[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-207":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},2260915,4412,"Chapter 207: How on Earth Am I Supposed to Spend This Much Money?! (Guaranteed Dual-Chapter)","rising-in-1979-chapter-207",207,"\u003Cp>Wei Ming told Zhu Lin that Liu Zhenyun and Guo Jianmei were the first people he met when he entered Peking University, even before he arrived there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve maintained a great friendship ever since. My first poem, ‘Ideal,’ was actually requested by Liu Zhenyun,” Wei Ming said. “I’ll introduce you to my other friends later—they’re all excellent people. After all, birds of a feather flock together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Zhu Lin said in a teasing tone. “We’re just friends, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the table, Wei Ming gently brushed against her calf: “I was just worried you’d feel embarrassed. Next time, I’ll tell them you’re my girlfriend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t even think about it~” Zhu Lin huffed. She didn’t believe him for a second—she felt Wei Ming clearly didn’t want to take responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if Wei Ming really said that, she’d be overjoyed. Right now, with no official status, she felt insecure, constantly fearing loss—blaming herself for being too eager, putting herself at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thought to himself: Fine, let her be happy. Who was he to blame himself for lacking the self-control to cross that line in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the balance was already broken, he’d have to make do with disappointing Xue Jie—maybe he could just convince her to stay in Shanghai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, Xue Jie would be Shanghai’s girl, Lin Jie would be Beijing’s girl, and he’d buy another old Western-style house in Shanghai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were both actresses—he’d convince them not to publicize their personal lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step at a time. Wei Ming truly envied the social norms of forty years later—was it strange for a novelist to have two wives?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin, now in better spirits, added: “I’ve only met one of your friends before—Xiao Mei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Mei Wenhua? Don’t be fooled by his short stature—he’s got plenty of cunning. He looks unreliable, but he’s actually very steady in his work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming gave an objective assessment: Xiao Mei and Biaozi ran their business together, but Xiao Mei actually did more of the work. The two hadn’t shown any signs of splitting—they’d truly shared hardship and success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the final dish—earthenware-braised beef—arrived. Wei Ming quickly served a piece to Lin Jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating, Wei Ming suggested taking a walk to digest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they strolled around the area, leaving the car at the entrance. Nearby was the Beijing Zoo, but it had long closed at this hour. They circled the zoo, and in deserted stretches, they held hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming began testing Lin Jie’s oral training again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your tongue is already quite agile. Let me give you a tongue twister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve practiced tongue twisters,” Zhu Lin said. “Eight hundred banner soldiers race northward, artillerymen line up side by side, artillerymen fear hitting the banner soldiers, banner soldiers fear the artillerymen’s cannons.” She even knew the extended version: “Ba le bai le biao le bing le ben le bei le po.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Too easy. Try this: Red phoenix, yellow phoenix, pink-red roof, flying phoenix.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin tried it, rushing to get through it from the start—and of course, her tongue tangled. It was too hard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no one around, Wei Ming took the initiative to help her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin was terrified—it was still out on the street!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said sincerely: “If anyone sees us, just say we’re dating. I’m serious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words completely disarmed Zhu Lin. She gently wrapped her arms around his waist and let him have his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But tonight she’d already promised her parents—tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival, and she had to help her mother make zongzi early tomorrow morning, so she’d have to go home obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also Wei Ming’s first time escorting Zhu Lin home. Her father was a teacher at Beijing Institute of Technology—formerly Beijing Institute of Industry—and they lived in the faculty housing on campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin, having just ended a relationship, couldn’t be entirely at ease—she feared being seen by acquaintances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Ming dropped her off a short distance from campus, watching as she skipped away happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jie, you’re twenty-eight—you’re acting a bit immature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was late, so Wei Ming didn’t linger outside—he went straight home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he reached his building, he saw Biaozi and Xiao Mei’s motorcycle. Strange—what urgent matter could they have that brought them to his home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming rushed upstairs and saw a woman crouching outside his door, her hair fiery red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She faced away from him, but at the sound of footsteps, she turned instantly—and locked eyes with Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You finally came back,” Mei Linda stood up, rubbing her long, beautiful legs, smiling at the faint glow on Wei Ming’s wristwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “How did you know I live here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t you invite me in first?” Mei Linda held her bag. “Isn’t China the ancient land of propriety? Has that tradition ended with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though annoyed by Mei Linda’s pretense of being a stranger in public, Wei Ming still opened the door and let her in—no one should see her standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as she entered, Mei Linda pinned him against the wall—only someone her height could manage it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grinned at Wei Ming’s conflicted expression, surprised he hadn’t immediately stripped her bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re so stingy. I was working, translating for my boss’s boss. I had to act professionally—it affected my chances of promotion. And look, I came straight to you after finishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming wasn’t bothered by that—he was troubled by Zhu Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His relationship with Lin Jie had just begun to deepen, and now Mei Linda appeared out of nowhere, leaving his mind in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wei Ming silent, Mei Linda launched her offensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: This is too much! Do you think I have no temper?