Chapter 27: The Drunken Beauty

Li Ye ultimately chose “Infiltration” as his trial piece to enter the 1980s novel scene.

After all, “Battle Through the Heavens” was far too ahead of its time; if submitted to a Hong Kong publisher, it might be treasured, but in the newly breezing Great Tianchao, it was still too heretical.

Consider that even a classic like “The Ordinary World” faced fierce opposition during award evaluations for being suspected of being a “feel-good novel.”

“Feel-good novel,” in today’s cultural circle, was met with very low acceptance.

If Li Ye were an established author, it might be different, but as a complete newcomer with no track record, they might just reject his manuscript outright.

After setting his target, Li Ye began drafting outlines on paper, then activated his past-life memories to write detailed scene-by-scene scripts based on the TV series.

The original novel of “Infiltration” was a short story, only one or two ten thousand characters long, with just five main characters; in terms of excitement, it fell short of the adapted TV version.

So Li Ye needed to convert the TV content into chapter-by-chapter narrative text—a task of “moderate difficulty.”

At this moment, Li Ye was grateful: in his past life, he had read extensively and even tried writing web novels, so the process of recreating it felt smooth, even exhilarating, as if guided by divine inspiration.

【Yu Zecheng gifts Wu Zhanzhang... frames Li Ya... Zuo Lan sacrifices herself...】

As Li Ye wrote his outline with ease, he faintly sensed someone “watching” him.

He turned his head and met the eyes of Wen Leyu, who had stretched her neck to sneakily peek at his writing.

Seeing that Li Ye had noticed her, Wen Leyu didn’t instantly retract like last time—she merely smiled, slightly shy.

After this period of mutual help, they were no longer distant; their relationship had begun to evolve toward that of close friends or siblings, so there was no need for awkwardness.

Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye’s dense outline and asked, “What are you writing?”

Li Ye thought for a moment and wrote on a piece of paper: “I’m writing a novel.”

“.........”

The previously curious Wen Leyu instantly became a bewildered kitten.

Her big eyes stared unblinking at Li Ye, her small mouth open in an O-shape, Jiujiuweihe .

She had lived eighteen years in a complex environment, seen countless people and affairs, yet never encountered someone so... confident.

Wen Leyu thought for a moment, took out a sheet of paper, and carefully wrote a passage.

【A inch has its length, a foot has its shortness; don’t feel inferior because of someone else’s fleeting brilliance—look at yourself, and you’ll find countless stars they lack.】

After writing, she nudged Li Ye’s arm with her elbow, signaling him to read her note.

Li Ye, still scribbling furiously, turned his head, surprised by the brief words; unconsciously, a warm sense of comfort flowed through his heart.

Li Ye took the note and wrote his reply beneath Wen Leyu’s words.

【I have no ties with Lu Jingyao anymore, and never will in this life—so please stop misunderstanding me.】

Wen Leyu leaned forward, watching Li Ye finish writing; after a few seconds of stunned silence, she casually picked up his fountain pen.

She wrote on the paper: 【What if Lu Jingyao comes back to you?】

Li Ye replied instantly: 【Tell her to get lost.】

“..........”

Wen Leyu stared calmly at Li Ye; after a long moment, a slow, spreading smile appeared on her palm-sized face.

Li Ye was momentarily stunned.

Some people conceal a mesmerizing beauty—Wen Leyu’s smile was like a peony in full bloom,

you thought the outer petals were already beautiful, but the next moment, even more stunning stamens revealed themselves.

Hao Jian’s efficiency was high; four days after Li Ye gave him five yuan, he found Li Ye at County No. 2 Middle School.

“I spent two days in the provincial capital and found some... partners, as you said.

Some are eager to wholesale sesame candy from us, but their orders are small; others are hard to deal with, demanding credit sales.”

“We don’t do credit sales,” Li Ye waved his hand. “Don’t think small volume means no profit.

Start small, learn who these people really are, figure out who can be long-term partners and who to avoid.”

“I understand.”

Hao Jian nodded. “I’m good at reading people—I knew you were a good guy from the start.”

Li Ye: “..........”

