Chapter 16: People

That's it!

Xu Yuexin immediately picked up his pen, looked up at Chen Yixue and asked, "Do you have paper?"

"Got it. Did you get inspiration?"

Chen Yixue hadn't expected Xu Yuexin to find a thread so quickly, so she promptly took her notebook from her bag and handed it to him with both hands.

Xu Yuexin opened the notebook and wrote on the paper the lyrics he had hummed countless times.

"Our hometown,

on the hopeful fields.

Cooking smoke drifts over the newly built houses, a small river flows beside the beautiful village, a field of winter wheat and a field of sorghum."

……

Each line of beautifully imagined lyrics was born under Xu Yuexin's pen like flowing clouds and water.

A faint tea scent in the air mingled with the lingering light buzz from the wine, and as Xu Yuexin swept his pen, his whole body was filled with a rapturous exhilaration.

Chen Qiaoqiao and Chen Yixue saw a carefree confidence on Xu Yuexin's face, turned their heads in succession, trying to see exactly what lyrics he had written.

Seeing this, Chen Yixue couldn't help but start reciting.

"Our future,

on the hopeful fields, people live under the bright sunshine…"

The lyrics, graceful and rhythmic, were so catchy that as Chen Yixue's red lips formed the words, vivid, warm pastoral scenes flashed in her mind.

On the bountiful fields, bags of grain piled into little hills, farmers harvested diligently with joy, and children laughed and played along the ridges.

Amid the cooking smoke, the scent of rice filled the whole village, and the elders gathered at the entrance, praying for another abundant year to come…

The lyrics are well written, truly wonderful.

Simple yet evocative, they depict a countryside growing ever more prosperous, perfectly showcasing the new era's rural landscape.

Affluence, prosperity, newly built homes…

These words all echo the current top‑level policy direction for rural work; what could be more fitting as a tribute song lyric?

Chen Yixue was immersed in a sea of art, her gaze following Xu Yuexin's strokes, unable to pull herself away for a long time.

Until Xu Yuexin set his pen down and, in a relaxed tone, announced the success: "It's finished, take a look."

As he spoke, he pushed the notebook in front of Chen Yixue.

"I just read it; it's written exceptionally well."

Chen Yixue's eyes brimmed with abundant emotion, as if ready to burst, "It's rare to see lyrics this good."

"In ancient times Li Bai wrote poetry drunk; today Xin Ge pens verses after wine."

Chen Qiaoqiao once again felt proud of her boyfriend's brilliance, nudged her sister with her elbow and said, "I told you he was dazzlingly talented; I wasn't wrong, right?"

"I wasn't drunk."

Xu Yuexin promptly defended, "Just a little wine."

"You're right; Yuexin's creation of a beautiful atmosphere and hopeful aura in the lyrics left an indelible impression on me."

"These lyrics are a perfect tribute piece, the pinnacle of imagery and rhythm."

Chen Yixue didn't hold back praise, "Thank you, I'm truly impressed by your talent."

The lyrics sprang to life as soon as the pen touched paper, flawless in every line, and Xu Yuexin's performance exceeded Chen Yixue's expectations.

The cool, distant expression that usually graced Chen Yixue's face was now filled with admiration for Xu Yuexin.

"I'll compose a melody for you."

True to his word, Xu Yuexin began humming a melody from memory.

Chen Yixue instantly produced another fountain pen, swiftly noting the tune's timbre in the notebook, occasionally exclaiming with appreciation.

A classic piece—how could it not be praised?

When the piece ended, night had already fallen.

Amid Chen Yixue's sincere thanks, Xu Yuexin escorted her and Chen Qiaoqiao home.

Back home, Chen Yixue couldn't rest; she pulled the notebook from her tote and organized the lyrics and melody Xu Yuexin had provided.

After copying everything, Chen Yixue began to sing a cappella, her lilting voice drifting through the door into the living room.

"You came up with the song so quickly? This morning you said the lyrics were stuck."

Zhou Zhifeng, working the sewing machine, exclaimed in disbelief, "Xiao Xue is really capable."

"It was Xin Ge who wrote it for my sister."

Chen Qiaoqiao, holding People's Literature, lifted her eyes and corrected, "It's written wonderfully; the pen strike summons wind and rain."

"Go ahead, novels and music don't intersect."

Zhou Zhifeng still didn't believe it; she had never heard of a novelist also excelling at lyric writing.

At that moment the singing in the room continued, and Chen Yixue went out to get water.

"It was Yuexin who wrote it; he truly is brimming with talent."

Chen Yixue, having heard the whole argument in the room, stepped forward to defend Xu Yuexin, "You don't have to disparage him deliberately; I think Qiaoqiao and he make a good pair."

Zhou Zhifeng fell silent.

Years earlier, when Zhou Zhifeng labored in the countryside and could barely earn a few work points a day, it was Chen Yixue who transferred her wages, allowing her to have steamed buns and rice instead of going hungry.

