Chapter 227: This Kid Has Been Holding Back His Mischief

"Just now, Li Ye said his pen name was what?"

"It's Seven-Inch Blade Edge—he said it clearly, didn't you hear?"

"Who is Seven-Inch Blade Edge? Why does everyone look so strange?"

"Are you teasing my classmate? Why are you here?"

"I'm here to vote! I'm the voting representative of the Big Poplar Tree by Weiminghu Literary Society—Wait, is that Seven-Inch Blade Edge who wrote 'North Wind Soaring'? How is he here?"

"."

Anyone who has carefully read 'Wandering Solo at Home' knows ninety-nine percent of the time that Seven-Inch Blade Edge is who.

Since Dong Yuejin took over 'New Wind' monthly under urgent circumstances, he has teamed up with several authors to create a new genre based on Chinese history, with themes of confidence, inspiration, and self-strengthening.

Seven-Inch Blade Edge's 'North Wind Soaring' is universally recognized as the pioneering work of this genre, while 'Wandering Solo at Home,' the flagship work of the Lone Soldier Literary Society, can only be considered its successor.

Worse still, both novels are now being serialized simultaneously in 'New Wind' monthly.

So when Li Ye said, "I also have another name: Seven-Inch Blade Edge," nearly everyone in the auditorium was stunned.

Except for Wen Leyu and Mu Yunning, who smiled pleasantly.

【This kid has been holding back his mischief, waiting for this exact moment!】

The audience below was collectively stunned, but Li Ye on stage did not stop his speech.

"When I came to Peking University, my family advised me to keep a low profile, focus on mastering my major, and avoid being criticized by professors for neglecting my studies,

I was genuinely fearful at the time—after all, Peking University is full of geniuses; even if I studied with all my might, I might still fall behind, and to earn even a single compliment from a professor was extremely difficult,

but after meeting a few like-minded classmates and getting to know them deeply, I suddenly realized—Peking University is the perfect place to create such works."

Li Ye paused, then raised his voice: "Because Peking University holds the richest, most comprehensive historical materials,

because Peking University has the most learned, most professional students, the most free and open literary atmosphere, and the sufficient ability to boast of our ancestral civilization,

now I only want to ask one question."

Li Ye fell silent for several seconds, then shouted loudly: "Are there any students here who are the most confident? Are there any companions here who are the most self-reliant?

Are there any children of China who are willing to feel pride and honor because we are Chinese, because we have black hair and yellow skin,

because we possess five thousand years of brilliant civilization?"

"."

The entire hall fell silent for a long time; Li Ye did not receive the answer he hoped for.

He calmed his emotions and softly said: "Is there… none?"

No one spoke—but someone answered.

"Clap~ Clap-clap~"

Applause, like summer rain, began with just a few drops, then swept across the land like a storm.

"Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap~"

Almost everyone clapped willingly.

If Li Ye had spoken these words to those who had endured hardship and lived through suffering, he might not have received such a strong response—they had been worn down by life and lost their passion.

If Li Ye had spoken these words to those who had suffered injustice and still struggled for their next meal, he would have received no applause—they were still numb inside.

If Li Ye had spoken these words to seasoned office veterans, he might have drawn sarcastic laughter—because in their hearts, nothing mattered except power, wealth, and beauty.

But Li Ye asked these questions of the undisputed "children of heaven" of this era—the young, full of vigor.

Who among the young people here has no grand ambition for the future? Who has no pride to challenge heaven itself?

So Li Ye's speech was destined to earn thunderous applause; only a very few secretly cursed.

For example, Nakamura Naoto.

【Bakayarou, bastard!】

Nakamura Naoto ruined most of the goodwill and connections he had built over two years by defending his beloved Great Cherry Empire during last year's economics lecture.

This year, after painful reflection, he still wanted to restore his "friendly" image.

He seized the opportunity and had his subordinates, under the name of Nakamura Corporation, purchase the manga adaptation rights to 'Wandering Solo at Home.'

But just as the deal was about to be finalized, this Li Ye interfered, insisting the contract must stipulate no alterations to plot, characters, or historical truth, and so on.

Are you kidding? Do you even know what adaptation means?

If you forbid us Japanese from adapting history, you're binding our souls and limbs, forcing us to kneel and bow.

Just as both sides were deadlocked, Dong Yuejin somehow got wind of it and suddenly intervened to snatch the deal.

Dong Yuejin is now quietly emerging as a leading figure in mainland new literature, just half a step away from becoming a true heavyweight—Nakamura Naoto had no power to resist.

