[{"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-20":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},2294438,4489,"Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty: Maybe It","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>Qinghe County No. 2 High School, evening self-study class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye propped his cheek with one hand, tilting his head to watch his desk partner Wen Leyu, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little guy, finally realized there are people above people and heavens beyond heavens?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other day, Wen Leyu kindly gave Li Ye an English test paper to help him improve his grades for the Foreign Languages Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she unwittingly triggered Li Ye’s “counteroffer,” and the two began an exchange of “one paper for another,” mutually aiding each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Wen Leyu excitedly pulled out an English test paper for Li Ye, only to find he had laid out three papers—math, physics, and chemistry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu curiously asked where he got the papers; Li Ye brushed it off with a “secret,” then left her drowning in a sea of problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wen Leyu’s delicate little face scrunch up like a steamed bun, Li Ye felt a quiet, nurturing pleasure stir within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu’s foundational knowledge was surprisingly solid; many problem types were new to her, yet after deep thought, she still managed to find correct solutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when she truly couldn’t solve one, a slight hint from Li Ye would let her instantly grasp it—and then apply it to similar problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【This girl is a born top student!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was certain no one in the remedial class had better learning potential than Wen Leyu; a national key university was a given, and with cultivation, Tsinghua or Peking University was within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Li Ye had ignited Wen Leyu’s “fighting spirit” for problem-solving; after finishing one of his test papers, she’d raise her chin like a victorious soldier, waiting for praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That adorable, radiant look made Li Ye, who had lived two lifetimes totaling decades, sigh inwardly—“After all these years, my heart stirs again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap-tap-tap~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a soft door opening, a figure entered the classroom and walked toward Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Wen Leyu’s mother, Teacher Ke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sensed Teacher Ke had come for him; he was about to stand and greet her, but she waved him off, then pulled out a letter and handed it to Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu’s expression changed instantly; she hastily tore open the envelope and began reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke gently tapped Li Ye’s desk, then walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye understood and quickly rose to follow; Wen Leyu was completely absorbed in the letter and didn’t notice him leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Li Ye stepped outside, he heard a chorus of murmurs behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, look—I knew Li Ye was in for trouble. Daring to flirt with Teacher Ke’s daughter? He’s asking for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way! They’re desk partners—discussing problems is normal. Don’t you often whisper sweet nothings with Wang Chunhua?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What sweet nothings? We discuss literature. Does Li Ye even understand literature?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye frowned, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Teacher Ke wanted to stop Wen Leyu from getting too close to him, Li Ye could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a fallen phoenix is still a phoenix; his family background was merely decent in Qinghe County, nothing compared to Wen Leyu, who might one day ascend to immortality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that were the case, why would Wen Leyu even come to evening self-study?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being hired by County No. 2 High, Teacher Ke was given a dorm room; she and her daughter lived on campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the students’ English foundation was weak, Teacher Ke sat in her office every evening, ready to answer questions from any eager learner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they first arrived, Wen Leyu studied in her mother’s office, accompanying her during self-study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Li Ye began exchanging test papers with Wen Leyu, she’d been attending evening self-study in Remedial Class One for several days straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Teacher Ke truly wanted them kept apart, why not just send Wen Leyu back to the office? Why come to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone of her caliber wouldn’t resort to such a crude script—“Take a million and leave my daughter,” right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke led Li Ye into her office and shut the door behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This deepened Li Ye’s confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even in the future, let alone the 1980s, would a teacher of the opposite sex invite a student into her office alone without leaving the door open to avoid gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down. Don’t overthink it—I just have a few things I’d like to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke personally pulled out a chair for Li Ye, leaving him slightly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Ye sat, Teacher Ke asked seriously: “Before, were you very familiar with Xiao Yu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Do you really not know whether I’m close to your daughter?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was baffled; the memories he inherited from the original body held little about Wen Leyu—they were merely acquaintances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But hearing Teacher Ke say this, Li Ye realized Wen Leyu’s attitude toward him was unusually different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu had been at County No. 2 for many days, deliberately keeping distance from others—skillfully, subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet with Li Ye, she was clearly different: from passing notes at first, to later giving him test papers—it felt almost like a female best friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t say that to her mother; he replied vaguely: “Sorry, Teacher Ke, I wasn’t very close to Wen Leyu before. Why are you asking now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke smiled, paused thoughtfully, then said: “You may have noticed—Xiao Yu is a bit shy, rarely speaks to others. But lately, I’ve noticed she seems to get along well with you? Is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye, confused, replied: “Teacher Ke, we’re just helping each other with studies. Are you saying... something’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke was surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood Li Ye’s implication—and was taken aback by his perceptiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was clearly asking: “Do you disapprove of me interacting with your daughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy of eighteen or nineteen, with such sensitivity, articulate speech, and proper restraint—calling him a young talent wouldn’t be an exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke grew fonder of Li Ye with every glance and quickly said: “Li Ye, you misunderstand. I see nothing wrong between you and Xiao Yu. I hope this mutual help continues—and deepens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke, what exactly are you implying? Should I start calling you something else now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nearly misread her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yesterday, Xiao Yu told me a lot—some questions about problems, some about you... Regardless, I hope you two keep this dynamic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke pulled several test papers from her desk drawer and handed them to Li Ye: “I made some problems. Do them together with Xiao Yu—learn from each other, help each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye finally understood Teacher Ke’s intentions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps something happened years ago; Wen Leyu developed a habit of silence, and likely barely speaks to her mother either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a condition treatable by medicine or injections—Teacher Ke must have been nearly driven to despair over her daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor parents’ hearts: now that Teacher Ke saw Wen Leyu “click” with Li Ye, she pinned her hopes on this outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye took the papers and smiled: “Thank you, Teacher Ke. Wen Leyu’s English and Chinese are excellent—I’ll ask her for help often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Ke’s eyes lit up; she nodded: “Thank you so much. But Xiao Yu might have a bit of a temper—please bear with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye left Teacher Ke’s office and returned to Remedial Class One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu had finished reading the letter; seeing Li Ye return, she wrote on a note: “What did my mom want with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye replied naturally: “Teacher Ke gave me a few test papers to try—I got many wrong. Help me check them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu immediately perked up, took the papers, scribbled answers with her fountain pen, and began explaining the problems to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her bright, animated expression showed she was thrilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days of being crushed by Li Ye’s problem sets had nearly damaged her pride—now, finally, Li Ye was begging her, the academic prodigy, for help!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the classroom’s back window, Teacher Ke let out a soft sigh, her gaze filled with quiet hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her daughter hadn’t been this lively in a long time—she rarely spoke to her before. Now... perhaps it’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>",1355,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","07b92eb43a3b12c0b5c6146761cef143838061f64f39699f343f4d00e2abf177","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-21","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-19",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]