[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-113":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","1987: My Era",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2259273,4409,"Chapter 113: Big Progress, a Kiss, Heading to the Capital (Request Subscription!)","1987-my-era-chapter-113",113,"\u003Cp>Li Heng didn’t go to the so-called Sun Jialong; instead, he rode his old-fashioned bicycle around the old train station once and returned to the entrance of the town middle school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually leaned his bicycle against a wall, bought a few ice pops, and struck up a conversation with the shop owner at the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the chat, Li Heng said: “Boss, your location’s perfect—you should install a public phone. You’d make a fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boss sighed: “I’ve thought of it, but installing a phone costs several thousand yuan, plus you need official approval. I’m just a small-time guy—I’d have to sell my whole body just to scrape together enough. I can’t afford it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an era where wages were 1.5 yuan a day, several thousand yuan was a massive sum—even a strong man working nonstop as a laborer would need over ten years to save up. It was simply beyond the means of an ordinary family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only families like the Xiao’s, with public funding, could afford such luxury. In a small town like this, who would dare install a phone at home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they chatted, Li Heng waited for a miracle—hoping the cunning girl would hear his thoughts, that she knew he was waiting for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected it—just over ten minutes later, the miracle actually happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There she was: Xiao Han, tall and slender, wearing a blue-and-white checkered shirt, her face naturally beautiful, unadorned, with fine eyebrows and almond eyes, delicate and refined, her neck and shoulders as pale and smooth as fine porcelain, her waist flowing gracefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she appeared at the entrance of the town government compound, the shop owner couldn’t help but exclaim: “Xiao Secretary is truly blessed—raised such a gifted, exquisite daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng chuckled: “Boss, you’re cultured—you used ‘zhong ling yu xiu’ perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner shook his head with a smile: “I didn’t come up with it—I just borrowed the principal’s words. Everyone says: if our town has ten dou of spiritual energy, Xiao Secretary’s daughter alone claims eight dou. She’ll surely marry into a big city—this little place can’t hold her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they chatted, Xiao Han spotted him while walking toward the shop, but she was too proud in public—she glanced at him once, then subtly changed her path, passed the reception office, and entered the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was summer vacation—no one inside—and the school walls perfectly blocked outside noise and kept prying eyes away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng understood at once. After four or five minutes, while the shop owner was busy serving customers, he slipped quietly into the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around the gate but didn’t see her. Still, he wasn’t worried—he knew the place well, turned down the right path, and there she was, under the shade behind the cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in junior high, he and Chen Zijin loved coming here to meet—it was secluded, rarely crowded, perfect for sneaking around and falling in love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather was stiflingly hot. Li Heng jogged over and handed her a cream ice pop, smiling: “How did you know I was waiting outside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han peeled the wrapper, calm and detached: “Mr. Li, you’re mistaken. I’m not here for you. My dad’s coming home for lunch, and we ran out of soy sauce—Mom sent me to buy some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She silently added: To see you, I pretended to drop the soy sauce. Mom yelled: “It’s brand new! I just bought it two days ago!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng frowned: “So you can’t stay out long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han glanced at him, cheerful: “There’s a way—why don’t you blow up the government compound?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng rolled his eyes, cut to the point, and recounted what happened at the telecom office, then said: “There’s a loophole. I came to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han listened, gazing up at the blue sky, lost in thought—only snapping back after licking half her ice pop: “You’re really afraid your mom will find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng froze, then quickly replied: “No—I respect you. My reputation’s bad enough. If you’re not afraid, I’d welcome it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing “reputation,” Xiao Han fell silent for a long while, then pointed to the osmanthus tree beside them: “Still familiar with this tree?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng followed her gaze to the osmanthus tree—familiar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tree witnessed every moment of his and Chen Zijin’s youthful, naive love in junior high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t read this girl’s mind—so he stayed quiet, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, soon after, Xiao Han turned to him, bit her lip, and gathered courage: “How much of the rumor about you and Chen Zijin is true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumor, of course, referred to sleeping together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lie? It’d be exposed eventually—Chen Zijin wasn’t someone to be trifled with. If both sides turned on him, he’d be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell the truth? Then his progress with this girl would stall indefinitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he hesitated, Xiao Han bit into the last bite of her ice pop, her expression dimming: “I overestimated myself, Mr. Li. I’ve put you in a tough spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Heng instinctively hugged her from behind, just like in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, her body temperature soared from 37°C to 100°C—burning hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air turned deathly still. Long moments passed. Finally, she touched her earlobe, blushing: “Can you let go? There are so many teachers living on campus—they’ll see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if they did, word would reach the Xiao family immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng didn’t cling—he released her, serious: “Xiao Han, be my girlfriend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han refused outright: “No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Then be my wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han looked up, crisp and clear: “Mr. Li, how many wives will you have in the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To steady her, Li Heng said: “One.