Nakamura Naoto came today to politely ask why Li Ye and Dong Yuejin were acting immorally and ruining a good opportunity.

But now it's clear—he doesn't even need to ask; these two have been colluding all along.

Li Ye bowed slightly to those on stage, then walked off the podium amid applause. The host waited a full minute until the applause fully subsided before speaking again.

"Please be quiet. We now proceed to the voting round. All students with voting rights, please carefully fill out your ballots and deposit them into the ballot box in front of the podium."

"Excuse me, please wait a moment."

A sudden voice rang out—Bian Jingjing, one of the candidates, stood up.

She addressed the stage clearly: "I apologize to all leaders—I voluntarily withdraw from this election. Please forgive me."

"I withdraw too. Please forgive me."

"I withdraw as well!"

Bian Jingjing's withdrawal triggered a domino effect—every single candidate chose to withdraw, even Du Yuan, who reluctantly smiled and announced his withdrawal.

【You're a founding master—why are you running for deputy head of a student club? Don't you realize you're bullying the small fry?】

But he seemed to have forgotten that not long ago, he had implied Li Ye was too young, inexperienced, distracted by romance, and unfit to lead the literary society!

Since everyone else withdrew, this extraordinary selection was over—but the students surrounded Li Ye, asking questions, so he couldn't leave for the moment.

The school staff didn't wait for Li Ye—they pulled Dong Yuejin away to build connections.

In the end, Li Huai and Yang Yumin, both scowling, each grabbed one of Li Ye's arms and dragged him out of the auditorium like prisoners.

Outside the auditorium, the two pulled Li Ye straight into a dark corner and blocked him there, like two thugs cornering a girl.

"Speak up, big writer—you've been hiding this from us for so long. Give us an explanation."

"Oh? What kind of explanation do you two big brothers want? Tell me, let this little brother hear."

"Good, you're sensible!"

Li Huai extended one finger toward Li Ye: "Donglaishun—hot pot!"

Yang Yumin also extended one finger: "Quanjude—roast duck!"

Li Ye stared at their fingers and asked curiously: "I know Donglaishun and Quanjude—but what does one finger mean?"

Li Huai and Yang Yumin froze, exchanged glances, and immediately understood.

"One meal each—you must treat us both to one meal each. That's four meals total."

"Phew~"

Li Ye exhaled in relief—he thought they were going to demand a hundred meals! He'd have to haggle.

"Fine. Bring along our literary society brothers. You two pick the time."

"So quick?"

Li Huai stared at Li Ye in surprise, then turned to Yang Yumin: "See? We probably asked too little."

Yang Yumin also pursed his lips: "Rich bastard, seriously loaded."

Actually, these two older brothers weren't asking too little—everyone in the circle knew Seven-Inch Blade Edge earned nearly ten thousand yuan in royalties; how could they not know? Precisely because they knew four meals were nothing to Li Ye, they said it this way.

Moreover, Li Huai and Yang Yumin were just pretending to be harsh now—they probably won't even make him fulfill all four meals; one or two will be enough.

"Alright, no more joking. Let's get serious."

Yang Yumin said seriously: "Since you're the expert, you'll be the main writer for 'Wandering Solo at Home' from now on!"

"No way," Li Ye immediately refused. "Our writing styles are completely different—you've read my work: simple, direct vocabulary, wins through plot and atmosphere,

while yours is refined, elegant, and richly detailed—readers will savor every word. If we switch writers mid-stream, readers will notice instantly."

"Ohhh, tsk tsk tsk," Yang Yumin chuckled at Li Ye. "I know you're lying, but I love hearing it."

Li Huai beside him added: "It's not entirely a lie—Yumin, your style really is ornate. Even as a big writer, Li Ye can't match you."

Actually, the two had brought him here just to test his attitude—if Li Ye acted like a big-shot writer, their relationship would instantly cool.

But Li Ye's attitude made them feel their judgment was right—he was worth knowing.

Li Ye frowned: "What big writer? We're all brothers, right? Are we really going to keep harping on this?"

Li Huai chuckled: "Whether we're done depends on whether the literary society brothers agree. Come on, let's go—they're waiting for us!"

Li Huai and Yang Yumin once again flanked Li Ye and left, heading to the Lone Soldier Literary Society to celebrate—tonight would surely last late.

Li Ye felt helpless—he really wished Wen Leyu would suddenly appear and rescue him from these two dragons.

Wen Leyu indeed read Li Ye's mind and waited for him on the way—but she was with their homeroom teacher, Mu Yunning, and the annoying Nakamura Naoto.

(End of Chapter)