"Teacher, have you already reached the point where you can engage in deep work anyti you want?" a student asked.
"Not yet." Ning Youguang laughed, "When I was writing this book published this year, there was a month or two where I found my efficiency in the dormitory and office had declined. So I looked online and found a famous mountain retreat, planning to stay there two nights over the weekend to relax. When I got there, I found the place to be particularly beautiful, and decided to go every weekend afterward. Initially, I didn’t plan on staying there continuously, but on that first day, my writing went particularly smoothly. So every weekend I would book the place, and I completed nearly one-third of the Chapters there."
"So, teacher, you’re saying if we find ourselves unable to work or study deeply, we should temporarily put aside what we’re doing and go rest, right?"
"Is this the ’leaving space’ you’ve advised us to learn before?"
"Yes." Ning Youguang nodded, "This is the viewpoint of the Dutch psychologist Ap Dijkstra’s team. They suggest that if people can’t make a decision for the mont, it’s better to leave it to unconscious mind. In other words, sotis the results of deliberate thinking may not be as good as unconscious thought. It’s better to shift to other things after understanding the relevant information, letting the subconscious consider these matters. Simply put, if you find yourself unable to get into the groove while studying or working, you can step away for a while, go out to catch so wind, soak up so sun, appreciate so flowers... even just going outside to breathe fresh air can change your state better than forcing yourself."
So other students were not focused on this.
"Teacher, is that mountain retreat expensive?"
"It’s at five-star hotel prices, a bit pricey I think." Ning Youguang showed a pained expression, "So every ti I go, I can’t bear to waste it — I work really hard."
"Big spender," the students laughed and joked, "One or two days is okay, but going every weekend is quite costly."
"Because it’s a bit lavish, I should improve my work efficiency even more to earn the money back." This was the first ti Ning Youguang openly discussed money with the students.
The students were thrilled.
They suddenly had a feeling — "Even fairies have no difference from ordinary people, everyone has to make a living."
Although Ning Youguang teaches every day, she also works.
Yet her appearance and temperant were too ethereal, leading them not to associate her with mundane things, always feeling money wasn’t sothing she dealt with.
There’s a wall between fairies and mortals.
But after this candid talk, they suddenly realized, "Oh, turns out fairies can be pained by the prices of high-end retreats too, can see it as indulgent and dare not to waste, wishing to earn the money back... this mindset isn’t much different from theirs..."
How to put it.
After the students realized this, when looking at Ning Youguang again, the fairy didn’t seem less whimsical but rather more grounded...
"How co there’s a bit of cuteness?" so people secretly thought.
Soon, another student continued to ask, "Teacher, have you made back the money spent on staying at retreats for writing?"
This kind of question—
Didn’t need Ning Youguang to answer, the students already answered for her.
"She definitely made it back!"
"You know how well the teacher’s book sells."
"Exactly, the erging writer topping various online bestselling platforms’ charts."
"Absolutely enough back."
Ning Youguang smiled without speaking, letting them laugh and joke around.
Until a few students asked:
"Teacher, now that you’re so popular, why not open a verified Weibo account?"
"Yeah, I searched several tis and still couldn’t find you."
"Teacher, are you using an anonymous account? Quickly verify one so we can follow you."
— All students secretly searching Ning Youguang’s alias online.
Ning Youguang lied without blinking, "Sorry, I don’t use Weibo."
"Huh?"
"Truly a scholar of Thoreau."
"Fairies are indeed unique."
...
Indeed, just as she said.
This year.
Ning Youguang cut out many superficial tasks, focusing all her energy on executing extrely important goals.
She also changed her previous ways of doing things
Besides getting Shi Wangyue’s support to live alone,
Another major change was—
She chose to pre-design her daily internet usage ti.
Avoiding complete internet usage outside of those tis.
She found so tools to help record internet usage ti and trained herself not to engage in anything internet-related outside those tis, no matter the temptation.
"Only deep work can create things of value to the world."
Once, she discussed this with the academician Yu.
Academician Yu said with a smile, "You’re right, especially for us research scientists. Although, I firmly believe completing such work also requires periodic brain relaxation."
"I do relax." Ning Youguang laughed.
"That’s not enough, what I an is for you to take a vacation, go relax, and also accompany Shi more. This year, he’s sacrificed quite a lot to support you, don’t always put him aside for your own matters." Academician Yu shook his head slowly, "Fortunately, our project has wrapped up recently, there’s nothing for you to do, you can take a good rest." 1314
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