Chapter 319: Wen Leyu: Don

On New Year's Eve of 1984, Li Ye was busy with two younger sisters in the courtyard, and his sister Li Ying kept urging him.

"Brother, can you hurry up? The Spring Festival Gala's about to start."

"It's still an hour away. What's the rush?"

"She's just obsessed with watching color TV—no ambition at all."

"I didn't say anyone doesn't want to watch color TV!"

Because Hong Kong was partnering with Qinghe to build a instant noodle factory, they sent several color TVs as "friendship gifts" before the New Year.

Li Zhongfa, as the one who brokered the partnership, naturally received one.

To be fair, the Hu director from the investment department chosen by Pei Wencong was quite adept—he'd fully adapted to mainland customs in just half a year, achieving big results with small spending.

By 1983, black-and-white TVs had still not been fully popularized on the mainland!

For people used to fourteen-inch black-and-white sets, switching to a twenty-plus-inch remote-controlled color TV felt like gazing at alien technology.

But Li Ye had zero interest in this "twenty-one shake" thing—even if given an eighty-inch color TV, it wouldn't match the thrill of what he was busy making.

Li Ying watched Li Ye assemble something resembling a straw stick used for selling tanghulu, and couldn't help asking: "Brother, you tied all these colored bead tubes together—aren't you afraid they'll explode?"

Before Li Ye could answer, Li Juan snapped: "If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all! Do you even know how many points our brother scored in math, physics, and chemistry? This is science, understand? Explode? Explode your ghost!"

"I was just asking," Li Ying pouted, muttering, "I've never seen this before. It's called not being ashamed to ask."

"You've got quite the knowledge! Do you even know what 'not being ashamed to ask' means? How dare you use that phrase?"

Li Ye found his sisters bickering amusing.

He tied all the colored bead tubes tightly with hemp rope, then said: "Listen up! This thing is called a Gatling—inspired by a weapon from the American Civil War, the world's earliest machine gun."

In later years, when Gatling fireworks appeared, most areas on the mainland had banned fireworks, so as a law-abiding citizen, Li Ye had never experienced that joy.

Even the boldest guys would hold their Gatling while shouting, constantly glancing left and right, watching for any red-and-blue flashing lights.

You see, lighting fireworks is fun for a moment, but the fines ring loud and clear!

But in 1984, there were no such worries—Li Ye could've set off fireworks right outside his second uncle's workplace, and the people inside would've come out to applaud him!

Still, Li Ying's concern had merit—Li Ye couldn't fully guarantee the safety of his handcrafted Gatling.

So he took a wooden pole nearly two meters long, tied dozens of colored bead tubes to one end; though top-heavy, it was safer.

"Alright, let's go outside and light the fire—oh no, light a bonfire."

After tying two together, Li Ye led his two sisters toward the front gate of the Li household.

Han Chunmei, still busy in the kitchen, instantly felt no fatigue at the sight.

With a brother like this, her two daughters' future would only get better.

Li Juan and Li Ying gathered a pile of firewood and quickly lit a bonfire at the gate—clearly they'd done this many times.

Li Ye held the pole and plunged the fuses of dozens of colored bead tubes into the fire, instantly triggering a hissing sound.

Then, multicolored orbs shot skyward like a fountain into the cold night.

The "putt-putt-putt" noise and dazzling lights quickly drew neighbors out of their homes.

Watching the fireworks shower like falling stars, everyone couldn't help sighing in awe.

"That's Old Li's second fool, isn't it? What a waste of money—this one burst alone must've cost four or five yuan."

"Four or five yuan? That's not enough—minimum six or seven! Look, he's got another one! In two minutes, he's burned through half our monthly wages."

"Hey hey hey, it's fine to envy others' fireworks, but he's not just a fool—he's a Wenquxing, a Wenquxing who earns money! If you could write something and make ten thousand yuan, I'd let you burn every penny."

"Exactly! If I had a grandson like that, I'd pay for his fireworks every day."

"Ah, don't talk—weren't we all fools when we were young? Otherwise we'd be rich by now. Wenquxing aren't ordinary people—they've always been different from childhood."

Li Ye's "putt-putt-putt" released immense relief, but just as he finished one and reached for the second, his grandmother Wu Juying called from the steps of the main house.

"Xiao Ye, phone call—from Beijing."

Li Ye reluctantly set down the Gatling and hurried inside to answer.

But no sooner had he left than Li Kaibian snatched up the remaining Gatling and excitedly thrust it into the fire.

On the steps, Wu Juying whispered: "It's that Wen girl—she called to wish your grandfather and me a happy New Year!"

"Oh oh~"

Li Ye didn't even turn to look at the exploding colored spheres—Wen Leyu mattered far more than the Gatling.

As soon as he picked up, it was indeed Wen Leyu calling.

