for decades and never thought we'd meet again in our old age! Although Wenjun is also single now, at this age, what else can she hope for? It's just nostalgia for the passionate past and seeking some comfort for her soul. I didn't expect that even this would be seen as a threat by Wenjun's children! This, I can understand, people all want to save face."

  He paused, and Zheng Danyan's eyes were already shining with tears as he said emotionally: "Today is my 60th birthday, and Wenjun said she would celebrate it well for me. For this day, I was so excited that I didn't sleep well for several nights. However, this wish will be shattered. Wenjun didn't come to class today, and her phone can't be reached either. The kids must have put her under house arrest! Even if I could just talk to her and hear a word of blessing from her, I would be satisfied!"

  Seeing Zheng Da Nian's dejected and painful expression, Han Qin's heart skipped a beat. She asked softly, "Teacher Zheng, do you know where Teacher Fan Wen Jun lives?" Zheng Da Nian nodded, "I do know the address. My children are afraid I'll go look for her, so they definitely won't let her live there!"

  Han Qin comforted him: "Teacher Zheng, I have a friend in the police station. I'll ask him to help look for Fan teacher's address. Can you give her a call?"

  Zheng Danyan was surprised and said, "Really can investigate?" Han Qin smiled and said, "I'll try it out, should be able to do it!" Han Qin pretended to dial the phone while recording. Han Qin quietly activated the auxiliary system, and the super hacker quickly invaded the public security police network, real estate system, and telecommunications information library, conducting a linked tracking. Soon, Han Qin had found out Fan Wenjun's daughter's residential address and phone number. After thinking for a moment, Han Qin judged that at this time, Fan Wenjun was more likely to be at her daughter's home, so she dialed a number.

  The person who answered the phone was a young woman, cautiously asking, "May I ask who is this?" Han Qin smiled and said, "I am Han Qin, Director of the Elderly University Office. We have something to discuss with Ms. Fan Wenjun. Are you her daughter? Would you please ask Teacher Fan to answer the phone?"

  Fan Wenjun was indeed at her daughter's home. As soon as her daughter heard the voice wasn't the old man, she whispered: "Mom, it's your phone!"

  Han Qin handed the phone to Zheng Danyan, smiling: "Teacher Zheng, Teacher Fan's call has gone through, you can talk to her now!" Zheng Danyan listened, his eyes shining brightly, excited like a child, and took the phone with trembling hands!

  Han Qin finished drinking half a pot of tea before Zheng Danyan's phone call was over! At this moment, Zheng Danyan seemed to have changed into another person, the depressed air from just now was swept away, and in an instant he seemed to have become ten years younger!

  Zheng Danyan grasped Han Qin's hand, excitedly saying: "Director Han, thank you, thank you! Come on, follow me home to drink wine! Today is my birthday, and you are my best friend, the most honored guest!"

  Han Qin repeatedly refused, Zheng Danyan begged: "Director Han, I'm a bachelor and don't have many friends. Every year on my birthday, it's always my younger brother Xiaonian who accompanies me to drink, he has something this year and may not be able to come back, accompany me for a cup!"

  Seeing Zheng Da Nian's sincerity, Han Qin couldn't bear to refuse him and also wanted to hear the poet's love story, so he agreed.

  The taxi drove for more than half an hour before arriving at Zheng Dayan's residence, which turned out to be a very quiet and secluded villa! As soon as he entered the living room, Han Qin noticed a group photo, and only then did he remember why Zheng Dayan looked so familiar.

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