[{"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-253":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},2294671,4489,"Chapter 253: I Want French Fries","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-253",253,"\u003Cp>After the debate ended, the scene grew chaotic; Li Ye’s homeroom teacher, Mu Yunning, squeezed through from the back rows to the front—only to find Li Ye had vanished in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Li Ye? Where’d he run off to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Xianjin and Pu Xianghe both shrank their necks, skulking backward like quails, leaving class monitor Zhen Rongrong exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Mu Yunning, a beautiful homeroom teacher, was not the type to befriend students; when they misbehaved, she scolded them like reprimanding a grandson—sharp, loud, and unforgiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her stern expression now, had Li Ye’s earlier talk about marriage and love once again violated school taboos?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong understood Mu Yunning better; she knew this teacher was cold on the outside but warm inside—after all, with her high looks, if she were always gentle, it would invite endless unnecessary trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Mu Yunning said: “Teacher, Li Ye left with friends from the Literature Society. Did we do something wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yunning shook her head slightly: “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just want to warn you—someone will definitely come to argue with you next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remind Li Ye not to engage them. If they keep harassing, come find me immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, okay, Teacher Mu, we’ll remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong didn’t grasp Mu Yunning’s meaning—she merely nodded humbly in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her view, today their group had utterly won, crushing the opponents so badly they couldn’t even lift their heads—who’d dare argue with them again? Who even had the right to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Rongrong and the others were still too young; they didn’t understand human nature like Mu Yunning did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone’s interests were pierced by you, of course they’d fight you to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d cling, harass, spare no effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid trouble, Li Ye slipped away with Wen Leyu the moment the debate ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wandered all the way to Weiminghu, finally holding hands as they strolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But tonight, Wen Leyu took the lead—her small hand gripped Li Ye’s tightly, her lips curved in a smile, her brows softly bent—clearly, she was delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked: “What are you smiling at, Xiao Yu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu tilted her head, gave Li Ye a sideways glance, pouted, and held back laughter: “I just can’t help laughing thinking about how you looked—still underage, yet lecturing seriously about family and marriage, acting all old and dignified.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of talk is that? Who’s acting old and pretentious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye chuckled: “I’m underage, sure—but haven’t I seen pigs run even if I never ate pork? I’m not bragging—I know every damn thing about family and marriage problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha~ ‘Know every damn thing’? You’re full of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Ye’s final Beijing slang—“men qing er”—Wen Leyu finally burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu, compared to other girls, was undeniably rational.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye’s speech during the debate resonated with every girl present—including Wen Leyu herself; after all, they’d come this far, they’d surely imagined spending their lives together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because of Li Ye’s age, Wen Leyu, though deeply moved, always felt he was a bit unserious—yet charming, and she liked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not bragging.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye held Wen Leyu’s hand as they walked: “When my grandfather hadn’t returned to work, our family lived in extreme poverty. My father dragged me and my sister along—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We had barely enough grain left; my grandmother could only cook one pot of gruel a day—I ate first, then my father, then my grandfather.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when it came to my grandmother’s turn, she’d always push half her bowl to my grandfather and say, ‘I can’t finish it—drink it for me.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just our family—many households in Qingshui County had the same situation, including the arranged marriages everyone now rejects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sighed: “Marriage isn’t always beautiful—but it must be real. The flowers and romance in poems are love, but a bowl of hot soup on the stove? That’s love too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, these words came straight from Li Ye’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, he’d given out several bouquets of flowers—but the hot soup he received? Less than half a bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the 1980s, love expressed as a bowl of hot soup was common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s a real man’s spring? Right now, this is it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait a few decades till summer—love becomes scorching, like midsummer heat: “Princess, please get in the car. Princess, please have dinner. Princess, tonight, may your humble servant sleep beside you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu turned her head again toward Li Ye, her tiny nose slowly reddening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eat someone’s food, you’re bound to be silent. Take someone’s hand, you soften.