[{"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-190":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},2294608,4489,"Chapter 190","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-190",190,"\u003Cp>Jiang Xiao’ning trudged off, head hung low—the journey home was still dozens of li away, and the thought of it in the dead of winter made her shudder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye chuckled, “You’ve got quite the authority as the eldest sister! I never realized you were this formidable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I didn’t stand firm, they’d crush me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan first pouted, but upon seeing what Li Juan held, she flushed and said, “You didn’t need to come—this is the New Year, and I’m already troubling you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye waved his hand, “You’re being too formal. If your aunt hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known your mother was hospitalized. How’s your mom doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan’s face darkened instantly. “Pneumonia. The doctor says she’ll need at least a week of IVs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 1980s, ordinary families were lucky to afford medicine; once IVs were needed, it meant a serious illness—and so Jiang Xiaoyan had been anxious even while sleeping these past two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye and Li Juan entered the ward, only to find Chen Jinhua asleep. Jiang Xiaoyan moved to wake her, but Li Ye stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your mom’s too weak right now—let her sleep. My grandma said she’ll bring some millet porridge over these days. Don’t be polite with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never meant to be polite,” Jiang Xiaoyan said frankly. “Once my mom recovers, I want to take her to Beijing. Can you ask Jinpeng to write her an introduction letter so she can rent a place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stared at Jiang Xiaoyan in surprise. “You’re serious? You really want your mom to open a noodle shop in Beijing? Life away from home is hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan smiled. “It’s hard at home too, and it’s hard in Beijing. I’d rather see my mother suffer right before my eyes than have her lying on a bed with no one to care for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then as long as you’re resolved, I’ll agree,” Li Ye said without hesitation. “We’ve got a courtyard in Beijing—let your mom pick where she wants to stay. Jinpeng, Hong Shu, Old Song—they’re all there. They’ll look out for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan nodded vigorously. “That’s exactly what I thought. I owe you again—but I already owe you so much, a little more won’t hurt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye teased, “You don’t owe me a thing—rent is one yuan fifty a month. Pay me by month’s end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s stinginess actually lifted Jiang Xiaoyan’s spirits. She gave a firm nod, accepting the terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, she’d come to Li Ye to secure care for her mother, Chen Jinhua.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a woman alone in Beijing, unfamiliar with the city, would struggle immensely—but with a group of fellow Qingshui County natives looking out for each other, she felt far more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This favor, she had to accept. She’d repay it tenfold later if she had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the matter she’d worried over settled, Jiang Xiaoyan felt lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her mother still asleep, she turned to Li Ye. “Can you watch over my mom for two hours? I’m going to sell my bicycle—I’ll be right back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye couldn’t help laughing. “Are you cutting ties with your family completely? Haven’t you even asked your mom if she wants this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan shook her head. “If our lives were thriving, they’d never cut us off. If we’re struggling, even kneeling and begging won’t get us a single bit of help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye looked into Jiang Xiaoyan’s stubborn eyes and nodded softly. “You’re growing wiser by the day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan pushed her bicycle to the western market of the county.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already the twenty-something of the twelfth lunar month; Qingshui County held spontaneous markets daily. She needed to sell the bicycle now to get funds for their life in Beijing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few others were selling bicycles too, but theirs were rusted, missing parts, or chipped—nothing compared to Jiang Xiaoyan’s nearly brand-new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having worked long in Beijing as a promoter, Jiang Xiaoyan knew the simple, direct method: she wrote “New Bike, 190 Yuan” on a cardboard sign and stuck it on the handlebars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, many came to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, are you selling this bicycle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. 190 yuan. No haggling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t new—it’s got the serial stamp and license plate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Less than two months old. It’s as good as new.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“New ones cost barely 160. You’re asking 190—that’s too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not a cent less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan understood: the more someone complained about your item, the more they wanted it. The shorter your reply, the stronger your position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a seller bickered endlessly with a buyer, the price would never rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Jiang Xiaoyan kept her head down, indifferent—her bike was locked, no one could steal it. Buy it or not, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many wanted her bike, but the price was high—yet who’d come to the market to buy a bicycle without a quota ticket?