[Old Paoer] Shallots

"Sister..." Hou Xiaojie's eyes widened.

"What's your relationship with Chen Gu?" Cheng Yuan asked.

"What, what?"

"What's your relationship with Chen Gu?"

Cheng Yuan knew about Chen Gu, why didn't she know? If her mother didn't tell her, would she not know?Her grandmother had taken care of her for a period of time. During that time, there were always times when her grandmother leaked her words.

"He is my cousin." Hou Xiaojie replied honestly.

"Uncle?" Cheng Yuan said, "I don't know what you are doing. But I know I can't stop it."

"Now tell me what you guys and Tan Xiaofei are doing. Why is Xiaobo in the hospital?"

"By the way, make an appointment with Chen Gu for me." Cheng Yuan said, "I want to meet him."

"Ah?" Hou Xiaojie was stunned.

In the end, Hou Xiaojie had no choice but to tell her everything he knew.

Even, tomorrow's stubble.

Cheng Yuan pursed her lips, she had always known how small she was, but at this moment, she finally knew how small she was in front of those people, she was just a pawn.With her identity as Chen Gu's only daughter, coupled with Tan Xiaofei's idiot protection, her safety was guaranteed.

When the dust settles, whether it is fast or not, it is not slow.

Both sides of the dispute were arrested.

It took nearly a month before he saw Tan Junyao.Next, is the trial of the law.

During that month, Cheng Yuan didn't visit Tan Xiaofei, she really didn't know how to face him.

Zhang Xiaobo was still lying in the hospital, and Anya took care of him.Sixth Master also had an operation and was recovering. With Aunt Xia watching, nothing serious happened.

The meeting with Chen Gu was also mentioned on the agenda.

Hou Xiaojie sent her to Xu Yihui's teahouse, and Chen Gu was waiting for her inside.

Cheng Yuan walked into the box upstairs, Chen Gu was sitting there, his face was familiar, Cheng Yuan had seen it on TV before.

The silence between the two was broken by Chen Gu.

"You really look like your mother." Chen Gu said bitterly.

"Really?" Cheng Yuan said, "I don't know what's right and wrong between you and my mother, but I know that I am her daughter, so I naturally look like her."

The word 'you' finally widened the distance between the two.

Chen Gu nodded and said, "Ning Ning, have you ever thought about recognizing me as your father?"

Cheng Yuan paused, she never thought that she even came to see him now because she wanted him to help Tan Xiaofei.She might not even know what her attitude towards him should be.Perhaps she should be angry, but when she saw her, she realized that she could be so calm. Probably all the anger had been exhausted in the past ten years.

Cheng Yuan's mother once left her a letter. At that time, she was still young and couldn't understand it. When she understood it, she couldn't understand it. It was probably at this time that she understood it.She is going to be a mother too.How can a mother let her child live in anger, resentment?

Cheng Yuan was silent for a while, looked at Chen Gu's expectant eyes, and said, "Sorry. I share my mother's surname."

"I know, I know." Even though Chen Gu could guess her choice, he couldn't help being disappointed.

Cheng Yuan said: "Actually, this time, when I came to you, I wanted to ask you to do me a favor."

"There is no need to be so polite between you and me." Chen said, "If there is anything you want me to do, if I can do it, I will definitely help you."

"I want you to help Tan Xiaofei." Cheng Yuan put his hand on her stomach unconsciously.

Chen Gu didn't miss her movements.I can't help but worry.

However, Cheng Yuan's next words confirmed his worries.

"I have his child." Cheng Yuan pursed his lips, "The doctor told me that I had an abortion and another miscarriage before, and if I abort this child, I might not be able to have another child in the future gone."

Chen Gu didn't know what to say, he knew about Cheng Yuan and Tan Xiaofei, but the miscarriage was something he didn't expect.

"Hou Xiaojie told me that the reason why Tan Xiaofei killed someone with his car was because his father's outer room tampered with his car." Cheng Yuan said, "I want you to help him. I also made some mistakes, but they are nothing compared to that incident, I would like to ask you to help find some evidence to see if the sentence can be reduced."

Looking at Cheng Yuan's determined face, Chen Gu seemed to see that her mother married him with such a determined face back then, even though she knew that there was a huge difference in value between the two, and the road ahead was full of thorns.It was also as if when he asked for divorce back then, her mother also had a firm look on her face, and said very stubbornly, "I will take care of my daughter myself. Since it is said that all ties are to be severed, then you don't have to pay child support in the future." .”

