[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-1987-my-era":3,"chapter-1987-my-era-1987-my-era-chapter-21":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},2259181,4409,"Chapter 21: The Arrogant Girl, Deep Brotherhood","1987-my-era-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>The twelfth day of the first lunar month, corresponding to February 9, 1987.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky seemed pierced by a thousand holes—rain drizzled endlessly, accompanied by a biting north wind, damn cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before dawn, Li Heng was jolted awake by Tian Run’e: “Man Zai, the rooster’s crowed three times, time to get up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house had no watch, no alarm clock. Li Jianguo’s only mechanical watch had broken long ago, and they’d never had the money to fix it; if they needed to leave early, they relied solely on the rooster’s crow and the light outside to guess the hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng, who’d stayed up late writing the night before, was half-asleep, his eyelids drooping open and shut, his whole body limp as if paralyzed, utterly without strength, not wanting to move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew he had to get up—this year, there was only one bus from the town to Shaoshan, and he had to catch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he’d need to transfer three times, wasting time and energy, and risk running into pickpockets or robbers, inviting disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even seasoned travelers warned villagers: some drivers had lost their conscience, colluding with local thugs; after passing Qijiang Town, they’d stop at remote hillside stretches and let the thugs board, robbing passengers clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even though Li Heng was a reincarnated soul, before the tide of the times he was powerless, forced to obey and catch the early bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor had it the driver was a Vietnam War veteran, upright and honorable; passengers on his bus rarely had accidents, and his reputation grew steadily, praised by all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Heng finished washing up, Zhang Zhiyong arrived, backpack slung over his shoulder—saved him the trouble; otherwise, going to the Zhang household to call him might’ve meant getting chased by dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… might even bump into that idiot dad meeting some shady ghost under a locust tree or in a patch of weeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just idle talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among nearby villages, there were three legendary playboys, and Zhang Zhiyong’s father unquestionably ranked first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Liang family’s lecherous old man didn’t make the list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These three were genuine libertines, never harming decent families, bold enough to boast and joke about their exploits openly; but the Liang man sleeping with his daughter-in-law? Pure filth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng took the various bottles and jars handed to him by Tian Run’e and stuffed them into his backpack—every container held food, including the cured pork he adored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, most were pickled vegetables: sour chili peppers, sour string beans, sour radish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked Zhang Zhiyong: “Just you? Where’s Yang Yingwen? She’s not coming with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention, Zhang Zhiyong flew into a rage, his face darkening, nearly leaping to confront him: “Go fuck yourself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went to call her just now—her mom said she left yesterday afternoon. That bastard didn’t even tell us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng thought for a moment, recalling his past life: “She probably stayed overnight at Xiao Han’s place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, Yang Yingwen was the top student, yet terrified of ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road from Shangwan Village to town passed two large graveyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was an old execution ground, filled with people of all ages and all manner of deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like those hanged, shot, beheaded, women who died in childbirth, children who perished on the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just hearing about it was terrifying—no one without guts dared pass at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After carefully checking his backpack—books there, manuscripts there—he turned to bid farewell to Li Jianguo and Tian Run’e:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, Mom, I’m off. Don’t see me off—it’s freezing out, especially for you, Dad. Go rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Walk slow, watch your step, if you see strangers, keep your distance.” The couple promised, yet still walked him to the village entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their warnings weren’t baseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days, no one went out to earn side income; after dinner in the off-season, families rarely left the village—maybe just a neighborly chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those traveling at midnight were either desperate with urgent business or had ill intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong now patted his thigh and boasted: “Uncle Li, Auntie Tian, don’t worry—I’ve got a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If any bastard dares mess with us, I’ll stab him through and through, make him scream and beg for his mama.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Run’e and Li Jianguo had long been familiar with this fool’s antics; they were numb, merely smiling, having given up even the thought of offering comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About three li from Shangwan Village, they reached Miao Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Called a “street,” but not for the living—this place was surrounded by towering mountains, with no human habitation for six hundred meters in either direction, only a small temple tucked under a massive boulder, as wide as a basketball court, dedicated to the Three Lives Goddess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the rock lay an endless graveyard, stretching beyond sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached this spot, a chorus of chilling crow calls silenced the once-chatty pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances; Li Heng, practiced, reached into his pocket for a box of matches, frantically striking them—finally, one lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong didn’t hesitate, immediately thrusting a bundle of straw he’d carried under his armpit into the flame, setting it alight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng tucked the matchbox away, as usual asking: “Ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong tugged his backpack, raised the blazing torch: “Ready!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the red glow, Li Heng gave the order: “Run!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he shouted, both bolted forward, heads down, sprinting blindly ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t look at the earthen graves on either side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you hear sounds behind you, don’t turn back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Push through this eerie valley in one breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, their courage to walk at night had been forged during the first term of school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Liu Shuiwen and his brother often robbed them of their living allowance; without money for food, they couldn’t swallow plain rice alone—what could they do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to run home after evening self-study to fetch food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over time, their courage grew, their families grew used to it—even at midnight, no one bothered to see them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frankly, their elders were even more terrified of this place—who was really escorting whom?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through the run, Li Heng suddenly asked: “Old Yong, you scared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong, forcing bravado: “Scared? Fuck no—I’ve got a knife!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng teased: “Try blowing out the torch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong frowned: “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng: “Blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong blew on the torch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng asked: “Did you see a bunch of hairy mouths blowing too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You son of a bitch!