[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-115":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"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},2260823,4412,"Chapter 115: The Shepherd Symposium: Invitation to the Real-Life Prototype (Guaranteed Second Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets)","rising-in-1979-chapter-115",115,"\u003Cp>\"The Game of the Brave\" is a 1982 work by American picture book master Chris Van Allsburg, with sales exceeding a million copies; his other well-known works, such as \"The Polar Express,\" have also been adapted into highly successful films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming directly borrowed this story’s concept, developing his own characters, trial challenges, and solutions, writing roughly thirty thousand words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By downplaying national cultural context and avoiding ancient gods or demons, this is a story with no reading barriers anywhere in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before reaching the airport, Melinda finished reading it; her eyes sparkled as she asked Wei Ming: “I think this story has great value—are you sure you want me to translate it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming nodded: “Aren’t you always broke? If this story earns money in Britain, you can use it to pay off your loan first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she still has a mother, Melinda is independent—her tuition for studying abroad came entirely from her own loans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man had just given her a novel; Melinda was head over heels—he really did it, I’m crying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded solemnly: “Then I’ll do my best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the airport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital airport had just opened a new terminal, expanding sixfold in area and increasing throughput fivefold, capable of handling 1,500 passengers per hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the hall was empty—fewer than a hundred passengers—but by next year, the first direct flight between China and the U.S. would launch; as Sino-foreign exchanges grew, air travel would become increasingly common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming also saw the famous mural depicting the Dai people’s Water-Splashing Festival, which showed three nearly nude women bathing—though frankly, there was nothing particularly sensual about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As reform policies shifted, the mural was sometimes covered up, sometimes displayed openly for public admiration—truly a barometer of policy trends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Wei Ming saw it in its uncovered state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While waiting for the flight, Melinda asked Wei Ming to extend his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming obeyed, and she removed his Mudu brand watch; then she took off her own Swiss luxury watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swapped the two watches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled: “Your watch is far more expensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda blinked: “But your watch can’t be bought in Britain—it’s rarer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her like this, Wei Ming felt an impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he’d already used up every last drop yesterday, he still wanted to do something for her, so he quietly slipped away to speak with other overseas students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the final moment of parting, as Wei Ming was about to escort Melinda to the shuttle bus, he said to her: “I’m about to complete a Game of the Brave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, other overseas students surrounded them—seemingly chaotic, yet perfectly shielding them from view, creating a visual blind spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the moment, Wei Ming grabbed Melinda and kissed her—deeply, fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students acting as a screen were thrilled—even though they weren’t the ones kissing, this was too thrilling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To do such a thing in a public place in this conservative country—no wonder he’s the first brave soul of China’s literary world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They now desperately hoped Wei Ming would achieve even greater things, ideally making his name echo across the entire global literary scene!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they could boast about this for a hundred years, and when writing their memoirs, dedicate an entire chapter to it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, it’d definitely sell well! Maybe even make the New York Bestseller List!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly a minute and a half of kissing, when airport staff in uniform began watching them warily, Wei Ming finally released Melinda, whose eyes were now glistening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classmates dispersed; Melinda knew that now, no matter how moved she felt or how much she wanted to express herself, she must restrain herself—otherwise she’d bring him trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, she could only shake hands with Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goodbye, Leonardo Wei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take care, Melinda Gaskell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming stood there waving until she vanished from sight, then left the terminal with the female staff member from the overseas office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been terrified—afraid the airport police might spot their transgressive moment, so while worrying, she’d used her modest stature to help shield them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Melinda was truly gone, the teacher couldn’t help but feel regret—what a perfectly matched pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thanked the teacher for her actions and suggested: “Teacher Zhao, you’re not busy next, right? It’s already noon—let’s get Liu Shi and have a meal together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing Railway Station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jiefang and Xu Shufen stepped off the train: “Shufen, there’s nothing special about old Beijing except its tunnels—just like our hometown’s tunnel warfare. Take that tunnel over there to get out—stick close to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Shufen, visiting a big city for the first time, hurried after him; her eyes couldn’t take it all in—Beijing’s buildings were so tall, even the railway station was beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Wei Jiefang had exchanged some national grain coupons in the county before arriving, he first treated his wife to two bowls of noodles outside the station, then took a bus to Peking University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this hour, Anping and his wife probably haven’t finished work yet—let’s go to where our son works,” Wei Jiefang said, still thinking his son was on guard duty at the South Gate—but he wasn’t there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard asked him: “Why are you looking for Wei Ming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? I’m his father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young guard scrutinized Old Wei—now that he looked, there really was something of the great writer Wei Da in his bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, so you’re Uncle Wei! And Auntie, come right in and sit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the guard’s attitude, Old Wei knew his son had handled his relationships well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s that boy? Isn’t he working now?” Old Wei asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Brother Ming isn’t at the South Gate anymore—he’s now a dorm supervisor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dorm supervisor? Aren’t those always old men? Where do I find him?” “Shao Garden—but he’s out now, Uncle. Wait here for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting a while, Old Wei suddenly dashed out as he spotted someone entering and exiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Liu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun froze, then exclaimed excitedly: “Uncle! Oh my goodness, it really is Uncle Wei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei noticed Liu Zhenyun was accompanied by Guo Jianmei, who shyly greeted him: “Uncle Wei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, Old Wei knew Xiao Liu had already succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but worry again for his son—Xiao Liu, looking like that, already had a girlfriend; yet his own son, with his talent, remained single—truly not at all like his father!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun suddenly remembered: “By the way, Uncle, the ‘Shepherd’ literary symposium is about to be held in our Chinese Department—you’re the real-life prototype of the male lead. Why don’t you come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, symposium?” Old Wei had never heard the term, but it sounded impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun explained: a symposium involved students, scholars, and some writers—a way to elevate a literary work’s status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We absolutely must go—she’s based on Xiao Ming’s mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Shufen didn’t have his courage; she had little education and refused outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll wait right here—I’ll see my son the moment he comes back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei asked: “Didn’t Xiao Ming attend? Shouldn’t he be here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun felt awkward—technically, the original author should attend; “Contemporary” had even held the symposium at Peking University to accommodate Wei Ming—but Wei Ming might not make it due to something more important, and told them to go ahead without him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for that “more important thing,” he wasn’t sure if Old Wei knew—he dared not mention it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving his wife seated in the guard booth, Old Wei felt reassured: “Fine. Don’t leave this building.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t leave before my son arrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhenyun was thrilled—even though Wei Ming didn’t come, he’d brought the prototype himself; the editors of “Contemporary” and several professors and writers were extremely satisfied—this was even more meaningful than the author’s personal attendance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei was even more pleased—the students watching him looked up to him with admiration; he’d never attended such a grand formal event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the greater the son’s talent, the grander the stage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Shufen sat quietly in a corner of the guard booth, her hand inside her bag, where several letters lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had sent home a large package filled with letters from readers across the country sharing information about his mother’s family—these few were the most credible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help but marvel—had her son really become this powerful? He’d merely mentioned his mother in a newspaper, and now people nationwide were helping him search!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, someone approached the guard booth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me, is Wei Ming here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Shufen immediately perked up—she couldn’t see the person, but the voice was beautiful and gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Mei Wenhua returned from patrol; he hadn’t noticed Gong Yu’s back and directly asked Guard Xiao Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has Brother Ming returned yet? He’s been gone so long taking his girlfriend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two women, inside and outside, shouted simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Mei Wenhua see Gong Yu’s face clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow! Such a beautiful sister! What did I just say? Took his girlfriend? Oh no—did I make a mistake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gong Yu could react further, Xu Shufen rushed out and asked Mei Wenhua: “Young man, you said Wei Ming has a girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard signaled Mei Wenhua and said: “This is Brother Ming’s mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Yu gasped, stepped back, didn’t know why she was afraid—she even wanted to run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too late; Mei Wenhua turned to her: “And who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Yu steadied herself, smiled, and said: “I came to personally thank Comrade Wei Ming. Since he’s not here, I’ll come another day. Please tell him I visited—my name is Gong Yu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Yu successfully withdrew, but looked back every few steps, still eager to hear more about Wei Ming’s girlfriend—who could possibly be worthy of him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gong Yu walked toward the bus stop, a beautiful girl rode past her on a bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For reasons she couldn’t explain, Gong Yu turned to look back after passing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, the girl also turned—their eyes met briefly, then quickly parted, both embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin arrived at the guard booth, about to ask how to find Wei Ming, when he overheard the conversation nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua hesitated: “Auntie, about the girlfriend question—you’d better wait and ask Wei Ming yourself when he returns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin froze, then stepped closer: “You mean Wei Ming—the novelist? He has a girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua turned around and blinked—damn, just now a stunning beauty walked away, and now another one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, she wasn’t looking for Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua rubbed his temples: “I don’t know. Don’t ask me about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin: “Alright, then where’s Wei Ming? I need to find him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Shufen: “…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Final moment—please vote for monthly tickets! Another chapter coming soon!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1783,"2026-06-19T16:30:57.111Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","42d315092646f639e9f74858a40d09fd11742e516c91162052448c46e235b794","rising-in-1979-chapter-116","rising-in-1979-chapter-114",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]