Chen Gu felt that he was probably old. In the past two years, he could always dream of Cheng Yuan's mother, when they were young, and that he didn't even see her for the last time because he cared about Zuo's family. In the dream, she accused him of not taking good care of their daughter, even though he knew that Cheng Yuan's mother would never say such things, but he still couldn't help feeling guilty.

Now, their daughter is going to be a mother, and the father of the child is going to jail, but their Ningning is not afraid and is as strong as her mother.

Chen Gu has mixed feelings in his heart. In his eyes, Tan Xiaofei is not considered an elite, and he cannot be considered a son-in-law in his heart, but there is one thing about him that others cannot achieve.Tan Xiaofei fell in love with Cheng Yuan terribly, loved her with his life, and even put himself in prison for her.

The most rare thing in this world is a person's sincerity!

"Okay." Chen □□, "Don't worry, I will help him."

On the day Tan Xiaofei went to court, Cheng Yuan didn't show up, and one piece of evidence was presented. In order to protect her son, the concubine took all the blame on herself.

Tan Xiaofei was sentenced to five years in prison.

It was another month, and Cheng Yuan was already three months pregnant, and her belly was slightly protruding.At this time, it is already the beginning of spring.

Under the exuberant vitality, Zhang Xiaobo woke up, and Liu Ye was discharged from the hospital.

Cheng Yuan and Xu Yihui went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get their marriage certificate. When they came out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, Cheng Yuan said to Xu Yihui, "I want to meet Tan Xiaofei."

"This is a big day for us to get married! How bad it would be to go there!" Xu Yihui raised his eyebrows.

"Aren't you afraid that Mr. Xiao Zhong will be jealous?" Cheng Yuan laughed.

"Mr. Xiao Zhong understands us very well! He also said that he will be the godfather of the baby in your womb!" Xu Yihui said.

"Oh?" Cheng Yuan said, "Then what are you? Godmother?"

Xu Yihui thought for a while, and said: "Damn! It's agreed, I'm the godfather, he's the godmother! That's it. Don't you want to see her biological father? Let's go!"

Cheng Yuan couldn't hold back and laughed.

Xu Yihui drove her out of the city, stopped at the gate of the prison, and said, "Go in."

Cheng Yuan sat there, watching Tan Xiaofei come out, handcuffed, he still looks good with his hair shaved, Cheng Yuan touched his stomach, and said in his heart, baby, this is your father, he made some mistakes, so we have to Let's wait for him to come out and reunite with us.

Tan Xiaofei sat in front of Cheng Yuan in a daze. Cheng Yuan lost weight, but looked good.

The two picked up the phone, Cheng Yuan said, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Tan Xiaofei said nonchalantly.Although Tan Junyao has stepped down, as his son, he has no shelter, so he can go there better. After all, there are too many Tan Junyao sent in.

Fortunately, Hou Yaoxuan said hello, Chen Gu also took care of him, and Zuo also mentioned it, so he was not sad.

The two chatted casually.

"What about you?" Tan Xiaofei asked.

"Me." Cheng Yuan said, "I went to the Civil Affairs Bureau with him to get a certificate today."

"Really? It's good." Tan Xiaofei smiled.

Seeing him like that, Cheng Yuan smiled and said, "It's so ugly! Don't laugh if you don't want to laugh."

"I hope you are happy." Tan Xiaofei said seriously.

"Oh." Cheng Yuan responded, and Tan Xiaofei didn't know what she meant, just heard her say, "I'm pregnant, three months old, and it's yours."

The news was so explosive that he was speechless for a while.

After a long silence, Tan Xiaofei said: "Kill it. He will mind."

"Tan Xiaofei, there are only three things to do, this time, I won't listen to you." Cheng Yuan said firmly.

"A'Ning, don't be stubborn, listen to me, okay?" Tan Xiaofei persuaded her, even though his heart was in great pain.

Cheng Yuan raised his eyebrows and said, "Who do you think he is? Does Xu Yihui remember?"

"Xu Yihui?" Tan Xiaofei thought for a while, "The one with Zhong Ling?"

