[{"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-236":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},2294654,4489,"Chapter 236: You Called Me Auntie—Now Act Like One","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-236",236,"\u003Cp>\"I was rescued by the guerrillas, spent over half a year recovering, and you both know how dire the situation was in 1941 and 1942—the guerrillas sacrificed greatly to protect me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After I recovered, I considered rejoining my old unit, but the units had scattered, and that guerrilla unit was also in dire straits, with morale crumbling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I was rescued, I carried several captured rifles, so naturally I was seen as a core member—if I’d left, the unit would’ve truly dissolved. They cared for me for over half a year and even lost a soldier protecting me. We can’t be heartless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa turned red under Liu Zhengqing’s questioning, but he had no guilt, so he began recounting his temporary departure from the unit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By 1944, our small guerrilla unit was absorbed and reorganized into a platoon—I became the platoon leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some people just love to stir up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Huaiwater ignored everything after 1944 and seized on the earlier part to chime in: \"Old Company Commander did right—your great kindness can’t be repaid, you must give yourself in return. Look at your grandson—he’s already so big.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Huaiwater, can you stop causing trouble? You have the nerve to talk? Isn’t your grandson also grown up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wounded and reassigned to rear-area duties—we’re the same. Old Company Commander, don’t rush. Don’t let the younger generation laugh at us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough, cough, cough~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpas and Grandmas, I’ll step out for a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stood up and walked out with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders’ old stories—some are worth hearing, others better left unheard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Li Ye’s status, staying here any longer would be awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s memory of how Li Zhongfa met Li Nainai Wu Juying was vague; clearly, Li Zhongfa had never told his descendants the full story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with a little thought, Li Ye could reconstruct most of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa believed the medic had died, then met Wu Juying in the guerrilla unit; after being nursed back to health for half a year, his cold heart was warmed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came Li Kaibian—otherwise, given the norm in those units, Li Zhongfa wouldn’t have married until after victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhengqing and Gao Shuyi were probably the same case, which is why Liu Zhengqing, though one year younger than Li Zhongfa, had a child a full generation behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Muhan’s parents never left the unit—they advanced steadily, unlike Li Zhongfa, who was a company commander in 1941 but became a platoon leader by 1944.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stepping out, Li Ye went to the front desk to settle the bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since they hadn’t finished eating, Li Ye asked for an estimated cost, paid a deposit, and instructed the staff not to accept payment if anyone else came to settle the bill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as he handed the money to the server, Liu Muyang and Liu Muhan hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Ye, what are you doing? How can you pay? No, no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Liu Muyang quickly intervened, trying to snatch back the money the server had just taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine. When I take Grandpa to Shanghai later, I’ll accept your return invitation just the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled and blocked him, then pulled out a two-dollar bill and handed it to the server.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The server swiftly tucked away the “Jefferson,” smiling at Liu Muyang: \"This gentleman has already paid. You can return the favor tonight or tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on—two dollars in this era could fetch sixteen or seventeen yuan on the black market, more than a week’s salary. No way was she returning it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing? I said I’d treat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muyang felt embarrassed, but Liu Muhan laughed: \"Enough, Brother. Our big nephew is famously wealthy—don’t show off in front of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, true. Come on, let me treat my big nephew to champagne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: \".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muyang pulled Li Ye to a seat in the lobby, ordered three servings of champagne and fruit tarts, and began chatting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Ye, I’ve always been curious about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muyang smiled: \"Last year, my father told me and my sister about your book *Infiltration*. He said it was fascinating—I read it and found it true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the time, my sister and I assumed Qichun Dao Feng was a writer skilled in espionage fiction, and that he’d surely release more espionage works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But when I saw your next work, it was historical war fiction. Then my father recommended *The Wind Blows North* to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My sister and I made a bet: you’d switch genres again in your next book. We were going to wait for your new release to settle it—but now that we’ve met you, can you tell us—who won?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Your sister won. But I won’t tell you.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye glanced at Liu Muhan, surprised—she was staring back intently, like a lottery ticket holder waiting for the draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Li Ye asked curiously: \"What was your bet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muyang held up one finger: \"A motorcycle. A ladies’ model.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sucked in a breath and gave a thumbs-up, impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A motorcycle in the 1980s—especially a ladies’ model—could only come through imports.