[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981":3,"chapter-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-118":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year, the Flowers Bloomed in 1981",{"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},2294536,4489,"Chapter 118: If You Want to Buy a House, Ask My Brother!","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-118",118,"\u003Cp>Li Ye took Wen Leyu to the train station, found a tricycle driver, loaded his two large suitcases onto it, and made his way to the inn where he’d agreed to meet Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng had just gone out, but Wang Qiang stayed behind at the inn, waiting for Li Ye to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye handed the bags over to Wang Qiang and casually asked him a few questions about the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang said with shame: “Brother, it’s exactly the worst scenario you predicted—we went around looking these past few days, but as soon as they heard we wanted to buy a house, they chased us away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chased you away? What about the Housing Bureau? Did you ask them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye immediately understood—back then, many Sihe Academy didn’t just house the owners; they were packed with tenants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These tenants were even more arrogant than the owners, because the houses had been assigned to them by Guo Jia, and their monthly rent was mostly paid to the Housing Bureau, which then passed it on to the landlords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Housing Bureau’s rent standards were practically saintly, and if the house leaked or let in wind, it was the landlord’s job to fix it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So most tenants boldly called their landlords “capitalists,” convinced they themselves were the true “masters” of this state-owned property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Qiang and the others went to residential areas asking who had houses for sale, they’d almost certainly be met with scorn from the working class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Li Ye had told them to check with the Housing Bureau first—many landlords who wanted to sell their homes had entrusted the bureau to handle the sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even that service required waiting in line, because for a long time, there were hardly any private buyers—people either didn’t have the money, or they were waiting for the state to assign them housing; even renting was cost-effective, with rent so low it barely hurt to pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in the end, the state usually took over, but without enough funds, they had to queue up—those with connections got priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye had even heard a rumor: a returned urban youth finally sold his house and got over a thousand yuan, so happy he treated his friends to drinks, then shouted: “Never again will I have to serve those bastards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Li Ye had anticipated all kinds of scenarios, but surely just asking around at the Housing Bureau shouldn’t be too hard—Jin Peng was capable enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, brother,” Wang Qiang said, “we went to the Housing Bureau—they said we didn’t have Beijing household registration and chased us away too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Ye had expected this, he still felt annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re trying to block me from becoming Beijing’s number one landlord!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, Li Ye only remembered Beijing restricting outsiders from buying property—ten years later. Before that, it didn’t seem so tightly controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’d underestimated the household registration issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Beijing’s commercial housing first started selling, local household registration wasn’t required, so he assumed in 1982 it wouldn’t be strictly enforced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now it seemed the difficulty was considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s wait a few days. If all else fails, we’ll rent a few places first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s household registration would transfer to Peking University in a few days, but it was a collective household—apparently just a slip of paper per person, with dozens of students’ registrations bundled together; using it would inevitably be troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as he was leaving, Wang Qiang caught up and said: “Peng Ge is also trying to find a way! Today he went to Suzhou Street to look for someone called ‘Jiu Ye’—said he’s very capable, might help us buy a house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said as he walked: “No rush. When Peng comes back, tell him not to buy any unclear property—wait until I talk to him first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang bowed his head, even more ashamed: “I know, brother. I just feel useless, can’t help at all—if Hao Jian were here, it’d be different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye laughed: “Nonsense. Everyone has their own strengths. Hao Jian has things you don’t, and you have things he might not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang lowered his head, even more ashamed: “I know, brother. Only you think I’m useful—others…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. Don’t overthink it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Ye was about to comfort Wang Qiang, Wen Leyu, waiting outside, softly asked: “You’re planning to buy a house in Beijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said: “Yes. A house is the foundation of stability. Having one in Beijing gives you peace of mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu’s mind stirred, and she smiled: “Why didn’t you say so earlier? If you want to buy a house, go to my brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye considered for a few seconds: “It’s just a small matter—wouldn’t it be troublesome to ask your brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu said: “With my brother’s temper, if you don’t ask him now, he’ll be upset when he finds out later. Let’s find a phone—I’ll call and ask for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well then, a supportive partner’s already arranged everything—what else can we do? Just open our mouths and wait for the food!