Cheng Yuan smiled and said, "Yes, that with Xiao Zhong."

"He's not..." Tan Xiaofei was surprised.

"So, you have to be well inside." Cheng Yuan said seriously, "My child and I are waiting for you to come out. Okay?"

Tan Xiaofei lowered his head, and when he looked up again, with tears in his eyes, he said, "Okay."

The author has something to say: agree to end the text tonight! ! !

☆, episode [-]

At the age of 15, Cheng Yuning transferred from No. [-] Middle School to No. [-] Middle School. She has always been a misfit.There is no stunning appearance, no proud family background, no excellent grades, and the praise she gets is just a peaceful little girl.

At the age of 15, Uncle Gong has been taking care of Tan Xiaofei's affairs. This year, he beat up a boy. Coincidentally, the boy's father, Tan Junyao's political opponent, Uncle Gong stepped forward. Tan Xiaofei transferred from No. [-] Middle School to No. [-] Middle School. Still defiant, he was still lonely inside.

Cheng Yuning is the most ordinary good girl, but is extremely bad at interpersonal relationships, Tan Xiaofei is the most rebellious bad boy, but he is the most loyal.The two seem to be the farthest two extremes, but who would have thought, these two people have been entangled for a lifetime.

Cheng Yuning transferred to another school a while earlier than Tan Xiaofei. At that time, the overlord of No. [-] Middle School was still a naughty repeater. He got to know the little hooligans in the society. Would he disturb the order of the school? Anyway, what? There are people on top of him.

The repeaters were in the same class as Cheng Yuning, sitting across a table. Cheng Yuning didn't like to talk, and the repeaters also found her boring.

The early summer sun shone through the glass window, Cheng Yuning raised her head, the green vines outside the window overflowed the window, her originally turbulent eyes took on some color, and the repeater felt a little throbbing when he raised his eyes.

He began to chat with Cheng Yuning from time to time, but Cheng Yuning was a superficial person after all, firstly he didn't feel it, secondly he was afraid of causing trouble, and thirdly, that person really didn't fit her aesthetics.

"Be my girlfriend." The appearance of a domineering president in a novel can't stir up any waves in Cheng Xuning's heart.

"Sorry, I never thought about falling in love." Cheng Yuning looked at him and said seriously.

That day happened to be Tan Xiaofei's first day at No. [-] Middle School.

Walking to the basketball court on the west side, I wanted to pick a game, but I didn't expect to meet someone confessing. Thinking about it, many boys and girls at this age have begun to have ignorant fantasies.He wasn't going to bother.However, the girl refused, but the boy was reluctant.Even want to use hands and feet.Tan Xiaofei has never been used to such behavior.A basketball precisely hit the boy's shoulder.

Cheng Yuning, who was nervous, heaved a sigh of relief, and glanced at him gratefully.

"If it's a man, just leave and force a girl." Tan Xiaofei said coldly.

"Is it your turn to take care of my business?" the repeater cursed.

Tan Xiaofei glanced at Cheng Yuning, how did a dutiful little girl provoke a bully?Ignoring the repeater, he said to Cheng Yuning: "You go! I'll clean up these things for you."

Cheng Yuning stared blankly at Tan Xiaofei. She was 1.8 meters tall, compared to her height of less than 1.6 meters, she really needed to look up.However, she couldn't leave. Repeaters are always dead pigs who are not afraid of boiling water. He can ignore it, but she doesn't know if Tan Xiaofei can do it. Moreover, she has never met the boy in front of her. How can she make him provoke him because of her? What's the trouble?

Tan Xiaofei glanced at Cheng Yuning impatiently, and said, "Why don't you leave?"

Cheng Yuning looked at him stubbornly, tightly pursed her mouth, and did not speak.

Tan Xiaofei was a little soft-hearted, turned sideways, looked at the repeater who was rubbing his shoulders and cursing, stepped forward, and said: "You better be honest, otherwise, I will make it difficult for you to get along in No. [-] Middle School."

The repeater sneered and said, "Where did you come from? How dare you talk to me like that."

"Are you qualified to know?" Tan Xiaofei gave him a look of disdain.

The repeaters haven't learned the textbooks well in the past few years, but this fight has been refined year after year.

After a while, the two scuffled together, Cheng Yuning was anxious at the side, and people on the basketball court gradually gathered to persuade them to fight.Several men pulled the two of them apart, and after a while, the dean came after hearing the news.