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming turned the tables, and after passionate intimacy, he lifted the tall foreign girl onto the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he reached under the bed and pulled out the foreign contraceptive she knew well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda was overjoyed—she hadn’t expected it to still be here after so long. She’d thought he’d used it all up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, foreign female students were always proactive in love, especially toward outstanding boys like Wei Ming. Her classmates were all watching, and she’d feared someone else had taken her place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Mei Linda looked at Wei Ming with even deeper affection. If not for her rising career and unfulfilled ambitions, she’d consider staying at Peking University to pursue a graduate degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming compared Lin Jie and Mei Linda—Chinese elegance and British boldness were two kinds of beauty, and he loved both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda had had her fill. She got up, picked up her bag, and pulled out two stacks of cash, tossing them onto Wei Ming. The scene looked exactly like a fallen youth and a female client.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming was furious—what did she think he was?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he picked up one stack and saw the “100” and Franklin on the bills, he immediately grabbed her leg: “You’ve really made it, huh? Paying this much for service?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda laughed: “Do you think your thing is made of gold? Why should it be worth so much?” She added, “These are your royalties. I specifically exchanged them into dollars for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming slapped his forehead: “Right! My ‘Game of the Brave’ has been published—I saw it on the donation list today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda pulled out another book from her bag: “Here it is—this is the paperback edition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming took it, and before even reading the title, he noticed the three names on the cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Author: “MrWhy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Translator: “Mei Linda Gaskell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illustrator: “Jill Bakland.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though labeled a paperback, the cover, paper, and printing were far superior to any domestic publication at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking closer at the illustrations, they had strong artistic flair and a distinct personal style—clearly superior to Cheng Long’s work. Cheng Long still hadn’t developed his own style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming glanced briefly and loved it immediately. No wonder the paperback sold for 1.8 pounds—only in Britain could wages support such prices. In China, even at official exchange rates, it would cost nearly six yuan—too expensive for most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming asked: “How much did the illustrator get?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda said: “Forty percent, thirty percent, thirty percent. She gets the same share as me. She’s a newcomer, but full of potential and talent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming nodded—it was well deserved. Without illustrations, a plain novella would barely be worth half a pound. The artwork and layout had drastically increased its market value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was more curious: “How many copies were printed in the first run?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda said proudly: “Fifty thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming sucked in a breath—Britain’s population was fifty million, roughly one-twentieth of China’s. Proportionally, that meant a first print run of one million in China!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, “The Fierce Animals” had a million-copy first run—but that was only possible because Wei Ming was already famous, and every one of his stories was known to readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But “Game of the Brave” had a debut author, translator, and illustrator—all newcomers—and yet it achieved this print run. Mei Linda was undoubtedly responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Ming did the math and spotted a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1.8 pounds × 50,000 copies = 90,000 pounds total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the royalty rate?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda beamed: “Twelve percent. That’s the highest rate a new author can get.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was indeed high—by later standards, only top-tier Chinese authors earned that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for established writers in Britain, the maximum could reach twenty percent—that was her ultimate hope for Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Ming had another question: 90,000 pounds gross, 12% royalty = just over 10,000 pounds in royalties, roughly $20,000 in dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Mei Linda had just thrown $20,000 at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s exactly twenty grand,” she admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why so much?” Wei Ming wondered. He imagined generous thoughts—maybe she’d given him her own share, or even skimmed from the illustrator’s pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda laughed: “Because, on my suggestion, we also released a hardcover edition. But it’s too thick to fit in my bag—I’ve got one copy at my hotel. I’ll bring it next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming asked about the hardcover: price, print run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda told him: “Twenty thousand copies, priced at five pounds each.