[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-250":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},2260958,4412,"Chapter 250: Wei Ming","rising-in-1979-chapter-250",250,"\u003Cp>The county leaders left immediately after dinner; no matter how famous Wei Ming was, County Magistrate Qin was still the father-mother official of the county—his posture could be humble to appear approachable, but not too humble, or it would become groveling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in his conversation with Wei Ming, he genuinely felt this teenager had profound knowledge, was well-versed in both ancient and modern affairs, and viewed problems with an international perspective—things Wei Ming mentioned about foreign countries he himself had never heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder such a young boy had earned such great fame; a single meal was far from enough to exhaust their discussion, so County Magistrate Qin invited Wei Ming to visit the county town again that evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a cultural performance at the county theater tonight to celebrate National Day, and he sincerely invited Wei Ming to attend and watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given such great face, how could Wei Ming refuse? Even though he had no interest in participating in these politicians’ events, he gladly accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When County Magistrate Qin arrived, he came quietly; when he left, all the villagers stood outside to see him off respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the county magistrate departed, the commune’s Secretary Song sat for a while longer before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the villagers gradually dispersed; those close to the family or living nearby stayed behind to help clean up, and soon the messy courtyard returned to its original state—though they also took away some precious leftovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, only the Wei family, Uncle Gong and Fan Chunhua, and accountant Jia San remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia San handed the gift ledger and the collected money to the rightful owner, Wei Jiefang, and remarked, “County Magistrate Qin really knows how to be generous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei glanced at the ledger—good heavens, enough for ten yuan in big money!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Director of Education and the commune secretary each gave five yuan; perhaps Wei Ming was the only student from Ping’an County to enter Qingbei in Qin’s tenure, so such attention was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accountant Jia finally totaled the figures; Old Wei also calculated their expenses during this period—it seemed that aside from sacrificing one year-old pig, the gift money nearly covered all costs, with only a few extra yuan spent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all this money came from his son’s support—he directly handed Wei Ming a large bundle of bills, both small and large denominations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept the gift ledger himself; future social obligations would naturally be paid from his own funds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming looked at the pile of small bills in his arms and found them scorching hot; he casually tossed them to Xiao Hong: “Why give them to me? Keep the money from her college celebration yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Hong didn’t dare accept either, so she passed them to her mother: “Mom, you’re going to Beijing to do business—keep this as your startup capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her mother hesitate, Wei Ming added, “Then take it. It’s Xiao Hong’s filial offering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Wei Ming rested briefly, ate a light meal, then rode his motorcycle to the county theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just a small county, so there were no flashy performances—only singing and poetry recitations, not even a single xiangsheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Performers were mostly cultural activists from local enterprises and institutions, some of whom had decent looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the songs and poems were all those red revolutionary ones—slightly outdated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wei Ming’s two songs, “On the Field of Hope” and “The Same Song,” were also arranged as acts—the first as a solo, the second performed by children from Primary School No. 1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Same Song” debuted on the New Music Concert, whose live recording began nationwide broadcast today; but the song had already spread through radio broadcasts in recent days, so this act was added last-minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Qin hadn’t expected Wei Ming to return for a college celebration banquet; tonight, he happened to witness the local people’s passionate admiration for this great writer and artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, audience members should present flowers to performers on stage—but tonight it was reversed: a little girl on stage carried a flower, and after her performance, she ran straight down to present it to Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chosen for this honor, the girl was not only beautiful, but her parents were both cadres in government offices; her teacher had repeatedly instructed her to memorize Wei Ming’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was easy to remember: the youngest and most handsome man in the front row—anyone with eyes wouldn’t mistake him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the child run toward him, Wei Ming, after a moment of surprise, stood up quickly to receive the flower, shook her hand, and said, “Thank you, little friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t all—someone specifically took a photo of the two together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Qin had elevated himself a bit too much, so after the show ended, when he asked Wei Ming for advice on developing Ping’an County’s economy, Wei Ming genuinely racked his brains to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Industry falls into three categories: the first is agriculture. Has County Magistrate Qin considered growing vegetables in greenhouses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Greenhouse vegetables?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Qin: “I remember attending a meeting in the capital two years ago during winter—I ate vegetables like Xihongshi and cucumbers, which grow in summer, and even heard there were watermelons, though I didn’t get to eat any.