Chapter 84: Wind Rises over Xiangjiang!

"You ride slower."

Chen Yixue didn't want to do that, so she reminded,

Xu Yuexin knew what she was thinking.

"If you go any slower, you'll have to hold me."

Xu Yuexin unlocked the bike, casually saying, "Forty kilometers per hour is enough to flip you over."

Chen Yixue helplessly pursed her lips, a look of resignation appearing on her face.

Really, there's no way with this person; they have to state things plainly.

When Chen Yixue reluctantly placed her hand on him, Xu Yuexin gently pressed the throttle, carrying her out of the community.

Rumble—

As they drove onto the main road, Xu Yuexin's speed kept increasing, and the engine's roar grew louder.

Chen Yixue was forced to cling tightly to Xu Yuexin, her expression very displeased.

"Can you slow down a bit?"

"I'm in a hurry."

"If I hold you like this and an acquaintance sees us, it'll be over."

"Then we have to ride faster so they can't see your face."

Amid the deafening engine noise, the two shouted to each other, still unable to outdo the Harley's roar.

At full speed, Xu Yuexin enjoyed the top‑tier thrust from Da Yizi's body pressing against him, hmm, stronger than his wife's.

"I think you're deliberately taking advantage of me."

From the back seat, Chen Yixue complained irritably.

"You were the one who climbed onto me, how can you say I'm taking advantage?"

Xu Yuexin blurted out, confident, "How about I throw you here and you take a car?"

Chen Yixue truly felt an urge to get off immediately.

The problem was looking left and right, there were only patches of reeds taller than a person; where could she catch a car? A petty person, indeed a petty person.

Chen Yixue glared at Xu Yuexin, huffing,

Xu Yuexin could actually see Da Yizi's angry expression in the rearview mirror.

One must admit, even a top beauty, when angry, has a different kind of charm.

Especially Chen Yixue's peach‑blossom eyes widened by displeasure, Xu Yuexin couldn't help imagining the beauty of her gaze when it eventually softens.

After arriving at Lao Mo's, Xu Yuexin stopped the motorcycle and got off with Da Yizi, one in front and one behind.

"Quickly, okay?"

Xu Yuexin said proudly.

"Oh."

Chen Yixue gave him a cold stare, maintaining a detached attitude.

She increasingly felt that this brother‑in‑law had ulterior motives, many coincidences perhaps deliberately arranged by him.

However, when she entered the restaurant and saw Ye Xinrong, Chen Yixue restored a friendly attitude toward Xu Yuexin.

"My brother‑in‑law is a famous writer, usually very busy; today we finally managed to invite him to come."

After exchanging greetings, Chen Yixue emphasized introducing to Ye Xinrong,

"Hmm, today Xu Sheng can attend in person, truly makes me feel honored."

Ye Xinrong, with a bright smile, politely asked if they had any dietary restrictions or preferences.

After ordering, the group chatted about business during the interval before the dishes arrived.

"Ms. Chen, we at Pacific Audio‑Visual Society have secured a batch of cultural exchange slots between us and Xiangjiang."

"We plan to reserve one for you. What do you think?"

Ye Xinrong said earnestly, adding, "This is a rare chance to broaden your horizons and expand your influence; I hope you seize it."

Go to Xiangjiang? The phrase, too distant and unfamiliar, caught Chen Yixue off guard.

"I need to think…"

Chen Yixue hesitated briefly, turning her face to gauge Xu Yuexin's intention.

"One slot is too few. If there were two, we'd consider it."

Xu Yuexin said straight to Ye Xinrong, "To be frank, Chen Yixue lacks experience in an environment like Xiangjiang; going for the first time she needs a familiar person by her side."

Ye Xinrong tilted his head, thinking for a moment.

"Xu Sheng, you're also going, right?"

He confirmed to Xu Yuexin, "I'll go back and report to the superiors; once we have a reply, I'll inform you."

"Remember to reply quickly, because I still need to submit the personnel list upward."

"Thank you, Manager Ye."

Xu Yuexin replied.

…

After the meal, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue took Ye Xinrong to stroll around Wangfujing and Dazhaolan.

It was then he realized that Ye Xinrong was basically just here to have fun, while also delivering a message.

A few days later, Ye Xinrong returned to Guangzhou, followed immediately by a Telegram.

The Telegram agreed to grant Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue two slots to go to Xiangjiang, with departure set for three days later, to assemble at the Pacific Audio‑Visual Society.

Three days later? Xu Yuexin counted on his fingers and found little time left, so he hurried to pack the necessary clothes and daily items.

