Chapter 208: Li Ye, What Do You Mean by

"It's like this—I gave up my seat to that woman with the child; her daughter was sick, and I thought they were the ones who needed it most.

Those foreign friends were mostly strong and healthy, and that Nakamura was barely in his twenties—how could he think it was his right to be given a seat?"

"."

"Bang~"

"So that's what happened—I'm fucking pissed. If I'd known yesterday, I'd have shouted right back. A bunch of spineless bastards, framing my student like this."

"Tomorrow I'll ask them—did all the morals they learned in school get eaten by dogs? And how dare they file complaints all the way to Peking University?"

Li Ye was called out by Professor Zhang about that day on the airport shuttle, so he had no choice but to explain honestly.

Professor Zhang slammed his fist on the table in rage.

He'd received an indirect inquiry from the school, replied with firm but polite deflection, and planned to ask Li Ye today what exactly happened so he could clean up the mess for him.

But he never expected it was this—Peking University had never endured such disrespect; he immediately wanted to turn around and settle accounts.

Li Ye was also angry, so he asked Professor Zhang: "Sir, which department filed the complaint against me? When I asked the man's workplace, he wouldn't say."

"You don't need to worry about that. You're a student—don't get involved in too much trouble. I'll reclaim your honor."

Professor Zhang spat out two curses, then asked Li Ye: "What were you doing at the airport? Seeing off a classmate or a friend?"

"No, I went to Hong Kong and brought back a lot of books and magazines."

Li Ye briefly outlined his whereabouts, but Professor Zhang and the others weren't interested in who he'd spoken to—they were all fixated on the sack of books and journals.

Yu Xiufen said: "Li Ye, when I saw you carrying in a sack, I thought it was some special product from Dongshan—peanuts or jujubes! But you used it to carry books? Look at the covers—all torn up!"

"Li Ye's a rich kid—he doesn't care about money. Unlike us poor kids, who have to save half a month's salary just to buy one book."

"I asked around the other day—do you know how much Qichao Dao Feng earns in royalties a year? It'll shock you—it's more than three years' salary for a professor."

"No wonder he uses so much oil when he cooks! He's got money to burn."

Since Pei Wencong learned of Li Ye's demand for economics books, he'd started keeping an eye out for popular titles and major economic journals.

Top-tier journals like *The Beacon Economic Review*, *Econometrica*, and *The Review of Economic Studies* were certainly subscribed to by Peking University's library,

but slightly lower-tier ones like *The Economic Journal* and *Games and Economic Behavior* might not be covered due to foreign exchange limits, so Li Ye set Pei Wencong a monthly budget of ten thousand Hong Kong dollars to buy them for him.

After Professor Zhang reviewed these books, he'd selectively bring them to his office for other economics faculty to read, since some views were certainly inappropriate for the current mainland environment.

On this point, Li Ye still trusted Professor Zhang and Yu Xiufen and the others—they'd never once shown any ulterior motives after so long of contact.

Unlike some people these days who translate a foreign article, slap their own name on it, and publish it domestically—collect enough papers and they get promoted, get a raise, and call it "filling a domestic gap."

"Little brother, the books you brought are kind of messy! What's this one? Wow~"

Li Ye was just helping Professor Lü clear the dishes when he heard Yu Xiufen's exaggerated gasp.

He hurried over—and the moment he saw it, he felt like digging his toes into the floor in embarrassment.

These were fashion magazines Hao Jian and Jin Peng had picked out for the Pengcheng No. 7 Factory, but Hong Kong magazines always had a bit of avant-garde imagery.

In 1983's pure mainland environment, even a photo of a celebrity in a swimsuit could make young men blush, yet Hao Jian and Jin Peng had deliberately bought some especially risqué ones—this was outrageous.

"I really didn't notice—they were gifts from cultural friends over there, and anyway, these are considered proper publications there."

Li Ye now could only keep a straight face, playing the upright gentleman, insisting he'd never looked at them.

He truly hadn't looked—he was a hardened man who'd seen countless images; why would he waste money on such magazines?

"Hmph, they're slowly corrupting you!" Professor Zhang said sternly, then turned to his wife: "Quick, put them all away—don't pollute the children's eyes."

Professor Lü, face cold, collected every single magazine.

Then Peng Rui, Zou Mengcheng, and even Wang Zhiyuan all shot disapproving glares at Yu Xiufen—if they weren't in the professor's home, the three would've launched a collective denunciation.

"If your heart is stained, everything looks dirty. Yu Xiufen, your mind isn't clean."

But Yu Xiufen glared right back—and the three men immediately backed down, turning their angry stares on Li Ye.

"Li Ye, you must stay alert—don't let corrupt foreign ideas erode you."

"Don't let your youth wander into foolish thoughts. Focus on your studies. Look at us—we're already working, yet we still listen to our teachers' teachings."

Li Ye: "."

【You're all taking advantage of me because I'm a good kid, right?】

Li Ye rolled his eyes and said: "I really didn't know about these magazines—I was busy in Hong Kong discussing the territory's economic situation with friends from HKU."

"They all believe Hong Kong's economic center is shifting toward finance and real estate, while commerce is increasingly becoming 'instant-gratification' oriented."

"Every business now prioritizes speed in process and practicality in outcome, relentlessly chasing maximum economic returns."

