Chapter 285: Do You Expect Me to Kneel and Beg You?

Pei Wencong was all smiles, chatting happily with Wu Jinyuan, while Watching Wen Leyu whispered to Li Ye, "Is that Pei Wencong from Tailang? He looks quite familiar with Wu Jinyuan!"

Li Ye replied with a smirk, "Well, they say the first time is a meeting, the second is an acquaintance. This is only their second encounter."

Watching Wen Leyu narrowed her eyes. "But looking at him now, it doesn't seem like he's planning to go head-to-head with Wu Jinyuan."

"Heh, that's not necessarily true."

Li Ye walked over to Pei Wencong with a very gentle expression and said, "Mr. Pei, please go ahead with your business. I'll go gather my colleagues from the Literature Society to prepare a welcome for you."

"..."

Pei Wencong froze for two seconds. Looking at Li Ye's gentle smile, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Logically speaking, Pei Wencong now possessed the powerful aura of someone "overwhelmed by wealth," but facing the smiling Li Ye, he suddenly lost all his confidence.

"Literature Society? Liu Xiaohui and A-Qiang have already gone there. I came specifically to find you, Mr. Li..."

Pei Wencong knew who the real protagonist was, so he quickly abandoned the fair and beautiful Wu Jinyuan and began chatting enthusiastically with Li Ye.

"Liu Xiaohui? She came to the capital too?"

Li Ye asked with a surprised smile, and then he saw a group of people from the Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Literature Society approaching, surrounding A-Qiang and Pei Wenhui. They were all beaming with joy, looking as excited as serfs who had finally seen the dawn of liberation.

Before they even entered, Sun Xianjin, with his loud voice from the Northeast, shouted into the activity room, "Li Ye, A-Qiang said their boss is here! Not only are they buying our copyrights, but they're also willing to invest in a movie. Now let's see what that Wu woman..."

"Uh..."

The "Wu woman" stood quietly in the activity room, looking calmly at Sun Xianjin and the others. Her faint smile, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the window, seemed somewhat blinding.

Sun Xianjin, an honest lad, felt awkward and started to retreat, but he was pushed forward by Li Huaisheng and Yang Yumin behind him.

They, however, felt no awkwardness at all.

These past few days, the Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Literature Society had suffered enough grievances. Not only were they pressured by various departments, but two students had even wavered, suggesting they should hand over the copyrights for free to avoid "damaging international cooperation," which had nearly infuriated Li Huaisheng and the others.

Hearing the news brought by A-Qiang was like seeing reinforcements descend from the heavens when they were besieged and running out of ammunition.

And Pei Wencong's next sentence gave them a sense of absolute security.

"A-Qiang is just impatient. Making such a small matter known to everyone makes me seem too petty."

Li Ye pointed at Pei Wencong. "This is Mr. Pei from Tailang Literature Publishing House."

Li Huaisheng and Yang Yumin hurried over to express their warm welcome.

"Mr. Pei, A-Qiang mentioned you last time he was here. Thank you, thank you for coming to Jingda during our most difficult time..."

"It's only right. Although I haven't met you all before, I've felt a spiritual connection through your writing for a long time. Since *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Homeward* has successfully concluded, I must come and hand out red envelopes to everyone."

Pei Wencong beckoned to Pei Wenhui, who took a thick stack of red envelopes from her bag and handed them over.

Ten large red envelopes were for the students who participated in creating *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Homeward*, and she also gave small red envelopes to every student present, wishing them good luck.

The seven or eight students from the school debate team said they weren't part of the Literature Society, but Pei Wencong generously stated that they were all one family. He said that since this was his first time returning home in so many years, giving red envelopes to his younger brothers and sisters was just for good luck, and refusing would be an insult.

This made everyone overjoyed—not just because the envelopes were substantial, but because of Pei Wencong's words: "We are all one family."

Pei Wencong handed the ten large envelopes to Li Ye, who in turn gave them to Li Huaisheng.

"*Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Homeward* was born in your hands, Li Huaisheng, and it concludes in your hands today. It's a complete beginning and end."

Li Huaisheng was deeply moved. He was merely the founder of the Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Literature Society, but he couldn't deny that the success of *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Homeward* was largely due to Li Ye.