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Exactly. That’s the advantage of greenhouse vegetables—they can enrich people’s tables in winter and yield better economic returns. In the capital, winter fresh vegetables are mostly grown by the Sijiqing Commune in Haidian, and I know people there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He occasionally saw Old Farmer Bu Dachun driving a mule cart to deliver vegetables to Peking University, and Bu’s son, Bu Yunsuanyuan, had already gone to study in America.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Qin’s eyes lit up—no wonder Wei Ming was the King of Beijing connections!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming continued, “If the county decides to proceed, I can help arrange technical training—Sijiqing’s greenhouse technology was learned from Japan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>County Magistrate Qin was tempted; he asked more details about greenhouse technology and pricing, and when he heard prices could double compared to summer, his eyes brightened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming not only outlined the prospects but also the risks: “Winter demand for fresh vegetables in the capital is huge, but Sijiqing can barely meet the needs of Beijing’s cadres; any surplus might reach university students, but ordinary citizens get very little. Although Ping’an County isn’t far from Beijing, it’s not Beijing—vegetables don’t withstand bumpy transport well, and we have no direct train to Beijing. This needs careful consideration and research.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming feared officials would impulsively push farmers to grow this or raise that, then abandon them when harvests failed—he’d been burned himself in his past life, growing crops no one would buy or transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Ming warned the county government must play a coordinating role and not dump risks onto the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land system reform is currently underway; multiple meetings have signaled that previously, entire brigades farmed collectively, but soon each household will manage its own land, shifting risks from village collectives to individual families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Wei Ming’s agricultural suggestions, County Magistrate Qin asked, “What about the second industry—industry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thought for a moment: “Do you know about wire mesh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shamelessly adopted the wealth-generation method from neighboring Anping County, regardless of whether County Magistrate Qin approved or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the third industry, Ping’an County was truly ill-equipped—now wasn’t the time to talk about it; the people hadn’t even grown wealthy yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the show and chatting with the county magistrate so long, it was very late; Wei Ming pinned the flower behind his ear and rode home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Wei Ming gave County Magistrate Qin his home phone number—if he wanted to inspect Sijiqing Commune, he should contact him in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the village, Wei Ming specifically visited the old Party secretary’s home to tell him about greenhouse vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the county decides to send a delegation, I’ll make sure they invite you—you can bring along a villager skilled in vegetable cultivation to learn firsthand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good!” The old Party secretary knew this was a path to wealth Wei Ming had arranged for them—this was true patriotism!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow, Wei Ming and Xiao Hong would return to Beijing; Wei Ming needed to continue writing and prepare for the mid-month correspondence university exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Old Wei and his mother, they’d stay another two days to handle household affairs—after this departure, the next homecoming might not be until before Spring Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Old Wei delivered his wife to Beijing, he’d return to Shandong’s film crew to accompany them through their final shoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, the little dog you mentioned—I remember the village where we filmed had hunters raising Tushong dogs—big, strong, excellent for guarding or hunting. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tushong? Fine.” Wei Ming nodded; among native dogs, Tushong had decent looks, large size, high intelligence, and could indeed intimidate people—later, China remade “Hachiko,” using Tushong dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Wei Ming and his sister bid farewell to their parents and departed for Beijing; on the train, Xiao Hong took out her Rubik’s Cube as usual to show off—if Wei Ming hadn’t stopped her, she’d have set up a stall on the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Solve the cube, beat me, I’ll give you one yuan; lose to me, you give me one jiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought this way, she’d achieve wealth freedom by the time she reached Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing this against ordinary people was too unfair, so the day after returning to Beijing, Xiao Hong eagerly brought her cube back to school to challenge her genius classmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming enjoyed the quiet, wrote his book, reviewed his studies, and the day passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yunyun hadn’t come home last night, and at the end of her workday today, she still hadn’t returned for dinner; so in the evening, Wei Ming rode his motorcycle to Dongfang Xintiandi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, he saw Zhang Yu and Chen Chong’s posters; unlike the affectionate gaze between Gong Ying and Zhu Lin, Mei Wenhua deliberately hung them facing away from each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regular customers passing by would instantly notice the new posters, be pleasantly surprised to see Chen Chong and Zhang Yu, and feel compelled to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this hour, Wei Ming found it hard to enter—the crowd was too thick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, National Day holidays meant no tourism; besides watching movies, people just strolled the streets—and strolling was an exclusive urban entertainment; the streets of his hometown county had nothing worth seeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Ming struck up a conversation with Lan Qin, the seamstress outside the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Wei, you’ve come… business is great! Especially these past two days—it’s even better than before! Look at how much work I’ve piled up—I can’t keep up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Lan, you’re about to give birth, right? What’ll you do with your stall then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lan