Chapter 76: Just Look at the Sihe Academy, That

Wei Ming’s condition wasn’t about royalty fees—that could wait until the work was published.

What he was fighting for now was the publication date.

“I hope this can be published before the year ends.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“This novel is adapted from my parents’ story—they know I’m writing it and can’t wait to see it in the magazine.”

The real reason was that the original author would begin creation in March next year.

The only remaining issue of *Contemporary* this year was the December third issue, and its content was already prepared—no shortage of material. Should they squeeze Wei Ming in? Bai Shurong couldn’t decide.

“Can I go back and discuss this with the chief editor?”

“Of course.”

Back at the editorial office on Chaoyang Street No. 166, Bai Shurong didn’t immediately bring it up with Chief Editor Yan Wenjing. She wanted to wait until tomorrow’s release of *Beijing Literature* and judge the quality of Wei Ming’s novella before deciding.

If it was truly excellent, she’d fight for him—and she was confident she could win.

After all, *Contemporary* was a new journal, and everyone hoped to boost sales; Wei Ming was currently the top literary star.

Rumor had it that *Wenhui Daily*, which first published *The Duck Knows*, and *Poetry*, which reprinted *The Ideal*, both saw sales rise by at least fifteen percent!

But this top star was a bit hollow—lacking substantial works to back him up.

The next day, Wei Ming and Biaozi set out early. Biaozi was excited and told Wei Ming: “If any bad elements show up, just watch—I’ll handle them.”

Outside the school gate, they passed a newsstand. Wei Ming stopped to take a look—good, the October issue of *Beijing Literature* was ready, stacked high. He’d buy it when he returned.

On the way, Wei Ming asked Biaozi: “How are things between you and Yanzi? She hasn’t come by since you got better.”

Biaozi chuckled: “These past few days I took her to see a movie—the one you recommended, *They Two and They Two*, about two sets of twins, one male pair and one female pair, falling in love. Really interesting. I don’t know where the director found two pairs of twins. Yanzi even said one actor played both twins. Isn’t she a dumb Yanzi, hahaha?”

Yanzi: You’re the dumb one, stupid Biaozi!

“Au v!” Wei Ming exclaimed. “Nice job, Biaozi. So does that mean she’s agreed to go out with you?”

“I didn’t dare ask. After all, I lost last time.”

“Your approach wasn’t wrong,” Wei Ming said, looking at Biaozi. He really did lack appeal to Yanzi now.

No pretty boy looks, no national champion title—just his build and his potential. The former is visible, the latter intangible. Unlike little Li, who just won several more championships at the National Games.

So forcing a confession might only strain the relationship.

“But the fact that she agreed to go to the movies with you is a good sign. Keep pushing.”

“Yeah, I plan to help you buy furniture, then take her to see *Little Flower* this afternoon. Ge Feng watched it the other day and said it was great.”

“Fine, you do your thing—I’ll wander around the city.”

Biaozi added: “But you’ve got to come home for lunch with me.”

“Huh?”

“What ‘huh’? My mom’s been wanting to invite you for ages.”

“Why?”

Biaozi said: “That neck pillow you designed—Mom got one for me. Then she suggested our neighborhood garment factory produce some. Turned out they sold incredibly well, even got sent to Friendship Store. Because of that, Mom got promoted to team leader!”

So that’s why. Wei Ming smiled: “Then I’ve got to eat that meal.”

About an hour and a half later, they saw the Forbidden City. They circled around, and Biaozi took Wei Ming to the Donghuamen Trust Store.

“Being named at Donghuamen Gate” was the lifelong dream of ancient scholars. This trust store stood on Donghuamen Street, extending from the Forbidden City’s Donghuamen Gate, very close to the palace.

Outside the store, they could smell wood. Inside, they saw all kinds of tables, chairs, benches, chests, beds, safes, and office cabinets—most looked like modern or recent secondhand goods.

Wei Ming asked Biaozi: “Where are the cameras?”

Biaozi said: “This Donghuamen Trust Store specializes in furniture. If you want a camera, go to the shops dealing in miscellaneous items—like Dongsi, Tianqiao, Qianmen, or Caishikou.”

If you’re buying or selling secondhand bicycles, go to the Beixinqiao store.

Wei Ming nodded, then explained his need for a cabinet to the clerk.

Before coming, he’d hoped to find a bargain—an antique piece of furniture. But inside, there was hardly anything truly ancient-looking.

As an outsider, he could only spot items that practically screamed “I’m an antique”—and even then, there was still risk of being fooled.

