[{"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-246":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},2294664,4489,"Chapter 246: Fish Seek Fish, Shrimp Seek Shrimp, Frogs Pair with Toads","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-246",246,"\u003Cp>Li Dayong sat beneath the girls’ dormitory with a thousand U.S. dollars, sitting there all night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By late April, Beijing was no longer cold, and Li Dayong’s body was very strong, but when dawn came, he couldn’t help letting out a light cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bear-like Li Dayong had thought all night but still couldn’t understand what Li Ye meant by that “angry remark” he’d dropped before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t because Li Dayong wasn’t smart—after all, in the simple society of 1983, perhaps only romantic poets would imagine such things as the fusion of spirit and gentleness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye’s words—“See what she can give you, weigh it, see if it’s worth it”—tormented Li Dayong all night long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I give her a thousand U.S. dollars, what will she give me in return? Will it be the bright smile she gave me when we first met? Or warm care?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong looked at the girls’ dormitory, which was slowly coming to life, and felt a faint sense of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year, when Li Dayong had been gently rejected by Hu Man, he was lonely and desolate—until he met Lin Qiuyan, a sophomore, at a Dongshan hometown gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hometowns were only fifty kilometers apart, with similar dialects; Lin Qiuyan, as an upperclassman, was eager to help new students, and Li Dayong quickly found comforting warmth in her bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, amid the good-natured teasing of those around them, the two naturally became a new-era couple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Li Dayong felt the tenderness of someone handing him a handkerchief after he’d broken into a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also tasted, for the first time, the longing described in “Love on Lushan Mountain”—the constant desire to see each other every single day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But somehow, whether from this past New Year or even earlier, that feeling had slowly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong still looked forward to meeting Lin Qiuyan every day, but after each meeting, he found himself “making mistakes,” and the anxiety he felt far outweighed the warmth he once knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lin Qiuyan’s irritation and blame had become noticeably more frequent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes Li Dayong would soberly ask himself: Where had the Lin Qiuyan been who used to take him around campus, her laughter scattering along the way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Did I lose her?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong tried his hardest to change himself, to become the kind of “ambitious” boy Lin Qiuyan wanted—but after failing his TOEFL, it seemed all his efforts were in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Where exactly did I go wrong?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong couldn’t help shaking his head and reaching into his pant pocket, wanting to light a cigarette to clear his mind before talking properly with Lin Qiuyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when his hand touched his pocket, he remembered he had quit smoking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lin Qiuyan didn’t like boys who smoked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in high school, during his retake year, one of Li Dayong’s biggest wishes was to someday smoke Daqianmen cigarettes—whenever he wanted, as many as he liked, no matter the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now that he was in college, he barely glanced at Daqianmen, didn’t even care much for Mudan cigarettes—and yet he’d quit smoking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Dayong, what are you doing sitting here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A puzzled call jolted Li Dayong out of his daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up and saw two girls from his class: Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both wore sportswear, clearly preparing for a morning run, and had just spotted Li Dayong, who had sat there all night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong immediately felt awkward and smiled: “Oh, I just finished my morning run—I’m waiting for someone here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin looked at Li Dayong’s slightly damp hair and frowned: “You just ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin was on the school’s long-distance running team; she knew too well what a person looked like after running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong’s face wasn’t flushed at all—it was faintly pale—and his outer hair was damp, the bench beside him covered in cool dew; he’d clearly been sitting there a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong saw Shao Huimin’s confusion and quickly changed the subject: “You’re going for a run too? Hey, are those sportswear from Fenghua? The ‘Support Domestic Goods’ ones? They look really nice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the topic shift was awkward, girls naturally took interest in clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the two girls’ new sportswear was indeed far more attractive than the common blue uniforms most students wore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! We bought them last Sunday—we queued for two hours!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two hours? Are you buying train tickets? Is it really that hard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong made a half-joke; though he knew Fenghua’s quality was excellent, he couldn’t imagine these privileged college students would willingly queue for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the school still promoted “frugality and simplicity,” and most students didn’t have much money—a fifty-yuan outfit wasn’t cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingli laughed: “We were lucky to get ours after two hours. Qu Qianqian wanted the Doukou casual line—she queued for three hours and only got a reservation slip. Who knows when it’ll even arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Doukou series?” Li Dayong nodded. “I know that line—it’s designed for young people, good quality and style.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More than good,” Shao Huimin said, curious as ever. “You don’t know what you’ve got until you compare. Qu Qianqian told us even the clothes at Friendship Store can’t match the Doukou series—but they’re just too hard to get.