Tan Xiaofei has a strong background, Cheng Yuning is the victim, and the repeater is the one who made the mistake. In the end, he was notified of criticism and ordered to go home and reflect.

Tan Xiaofei was assigned to Cheng Yuning's class and became Cheng Yuning's back desk.

Cheng Yuning didn't know anyone very well, and was alone, and the people in Tan Xiaofei's class didn't want to talk to anyone, and they were also alone.

Tan Xiaofei's family became famous, and rumors swept across the entire campus like a storm, and Cheng Xuning also became a figure in the center of the storm, but God knows, the things she and Tan Xiaofei said can be counted on one hand.

Tan Xiaofei doesn't like to go to class, except for PE class, Cheng Yuning likes to go to class, except for PE class.

Thursday's physical education class, the sun is not strong, the time is just right.

On the edge of the basketball court, there was a row of girls.Those are Tan Xiaofei's fans.Watching handsome boys play basketball, some purely for admiration, some for secret promises, there are all kinds of things, Cheng Yuning is only nervous, sitting motionless in the corner, waiting for the crowd to be less, and then less.

However, the reality was exactly the opposite of what she had imagined. More and more people appeared on the basketball court, especially girls, appearing wave after wave.The boys also stepped forward to challenge Tan Xiaofei round after round.

Cheng Yuning had her period early.Wearing light-colored school trousers, she seemed to be able to foresee the blood-red scene behind the trousers.

Tan Xiaofei looked at the girl he was helping with his sword at that time, and scanned the chattering girls around him.After taking a sip of water, he walked to her side and asked in a low voice, "Hey, what's the matter with you?"

Cheng Yuning looked at him in a daze, eyes lit up, and pleaded, "Well, Tan Xiaofei, can you lend me your school uniform jacket?"

"Ah?" Tan Xiaofei was confused this time.

Cheng Yuning frowned tightly, pursed his lips, and looked at Tan Xiaofei beggingly, making Tan Xiaofei a little embarrassed, and the boy ran away unnaturally.

Cheng Yuning was discouraged and a little disappointed.

But after a while, Tan Xiaofei ran back again, took the coat, and handed it to Cheng Yuning: "Here! Here you are."

Cheng Yuning raised his eyes to look at Tan Xiaofei, as if he was the only one left in the whole world, so focused, even without extra emotion, just gratitude made Tan Xiaofei's heart tremble.

The boy smiled shyly at the girl and said, "I'll go there first!"

Cheng Yuning blinked, nodded, and said in a low voice, "Thank you."

The teenager smiled and ran back to the field.

Cheng Yuning quickly put on the coat, and Tan Xiaofei's 1.8m coat was worn on Cheng Yuning, as if a child had stolen an adult's clothes. Not only did the sleeves grow a lot, but the hem of the clothes was almost to the knees. Blocked the blood red on her pants.She ran back to the bedroom and quickly changed her pants.

Taking her school uniform and jacket, she went downstairs and returned to the basketball court. There were still many people. The girls who were more familiar with Cheng Yuning observed her changes and knew that her relatives were coming.

After the physical education class was over, Cheng Yuning called Tan Xiaofei to stop, handed him the school uniform, and said, "Thank you."

"Ah!" Tan Xiaofei scratched his head, no one has ever said thank you to him so seriously!A little excited, said: "It's okay, it's okay!"

Looking at the silly smile on Tan Xiaofei's face, Cheng Yuning smiled as if infected.

Tan Xiaofei took the clothes, and the clothes were a little loose, Cheng Yuning glanced away, but saw a red patch on the back of the clothes, his face seemed to be congested, he grabbed the clothes from Tan Xiaofei's hand, lowered his head, as if he had fallen to the extreme With great determination, he said, "I got my clothes dirty, so I'll wash them for you."

"Ah?" Tan Xiaofei looked suspiciously at the girl with her head down, at the school uniform she crumpled into a ball and hugged her in her arms, and said, "No need, I'll take it back and have it washed."

Cheng Yuning was a little anxious, and said, "If I say help you wash it, I will wash it for you, not mother-in-law."

Tan Xiaofei looked at the confused girl with a funny face.

"Then you wash it for me?"

