[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-1":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":18,"prevChapterSlug":19,"totalChapters":20,"novelImage":21},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":12,"translator":16,"content_hash":17},2260709,4412,"Chapter 1: My Father Sent Me to Peking University","rising-in-1979-chapter-1",1,"\u003Cp>\"What are you standing around for? Get off quick! Are you missing home or what?\" Old Wei urged his son Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[1] “What are you staring at? Get off quick—are you missing home or what?” Old Wei urged his son Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him dazed, as if just woken up, Old Wei simply picked up all the luggage: \"You've read yourself stupid—hurry up! Hey, hey, move aside up front...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[2] Seeing him dazed like he’d just woken up, Old Wei picked up all the luggage himself: “You’ve read yourself stupid—hurry up… hey, hey, move aside up front…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ouch! You stepped on my foot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[3] “Ow! You stepped on my foot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whose rooster is this? Catch it! It’s turned into a flying chicken!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[4] “Whose rooster is this? Catch it! It’s turned into a flying chicken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t push! I’ll crush my eggs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[5] “Stop shoving! I’m gonna crack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage, people shoved and squeezed each other, noise roaring like a pot of a hundred frogs boiled alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[6] Inside the carriage, people shoved and pressed, noise roaring like a hundred frogs tossed into boiling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his deceased father’s back, Wei Ming followed—three parts fear, six parts joy, and ninety-one parts numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[7] Watching the back of his deceased father, Wei Ming chose to follow—three parts fear, six parts joy, ninety-one parts numbness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt like an outsider, watching everything—his father, the passengers, the rooster, even himself—as if characters from a black-and-white old film, pixelated, dressed in outdated clothes, speaking words long obsolete for over forty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[8] He felt like an outsider watching it all—his father, the passengers, the rooster, even himself—like characters in a black-and-white old film, pixels blurred, clothes outdated, words obsolete for over forty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the announcement \"Train has arrived at Beijing Railway Station,\" the father and son squeezed out of the hot, noisy green train car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[9] Amid the announcement “Train has arrived at Yanjing Railway Station,” the father and son squeezed out of the hot, noisy green train car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the black-and-white film began to color, the world turned vivid and sharp, and Wei Ming’s spirit and body finally reunited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[10] Then the black-and-white film began to color—the world turned vivid and sharp, and Wei Ming’s spirit and body fully reunited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced back at the still smoking steam locomotive and the station’s era-specific slogans, then pinched himself a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[11] He glanced back at the steaming steam train and the station’s era-specific slogans, then pinched himself a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[12] It hurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, have I really gone back in time?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[13] So, had he really gone back in time?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still remember that night at the hotel, where his company was holding a celebration for the short drama \"The Domineering Sichuan Treasure Falls in Love with Me, the Cleaner at the White House,\" which had successfully entered the international market and brought in foreign exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[14] He still remembered that night at the hotel, where his company threw a victory party for the short drama “The Domineering Sichuan Treasure Fell in Love with Me, the Cleaner at the White House,” which had successfully exported and earned foreign exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten million! In U.S. dollars!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[15] Ten million! In U.S. dollars!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those struggling traditional filmmakers were green with envy, circling him like flies, ready to bow their heads in worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[16] Those traditional filmmakers on the brink of starvation envied him to death, circling him, ready to bow their heads in worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most eager of all was the foreign lead actress—so awestruck by his wealth she’d booked a room to discuss the next script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[17] The most forward was the foreign lead actress—she admired his wealth so much she booked a room to discuss the next script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, one Viagra sent me back in time?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[18] So, one Viagra just rebooted me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s… 1979? The year of the third college entrance exam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[19] Now it’s… 1979? The year of the third college entrance exam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, I’m eighteen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[20] This year, I’m eighteen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t this another kind of \"A man is forever a boy\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[21] Is this another kind of “a man dies as a boy”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eighteen-year-old self was utterly formidable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[22] At eighteen, himself was formidable in every way!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No belly fat, no double chin, and thick, thick hair—duang duang, luxuriant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[23] No belly fat, no jowls, and thick hair—dense as hell, duang duang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aunt beside me with braids even stole glances at me, making Wei Ming feel proud and walk faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[24] The aunt beside him with braided hair even stole glances at him, making Wei Ming feel floaty and walk faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brat, running off like that—don’t you know you’re supposed to carry my bags?!