[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of":3,"chapter-dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-chapter-44":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Dreaming Back to 1997: I Became the Forefather of Web Novels",{"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},2348278,4589,"Chapter 44: Department Head","dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Wu Chengping, who had been looking down at his newspaper, looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Lu Xiangwei notice the heavy dark circles under Wu Chengping’s eyes; the bags under his eyes seemed larger than usual, and his eyes lacked their usual spark, appearing bloodshot and his entire demeanor listless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did the Director do last night? Why is he so spiritless today? Could it be that he \"paid his grain tax\" a few times last night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These thoughts flashed through Lu Xiangwei’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared not ask aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping yawned, glanced at Lu Xiangwei, lowered his head to pull open a drawer, took out the sample copy of *I Wish to Become an Immortal*, placed it on the desk, and pushed it toward Lu Xiangwei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said indifferently, \"This book is written well, very creative, and the prose is excellent. The Sword-Wielding Sect depicted in the book makes one feel as if they are there. The various cultivation realms, spells, and magical treasures are all written as if they were real. Furthermore, the writing style is relaxed and humorous, and the plot is very comfortable to read... ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Wu Chengping yawned again, his weary eyes looking at Lu Xiangwei as he smiled, \"Little Lu! I believe your words now. This student of yours is truly talented! He is overflowing with talent; his writing level is beyond my own. Since our school was founded, no one should be able to surpass him. You really have discovered a rare talent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Wu Chengping finished speaking, Lu Xiangwei blinked and looked down at the sample copy in front of him; he suddenly noticed that this sample copy was different from yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he gave it to Wu Chengping yesterday, the book was still neat, brand new, and showed no signs of having been read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, the book was loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every page, which had originally been tightly bound together, now showed gaps and looked loose and limp, much like the visual difference between a stack of new banknotes and a stack of old ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei looked up at Wu Chengping in surprise, \"Director, this book... you didn't finish reading the whole thing in one night, did you? You stayed up all night to finish it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it not \"paying the grain tax\" that caused him to be so listless today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief silence, Wu Chengping smiled slightly and nodded, \"Yes! Otherwise, why would I say this book is well-written? Once I started reading, I couldn't stop; the more I read, the more addicted I became, just like reading Jin Yong’s martial arts novels back in the day. Moreover, the language used in this book is more colloquial, making it feel lighter than Jin Yong’s works. I finished the whole book last night without realizing it, and when I finished, I realized it was already past two in the morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, he yawned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going to sleep after two in the morning might be nothing for a young person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was over fifty; at this age, staying up like this was something his body simply couldn't handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expression was so pleased that he was nearly bubbling with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he spoke with humility, picking up the sample copy as he said, \"Is it that good? Director, you flatter me, you are surely overpraising it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping smiled, his gaze sweeping over the sample copy Lu Xiangwei had just picked up, \"I’m returning this book to you. Hmm, if possible, see if you can borrow the second volume from that student of yours, Cao Sheng, and let me take a look? I’ll return it to him once I’m done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei was even more surprised, \"Director, you really want to read the second volume? You truly like this book that much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping laughed, \"Did you think what I just said was fake? It seems you really haven't read this book. If you had read the content, I believe you wouldn't be asking me this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei blinked and looked down at the sample copy in his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine! Don't worry, Director, I will go ask him for the second volume right away. I should be able to get it and bring it to you by lunchtime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping nodded, \"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei’s eyes darted around, a smile appearing on his face as he leaned forward, asking with anticipation, \"Then, Director, what about the matter I mentioned to you yesterday?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping: \"The matter of Cao Sheng staying at the school in the future?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei nodded repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping pondered for a few seconds and smiled, \"Find a time in the next two days to bring him to see me! I want to see him first and have a chat with him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei nodded quickly, \"Alright! Then should I bring him over this noon? It just so happens he can bring the second volume of the sample copy along with him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Chengping picked up the purple clay teacup at his side, lifted the lid, took a sip with a calm expression, and then nodded slightly, \"That works! You arrange it as you see fit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei left happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the office, Wu Chengping yawned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Xiangwei arrived outside the classroom of Cao Sheng and the others, he saw Mr. Xu, who taught Macroeconomics, lecturing on the podium. In the classroom of dozens of students, most of the female students sat in the front rows, while most of the male students sat in the back rows; the middle section appeared sparse, with few people sitting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Cao Sheng sitting in the back row by the window, and he also noticed that there were an unusually large number of people sitting around Cao Sheng today, with seats filled in front, behind, and to his sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this scene, Lu Xiangwei couldn't help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could guess the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news that Cao Sheng had another book, *I Wish to Become an Immortal*, published in Wanwan had likely spread to the other dormitories in their class last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it hadn't spread last night, it certainly would have spread throughout the classroom this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those students who heard the news would surely be curious and surround Cao Sheng to ask all sorts of questions, just like the scene he witnessed last night when he was in Cao Sheng’s dormitory and saw his roommates pestering Cao Sheng about *I Wish to Become an Immortal*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? What is this kid looking at?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei suddenly noticed that Cao Sheng didn't seem to be paying attention to the lecture; his gaze was clearly fixed outside the window, staring blankly as if looking at the scenery outside, or perhaps lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei felt curious, walked two steps closer to the corridor railing, and squinted in the direction Cao Sheng was staring at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that direction stood a rather large pine tree; under its canopy, which looked like a ceremonial umbrella, was a large marble round table with several stone stools around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slender female student was sitting by the stone table, looking down at something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another female student next to her was leaning over the stone table, sticking her bottom out, with her head close to the slender student’s head; the two heads were huddled together, wondering what good thing they were looking at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei was a bit surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned as he looked at the direction the girl was sticking her bottom out, then turned to look at the direction Cao Sheng was staring at, and a question flashed through Lu Xiangwei’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—This kid isn't looking at this, is he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On second thought, he felt that for someone of Cao Sheng’s age, liking to look at that part of a girl seemed quite normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangwei couldn't help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Sheng was indeed looking at the girl with her bottom stuck out, and he was indeed lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the back of that girl outside the window evoked memories of a certain girl deep in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the only girl he had dated during his university years; one could say she was his first love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the girl with her bottom stuck out outside the window was not her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she had not yet come to study at the Huizhou Teachers College; she was one year behind him and would not officially enroll until the second half of this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him, that relationship had passed many years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with a first love, there are always some details that are hard to forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, her shy smile; her soft, lingering gaze; and the first time he kissed her—her blushing face, her bewildered hands, and her trembling eyelashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he found most unforgettable was—the choked voice she had on the phone when she broke up with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden ringing of the bell for the end of class pulled Cao Sheng’s mind back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Sheng saw the students around him packing their things and getting up to leave, and he remembered that this was the last class of the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he also collected his emotions and his things, preparing to go to the cafeteria for lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After packing his things, he had just stood up when he heard the voice of his counselor, Lu Xiangwei, from behind, \"Cao Sheng! Go get a copy of the second volume of *I Wish to Become an Immortal* quickly, and then come with me right away! Hurry up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1610,"2026-06-21T01:55:54.452Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","63ea4b54f9263c7fc1d7a9e6d3ea4a577934a31033717e005de8eab631527a00","dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-chapter-45","dreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-chapter-43",338,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdreaming-back-to-1997-i-became-the-forefather-of-cover.jpg"]