Prologue (Part 2), Ancient Gourd Temple, Unintentional Pleasure
Cheng Tianle is not his scientific name. The name written on his ID card is Cheng Yule. However, apart from applying for various certificates, this scientific name is almost never used, and even he himself has forgotten it. Whenever others ask him what his name is,
Whenever anything happened, he would reply with a smile: "My name is Cheng Tianle."
There is quite a story to tell about Cheng Tianle's name. According to his father, he was given the name "Cheng Yule" by a "master" with great status, knowledge and proficiency in metaphysics shortly after he was born.
It comes from a saying of a sage - "Inspired by poetry, established in etiquette, and accomplished in music." Later, Cheng Tianle turned over the "Analects" and found that Confucius really said this sentence. It seems that his father also said it.
Not completely empty.
Before going to school, children usually use nicknames at home or in kindergarten. His nickname is Lele, which is pronounced "happy Le" and is different from the pronunciation of his first name. On the first day of his first grade in elementary school, the head teacher called his name.
, I don’t know whether it was because I was dazzled or too casual, but I shouted "Cheng Tianle!"
The teacher named the three characters incorrectly. The word "yu" was read as "天", and the word "乐" in music was read as "乐" in joy. This name was so funny that the whole class laughed.
, even the head teacher himself laughed. Children often have nicknames in school, so "Cheng Tianle" undoubtedly became the nickname of Cheng Yule's classmate, and almost no one calls him by his school name anymore.
Other people's nicknames are just nicknames, but Yu Le's nickname became his name. Coupled with his giggling expression all day long, he definitely lives up to his name. The teacher's mistake in calling the name has been a problem since elementary school.
This happened more than once in college. There were even a few times when classmate Cheng Yule got confused and wrote his name as "Cheng Tianle" on the exam paper, but the teacher didn't even notice!
However, Cheng Yule was not completely confused. At least he did not write his name wrong during the college entrance examination. Although his college entrance examination scores were very poor, the name on the test paper was consistent with his ID card and admission ticket. Other than that, his name on the examination paper was consistent with his ID card and admission ticket.
, his usual name is Cheng Tianle. This is not a pen name, a pseudonym or a simple nickname, but something he has become accustomed to over time. There is an example that is not an exaggeration. His buddy who once lived with him for two years did not know him at all.
Its scientific name is not Chengtianle.
Cheng Tianle took the college entrance examination in Dalian, Liaoning, and scored just over 300 points. His results were quite miserable. But his "study experience" should not be underestimated. Before Cheng Tianle took the college entrance examination, he had a year of tutoring;
Before taking the cram school, he had more than two years of study abroad experience in Europe. In this way, he can be regarded as a returnee talent.
Cheng Tianle's academic performance was very poor. The answers he wrote on the test paper were just like his name, and his mistakes had become a habit. After graduating from junior high school, his parents found someone to help him and spent sponsorship money to get him into a family, which was pretty good.
When I was about to graduate from high school, my parents knew very well not to expect their precious son to have any future in the college entrance examination.
Today's newspapers often have large pages and multiple pages about studying abroad. There are also a variety of study abroad agencies. They often rent venues in high-end hotels to hold study abroad lectures. Through the introduction of an acquaintance, his parents contacted an agency.
I gritted my teeth and sent my precious son to study in Germany. At that time, his father was still in the leadership position of a small state-owned real estate development company, and the family's financial conditions were not bad.
According to the arrangement of the agency, Cheng Tianle's plan to study abroad is to first attend a language school for one year, then study for one year of preparatory courses according to the local German university's admission requirements, and then enter the university to continue his studies. When he returns from school, he will be considered a gold-plated talent. If
Being able to stay and work locally in Europe not only relieves the burden for the family, but also for the country.
Unfortunately, although the vision and depiction were good, the reality was completely different. Cheng Tianle attended a language school in a place called Oxburg in Germany for two years, and did not even enter the college preparatory course. By the third year, the language school was unknown to the local authorities.
After finding out what the problem was, it was banned and closed down. Cheng Tianle packed up his luggage and returned to China. Many children with similar experiences came back with him, including his cousin Bruce Lee.
His cousin's real name is Bruce Lee, who has the same name as the international kung fu superstar. Both brothers' names are quite interesting.
Recalling the experience of studying in Europe for more than two years, it was like a domestic intermediary agency had set up a trap with foreign stakeholders, which cost Cheng Tianle a lot of money. But on the other hand, it was also Cheng Tianle's own fault for failing to live up to his expectations.