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Li Dayong thought a moment. “Actually, I might have some connections—if you want Fenghua later, I might be able to help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls froze, then eagerly asked: “Can you ask if the Liren series still has stock? My sister’s gone buying it several times—she couldn’t get a single piece!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason you can’t get them is because people are shallow, blind to the truth, willing to be deceived by crooked merchants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold voice echoed behind the three girls, instantly dashing their cheer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli turned to see Lin Qiuyan walking slowly toward them, holding two books.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan had a habit of morning reading; she’d just left the dorm and spotted Li Dayong with the two girls. Seeing them chatting happily, she couldn’t help but blurt out a sarcastic remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong frowned, ready to explain—but Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli weren’t having it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minister Lin, what do you mean? Who are you calling shallow? Who are you saying got cheated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! You wear imported sneakers and pants, but we support domestic goods—what’s wrong with that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls had just bought two sets of sportswear that were both beautiful and comfortable—only to be called “shallow” and “deceived” by Lin Qiuyan. How could they accept that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I say you were shallow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan’s cold gaze swept over them, lingering on Li Dayong, then said: “Fenghua Clothing launched its ‘Support Domestic Goods’ and ‘Exported Goods Turned Domestic Sales’ ads two months ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it truly supported domestic goods, it shouldn’t use ‘exported turned domestic’ as a marketing gimmick—and certainly shouldn’t deceive people. You? You’ve just been fooled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin froze, then replied irritably: “What’s the conflict between supporting domestic goods and exporting then turning sales domestic? Our goods are good enough to export, and since people here want them, they’re sold domestically—what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that better than imported clothes that look awful but cost hundreds?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan, who had a cousin who returned from abroad, always wore a few imported items and considered herself more “fashionable” than others—making her a magnet for resentment among girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lin Qiuyan, facing Shao Huimin’s veiled jab, replied coldly: “Do you know Fenghua Clothing was only registered after this past New Year? The spring Canton Fair just ended—so when exactly did they export anything? If not deception, then what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lin Qiuyan, facing Shao Huimin’s veiled insinuations, replied coldly: “Do you even know that Fenghua clothing was only registered after this year’s Spring Festival, yet this year’s Spring Canton Fair has just ended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli were speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was no export, how could there be “turned domestic”? It was an undeniable flaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls looked down at their new sportswear—and suddenly it didn’t seem so appealing anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re wrong, Qiuyan. Fenghua Clothing didn’t deceive anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls looked down at their new sportswear and suddenly found it less appealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three girls turned sharply toward Li Dayong, who had spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan’s eyes glinted with icy hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Dayong slowly stood up and spoke calmly: “From its founding, Fenghua targeted both domestic and overseas markets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its Liren series three-button waistcoat, its Doukou series stand-collar casual wear, and the sportswear Shao Huimin is wearing—all won awards at the Tokyo Fashion Week in March.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And at the just-concluded spring Canton Fair, Fenghua Clothing secured orders totaling over two million eight hundred thousand U.S. dollars from twenty-one countries and regions—this news even made the headlines in Yangcheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin, Meng Qingli, and Lin Qiuyan all froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And at the just-concluded Spring Canton Fair, Fenghua Clothing secured orders totaling over two million eight hundred thousand U.S. dollars from twenty-one countries and regions—a story that made the headlines in Yangcheng’s newspapers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at Li Dayong’s calm delivery, and for a moment, time seemed to twist—she was back half a year ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Li Dayong had been just as confident, cheerful, and interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today’s time and place were wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan was locked in a standoff with these two girls—and where did Li Dayong stand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he gone blind? Had he changed his heart? Was he smitten with these two immature girls?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong hadn’t gone blind. He hadn’t changed his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fenghua Clothing was the lifeblood of Li Ye, Jin Peng, and several other brothers—he, Li Dayong, even if he were the worst scoundrel, had to defend its honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan took several deep breaths to hold back from shouting at Li Dayong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fenghua’s contracts were just signed—they haven’t exported anything yet,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan sneered. “And if you think Fenghua is so great, do you know its designs weren’t made by us Chinese, but licensed from a Hong Kong company?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So how can it be called domestic? If we’re behind internationally, we should admit it honestly—not use such despicable tricks to deceive the public.