Chapter 131: Founding an International Media Outlet, Telling China's Stories Well

During writing, Xu Yuexin made small swaps of the background and related settings of the "Eight Women Case".

For example, the incident location Lianhua Community was changed by him into a Da Zayuan.

Because the community residential form only became widespread after the housing reform in the late 1990s.

Although there are now a few policy‑pilot commercial housing communities, they are very few and the public is still unfamiliar with them.

The girls' occupations were also changed from cosmetics company salespeople to shop clerks.

These swaps took considerable effort and ate up some writing time.

By dinner that evening, Xu Yuexin had written a total of four thousand characters.

"When are you actually going on a business trip?"

During the meal, Chen Yixue looked at Xu Yuexin with displeasure and said,

"You said you'd be on a trip yesterday, and there's been no sign of it today."

Chen Yixue was completely sure that Xu Yuexin was deceiving her to keep her around and take advantage of her.

"Business trip? I never said I was going on one."

Taking advantage that Chen Qiaoqiao was not present, Xu Yuexin confidently pretended to be confused.

Chen Yixue almost choked on Xu Yuexin's words.

She had long been used to Xu Yuexin's empty promises, but never expected him to deny so brazenly.

"You… really give people a lesson."

Chen Yixue sighed, looked at Xu Yuexin with contempt and said, "How can you be so shameless?"

"Mm, and it could get even better."

"…"

Chen Yixue was left utterly speechless.

How thick can it get? "Since you don't plan to travel, just tell me—I'm leaving tomorrow."

After the meal, Chen Yixue said to Xu Yuexin in a serious tone,

Xu Yuexin's attitude remained unchanged.

"No, in front of her I still want to go on a trip."

"Fine, I'm leaving anyway."

Seeing this, Chen Yixue was too lazy to argue further with Xu Yuexin and said on her own,

because she realized reasoning with Xu Yuexin was completely futile!

……

The next morning, when the sun was just right,

Chen Yixue lifted her suitcase, walked to the master bedroom door, and said goodbye to the half‑asleep Chen Qiaoqiao.

"Are you leaving? Then let Brother Xin see you off."

After the futile attempt to keep her, Chen Qiaoqiao said to her sister,

"Ah, no need, my home isn't far away."

Fearing that Xu Yuexin might take advantage of her when alone, Chen Yixue quickly refused,

"Taking the bus also wastes time."

At that moment, Xu Yuexin, hearing the sisters' conversation, walked in from the courtyard, said, and casually took Chen Yixue's suitcase in hand.

Chen Yixue felt melancholy: he was clearly in the courtyard, how could he have heard the conversation?

"Really, no need, I have nothing to do today."

In front of her sister, Chen Yixue still had to force a smile.

"Let's go, don't be polite."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin, lugging the suitcase, walked toward the courtyard.

Chen Yixue had no choice but to follow.

If she refused again, her sister might become suspicious.

Inside the main courtyard, Xu Yuexin unlocked the motorcycle, hung the suitcase on one side, waited for Da Yizi to catch up, then pushed the bike out of Guogongfu.

"Come up."

In front of Guogongfu's gate, Xu Yuexin sat on the motorcycle and said to Da Yizi behind him,

"You still remember our agreement, right?"

Da Yizi walked to the back seat of the motorcycle and asked him,

"I remember, what about it?"

"Nothing, just reminding you to be honest."

Da Yizi said lightly and took the back seat.

Xu Yuexin pursed his lips without a word, slammed the throttle and drove forward.

A moment later, the motorcycle carrying the two arrived at Tuanjie Lake.

Xu Yuexin helped Da Yizi lift the suitcase upstairs, then said goodbye to her.

Chen Yixue escorted Xu Yuexin to the door, feeling a bit surprised: he didn't dawdle at all.

"By the way."

When they reached the door, Xu Yuexin clapped his hands and said, "I just remembered where I put the film."

"Come back with me, I'll find it and give it to you."

"Don't lie to me."

Da Yizi said skeptically.

"Is it necessary to lie to you?"

Xu Yuexin finished speaking, turned around, and walked out.

Chen Yixue thought for a moment, then gritted her teeth and followed.

After a while, Xu Yuexin took her back to Guogongfu, parked the motorcycle in the backyard, and at that time Chen Qiaoqiao had already gone to the school to help.