\" Wei Jiefang wiped his sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[25] “Brat, running off like that—don’t you know to carry your old man’s luggage?” Wei Jiefang wiped his sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, stay right here. I’ll go buy two popsicles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[26] “Dad, stay right here. I’ll go buy two ice pops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many vendors on the platform: newspapers, boiled eggs, Beibingyang soda, all kinds of cigarettes. He asked—the popsicles were five fen each, mung bean flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[27] Vendors lined the platform—newspapers, boiled eggs, Beibingyang soda, all kinds of cigarettes—he asked and found ice pops cost five fen each, mung bean flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect for cooling off! Have one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[28] “Great for cooling off—have one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll take—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[29] “Alright…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He patted his pocket and froze. Then a mocking voice came from behind: \"Go on, dig deeper—keep digging~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[30] He patted his pockets and froze. Then a mocking voice came from behind: “Go on—dig deeper~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embarrassed—he had money, but Mom had sewn it into his underwear. Pulling it out here? Not ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[31] Embarrassing—he had money, but Mom sewed it into his underwear. Pulling it out here? Not ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw Old Wei proudly slip off his rubber-soled shoes and fish out a dime from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[32] Then he saw Old Wei proudly slip off his rubber-soled shoes and fish out a dime from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two popsicles to beat the heat!\" Wei Jiefang declared grandly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[33] “Two pops to beat the heat!” Wei Jiefang declared grandly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor handed him three—he needed one too, to cool his own burning shame. He felt dirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[34] The vendor handed out three pops—he needed one to cool his temper too; he felt dirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, what’s our next move?\" Wei Ming sucked on his popsicle, looking around, fully handing control to his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[35] “Dad, which way now?” Wei Ming sucked his ice pop, looking around, fully handing himself over to his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he’d forgotten how everything worked in 1979.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[36] After all, he’d forgotten how 1979 worked—he was new here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei, still chewing the stick, began boasting: \"I’ve been to Beijing several times. Old Beijing’s got nothing but alleys. We’ll take that underground passage to get out of the station.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[37] Wei Jiefang chewed on the last bit of his stick and started showing off: “I’ve been to Yanjing several times. Old Yanjing’s got nothing else but tunnels—take that tunnel exit next, get out of the station first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, let me carry those.\" Wei Ming grabbed both bags and strode off briskly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[38] “Dad, I’ll carry that.” Wei Ming grabbed both bags and strode off swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei chased after him, worried: \"Easy! Slow down! There’s wine inside!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[39] Wei Jiefang chased after him, relieved: “Easy, slow down—there’s liquor inside!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out of this railway station built twenty years ago, Wei Ming gazed at the twin grand clock towers behind him—surely they’d still be there decades later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[40] Stepping out of the railway station built twenty years ago, Wei Ming gazed at the towering clock towers behind him—surely they’d still be there decades later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At eighteen, leaving home for the first time—this was his first impression of Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[41] At eighteen, setting out on a journey—this was his first impression of Yanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a bit farther, they spotted the university buses welcoming the Class of ’79.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[42] After walking farther, they saw buses from various universities welcoming the ’79 freshman class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei scanned each one: \"Tsinghua… Normal University… Foreign Languages… There! Peking University’s welcome bus! Follow it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[43] Wei Jiefang scanned each bus: “Tsinghua… Normal University… Foreign Languages… There! Peking University’s new student bus! Follow it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peking University had two buses; they boarded one at random, and the student volunteers didn’t check admission letters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[44] Peking University had two buses—they boarded one at random, and the student volunteers didn’t check admission letters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus wasn’t full yet; the father and son found two empty seats. In front sat a girl of average beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[45] The bus wasn’t full; the father and son found two empty seats. In front sat a girl, average-looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a small-eyed boy in cloth shoes boarded, glanced around, then sat beside the girl in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[46] Soon a boy with small eyes and cloth shoes boarded, glanced around, then sat beside the girl in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the bus started, the boy couldn’t hold back anymore and asked slowly: \"Classmate, which department are you in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[47] Once the bus started, the boy couldn’t hold back anymore and asked slowly: “Classmate, which department are you in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl picked up the strong rural accent in his Mandarin and smiled: \"Where in Henan are you from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[48] The girl, sensing his unmasked dialect, smiled: “Where in Henan are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh!\" the boy beamed. \"Fellow townsman! I’m from Yanjin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[49] “Oh!” the boy beamed. “Fellow townsman! I’m from Yanjin!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m from Huaxian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[50] “I’m from Huaxian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we’re real hometown buddies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[51] “Then we’re close hometown folks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, neighbors!\" the girl said. \"Let me introduce myself—Guo Jianmei, Law Department, Class of ’79.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[52] “Yeah, neighbors!” the girl said. “I’m Guo Jianmei, ’79 Law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Zhenyun, Chinese Literature Department, Class of ’78.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[53] “Liu Zhenyun, ’78 Chinese Literature.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the name, Wei Ming remained calm—he’d recognized him immediately; this guy hadn’t changed much in forty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[54] Hearing the name, Wei Ming remained unmoved—he’d recognized him right away; this guy hadn’t changed much in forty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jianmei reacted strongly: \"You’re Liu Zhenyun, last year’s top scorer in the province’s liberal arts exam!