Chapter 312: Wen Guohua

In just a flash, the Spring Festival of 1983 was upon them, and the Economics Department welcomed its final exams.

The pen scraped across thin paper, making a soft "sashashasha" sound.

Lines of handwriting, resembling dragons and snakes or like dogs crawling, settled on the exam sheets, becoming marks of knowledge, ultimately serving as evidence to judge "excellent, good, poor."

Don't underestimate this judgment—next year's scholarship amount and final graduation assignment could hinge on whether you scored three points more or two points less than someone else.

Li Ye carefully finished the first three pages, flipped to the last one, and found a slightly out-of-syllabus essay question: comparing the economic systems of the West and the mainland.

【How should I approach this question? Should I be cautious or bold?】

Li Ye certainly knew how to answer it, because in the decades to come, the two economic systems would collide and compete countless times, fully exposing each other's strengths and weaknesses.

But in 1983, an era without factual validation, writing too far ahead would earn little belief.

Li Ye glanced at a few other "study prodigies" in class—they too had reached this final question, their faces tense, clearly taking it very seriously.

【Forget it, better play it safe.】

In the end, Li Ye decided to hold back slightly, using his biological hard drive's vast capacity to synthesize content from various library materials and journals, crafting an answer with just a touch of brilliance.

But as he wrote halfway through, Associate Professor Wang, the proctor, stood behind him, studying his response.

Li Ye turned and looked at him; the man smiled, signaling him to keep writing.

Associate Professor Wang had once been Zhang Qiyan's graduate student, so technically, he could be considered Li Ye's "senior brother."

With a clear direction in mind, Li Ye wrote smoothly, finishing several hundred words in barely fifteen minutes.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Wang stood behind Li Ye for those same fifteen minutes.

When Li Ye finished, he reached out, took the exam paper, read it over carefully, then patted Li Ye on the shoulder.

"Make a few minor revisions, and it could be submitted for publication."

"."

Everyone in the class turned to look, their expressions varied.

He Dazhuang, the top student in class, stared at Li Ye, furious yet powerless.

Li Ye's grades in major courses were never outstanding—he'd hovered around tenth place for years.

Classmates like Zhen Rongrong and Chen Xiaoling consistently ranked at the top in every subject, far surpassing Li Ye, the perennial "tenth-place gatekeeper."

Yet Li Ye was always lazy, spending class breaks either writing or strolling with his girlfriend, yet he'd already published three articles in national economic journals.

Zhen Rongrong and Chen Xiaoling, after a year and a half since enrollment, had each published only one article—and only after receiving Li Ye's "guidance."

He Dazhuang had heard rumors that Mr. Zhang Qiyan held great influence in economic journals, and that he had taken Li Ye as a disciple—this secret ran deep.

He Dazhuang knew he'd never catch Zhang Qiyan's eye, and he bore no resentment—but this year's first-class scholarship would surely go to Li Ye again, leaving He Dazhuang in dire straits.

The difference between first-class and second-class scholarships was a huge sum of money!

Li Ye was already rich—he didn't even donate to help others, yet he still hoarded public resources. Isn't that infuriating?

And there was something even more infuriating.

Last semester, their beautiful homeroom teacher, Mu Yunning, had been so warm and caring, meeting with class committee members weekly to check on everyone's life and studies.

But since this semester began, Mu Yunning had become nearly invisible—later they learned she was now "working for Li Ye."

What kind of behavior is this?

This is the white devils riding on the people's backs again.

Li Ye waves his dirty money and claims our beloved Teacher Mu for himself.

It's shameful.

Back in high school and freshman year, He Dazhuang would have seriously confronted Li Ye, dragging him out of his deep mire.

But now, everyone around him had become Li Ye's admirers and "henchmen"; He Dazhuang had helplessly learned to endure.

"Li Ye, I wrote this short piece—could you take a look and give me some feedback?"

He Dazhuang handed Li Ye an article, his square, honest face breaking into a warm, amiable smile.

"Sure, I'll read it when I have time, but this year's probably out—my family's picking me up the day after tomorrow."

"No rush, no rush, I'm not in a hurry at all, hehe~"

One must admit: environment changes people. He Dazhuang had not only learned endurance—he'd learned to "follow those who can carry you."

If someone can lift you up, why complain about them riding on your head?

Come on, come on, my neck's thick—pick me!

According to Chinese tradition, a son-in-law should visit his in-laws before the New Year—this is called "sending the New Year."

Though Li Ye hadn't officially earned the title of "son-in-law," he couldn't be ignorant of etiquette—so on his last day before going home, he drove to the Zhongliang Compound.

He parked the Volga at the compound gate, pulled a sack from the trunk, and walked toward the guardhouse.

Inside was authentic Luxi yellow beef, sent by Li Zhong from his hometown.

Old Lu, the gatekeeper, saw Li Ye and laughed heartily: "Little Ye! You're bringing me New Year gifts? Where's the liquor?"

Li Ye placed the sack inside the guardhouse and smiled: "The nurse said you should avoid alcohol as much as possible, so my grandfather didn't include any in what he sent you."

"Oh, don't listen to her," Old Lu chuckled. "Your Grandma Gao still holds a grudge! Back then, when I stole her medical alcohol with your grandfather, she'd fly off the handle—now that we don't lack liquor, she still won't let me drink."

"Drinking less is good, but not drinking at all isn't bad either."

Li Ye chatted casually with Old Lu for a moment, then turned to leave—but Old Lu grabbed his arm.