Furthermore, Li Ye had already begun taking over the Literature Society this semester. If he were a shameless person, he wouldn't just be holding onto these red envelopes; he would have claimed all the credit for himself.

Li Huaisheng said solemnly, "Li Ye, don't say that. This is the result of our collective effort, especially yours—your contribution is number one. And Yang Yumin, the lead writer, also put in a lot of work. Compared to you, I'm at best third..."

Li Ye glanced sideways at Old Yang, seeing him wearing a brand-new Fenghua-brand shirt, and let out a soft "Hmph" through his nose.

Yang Yumin smiled awkwardly, feeling quite helpless.

He had indeed bought that shirt from Li Yue, but he had paid full price for it without a single cent of discount. His relationship with Li Yue was perfectly, strictly normal.

The atmosphere at the scene grew increasingly lively. However, Li Huaisheng checked the time and said to Li Ye, "The school has been notified. I expect there will be arrangements soon. Let's go together!"

Li Ye replied, "I can't finish up here for a while. Why don't you take Mr. Pei to greet the school leadership first?"

Li Huaisheng frowned. "Is what you're doing here that urgent?"

Li Ye said, "The competition is the day after tomorrow. I have to prepare carefully. I'll find you once I'm done."

Li Huaisheng had no choice but to lead Pei Wencong away. Pei Wencong exchanged a knowing look with Li Ye and nodded.

Before arriving, Li Ye had given him many instructions, all of which he had memorized.

"Goodbye, Mr. Li!"

"Goodbye, Mr. Li!"

The members of the Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Literature Society left, surrounding Pei Wencong. A-Qiang and Pei Wenhui both said goodbye to Li Ye solemnly, which once again raised the crowd's estimation of Li Ye.

"So writing popular fiction actually carries such high status? And those people were always scolding..."

"What do you mean 'popular fiction'? Li Ye and the others are writing history; it has significant historical research value."

They hadn't even warmed the red envelopes in their hands, and people were already saying the writing wasn't "literary"?

Someone opened their envelope and found ten 10-dollar Hong Kong banknotes—a total of 100 dollars.

"Whoa, the compatriots from Hong Kong are truly generous. A whole hundred!"

"Put it away, put it away! Don't you see the foreign guest is still there?"

"So what if the foreign guest is there?"

"You're stupid! Didn't you hear that Mr. Pei wants to invest in a movie? They're here to compete for business."

"Uh, uh, uh..."

Wu Jinyuan didn't seem to care. She walked up to Li Ye and asked, "Student Li Ye, did you invite Mr. Pei to invest in *Wangxiang Wangxiang Gujun Looking Homeward*?"

Li Ye replied calmly, "Ms. Wu, do you think I have the influence to invite Mr. Pei?"

Wu Jinyuan stared at Li Ye for two seconds before saying, "Regardless, Mr. Pei is not a professional in film and television. Choosing to cooperate with him might lead to many unexpected situations."

Li Ye stared back at Wu Jinyuan for two seconds, then replied with a faint, cold smile, "But we are already in a situation. Li Huaisheng and the others haven't been able to have a proper conversation with you for nearly two months. Do you really expect them to kneel and beg you?"

Wu Jinyuan: "..."

Seeing Wu Jinyuan remain silent, Li Ye added, "By the way, the Hong Kong series *The Legendary Fok* has been broadcast on Guangdong Television with great success and might soon be aired on the First Hu Hu Shitai."

Wu Jinyuan's face turned pale.

Her original intention in coming to the mainland was because she noticed the rapid spread of pirated videotapes of Hong Kong and Taiwan dramas, so she wanted to be the first to introduce Singaporean dramas to the mainland.

But unexpectedly, Hong Kong had beaten her to it.

*The Legendary Fok* was a 20-episode Hong Kong television series introduced by Guangdong Television in 1983. It was the first Hong Kong/Taiwan film or television work officially introduced to the mainland and held great significance.

For many years to come, Hong Kong and Taiwan film and television would dominate the mainland, cultivating countless fans and stars, with endless commercial value following.