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han murmured: “Yesterday, someone slept in my arms—but called out Song Yu’s name. So she’s the wife, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng froze. He’d dreamed a lot yesterday—had he really said Song Yu’s name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to deny it instantly—but then remembered his mother and second sister’s words, and hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he denied it. He figured if he’d really called out Song Yu’s name, this cunning girl would’ve woken him up already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng spoke solemnly: “Xiao Han, not being with you in junior high was a great regret. I truly care about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke, silence fell—exactly twenty seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Xiao Han gave a bitter smile: “I’m sorry—I’m not ready to accept this yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She silently added: I’m sorry—I care about you too. Forgive me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She silently added: If you’re going to confess, do it properly—pick a flower, say “I like you,” “I love you”; or hold me, press your forehead to mine, and whisper: I’ve loved you for so long. Don’t make it so casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she said “I’m sorry,” she regretted it—wished she could bite her tongue off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart screamed inside: Xiao Han! What are you doing? You waited six years—wasn’t it all for this moment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wasn’t willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even know why she wasn’t willing. What exactly was she unwilling about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was because he’d slept with Chen Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe it was because he only said “I care about you,” not “I like you,” not “I love you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt their love could’ve been more passionate, more grand—more fitting her dreams and fantasies. For that moment, she’d waited too long—it had to be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met. Li Heng looked so handsome, so refined—standing perfectly still, calm and composed, his gentle gaze a sweet assault on her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied him carefully, until her cheeks flushed and she felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to pretend indifference, but she was about to break—so she emptied her mind, letting herself sink into daze, numbing herself to his sweet gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At one moment, Li Heng gently pushed her shoulder. She swayed like a roly-poly toy, then drifted back into place, letting the summer wind tangle her black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Li Heng opened his arms and embraced her—softly at first, then tighter, stronger—did she suddenly snap awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she saw his lips drawing closer—and panicked, trying to turn her head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late. He kissed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light, fleeting kiss. Xiao Han turned her face aside, crisp and defiant: “Mr. Li, I refused you—why kiss my lips? Kiss my cheeks. That way, I still have dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, the two of them smiled—suddenly reconciled, the atmosphere instantly warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she asked, Li Heng obediently kissed each of her cheeks, then turned her face, pressed his forehead to hers: “Want me to give you a chance to change your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her heart pounded wildly, her body limp. She couldn’t meet his eyes, looking down: “No. Not now. Later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said “alright,” and immediately let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his sharp ears caught voices approaching from the classroom building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han heard them too—she darted behind the cafeteria’s awning and hid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng didn’t move. Leaning against the osmanthus tree, he grinned, watching her hide like a mouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, four familiar teachers came—three women, one man—discussing card games. They didn’t notice Li Heng behind the tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they passed, Xiao Han smiled faintly: “I have to go—Mom’s waiting for the soy sauce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “Dishes without soy sauce are healthier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han smiled inwardly: no soy sauce? Next time, I’ll just sprinkle salt on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back to the school gate, she briefly mentioned the mid-shift bus driver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Li Heng asked: “Need me to shut them up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han touched her earlobe, nodded softly: “Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few steps forward, Li Heng suddenly said: “I don’t want to shut them up. I hope they do talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han turned back, smiling bitterly: “You wish the world would explode?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han left, passed through the reception office, and bought a bottle of soy sauce at the shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng didn’t rush out—he waited about ten minutes before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, kid, where’d you go? I was just looking for you to chat!” Seeing Li Heng return, the shop owner beamed and offered him a cigarette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng waved it off: “No thanks,” then pointed to the shelf: “Boss, give me a pack of Baisha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner asked: “You don’t smoke—buying for your elders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To cover his earlier exit, Li Heng blurted: “I’ve got business with a school official.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner gave him a knowing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rode around the town once more, then left the school. Since the mid-shift bus wasn’t due soon, he decided to stroll the whole town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was market day—crowded. He couldn’t help thinking: if I hadn’t earned that manuscript fee, if my family hadn’t started making clay bricks, Tian Run’e would’ve come selling rice again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing a fabric store, he noticed the cloth was bright and stylish—he bought several different patterns to give to his parents and older sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his second sister—she’s too refined, too picky—better to just give her cash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he bought Li Jianguo a razor, and for his mother, snowflake oil; then, as usual, he went to Qian Yuejin’s Noodle Shop to treat himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here,” said the plump shop owner, her tone dripping with charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noodles or dumplings? Same as always—dumplings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you take money? If not, I won’t dare eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner smiled broadly: “I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng sat down. “Same as always—big bowl of dumplings, extra spicy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every market day, the shop was packed, yet even then, the owner found moments between boiling noodles and dumplings to chat with him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you here alone today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “I came to mail a letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner asked: “I heard about your father’s troubles—some say he was framed. What’s he doing now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was surprised by her question, but after a moment’s thought, he answered: “He’s in poor health. He mostly reads and cooks at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shop owner sighed: “Such an educated man, wasted away at home—what a pity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng looked up briefly, then went back to eating his dumplings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midway, the owner suddenly added a fried egg to his bowl. “I admire educated people. My son is one of your readers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her husband worked at the grain station, managing over a dozen men—a fairly capable man in this small town. Otherwise, such a captivating woman would never have ended up with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she said “reader,” she lowered her voice deliberately, afraid others might hear—she knew that if word got out, this man might never come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even fantasized about introducing her daughter to him—her daughter, who took after her, was stunningly beautiful and a university student at Hunan University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know if this secret wish was right, but she wanted to try. In this small town, such a remarkable person rarely appeared—if he slipped away unnoticed, it would be a tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating, the sun outside was scorching. With nowhere to go, Li Heng sat at the shop’s entrance for a long while, chatting idly with the owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around 6:10 p.m., Li Heng placed his things in the corner and told the owner:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to take care of something. Watch my things for me—I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, the market had mostly disbanded, and the shop had grown quiet. The owner pulled over a stool and sat nearby. “Go ahead. Your things are safe with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng rode his bicycle toward the old bus station, then passed it, heading toward the county town for about two miles, where he waited by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the mid-shift bus appeared on the horizon, right on schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng waved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Halt!” The bus stopped, and the ticket seller opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Auntie, why didn’t you pick up any passengers today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller replied: “It’s summer vacation—always like this. Few passengers. The last two got off at Fushimiao up ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng handed the couple a pack of Baisha cigarettes and explained his purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver stared blankly. Then the retired soldier, usually silent, spoke up: “You’re Li Heng. I know you—you’re a writer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Uncle, you know me?” Li Heng felt a flicker of pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller laughed: “Only a few kids from here go to Shaoshan No.1 High School. Over the years, how could we not know you? My son just doesn’t talk much—that’s why he seems cold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver nodded. “I won’t take the cigarettes. Keep them. As for you and Xiao Han’s daughter—we’ve never spoken of it, and we never will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller added: “My in-laws were retired teachers. My son never did well in school, but he admires people like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several rounds of refusal, seeing they were firm, Li Heng paused, then opened the entire pack and took out two boxes: “Consider these my wedding cigarettes, Uncle. Don’t refuse again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the retired soldier accepted one box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They chatted a few more minutes by the roadside before parting. On his way back, Li Heng avoided the old bus station, taking a narrow path through the fields to the noodle shop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did this to avoid running into Wei Shiman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right—of course he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman stepped out of the post office right on time, greeted the bus couple, then launched into a round of probing questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result, as expected, was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller even ventured gossip: “Hey, Shiman, isn’t your daughter too proud? I haven’t seen her speak to Li Heng in years—are they on bad terms?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Shiman exhaled, laughing: “She’s always been as proud as a peacock—never liked mingling with boys. But she gets along wonderfully with Yang Ying and Xiao Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ticket seller nodded: “That’s true. All of them are about to become college students—true elites. I’m so envious of you for having such a wonderful daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This praise struck straight to Wei Shiman’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her life, she had two things to be proud of: a husband who adored her, and a beautiful daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially her daughter—she was the perfect masterpiece of her life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the noodle shop, Li Heng asked the owner for a clean urea sack, packed his things inside, tied it tightly to the back of his bicycle, thanked her, and hurried off toward the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he not be anxious at this hour?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to pass through three miles of deserted graveyard—just thinking of it made his heart tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going downhill, the bicycle worked fine—he barely needed to pedal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But coming back? Damn it was terrible! At least a third of the way was uphill, most of it too steep to pedal—he had to push.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the graveyard sat in a valley. Though the road twisted and the trees grew thick and eerie, Li Heng sang all the way through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his back was soaked, and his scalp felt icy cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resolved silently: never walk alone at night again—even with a sliver of moonlight, it was damn terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man Zai, why are you back so late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Rune came to the village entrance to meet him, sitting on the stone arch bridge chatting with two sisters-in-law. Seeing her son, she immediately walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said: “I ran into an old classmate in town and stayed a while. Mom, you don’t need to come meet me anymore—I’m grown up. I won’t get lost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Rune glanced at his sweaty forehead and smiled gently: “I wouldn’t dare go down to the graveyard to meet you. I can only wait here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng abandoned the bicycle and walked beside his mother, talking as they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before the crossroads, a loud argument