[{"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-27":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},2294445,4489,"Chapter 27: The Drunken Beauty","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>Li Ye ultimately chose “Infiltration” as his trial piece to enter the 1980s novel scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consider that even a classic like “The Ordinary World” faced fierce opposition during award evaluations for being suspected of being a “feel-good novel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feel-good novel,” in today’s cultural circle, was met with very low acceptance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Li Ye needed to convert the TV content into chapter-by-chapter narrative text—a task of “moderate difficulty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Yu Zecheng gifts Wu Zhanzhang... frames Li Ya... Zuo Lan sacrifices herself...】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye wrote his outline with ease, he faintly sensed someone “watching” him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and met the eyes of Wen Leyu, who had stretched her neck to sneakily peek at his writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Li Ye had noticed her, Wen Leyu didn’t instantly retract like last time—she merely smiled, slightly shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye’s dense outline and asked, “What are you writing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment and wrote on a piece of paper: “I’m writing a novel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previously curious Wen Leyu instantly became a bewildered kitten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her big eyes stared unblinking at Li Ye, her small mouth open in an O-shape, Jiujiuweihe .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had lived eighteen years in a complex environment, seen countless people and affairs, yet never encountered someone so... confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu thought for a moment, took out a sheet of paper, and carefully wrote a passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【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.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After writing, she nudged Li Ye’s arm with her elbow, signaling him to read her note.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye, still scribbling furiously, turned his head, surprised by the brief words; unconsciously, a warm sense of comfort flowed through his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye took the note and wrote his reply beneath Wen Leyu’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【I have no ties with Lu Jingyao anymore, and never will in this life—so please stop misunderstanding me.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu leaned forward, watching Li Ye finish writing; after a few seconds of stunned silence, she casually picked up his fountain pen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wrote on the paper: 【What if Lu Jingyao comes back to you?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye replied instantly: 【Tell her to get lost.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Leyu stared calmly at Li Ye; after a long moment, a slow, spreading smile appeared on her palm-sized face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people conceal a mesmerizing beauty—Wen Leyu’s smile was like a peony in full bloom,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>you thought the outer petals were already beautiful, but the next moment, even more stunning stamens revealed themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I spent two days in the provincial capital and found some... partners, as you said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some are eager to wholesale sesame candy from us, but their orders are small; others are hard to deal with, demanding credit sales.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t do credit sales,” Li Ye waved his hand. “Don’t think small volume means no profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Start small, learn who these people really are, figure out who can be long-term partners and who to avoid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian nodded. “I’m good at reading people—I knew you were a good guy from the start.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Back then, you probably thought I was a gullible fool, didn’t you?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t call out Hao Jian’s flattery; he pulled out fifty yuan from his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian’s eyes lit up like a hundred-watt bulb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye handed the money to Hao Jian. “Put it away safely. I’ll take you to meet someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian carefully took the money and tucked it into the inner lining of his vest, then asked casually, “Who? Your officer cousin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. A martial arts brother. He’ll help you from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A martial arts brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian’s brisk steps paused slightly; he whispered, “Our small business can’t afford another person—we won’t make any profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to worry. Just do as I say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye glanced back at Hao Jian with a half-smile. “You think I’m just investing money and doing nothing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian was indeed a smart man of this era—he instantly found his exact role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye took Hao Jian to a shantytown in northern town, circling through confused memories, turning several corners, until he found a dilapidated courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this kid was unruly; after being assigned to a construction company, he punched his team leader within a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the company, Jin Peng wandered the streets—either lounging at home playing cards or loitering outside movie theaters watching girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother was frantic, but what could she do? He was her own son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye reached the courtyard gate, he heard loud shouts inside: “Two kings!” “Pair of twos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jin Peng, Jin Peng, come out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t plan to interact with the people inside—he stood at the gate and called for Jin Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Who’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A window in the courtyard opened; a bald man on the kang jumped down, slipped on his shoes, and hurried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Ye, what brings you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need to discuss something with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not our turf—we need a bold, careful, reliable person to help. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do business in the provincial capital?” Jin Peng paused. “What kind? Will it involve blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian was speechless. Why did he keep running into such fools? We’re here to make money, not to fight for territory!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I get it. Just call me when you’re ready to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jin Peng agreed readily and turned to go back to his cards—he still had a pair of kings waiting to play!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t answer. “Just say yes or no. If you won’t, I’ll find someone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Ye and Jin Peng bond, Hao Jian felt both admiration and disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【So you’ve planted a spy on me!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Jian could guess with his toes—Li Ye’s “two fen per jin” commission was a “poisonous trick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>",1486,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3b36fcb950d2114237ae5ea5c2c09450806d82446e05ed6192f797531808c52f","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-28","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-26",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]