"The film is right in this house; I'll go fetch it for you."

Xu Yuexin pointed to a cramped annex in the backyard and said.

Chen Yixue looked warily at the annex, then glanced around, feeling that Xu Yuexin's behavior today was a bit unusual.

He usually parks the motorcycle in the main courtyard; why did he park it in the backyard today?

With doubts swirling, Chen Yixue ultimately did not step into the annex.

Seeing Da Yizi not following, Xu Yuexin lingered at the doorway and refused to open the door.

"What, can't you keep lying?"

Chen Yixue crossed her arms over her chest and sneered coldly.

"Indeed, you said yesterday it was in the storage room, and today you say it's in the annex; there's an inconsistency."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands calmly and said, "But I think just this point alone isn't enough to conclude I'm lying to you."

"You must have noticed something else."

"The motorcycle's parking spot."

Chen Yixue didn't hold back either, speaking openly, "You usually park in the main courtyard, but this time you parked in the backyard."

"You must be afraid my sister might come back midway, discover you at home looking for you, so you parked the motorcycle in the backyard so she wouldn't notice, right?"

"The reason the film's storage location is inconsistent is the same as the previous point."

"The storage room is in Guogong Mansion Main Hall; you worry that doing something bad inside would be discovered if she returns midway, so you wanted to bring me to the backyard annex."

No wonder Da Yizi, as icy and clever as she is… she guessed it down to the last detail.

She was somewhat a match for herself.

Xu Yuexin sighed.

"You're right in your guess. However, I didn't completely lie to you."

Xu Yuexin glanced at Da Yizi, said, then opened the annex door and walked to a set of cabinets inside.

He opened a cabinet door, took out a small iron box, and returned to Da Yizi in the backyard.

"Here, the film is inside."

"Take it."

Under Da Yizi's surprised gaze, Xu Yuexin handed the iron box to her.

Da Yizi clearly couldn't believe it, opened the iron box and checked it once.

It really was that film.

Da Yizi closed the iron box, thought for a moment, then looked at Xu Yuexin: "Considering you were a bit sincere today…"

"The past matters are erased."

"From now on, live well with Qiao Qiao and keep your mind on the right path."

"Alright, I agree."

Xu Yuexin agreed heartily.

Chen Yixue was again surprised: as the saying goes, it's easy to change a country, hard to change one's nature.

Her brother‑in‑law has changed his temperament today, deciding to become a new person.

"Mua~"

While Chen Yixue was still pondering, Xu Yuexin had already wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Let go."

Chen Yixue showed an angry look, pushed him away, and said, "Weren't you just promising me to return to the right path?"

"This is the right path."

"…You said you'd respect me."

"Hmm, then go inside, don't stay out here."

"Shameless…"

Amid Da Yizi's protest, Xu Yuexin pulled her into the annex.

……

After a long while, inside the annex.

Da Yizi leaned weakly against the wall, her scattered gaze full of resentment.

"Heh, still trying to fool me."

Da Yizi's face still flushed, she breathed out, "If I hadn't lied, what would be in the box?" Xu Yuexin laughed, pointing at the film, and pinched her hip.

Da Yizi no longer had the strength to argue; she simply buttoned her shirt, eager to leave.

Da Yizi no longer has the strength to argue with him, and simply buttons the shirt button by button, wanting to leave here as quickly as possible.

Just as Da Yizi finished dressing and was about to leave the annex, a voice came from Guogong Mansion Main Hall—Chen Qiaoqiao's.

The worst thing happened: the younger sister returned midway!

Chen Yixue's face changed: if she ran into her sister now, her state would inevitably spark imagination.

With no other choice, Chen Yixue waited by the door, planning to go out only after Chen Qiaoqiao left.

"Since we can't get out, let's do it again."

Since we can't get out, let's do it again.

At that moment, Xu Yuexin stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Da Yizi's waist, lifted her in a half‑hug and placed her on the table.

"What are you doing!"

Da Yizi, terrified, covered herself and whispered, "Qiao Qiao is right ahead!"

"Keep it quiet; I can't hear."

Xu Yuexin planted a kiss on Da Yizi's red lips and said, "This house is well insulated."

"Despicable, filthy!"

Da Yizi, frantic to the point of tears, kept trying to push Xu Yuexin away.