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng squatted at the entrance of an alley north of Suzhou Street, boredly watching a few old men play chess in the cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been in Beijing a week already, yet hadn’t accomplished a single thing Li Ye assigned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d thought his experience in Guangzhou had made him a respectable boss—his pockets weren’t filled with yuan, but stacks of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Beijing, he realized money carried far less weight than in the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yangcheng, everyone cared about profit; in Beijing, everyone cared about “face” and “rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stranger from out of town barging in got no respect—every possible rule could trap and crush you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with his Yangcheng experience, after a few days of stumbling, Jin Peng settled down to seek out people who could help him break through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found not all old Beijing residents were xenophobic—back then, foreigners in Beijing were far fewer than locals, even somewhat “rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many idle old men were happy to offer you a cigarette and chat a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Old Ding at this alley entrance—he and Jin Peng got along well, and eventually gave him an important tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-to-last house at the very end of the alley housed an old-timer surnamed Qiu—well-connected in the area, might be able to help Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old-timer” was a Beijing term; back then it carried a faintly derogatory tone, since everyone believed working for an organization was the proper path, and loafing around without a formal job was undignified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite multiple attempts, Qiu wouldn’t give Jin Peng the time of day—his arrogance was extreme, offering at most: “Wait. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Jin Peng had to wait—after all, Li Ye hadn’t arrived yet, and he had no other options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, wasn’t this “Jiu Ye”’s attitude just like his own back in Qingshui County? When outsiders came to Qingshui, he’d also play hard to get.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, in a few more months, Hao Jian in the south could get the affiliation paperwork sorted—using an organization’s name to buy in Beijing would be much easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Guo Donglun had already warned Hao Jian and Jin Peng: “If someone takes the fruit later, you bear the consequences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Affiliation meant unclear ownership—fine if there’s little profit, but if profits explode, things get messy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Jin Peng furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when it’s time to make money, you take a huge cut, but when someone comes to snatch the fruit, you do nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only because Li Ye had warned him in advance did Jin Peng agree to this humiliating deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vroom vroom vroom~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of a motorcycle suddenly blared from far down the street, speeding toward them without restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rider wore large sunglasses and kept the throttle wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old men playing chess muttered curses: “Xing San’s really showing off now—riding a motorcycle like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just the bike—his brother’s wedding last week, he showed off a color TV and a refrigerator. Who knows how much he made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft. Easy money? He’ll probably get his comeuppance someday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the old men’s grumbling, the motorcycle turned into the alley and rode straight to the door of Qiu’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, “Jiu Ye” hurried out, jumped onto Xing San’s motorcycle, and roared off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old men scrambled to get out of the way; one even cursed: “Rushing to a funeral!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the motorcycle hadn’t gone far when it turned around and came back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who’d cursed felt embarrassed—though neighbors, old-timers like Qiu didn’t recognize family ties when they went rogue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The motorcycle stopped right in front of Jin Peng; the passenger on the back asked: “Hey, you’re from Dongshan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng stood up: “Yes. We met a few days ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Ye waved his hand: “You’re staying at Jianguomen Kemei Inn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng nodded, puzzled—Jiu Ye’s attitude today was different, no longer looking down his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Ye jumped off the bike and asked: “Brother, your surname is Jin? Which Jin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng said: “Jin as in ‘ge’ and ‘jin’—Jin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Ye shook his head and sighed: “Brother, you’ve got connections upstairs—why come to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing San also got off, removed his sunglasses, and grinned at Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng was sharp—he didn’t fully understand yet, but he subtly pointed upward and said: “We’re from the same hometown. Small matters, no need to trouble others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu Ye chuckled: “Alright, I’ve been rude to you, brother. Should we start with a big meal, or go see the house first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng smiled: “How could I let you help me hungry? I’ll treat you both to Fengze Yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xing San laughed: “This brother’s got class—let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One motorcycle carried three men, roaring off into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old men reset their chessboard, lamenting how morals had declined and scoundrels ran rampant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Li Ye finally achieved the “romance trifecta”—he and Wen Leyu watched the love film “The Herdsman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This film, decades later, would become a viral sensation again just from the line “Old Xu, do you want a wife?”—but in early 1982, it already drew massive crowds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as Li Ye watched, he heard sighs all around him—he sensed the audience wasn’t moved by Zhu Shimao and Cong Shan’s faithful love, but by the “billionaire” who’d slipped through their fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Times had changed; in 1982, studying abroad was already a craze—the dazzling world outside looked infinitely more appealing than Li Xiuzhi in her flowered cotton-padded coat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the movie, Wen Leyu took Li Ye to eat boiled tripe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye savored the crisp texture of the tripe, Wen Leyu suddenly asked: “If you were Xu Lingjun, would you choose Li Xiuzhi or your billionaire father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t hesitate: “I wouldn’t choose my billionaire father—I can become a billionaire myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu stared at Li Ye, her small face serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye added: “Of course I’d choose Li Xiuzhi—a loyal, devoted