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[55] Guo Jianmei reacted strongly: “You’re Liu Zhenyun, last year’s provincial top scorer in liberal arts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming internally scoffed: You’ll be his wife someday. Seeing her awed gaze, Liu Zhenyun straightened his back, feigning modesty: \"I suppose that’s me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[56] Wei Ming internally snorted: You’re his wife too. Seeing the girl’s awed gaze, Liu Zhenyun straightened his back, feigning modesty: “I suppose it’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: Fine, go ahead and laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[57] Wei Ming: Fine, laugh if you want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Guo Jianmei’s next question made Liu Zhenyun slump: \"Can’t parents and non-new students ride this bus too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[58] But Guo Jianmei’s next sentence made Liu Zhenyun slump: “Aren’t freshmen and their parents allowed on this bus too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: Uh… technically, no. At least, it’s inappropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[59] Wei Ming: Uh, probably not—at least, not appropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun just wanted to save bus fare, but couldn’t lose face in front of the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[60] Liu Zhenyun just wanted to save bus fare, but he couldn’t lose face in front of the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to the student volunteer up front: \"My senior from our department dragged me on board—couldn’t refuse, we’re too close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[61] He pointed to the front-row student volunteer: “My senior from our department dragged me on board—no choice, we’re too close.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun, after all, had the prestige of being a top scholar and was also a fellow townsman; the girl soon overlooked this minor moral flaw, and the two happily began discussing literature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[62] Liu Zhenyun had his top-scorer aura and hometown connection; the girl quickly overlooked this minor moral flaw, and they happily chatted about literature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do all Chinese Literature majors become writers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[63] “Will all of you Chinese Literature majors become writers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun: \"Actually, that’s a common misconception. We don’t produce writers—we train literary critics. But…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[64] Liu Zhenyun: “Actually, that’s a misunderstanding—Chinese Literature doesn’t produce writers; we train literary critics. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Liu Zhenyun changed tone, revealing his debut novel would be published soon, instantly earning him another wave of adoring glances from the freshman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[65] Then Liu Zhenyun switched topics, saying his debut novel would be published soon—once again drawing a wave of adoring glances from the younger female students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, literature really attracted girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[66] Back then, literature types really attracted girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>！\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[67] !\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming admitted it—the entire 1980s was literature’s golden age. Literary magazines sprouted like mushrooms after rain; the public’s hunger for words reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[68] Wei Ming admitted it—the entire 1980s was literature’s golden age; literary magazines sprouted like mushrooms after rain, and the public’s hunger for words peaked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year’s launches: \"October,\" \"Zhongshan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[69] Last year’s launches: “October,” “Zhongshan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s: \"Contemporary,\" \"Huacheng,\" and the revived \"Shouhuo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[70] This year’s: “Contemporary,” “Huacheng,” and the revived “Shouhuo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, provincial and municipal journals kept emerging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[71] Plus provincial and municipal journals kept appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Writers could thrive—they had status, high income, and easy lives. As long as you weren’t hideous, you could marry not just female students, but even movie stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[72] Writers could thrive—they had status, high income, easy work; as long as you weren’t hideous, you could marry not just female students, but even movie stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who’s the hottest female star right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[73] Who was the hottest female star right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus headed west, then north, leaving the bustle behind. Wei Ming leaned against the window, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[74] The bus headed west, then north, leaving the bustle behind; Wei Ming leaned against the window, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond stars, movies, and literature, he thought of last year’s reform and opening-up, and his past-life regrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[75] Beyond stars, films, and literature, he thought of last year’s reform and opening-up, and his past-life regrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living in such a turbulent, magnificent era, he’d accomplished nothing in his first half-life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[76] In such a turbulent, grand era, his first half-life had achieved nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after entering the 21st century, wasting decades until forty, did he finally gather strength—and only after sixty did he reach his peak, becoming a billionaire, earning the title \"Late Bloomer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[77] Only after entering the 21st century, wasting time until forty, did he finally gather strength—only after sixty did he reach his peak, wealth exceeding a hundred million, earning the title “Late Bloomer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who the hell wants to be a late bloomer if you can bloom early?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[78] But who the hell wants to be late-blooming if they can be early?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his son silent, Old Wei assumed he was just tired from the train ride—but he himself wasn’t tired at all; he was wide awake and excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[79] Seeing his son silent, Wei Jiefang assumed he was tired from the train—but he himself wasn’t tired at all; he felt energetic, even excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Classmate, how much monthly allowance do college students get?