Cheng Yuning nodded solemnly: "I will clean it up for you."

"Okay." Tan Xiaofei nodded.

☆、Extra three

Since then, Cheng Yuning and Tan Xiaofei have met more and more, and gossip has also increased. It is Cheng Yuning's way of life as usual, and it is Tan Xiaofei's nature to be lazy.

Then, how did they get together?It was probably a scorching summer, not only the weather, but also the hearts of the people.

An unusually heavy rainstorm, a girl without an umbrella, a big black umbrella with a long handle, and a boy who is cramped and slightly shy.

"I'll take you back to the dormitory!" Tan Xiaofei always controlled his voice to Cheng Yuning, for fear that a loud noise would scare her.

Cheng Yuning's face was a little hot, and no one could refuse that the boy she liked blocked the rain on her head when she didn't have an umbrella.Yes, she likes Tan Xiaofei. Ever since he helped her, she couldn't stop liking him when she saw his silly expression in front of her.

"If you don't go, the door will be closed, let's go!" Tan Xiaofei stretched out his hand to hold Cheng Yuning's wrist.

Walking in the rain with an umbrella, Tan Xiaofei moved the umbrella to Cheng Yuning little by little.Cheng Yuning looked down at Lu, not daring to look at him.

Soon he walked downstairs to the dormitory, Cheng Yuning thanked him, and planned to go back to the dormitory.Holding the strap of the schoolbag tightly, he was a little nervous.

"Hey! Wait a minute." Tan Xiaofei called, "Wait a minute, Cheng Yuning."

"Is there anything else?" Cheng Yuning asked softly.

"Then what..." Tan Xiaofei suddenly felt a little shy, scratched his head, took a deep breath, and said, "We, we..."

"What?" Cheng Yuning couldn't hear what he said clearly.

"Let's be together!" Tan Xiaofei seemed to have made up his mind, "I will treat you well."

"Ah?" Cheng Yuning was shocked.

"Let's be together!" Tan Xiaofei looked at her seriously, "I will treat you well for the rest of my life."

Cheng Yuning lowered his head, forever!It's long, but I really like him!

Tan Xiaofei stared at her nervously, watching her slowly raise her head, and the word "OK" popped out of her mouth.

Surprise and excitement filled Tan Xiaofei's heart.

Tan Xiaofei pulled her into his arms.

"I like you too, Tan Xiaofei." Cheng Yuning buried his head in his chest.

The days with Cheng Yuning were the most stable period for Tan Xiaofei.

However, this period of peace finally stopped.

Cheng Yuning found Tan Xiaofei in the house he rented outside the school. The young man didn't eat or drink, and his beard grew. His decadent appearance made Cheng Yuning's heart tremble with pain.

She walked to his side, Tan Xiaofei raised his head, looked at her with red eyes, and called out in a hoarse voice: "A-Ning!"

He put his arms around her waist and put his face on her stomach.

Cheng Yuning's heart trembled.He raised his hand and stroked Tan Xiaofei's head.There is also a hideous scar on his forehead.

"A-Ning, A-Ning..." Tan Xiaofei cried bitterly, "I couldn't step on the brakes, I couldn't even step on the brakes, so I just ran into him, and I just watched him fly by me..."

He was still so young, yet he shouldered such a heavy human life. He knew very well that the car had been tampered with, and he thought it was the work of his father's political opponents.However, it still couldn't relieve the guilt in his heart.

"Xiao Fei..." Cheng Yuning grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach, "We have a baby."

Tan Xiaofei's whole body froze, and then, as if nostalgic, he gently stroked this little life, the weight he couldn't bear, and finally, he said the words that hurt others and hurt himself: "Kill it, Aning , knock him out. I can't support him."

Cheng Yuning lowered his hand weakly, then raised his hand and slapped him, the tears could not be stopped: "Coward! Tan Xiaofei, you coward."

ah!What a youthful and reckless time it was, how, Tan Xiaofei became that lonely boy who was perverted on the surface but deeply condemned in his heart.What's the matter, Cheng Yuning left the city with helpless disappointment and as if he had expected it earlier.

☆、Extra four

Tan Xiaofei knew where Cheng Yuning had gone from the very beginning, and he followed, but he didn't know how to face her.

That is also a human life, and this human life is closely related to him, how can he face her with peace of mind.

