Chapter 170

"Li Ye, you have a package downstairs."

Li Ye was washing clothes in the water room when a classmate from the neighboring dorm came to inform him.

"Thanks! I'll go down and get it soon."

"No need to thank me, but Li Ye, you really get a lot of packages."

The classmate smiled and walked away.

With the semester nearly over, Li Ye had become somewhat well-known in this dorm building.

One reason was naturally his handsome appearance and exceptional demeanor.

The second reason was that he received packages and letters almost every week, leading to the occasional whisper that "Li Ye gets love letters all day long."

In Wu Runfu's words, Li Ye was a "quietly flamboyant type," constantly drawing attention despite never seeking it.

After finishing his laundry, Li Ye went downstairs to collect his package, and several familiar students spotted him and urged him to open it.

"Li Ye, what's in this package? It's so heavy! Let us take a look!"

"Not convenient, not convenient—sorry!"

Li Ye walked off with the package, leaving the students puzzled.

It wasn't that Li Ye was stingy; the contents of this package were simply not suitable for strangers to see.

It was a collection of economics books and magazines Li Ye had commissioned Pei Wencong to mail from Hong Kong.

If a few more years passed and economics became a popular major, students discussing global frontier economic topics using overseas journals would be perfectly acceptable.

But in 1982, these topics were highly sensitive.

Especially Li Ye's major, World Economics, was among the most sensitive.

After the college entrance exam resumed in 1977, Peking University's Economics Department initially offered only one major—Political Economy. It wasn't until 1980 that Peking University became the first in the nation to introduce Western Economics courses.

Yet this pioneering move drew intense controversy and pressure, even prompting an investigation by superiors into whether the department's educational direction was correct.

Many other universities that followed Peking University's lead and added Western Economics courses also faced criticism and condemnation, with some even halting the courses entirely.

"Market economy liberalization" was not achieved overnight; it had endured countless setbacks.

Academic criticism of "bourgeois liberalization" lasted for years, until March 1983, when Professor Dai, head of Peking University's Economics Department, published an article titled "The Study of Modern Western Economics and China's Economic Modernization" in the Peking University Journal, proposing an attitude of "overall criticism, selective borrowing."

Then, the official central newspaper reprinted the article on half a page, granting Western Economics its first official foothold on this land.

But now it was still 1982, and there was still time before next March. If Li Ye revealed these overseas magazines now, he would surely attract upperclassmen wanting to borrow them and spark heated debates.

Li Ye didn't oppose such discussions—or even arguments—but they would consume too much of his time and energy, so he planned to take these books and magazines to the Sihe Academy at Zaojunmiao, study them first, and then decide.

"Li Ye, big brother, wait up."

As Li Ye carried the package upstairs, Sun Jinjian hurriedly caught up from behind.

"Are you going to see Jingjing? I didn't see you at the cafeteria today."

"No, big brother, don't tease me," Sun Jinjian denied shyly, then waved the newspaper in his hand: "Look, I got a copy of the first issue of the National College Students' Economics Journal."

"You actually found it? Let me see."

The National College Students' Economics Journal was initiated in the summer of 1979 by the economics departments of Peking University, Nankai University, Xiamen University, Renmin University, Fudan University, Jinan University, Wuhan University, and the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, calling on universities nationwide to join.

Li Ye reached out and took the newspaper, asking Sun Jinjian: "Where did you get this treasure?"

The first issue of the National College Students' Economics Journal wasn't just a newspaper; with enthusiastic submissions from economics students nationwide, it compiled over forty articles totaling more than ninety thousand characters, making it highly commemorative.

"You told me to do it—I wouldn't dare fail," Sun Jinjian boasted. "I traded five packs of sugared peanuts for it from Zhu Vanguard Commander of the '79 class."

"I originally offered eight packs, but Zhu Vanguard Commander had used the newspaper to line the bottom of a box to keep it dry—it was in poor condition. I bargained with him for three minutes and got it down to five packs."

"Good deal, good deal—though I wonder if Zhu Vanguard Commander will regret it later."