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli were stunned—they hadn’t expected such revelations from a simple morning encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So can it still be called a domestic product? If we lag behind international brands, we should admit it honestly, not deceive the public with such despicable tactics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Lin Qiuyan finished than the two girls saw Li Dayong’s face darken, becoming grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know the designs were made by mainlanders? But they had no chance to exhibit overseas, so they partnered with Hong Kong—how is that not domestic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng and Hao Jian had witnessed Li Ye modifying the designs at Fan Xiuling’s shop—they’d told their best friend every detail, eager to boast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Lin Qiuyan had struck directly at Li Ye—and Li Dayong could no longer hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Lin Qiuyan, let me remind you: Hong Kong is part of our country’s territory. Goods from Hong Kong are domestic goods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Lin Qiuyan had brought this up, it was tantamount to a direct strike at Li Ye; Li Dayong could no longer hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan’s face turned instantly pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong’s sharp words pierced her like a betrayal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Dayong, do you know what you’re saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan’s voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong felt uneasy too—but he held firm: “I’m correcting your misunderstanding. Domestic goods struggle—let’s show them less prejudice and more support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the second-grain shop, Li Ye had subtly instilled in the eight-member group the belief: “Foreign things aren’t that great—Zhonghua is the best.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong could smile and quietly accept Lin Qiuyan’s petty moods; he could silently tolerate her admiration for imports and her longing for overseas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the second grain store, Li Ye had subtly instilled in the eight-person group the idea that foreign countries weren’t anything special and that Zhonghua was the greatest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong could smile and meekly accept Lin Qiuyan’s petty moods; he could also remain silent and offer no rebuttal when she idolized imported goods and longed for overseas lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when faced with such obvious misunderstandings and contempt, the spark Li Ye had planted deep within him flared up instantly, giving him the strength to resist with righteous indignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan bit her lip and fell silent for a long while before coldly asking Li Dayong: “You’ve been waiting here for me this early morning—just to say all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingli, indignant, spoke up: “Hey, Lin Qiuyan, Li Dayong just finished his morning run and is resting here—how’s that waiting for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan ignored Meng Qingli and turned her gaze to Li Dayong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong stared blankly for a long moment, then suddenly chuckled: “Yes, I’ve been waiting here for you—and I’ve waited all night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Qingli: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong smiled at the two classmates and gestured for them to leave first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two girls had gone, Li Dayong said: “I found a friend who can exchange dollars—I’ve been waiting here for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong had planned to pull out the dollars right away, but remembered Li Ye’s words and, for some inexplicable reason, decided to lay a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Dayong saw Lin Qiuyan’s cold, sharp gaze soften slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why wait all night? And why did you just act like that with Shao Huimin and the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I waited all night because… I wanted to ask you a question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong looked up at Lin Qiuyan, hesitated repeatedly, then said: “I heard many overseas students, once they see the splendor abroad, never want to return home. So what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about, Dayong? Are you trying to destroy me? Don’t you know if this rumor spreads, my study-abroad qualification will be revoked immediately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with Lin Qiuyan’s sudden outburst, Li Dayong was taken aback—but his heart slowly grew cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan’s reaction shouldn’t have been this strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan had told Li Dayong more than once about her cousin, the beacon of her study-abroad dreams, who had seen such a wonderful world abroad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How advanced were the clothes, cars, and goods in the beacon; how respected the intellectuals there; how she had delayed her return home for months before reluctantly coming back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This directly contradicted everything Li Ye had instilled in him over the past two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Dayong, I’ll write you a letter,” Lin Qiuyan sighed. “How many dollars does your friend have? Five to one? Six to one? If it’s seven to one, I won’t exchange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong shook his head, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the dollars Li Ye had given him. “My friend gave them to me—no need for you to exchange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan stared at Li Dayong in surprise, then said without mercy: “Pretending to be rich only makes you look pitiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong, where did your original reserve and humility go when you first came to school? Are you trying to maintain your self-confidence with money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you fail the TOEFL, you can retake it next year—but if you lose your confidence, what hope do you have left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You came from a small county to Jingcheng; your family spoiled you a little—does that make you think you’re special? Do you know how many people in this world are more talented, more hardworking than you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong stared at Lin Qiuyan in shock, listening to her lecture-like reprimands, and suddenly found it hilarious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Wasn’t it you, Lin Qiuyan, who wore away my self-confidence?