Qin laughed: “No worry—my mother-in-law knows how to use the sewing machine; she’ll take over for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wei Ming and Sister Lan were chatting, Mei Wenhua, who had just collected payment, finally spotted Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming stepped closer and asked: “Yunyun didn’t come home last night—will she return today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Mei beamed proudly: “No, we’ve already prepared the apartment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What!” Wei Ming exclaimed in delight, “The apartment at Tuanjiehu is finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this good news, Wei Ming forgot about Mei Wenhua and Yunyun entirely—he immediately rode off to Tuanjiehu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside, Master Lei and his apprentices were still working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Wei, you came at the perfect time—we’re just about to pack up. Take a look—how’s the work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finished today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lei looked embarrassed: “Yes, we finished Manager Mei’s place a couple days ago—he said you were back in your hometown, no rush to move in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn you, Mei Wenhua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least today, Master Lei had completed the job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, they had a tricycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Master Lei, and all the masters—could you help me move? Tonight, dinner at Donglaishun, my treat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One apprentice, Xiao Fan, grinned: “We’ve all heard that Writer Wei loves to treat people—but usually he invites scholars and literati. Never thought we hardworking laborers would get invited by Writer Wei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Fan, don’t say that. I believe interior decoration is an art too, and we’re all laborers—my labor moves my hands, yours moves your body—none of us should look down on the other, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right!” The renovation workers felt warmed by Wei Ming’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, Wei Ming had planned to treat them to dinner then go find Linjie—but today he decided to eat with them and hear the latest gossip from the workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were familiar and trustworthy, he could later recommend them to Zhou Lijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving meant relocating from the sihe courtyard to Tuanjiehu—the essentials were one bed, one table, one chair; the table and chair were antiques, the bed had been built earlier by Wei Ming—wide and large enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, a Simmons mattress bought at high price from Friendship Store, plus several quilts and bedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as these items were in place, he and Linjie could stay for days or nights without issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Lin wasn’t idle—her role was growing, and she was now at the film set from morning till night, with only nighttime hours truly her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Wei Ming bought more items for his new home, changed the locks, and arranged for a gas cylinder—now he could at least boil water or cook something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, he planned to install color TVs in both the sihe courtyard and here; he’d heard Tianjin Radio Factory had imported a color TV production line from Japan, with an estimated annual output of 150,000 units—buying one should become easier soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Ming held off on using foreign exchange, waiting to pay in RMB.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, he waited below the Beiyingchang guesthouse for Zhu Lin, and soon saw her returning with Da Shichang, chatting and laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw Wei Ming, Zhu Lin’s expression turned awkward; Da Shichang, however, greeted the famed writer Wei Ming as calmly as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming also smiled and shook Da Shichang’s hand—he was truly a handsome guy, and his height matched Wei Ming’s, exuding a mature, refined grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Shichang was a man of great restraint; though he knew Wei Ming often visited Zhu Lin, he rarely inquired about their relationship, and after a brief exchange with Wei Ming, he went upstairs alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin silently followed Wei Ming out of Beiyingchang and got into his car; neither spoke during the ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after they were far from Beiyingchang did Wei Ming ask: “You’re not falling for someone else, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin punched him hard: “Shut up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what’s with that expression? I thought I’d been greened,” Wei Ming joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin: “I feel awkward. I feel like I’ve betrayed you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming slammed on the brakes: “How have you betrayed me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin: “I’ve just been filming a scene where the male and female leads are deeply in love. I got so into the role, my mind was full of the male lead—even after filming, I couldn’t shake it. Then I saw you, and suddenly I felt guilty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming restarted the car: “So you’re still green. Look at Teacher Da—he slips in and out of his role effortlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin: “I know I’m far behind. I’m still troubled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming laughed: “What now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin: “I finally got into character, and today the director even praised me. Then you showed up, and now I have to reset everything. I’m afraid tomorrow, when I look at Da Shichang, I won’t feel anything anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming burst out laughing: “Then just imagine he’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh, I guess I’ll have to try that,” Zhu Lin sighed. “Where are we going? I already ate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “I ate too. Next up, I’m eating you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin’s heart skipped: “Aren’t your parents home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “No one’s home right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This direction… isn’t this the Overseas Chinese Apartments?