Chapter 63: Ming 1566

Yes, Xu Yuexin's home was actually not in Wudaokou, but in the Keyuan Community two kilometers away.

Many members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' academic committees—later known as Academicians—live here, as well as First‑Grade and Second‑Grade Professors from prestigious schools such as Qinghua and Peking, covering both humanities and sciences.

Later his father was demoted to lecturer, and the family moved to the present Jiafu Building.

If his mother hadn't mentioned it, Xu Yuexin would never have recalled that he even had a home. He was just born when they moved, so he has no memory of the place at all.

Nevertheless, after regaining his composure, Xu Yuexin still felt extremely excited.

"When are we going back?"

Xu Yuexin, restraining the surging emotion inside, said.

From 1959 to today is exactly 20 years. Their family's move out and move back mirrors the fate of a generation of the nation's intellectuals.

The great mountain of the era has been moved away from them.

"In five more days."

Wu Yan, eyes filled with hot tears, smiled, "Heaven has opened its eyes."

Xu Yuexin felt a slight shiver run through his whole body upon hearing his mother's words.

Indeed, Heaven truly has opened its eyes.

"That's a good thing, why are you crying?"

Xu Qiang sniffed, wiped the sour corner of his eye, and said, "Besides me moving back, there are several academic committee members and professors as well."

"It was a leader from the Ministry of Science personally approving, restoring our housing."

"Really?"

Wu Yan, unable to hide her surprise, asked, "Is the higher‑ups now so attentive to intellectuals?"

"Of course, the state will further value people like dad in the future."

Xu Yuexin, striving to keep a calm tone, said, "Because technology is the primary productive force, valuing scientific education allows the nation to prosper."

"Well said, technology truly is the primary productive force!"

Xu Qiang patted the chair armrest, cheering, his face showing a reflective expression, "Moving to a new home, improving living conditions, we must find ways to produce more results in the future."

"We must not betray the reputation of being the primary productive force."

"And we must also take care of our health."

Wu Yan, looking at her husband with concern—his recent research workload has been too intense—said, "I'll first tidy up our winter clothes and blankets."

"We'll sort the clothes and blankets in our room ourselves."

Chen Qiao Qiao said obediently.

In the following days, the Xu Family entered the moving period.

Because Xu Qiang was busy tackling research challenges in the lab, Xu Yuexin inevitably became the main mover for the relocation.

On moving day, Qinghua University sent a small truck to the Xu Family, saving them a lot of trouble.

Upon hearing that Xu Yuexin was moving, Wang Youle also voluntarily came to help. Little Fatty ran up and down, carrying several pieces of furniture for them.

With the engine revving, the truck slowly left the Faculty Building, heading toward the Keyuan Community two kilometers away.

Xu Qiang followed the vehicle, Xu Yuexin rode a bicycle with Chen Qiao Qiao, and Wu Yan rode a bike with Xu Yanran.

The two‑kilometer ride was over in a flash; as soon as Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiao Qiao arrived, they were deeply attracted by the Keyuan Community's environment.

Below the small building of bluish‑white bricks and stones, lush trees stood, some bearing unripe green fruits; rows of flower pots lined the internal roads of the community, their vivid colors dazzling the eyes.

Under the shade of the roadside trees, several elderly gentlemen with white hair, possessing a scholarly demeanor, were discussing cutting‑edge academic knowledge.

"The atmosphere here is truly wonderful."

Chen Qiao Qiao, immersed in the beautiful surroundings, sighed in admiration.

"Look, the one in blue is working on artificial synthesis of bovine insulin; he even visited when Xiao Xin was one month old."

Wu Yan pointed at an elderly passerby in the distance and told the juniors, "I hear he's about to be promoted to academic committee member."

"Wow, should we go up and greet him?"

Xu Yanran, her tone full of admiration, asked her mother, "Let's finish moving the house first; later we'll have plenty of time to mingle with the old neighbors."

Wu Yan commanded, leading Xu Yuexin, Chen Qiao Qiao, and Xu Yanran toward the truck that had already been parked.

It seems that from now on we'll truly live a life of scholarly banter, with only learned guests and no laypeople.

Xu Yuexin surveyed the residential buildings before him, each a national academic and cultural hub, and thought to himself.

Such a life is indeed somewhat exciting.

The new home is on the third floor, a Large three‑bedroom apartment of 120 square meters, facing south with excellent lighting.

After the move, Xu Yuexin flopped onto the bedroom's large bed, feeling immensely comfortable.

Buying a house is still a necessity; he and Chen Qiao Qiao need to have an independent living space.

This move, however, is a huge improvement before buying a house.

"The bedroom is much more spacious than our previous one."

Chen Qiao Qiao used a feather duster to sweep up the disturbed dust in the room, saying cheerfully.

This apartment is exactly twice the size of the old home, and far larger than her parents' house.

Being able to improve living conditions right after marriage makes Chen Qiao Qiao very satisfied.

After napping on the bed for a while, Xu Yuexin went out to buy two jin of oranges, along with the latest manuscript saved after publishing The Horse Herder, and headed to visit Wang Meng.

Xu Yuexin hopes to become the era's first writer to publish works in Xiangjiang and abroad, which requires approval from the higher‑ups.

According to Xu Yuexin's plan, he intends to first communicate with Wang Meng.

If Wang Meng is willing to act as an intermediary with the superiors, then after obtaining approval, Xu Yuexin will approach Ye Tianrong to discuss the specific publication and profit sharing.

The Jingcheng Writers Association's staff building is far from the Keyuan Community; after Xu Yuexin arrived by car, he knocked on the gate of Wang Meng's small garden.

"Hello Uncle Wang, I am Xiao Xu."

"Excuse me, could you open the door?"

"Xiao Xu? I'm here."

A warm reply echoed from the garden, and shortly the gate opened; Wang Meng, wearing casual home attire, appeared behind it with a smile.

"Uncle Wang, how's work lately? Have you been swamped?"

"It's a bit busy. The Writers Association has so many tasks that I haven't had time to write. How about you, after The Horse Herder was published, do you have plans for a new work?"

"I'm in the middle of writing; the manuscript I brought today is it."

"Very productive! What's the subject?"

The host and guest chatted merrily as they walked into the living room, and Wang Meng personally poured a steaming cup of tea for Xu Yuexin.

The living room's furnishings were simple: a lacquered table, a few chairs, a coffee table draped with a national‑color tablecloth, and the only appliance in the entire room was a radio.

Against the wall, a bamboo‑rattan bookshelf was crammed with books—ancient and modern, domestic and foreign—giving the room a distinctly intellectual‑family atmosphere of this era.

"Historical subject, about the Ming Dynasty."

After taking the tea, Xu Yuexin pulled the manuscript from his bag, set it on the table, and said, "I brought it today especially for you to edit."

"I don't deserve it; you're a genius‑type writer."

Wang Meng smiled modestly, took the manuscript from his hand, and said, "Come, let me see your great work."

"Great Ming 1566, right…"

"Exactly, this is the opening part; the rest hasn't been written yet."

Xu Yuexin said.

Hmm…

Wang Meng nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing.

This opening is rather interesting.

(End of chapter)