Actually, Ma Wudu was an expert on antique furniture—other categories might be beyond him, but furniture? He could tell. But right now, he certainly wasn’t here—he was still somewhere in a back alley working as a laborer.

Wei Ming asked: “Do you deliver after purchase?”

“For nearby places, yes. Farther away, there’s a delivery fee.”

“Peking University.”

“Too far. Delivery fee’s two yuan. We’ll set it up for you.”

Wei Ming accepted: “Let’s look at the goods first.”

Actually, he thought one safe looked pretty good—but keeping a safe in the dorm would hurt brotherly feelings. Better wait until he had his own home.

In the end, Wei Ming chose an office cabinet. Its advantage: small footprint, large capacity, and compartmentalization. Its flaw: it looked terrible.

Though secondhand, it wasn’t cheap—total cost, including delivery, came to seventeen yuan, nearly matching his salary last month.

Funny thing—yesterday they’d just received their salary: eighteen yuan and fifty fen.

!

Later, among a pile of wood, Wei Ming spotted a Lu Ban lock toy, with a base, elegant and ancient in design, adorned with beautiful engraved patterns and characters.

Hmm, this one’s good. Even if it’s only from the Republic era, it makes a decent gift.

After paying, Wei Ming watched a rickshaw load the items and pull away.

They didn’t follow—they’d already alerted their brothers at the South Gate to meet them.

“Does Lao She live around here?” Wei Ming suddenly remembered.

“Yes, yes! Turn left up ahead, then right,” Biaozi said.

Kids raised in hutongs knew everything. Mei Wenhua even claimed he’d seen Lao She jump into the lake.

Wei Ming: “Let’s go take a look.”

The place was on Dengshi West Street, Fengfu Hutong. The gate was closed, nothing visible—it wasn’t yet a tourist site for Lao She’s former residence.

During a chat with Mr. Wu Zuxiang, Lao She was mentioned. Wu had joked: “Lao She had pride, so when he suddenly fell out of favor, he jumped. I have no pride—so when he jumped, I was cleaning the toilet—and I cleaned it the cleanest.”

Wei Ming sighed, reminding himself to cultivate a calm, unshakable mindset. Then he followed Biaozi home. His house was near Houhai, not far from Shichahai Sports School.

Biaozi first went to the garment factory to notify his mother, Aunt Qian, that they’d have a guest at noon and to come home early to cook.

Then the two wandered through hutongs for a long time before finally reaching his home. Wei Ming swore: even if he came ten times, he’d never remember the way.

It was a three-courtyard Sihe Academy housing over ten families, dozens of people. Their home was in the front courtyard.

Seeing the layout of this Sihe Academy, Wei Ming thought of *Full of Emotion in a Sihe Academy*. Biaozi’s family lived roughly where Third Uncle Yan Buguai did.

Then he remembered his former colleague at the People’s Art Theatre, Li Guangfu—this guy truly owned a family-heritage Sihe Academy. Wei Ming had visited it.

Biaozi’s family had only two rooms, but the advantage was few people—just his parents and him—so it was still fairly spacious.

After sitting awhile at Biaozi’s, Wei Ming saw a photo of Biaozi and Yanzi—though it was a group photo of their entire class, with one in the front row and the other in the back.

Auntie hadn’t returned yet, so Wei Ming asked Biaozi to take him out for a walk.

“Biaozi, is there any household nearby that owns a courtyard?”

“Probably,” Biaozi thought. “Some previously seized courtyards are being returned, but most are still occupied—can’t evict the people.”

Biaozi suddenly froze: “Ming-ge, you’re not seriously thinking of buying a house, are you? Even if you’re richer than us, a whole property isn’t cheap!”

Wei Ming scanned around: “I’m just looking. Just looking.”

He wasn’t considering housing allocation—he was too young, too junior. Without ten years’ seniority, forget it. He couldn’t wait.

Even at its lowest, a Sihe Academy wasn’t something you could get for a few hundred or a thousand yuan.

Of course, if he truly had ten thousand yuan, Wei Ming might prefer the Overseas Chinese Apartments—this era’s Sihe Academy offered no real living comfort.

In their hometown courtyard, the outhouse was still inside the yard—you could just build a higher wall and pee anywhere.

But living in one of these old siheyuans meant you had to go outside to the public toilet to shit, had to empty the chamber pots every day, and even when it rained, you had no choice.

But because of its high appreciation potential, irreplaceability, and scarcity, buying one for investment—or waiting until conditions improved to fully renovate and move in—could be uniquely satisfying.

But in the end, it all comes down to money!

(End of chapter)