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong’s spine chilled, his jaw clenched, he surged ahead, overtaking Li Heng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng laughed loudly, quickened his pace, and matched him stride for stride: “Sing the national anthem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arise, those who refuse to be slaves, with our flesh and blood…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their signature song, witnessed their brotherhood—whenever fear peaked, they screamed it together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their singing shook the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, it stood out sharply—wonder if the little ghosts on either side were half-dead with fright?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid these nostalgic memories, Li Heng crossed the terrifying mountain path and reached town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dawn hadn’t fully broken; the weak light cast hazy shadows along the street’s buildings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early vendors had already set up stalls, selling buns, steamed bread, shaomai—quick breakfasts; as people passed, they shouted: “Kid, want breakfast? Fresh out of the oven!”—no originality, just hoping to snag one customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus station sat on the town’s western edge, small and dilapidated, plastered with slogans about serving the people, with only a few buses arriving and departing daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its toilet had leaked yellow water for years; no one dared enter without dying-and-resurrection resolve, opting instead to slip into the hills behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kid, where you headed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they reached the station entrance, the ticket seller sprinted over, practically drooling with enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng subtly sidestepped, asking: “To Shaoshan? Any seats left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plenty! Plenty! Get on quick!” The seller grabbed his arm, as overly eager as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng thought he’d arrived early—turns out he was naive; the seller was clearly lying. He’d forgotten this trick after decades without riding buses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick glance: over thirty people inside, all good seats taken, only three lonely empty ones left in the very back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprising, but still unexpected—he spotted several familiar faces: classmates from the same Shaoshan No.1 High School entrance exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Xiao Feng, sitting in the second-to-last row. Though she shared the surname Xiao, she had no relation to Xiao Han—slim, from the Shiqiao Pu gold mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was closest to Yang Yingwen; once, in a mid-term exam, she trailed Yang by just one point, nearly severing Yang’s dragon vein and claiming top rank in the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she was a top student—even after entering Shaoshan No.1, she remained a force to be reckoned with. If memory served, she’d gotten into Tsinghua; beyond that, he didn’t know—rarely kept in touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Heng board, Xiao Feng, usually silent, quickly glanced at him—clearly, she’d heard rumors of his romantic exploits during the winter break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving her gaze, Li Heng greeted her cheerfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning, Xiao Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Feng, ever terse, said nothing, but kept staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, Li Heng, you’re so handsome—your legend could be one of the century’s top hundred cases.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reply came from another familiar face, Yang Cheng, sitting beside Xiao Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short, chubby boy; in junior high, his grades soared, consistently top five; in high school, somehow dropped—he now struggled just to crack the top hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng stopped before him, lowered his fist, and asked: “Complimenting me… or asking for a beating?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Cheng shrank back: “Heaven and earth bear witness—I sincerely admire you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng withdrew his fist, nodding approvingly: “Indeed, great minds think alike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Yang Yingwen hadn’t left yesterday—now she sat with Xiao Han in the very back, occasionally whispering to the two ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that Yang was a bastard—no need to waste words on her for not telling them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han wore a red coat today, her eyes bright and deep, long, straight hair swept over her pale neck, matched by pink hair clips and earrings—just as beautiful as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, this girl was so striking, naturally a mannequin—anything she wore looked beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Heng stride straight toward her, Xiao Han suddenly gathered courage, lifted her right hand slightly, and smiled: “Hi, Li Heng…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the ticket seller bellowed: “Departure imminent! Please prepare your change—we’re collecting tickets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the conductor and driver’s kindness—they tried not to collect tickets midway, fearing that pickpockets boarding en route might target passengers’ wallet placements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conductor’s sudden call distracted Li Heng; he didn’t notice Xiao Han’s subtle movement, nor did he hear her greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a long stride over and plopped down on a window seat in the back row, then let out a long sigh, relaxing his body—walking so far up these mountain paths had truly exhausted him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Han sat stunned for a moment, then raised her left hand and quietly tugged at her right arm; feeling she was being weak, she pinched the back of her right hand with her left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She comforted herself: No one noticed, right? It’s fine—I’m still that cool, aloof girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong had always suffered from fear of beautiful women; seeing his best friend claim the window seat, he stood frozen in the aisle, too afraid to sit beside Xiao Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong shot desperate glances, but Li Heng pretended not to see and closed his eyes to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other options, Zhang Zhiyong pulled out his ultimate weapon: “A plate of stir-fried dishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng remained unmoved, continuing to tease him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong raised the stakes: “Two meals—you’re going too far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng opened his eyes and said lazily: “Plus a pound of spicy sea flowers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Shaoshan these days, eating spicy sea flowers meant you were top-tier—it cost a full yuan per pound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ridiculously expensive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew why these heartless vendors priced it so high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because transportation was difficult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhiyong’s heart bled, but he gritted his teeth: “Deal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having witnessed the entire fake-brother act, Yang Ying spoke after they switched seats:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Heng, Zhang Zhiyong, why are you two only now here? The bus is about to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Heng and Zhang Zhiyong, who had just been at odds, instantly united—they turned their heads together toward the window, ignoring him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: This chapter is over four thousand characters—I’ll post it as a combined chapter; too lazy to split it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, I can only post this much daily for recommendation slots; I’ll unleash after subscription.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2084,"2026-06-19T15:27:33.982Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3031f0a3d15f8ad535d644942d577bf63a75f4434175dcec21e3ee1d9582ed77","1987-my-era-chapter-22","1987-my-era-chapter-20",713,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002F1987-my-era-cover.jpg"]