Chapter 335: What Is the Meaning of My Coming Here?

The literary exchange was a great success; everyone grew more and more animated, and eventually, without effort, they formed a "Novel Alliance," even discussing electing a leader.

Whether or not it was childish doesn't matter, but everyone had high hopes for the future of wuxia.

Several authors took the stage to share their creative journeys and future visions, earning enthusiastic applause.

But Li Ye knew that the golden days of pure wuxia were numbered.

It was 1984; by the end of the decade, pure wuxia would stagnate, even face a generational gap, until that Master Huang launched a new storyline and ushered in an entirely new phase.

Li Ye had once considered bringing out "Searching for Qin," but then he recalled a particular passage and decided it was wrong to interfere with Master Huang's path.

【On the city wall, Xiang Shelong thought of the future: Qin Shi Huang would link the winding walls built along the borders of the various states into the Great Wall, one of the world's ten great wonders, enabling China to maintain a unified empire for centuries. He couldn't help but be overcome with melancholy, filled with deep emotion.】

Remember, Master Huang published "Searching for Qin" around 1997.

Leaving aside Master Huang's literary skill, a Hong Kong writer openly discussing "unification" in his work—this awareness and moral stature were precious and worthy of respect.

Meanwhile, some writers of his era were still following Western directives, belittling and condemning the future of Chinese culture!

Literary exchanges are all just talk—nothing but chatter and endless drinking.

When dinner time came, everyone toasted each other, and the atmosphere quickly reached its peak.

Emboldened by alcohol, Wen Rui'an composed a poem, winning thunderous applause from everyone.

Li Ye was deeply impressed; Master Wen, after all, was a poet by origin—his literary flair was something this time-traveler could never match.

Just look at the names he gave his characters: Xiao Qiushui, Liu Suifeng, Yan Kuangtu, Li Chenzhou, Zhao Shirong.

Each name evoked something profound, revealing the magic of this language.

Free-spirited people grow close after drinking; infected by the mood, Li Ye began shoulder-slapping and shouting with a group of reserved men.

Beside them, Qiao Dapeng and Wang Xiaokun kept trying to stop him.

"Li Ye, Li Ye, drink less—you've got a match the day after tomorrow, and training tomorrow! How many bottles have you had already? Even good wine isn't meant to be drunk like this!"

"Li Ye, please mind your image. If someone films this and it gets out, it could ruin your future."

Li Ye wanted to rein himself in, but his strength wouldn't allow it.

Whoever came to toast, he drained the cup—this arrogant kid was just like the hero of a wuxia novel; shouldn't a bunch of old masters teach him how to behave?

Thus, Li Ye became famous overnight, single-handedly knocking down over a dozen writers, including Wen Rui'an.

If not for the 8 p. . curfew rule, Li Ye could've expanded his victory even further.

At 7: 0, Wang Xiaokun stepped forward, formally bidding farewell to the "great heroes" on Li Ye's behalf, and with Qiao Dapeng on one side and himself on the other, dragged Li Ye out of Raffles Hotel.

"Phew~"

"That was awesome!"

After leaving the hotel, Li Ye couldn't help but shout, "Awesome!"

Since his time-travel, Li Ye's path had been smooth sailing.

But he was still constrained by his humble origins and various rules, forced to follow the "time-traveler's code," quietly going with the flow, waiting for the right moment.

He couldn't be like the martial heroes everyone had just been talking about—draw your sword, and all kneel and sing my triumph.

In the real world, if a time-traveler dared act like that, there were plenty of big shots ready to slap him into humility.

Do you submit?

Don't submit?

Fine, don't let the door hit you on the way out—go reincarnate in the next novel!

So true "martial spirit" only exists in fantasy; in the real world, you must endure—endure until you become the big shot yourself, hehe.

Do you submit?

*Slap!

*Squeee~*

As Li Ye and the others were about to hail a taxi, a red two-door sports car sped toward them, tires screeching as it stopped right in front of Li Ye.