His grades in high school in China were so high, but when he went abroad and was freed from the control of his parents and teachers, could he still be expected to spontaneously and inexplicably transform himself, study hard, and make progress every day? His parents hoped so, but this hope was too naive.
When he was attending a language school in Germany, he was cheerful all day long and didn’t know what he was thinking in class. He lived in a shared house with classmates from China. The landlord was also Chinese, and his friends who he usually dated were also Chinese. He lived there for more than two years.
I didn’t even learn German fluently during my study abroad experience, and I almost forgot about it after I returned home.
Among the children who had just graduated from high school and came to Germany in the same group as Cheng Tianle, some also successfully passed the language barrier, completed preparatory courses and entered university. However, the proportion of such children is very small. It would be good to have five or six out of a hundred.
Most other people spend their family's money to travel to Europe.
It can’t be said that Cheng Tianle’s study abroad career was completely fruitless. At least he lived in a very “frugal” way and went to many places in Europe. His parents gave him a living allowance of about 600 euros per month. He paid rent, ate, and even talked to people from
Chinese children hang out together, travel together, and even go to Paris.
Unfortunately, during the few days he arrived in Paris, he caught up with another strike by the local sanitation department. Whenever someone asked Cheng Tianle about his impression of Paris, the legendary capital of art and flowers, Cheng Tianle was the most emotional.
One answer is: "The streets are full of garbage and there are too many cigarette butts!"
After returning from Europe, his parents also retired, and the family's economic conditions were far worse than before. His son's future became a big headache. At this time, a friend of his cousin-in-law happened to run a college entrance examination cram school, so he sent him to
He crammed for a year to take the college entrance examination, knowing that his grades in cultural courses could not be counted on, so he chose an art major.
He can draw all day long, and he studied painting at the local children's palace from elementary school to junior high school. Regardless of his painting skills, compared with children of the same age, this is still a "specialty" that he can show off.
After being introduced by an acquaintance, Cheng Tianle came to Shanghai and studied art and design at the Huaxia College affiliated to Donghua University for three years, and finally received a college diploma.
At the beginning of this century, many universities expanded their enrollment and changed their names. For example, China Textile University changed its name to Donghua University. The so-called Huaxia College is a second-level branch it merged with. Even here, Cheng Tianle can only study at a junior college, and the tuition is not
It's cheap, but it's not difficult to get a diploma. What's difficult is getting a job after graduation.
After graduation, Cheng Tianle applied for jobs at several advertising companies based on the principle of matching his majors. However, he submitted his work and got an interview opportunity. He used design software to create several creative drawings, but he never got a formal job.
Cheng Tianle couldn't find a professional job. He had been studying for so many years and spent so much money on his family. He really couldn't go home shamelessly and continue to chew on his parents. He thought with a smile: "I have been to so many places and studied.
After so many years of reading, there is always a way to make ends meet."
So Cheng Tianle stayed in Shanghai, sharing a house with a college classmate who graduated from the same school, and worked a job at Pizza Hut, cutting pizza in the kitchen. In his spare time, he was introduced by his classmates, and occasionally helped others with design and did odd jobs.
If you earn some pocket money, you can still make ends meet.
After half a year like this, it was time to pay the rent for the second half of the year. Cheng Tianle was a little worried. Should he still call his parents and ask for money? It was not easy to talk about it. He was talking to his family on the phone.
As I said - I'm doing well in Shanghai, I have a place to live and a job, and I don't have to worry about food and drink.
Just when he was in dire straits, a good thing happened. A friend he had not contacted for a long time suddenly called him. His tone was full of confidence, his attitude was enthusiastic, and he cared about him very much. Cheng Tianle was very touched. This person's name was Yu Fei.
, once studied abroad in Germany for two years with Cheng Tianle. According to Cheng Tianle’s knowledge, Yu Fei’s family background is average, and the burden of studying abroad is not easy.
Yu Fei often skipped classes at a language school in Germany, and later he lived with another girl from China. They broke up before returning to China. After returning to China, Cheng Tianle left his contact information, but there has been no news in the past few years.
Shi Ke suddenly called. Yu Fei looked very busy. Each call only lasted three to five minutes, but he was very concerned about Cheng Tianle's current situation.
After talking on the phone for three days, Cheng Tianle roughly understood that Yu Fei was currently engaged in a large-scale and promising business. On the fourth day, Yu Fei finally revealed his purpose——
Yu Fei is in Suzhou, an executive of a multinational company. The company is about to set up a new business department, mainly responsible for foreign trade cooperation with Europe. He wants to invite Cheng Tianle to Suzhou to be the business director of this department, and the salary is very high.