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xiaoyan, is this your bicycle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brother and sister suddenly stood before her. The sister asked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan looked up—it was Lu Jingyao and her brother Lu Zixue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it’s mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan glanced at Lu Jingyao and answered with barely a sniff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao clearly sensed Jiang Xiaoyan’s dislike and felt awkward, ready to leave—but her brother grabbed her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire market, Jiang Xiaoyan’s Phoenix bicycle was the only one—and nearly brand-new. After seeing it, no other bike could compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao sighed and turned back. “Xiaoyan, can you sell me this bicycle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan replied flatly, “It’s not a daughter you’re buying—you don’t get to pick a good family. Whoever pays, gets it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao lost her composure and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt Jiang Xiaoyan was mocking her—reminding her of how she’d once “sold” herself to Li Ye to pay for her mother’s treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zixue saw his sister flee and hurried after her, insisting he must buy Jiang Xiaoyan’s Phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Phoenix bicycle had been a thorn in his heart. Miss this one, and who knew when the next would appear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao finally snapped. “Is your education impossible without a bicycle? Can’t you live without one? We don’t have that kind of money—do you want to spend every last cent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Zixue shouted back, “You’re going to study in Britain soon—you can earn pounds with part-time work. How many bicycles can’t we buy then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bustling market fell silent, then erupted in noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good heavens, this girl’s going abroad to study? All the way to England?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So she’s like Xu Lingjun’s father in ‘The Horse Herder’? Will she become a billionaire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know, but my niece says foreign money’s easy to make—even dishwashers drive cars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan understood: Lu Zixue was showing off—he was flaunting it right at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying abroad was glorious, sure—but what’s that to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Selling a brand-new Phoenix bicycle—190 yuan, no haggling. First come, first served.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan, who’d been crouching silently for ages, suddenly raised her voice to hawk her bike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss, I’ve only got a hundred! Come with me—I’ll get you thirty more at home. Deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got 180. Sell it to me, girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several buyers, unable to wait, rushed forward to claim the bike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zixue pleaded, “Sister, buy it! After you leave, if Mom gets sick, I’ll need to ride back and forth to care for her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and steadied herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Qingshui County in summer, she’d planned never to return—but once selected as a student abroad, she’d need to come back for paperwork before crossing the ocean, uncertain if she’d ever return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she’d come to see her parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hadn’t expected to run into old acquaintances—stirring up old wounds, filling her with endless irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do these karmic debts cling like ghosts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jingyao pulled out all her cash and shoved it into Lu Zixue’s hand, then walked out of the market, stumbling, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zixue didn’t care about his sister—he rushed to Jiang Xiaoyan, counted out the money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“190 yuan. Not a cent short.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan coldly took the money and tossed him the key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked at the distant, unsteady figure and snorted, “You’ll wear yourself out one day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jiang Xiaoyan returned to the county hospital, Chen Jinhua was awake, chatting merrily with Li Ye and Li Juan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan didn’t understand—how could two people so different in age and status be so at ease together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Perhaps this is why Li Ye is so likable.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan hesitated, then pulled Li Ye outside and told him about Lu Jingyao’s plan to study in Britain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, your English is better than mine. Next year you could take the TOEFL—I heard you don’t need to go to Hong Kong anymore; you can take it right here in Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would I take the TOEFL? I have no plans to study abroad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan blinked, then said, “I thought you were better than Lu Jingyao—I thought you and Wen Leyu would consider studying abroad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye shrugged. “Who’s better doesn’t depend on studying abroad. Besides, Xiaoyan, don’t let illusions blind you—foreign advantages belong to foreigners. Our own land is where we’re rooted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Li Ye and Li Juan left, Jiang Xiaoyan kept thinking about his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the peak of the overseas study craze—every college student wanted to go abroad. Her classmates were fighting tooth and nail for a single spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here was Li Ye—capable, well-connected, with access practically handed to him—who chose to stay rooted at home. It was baffling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when Jiang Xiaoyan cautiously mentioned “Lu Jingyao,” Li Ye’s calm indifference made her secretly admire him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hold on or let go—that’s true strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then she remembered Wen Leyu’s radiant brilliance and Lu Jingyao’s exhausted state—the contrast was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Yan, what are you muttering about? What horse? What blessing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yan'er, what are you talking about? What horse? What fortune?