[{"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-231":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},2294649,4489,"Chapter 231: Pavlov Has Arrived","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-231",231,"\u003Cp>On Saturday afternoon, Li Ye propped his bicycle outside the English Department classroom, waiting for Wen Leyu to finish class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today they were going to Zaojunmiao for a meal, so they wouldn’t have to eat the cafeteria food at Jingda anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the class bell rang, Wen Leyu rushed out first, leaping onto Li Ye’s bike seat with the agility of a nimble little cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye pedaled off, slowly cycling through campus with Wen Leyu on board, heading toward the sihe academy at Zaojunmiao; along the way, he casually made every single bachelor and bachelorette envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu swung her long legs, tilted her small face upward, enjoying the breeze from cycling, her expression blissfully content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her expression, Li Ye couldn’t help but smile and ask, “What good thing happened to make you so happy, Xiao Yu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu squinted and held up two fingers: “Two things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu beamed: “First, I’ve been reading the winning entries of the prize essay contest these past few days, and I’ve gained a lot—enjoying the joy of knowledge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prize essay contest for *A Song of Ice and Fire* has entered its second stage; the selected translations are now being released in small batches across various regions, tested by enthusiastic readers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Wencong sent all the second-round winning entries to Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye originally didn’t care much—he only cared about the market’s real reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu, as the “first translator,” took it very seriously, reading each one carefully and comparing them with her own first draft to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed the little girl was genuinely enjoying herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked with a smile: “So what’s the second thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu grinned mischievously: “Hehe, I won’t tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Won’t tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye feigned anger: “Do you think I won’t shake my arm right now and dump us both into Weiminghu for a bath?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph~” Wen Leyu sneered: “Don’t try those paper-tiger tricks—you wouldn’t dare even if you had three pairs of balls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The husband’s authority is weak—what can one do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next thing Wen Leyu said made Li Ye freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second thing, hehe—it’s been five days, and I can finally eat your cooking again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s heart turned sour, a strange ache settling in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since that Qiang guy showed up on Sunday, this backup vice-president of the Lone Soldier Literature Society had been running around, too busy even to cook a special meal for Wen Leyu at Zaojunmiao, let alone find time to see her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even today, it was only because of the eight-person group dinner that Li Ye wasn’t dragged off by Li Huai and the others for drinks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Literature Society keeps sending people over—you’ve got to meet them, keep them company, build connections, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, Li Ye never participated in any of that, but Li Huai and Yang Yumin are about to step down—won’t you, Li Ye, have to step up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To others, this kind of trouble would seem like Li Ye’s bad habit, being overly sensitive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era’s mindset, how could emotional matters compare to “real business”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye knew that this “clingy, affectionate” bond between him and Wen Leyu was far more precious than any “real business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the first TV station aired that promotional clip, Wen Leyu had grown much more attached to Li Ye, gradually growing accustomed to their daily togetherness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a girl like Wen Leyu to say something so sweet and tender, how deeply must she rely on Li Ye?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t the kind of “acting” Li Ye had seen in his past life—Wen Leyu wasn’t the type who needed to perform for anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye made his decision: “I’m just busy right now. Once it’s over, I’ll be back to how things were—I promise I won’t miss cooking for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you misunderstood,” Wen Leyu nuzzled her head against his back: “You go ahead and do your real business—I can eat anything. Besides, if I get hungry, I’ll just go to Zaojunmiao and cook myself some stir-fried pork.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you, I’m now an expert at stir-fried pork.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, I’ll be waiting for your expert stir-fried pork~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye pedaled faster, feeling the wind against his face, a pleasant sense of ease rising within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bicycle glided smoothly into Zaojunmiao; before they even reached the gate, they saw the Beijing 130 truck from Pengcheng Factory No. 7 parked outside, the kitchen’s blower roaring loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled: “Looks like Peng Ge and the others got something tasty again—treating us to a better meal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu licked her lips and grinned: “I hope it’s lamb—last time Old Song’s mutton was delicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Song and Jin Peng had been in Beijing long enough to often get fresh meat and vegetables, which they’d bring to Zaojunmiao to improve everyone’s meals—especially Old Song, whose cooking was truly excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as Li Ye parked his bicycle at the gate, he heard barking: “Woof! Woof! Woof!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? When did we get a dog?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Li Ye was still puzzled, Wen Leyu had already jumped off the bike and dashed into the courtyard in three quick strides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Ye heard her bright laugh: “Pavlov? Hahaha, I knew it the moment I heard you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Spring Festival of 1982, Teacher Ke came to Beijing to handle connections, leaving Wen Leyu behind at No. 2 Middle School of Qingshui County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu didn’t want to stay overnight at Li Ye’s home, so Li Ye performed the famous animal behavior experiment—Pavlov’s dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, the big yellow dog guarding the back gate of the Second Grain Store became Pavlov.