Chapter 27: Da Yizi

So it was Da Yizi who came looking for me.

Xu Yuexin stepped forward and opened the door, and saw Chen Yixue standing there, wearing a light‑yellow floral dress and carrying a black genuine‑leather Shoulder Bag.

Hmm, the garment she wears is exactly the yellow battle robe that later generations often speak of.

Beside her was a girl who had not yet shed her childish air, with a hero's fountain pen pinned to her shirt pocket and an army‑green Shoulder Bag on her back, looking like an office worker.

Seeing Xu Yuexin, a faint smile appeared on Chen Yixue's dignified and elegant face.

"Yuexin, our Cultural Troupe has officially decided to use the song 'In the Fields of Hope' for the Tribute Performance."

"Today I've brought the troupe's cashier with me to pay you the Manuscript Payment."

"Thank you for providing us with such outstanding work."

Chen Yixue said politely and gracefully.

"No need for such courtesy; just mail it to me directly, and thank you for coming all this way."

Xu Yuexin invited Chen Yixue and the cashier inside, and poured each of them a cup of tea.

When Chen Yixue sat at the table, the hem of her dress lifted a bit, revealing smooth, straight calves.

"Here is the 80‑yuan Manuscript Payment; please verify the amount."

"And the receipt; please sign at the top."

After the cashier sat down, they took a Letter envelope and a sheet of paper from their Shoulder Bag, removed the fountain pen, and handed it to Xu Yuexin.

Xu Yuexin took the pen, opened the envelope to confirm the money was correct, then signed his name on the receipt and returned it to the cashier.

"Our troupe leader, as well as the officials who came to watch the rehearsal, highly praised your work."

Chen Yixue placed her bag on the chair, looked at Xu Yuexin, and said earnestly, "I was wondering, if you have time, could you continue to provide our Cultural Troupe with creative works in the future?"

"As long as it's written by you, the compensation will always be generous."

So that's it… Da Yizi wanted to establish a long‑term partnership with me, so she came all the way to my door.

Xu Yuexin thought he could agree.

Big money must be earned, and even small money shouldn't be cut off. By today's price standards, the Manuscript Payment for lyrics isn't insignificant.

Moreover, in modern terms, this is a Public Contract Order, which counts as steady, long‑term income.

"My main occupation right now is novel writing, so I won't spend much time on lyrics."

After consideration, Xu Yuexin decided he should project the image of a very busy person before Da Yizi, and said, "Don't worry, as long as I can carve out some time, I'll write for you."

Chen Yixue understood the meaning behind Xu Yuexin's words.

He would write for her, not for the Cultural Troupe.

"Thank you for supporting my work."

Chen Yixue smiled with her eyes and said sincerely, "I will strive to sing and not betray your excellent creation."

…

The two talked for a long time, until the sun outside the window had shifted westward.

Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Yixue took her leave from Xu Yuexin, and he escorted her out of the family quarters.

After all, she is Da Yizi, and he must observe proper hospitality.

After parting, Chen Yixue and the cashier walked home together.

"Teacher Chen, you never usually say so much to anyone,"

The cashier remarked curiously, "Is your sister's partner really that impressive? It feels like you've said more to him than you ever have to anyone in your life."

Chen Yixue smiled modestly.

"What do you think?"

"He is the author of 'Flower Wreath Under the High Mountain'."

After saying that, Chen Yixue glanced at the cashier with interest, wanting to see her reaction.

"Oh my, is he Comrade Chunfeng?"

The cashier was so surprised her mouth couldn't close, "He's truly young and accomplished!"

"How old is he this year, and which department does he work in?" "Hey, what are you doing?"

Chen Yixue, displeased, nudged the cashier with her elbow, reminding her to mind her boundaries.

She wants others to be surprised by her sister's partner. If anyone dares to covet, that would be a gross overstep.