He pulled out a bundle of Xifeng liquor from under his desk and shoved it into Li Ye's hands.

"I knew you'd come—I've had this old Xifeng ready for days. Take it back to your grandfather and tell him Old Lu's in great health!"

"."

What is comrade-in-arms affection? It's knowing someone is far away, yet still thinking of them, still wanting to send word of safety during the New Year.

Li Ye knocked on Professor Ke's door; Wen Leyu grabbed his hand and dragged him straight to the kitchen.

"I said I'd cook at home today, but I overslept my nap—hurry and help me, my parents will be back soon."

Li Ye glanced at the kitchen ingredients: good, the vegetables and radishes were washed, seafood and meat were prepped—he only needed to chop, prep, and serve the master chef.

As he rolled up his sleeves, Li Ye grinned: "If your mom gets promoted one more level, she'll get a personal chef—then you'll be free, just sit and eat."

"Don't talk nonsense," Wen Leyu slapped him playfully. "Forget about ranks—if she gets a chef, it's to serve her, not me. I'm not some delicate miss who can't cook."

"Mm-hmm, Xiao Yu, you've got real talent in the kitchen."

Li Ye praised Wen Leyu's competence while expertly chopping away.

Wen Leyu tied on an apron and began cooking with precise, methodical motions—she really looked the part.

In home cooking, women generally outperform men, because men are "coarse"—they just cook it until done and add salt. Women are "picky"—they sprinkle every seasoning.

Besides, over the past half year, Wen Leyu had been eating at Zaojunmiao with Li Ye every day, watching him closely—though her dishes still lacked perfect timing, they were already perfectly edible, even better than her sister Li Yue's.

When Professor Ke and Wen Qingsheng returned home, Wen Leyu had already served all the dishes, proudly announcing, "All of this is mine!" as she waited for her parents' praise.

Wen Qingsheng naturally lavished praise on his daughter—but Professor Ke tasted a bite and smiled: "Not bad, just a tiny bit worse than Li Ye's cooking."

"."

Wen Leyu pouted, annoyed, and turned her frustration on Li Ye: "If yours is so good, you cook from now on."

Li Ye: "."

Professor Ke truly loves her daughter—just a light comment, and Wen Leyu is freed from the kitchen's hard labor!

After sitting down, Li Ye moved to pour wine for Wen Qingsheng and Wen Guohua—but Wen Guohua snatched the bottle away.

"Li Ye, I owe you a toast—your insight on Xiushuijie was spot-on."

Xiushuijie now faced a fierce demand for stalls, generating millions in annual rent. As a member—and original proposer—of the renovation team, Wen Guohua had achieved full success.

"How could I have seen it right? It's just timing and location!" Li Ye laughed. "Demand for private commerce is strong now, and Xiushuijie's right in the city center—no matter how you redevelop it, you won't lose."

"Don't be modest, brother," Wen Guohua smiled faintly. "Anyone can say easy words—but who could have imagined a tiny alley could yield such returns? Vision matters."

Li Ye smiled: "Vision matters, but responsibility matters more—it's you, brother, who had the courage."

"Enough, enough, stop flattering each other—can't you just drink the damn wine?"

Wen Qingsheng scoffed, then raised his cup: "Family doesn't speak in two tongues—let the wine say it all."

Li Ye downed his drink in one gulp—Wen Qingsheng's words "family" were a heart-stirring signal.

If Li Ye and Wen Leyu weren't still students, they'd have hired a matchmaker tomorrow, gotten engaged in two months, and had babies running around in two years.

But now?

Sigh~

Wen Guohua wasn't even married yet! Wen Leyu was only twenty-one—still under the state's recommended age.

Li Ye drank a bit too much tonight and accidentally got Wen Qingsheng drunk—Professor Ke couldn't stop him.

Seeing Professor Ke's displeasure, Li Ye quickly took his leave.

Wen Guohua, however, had held back today—he was only three-quarters drunk—and he walked Li Ye out.

Outside, Wen Guohua put his arm around Li Ye's shoulder and grinned: "Brother, you've got to help me out one more time."

Li Ye, tipsy, said: "What's 'help'? Your business is my business—just say the word."

Wen Guohua lowered his voice, slyly: "Think of a way to get Ning Pingping into a film crew—give her a small role."

Li Ye stared at Wen Guohua, whispering: "I can help with that—but you..."

Wen Guohua immediately said: "Oh, I'm just doing a favor for a friend—they're close to her. If you can manage it, great; if not..."

Li Ye instantly replied: "I can do it! Your friend is my friend—I'll make it happen."

Li Ye understood perfectly: in the future, whenever a buddy says, "I've got a friend who's having trouble," everyone instantly knows what it means.

Ning Pingping? Li Ye knew her well—the prettiest girl in the modeling troupe, signed to Fenghua Clothing's brand ads, and she'd shot dozens of commercials over the past year.

Now it seems the stage for the advertisement is too small—should I fly even higher?

Today I only wrote two and a half chapters; tomorrow I'll do three updates.

Thank you to reader "Ye Linran" for the reward, thank you to reader "" for the 600-coin reward, thank you to reader "Qiu Bin Ke" for the reward, thank you to reader "Pi Li Lei Dian Shan Guang Pa Pa" for the 500-coin reward, thank you to reader "I'm the Most Poisonous" for the reward, thank you to reader "" for the reward. Thank you all, brothers!!!

(End of chapter)