"So I think Hong Kong's once-advantageous manufacturing industry has a growing need to relocate to regions with lower labor costs."

"."

When Li Ye first started speaking, Yu Xiufen and the others thought he was just changing the subject to avoid embarrassment—but as he kept talking, they began to listen seriously.

Industrial relocation wasn't a new term to Professor Zhang, who studied global economics—but given Hong Kong's geographical proximity to the mainland, and the increasingly warm reform-and-opening-up climate, the connection was intriguing.

When Li Ye finished, Professor Zhang paused, then said: "Write an article based on what you just said and bring it to me. If it's any good, I'll recommend it for publication."

"."

Li Ye blinked, then said: "Teacher, I've never written a paper. Why don't you write it?"

Professor Zhang glared at Li Ye: "Do you think a paper of this level is worth me writing? Can't you write it?"

Li Ye smiled awkwardly and agreed—it was just a passing thought aligned with current trends, and he didn't think it had much value.

They discussed for a long time, and only when it was late did they take their leave.

Just before leaving, a small incident occurred.

Yu Xiufen, Peng Rui, and others all pulled out "meal fees."

Seeing the senior students hand loose change and meal tickets to Professor Lü, who accepted them without refusal, Li Ye quickly reached for his wallet.

In the 70s and 80s, many people visiting others' homes brought grain coupons, since no one had enough food—using up a month's ration during a holiday wasn't unusual.

But Professor Lü said: "Li Ye, put your wallet away. Your meal fees are waived this year. Come once a week—you're not allowed to skip. Understood?"

"Teacher Lü, you're favoring him again."

"Yeah, now that we've got Little Brother, we're all out of favor."

"Get lost! The meat and vegetables you ate today were brought by Li Ye, and he cooked the meal! If you say another word, I'll beat you."

"Hahaha~"

Everyone laughed and dispersed.

Li Ye thought this was fine—only real people could joke like this.

The next evening, Li Ye solemnly convened the first-ever shareholder meeting of 1983, even summoning Li Dayong, who'd missed several meetings.

The first agenda item: sternly condemn the team's lecherous, immoral thoughts.

"You buying magazines is fine—but why did you slip them into my pile? Don't you know I nearly ruined my clean reputation because of a few magazines?"

Jin Peng: "."

Hao Jian: "."

You know every size of your girlfriend's clothes, and you still call yourself clean? Do you think we don't have wives? Who are you fooling?

Besides, you've seen *Dragon Tiger Leopard* in Hong Kong—do you think we didn't notice?

And that calm look you gave the dancers at the Grand Hyatt—you're no innocent boy.

Ugh, disgusting!

"Yes yes, we'll be careful from now on—we'll never let Little Ye see them."

"Yes yes, Little Brother is a proper gentleman—we… cough cough cough cough."

Li Ye rolled his eyes in frustration, but had no choice—he moved to the second agenda item.

"This year's first-half goals are two: first, accelerate our entry into major malls and solidify brand building—we'll communicate details as needed."

"Second, the Xiushuijie renovation. Though the street committee is handling construction, since we're paying, we must voice our demands—we won't be suckers."

Jin Peng said: "I'm having some difficulties—mainly lack of manpower, especially experienced, capable staff. Also, Old Hou from Xiushuijie has approached us several times—he seems interested in cooperation."

Li Ye waved him off: "We don't touch dirty things. Tell them straight—we each mind our own business. Don't come looking for trouble."

The 1983 crackdown was coming soon—Li Ye was no fool; he wouldn't cooperate with Old Hou, who dealt in smuggled goods.

Jin Peng nodded, agreeing. When they joined, Li Ye had made it clear: he held absolute authority over operations. If he said no to Old Hou, the man could forget it.

Everything else was fine, but as they wrapped up, Li Ye asked Li Dayong: "Dayong, you've been looking pale lately—is something bothering you? Any trouble?"

Li Dayong shook his head: "Brother, I've got no trouble. I'm missing nothing."

"Good—if you've got a problem, speak up," Li Ye said, looking at Li Dayong's noticeably thinner frame. "Dayong, remember this: no matter what, I won't ever harm you."

"I know, brother. Don't worry—I'm fine."

"."

After the meeting, Li Dayong was about to ride his bike back to school, but Wang Qiang grabbed his bike and tossed it into the 130, then grinned and drove him home.

Jin Peng watched the taillights fade and murmured: "I looked into Dayong's situation… it's connected to you, Little Ye."

Li Ye was startled: "How could it be connected to me?"

"Dayong wants a girl like Wen Yue—but how easy is that?"

Jin Peng spat his cigarette on the ground and crushed it under his foot.

"That Lin Qiuyan is from the provincial capital—her father's a factory director, a tiny official, but his daughter's got a big temper."

I heard from Fu Yingjie that Dayong's been eating less lately—it's because she thinks he's too muscular."

Li Ye suddenly remembered—Lin Qiuyan did resemble Wen Leyu in some ways.

Tall, small shoe size, family background—

Fuck, what a stupid mess!

Today I took the kid to the hospital for half a day—getting blood drawn was like slaughtering a pig, so exhausting. When I got back, Lao Feng seemed to have caught something—he had a runny nose, a sore throat, and his head was spinning. I can't write any further at this point; that's all for now!

Thank you, readers

(End of chapter)