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu had never known the hardship of half a bowl of hot soup—but Li Ye had fed her for nearly two years; could she not taste the depth in it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the fruit lunchbox he brought daily just fruit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Full, overflowing love had long spilled into Wen Leyu’s heart, hadn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clever Wen Leyu suddenly grinned slyly, pouting with a pitiful tone: “I didn’t eat enough tonight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye froze, unsettled by Wen Leyu’s unusual behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what do you want? I still have two packs of biscuits and a few apples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu lowered her head, hiding her triumphant gaze, speaking soft and sweet: “I want fried French fries~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nearly slapped the back of her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because her adorable look right now was identical to his late sister’s little niece in his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he shouldn’t let her eat junk—but could he resist her pouting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had clever Wen Leyu learned this girl’s ultimate dragon-slaying tactic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye sighed: “Fried French fries aren’t good to eat often—they make you fat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu’s figure, nurtured by Li Ye’s care, had reached the perfect balance—slightly chubby, youthful, flushed with health; he didn’t dare disrupt this rare harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu pouted, speaking seriously: “My mom says I’m too thin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine! Did Wen Leyu really crave those little fries? She was savoring the “love” Li Ye spoke of, wasn’t she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, let’s go make fried French fries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye forgot all about disciplining her—he grabbed Wen Leyu’s hand and headed for the dorm to get the bike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To get fries, they had to go to Zaojunmiao; even rushing back, they’d return by nine or ten—no bike, no chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Li Ye and Wen Leyu reached the boys’ dormitory building, they were surrounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye recognized a few among them—Lu Gang, and a couple of poets with considerable talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the poet opened his mouth, Lu Gang cut in: “Li Ye, we’ve reviewed the debate—your team violated the speaking rules, constantly seizing our speaking time, using sophistry to drag the topic completely off love.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re not stupid after all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the debate, Li Ye’s group had indeed exploited Zhu Yonghe and Lu Gang’s confusion, breaking the turn-taking rule, firing rapid questions to secure victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was—I spoke once, and you guys took half a minute to react. Should I wait for you to catch up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye had no patience to argue with Lu Gang now—he said coldly: “Classmates, this isn’t debate time. If you’ve got something to say, find me another day—we’ll settle it face to face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poet, who’d been cut off by Lu Gang, tried again—but Li Ye’s blunt words shut him down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was instantly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he wasn’t as famous as the era’s top poets whose appearances drew crowds, he was still a popular figure everywhere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone loved discussing poetry and literature with him; who’d ever been silenced before even speaking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, how can you be like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Gang snapped: “We’ve waited here for you so long—you’re incredibly rude, incredibly uncultured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye had been thinking only of frying fries for Wen Leyu—then suddenly heard “uncultured.” His detached indifference shattered; his dark, violent side erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye released Wen Leyu’s hand and moved to grab Lu Gang’s throat—to teach him what culture meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu’s hand didn’t let go—she gripped Li Ye tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she stepped forward, glaring at Lu Gang: “Who are you calling uncultured? Say it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye suddenly realized—he’d underestimated Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the aura of authority radiating from Wen Leyu was so intense, no one dared meet her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye had fists strong enough to take on thirteen men without fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu? She carried an innate, bone-deep contempt for her opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Gang couldn’t utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt if he dared repeat it, something terrible would happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the poet regained his composure and addressed Li Ye: “Li Ye, right? I’m XX. I came here to hear your debate on love—but arrived late due to an emergency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After hearing Lu Gang’s account, I’m deeply dissatisfied with your thoughts. How can you bind great love with narrow, outdated ideas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hasn’t feudal oppression been enough for us in thousands of years? Aren’t there enough conservative shackles on our souls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your words tying love to marriage are an insult to great love. Why bind formless, intangible emotion with worldly rules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d believe you if I were an idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A netizen once said something sharp: I actually admire a certain poet’s wife—she allowed her husband to bring his mistress home and applaud him face to face...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who are you flirting with?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can fool pure-hearted 1980s teenagers—but talk love to me? I’ve seen countless scumbags and tea-bitches, and I know your true colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for poetry alone, Li Ye had to admit—some poets were gods mortals could never reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading their work, you truly felt the power and beauty of words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But face-to-face preaching? Li Ye didn’t give a damn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s live in peace—you win girls’ admiration, that’s your skill; I won’t interfere. After all, this era is your golden moment—you can’t judge you by future standards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But don’t come near me. If you do, I’ll spit in your face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Li Ye realized—he might have interfered with their good times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Ye’s remarks during today’s debate were to spread widely, countless people’s interests would be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they might also redeem some people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saving a life surpasses building a seven-tiered pagoda; Li Ye would never regret his words today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1701,"2026-06-20T05:05:01.382Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","94486527fff29ac000329841f28b21102a79f64864d2bf3ed0e00cd5ddf1f8d0","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-254","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-252",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]