For two years, he looked at her silently for two years, like an idiot.

Until one day, it seems that she is going to start a new relationship.Tan Xiaofei is still naive and immature, and two years of precipitation has turned that deep liking into a shallow but strong love!

"Tan Xiaofei, why are you crazy again!" Cheng Yuning was very angry, really angry, and almost couldn't choose what to say.

Tan Xiaofei beat the boy.At that time, Cheng Yuning was walking with him, the lazy sunlight penetrated through the layers of green leaves and hit the hot concrete floor, Cheng Yuning was in a good mood, stepping on the mottled shadow intentionally or unintentionally.

It's like filming an idol drama, but Tan Xiaofei just feels uncomfortable watching it. He has always been uncomfortable with him, and neither should others.However, all of this meant nothing to Shang Cheng Xuning.He punched the boy, but still kept some strength.He wanted to vent a little, but in the end he was not satisfied, just because there was Cheng Yuning beside him.

"Do you know this lunatic?" The boy stopped Cheng Yuning behind him and asked.

Cheng Yuning nodded.Tan Xiaofei just stared at her in a daze.She didn't dare to look into his eyes, because she was afraid of seeing the emotion that could drown her in his eyes, and she was afraid that once she saw it, she wouldn't be able to let it go.

"A'Ning..." Tan Xiaofei said in awe.

"I'm sorry." Cheng Yuning said apologetically, "I have troubled you."

"It's all right!" The boy smiled sunnyly, "Or we'll call the police."

"I know him." Cheng Yuning frowned slightly and stopped the boy, "I'll talk to him."

The boy's smile disappeared, he was not blind, and he could see the liking, even love, that was about to overflow from Tan Xiaofei's eyes.Obviously, Cheng Yuning also knew.

Although the boy is a little dissatisfied, he is a kind-hearted person after all.He never said anything outside.

After that, Cheng Yuning was still with Tan Xiaofei, staying away from N City, as if he had left his father's shackles.

Since Cheng Yuning came here, she has been working part-time and studying in a milk tea shop outside the school at night. Tan Xiaofei mentioned to her, "A Ning, can I take care of you? I don't want you to work so hard."

Cheng Yuning looked at him and smiled. Tan Xiaofei said that he was raising her, and she was very happy.It's just that whether he is willing or not is one thing, but whether she accepts it is another matter.

"You don't understand." Cheng Yuning said helplessly.

yes!Tan Xiaofei didn't understand that he couldn't give Cheng Xuning a sense of security, and all Cheng Xuning's resoluteness was for the warmth Tan Xiaofei gave her and her fallen heart.

"Why don't I understand?" Tan Xiaofei was not convinced, even a little angry.

"Forget it, shall we stop this topic?" Cheng Yuning didn't want to argue with him.

"Speak clearly!" Tan Xiaofei said feeling aggrieved again.

Cheng Yuning put on his coat and said, "I'm going out, there is porridge in the pot, you can eat some first."

Tan Xiaofei turned his head angrily.

Cheng Yuning came to the milk tea shop where she was working, and the sister of the milk tea shop asked curiously: "Why didn't your little boyfriend come with you?"

"Probably something was wrong." Cheng Yuning said.

"Are you awkward?" the sister of the milk tea shop asked in surprise.

"He doesn't want me to come out to work." Cheng Yuning said.

"I'm afraid you've worked hard!" the sister of the milk tea shop guessed.

Just as Cheng Yuning was about to say something, Tan Xiaofei walked in, sat in the old seat and said to the sister in the milk tea shop: "Sister, a cup of Sijichun."

Tan Xiaofei got a card at the milk tea shop, and the sister of the milk tea shop usually just draw it from the card.He was still reading Gu Long's novel, this time it was "Wulin Outer History".

Cheng Yuning turned around and started making Sijichun for him. The sister from the milk tea shop came over and said to her: "Look, he finally compromised, didn't he? This shows that he really likes you!"

Cheng Yuning smiled shyly.

They lived together for two years, at night, Tan Xiaofei accompanied Cheng Yuning to work in a milk tea shop, he ordered a cup of Four Seasons Spring outside, and read Gu Long's novel.On weekends, Tan Xiaofei accompanied Cheng Yuning to the library. Cheng Yuning was busy writing his thesis, but he was still reading novels.