Having prepared his gear, Xu Yuexin went to the street office, found Chen Qiaoqiao, and told her about his upcoming departure.

"Going to Xiangjiang? Then remember to bring the camera."

Chen Qiaoqiao reminded, "Take a few more photos for me to see."

"Right, I completely forgot about this."

Xu Yuexin tapped his forehead and said.

After finishing the conversation with his daughter‑in‑law, he borrowed a phone from the Street Office, called each of his parents, and asked if they had anything they wanted to bring.

The two elders naturally said no, and also reminded him to stay safe on the journey.

After the call, Xu Yuexin went home, slung his luggage on his back, took his camera, bought five rolls of Color Film Roll at the Friendship Store, and headed to East Three Ring to meet Chen Yixue.

"Here's something for you."

When he saw Chen Yixue at the entrance of Jia Su Yuan, Xu Yuexin took a gold particle out of his pocket and handed it to her.

"What's this for?"

Chen Yixue didn't reach out to take it; instead she said in surprise.

"Take it quickly."

"The government gave us few Hong Kong Dollars; with this we can buy a bit more."

"So that's how it is. By the way, how heavy is this gold? I'll pay you."

"Let's go quickly; we don't need that little bit of yours."

Xu Yuexin refused Chen Yixue's offer to pay, and walked with her toward the taxi Dispatch Point.

He carried two gold particles in total: the smaller one he gave to Chen Yixue, and the larger one remained with him.

Once they reach Xiangjiang, they can sell the gold particles and exchange them for Hong Kong Dollars to spend.

Xiangjiang always uses the international gold price; the two tiny pieces of gold can be exchanged for a decent amount of money.

Of course, because customs don't allow carrying large amounts of gold out, Xu Yuexin can only bring this little, otherwise it would exceed the limit.

After the car arrived at the train station, Xu Yuexin bought the next departing train.

Since the Jingjiu Railway has not yet begun construction, the two first took the Jingguang Line to Guangzhou to meet the main force. Then, according to Xu Yuexin's plan, they should take the Guangjiu Line to Kowloon.

When Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue arrived in Guangzhou, the weather was still as hot as last time, unlike Jingcheng which had already cooled down.

Rushing to the Pacific Audio‑Visual Society, Ye Xinrong explained some key points of the event to them.

He covered that they must not act apart from the team, should watch their speech, and be frugal—cannot spend all the Hong Kong Dollars right at the start, among other things.

Then, Ye Xinrong exchanged Hong Kong Dollars for the two of them at an official rate of 3.2:1.

Goodness, only 50.

Xu Yuexin had anticipated this mentally, but still didn't expect the amount to be so little.

Fortunately, he had foresight and had prepared a bit of gold in advance.

After receiving the Foreign Exchange, the Pacific Audio‑Visual Society arranged for them to stay in a guesthouse, where they got to know the other participants.

The next day, the train bound for Kowloon set off with the exchange group, clank clank heading toward Kowloon.

Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue sat side by side; when the train passed Shenzhen Station, Chen Yixue nudged Xu Yuexin and pointed out the window, "Is this Shenzhen?"

Xu Yuexin looked out the window and saw a few old brick houses and a row of dilapidated thatched huts.

This is Shenzhen Station.

Looking further out, the surroundings were dense, wild forest, where squirrels and larger lizards could be seen moving among the canopy.

"I heard they plan to focus development up there?"

A female companion nearby muttered, "Will it actually develop?"

Four seats erupted in a chorus of agreement; everyone truly could not link the word 'development' with the desolate, ruined place before them.

Xu Yuexin stayed silent; he felt it was surreal.

The future nationally renowned first‑tier city would rise from such a wilderness.

The train lingered at Shenzhen Station for a long time, undergoing customs boarding inspection.

When it was Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue's turn, customs officers brought out a scale to verify whether the weight of their gold particles exceeded the limit.

These days' regulations are stricter than those of later eras; later eras allow up to 31 g of gold, whereas the current standard caps each person at 15.625 g.

After the check, the customs officers returned the gold particles to Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue respectively.

After the customs staff disembarked, the train continued clack clack heading south, and stopped not long after.

This station shares its old name with Shenzhen Station, easily leading one to think it lies within Luohu Qu, under Shenzhen's jurisdiction.

But the onboard announcement clearly indicated they had entered Xiangjiang.

"Attention passengers, we have entered Xiangjiang territory; please cooperate with Xiangjiang customs for boarding inspection…" After another round of checks, the train proceeded and reached the terminus Kowloon Station after a short while.

Through the window, Chen Yixue saw Kowloon Station and its surroundings.