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, Li Dayong’s grades weren’t as good as Lin Qiuyan’s—he was average in class, unlike her, the top student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had never lost confidence—he had always worked hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his family spoiling him a little, that wasn’t wrong either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong had never felt pride in earning his own money—he had been carried by Li Ye, who was his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So whenever Lin Qiuyan urged him to “improve,” he humbly accepted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he suddenly understood: who the hell isn’t being carried?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five to one, six to one—do you, Lin Qiuyan, even have your own money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aren’t you also relying on your family to buy dollars for you, to fund your study abroad and let you see the glittering world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fish seek fish, shrimp seek shrimp; frogs find toads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan, from start to finish, had always thought Li Dayong was just a frog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the Second Grain Store, Li Ye had clearly told everyone: “We’re the golden carp that leaped over the dragon gate—we’ve risen on clouds to become dragons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong tilted his head back, gazing at the sky, and laughed freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An invisible chain, as if shattered inch by inch with that quiet laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man’s liberation always comes in a single moment of realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why many are wrongly labeled “jerks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that “jerk” may have endured great injustice for a long, long time before his liberation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong gripped the 1,000 dollars tightly, turned decisively, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qiuyan was stunned, watching Li Dayong grow smaller and smaller until she shouted angrily: “Li Dayong, what do you mean by this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong stopped, turned back gently, and smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. From now on, don’t write to me—we’re not on the same path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Dayong, don’t you regret this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—I’ll never regret it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong smiled and broke into a run, as if afraid Lin Qiuyan would chase after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faster he ran, the lighter his heart became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【So, letting go completely isn’t as painful as I thought.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Dayong, didn’t you just finish your morning run? Why are you running so fast now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shao Huimin and Meng Qingli, spotting Li Dayong running, teased him playfully—the lovestruck fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Dayong just laughed “Ha!” and quickened his pace, sprinting past the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crossed the street, squeezed onto a bus, rode all the way to Jingda, then, panting, found Li Ye and handed him the 1,000 dollars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, here you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stared at Li Dayong, who was gasping like a dog, and after a long moment chuckled: “You’ve figured it out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have. She’s not a bad person—but she’s not worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong slapped the 1,000 dollars into Li Ye’s hand and smiled: “Brother, you were right—I have the right to choose a forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t need to compromise for anyone, or suffer injustice for anyone. There are plenty of flowers on every horizon—I’ll meet a girl who truly likes me, and whom I truly like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Li Ye had suspected something, he was still surprised by Li Dayong’s “growth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Did I accidentally raise a charming little prince?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment, then said seriously: “Dayong, tell me exactly what happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong didn’t feel awkward—he told Li Ye everything that had happened that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, the rest doesn’t matter, but I finally realized: her values clash with ours. She reveres the splendor abroad but looks down on our own ‘hard work leads to wealth’—it’s contradictory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is contradictory,” Li Ye mused, then asked: “Did Lin Qiuyan know the registration date of Fenghua Clothing and the Hong Kong design licensing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong didn’t notice Li Ye’s unusual tone and nodded: “Yes, her cousin worked in the foreign trade system after returning from abroad—she must have told Lin Qiuyan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh~ I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded and changed the subject: “You said your classmates couldn’t get Fenghua brand clothes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong replied: “Yeah! I blurted out I had connections—wouldn’t selling just a few dozen pieces not affect normal sales?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it wouldn’t—but your method is wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment: “When you get back to school, contact your homeroom teacher or the student union. Say Fenghua Clothing plans to hold a student-only sale at your school, offering a limited number of garments at a 30% discount. Ask if they’re interested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong blinked, then quickly shook his head: “Brother, I just wanted to help a few classmates—you don’t need to lose money just to save face for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who said I’m losing money? Have you ever seen me do anything that loses money? Get moving—this is your time as a shareholder to work for everyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye punched Li Dayong lightly in the shoulder and sent the bewildered bear on his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children of the 1980s had limited exposure—they didn’t know university students were among the most receptive to fashion. Once Fenghua built a reputation among them, their influence on the brand would be astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3434,"2026-06-20T05:05:01.382Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","eb3812582dca4b26db25041ced8bc258fac69653764755a9eb7bd0f7b37e68a2","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-247","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-245",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]