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The old man lost his horse—how do you know it’s not a blessing? Mother, what this means is that though you’ve suffered a loss now, you may yet enjoy good fortune later. So once you’re well, come with me to Jingcheng and enjoy life there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what about your brother and your father?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can send them money! As long as you send them money, they’ll be thrilled to have you stay in Jingcheng and never come back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, you’re right—my father really is that kind of man, but—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, stop with the ‘but’ already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan soothed her mother while already making up her mind inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once in Jingcheng, she would take firm control—seize her mother’s financial authority, and decide whether or not to send money home based on Jiang Xiaoyan’s whim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of New Year’s Eve, a Jingcheng 130 truck pulled up to Li Ye’s front gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng, Wang Qiang, and Jiang Hong got out and began unloading item after item from the truck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chunmei opened the door at the noise and nearly jumped when she saw the mountain of New Year goods piled at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Auntie, we’ve brought New Year gifts for the Private Secretary! Tell us which room to put them in—we’ll carry them in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, we don’t accept gifts! Wait a moment!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chunmei hurried inside to call Li Kaijian, and in doing so, alerted Director Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa, seeing Jin Peng and Wang Qiang, frowned and said: \"What kind of day is this to be delivering gifts? Anyone who doesn’t know would think I’m taking bribes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, Private Secretary, we just got back late! If anyone dares say you took gifts, I’ll come right over and check which one of their eyes is broken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng smiled on the surface, but inside he felt deeply wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We worked until yesterday afternoon just to earn money for your grandson, drove straight through the night from Jingcheng for over ten hours—and now you’re complaining?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Juying, watching from the side, could no longer hold back. She turned to Jin Peng: \"Don’t listen to your Private Secretary blabbing—he just likes to put on airs. Jin Peng, judging by your clothes, you’ve done well out there this year!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The other day I saw your future bride—wow, how stylish! Everyone said she was the boss’s wife!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad, not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng scratched his head, answering awkwardly, while internally grumbling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your grandson is the real boss—your family’s granddaughter-in-law is way more impressive than any damn boss’s wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Wu Juying saw Wang Qiang, she couldn’t help frowning: \"Qiangzi, have you been mistreated out there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang grinned sheepishly: \"Nai, I haven’t been mistreated—I’m just a driver, that’s why I dress like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Juying looked at Wang Qiang’s worn-out clothes and scolded Jin Peng: \"Qiangzi’s honest—you should think of him when you get good things. If you leave it to him to fight for himself, how could he ever compete with those sharp-eyed, quick-handed ones?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough, cough, cough—what do you old woman know? Go make some food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa coughed several times, shooing Wu Juying off to the kitchen to prepare breakfast—thus saving Jin Peng and Wang Qiang from further embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was old and sharp—he could see right through Wang Qiang’s deliberately shabby appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was this meant for? Did you even need to ask?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Ye, Little Ye, your fellow disciples have been here for ages—still lying in bed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li’s bellow finally dragged Li Ye out of his warm blankets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Wang Qiang, he couldn’t help laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old cotton-padded jacket with a patch, trousers of didi fabric cut too short, and only the fur-lined leather boots looked normal—this outfit was comical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qiangzi, did your Peng brother dress you like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I did it myself. Hehe, don’t laugh at me, Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye shook his head and smiled, but inside, he wasn’t amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The simple-minded Wang Qiang had learned the lesson of not flaunting wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qiangzi, tell me—how much money are you planning to say you made this year? Don’t let your mother accidentally find out the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang held up one finger: \"A hundred yuan a month salary. After food and drink, I saved a thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded: \"And how much do you think your mother will let you keep?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qiang lowered his head and smiled shyly, then held up three fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three hundred? Or thirty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, don’t pretend you don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to the reader \"Firefly Star\" for the 500-coin tip, and thanks to the brother for your generosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2431,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d1644da88e3b499fed98acf7b88e7e95c6f343e6b743fdc2e79e30129c603ba9","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-191","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-189",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]