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa!” Wei Ming exclaimed. “That expensive?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew foreign hardcovers were pricey and profitable, but triple the paperback price? That still surprised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though printed in smaller numbers, the hardcover’s total gross already surpassed the paperback’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Wei Ming, with only 40% of the rights, earned $20,000!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda explained: “I led the hardcover project. It includes the game maps from the novel and dice. Higher cost, higher price—and it’s been wildly popular. Even the British royal children are reading it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda went on at length about sales and market reception since the book’s release. In short, Wei Ming’s English pen name had already gained minor fame in Britain. Next time, she could help him secure an even higher royalty rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The paperback’s still selling after two months, but the hardcover is nearly sold out. It was this campaign that earned me my boss’s favor—and being a Peking University exchange student helped me land this trip to China with the chairman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re amazing!” Wei Ming praised. Only then did he seriously weigh the $20,000 in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How on earth am I supposed to spend this much money?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If exchanged on the black market, this sum would exceed 100,000 yuan—enough to buy two houses like his own, easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he’d earned so much from a single work. Indeed, foreign money was easier to make!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Linda rested her head on Wei Ming’s thigh: “This is nothing. When we return to Britain, the hardcover will be reprinted. And next, the book’s entering the U.S. market—their branch has already started publishing. There are over two hundred million powerful consumers there—four times Britain’s market. Four times!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Melinda’s words, Wei Ming felt as if endless dollars were already flowing into his pockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered that the original version of this picture book sold in the millions; this time, it sold fewer than a hundred thousand copies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the movie adaptation of this novel did extremely well—top ten in North America for the year—and they’ve made several sequels. This is barely the beginning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since his rebirth, Wei Ming felt he would never again worry about money. His blood surged with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding ling ling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the phone suddenly rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming’s heart tightened—could it be Linlin checking up on him? She had a phone at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw on a pair of boxers and went to answer it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiaoming!” It was Uncle Anping’s voice, sounding unusually excited. “First, calm down. Whatever I say next, don’t get too worked up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming looked down: “Uncle, I’m already calm. Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping: “I just got home. On the way back, I heard the news—Melinda’s back! She returned to Peking University today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was it—Wei Ming wasn’t excited at all… Holy shit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still on the phone when Melinda stepped out of the bedroom—wearing Zhu Lin’s pajamas!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the silk pajamas didn’t fit, they were stretched taut across her body, exuding a sensual allure, like lingerie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiaoming, are you still there? Did you get too excited?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Uncle, I’m perfectly calm. I already know—today I was in the audience for the Oxford president’s speech. Melinda was his interpreter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, good! So what are you going to do now? Have you reconnected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d already connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, we’ve already met. You don’t need to worry about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, good. You’ve got it figured out. I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t invited you over for dinner. If you two want to keep things going, maybe your aunt and I should invite her out to eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda had crept up behind Wei Ming and wrapped her arms around his waist, waiting for his reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Ming dodged the question: “What have you been up to lately? Why are you coming home so late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just started at the Production Management Office. Lately, I’ve been inventorying the university’s assets. I also took your advice—I’ve started learning about computers. You were right: Wang Xuan’s Chinese character laser typesetting technology has huge potential. It’s now my main focus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When will it hit the market? I can’t wait to see the publishing industry transformed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping: “There are still difficulties. We’ve crossed the hardest part—from zero to one. Now it’s from one to ten. The biggest hurdle is we need to buy foreign equipment, but we don’t have enough foreign exchange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming asked: “Would twenty thousand be enough? I mean, U.S. dollars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It would help a bit, but it’s nowhere near enough. Why are you asking? Do you have twenty thousand U.S. dollars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do. But since it’s nowhere near enough, I’ll just forget I mentioned it.” Wei Ming wanted to help Uncle Anping, to accelerate the founding and growth of Founder Group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, twenty thousand dollars was a fortune to him personally—but for Peking University, for the survival of a university-affiliated enterprise, it was a drop in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Anping perked up, pressing: “Where did you get so much money? And in foreign exchange? Didn’t you drain all your savings buying that house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming gently stroked Melinda’s arm wrapped around his waist: “Didn’t I tell you? Melinda took ‘The Game of the Brave’ to Britain to test the overseas market. It did well—it’s already been published. She brought back the royalties when she returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other end of the line, Wei Anping sat on the living room sofa, mouth agape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was twenty thousand U.S. dollars! At least twenty years’ salary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many renowned professors at Peking University had published books in English or other languages, but he’d never heard of anyone earning so much foreign exchange. He never imagined foreign kids liked it so much—his nephew’s success surpassed his wildest dreams!