Xu Yuexin, heedless, stepped forward, tore open her shirt, and the top few buttons flew off.

Black, lace!

Soon, a rhythmic rattling of the table echoed from the side room.

And Da Yizi, desperately covering her mouth, could not suppress a soft moan…

…

When Da Yizi left, it was already afternoon.

Considering that Da Yizi's shirt was ruined, Xu Yuexin fetched her a piece of Chen Qiaoqiao's clothing.

Seeing her sister's clothes, Chen Yixue's eyes reddened, "Shameless, scoundrel…"

She let drop pea‑sized tears, twitched her shoulders, and cursed at Xu Yuexin.

No wonder she was the noble, elegant former lead singer of the Cultural Troupe; even her insults were so simple, almost not dirty.

As Xu Yuexin helped Da Yizi put on the clothes, he smiled faintly and thought to himself.

He always notices something different! This time, Da Yizi would rather take a car herself than let him see her home.

After she left, Xu Yuexin leisurely returned to the Guogong Mansion Main Hall and inspected another negative of Da Yizi's leg‑exposing photo stored in the cabinet.

No one in the world mandates that a negative can have only one copy.

Of course, the premise is that the photographer pressed the shutter twice while shooting.

Having finished checking the negatives, Xu Yuexin returned to his desk, gathered his thoughts, and began writing.

Heavy Case Six Group: The Massacre Case has already been published in People's Literature; according to Wang Chaoyin, the response was enthusiastic, and readers felt it was worth the purchase.

Xu Yuexin intends to strike while the iron is hot, speed up to finish the second piece, and push the Heavy Case Six Group series to a new height of popularity.

In the days that followed, Xu Yuexin spent each day either basking in the courtyard sun, with the rest of his time devoted to drafting manuscripts.

Finally, before the semester began, he completed the manuscript of Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case and handed it to Wang Chaoyin.

Returning from Chaonei 166, Xu Yuexin felt an indescribable exhilaration.

A full 180,000‑word Mid-length Novel was finally finished.

He wondered what reaction readers of this era would have after seeing it.

Xu Yuexin let his imagination wander.

Back at Guogongfu, he habitually opened the mailbox to see if any Letter had arrived for him.

"Squeak…"

As the oil drum opened, Xu Yuexin saw a pristine envelope inside.

He took it out and saw two lines of elegant, graceful script.

"San Francisco, California, United States"

"Sender: Shen Qingru"

Aunt Shen had written to him.

Xu Yuexin tucked the envelope away and sighed.

After parting at the airport, an unknowable amount of time had passed.

Not to mention, seeing the letter now oddly makes him miss her.

Back in the Guogong Mansion Main Hall, Xu Yuexin opened the Letter and read it carefully.

"Xiao Xin, I've bought a house in the United States and am applying for a green card; I wonder how you are lately, whether you're adjusting to the new home…"

"In the study's drawer, there's some camphor; you can use it to prevent the manuscript from being infested by insects…"

In the Letter, Aunt Shen described her current situation and inquired after Xu Yuexin, expressing concern.

Line by line, Xu Yuexin personally felt Aunt Shen's tenderness.

At the end of the Letter, Aunt Shen said that after her green card is settled, she should return for a visit, hoping they can meet then.

Sure enough, lingering thoughts inevitably echo.

Xu Yuexin set the Letter aside and couldn't help imagining the scene when they meet later.

A few days later, the new semester began.

Xu Yuexin's Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case was also published in People's Literature.

As the freshly inked magazines were shipped to Xinhua Shudian after Xinhua Shudian, to newsstands, readers from all corners of the country finally saw the novel.

Soon, a flurry of reader letters, like snowflakes, were sent to People's Literature.

A total of three large bundles of letters arrived, fully demonstrating the explosive popularity of Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case.

Xu Yuexin received Wang Chaoyin's notice, rode his motorcycle to People's Literature, and after two trips finally brought all the letters back to Guogongfu.

The front‑yard side room had become Xu Yuexin's dedicated spot for storing reader letters.

From High Mountain to The Horse Herder, and now Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case, all reader letters for his novels are kept here, occupying half the room.

Xu Yuexin opened a reader Letter and began reading.

"Comrade Chunfeng, greetings. I am your faithful reader and have never missed any of your works."