Li Ye stepped back, keeping his distance.

But when the window rolled down, he saw it was Wu Jinyuan—someone he hadn't seen in ages.

Wu Jinyuan flicked her head slightly and said, "Get in. I'll drive you home."

Li Ye shook his head, pointing to Qiao Dapeng and Wang Xiaokun: "Sorry—we have rules. We came together, we go back together."

The red sports car had only two seats—it couldn't possibly fit four people.

Wu Jinyuan shot Li Ye a sidelong glance, said nothing, and pressed the horn twice in rapid succession.

Wan Wentao appeared out of nowhere, ran up to the car, and spoke to Wu Jinyuan for a few words.

One minute later, a Mercedes pulled up.

Wan Wentao smiled, ushered Qiao Dapeng and Wang Xiaokun into the back seat of the Mercedes, then took the front passenger seat, following behind Wu Jinyuan's sports car.

Li Ye opened the door calmly, got in, and fastened his seatbelt without a word.

*Vroom~*

Wu Jinyuan pressed the accelerator hard, giving Li Ye a strong push into his seat.

"I heard speeding on Lijia Po gets you whipped, right?"

*Vrrrr~*

Wu Jinyuan pressed the accelerator even harder; Li Ye sighed and fell silent.

Ah, never argue with a female driver—keep quiet and it's fine; say more and you'll regret it.

The red sports car raced down Lijia Po 's streets, occasionally drifting and fishtailing like a wild, temperamental filly throwing a tantrum with its two passengers.

But Li Ye sat perfectly still, tilting his head slightly, gazing at the rapidly flashing neon lights and lost in thought.

Pei Wencong had already bought him a Ferrari, parked in Hong Kong gathering dust—he didn't know when he'd get to play with it.

Seeing Li Ye's calm demeanor, Wu Jinyuan gradually slowed down.

When the red sports car stopped at a traffic light, Wu Jinyuan suddenly asked, "Why didn't you choose to study in Lijia Po?"

"Why study here?" Li Ye shook his head and smiled. "I have a bright future back home, a beautiful wife, family and friends—what's the point of coming to Lijia Po?"

「」

"No point? Are you sure?"

Wu Jinyuan stared blankly for several seconds, then said coldly, "Look around—Lijia Po is at least thirty years ahead of Beijing.

And if you come to Lijia Po, you'll find it easier to connect with these writers, while still keeping ties to the mainland. Who else but you should be chosen as the Novel Alliance's leader?"

Li Ye:

I'm the great time-traveling emperor—do I care about some silly title like that?

Even if I became leader, would I still be under the influence and control of the Wu Cultural Transmission Group?

We're just friends who nod when we meet—why are you always trying to put me down?

If anyone's going to put someone down, it's me putting you down!

After Pei Wencong made money, he once looked down on publishers for earning so little—why did Li Ye let him keep developing?

What Wu Jinyuan is doing now is at most Media Titan Version 1. , but Li Ye knew what Versions 3. and 4. looked like.

Still, Li Ye wouldn't reveal the future. He smiled and said, "Lijia Po is indeed more developed than the mainland now, but that may not last—and even now, it's nowhere near as developed as Hong Kong."

Lijia Po only became a nation in 1965; though it grew rapidly thanks to its strategic location, compared to Hong Kong—which had a longer development history and the vast mainland market behind it—it was still far behind.

The light turned green. Wu Jinyuan didn't floor the accelerator; she drove slowly, waiting for the Mercedes behind to catch up.

"Since you think the mainland offers more opportunities, let's collaborate. I have great faith in the mainland market—and in you."

Li Ye was startled. "Why do you have faith in me? I'm a third-generation peasant—you're not…"

"Don't rush to refuse or deny," Wu Jinyuan said coolly. "You're not the Wu Cultural Transmission Group's only option. Our interests and opportunities are mutual."

"Heh~"

Li Ye smiled. "Sorry, I came to Lijia Po for the debate competition. I'm not considering anything else."