Thus the whole family only feared Chen Yixue; whenever she spoke, even if they disagreed, they could only swallow it inwardly…

A few days later, while buying groceries, Zhou Zhifeng ran into Wu Yan again.

Usually Zhou Zhifeng shopped with Wu Yan, but now thinking of Xu Yuexin made her uneasy, so after forcing a smile and greeting Wu Yan, she found an excuse to leave.

Wu Yan didn't mind; she was easy‑going and rarely bothered by trivial matters.

If we don't shop together, then we just don't shop together. As if without her, the vegetable prices would go up by two cents?

Wu Yan briskly finished buying groceries, rode her bicycle back to her doorstep, and saw a middle‑aged man wearing glasses wandering near the base of the wall.

Because of the particular vigilance of a Jingcheng aunt of her age, Wu Yan immediately pushed her bicycle forward and interrogated, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

In the past two years, more and more Educated Youth have returned to the city, many cannot find jobs, and public security has deteriorated. As a resident she must stay alert and voluntarily safeguard the safety order of her dwelling.

"I'm looking for a writer named Xu Yuexin to discuss matters concerning his work. This is the address he gave me."

Wang Chaoyin finished speaking, took out a slip of paper with the address written on it, and handed it to Wu Yan.

So… it turns out they're looking for their own son.

Wu Yan took the slip, instantly seemed to understand, "Oh… you're his reader and want to pay a visit, right?"

Wang Chaoyin was stunned, then quickly recovered, opened his mouth and laughed, "You guessed right; I'm a reader of Comrade Xu Yuexin and want to talk with him."

The gatekeeper won't let me in.

Who says he isn't a reader of 'High Mountain Under the Flower Garland'? As the first person to see this work, Wang Chaoyin later read it repeatedly, wishing he could carve every character into his mind.

"Alright, I'll take you up, but I can't guarantee he has time."

Wu Yan, thinking that a reader had traveled a long way, felt her enthusiasm surge and readily agreed.

With Wu Yan leading, the gatekeeper this time did not block Wang Chaoyin.

"Yuexin, your reader has come to see you."

After going upstairs, Wu Yan opened the house door and shouted inside.

"A reader coming to see you?" Xu Yuexin heard his mother's shout and was momentarily at a loss.

These days personal data leaks probably aren't as severe as in later generations…

I haven't even corresponded with a reader by Letter, so how did they get the address? Xu Yuexin, puzzled, stepped out of his bedroom, and upon seeing the visitor, was both amused and exasperated.

"Mom, they're not a reader; they're my editor."

Xu Yuexin forced a wry smile as he corrected, stepped forward and greeted Wang Chaoyin, "Group Leader Wang, don't be surprised; my mother may not have understood."

"No, I told her myself."

Wang Chaoyin and Xu Yuexin walked to the table together and sat down, saying, "Having read 'High Mountain' so many times, what else could you be if not a reader?"

"Oh… so you're the editor."

"Welcome to our home as a guest, to guide our Yuexin."

Wu Yan, having figured out the truth, politely said while pouring tea.

"No, no, your child is a naturally gifted author; I'm not in a position to call myself a guide."

Wang Chaoyin took the teacup with both hands, thanked them, and said, "Today I'd like to discuss some important matters related to his work with him."

Wu Yan turned, took some snacks from the biscuit jar, placed them back on the table, and said, "Take your time chatting; I have to go to work."

"If the snacks aren't enough, remember to take some."

"Enough, that's sufficient, thank you for your warm hospitality."

Wang Chaoyin looked at the pile of snacks forming a small mountain on the table and thought this aunt was truly hospitable.

After Wu Yan left, Wang Chaoyin turned to Xu Yuexin and explained the purpose of his visit.

"Yuexin, I'm here on behalf of the Magazine Office and the City Writers Association to speak with you."

"Your work is very successful. In a short time, 'High Mountain Under the Flower Garland' has become a widely beloved novel across the nation."

"Higher authorities are paying close attention, and the leaders have given you high praise before me."

"The Writers Association connected us with a reporter from the People's Daily, hoping to conduct a one‑issue interview with you regarding stylistic matters."

"Didn't you tell Chen Jiangong that you dislike panel discussions? He reported that to me last night. After thorough consideration, the Magazine Office decided to use the novel format of an interview to promote you and your work, thereby bringing a fresh breeze to the literary world."

"Can you accept it?"

The higher‑up decision was swift; Chen Jiangong had only told me a few days ago that the authorities were monitoring my work and would speak at an opportune moment, and today Wang Chaoyin arrived.

As he said, in these times an interview truly is a very new way to promote a work.

However, there's still room for further innovation.

"Thank you, Group Leader Wang, and also the office for taking my opinions into account and fully considering my thoughts and feelings."

"You're right; using an interview as a promotional method is indeed novel today."

"And in my view, we could have even more updated options."

After some deliberation, Xu Yuexin spoke calmly.

"Oh? Please go ahead."

Wang Chaoyin said, his tone rather interested.

(End of chapter)