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xiaoyan, Han Xia, and Wen Leyu all loved the big yellow dog, especially Wen Leyu, who had been talking about missing Pavlov just a few days ago!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Peng Ge really understands people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably Jin Peng heard Wen Leyu’s complaints and brought Pavlov all the way from his hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Ye entered, he saw the big yellow dog wagging its tail furiously at Wen Leyu, its affection bordering on sycophancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by looking at Pavlov’s coat, you could tell that since Li Ye and the others left the Second Grain Store, its life had become miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when Li Ye was at the Second Grain Store, they ate well every day—and so did the big yellow dog, always getting soup with scraps and bones every few days; its fur had been glossy and sleek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now? Its fur was dry and messy; it probably hadn’t seen a bone in days, let alone oily soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So of course the big yellow dog was desperate to please its kind owner now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t dogs have ambition?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chinese rural dogs truly deserve their reputation as intelligent creatures!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t deny the intelligence of canines—back in Li Ye’s past life, a “clever and ambitious” lone wolf appeared in the western frontier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once walked alone beside a highway in the wasteland, humming \"only biting cold teeth,\" glaring stubbornly at passing off-road vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, someone in the vehicle tossed out a bag of snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the lone wolf looked down on it, disdainful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after tasting it… it suddenly woke up and became ambitious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won’t detail the exact process, but months later, that lone wolf had grown plump and comical, drawing constant snacks from passing tourists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And reportedly, it learned to recognize car logos—ignoring any off-road vehicle under 300,000 yuan, but only begging and performing tricks when a luxury car appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Local authorities couldn’t stand it—wasn’t this disrupting the natural ecosystem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they put it in a cage, drove hundreds of kilometers into the Gobi, and released it back into the wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, that lone wolf returned with two female wolves, forming a team to beg and perform on the highway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why bother chasing rabbits when you can eat well and easily?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earning your meal by skill isn’t shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So seeing Pavlov’s sycophantic behavior now, Li Ye didn’t mind—it was just his ancestral talent. After all, his ancestors were pure East Asian wolves, same grandfather as that lone wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Family talent doesn’t get lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye found Jin Peng and asked: “Peng Ge, did you bring this big yellow dog here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng shook his head: “No, it was the Private Secretary who brought it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Private Secretary?” Li Ye blinked. “My grandfather came to Beijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng nodded: “He arrived on Monday, but he told me not to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked, surprised: “Why not tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng shrugged: “How dare I ask? He said he’d come over to lecture soon—ask him yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment but couldn’t guess the reason, so he gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could Li Zhong possibly harm him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Xia, Wen Leyu, and the others were playing happily with the big yellow dog, while Li Ye and Jin Peng worked busily in the kitchen until Jiang Xiaoyan arrived to help, and the brothers finally finished preparing the big pots of dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White radish stewed with lamb, shrimp stir-fried with cabbage, and the beloved sour cabbage fish—all served in large aluminum basins, generous and hearty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, why can we only have one meal together per week? How am I supposed to survive the rest of the days?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! Once a week is bad enough, now it’s moved from Sunday to Saturday—two meals become one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, haven’t you noticed that since we moved the dinner to Saturday, everyone shows up more reliably? On Sundays, someone’s always busy or has plans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true! Jiang Xiaoyan has to work promotions at the mall, Li Dayong has to go on dates, Hu Man has student union activities…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye watched his classmates chatter, sighing—happy times are always short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone is getting busier, and it will only get worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thankfully, their friendship remains, unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Yingjie suddenly suggested: “Hey, let’s go see a movie? *The Martial Arts Chronicle*—my classmates say it’s amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Xia immediately agreed: “I heard that too! Let’s go! Li Ye, driver, take us to the cinema?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled apologetically: “I can’t go today—my grandfather’s coming. I’ll ask Peng Ge to arrange a ride for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye in surprise, walked over, and whispered: “Your grandfather came to Beijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded: “I just found out. Go ahead and watch the movie with them—I’ll bike over to find you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You go ahead with your business; don’t worry about me—I’m not a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu nodded obediently and boarded Bus 130 with several classmates, headed to the cinema by Wang Qiang’s driving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when they arrived at the cinema, Wen Leyu said, \"Wait for me a moment—I need to make a phone call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then hurry up! We’re waiting for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright, give me ten minutes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1810,"2026-06-20T05:05:01.382Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f4ae1ca793708d289ded1aaed8658cb8ba8d90a67d16cea1842479be4f258c54","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-232","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-230",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]