A stretch of low‑rise houses, youths loitering on the streets, scavengers inside the station…

Especially several kilometers away, the landmark of Kowloon still rose—the Kowloon City Fortress.

"It doesn't seem as bustling as in the movies?"

Chen Yixue replied, puzzled, "It's a bit rundown."

"Right, this is one of Xiangjiang's most remote, chaotic districts."

Xu Yuexin was also struck, commenting with a hint of sentiment, "Once we ride into the city center, it'll be a completely different scene."

Xu Yuexin had visited Xiangjiang before, but back then Kowloon City Fortress had been demolished, and the whole Kowloon area had undergone reconstruction, showing considerable improvement.

Today's scene is my first time seeing it.

After getting off the train, the group, under Ye Xinrong's direction, exited the station and boarded a shuttle bus heading toward Xiangjiang's urban area.

Xu Yuexin still sat together with Chen Yixue, while Ye Xinrong sat at the front.

"Manager Ye, may I ask where we're going now?"

Xu Yuexin asked Ye Xinrong.

"Go to Causeway Bay; the hotel we're staying at is right there."

Ye Xinrong replied, "When we get off later, I will announce today's itinerary to everyone."

Causeway Bay? It's also a place with stories.

The name made Xu Yuexin recall the movies he had seen and he couldn't help but smile knowingly.

Beside him, after Chen Yixue got on the bus, she could already clearly sense that this place was different.

The bus here also has Air Conditioning, and as the vehicle kept moving forward, the street scenery outside became increasingly bustling.

Sky‑piercing skyscrapers, colorful red‑and‑green signs lining the streets, impeccably dressed office workers in suits, and fashionably styled modern ladies.

"They really walk fast."

Chen Yixue whispered to Xu Yuexin.

"The work pace here is intense."

Xu Yuexin explained, "People treat time as money and efficiency as life."

After the bus arrived at Causeway Bay, the exchange group members disembarked one by one, retrieved their luggage, and walked into the hotel under the curious gazes of nearby Xiangjiang citizens.

After completing the check‑in procedures uniformly, Ye Xinrong once again emphasized the activity discipline to the exchange group members, then everyone went upstairs together.

Xu Yuexin's and Chen Yixue's hotel room numbers were adjacent, and on the whole floor only the two of them belonged to the exchange group.

After going upstairs, Xu Yuexin helped Chen Yixue carry her luggage into the room, then returned to his own side.

The room was tiny, only 8 square meters, truly a place where every inch is worth gold.

Even so, it still featured a private bathroom, and a wardrobe was placed beside the bed.

Xu Yuexin briefly put away clothes, towels, and the like, when Chen Yixue knocked on the door.

Seeing the inside of his wardrobe, Chen Yixue showed a disdainful expression: "Just these few simple items, and you still can't tidy them up."

"At home, it must be Qiao Qiao serving you."

"A real man doesn't fuss over trifles."

Xu Yuexin didn't mind at all, "If you find it unsightly, you can help me organize it."

Chen Yixue furrowed her brows, shook her head at him, and actually sat on the bedside to start sorting.

"This is the top, this is the towel."

"I've put the pants together for you."

After finishing, Chen Yixue pointed at the wardrobe and said, "The rest you handle yourself."

Under her hands, the wardrobe became much more orderly, except for a few Underpants that still required Xu Yuexin to sort himself.

Even when helping, Chen Yixue still had principles.

"Thanks for the trouble. At home it's Qiao Qiao who cleans, out here it's you who does."

Xu Yuexin deliberately stared at Chen Yixue and said, "Having reached this point in life, what more does a man seek?"

Chen Yixue immediately gave him a fierce look.

"Got a loose mouth again, huh?"

Chen Yixue said irritably, "Letter not Letter I immediately send a Telegram to Da Yizi?"

"Don't be so sensitive."

Xu Yuexin calmly soothed Da Yizi, "Besides, sending a Telegram from here is already precious."

After repeatedly crossing Da Yizi's bottom line, he could generally gauge her emotions.

As long as there are no excessive actions, Xu Yuexin can usually calm her down.

"Expensive, I also want to send."

Chen Yixue hummed and said, but took no action.

"Give me the gold."

Xu Yuexin then recalled and said, "When it's convenient later, exchange it for money."

"Alright, swapping gold here should be fine, right?"

Chen Yixue took out the gold particles, handed them to Xu Yuexin, and said.

Thinking back to the last time she exchanged gold, she still felt lingering fear.

"It's fine; no one here cares where your gold came from."