erupted. “Mom, who’s fighting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else? The Three Tyrants. They didn’t draw good lots for land division and both want the paddy field by the river. They’ve been fighting since afternoon—your father and the village cadres were called to mediate. I don’t know if they’ll settle it,” Tian Rune said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Shangwan Village, there were Three Tyrants:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a Liu family pig butcher, hot-tempered, always wielding his cleaver. When angered, he chased people into their homes and slashed wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second was a Yang family bully, inheriting his ancestors’ bandit ways—he could carry 450 jin on his shoulders, lift a tree trunk as thick as a bowl over his head, and often fought off an entire family of men alone. Strangely, he always won—utterly ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third was an emaciated old man of the Zou family, who spent his days hunting in the mountains. He wasn’t strong in hand-to-hand combat, but he loved ambushes—always carried his shotgun. If you angered him? Pray you never meet him alone in the wild. He’d shoot you—or at least scare you to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked curiously: “Who won when the Three Tyrants clashed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Rune shook her head: “Old Zou was pinned down, his face beaten black and blue. He won’t swallow this humiliation. Man Zai, be careful when you go out—you might get caught in the crossfire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, Li Heng took a bowl of rice and went to the scene. He found Old Zou had returned home, and the fine paddy field had been split between the other two tyrants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the conflict wasn’t over. At three a.m., sharp gunshots shattered the silence of Shangwan Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the woman’s wailing, they learned the butcher’s house had been shot at—three pigs and two cows dead, two bullets fired through the windows. Luckily, no one was hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Village cadres went to Old Zou’s house—empty. The villagers whispered he’d fled into the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For three nights straight, gunshots echoed. Reporting it did no good—he was a welfare recipient, clearly ready to go down fighting. Eventually, the butcher and his wife surrendered, declaring they’d give up the paddy field and wouldn’t demand compensation for the dead animals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Yang bully refused to yield. He bought his own shotgun and vowed to fight to the end. His wife and children couldn’t stop him, and the cadres couldn’t persuade him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the afternoon of the 13th, village cadres rang a bronze gong, striking once and calling out: “The village will get electricity! Twelve yuan for connection fee—pay now and help with labor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Heng was overjoyed. Before his family could fetch money, he counted out twelve yuan and handed it over:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, when will the electricity be ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Depends on how many workers we have. We need to cut trees, set up poles, string wires. If we have many hands, twenty days. If slow, it could take a month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though young, no one in the village ever put on airs with Li Heng—even the Three Tyrants greeted him warmly. The village secretary smiled as he answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, rural areas had no cement poles—only tree trunks. When typhoons blew, poles toppled. If someone got crushed? Well, the King of Hell had claimed them. Every few years, someone was electrocuted—tragic, indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His family was building a new house. Li Heng helped his dim-witted cousin for two days, mainly stomping mud—the so-called “stepping clay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before red bricks were fired, the clay had to be trampled repeatedly to ensure quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His second sister and brother-in-law each worked in a corner of the field, shaping bricks with molds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou’s father-in-law came to help too. He carried and dried the bricks—handled the most tedious tasks—but he was always cheerful, smiling, joking with neighbors—a happy little old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his mother, Tian Rune, she was even busier. Li Jianguo could only cook and feed the pigs at home—she managed every major task indoors and out. When she had a moment, she’d help shape bricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy as they were, time slipped by until the morning of the 14th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of going to Beijing to see the big world, of visiting the capital, Zhang Zhiyong stayed awake all night. Besides plotting to catch his cheating father, he sneaked over to his neighbor’s house—Liu Chunhua’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Chunhua had just returned from military service. When she saw a shadow climbing her balcony and staring at her freshly washed underwear, she nearly exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when moonlight revealed it was Zhang Zhiyong, she froze, hiding beside the door, watching silently as the fool took down the underwear, sniffed it, carefully put it back, then vanished like smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way to town to catch the bus, Li Heng listened in silence for a long while, then sighed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—you! I don’t even know what to say! Aren’t you afraid she’ll come out and beat you up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong rubbed his head, earnestly: “I’m not afraid. If she hits me, I’ll just lie down and take it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng was speechless: “Old Yong, sometimes I think you’re a pervert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fool kicked a small stone, muttering: “Damn it! I think I’m beyond saving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road to town was downhill—much faster than the return trip—but even so, it took over an hour to catch the mid-shift bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they reached Shaoshan, it was past 4 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he got off, Li Heng squatted by the roadside as usual, breathing deeply—he was dizzy from the ride and needed fresh air to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhang Zhiyong? He’d already vomited once on the road—and now he was vomiting for the third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than ten minutes later, the two left the station, and Foolish Neck stretched it out and asked, “Where are we going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng said, “We’re going to get the train ticket from the English teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where does the teacher live? At school or in the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably at school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please subscribe! Please vote for monthly tickets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3943,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5b3b441095381ae1d893c9adbaa788ee5434a13b852a444d394f653d5302d1b2","1987-my-era-chapter-114","1987-my-era-chapter-112",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]