Wu Jinyuan glanced at Li Ye, a faint smile on her lips. "The debate competition is fine—the Wu Group's bank is opening a branch in Beijing, so—"

Li Ye turned sharply toward Wu Jinyuan, his face cold, his gaze piercing.

In his memory, there had been whispers about the original timeline's first Asian College Debate Competition.

Because Lijia Po 's banks were expanding into the mainland, Beijing University's arguments in the debate carried subtle undertones.

But Wu Jinyuan was openly dropping half a sentence—was she showing off the power of capital?

Sorry, I understand the power of capital better than you do.

…………

The debate competition seemed perfectly fine.

This was Lijia Po 's first Asian debate tournament, just as in history: four universities participated—Hong Kong Chinese University, East Asia University, Lijia Po National University, and Beijing University.

The format was single-elimination; only two matches would determine the champion.

Beijing University's first opponent was East Asia University from Macau, a school founded only a few years ago.

In the original timeline, Beijing University, having never experienced debate before, relied too heavily on pure theory and was criticized as sounding mechanical.

But their literary foundation was undeniable; after a brilliant clash, they still defeated East Asia University's debate team.

This time, because of Li Ye's presence, Beijing University had already held diverse debate competitions for a full year—techniques were now refined, and the match ended with little resistance.

Qin Yongsheng and the others cheered wildly, as if it were the New Year.

They'd prepared for so long, carrying immense pressure; now that they'd won, they finally had the confidence and edge of champions.

But Li Ye suddenly felt it was meaningless.

【What's the point of me coming to Lijia Po?】

…………

However, after the live broadcast from the Lijiapo Broadcasting Bureau, the hotel where Li Ye stayed suddenly became bustling.

Local Chinese newspapers all published news of Li Ye and his companions participating in the debate, and several TV stations replayed the debate footage multiple times; Li Ye, due to his superior appearance, frequently occupied prominent pages in the newspapers.

Many elderly overseas Chinese and Chinese nationals came to visit, warmly conversing with Li Ye and his group, generously giving gifts and fruit, and scenes of tearful emotion kept unfolding, making Li Ye suddenly feel this had meaning.

"Li Ye, Li Ye! A family from Dongshan is here—they specifically asked for you!"

"I just got into bed!"

"Come on, a woman with two children—can't you spare ten minutes?"

"Oh, okay, I'm coming right away."

Li Ye changed his clothes and hurried downstairs with Wang Xiaokun.

Downstairs, Li Ye found Team Leader Zhou already warmly greeting the visitors.

"Ah, Li Ye, didn't you say a few days ago that Blue Ocean Publishing had a 'Ten Thousand Li to Find Family' event?"

Li Ye nodded. "Yes, yes—it's an ongoing program; just a few days ago, they helped two compatriots find their relatives!"

As he answered, Li Ye sized up the visitors.

The visitors were a family of three: a middle-aged woman dressed fashionably, a girl around sixteen or seventeen, and a boy around thirteen or fourteen.

Li Ye rubbed his forehead, dispelling some of his drowsiness, and asked the woman, "Madam, if you're searching for family, please provide as much detail as possible—addresses, names, names of relatives or friends."

Li Ye had already received several visitors from Dongshan doing the same thing, so he explained with ease.

But this woman was strange—she had been perfectly calm before seeing Li Ye, yet now she grew increasingly agitated.

Of course, it was only natural.

"This is the person I'm looking for. Please take a look."

The middle-aged woman handed Li Ye a photograph.

"Just one photo?"

Li Ye reached out and took it, studying it closely—it was a black-and-white family portrait of four people.

The woman in the photo was young, but unmistakably the same woman standing before him.

She held a baby in her arms, no more than a year old.

A little girl stood in front of the couple.

Hmm—a family of four. Three of them were right here. So one was missing.

"So you're looking for your father-in—"

Li Ye stared at the photo and suddenly fell silent, his gentle smile freezing on his face.