[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-2":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},2259162,4409,"Chapter 2: The Power of Influence","1987-my-era-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>「Li Heng!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Li Heng!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he recalled his past and present lives with Chen Zijin, a deafening roar surged from afar, racing toward him in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was Zhang Zhiyong, nicknamed “Deficient in Sense”—slight of build, with exceptional bone structure, a sly expression, and a V-shaped hairline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His history was filled with glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once passed out drunk in the pigpen, sleeping side by side with a sow; got into a brawl with his sister-in-law, rolling together in the rice seedbeds; and once stole a neighbor’s sister’s undergarments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re crying foul? You screamed so loud you scared my soul out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng spat out the dogtail grass in his mouth and turned to ask: “What’s so urgent you came running?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong gestured wildly, panting for breath:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re my grandpa! You still have the nerve to lie around here? Go home quick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking something was wrong at home, Li Heng stood up: “What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong beamed: “The Chen family’s back—from Jingcheng! I just saw your wife’s sister, Chen Zitong. Holy crap, she’s gorgeous enough to make bubbles pop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the word “wife,” Li Heng grew momentarily dazed, barely catching what the fool said next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Are you even listening? I said Chen Zitong’s back—that means Chen Zijin’s back too! Aren’t you gonna rush home to see your wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his best friend treat him like air, Zhang Zhiyong—fuming like a eunuch worried about the emperor—flailed his hands wildly before Li Heng’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng brushed his hands away, glaring: “This matter’s finally calmed down. Can you stop blabbering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What blabbering? I really saw Chen Zitong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fool didn’t care about the village’s filthy gossip, nor did he know the Chen and Li families—once like one household—had secretly broken apart. He only thought his childhood friend and Chen Zijin were perfect together, and had been pushing them since middle school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As someone who’d lived two lives, what hadn’t Li Heng seen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t care much for the rumors—he feared only that his parents couldn’t bear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sometimes fate is just that coincidental: speak of the devil, and he appears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, now back to himself, ignored the fool and looked up the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhang Zhiyong turned too—and muttered: “Damn, how’d your little sister come up behind me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer was Chen Zitong, holding a black woven bag in her right hand. She stopped five meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fool had zero social sense—he stared at her with bulging cow eyes, nearly drooling—until Li Heng kicked him, forcing him to slink off sheepishly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zitong, sixteen, dressed fashionably, radiated youthful vibrancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Chen family moved to Jingcheng over the summer, they hadn’t seen each other for half a year. Looking at the handsome man before her, she felt no childhood warmth—only distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the study materials my sister sent you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was flat, she wouldn’t utter another word. After stating her purpose, she placed the black bag on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng sensed her hostility, but out of old friendship, he didn’t press it—instead, he politely said, “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he asked gently: “Has your sister come back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zitong halted, her gaze sweeping over him: “You still dare to seek her out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng spoke sincerely: “If I get the chance, I want to apologize to her face to face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zitong studied his expression carefully. Seeing no deceit, she hesitated briefly, then said: “My sister isn’t ready to come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng instinctively followed up: “Not ready? How’s she been lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zitong’s reply was unexpected: “Don’t ask. My family forbade me to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Heng fall silent, she added: “These study materials were secretly bought by my sister. No one else knows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two sentences revealed her inner conflict: like her elders, she believed Li Heng was deceitful, using sweet words to seduce her virtuous sister into bed, and thought him unworthy of her beautiful sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet out of sisterly affection, she truthfully revealed her sister’s quiet concern for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was another meaning: regarding the study materials, she hoped he’d keep quiet—she didn’t want to take the blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Heng could reply, another figure dashed up the riverside path—Chen Xiaomi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the biological aunt of Chen Zijin and Chen Zitong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was she who had stumbled upon Li Heng and Chen Zijin’s “indiscretion” during the summer break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiaomi gave her niece a subtle glare, then glanced at the black bag on the ground, finally frowning at Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met. Li Heng remained calm. As he considered whether to greet her, Chen Xiaomi turned and pulled Chen Zitong away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, Chen Xiaomi scolded her niece: “How childish are you? I told you not to associate with him anymore—do you treat family warnings like wind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you think he’s ruined your sister enough? Are you trying to push her into the fire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Zitong mumbled: “Auntie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xiaomi’s voice was low, but each word pierced Li Heng’s heart like a needle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lived two lives, he’d nearly forgotten these grudges—but these words awakened buried memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered clearly how, when Chen Xiaomi caught him and Chen Zijin in bed, she’d screamed at her niece in the same heartbroken tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zijin, how could you be so foolish? Do you plan to marry Li Jianguo’s son? Spend your life trapped in this backwater?