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Melinda’s contribution was key—but getting a foreigner like her to work for him? That was even more impressive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Anping told Wei Ming to keep the money. Twenty thousand dollars couldn’t solve Wang Xuan’s problem, and the university would only exchange it at the official rate—his nephew would be cheated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more words, they hung up. Wei Ming immediately asked Melinda: “Why are you wearing clothes? I like you better without them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, afraid your shirt will soak up my perfume?” Melinda teased. “I thought you were still single—you’re still wearing my watch, right? Turns out things have changed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming grabbed her wrist: “Where’s my watch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re asking? I didn’t want to take it off. Then I went swimming—and it broke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming muttered: “Wasn’t it supposed to be waterproof? Guess ads can’t be trusted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda couldn’t use Wei Ming’s Modu brand watch anymore, so she left it at home as a keepsake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “That watch worked perfectly. No need to replace it. That’s not meant to mean anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then if you have a girlfriend, why are you sleeping with me? Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming pulled Melinda close: “Then don’t let her find out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda asked again: “So should I leave now? And let you restore everything to how it was?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming shook his head: “Too late. I won’t let you leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told her to stay the night. Melinda didn’t want to leave anyway. She didn’t care about Wei Ming’s current relationship status—she’d be back in Britain in two days. As long as he didn’t plan to live abroad, they were destined to live in separate worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, she really wanted to use the time before their separation to talk about his next book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strike while the iron’s hot. Interested in writing a book specifically for the English market? After ‘The Game of the Brave,’ you can raise your price. I want to turn you into a top children’s author. Your success is my success.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why children’s books? Melinda thought Wei Ming understood kids—but not necessarily Britain or America. Targeting the children’s market was the right move. Children’s books sold incredibly well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parents everywhere were always willing to spend more on their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “What kind of children’s picture books are popular in Britain right now? I don’t know your market well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he couldn’t adapt to local tastes, he’d just have to write ‘The Game of the Brave 2.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda was now primarily a children’s book editor, and she had plenty to say on the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ sold extremely well. So did Raymond Briggs’s ‘The Snowman.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were relatively new British works. Melinda briefly summarized the plots—but she didn’t need to. All three were later adapted into Hollywood films and became huge successes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And older works are still wildly popular: ‘Peter Rabbit,’ ‘Paddington Bear,’ ‘Winnie the Pooh.’ All animal stories—children clearly prefer animals over humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And British authors truly supplied more than enough material for Hollywood. Many roots of American pop culture actually lie in Britain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides annual hits, classic works remain vital. Because they’re classics—parents trust them more when buying books. So new editions of ‘Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales,’ ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales,’ and ‘Mother Goose’ keep appearing. No royalties needed. Right now, Britain’s even seeing a wave of classic fairy tale adaptations—fresh, yet satisfying readers’ trust in tradition…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They talked late into the night. Wei Ming began thinking of writing another children’s book tailored to the European and American markets—to earn more foreign exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With money in his pocket, he could create freely, even travel wherever he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they slept late, Zhu Lin woke early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She got up at dawn to help her mother cook zongzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you packing so many?” Zhu’s mother asked, watching her daughter stuff zongzi into the lunchbox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m eating lunch, and giving some to my coworkers. There won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu’s mother: “Then let me pack you another bag.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks, Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin left early today. She rode her bike first to the Overseas Chinese Apartment—most of the zongzi were for Xiao Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Yesterday’s minimum)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3373,"2026-06-19T16:30:58.707Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d51d780bc70b79feb5006cf01be78017c12f9a15e8c9d6373ef81dc1f34b783d","rising-in-1979-chapter-208","rising-in-1979-chapter-206",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]