Zhou You's matters were smoothly resolved. Shi Wenxiu's matters were also smoothly resolved. Shi Zhongshan's matters, too, were smoothly resolved. In the remaining days, Zhou You attended the academic research conference as scheduled, sitting in as an observer. Since Luzhou University wasn't required to give a presentation this year, Professor Wang and Zhou You had a fairly relaxed time. As a university instructor, Zhou You felt it was important to listen carefully to the latest developments and research trends in the field—after all, he had been out of the loop since graduating and switching careers. Listening to the industry leaders speak at the conference, he gained many new insights. Often, it's not a matter of individual incompetence, but rather the inherent limitations of the industry itself. Its positioning is different—it's a public service industry, not profit-driven, but focused on serving the people and society. On a larger scale, it's about preserving the nation's lifeline and the seeds of human civilization. Many experts at the conference mentioned the decline of paper-based data and the rise of digital reading in the future. Yet they firmly believed that paper reading would never completely disappear from the stage of history. Although the rapid advancement of the internet once threatened to push paper books into obsolescence, they have tenaciously survived. Moreover, the number of library visitors and borrowers has been steadily increasing. As society grows more restless, people seek moments of tranquility. This brief peace requires stepping away from electronic devices, and paper books serve as a refuge—a harbor for inner calm. After the conference sessions ended, Zhou You wandered alone through this ancient city. Jiangcheng, known as the "thoroughfare of nine provinces," has been a strategic military stronghold since ancient times, a place contested by countless armies. It boasts numerous historical sites and culinary delights. As far as Zhou You knew, there was the Yellow Crane Tower and hot dry noodles. The hotel's conference services had thoughtfully provided a travel guide. This time, Zhou You decided not to hire a guide, opting instead to enjoy some free time on his own. His top destination was the Yellow Crane Tower. Located on Snake Hill in Wuchang District, Jiangcheng, overlooking the mighty Yangtze River, the Yellow Crane Tower is a landmark of the city. Originally built in the second year of the Wu Huangwu era (223 AD) during the Three Kingdoms period, it has undergone numerous renovations. The current structure, modeled after the "Tongzhi Tower" of the Qing Dynasty, was rebuilt in 1985. It gained worldwide fame thanks to the poem "Yellow Crane Tower" by Tang Dynasty poet Cui Hao. *The sage on yellow crane was gone amid clouds white.* *To what avail is Yellow Crane Tower left here?* *Once gone, the yellow crane will ne'er on earth alight;* *Only white clouds still float in vain from year to year.* *By sunlit river trees can be count'd one by one;* *On Parrot Islet sweet green grass grows fast and thick.* *Where is my native land beyond the setting sun?* *The mist-veiled waves of River Han make me homesick.* How many renowned scholars and poets had composed verses atop this tower? And how many disheartened literati had used it to vent their emotions? What struck Zhou You most was Li Bai. He visited the Yellow Crane Tower three times but never wrote a single poem there. Li Bai, who never conceded defeat in poetry, had to admit: "Before my eyes, a scene too fine for words; Cui Hao's poem stands above them all." When watching documentaries and biographies about Li Bai, Zhou You often pondered how unpredictable life truly is. From the perspective of Chinese culture, Li Bai holds a significant place. Many of his poems have been passed down through the ages, cherished by people, and will continue to be so in the future. Yet Li Bai's life was far from happy. According to feudal ideals, one learned the arts of civil and military service to offer them to the emperor. Li Bai believed he had great ambitions, but found no way to serve his country. Even when he eventually came into contact with the emperor, he was merely used as a court poet, unable to realize his ideals of governing the nation. Frustrated, he resigned from his court position and wandered aimlessly, enduring a life of hardship and instability, often relying on others for support, never making ends meet. Though he was highly renowned in his time and his works were beloved by all, he remained unfulfilled and died in despair. Especially when he inadvertently became involved in a rebellion, everyone wanted him dead. His contemporary, Du Fu, faced a similar fate. While it's said that hardship can ignite a poet's creative genius, Zhou You doubted anyone would willingly endure such suffering. Some people desire both wealth and honor in life and eternal fame after death. Such individuals are rare in history. In fact, they almost don't exist, because human energy is limited. If you devote your efforts to governing the country or indulging in pleasure, you have less time for other pursuits. Zhou You was perfectly content with his current life. He didn't aspire to be remembered for eternity; he just wanted to live out his days well. Having already been blessed by fortune, how could he dare to ask for more? Unfortunately, the Yellow Crane Tower has become highly commercialized, filled with trendy boutiques and an overwhelmingly commercial atmosphere. In a cityscape of towering modern buildings, it holds no particular advantage. What draws Zhou You is its cultural heritage. *People of today see not the moon of old;* *The moon of old has shone on people of old.* Standing on this tower, he could engage in a silent dialogue with ancient sages and celebrities, imagining their magnificent or destitute lives. As Mingyue once said, whether you are an emperor, a general, a noble, or a hero, in the end, everyone ends up under a mound of earth. Zhou You could only focus on living in the present and cherishing the moment. As for Jiangcheng's cuisine, Zhou You had already sampled quite a bit at the hotel. But he wasn't a glutton; he had little desire for gourmet food. In his original mindset, with such a busy work schedule, spending a lot of time eating was a waste. He'd rather use that time to watch documentaries, read books, or exercise. So, his greatest wish was for technology to advance enough—or for him to achieve immortality through cultivation—so that a single pill could meet all his body's needs, allowing him to go without eating for a whole day or even a week. Of course, for those who loved food, they could choose not to take the pill; it was just an option. As the conference drew to a close, Zhou You and Professor Wang paid another visit to Professor Shi's home for a family dinner, unable to refuse their warm hospitality. In the past, Professor Wang and Shi Zhongshan used to meet occasionally, which was how their children got to know each other. But as they grew older, their gatherings became rarer. At the dinner table, it was clear that Professor Shi's wife had been a beauty in her youth—otherwise, Shi Wenxiu wouldn't have inherited such looks. Unfortunately, Zhou You had no memory of her, which meant either Shi Wenxiu hadn't made a name for herself, or Zhou You had paid too little attention to the entertainment industry. In the past, when people traveled, they liked to bring back local specialties and unique products, since logistics were underdeveloped and such items were rare. But with the rapid advancement of transportation, products can now circulate nationwide, and even local snacks have become increasingly homogenized. This time, Zhou You didn't bring any specialties back. Even in the less developed days, he rarely did; he would order things online in advance, have them shipped home, and when giving them to colleagues, claim they were from his travels, with the local tourist destination's name printed on them. According to Professor Shi, Zhou You just needed to register in September to set up his academic file. After that, he could attend whenever he had time, and skip it when he didn't. This suited Zhou You's expectations perfectly.