Back in the dorm, Li Ye flipped through the articles in the newspaper, sensing in every line the passion and sense of responsibility: "The fate of the nation rests on every man's shoulders."

【Too many geniuses.】

This was Li Ye's sincere thought.

Among the '77 and '78 college students, there were too many prodigies. Unlike Li Ye, they didn't have the foresight to see the future, yet their sharp intellect often left him astonished.

Thinking about it carefully, it wasn't surprising: Peking University's Economics Department had only eighty students in '77; decades later, at least half their names would dominate the top search results on Baidu.

To claim it was merely the times that made heroes, without sufficient wisdom and intelligence, would be self-deception.

Li Ye carefully flipped through the newspaper, while Sun Jinjian sat restlessly beside him.

After a long while, Sun Jinjian leaned close and asked: "Big brother, are you going to ask Wen Tongxue to join you for tonight's economics lecture?"

"I didn't invite her tonight. I figure tonight's topic will be even more heated than last time—she doesn't like noisy, argumentative environments."

"Oh~"

Sun Jinjian slumped back onto his bed, head down, clearly disappointed.

Li Ye sensed something was off. "What's wrong, Little Brother? Do you want to talk to Wen Tongxue?"

"No, no," Sun Jinjian fidgeted. "The other day, Bian Jingjing said she was interested in economics, so I wanted to invite her to the lecture together. But asking a girl out directly feels too forced—if you go with Wen Tongxue, it'll seem natural."

"Heh, good job, Little Brother—you've finally woken up."

Li Ye smiled. "I'll go ask Wen Tongxue tonight. You owe me a favor."

"Big brother, I owe you two favors," Sun Jinjian held up two fingers. "I checked—Bian Jingjing and Wen Tongxue both live in Building 17. We'll go downstairs together to call them."

"Brother, I owe you both a favor," Sun Xianjin extended two fingers. "I found out—Bian Jingjing and Wen Tongxue both live in Building 17. We'll go downstairs together to call for them."

"Fine. Anyone who got into Peking University isn't stupid."

"Fine. Anyone who gets into Beijing University isn't stupid."

Li Ye and Sun Jinjian arrived together at the foot of Building 17 and asked a girl going upstairs to call down Wen Leyu and Bian Jingjing.

Then, from windows on the second and third floors, they both saw shadows move.

Wen Leyu came down in two minutes. Seeing Li Ye and Sun Jinjian together, her puzzled glance seemed to ask: "Why did you bring a third wheel?"

Li Ye smiled. "There's an economics lecture tonight. Would you like to come with me?"

Li Ye smiled and said, "There's an economics lecture tonight. Would you like to come with me to listen?"

Wen Leyu nodded readily. Though she disliked noisy environments, she wouldn't refuse if Li Ye asked.

But Li Ye added: "Wait a moment—we're waiting for another girl."

Wen Leyu was surprised, but seeing Sun Jinjian beside him, she instantly understood.

The boy's nervous anticipation was obvious—what more needed explaining?

Five minutes later, Bian Jingjing came down.

Li Ye noticed a few strands of her hair were damp, and he thought Sun Jinjian still had a chance.

In this era, if a girl took the time to quickly wash and groom herself before meeting a boy, it at least meant she didn't dislike him.

But Sun Jinjian was slow to react, as if waiting for Li Ye to speak for him.

【Damn it, should I just handle everything for you?】

Li Ye glared at Sun Jinjian, and only then did the boy stammer: "We're going to the lecture—you said you were interested in economics, so… would you like to come with us?"

Li Ye maintained his expression with great effort, showing no change.

Even the cold, detached Wen Leyu slightly lifted the corners of her lips, then quickly turned her face away, her shoulders shaking for several moments before she regained composure.

This made Sun Jinjian even more embarrassed.

But Bian Jingjing spoke confidently: "I'm already down here—I'm definitely going to listen. But can you get me in? I heard economics lectures are always packed."

But Bian Jingjing said cheerfully, "I've come down already, so of course I'm going to listen. But you can get me in, right? I heard the economics lectures are always packed."