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the village spread rumors that Li Jianguo was fired for immoral conduct, this insult was devastating—it struck Li Heng’s rawest nerve, and he swore to rise above them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sadly, compared to ordinary people, his past life had indeed been a success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet compared to the powerful Chen family, it was still insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a regret he carried to his grave: never having truly held his head high before the Chens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the aunt and niece vanish around the river bend, Li Heng—two-lives lived—did not rage as he had in his first life. Instead, a boundless determination reignited within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: when poor, one’s ambition shrinks. Without money or power, no matter how brilliant or handsome you are, can you truly call yourself a man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When conflict arises, those with wealth and authority instantly teach you what “dominance” and “uncontested power” mean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in today’s society, to silence village gossip, to earn the Chens’ respect, to restore his parents’ dignity—he must achieve greatness in “money, power, and influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Money—he, as a reborn man, had the greatest confidence. If his rebirth hadn’t triggered massive butterfly effects, and society’s historical trajectory remained unchanged, he was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give him ten years—he was confident he could create a miracle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power—this was the Chens’ stronghold. He found it difficult. Worse, power demanded the most complex human nature, the most unpredictable variables—he might labor thirty years and still achieve nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, there was “influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought of this, Li Heng’s eyes sharpened—he felt a sudden clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hadn’t he thought of this before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since rebirth, besides endless studying for the college entrance exam, his mind had been a whirlwind—worrying about improving his life, escaping his family’s poverty, planning his future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d thought of countless things, but due to the era’s limits—the internet hadn’t emerged, real estate was beyond his reach—he’d never found a clear path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, suddenly, he found his direction: start with “influence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his memory served, the arrogant Chen Xiaomi should now be an editor at some literary magazine in Jingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for which one? Due to the passage of time, he couldn’t recall exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—if—he became a great writer…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if he conquered her in her most cherished field—literature—crushing her beneath his feet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result: earn fame, make money, and vent his rage—all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how you looked at it, this was a perfect plan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Li Heng made his decision. During his seven years working in the provincial government, he’d handled nothing but pen and paper—writing was second nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he loved reading and had published many articles in newspapers during his free time. Writing? That was effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he’d found his purpose after rebirth, the gloom that had weighed him down moments ago lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: even Buddha fights for an incense stick; man fights for his dignity. Even if not for himself, he must reclaim his mother’s lost honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think you’re so high and mighty? You, Chen Xiaomi, the first to turn against me, always looking down on the Li family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No question—this grudge must be settled. You’ll be the first to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green bricks with tiled roofs, white horses trampling fresh mud, twilight among mountain flowers and banana leaves, dyed red scarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain drips from eaves, smoke curls upward—where are you, lost in time’s sigh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In books, rural Jiangnan always brimmed with poetic charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the real countryside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On roads, in fields—everywhere tangled weeds, chickens, ducks, and geese darting wildly, clucking and quacking everywhere, cow dung on the path, dogs barking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his sister-in-law shouting over trivial matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the sky darkened. Rain fell in scattered drops, then heavier, pelting the ground in dense sheets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn this rotten sky!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng cursed under his breath, abandoning nostalgia—he hastily gathered his net and rushed home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he walked too fast, didn’t watch his step—and stepped squarely in a huge pile of dog shit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half his sole was covered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shit oozed onto his shoe’s upper—he cursed his bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhang Zhiyong returned through the rain, clutching a bunch of bright red camellias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fool grinned smugly as he thrust them toward Li Heng:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camellia is ridiculously beautiful, bright red, just like Chen Zijin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just got back—you can’t show up empty-handed. Take this and give it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, frantically wiping dog shit off his hands in the straw, automatically took the camellia: “Where did you get this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if encountering something extraordinary, Zhang Zhiyong crouched down to watch him clean the shit: “Where else? Right in front of Fat Aunt’s door—that’s the only place around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stared at him: “Wait, how did she let you take it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong sneered, slouching lazily: “Of course she wouldn’t allow it—but I just got into a feud with her, so I took it anyway. What’s she gonna do? Bite me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he said: “Chen Zijin hasn’t come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Please vote for monthly tickets! Please collect! Please follow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1754,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","73b01cc14d86790582326ceec009b744188f3286fe5e2bce7952d63691161631","1987-my-era-chapter-3","1987-my-era-chapter-1",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]