, the salary is very good, and the development prospects are even better. The reason why Yu Fei thought of Cheng Tianle is because the company is in need of young talents like Cheng Tianle who have experience studying in Europe and are full of vigor and vitality. On the other hand, they also
Since we had a relationship of studying together in Europe, this position was the most suitable one to recommend to him.
Cheng Tianle didn't think much and just asked: "Are you responsible for food and housing?"
Yu Fei laughed on the phone and said: "Of course! We have dormitories, a staff restaurant, and the treatment is very good. As long as you work for a few years and show results, the bonus can be several million!"
Cheng Tianle didn't dare to think about millions of bonuses. As for the career of a business manager, he didn't have extravagant expectations. But at this time, someone introduced him to a job and took care of food and accommodation. Cheng Tianle immediately packed his luggage and reported. From Shanghai to Suzhou
It's very convenient, the high-speed rail only takes 25 minutes.
Before coming to Suzhou, Cheng Tianle never thought about whether he had run into a pyramid scheme. Although he occasionally read reports about pyramid schemes online and in newspapers, Cheng Tianle didn't pay much attention to them, as if they were just entertainment stories.
, very far away from him. When Yu Fei called him, Cheng Tianle never thought that he was lying to him. What could a person like Cheng Tianle have to lie to?
Cheng Tianle arrived at Suzhou Railway Station and sent a text message to Yu Fei. It took more than ten minutes for Yu Fei to arrive. Yu Fei was not alone. There was a woman beside him. She looked like she was in her early twenties. Although she was dressed a little plainly,
But his figure and appearance were not bad. As soon as Yu Fei saw Cheng Tianle, he stepped forward and introduced: "This is the assistant to the president of our company, Miss Liu, who just returned from studying in the United States." As he spoke, he took Cheng Tianle's travel bag
He snatched it and carried it on his shoulders.
Just when Cheng Tianle said no, the girl already smiled and stretched out her hand: "Hello, Manager Cheng, my name is Liu Shujun, nice to meet you! We will be colleagues from now on." She blinked her bright eyes, seemingly affectionate.
looked at him.
This made Cheng Tianle feel a little embarrassed. He wiped the sweat from his palms on his clothes, smiled and stretched out his hands to shake hands and said: "Hello, my name is Cheng Tianle, please take care of me!"
At this time, Yu Fei, who was carrying a bag, picked up the phone and shouted to someone: "Why doesn't the car come here?...What?...Can't it be repaired today?"
The girl named Liu Shujun explained: "Mr. Yu's car broke down halfway. It seems that it cannot be repaired today."
Yu Fei added: "The company is studying business this afternoon. There are not many people there. It is the first time for Manager Cheng to come to Suzhou. Why not find a place to hang out and have a meal by the way."
Cheng Tianle still laughed and said: "I don't care, whatever happens is fine."
Liu Shujun enthusiastically echoed: "Okay, it's my honor to go shopping with a handsome guy like Manager Cheng! Let's go shopping on Shantang Street. Tourists from other places only know the gardens of Suzhou, but they don't know the alleys of the water town."
It is the essence of Suzhou’s scenery.”
In this way, the three people came to Shantang Street. Cheng Tianle was embarrassed to let Mr. Yu Fei carry his bag, but Liu Shujun held his arm and said: "Just let Mr. Yu carry the bag, and I will accompany you, this handsome guy."
Have a nice stroll.”
Although Yu Fei's car broke down on the road and he didn't look like a big boss who had made a fortune, it was Cheng Tianle's first time in Suzhou. As soon as he got out of the car, someone enthusiastically helped him carry his luggage, and there was also a beautiful woman who changed his luggage.
Holding his arm while strolling around the scenery of Qianshan Shantang Street, a handsome boy called out sweetly. When he crossed the Qingshan Bridge and arrived in front of the Pufu Zen Temple, Cheng Tianle couldn't help but feel a little carried away.
What Yu Fei and Liu Shujun are doing now is called "picking up new friends" in the lingo of MLM gangs. When visiting Suzhou, the most famous thing for outsiders is of course the gardens. Why did they bring Cheng Tianle to Shantang Street?
What? In fact, every time this group "picks up new friends", they will most likely take them to see the scenery of Shantang.
On the one hand, it is because the place where gangs gather is not too far away, and on the other hand, the more important reason is that Qili Shantang Street is not only a place where Suzhou has accumulated humanities and water town scenery since ancient times, but shopping does not cost any money!