As for television dramas, Singapore was a latecomer that had learned from Hong Kong, but they had the advantage of Mandarin, which was why Wu Jinyuan had been so confident. Who would have thought that by wasting two months, she would end up in this predicament?

Knowing how to handle people is a skill; if you can't hold onto an opportunity, it will simply slip away.

After the debate team preparations ended, Li Ye and Watching Wen Leyu walked toward the school gate.

Watching Wen Leyu asked in a low voice, "Are you sure Mr. Pei will help you?"

Li Ye replied lazily, "Don't worry. Our relationship is quite special; it's hard to say who is helping whom!"

Watching Wen Leyu took out a small red envelope and hummed, "You have a special relationship with that Liu Xiaohui too, right?"

Li Ye looked at Watching Wen Leyu strangely. "Liu Xiaohui? You mean Pei Wenhui? What about her?"

Watching Wen Leyu counted the 100 Hong Kong dollar note, smiling, "That young lady from a wealthy family had eyes that lit up when she looked at you!"

"Hahahaha!"

Li Ye laughed heartily.

Watching Wen Leyu was actually "jealous."

The little girl was certainly no ordinary person, but she couldn't resist the nature of a woman. Seeing her smiling face but "dangerous" eyes, she looked just like a kitten snatching a fish.

Li Ye leaned closer to Watching Wen Leyu and said, "Pei Wenhui does indeed admire me, but her relationship with Li Dayong is even more special!"

"Li Dayong?"

Watching Wen Leyu was skeptical.

However, as they reached the school gate, they saw Li Dayong riding his bicycle toward them at full speed.

"Huff, huff... Brother, that... has Mr. Pei arrived?"

Li Ye and Watching Wen Leyu exchanged a look, both understanding the same thing—now do you believe me?

Watching Wen Leyu blinked and looked at Li Dayong, drawing out her tone. "Mr. Pei is here, but... Pei Wenhui..."

Li Dayong became suddenly nervous, stammering, "What... what about Pei Wenhui?"

Watching Wen Leyu finally said, "Pei Wenhui is here too."

Li Dayong breathed a sigh of relief and set down his bicycle, using his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Watching Wen Leyu leaned forward, continuing to gossip, "When did Pei Wenhui tell you she was arriving in the capital today?"

"She sent me a telegram yesterday..."

Li Dayong stopped mid-sentence, keeping his head down and wiping his sweat, refusing to say another word no matter how much Watching Wen Leyu pressed him.

Li Ye smiled and said, "Mr. Pei is probably quite busy tonight. Come to Zaojunmiao with me, take a shower, and change your clothes. Maybe you'll see her tonight; if not, then tomorrow."

Li Dayong thought for a moment, then got on his bicycle and left.

"Brother, I'll go back and change first, then I'll come to Zaojunmiao to find you."

"..."

Watching Wen Leyu watched Li Dayong ride away and couldn't help but laugh. "Dayong looks much better than he did before the summer vacation. It's like he's a completely different person."

Li Ye nodded. "The best way to end a relationship is to start a new one."

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Li Ye realized he had made a mistake. Why did he blurt that out?

Sure enough, he glanced sideways at Watching Wen Leyu and saw her wide eyes and hands curled into "tiger claws."

Li Ye's mind raced, and he quickly added, "When Li Dayong met Pei Wenhui, he finally understood that his previous so-called relationship was just the immaturity and shallowness of adolescence. The current Li Dayong has been reborn."

Watching Wen Leyu's wide eyes gradually narrowed, and her tiger claws slowly softened, like a cat retracting its sharp nails back into its paws.

Li Ye breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to have escaped this unprovoked disaster.

He had indeed only been talking about Li Dayong; he really hadn't been referring to himself.

Hand in hand, they went to get their bicycles and slowly headed toward Zaojunmiao.

Halfway there, Watching Wen Leyu, sitting on the back seat, suddenly rested her head against Li Ye's back.

"You're right. Ever since you started another... you really have been reborn."

"..."

"Thanks to you, thank you, Xiao Yu."

Li Ye had just finished saying thank you when he felt a sharp pain in his waist.

"Ouch! What are you doing?"

Watching Wen Leyu said fiercely, "If you say thank you to me again, I'll twist you to death."

(End of chapter)