"Regarding your latest masterpiece Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case, I have only three words: Too terrifying!"

Since this novel was released, the lesbian women around here don't dare to go out at night to use the restroom.

As a result, every morning there's a line at the women's restroom entrance…

Fine, it's expressed very realistically, but don't be so realistic next time.

Also, "too scary" is four characters.

Xu Yuexin silently said.

This is his unique way of replying to readers' letters—answering once in his mind.

With so many readers, surely someone can have a telepathic connection with him!

He puts away this letter, and Xu Yuexin opens the next one.

This letter isn't about commenting on "Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case", but rather discusses Xu Yuexin's continual publishing of single‑volume books and even releasing comic books.

"Personally, Comrade Chunfeng, as a well‑known author, your income must be quite substantial. If you keep publishing just to chase profit, that would be rather disappointing."

"An excellent author should not fall into the trap of money…"

?? Brother, you can be aloof and not partake in worldly affairs, but could you stop dragging me into it?

Xu Yuexin, with a puzzled expression, said, and decisively tossed the letter back into the pile.

Fortunately, although he disagrees with the letter's viewpoint, he can still remain calm and composed.

This is the result of the training after becoming famous; with so many readers in the world, if one gets angry at criticism, wouldn't one get sick from the anger?

Then, Xu Yuexin opened several more reader letters; most of them were praise, and some were police officers pointing out minor errors in details.

Great, thank you, comrade.

Seeing these letters, Xu Yuexin's mood lifted.

Whether it's praise or well‑reasoned correction, both are what he needs.

After reading the letters, Xu Yuexin plans to reply to a praising reader and also to a police officer who corrected him.

"Heavy Case Six Group" is a long‑term series, and Xu Yuexin needs to constantly absorb feedback from all sides to refine his work.

After "Heavy Case Six Group: Eight Women Case" was published, Xu Yuexin spent most of his time attending classes at school, and in between he negotiated with people from magazines such as "Yan River" and "Duck Green River" about the publication of "Great Ming 1566" and "Wukong Legend".

After a round of talks, Xu Yuexin earned a manuscript payment of 150,000 copies, and his cash on hand officially surpassed the 200,000 mark! The Great Unity, ten Hong Kong Dollar a sheet, filled his cabinet with over twenty‑thousand sheets! When he brought home the 20,000‑Hong Kong‑Dollar manuscript payment from "Yan River" and counted it together with his previous money, Xu Yuexin finally understood what it means to count money until his hand cramps.

Not to mention, his Xiangjiang Bank card still has 10.20 million Hong Kong Dollars!

With so much money, what should he do with it?

Xu Yuexin fell into thought.

Next year's Hang Seng Index in Xiangjiang and the United States' Nasdaq trends look poor, so he will not consider them.

If buying individual stocks, the only one he can acquire is Apple.

But Apple is a long‑term investment; Xu Yuexin doesn't want to put all his money into it and wait forty years, that's not his style.

He can just buy a little when Apple goes public at the end of the year.

Or… start a newspaper in Xiangjiang? The newspaper's theme would be to introduce the country's rapidly changing social and economic development and policy shifts.

In this way, it can showcase the motherland's better image to the world.

As long as the newspaper is well run, it can, before those public intellectuals and smear campaigns emerge, establish in the eyes of people worldwide an image of the motherland as vigorous, hopeful, and full of vitality.

By taking the initiative, the positive image is secured, rendering any later chaotic outcry useless.

On the other hand, many overseas Chinese and foreign businessmen are closely watching China's changes, hoping to find investment opportunities.

Alright, it's settled! Xu Yuexin decided decisively, planning to go to Xiangjiang whenever he has time.

These days, prices in Xiangjiang haven't risen yet, so 10.20 million should be enough to publish a newspaper.

As for the procedure, Xu Yuexin plans to find Lin Qingxia and ask her to introduce him to friends in the media world for a chat.

Having planned carefully, Xu Yuexin's newspaper will be positioned mainly in the social‑finance category, targeting high‑end individuals worldwide who are committed to investing in China.

High‑end individuals are willing to spend money, but have high standards; the content provided cannot contain errors.

After all, a single news item in the paper could affect their tens of millions or even billions of business, so sloppiness is unacceptable.

Xu Yuexin thought.

(End of chapter)