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[80] “Classmate, how much stipend do college students get monthly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Socially fearless Old Wei butted into the conversation between the literary pair, utterly unembarrassed, and quickly bonded with Liu Zhenyun, calling him \"nephew\" since they were both from the countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[81] As a social bandit, Old Wei butted into the conversation between the scholar and beauty, utterly unashamed, and soon called Liu Zhenyun “nephew,” as they shared rural roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jianmei, meanwhile, subtly glanced at Wei Ming’s handsome profile, wanting to ask something but too shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[82] Guo Jianmei subtly turned to glance at Wei Ming’s handsome profile, wanting to ask but too shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until Liu Zhenyun finally voiced her unspoken question: \"Uncle, which department is Xiao Wei entering?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[83] Only when Liu Zhenyun asked the question she wanted to ask: “Uncle, which department is Xiao Wei in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the scenery grew sparser. Wei Ming turned around, curious to hear how Old Wei would answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[84] Outside, the crowds thinned; Wei Ming turned back to hear what Old Wei would say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei brazenly declared: \"We haven’t decided which department yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[85] Wei Jiefang bluffed: “Still not sure which department yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\" Liu Zhenyun was baffled. The admission letter clearly states the department—what’s uncertain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[86] “Huh?” Liu Zhenyun stared blankly. Didn’t the admission letter say? What’s uncertain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei laughed heartily and cryptically replied: \"You wouldn’t understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[87] Wei Jiefang laughed heartily and dropped a cryptic line: “You wouldn’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned around and started chatting with other parents behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[88] Then he turned around and started chatting with the parents behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun grew even more curious about this father-son duo—even the beautiful hometown girl seemed less fascinating now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[89] Liu Zhenyun’s curiosity about the father-son pair grew stronger—even the pretty hometown girl lost her appeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strained to listen, catching Old Wei whispering to Wei Ming:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[90] He strained his ears and overheard Old Wei whispering to Wei Ming:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think Chinese Literature is better, or Law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[91] “Which is better—Chinese Literature or Law?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will learning a foreign language let us study abroad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[92] “If you master a foreign language, can you go abroad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if we can leave, we won’t—we’d rather stay home. No gold nest beats your own doghouse…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[93] “Even if we can leave, we won’t—no golden nest or silver nest beats your own doghouse…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun was stunned. Could this peasant-looking man really choose any department he wanted—Chinese, Law, Foreign Languages?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[94] Liu Zhenyun was stunned—could this peasant-looking man have godlike power, able to enter Chinese Literature, Law, or Foreign Languages at will?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this suspicion, Liu Zhenyun’s radar locked onto the father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[95] With this suspicion, Liu Zhenyun’s radar locked onto the father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly two hours, Peking University finally arrived. Students and parents leapt out excitedly, ignoring the barren surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[96] After nearly two hours, Peking University arrived; students and parents leapt out excitedly, ignoring the barren surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, across the west gate still lay vast farmland and ponds—both Peking and Tsinghua were considered suburban Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[97] At this time, across the West Gate lay vast farmland and ponds—Peking and Tsinghua were still suburban Yanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them stood Peking University’s iconic west gate—the famous photo spot—with ancient architecture, plaques, stone lions—all the classic elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[98] Before them stood Peking University’s iconic West Gate—a famous photo spot, complete with ancient architecture, plaques, stone lions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone headed inside, but Old Wei and Wei Ming turned the opposite way, carrying their luggage toward the opposite side of the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[99] Everyone headed inside, but Wei Jiefang and Wei Ming turned the opposite way, carrying luggage toward the other side of the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle, you’re going the wrong way!\" Liu Zhenyun called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[100] “Uncle, you’re going the wrong way,” Liu Zhenyun reminded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jiefang pointed to a garden across the way: “That’s Weixiu Garden, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s it, heh heh, let’s find someone first—my brother’s a leader at Peking University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled at the two of them: “We’ll meet again soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jianmei: She looks even better when she smiles!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Old Wei led Little Wei toward the Peking University faculty building in Weixiu Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun felt a pang of indignation at this favoritism—could a leader’s nephew do whatever he wanted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable! How envious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snorted, turned away, and saw Guo Jianmei already walking off with her luggage—he hurried after her in small steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, wait up, junior sister! Let me carry your bags!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before crossing through Peking University’s west gate, Liu Zhenyun cast one last glance at the backs of the father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can join any department you want—do you happen to be the top scorer in the college entrance exam too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(PS: Dropped the burden, started anew. If you think this version is better than the last and worth reading, please support it—Old Buddha bows deeply or2!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3336,"2026-06-19T16:30:57.111Z","Qwen3-Next 80B","22f9e60db513e0351c84c360e7ebca61d935575aebf78216ad178dac4bf6cbe2","rising-in-1979-chapter-2",null,509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]