【Back then, you probably thought I was a gullible fool, didn’t you?】

Li Ye didn’t call out Hao Jian’s flattery; he pulled out fifty yuan from his pocket.

Hao Jian’s eyes lit up like a hundred-watt bulb.

In today’s Qingshui County, a bride’s dowry started at forty yuan, plus maybe two sets of clothes—fabric you’d make yourself—fifty yuan was truly a “large sum.”

Li Ye handed the money to Hao Jian. “Put it away safely. I’ll take you to meet someone.”

Hao Jian carefully took the money and tucked it into the inner lining of his vest, then asked casually, “Who? Your officer cousin?”

“No. A martial arts brother. He’ll help you from now on.”

“A martial arts brother?”

Hao Jian’s brisk steps paused slightly; he whispered, “Our small business can’t afford another person—we won’t make any profit.”

“You don’t need to worry. Just do as I say.”

Li Ye glanced back at Hao Jian with a half-smile. “You think I’m just investing money and doing nothing?”

Hao Jian immediately shook his head firmly. “How could I? The capital’s yours, the connections are yours—you’re the boss, I’m just the shopkeeper.”

Hao Jian was indeed a smart man of this era—he instantly found his exact role.

The capital was Li Ye’s, the market connections were Li Ye’s protection; Hao Jian was Sun Wukong—he’d still have to wear the golden circlet and pull the horse for his master.

Li Ye took Hao Jian to a shantytown in northern town, circling through confused memories, turning several corners, until he found a dilapidated courtyard.

In his memory, this courtyard housed one of Li Ye’s “martial brothers,” who had trained with his grandfather for a few days at fifteen.

Later, after being sent to the countryside and returning to the city, they never lost contact; he still visited Li’s home during holidays to pay respects to the old man.

But this kid was unruly; after being assigned to a construction company, he punched his team leader within a month.

After leaving the company, Jin Peng wandered the streets—either lounging at home playing cards or loitering outside movie theaters watching girls.

His mother was frantic, but what could she do? He was her own son.

As Li Ye reached the courtyard gate, he heard loud shouts inside: “Two kings!” “Pair of twos!”

“Jin Peng, Jin Peng, come out.”

Li Ye didn’t plan to interact with the people inside—he stood at the gate and called for Jin Peng.

“Huh? Who’s that?”

A window in the courtyard opened; a bald man on the kang jumped down, slipped on his shoes, and hurried out.

“Little Ye, what brings you here?”

“I need to discuss something with you.”

Li Ye pulled Jin Peng a few steps away and pointed to Hao Jian. “A relative of my classmate wants to do business in the provincial capital.

It’s not our turf—we need a bold, careful, reliable person to help. What do you think?”

“Do business in the provincial capital?” Jin Peng paused. “What kind? Will it involve blood?”

“.........”

Hao Jian was speechless. Why did he keep running into such fools? We’re here to make money, not to fight for territory!

Li Ye said, “Just selling sesame candy. No retail—local vendors there will take it. If trouble comes, scare them off first; if that fails, safety first—run.”

“I get it. Just call me when you’re ready to leave.”

Jin Peng agreed readily and turned to go back to his cards—he still had a pair of kings waiting to play!

But Li Ye held him back. “You might not get it—this could be a long-term business. I’m not asking you to help for free. You get two fen per jin of candy you escort.”

“..........”

Jin Peng blinked, as if finally understanding; he grinned at Li Ye. “Little Ye, you’ve got a stake in this business, don’t you?”

Li Ye didn’t answer. “Just say yes or no. If you won’t, I’ll find someone else.”

“Yes yes yes!” Jin Peng grabbed Li Ye’s arm, grinning. “I’m sick of being nagged by my mom at home—you’re saving your brother!”

Watching Li Ye and Jin Peng bond, Hao Jian felt both admiration and disappointment.

【So you’ve planted a spy on me!】

Hao Jian could guess with his toes—Li Ye’s “two fen per jin” commission was a “poisonous trick.”

Judging by Jin Peng’s sharp, efficient demeanor, he’d keep Hao Jian under tight surveillance—even a single jin’s discrepancy wouldn’t slip by.