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Shanghai was a very open city, and Liu Muyang’s status and profession offered many advantages, betting a motorcycle for his sister was undeniably extravagant—and deeply affectionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think of how Li Ye treated his two cheap sisters, Li Juan and Li Ying—just solving their pocket money problems made them worship him like a hero. How lucky Liu Muhan must be to have such a brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My next book... will be co-written with classmates from Beijing University. Still historical.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye dodged the question—he’d already started releasing *A Song of Ice and Fire*, so it wasn’t his next book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, I guessed right this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muyang looked plainly pleased; Liu Muhan, having lost, gave her brother a scornful glance and muttered a few indistinct words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s hearing far surpassed normal humans—he barely made out something like “only won once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked Liu Muhan curiously: \"Why did you think my next book would switch genres?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan stared at Li Ye for a long moment before saying: \"Your writing skill isn’t superior to others’, but every time you choose a genre, it’s fresh and unexpected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I believe you won’t settle for rehashing old ideas—you’ll boldly innovate, leaving those who mock you forever behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was startled by Liu Muhan’s blunt evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to writers of this era, his writing certainly couldn’t be called “excellent”—back then, intellectuals buried themselves in books day and night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the old Li Ye, his energy was mostly taken up by Warcraft, King of Glory, PUBG, girls, and other friends—he had little time left for writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So his self-assessment of his writing was merely “adequate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he caught the word “mock” in Liu Muhan’s statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was puzzled—he began recalling whether he’d offended anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t think of a single enemy in the literary circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since joining the Writers’ Association, though invited repeatedly to discussions and exchanges, he’d never attended—he knew fewer than five people in the circle. How could he have enemies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu classmate, who exactly are these people mocking me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Age difference matters. Remember to call me Auntie from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan, having lost the bet, was clearly displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shot Li Ye two sharp glances before saying: \"I only know two people—Chai Kenan and Wan Zhiyue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They said *The Wind Blows North* by Qichun Dao Feng was fantasy divorced from reality, that you were promoting feudal relics and trash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And they claimed your *Fires of the Deserted Soldier* wasn’t even literature—ignoring battlefield realities entirely, just pure propaganda garbage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled, unconcerned: \"I never imagined others’ opinions of me... were so harsh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan smiled sweetly at Li Ye: \"Aren’t you going to strike back? Those two are complete nobodies compared to Qichun Dao Feng.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Muyang warned: \"Li Ye, don’t listen to your auntie. This happens too often—the more you respond, the more they escalate. Not worth getting angry—you’ll just get worn down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, you’re wrong,\" Liu Muhan countered. \"They’re clearly using Li Ye for attention. If we don’t crush them hard now, they’ll get bolder and drag more people into blind following.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye silently watched the Liu siblings—Liu Muyang showed mature calm, while “Auntie” Liu Muhan’s eyes glowed with encouragement and goading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Go on! Go on! Be a man—take them down!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye understood well how “hype-chasers” operated. Since joining the Writers’ Association, he’d declined every invitation to discussions and exchanges precisely to avoid trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now, with *Fires of the Deserted Soldier* involved—he had no need to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s not waste energy. I got bitten by two dogs—do I bite back? If I do, I fall right into their trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rabid dogs want us to abandon our reason and compete with them over who can bark louder, who can howl the loudest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liu siblings stared at each other. After a long silence, Liu Muyang burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan, ever eager to stir chaos, added: \"Big nephew, if you spread that line, you’ll make them spit blood. Want to try?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll try your damn thing—when I’m locked in a brawl with them, your dad, that big god, will step in, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These hype-chasers want to drag me into their muddy pit and drag me down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You, clever young lady, want me to climb onto your “control” stage and fight their opponent—what’s your real goal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Li Ye didn’t see was Liu Muyang, laughing heartily, stepping on his sister’s foot under the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Muhan, don’t tease your big nephew. Since he calls you Auntie, you must act like one—fulfill your duty as an elder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan slowly turned her head and gave her brother a cold glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really need to tell me? Mind your own business.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next chapter, late at night,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1657,"2026-06-20T05:05:01.382Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0916bc0d4dd15234ee5bfed145d18effd4279c0740650159c3e87a963dea2ca6","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-237","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-235",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]