[{"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-167":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},2294585,4489,"Chapter 167","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-167",167,"\u003Cp>After class, Li Ye was about to leave when the class monitor Zhen Rongrong called out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, the class committee meeting is today—stay behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had finally seen how swift and decisive Mu Yunning was—so now she was a member of the class committee?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Youth League meeting began, Li Ye listened silently as the other students discussed, saying little himself, but his sharp observation recorded everyone’s every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class monitor Zhen Rongrong was clearly capable—shrewd, decisive, and handled several class matters with good judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these seemed like minor matters, seeing the small reveals the great; Li Ye believed that if Zhen Rongrong ever got the chance, her future was boundless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last item on the agenda was the New Year’s Eve party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already mid-December 1982; 1983 was drawing near, and suddenly Li Ye realized he had been in this world for over a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong looked at her notebook and said, “We’ve only confirmed seven performances so far, totaling less than forty minutes—we need to stir up student enthusiasm and encourage more participation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class study committee member He Dazhuang agreed: “This New Year’s Eve party is our class’s first official event. As committee members, we must lead by example—each of us must contribute two performances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if casually, He Dazhuang said to Li Ye: “Li Ye, you’re a committee member now—you can’t hold everyone back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded without expression and said, “Fine, I’ll prepare something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong immediately turned to look at Li Ye, clearly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just two days ago, she had encouraged Li Ye to sign up for a performance—he had refused without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after she assured him, “I won’t let your classmates laugh at you,” he remained unmoved and declined outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with He Dazhuang just casually mentioning it, why had Li Ye agreed? And not just one—two performances?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on? Are my words less effective than He Dazhuang’s?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong couldn’t help asking Li Ye: “What are you planning to perform?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye replied without hesitation: “I’ll write a script, and the class will rehearse a short play—that counts as one. I’ll think of another performance later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong was about to speak, but He Dazhuang cut in: “Writing a script isn’t performing—is that even considered a performance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye replied coolly: “I think it counts. Shall we vote on it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze. Li Ye had been silent all this time—they’d assumed he was quiet and mild-mannered!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they realized: some people are naturally sharp, and once provoked, their edge becomes unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Dazhuang’s face darkened. Li Ye had only joined the Youth League recently—he’d just joined the class committee, and He Dazhuang thought it was “unqualified.” Now, on his first day, he was being put on the spot? What was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, someone entered the room and rescued He Dazhuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye! Li Ye! You’re always vanishing—how hard was it to find you? Come with me right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai rushed over, grabbed Li Ye’s arm, and pulled him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled: “What’s so urgent? We’re in the middle of a committee meeting. Let me finish up and come find you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong immediately said: “The committee meeting’s over—go ahead, Li Ye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, come on, everyone’s waiting for you,” Li Huai said, dragging him along. “We’ve arranged to meet a few Youth League students from school—you’ve got to come with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai pulled Li Ye away in a hurry, but Zhen Rongrong and the others exchanged glances, each lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye never spoke up or showed off—but quietly, he’d already made connections with the school’s Youth League.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did his path become so wide?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stepped out of the classroom and mounted his bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai leapt onto the back seat, pointing south: “Destination Zhao’s Restaurant—advance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye laughed: “Heh, how many people are we meeting today? Should I go back to the dorm and bring more bullets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullets” meant cash—when the group dined together, Li Ye didn’t always rush to pay, but when the bill was large, he’d cover part or all of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You treat me, I treat you—it made everyone feel more comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Huai waved it off: “Today our royalty payment came in! No worries—we’ve got plenty of ammunition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Royalties came in? Then we must celebrate,” Li Ye thought, then added: “I was already planning to have dinner with a classmate—should I bring him along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re so slow—hurry up, hurry up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, hold on tight—let you feel the speed of the wind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye pedaled hard to the cafeteria, pulled Sun Xianjin—who’d already eaten half his meal—onto the crossbar of his big-frame bicycle, and the three of them headed straight for Zhao’s Restaurant outside the south gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao’s Restaurant was a family-run eatery that, after two years of operation, had grown into a decent establishment with excellent food and ambiance—much loved by students from Jingda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the restaurant, Li Huai led them into a large room where nine people were already seated: seven from the Gu Jian Literature Society, and the other two must be from the school’s Youth League.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye recognized one person—he stared, then his heart surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fate was such a strange coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, you finally showed up! If you didn’t come, we were going to wait outside the girls’ dorm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yumin teased the arriving Li Ye, instantly lifting the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t envy this—his parents gave him a handsome face and a sharp mind. What’s that phrase Li Ye used again? Right—envy, jealousy, hatred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sat down the shy Sun Xianjin and introduced him: “This is the youngest in our dorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since our grandfathers had some similarities, we’ve always gotten along well—I brought him along tonight to help me drink, don’t mind him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yumin laughed: “Why would we mind? We know Xianjin well—but what similarity do your grandfathers have? We’ve never heard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye paused, then whispered: “My grandfather joined the army at fifteen; Xianjin’s grandfather joined the Anti-Japanese United Army at eighteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grandfather came back; Xianjin’s didn’t. So our outlooks are quite aligned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent. The laughter vanished; everyone’s expression turned solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yumin glanced at the other two—the man at the head of the table raised his glass silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone raised theirs—even the girl, Bian Jingjing, poured herself a drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To our brave ancestors!