The cashier realized her faux pas and hurriedly covered it up: "I was just asking casually…"

Chen Yixue hummed and said nothing.

Women understand women best; no matter how the cashier tried to explain, she knew exactly what the other meant.

…

Not long after seeing Chen Yixue off, Xu Yuexin's parents and his older brother and sister‑in‑law returned home, each wearing a relaxed smile.

Wu Yan entered carrying two large baskets of chicken, duck, and fish, looking as festive as New Year, and said, "Tonight we'll have a feast to celebrate Old Xu regaining his title!"

Xu Yuexin stepped forward to take the dishes, feeling an indescribable joy: "From now on I'll have to call him Professor Xu Da, my dad."

"Our dad is the one who guards until the clouds part and the moon appears."

Xu Lianlian, barely able to keep his glasses from sliding down his nose, exclaimed excitedly, "I think the school will give him a prominent role in the future."

"Whether he's given a prominent role or not, we'll discuss it later."

Xu Qiang burst out laughing, "The most important thing is that from now on I can hold my head high and be a proper person."

Saying that, he also showed a hint of emotion: "These years you've suffered because of me, and I've wronged you."

"On such a joyous day, why bring that up? I'm going to pick the vegetables; Xiao Li, go to the kitchen and sharpen the knife for me."

Wu Yan said that and walked into the kitchen, and Xu Yuexin carried the dishes inside.

Kung Pao chicken, beer duck, mapo tofu, sautéed cabbage in vinegar…

That night, the Xu Family's dinner table was unusually lavish.

Even the braised ribbonfish was a premium product priced at five mao five per jin.

The whole family sat around the table, and even after finishing the meal they stayed together, looking forward to a bright future.

Eldest brother Xu Li and sister‑in‑law Gu Qiuyun didn't leave until late night; Wu Yan, holding a flashlight, escorted them downstairs, and after returning began discussing Xu Yuexin's lifelong matter with her old partner in the bedroom: "Old Xu, when do you think our son should go to Chen Qiaoqiao's house?"

"That should be decided by them themselves; love freely, after all."

"Hey, not saying what should be said, I think Chen Qiaoqiao is actually a decent person, but her mother is a bit hard to get along with."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I've shopped with her a few times, and I feel she… is rather difficult to talk to, and a bit snobbish, valuing money more than most people."

……

Wu Yan and Xu Qiang discussed it for a long time, but ultimately could not reach a definite answer; in short, they were just worried.

In the next room, Xu Yuexin, just like yesterday, was still writing novels nonstop.

Today his efficiency surpassed yesterday's; up to now he's written a full 3,000 characters! Getting rich early, writing books for money, cannot pause even for a moment.

In the days that followed, Xu Yuexin became like a wind‑up clock, hand‑writing a steady 5,000 characters each day; finally, with the completed manuscript in hand, he went to the People's Literature Editorial Department to find Wang Chaoyin.

Since Xu Yuexin was a familiar face, the Security Officer this time only had him sign in, letting him in, which was much more convenient than last time.

This time Xu Yuexin didn't come empty‑handed; having heard that Wang Chaoyin liked beer, he bought a case of Harbin‑brand beer and brought it over.

Back in the familiar editorial office, Xu Yuexin this time didn't get to see him.

"Wang Team Leader, he and the City Writers' Federation folks went to Hebei to gather inspiration; they'll be back in a few days."

After inquiring, a young editor replied.

"Got it, when Wang Team Leader returns, please tell him that Xu Yuexin came looking for him."

Xu Yuexin said, and, to be safe, he picked up the paper and pen on Wang Chaoyin's desk, leaving a note for him.

A few days later, Xu Yuexin guessed that Wang Chaoyin had already returned to Jing, so he again grabbed his manuscript and the beer, heading to People's Literature.

When he reached the editorial office, Wang Chaoyin was hunched over his seat reviewing manuscripts, with an empty beer bottle beside him.

(End of chapter)