[{"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-214":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},2294632,4489,"Chapter 214: Why Do You Always Hide Your Sharp Edges?","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-214",214,"\u003Cp>Mu Yunning’s appearance diffused the tension between Li Ye and Song Ziyuan and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was also holding a copy of *Modern Economic Inquiry*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering, without learning the situation, she directly told Song Ziyuan, Yang Chen, and the others: “You may discuss various viewpoints with your classmates, but do not disturb their normal studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since you are already in your third year, you must show understanding and care for your junior and sophomore peers; do not bring a critical attitude or Fengqi  into the classroom, and do not act as if your senior status entitles you to some kind of senior privilege.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor, we’re not acting superior—we’re just discussing an issue, but this student Li Ye claims that students from the Mathematics Department shouldn’t discuss social development issues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chen first explained to Mu Yunning, then turned to Li Ye seriously and said: “This isn’t an economic issue—it’s a social one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye cut in directly: “If you believe this is worth discussing, then please have the professor contact the Academic Affairs Office and let them decide how we should discuss it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personally, I agree with the principle that truth emerges from debate, but discussion is discussion—do not mix in any non-academic elements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, we will. But student Li Ye, what you face from now on won’t just be us a few.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Chen nodded slightly, greeted Mu Yunning, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he published that article, he had anticipated some controversy, but now it seemed he had been overly optimistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people—you can lay the truth right before their eyes, and they still won’t accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Luo once said: We learn from history’s lessons, yet refuse to believe those very lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, what Huajia faces now is a situation with no precedent whatsoever?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can you prove what you say is true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I came here through time travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does that sound like something a person would say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, come out with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing off several 80-level students, Mu Yunning called Li Ye outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were too reckless,” Mu Yunning said with a serious face. “When you published that article, why didn’t you show it to a few professors first? Do you think they’d steal your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was I reckless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked himself, but had no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had merely written down what was about to happen—and the path already proven by facts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning couldn’t help laughing, then fell silent for several seconds before saying: “I won’t say whether you were reckless or not, but you, Li Ye, are now famous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard from Li Huai and the others that your catchphrase is ‘Don’t talk about state affairs’—is this how you practice that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Ye still looked confused, Mu Yunning went on: “If you were just discussing issues on campus, it wouldn’t matter much—Jingda’s academic atmosphere is free and open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But publishing it in a national journal is like stamping yourself with a label. Don’t regret it later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye finally understood what situation he had landed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about picking sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before publishing the article, he had shown it to Professor Zhang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now recalling that moment, Professor Zhang’s gaze at him had indeed been peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Li Ye knocked on Professor Zhang’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, there were no senior or junior students at home—only Professor Zhang and Teacher Lü.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I figured you’d come. The kitchen has dishes—help your mistress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye went into the kitchen and quickly helped Teacher Lü prepare the food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal was served, Professor Zhang took out a bottle of wine and said to Li Ye: “Whatever doubts you have, ask them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment and said: “Master, I don’t actually have any doubts—I just hate trouble. I dislike wasting time and energy on meaningless debates,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>so I thought maybe the department could organize regular debate competitions, letting everyone discuss openly, and avoid wasting time privately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Zhang looked at Li Ye and said slowly: “You’re always used to hiding your sharp edges. That’s not necessarily good—because when you’re older and look back, you’ll find a youth without passion is terribly dull.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stared at Professor Zhang, wondering what he meant by “hiding your sharp edges.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think you’ve hidden yourself well? ‘Don’t talk about state affairs,’ avoid discussions, do your homework obediently, act like a good little boy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Zhang narrowed his eyes, slightly mocking: “But when I heard you say ‘We need the world, and the world needs us’ during your lecture, I knew you weren’t a fish in a pond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After that, I paid attention, wondering what kind of monster you were. The more I watched, the more I realized—you don’t act like a twenty-year-old. You’re more like us old folks, fond of holding back and scheming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Damn, you’ve figured out my secret as an old monster?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was truly shocked. He had always hidden his sharp edges and kept a low profile since his first visit to Professor Zhang’s home—how had he still been seen through?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t seen into Li Ye’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I’m just following my family’s teachings—to avoid trouble when I go out. This isn’t hiding my sharp edges; you’re overestimating me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Zhang glanced at Li Ye and said coolly: “I understand your concerns. Everyone is fumbling forward now—even our own thoughts differ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some worship the Western model; others blindly reject it. But no one dares say for sure which path we should take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when I read your article, I realized you had already decided this path was right—you were certain, unwavering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I didn’t warn you. I didn’t change a single word of your article. I wanted to see whether you could stand firm at the crest of this transformation, withstand the accusations around you, and hold to your true heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his strong mental resilience was stirred by Professor Zhang’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the tide of the age, most people merely drift with the current—how many truly stand at the crest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Li Ye’s stunned expression, Professor Zhang smiled lightly: “But don’t worry—if you’re not cut out for it, I guarantee you’ll get a good assignment after graduation, live a quiet, uneventful life, or rise to power and wealth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you are cut out for it...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Zhang leaned forward, smiling: “Then don’t hesitate. Like your seniors, don’t fall behind—move forward bravely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye fell silent for a long time, then slowly picked up the wine bottle, filled Professor Zhang’s cup, then his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Zhang smiled, raised his cup to Li Ye, and drank it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye raised both hands in respect, and drank his cup dry in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this path is right, then press forward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, I was alone. Now, isn’t there a shield up front?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Peng Rui and Zou Mengcheng’s future fates, Li Ye finally understood—he had truly boarded the ship today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he just drifted from now on, he could still sail toward a brilliant tomorrow—especially since he knew the best route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still sick with a cold. Late and short again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1199,"2026-06-20T05:05:01.382Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ca3fadbd182f21133f981f4d810cf6265003a390ef1e5200baa54bf72a63b15c","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-215","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-213",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]