"Hello, where've you been? You didn't even call to wish my parents a happy New Year! I'm warning you—even if my mom treats you well, don't take it for granted, got it?"

Through the phone, Li Ye could hear Wen Leyu's reproachful tone.

But this kind of "don't offend my mom" warning sounded more like a young bride afraid her mother-in-law would hide the household register.

Li Ye laughed: "I was just setting off fireworks—I planned to call Teacher Ke at midnight, but you called first."

"You're an adult and still setting off fireworks?" Wen Leyu scolded. "You were going to wait until midnight? In two hours you won't even get a dial tone!"

"I didn't think of that. Can I wish your parents a happy New Year now?"

"Wait."

Wen Leyu hung up on Li Ye, then shouted loudly: "Mom! Li Ye's calling to wish you a happy New Year!"

Ah, such a considerate little bride—if you miss her, where will you find another?

By nearly eight o'clock, when Li Zhongfa's phone began ringing nonstop, Li Ye gained a deep understanding of telecommunications in 1983.

Normally, Li Ye could dial through after a few tries, but Li Zhongfa's comrades and colleagues each spent ages just to get through—Li Zhongfa had to exert tremendous effort to make even one outgoing call.

Considering Beijing was the nation's center, and given Teacher Ke and Wen Qingsheng's status, Wen Leyu's claim that calls couldn't get through wasn't exaggerated at all.

But after eight o'clock, hardly any more calls came in.

Everyone knew not to disturb others watching the Spring Festival Gala.

This year's Spring Festival Gala had many highlights.

Past galas featured only simple songs and dances, but in 1984, spoken-word acts showed overwhelming strength.

Teacher Ma's solo xiangsheng "Cosmic Brand Cigarettes" cleverly satirized false advertising trends of the time.

"If you don't smoke my Cosmic Brand cigarettes, young man, you won't find a girlfriend!"

Back then, audiences had zero anti-fraud awareness—if the TV said something was great, they believed it completely.

One lie, one mark—later scams like 8848 and Brain White Gold targeted precisely this generation.

When Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao performed "Eating Noodles," the whole family laughed until tears streamed down their faces—even Li Zhongfa was no exception.

They'd never seen a comedy like this before.

After laughing for a long time, Li Zhongfa suddenly said: "Hey, Xiao Ye, I think this skit resembles your 'Prodigal Son Returns'!"

Li Ye smiled: "The performance style is similar, but their level is higher."

When Li Ye first wrote scripts for Sun Xianjin, he'd considered writing "Eating Noodles," "Thief and Policeman," or "Lead and Supporting Roles," but ultimately chose to respectfully abandon them.

These were an entire generation's memories, classics that influenced hundreds of millions—better not to overstep.

When Zhang Mingmin, dressed in a gray suit and scarf, stepped on stage to sing "My Chinese Heart," the firecrackers outside seemed to pause entirely.

This was the first time a Hong Kong singer appeared before mainland audiences—his stirring melody and heartfelt voice gripped every ear.

In Li Ye's past life, a famous singer once said that when she met Hong Kong and Taiwan performers backstage after the 1984 Gala, their clothing and demeanor gave everyone a completely new perspective.

But Li Ye's current life was better—many mainland performers at the Gala wore "Fenghua" brand clothes.

When Jin Peng generously offered to sponsor every performer with one Fenghua outfit, everyone praised his generosity and righteousness.

But Li Ye thought these veteran artists were truly humble—someday, he must repay them their endorsement fees.

Yet after "My Chinese Heart" ended, Li Zhongfa realized something.

"Xiao Ye, do you think Hong Kong performers joining our Spring Festival Gala means anything?"

"What could it mean?" Li Ye replied calmly. "It's the inevitable trend—there are plenty of clear-eyed people in Hong Kong."

Li Zhongfa's gaze sharpened: "Are you that certain?"

Li Ye looked at Li Zhongfa, puzzled: "Grandpa, aren't you a longtime Party member? Are you doubting our strength?"

Li Zhongfa shook his head: "I don't doubt our strength—but if Hong Kong truly wants reunification, we can be firmer in the instant noodle factory negotiations. Right now, they call the shots—we lack leverage."

Li Ye blinked: "Grandpa, we can't be greedy. They're investing money and technology—do you want to skin them alive too?"

"What kind of talk is that? I'm a cadre of Qinghe County—I'm supposed to side with us, not them!"

Li Zhongfa suddenly remembered something and pulled Li Ye aside, whispering: "Xiao Ye, does this instant noodle factory have your share too?"

"Grandpa, that's a strange question—"

"Ding ling ling~ Ding ling ling"

Li Ye was stuck for an answer when the home phone rang.

Li Zhongfa answered it, then stared at Li Ye strangely.

"It's from Hong Kong—asking for Mr. Li. Who do you think it is?"