Sun Jinjian assured her with a wide grin.

The four of them walked together toward the small auditorium where the lecture was being held.

Li Ye and Wen Leyu fell back slightly, while Sun Jinjian led the way with light steps, and Bian Jingjing naturally walked beside him.

Only then did Wen Leyu whisper to Li Ye: "Is your dorm's Little Brother interested in Bian Jingjing?"

Li Ye asked curiously: "Do you know Bian Jingjing?"

Bian Jingjing was from the Law Department, living on the second floor; Wen Leyu was from the English Department, on the third. Li Ye didn't know how they'd met.

"Not really," Wen Leyu shook her head. "But boys are always coming downstairs to look for her. A few days ago, someone even shouted poetry for her under the building—we all learned her name."

Li Ye laughed in surprise. "A graceful lady attracts noble suitors. Our Little Brother better step up his game."

Wen Leyu glanced sideways at Li Ye, smiling. "I've never heard you say something like 'graceful lady' before."

Li Ye sensed something odd in her tone.

He had never commented on girls before—even with Hu Man or Jiang Xiaoyan, he never spoke of beauty or ugliness.

Yet today, just saying "graceful lady" made her notice.

Li Ye reflected inwardly—he really had said too much.

Bian Jingjing bore traces of the athletic beauties from the future—very pleasing to the eye. Complimenting her was normal.

But Li Ye truly only admired her—he had no improper thoughts.

Female high jumpers were universally recognized in sports as a group of beauties.

They were tall, slender, flexible, and supple—ideal girlfriends for looking good in public, and ideal wives for passing on superior genes.

But one incident from his past life taught Li Ye that behind every beauty lay hardship and helplessness.

He once had a wealthy friend who was infatuated with a sprinter.

She initially refused, but couldn't withstand his persistence, and eventually agreed to date him.

But only two months later, he cut ties with her, determined to end it.

Everyone called him heartless—including Li Ye, his closest friend.

But one night, drunk, the guy cried: "Who wants to spend their life hugging a girl tougher than a man?"

Then, after getting drunk one time, that guy cried out: "Who among you wants to spend your whole life hugging a girl harder than a man?"

Later, everyone found out that the sprinter girl's six-pack abs were as hard as steel, her physical condition excellent and her explosive power formidable; in less than two months, she had utterly shattered her friend's male pride and his idealized dreams.

After that, this wealthy friend never again pursued any athlete girl.

In his words, loving sports and training as an athlete were two entirely different things.

For instance, when the three goddesses of hurdling appeared later, he cut straight to the point about their flaw: "Turn off the lights, front and back are both airports—can you tell which is which?"

Li Ye and the others immediately pulled up the video to verify, and indeed, she was unlike an ordinary girl.

The human body maintains perfect balance; when certain parts are strengthened, others must inevitably be damaged or altered.

Among the three goddesses of hurdling, only one had a hint of slight fat on her waist.

But even a little extra fat could affect performance.

Therefore, in Li Ye's eyes, a girl like Bian Jingjing was not even the same species as his own perfect Wen Leyu.

But now Wen Leyu was displeased, so Li Ye couldn't speak recklessly—he could only offer a tactful explanation.

He met Wen Leyu's gaze and whispered: "The phrase 'graceful and virtuous lady' can only be used by an observer in praise—it cannot be applied directly to a girl you love."

"Should I stop calling you Xiao Yu and start calling you 'graceful and virtuous lady' from now on? Could you get used to that?"

Wen Leyu's face flushed red, her sharpness instantly gone; she pouted and murmured, "I'm not a graceful and virtuous lady."

Li Ye said seriously: "Everyone carries within their heart a uniquely personal 'graceful and virtuous lady.'"

"Even if she wasn't one before, once she takes residence in a boy's heart, she becomes one."

"Besides, my Xiao Yu has always been a graceful and virtuous lady!"

Wen Leyu's beautiful eyes flickered as she studied Li Ye's earnest face for a long moment, then reached out and silently clasped his hand.

Her hand was small, but she gripped it tightly.

(End of Chapter)