wife is far more precious than billions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye spoke truthfully—later generations had countless examples proving how vital a smart, virtuous wife was to a powerful man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu said: “I’m not talking about that. I’m telling you—boasting isn’t a good habit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And… you didn’t choose economics to become a billionaire, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A minor incident during mealtime didn’t dampen the young couple’s spirits for the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu took Li Ye around all the attractions near the Forbidden City; her little legs seemed tireless, and only when dusk was nearly upon them did they reluctantly head home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll drop you off at the gate today; shall I come pick you up tomorrow morning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the back of the bicycle, Wen Leyu said succinctly: “Eight tomorrow morning, for jiaoquan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, eight o’clock, jiaoquan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before darkness fell, Li Ye delivered Wen Leyu to the entrance of Zhongliang Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since nothing more could happen tonight, it was better to send her home early and earn the reputation of a proper gentleman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they neared the entrance of Zhongliang Courtyard, Li Ye noticed a group of young people laughing and fooling around on the small street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the several motorcycles parked by the roadside, it was clear these weren’t ordinary kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when one of them spotted Li Ye, everyone suddenly turned to stare at him and Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye whispered: “Leyu, do you know those people up ahead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu glanced over and sneered: “Ignore them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye felt he couldn’t avoid them, no matter how hard he tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as the bicycle drew near, two young girls stepped forward, waving at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wen Leyu! Leyu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street outside Zhongliang Courtyard was narrow; Li Ye had no choice but to stop the bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu jumped off the back seat and said to Li Ye: “Go home first! Remember to pick me up tomorrow morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded, turned the bike around, and rode off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a boy behind them called out with a laugh: “Hey, buddy, don’t run off! How’re you gonna pick up girls if you’re this timid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was he supposed to respond?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was classic Beijing banter, but could he just pretend not to hear and slink away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu grew angry, walked straight up to the boy, and asked coldly: “Who gave you permission to call me Leyu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy clearly flinched and stammered: “No, I just blurted it out…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls hurried over and tried to soothe Wen Leyu: “Leyu, Bao Er didn’t mean it—we were just curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu cut them off: “You’re all waiting here—were you trying to block me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whole group of young people were silenced by Wen Leyu’s single question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a boy with glasses standing at the back stepped forward and smiled: “Don’t be upset. We heard you made a new friend and came out of curiosity—just fooling around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu turned to the glasses-wearing boy and said coldly: “Bai Mingyan, you’re with them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy named Bai Mingyan replied: “No, I’m waiting for Xiao Qin. I just happened to run into Bao Er and the others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Bai Mingyan added to Li Ye: “Sorry, buddy, everyone was just joking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled and nodded: “No problem. I didn’t take it seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye knew well that people like Bai Mingyan were exactly like Wen Guohua—typical sons of prominent families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were rational; they wouldn’t act as recklessly as those aimless kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest, from Wen Leyu’s attitude, were clearly beneath notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Li Ye was about to leave, Wen Guohua rode out of Courtyard No. 1 on his bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was heading to night school—he had evening classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? What’s going on? Fighting with my sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though spoken as a joke, the words startled everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Wen Guohua was only a few years older, he was no longer a child playing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the Wen family’s officially groomed next-generation leader—one of him could handle all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Bai Mingyan looked awkward: “No, I’m waiting for Xiao Qin. I just ran into Bao Er and the others. We were just planning to invite your sister out, but there was a misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Going out? Fine. Count me in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Guohua blocked the path with his bike and stopped moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu glanced at Li Ye, her expressive eyes silently asking: “Are you coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her watery gaze, subtle emotions seemed to pass between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A touch of worry… and a hint of anticipation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye understood Wen Leyu’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, a boy shouldn’t back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu feared Li Ye might grow annoyed, thinking she was a troublemaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t mind trouble at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it wasn’t about daddy’s influence—pfft!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bring on the verbal sparring, the physical challenges—I’m ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to reader “Dan Zhise Chocolate” for the reward, and to reader “Koko SMS” for the 500-coin reward. Thank you, thanks(w).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2670,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a639894abde5e34b08b434b1d7fb47635ef8a8482b649f4ce372cd07f7247a2c","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-119","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-117",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]