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming grinned: “We’re going to Tuanjiehu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was slightly remote, Zhu Lin had never been here except when buying the place—and he hadn’t expected it to be fully furnished already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Wei Ming hadn’t expected either was that as he rode his motorcycle past Building One, he spotted Xiao Mei’s motorcycle; looking up, he saw a curtain drawn across a window on the fourth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Damn, I forgot to buy curtains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were no tall buildings in front of their building, and the Simmons mattress felt incredible; after a long day of filming, Zhu Lin lay down and refused to move, letting Wei Ming do as he pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhu Lin lay on her side, gazing out at the darkening sky: “Hmph, fine, I’ll let it slide today. But tomorrow, I’m buying curtains—this is so embarrassing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming patted her, telling her to lift up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a new trick he’d learned before returning to his hometown; Zhu Lin found it embarrassing, but it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, Wei Ming suddenly realized: “You said you’d buy curtains tomorrow—does that mean you’re coming back tomorrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Lin pleaded: “No more, no more! I still want to film well—I’ll get scolded by the director tomorrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming gently stroked her back: “Alright then. But take this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed her the new key, telling her to put it in her bag: “This is your home now. I hope you’ll show some mercy and occasionally take in this poor, homeless man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, after dropping Zhu Lin off at Beiyingchang’s gate, Wei Ming went to Peking University for work, and there in the library, he met Wei Hong, fuming: “Yesterday I went home and no one was there—I was furious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming scratched his head: “I was at the Sihe Academy yesterday. As for Yunyun, she’s probably moving out soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Mei indeed wanted Yunyun to move in with her—they were legally allowed to live together—but Yunyun wanted to wait until her second aunt and uncle returned to tell them first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, the elderly couple returned today; Wei Ming even went to Xintiandi to notify them, so they wouldn’t sneak off to Tuanjiehu again at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he entered the shop and saw Xiao Mei’s exhausted look, Wei Ming thought he might have overthought it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Mei: “You’re overthinking. I’m just tired from running the shop! Yes, because of this shop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She told Wei Ming: “On National Day, our sales hit a new high—20,000 yuan! Brother, I finally understand why capitalists are so obsessed with expansion. Seeing so much cash on the books but not being able to use it to make more money—it’s truly frustrating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were ways, of course—like splitting the business: turn one shop into two, with different names. Each would still have eight people, but effectively double the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, only Mei Wenhua could manage the whole operation. The conditions for splitting weren’t ripe—otherwise, the second shop would quickly collapse from mismanagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming’s advice was still to wait. The real commercial atmosphere wouldn’t improve until the 1990s. In the 1980s, businesses that just bought and sold had to keep their heads down—at least until the late 80s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night at the Overseas Chinese Apartments, the Wei family gathered again. Hearing that their niece planned to move out and live with Xiao Mei, Xu Shufen knew it was normal, but still felt a pang of sadness—traditionally, only a wedding ceremony counted as marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked: “So when are you planning to hold the ceremony?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wenhua said: “Probably by the end of next month. When Biaozi finishes filming, he can bring his in-laws straight from Sichuan to Beijing. I’ll send him money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Wei nodded: “By then, our crew should be done filming too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a time when everyone was free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Wei Ming might not be—by then he might be in Shanghai revising his manuscript. But that didn’t matter; a single phone call from Beijing and he could fly back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they ate and talked, the phone rang—it was Ping’an’s house. Xiao Yan was looking for Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally someone’s home! I called yesterday and no one answered,” Xiao Yan complained first, then got to the point. “Tomorrow, Xinhua Bookstore is hosting a national book fair—over a hundred publishers will participate, tens of thousands of books. Of course, our press will be there. I’m telling you so you can go—whether to buy books or help promote our reprinted ‘The Book of Heavenly Secrets,’ it’s all good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, a national book fair? That’s great!” Wei Ming said sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with all his money, sometimes he found it hard to buy a book—popular new titles sold out instantly unless you queued at the bookstore door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked: “How long will the fair last?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiaoyan: “From the 7th to the 21st—half a month. Location: the Cultural Palace of the Working People.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” The place was east of Tiananmen, originally the imperial ancestral temple of the Ming and Qing dynasties, not far from the Sihe Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, besides Lu Xiaoyan, the People’s Literature Publishing House had also called him two days ago to invite him—but no one answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Beast Is Fierce” was still a bestseller; for this fair, they planned to reprint another 500,000 copies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ferocious Animals\" is still a bestseller; for this book fair, they’re preparing to print another 500,000 copies~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Today’s minimum)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3565,"2026-06-19T16:30:58.707Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b158a0abd52f6c38cb99d3100f1c7402da783a313895cb724a7698c627a4a3c0","rising-in-1979-chapter-251","rising-in-1979-chapter-249",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]