Xu Yuexin took the gold particles, shrugged, and said, "Besides, that's all we have."

According to the superiors' arrangement, the exchange group is to meet Xiangjiang literary and artistic figures tonight, with no particular tasks during the day.

Xu Yuexin found Ye Xinrong and suggested that everyone go out for a stroll.

"There's an outing planned for the last day; no need to rush."

Ye Xinrong smiled and declined.

"My purpose is not to have fun."

Xu Yuexin earnestly said, "I think, as members of the literary and artistic community, we should experience more of Xiangjiang's customs and local life; it will surely help our future creations."

"That's also one of the original intents of our exchange group, right?"

Ye Xinrong was moved by his words.

Outside the room was a bustling scene of lights and wine; who would want to stay in a cramped room?

If there were a suitable reason to go out, that would be wonderful.

"I need to report to the superiors."

After thinking it over, Ye Xinrong responded, "You go back to your room first; there's a reply upstairs that will tell you."

"Relying on you, our good group leader."

Xu Yuexin laughed and patted Ye Xinrong's arm, saying.

Ye Xinrong was startled for a moment, then was amused by this "no respect for elders" young man.

After a incense‑burning's worth of time, all members of the exchange group, including Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue, received notice that they could go out before the official evening event began, provided they moved as a group.

"This is the benefit you secured for everyone."

When stepping out of the hotel doorway, Ye Xinrong beamed and said to the Xu Yuexin beside him, "Remember to save some, don't spend all the Hong Kong Dollars early."

Xu Yuexin verbally agreed, and after a while asked Ye Xinrong for permission, indicating he wanted to use the restroom.

Ye Xinrong didn't object, waved his hand and agreed. The other members of the exchange group, following the rule of at least five per group, entered clothing stores and convenience stores, each with a fresh expression on their face.

Xu Yuexin walked along the narrow streets of Causeway Bay, turning left and right, finally stopping in front of a gold shop, where he took out two gold pieces and handed them to the clerk.

At present, the international gold price is about US$17 per gram, and Xiangjiang has not yet implemented a linked exchange rate system; one US dollar equals five Hong Kong Dollars.

The two gold pieces were finally exchanged for HK$1,658.

At Xiangjiang's current price level, that amount is enough for Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue to live carefree for the next few days.

After exchanging the gold, Xu Yuexin, carrying a stack of Hong Kong Dollars, returned to the exchange group and found Chen Yixue.

Chen Yixue was browsing a clothing store with several female members; Xu Yuexin, taking advantage of the moment when no one was watching, called her aside.

"Keep it safe, don't let anyone else see."

Xu Yuexin took out 658 Hong Kong Dollars and slipped them into Chen Yixue's pocket, saying.

Chen Yixue quickly tightened her pocket, checking left and right to ensure no one saw.

Everyone only had a limit of 50 dollars; they couldn't flaunt wealth.

After a day's round of shopping, in the evening Ye Xinrong gathered everyone for a simple meal before heading to the Xiangjiang Grand Hall in Central.

This is the most renowned cultural and entertainment venue in all of Xiangjiang; the organizers have rented an exhibition hall here for the evening exchange event.

Xu Yuexin and his group arrived first; the organizers handed each of them a participant list, which listed the Xiangjiang attendees.

Indeed, among them were many household‑name writers, as well as film stars.

Xu Yuexin stared at the list for a while, and his gaze was finally drawn to Lin Qingxia.

Later… should I get to know this famous Xiangjiang film star? Xu Yuexin thought to himself.

Soon, literary and art figures from Xiangjiang arrived one after another; Lin Qingxia, dressed in a black strapless evening gown and high heels, entered the hall with regal beauty.

Unlike the Pacific Audio‑Visual side, there was no leader on their end, so Ye Xinrong hurried forward to introduce the two parties.

During the introductions, Lin Qingxia remained modestly smiling, occasionally offering a greeting or two.

"This is Xu Yuexin, a well‑known writer and the youngest member of our exchange group. 'Wreath Under the High Mountain' was written by her."

"This is Lin Qingxia, a famous Xiangjiang film star, the female lead of 'Eight Hundred Heroes', and a winner of the Asia‑Pacific Film Festival Best Actress award."

"Oh? 'Wreath Under the High Mountain' was written by you."

When it was Xu Yuexin's turn, Lin Qingxia's expression changed, a hint of interest appearing in her eyes, and she proactively extended her hand to him.

"Yes, hello Ms. Lin."

Xu Yuexin grasped Lin Qingxia's delicate hand, his demeanor modest and calm, and asked, "Have you read my book?"

(End of chapter)