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bottoms up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ganbei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xianjin downed his drink in one gulp, eyes misty—whether from the liquor or memories of a grandfather he never met, no one knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after this small moment, everyone’s view of Sun Xianjin changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you had a grandfather who had carried a gun, people naturally felt admiration and respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what they envied wasn’t the high pensions of retirees, as in later times—but the noble, awe-inspiring experiences of those men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xianjin was the youngest in Dorm 209 and shared Li Ye’s major, but what truly bonded them was that both had grandfathers who refused to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two glasses, the atmosphere lightened. They quickly turned to discussing the Literature Society, each offering thoughtful suggestions with great enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone agreed: they must firmly promote the indomitable spirit of the Huazhong people and strengthen their sense of identity as the Dragon Nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, whether thousands of years ago or decades past, this nation had faced powerful enemies—and fought without yielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today we gather for two reasons: first, to discuss the Literature Society’s next steps,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>second, because our royalties have arrived—we must savor the fruits of our labor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several rounds of drinks, Li Huai pulled out a stack of royalty checks and began discussing distribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After discussion, we’ve decided on merit-based distribution: Yumin and Li Ye contributed the most; the rest will split evenly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai announced the plan—everyone who contributed to “The Lonely Vanguard of the Homeland” would receive payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye received twenty yuan—the largest share, shared with Yang Yumin; everyone else got only symbolic amounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye immediately declined: “I can’t take this. The historical research was done by everyone; the manuscript was written by Old Yang—I only gave a few suggestions. I’d feel ashamed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all,” Yang Yumin said firmly. “Since you gave us those seven suggestions and we improved the writing, reader letters tripled—and not a single one was critical. You don’t know how anxious I was before—but now I write with renewed energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, that’s true—Old Yang now writes six or seven hours a day—he’s bursting with energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye hurried to say: “That’s not acceptable. Old Yang, you can’t overwork yourself—you must rest properly and not neglect your studies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no,” Yang Yumin said. “I’m top three in every class. I’m studying history—I’m learning more while writing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no,” Yang Yu said, “I’m always in the top three in every class—I study history, and now I’m writing while still gaining knowledge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought, then said: “Why don’t you buy snacks and supplements for me? Leave them in the activity room—I can grab them when I come at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry about that,” Li Huai said. “We’ve already set aside nearly two hundred yuan as the Literature Society’s activity fund. Next month’s royalties will still be distributed to everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought it over, then reluctantly accepted the distribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need the twenty yuan—but if he kept refusing, what would the others do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Royalties come every month—if you’re “noble” once, you block everyone else’s income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Huai proposed the distribution in front of the school’s Youth League members—it was also securing future benefits for everyone. Even if Li Ye didn’t want his share, he couldn’t refuse here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once everyone received their royalties, Li Huai said: “We have a good surplus from this payment. As Li Ye suggested, snacks and supplements won’t cost much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I propose we use the rest to buy a bicycle for the Literature Society’s shared use—what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suggest using the remaining money to buy a bicycle as a shared vehicle for the Literature Society—what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—we’ve been walking everywhere, our legs are worn out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone unanimously agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone agreed unanimously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Li Ye took his bicycle lightly, Li Huai and the others were envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 160 yuan plus a bicycle ticket, it wasn’t absolutely unaffordable in 1982, but university students lived on campus, and most families didn’t provide a bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between walking everywhere and riding a bicycle was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai smiled and said, “We’ve raised the money, but we’ll need to find a way to get the bicycle ticket ourselves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Youth League officials exchanged glances and laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew your wine, Li Huai, was too cheap—you’re just asking us for support!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai, caught out, wasn’t embarrassed; he kept his composure and said, “We poor students really have difficulties—can the school lend us a hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, we won’t take the bicycle with us when we graduate—it can be passed down from class to class, essentially becoming school property, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Youth League officials conferred briefly, then shook their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they said, “It’s nearly impossible this year, but we’ll try our best to apply for you next year. If all else fails, I’ll pay for one myself—is that acceptable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could we let you pay? We’ll find a way ourselves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai had only been fishing—these two Youth League officials were two ranks above him, fresh out of school, and he wasn’t sure how much influence they had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye looked around and said, “Actually, I might be able to find a way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to him in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said calmly, “I often go to the Second People’s Department Store as a promotional staff member for their sales events.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One of the staff there is from Dongshan, my hometown—I’ll go chat him up sometime; getting a discounted bike shouldn’t be a problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? Our little brother has connections!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little brother really knows how to get things done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone began praising Li Ye, and the two Youth League officials grew noticeably more at ease, looking at him with friendliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled and added, “Actually, if we think creatively, buying bicycles in the future might not be so hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think! We must think! Li Ye, come up with something fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye ignored Yang Yu’s teasing and said, “Everyone should know that ‘The North Wind Blows’ by Seven-Inch Blade is already serialized in a Hong Kong magazine—why can’t our ‘Lonely Soldiers of the Homeland’ be too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royalties Hong Kong gives Blue Sea Publishing are in U.S. dollars—if we can get even a small share, do we still need a bicycle ticket to buy one at the Friendship Store?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would that work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you say it won’t work unless you try?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze, then their eyes slowly lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye had agreed to Blue Sea’s terms—payment in RMB—to get his work published in Hong Kong as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Lonely Soldiers Literary Society was an official school-affiliated group, so negotiating with Blue Sea Publishing still left some room for leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then give it a try—if you really get your work published in a Hong Kong magazine, I’ll bring it up to the school and fight for greater support for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll try! Let’s all work together to spread our ideas to Hong Kong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room instantly grew lively, brimming with determined enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye, standing aside, remained calm, treating it as nothing serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d be making his routine call to Pei Wencong later—he’d just mention it casually. No problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to reader “Xu Ruwang Xiang Shuijiao” for the 5000-point reward, and to the patron for your support—thank you so much!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2306,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","22bbb79f643eee14a709711dcaae51684e2bb43b9fa691d6b787b4da57907c0a","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-168","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-166",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]