[{"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-126":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},2294544,4489,"Chapter 126: Talking Idle Gossip? Better Not Let Me Hear It","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-126",126,"\u003Cp>A thousand years ago, the ancestors learned to build academies far from cities, so that students could forget worldly splendor and focus wholeheartedly on their studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tradition endured until there was virtually no “outskirts” left across Shenzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye rose early and rode his bicycle all the way to Jingda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he looked around, he realized that the outskirts of the Fourth Ring Road, where property prices would later reach nearly 100,000, were then merely a “urban-rural fringe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jingda students got hungry at night and couldn’t find food, they’d just need to wander nearby—no need to go far—to dig up a few carrots from a vegetable patch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t look down on carrots; when you’re truly hungry, they taste just like fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye arrived at Jingda, found a spot near the new student registration table, parked his bike, and waited for Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made plans with Wen Leyu yesterday to register together this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye arrived a bit early—just past eight—and few students had come to register; most were locals arriving by bus or bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, a small car would pull up, drawing complex glances from those around, and drop off a child dressed in fine clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Classmate, are you here to register as a new student? Which department?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye waited, bored, a female student assigned to welcome newcomers suddenly walked over warmly to ask him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye quickly replied: “Hello, classmate. I’m from the Economics Department. I’m waiting for someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh,” the girl said with an “I get it” expression. “You’re waiting for a girl, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled but said nothing; though Jingda had a free atmosphere, romantic relationships were officially forbidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Ye seemed a bit “simple,” the girl cheerfully said: “Then wait here a bit! Here, take this—keep yourself entertained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl handed Li Ye a single sheet with white background and red text. He took it and saw it was titled “A Letter to New Students.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Heartily congratulate you on being admitted to Jingda, an institution with a glorious revolutionary tradition, rigorous scholarship, and a continuous stream of talent. Do not Gufu  the expectations of the Party and the people.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【We hope you study diligently and cultivate yourself into a red-and-specialized talent, master the skills to serve the people and the motherland, and contribute to building socialist material and spiritual civilization.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words clearly bore the heavy imprint of the era—but the latter half of the sheet aligned with Jingda’s free-spirited ethos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school informed new students that, to foster comprehensive abilities, enrich extracurricular life, and promote physical and mental health, it had established multiple clubs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also regularly hosted lectures, exhibitions, cultural performances, and dances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【I wonder if Wen Leyu can dance? I’ve never even held a girl’s waist before!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye daydreamed about the bright life ahead, he heard faint snickering from nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and saw several female students at the registration desk huddled together, whispering and occasionally glancing his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they noticed Li Ye looking at them, they laughed even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled back, unembarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Jingda—vibrant, colorful, one of the most modern and open schools of the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d gone to a school where you had to wake up and eat meals to bugles, wouldn’t college life lose countless joys?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vroom~ Vroom~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buses rolled through the gates, and crowds of students, like ducklings, tumbled out—many of them bewildered, clueless kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The registration area, moments ago quiet, instantly became crowded; long queues formed behind every table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was puzzled: Wen Leyu had said Professor Ke would bring her. Even if she’d parked the car far away for appearances, shouldn’t she have arrived by now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye waited another long while, watching the first batch of students arriving from the train station nearly finish registration, before finally seeing Professor Ke and Wen Leyu, each carrying a large bag, struggling into view at the far end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye immediately dropped his own luggage, jumped on his bike, and pedaled hard to meet them, taking their bags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the sweat on their clothes, he realized: “Professor Ke, did you come by bus?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Ke wiped damp hair from his forehead. “Driving my car here would reflect poorly on Xiao Yu. I won’t go in—there are too many people I know inside. If I run into them, it’ll be trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, let me take you to the station!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. Just take care of Xiao Yu. I’m leaving now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Ke waved goodbye with a smile and walked off—swift and decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye couldn’t help saying: “Your mom’s really incorruptible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu pouted and leaned close to Li Ye’s ear: “Don’t worry—if we really need it, Mom won’t be pretentious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two pushed their luggage toward registration. Li Ye said: “Next time, I’ll just ride my bike to pick you up. Saves your mom a trip in this heat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu laughed: “How far would that be? And the luggage won’t fit on the bike—would you ride on the front rack, or me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded, teasing: “You’re right—we should mind our reputation. But if someone does start gossiping... what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu narrowed her eyes. “Gossip? Then they’d better not let me hear it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At registration, Li Ye couldn’t find his luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Classmate, your luggage’s right here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same girl waved at him, indicating she’d kept his things safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye and Wen Leyu went over, pulled out their admission letters and documents to complete procedures, while nearby female students quietly sized up Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d seen this handsome guy waiting earlier and wondered which lucky girl had caught him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu didn’t disappoint: her cool tone, calm expression, every gesture radiated the poise of a refined lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though seemingly gentle and demure, her aura subtly radiated outward, unconsciously overshadowing everyone around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two students, please wait a moment—other students first. We’ll take you to your dorm together afterward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. I know where to go. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu said nothing more, turned, and began loading Li Ye’s luggage onto his bike—every motion, even labor, carried effortless elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked away, the girl muttered: “This younger brother’s going to have a rough time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other girls nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye, meanwhile, wondered: if Wen Leyu became Student Union president, wouldn’t his life get even easier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up, let’s get our paperwork and dorm sorted, then I’ll take you to Weiming Lake, the Flower Goddess Temple, Snow’s Tomb—I’ve already scouted every spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once out of sight, Wen Leyu transformed completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked left and right, occasionally pulling out two hand-drawn campus maps, flipping them over and over, beaming—no trace of coldness left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Jingda has a place called Queqiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes yes yes! We’ll go right after I get your luggage to the dorm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye happily agreed; his arms pushing the bike felt infused with primordial strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it: this girl came alone to Jingda to scout the place, drew two maps, even marked the tiny Flower Goddess Temple—just to show Li Ye around. What kind of attitude was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the attitude of lifelong companionship!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu took Li Ye to collect bedding and his “salary,” then had him escort her to the girls’ dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Jingda didn’t strictly forbid opposite-sex visitors, so Li Ye could walk her all the way upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried both bags easily behind her, like a bodyguard to a campus goddess, drawing glances from many girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Female college students—especially those past their second year—were an entirely different species from high school girls, like spring cats versus autumn cats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So don’t panic—it’s perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Wen Leyu’s dorm, two girls were exchanging snacks. Seeing them enter, the one with a mouth full of mung bean cake choked trying to swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That bed’s yours. Put your stuff down. Remember the stone fish I showed you? Meet me there in an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu resumed her refined lady persona—three parts reserve, five parts poise, two parts unyielding—pointed around, then promptly shooed Li Ye out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to cooperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye adopted a cold, aloof demeanor, perfectly playing along to help her build a “strong female lead” image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the girl wouldn’t let him suffer a loss—she’d repay him tenfold later, sweet and gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guaranteed to be sweet and fragrant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye found his dorm, opened the door, and saw a six-person room with only one new student, reading on the upper bunk near the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The book’s cover looked like a massive math textbook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student sat up instantly upon seeing Li Ye: “New guy, welcome to Room 209.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye blinked. “Are you an upperclassman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student jumped off the bed, smiling and extending his hand: “Nope. 1982 Math Department, Wu Runfu, from Xiangbei. You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled. This guy wasn’t socially brilliant, but for this era, he was unusually outgoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“1982 Economics Department, Li Ye, from Dongshan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, no wonder you’re tall. But Economics... what do you even study?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye found it hard to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Qingshui County, many high school classmates didn’t even know what economics was. Back then, Chinese, math, physics, and chemistry were still the popular subjects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he say that economics taught you to understand global trends and observe the shifting winds with detachment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he did, he feared this guy would drag him into a long, endless chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment, then said: “Economics teaches us how to make money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“O~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Runfu’s mouth opened wide, his eyes brightening like a dimmer switch turned up three notches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reminded Li Ye of his past life, sitting in a second-tier college during his Political Economy class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher on stage chattered away enthusiastically, while the students below listened drowsily, their minds buzzing with sleepiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the teacher slammed his hand on the desk: “Now I’ll explain to you all the close connection between stocks and this course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, ninety-nine percent of the kids snapped awake, some frantically pulling out notebooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome was predictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, China’s stock market doesn’t follow the laws of Western mature economies, does it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro, I heard the red-braised pork at Peking University’s cafeteria is great—let’s go try it together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1715,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bf72276f98620de91f030fc6c6a3271073051fd51e2139d0dedadb17c2a248ed","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-127","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-125",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]