[{"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-38":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},2294456,4489,"Chapter 38: But I Already Refused!","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>Geng Zhi watched Feng Bo shift from courteous to haughty, furious inside but unable to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been in the industry three years and knew many authors had tempers; Feng Bo’s attitude might provoke “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” and cause unpredictable consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Feng Bo said, “You’re really a high school student,” Geng Zhi felt as if struck by lightning, stunned into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many details in his mind suddenly connected, revealing why Feng Bo had snatched his author and why Sister Xu had seen through it at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a saying in the industry—editors make authors, and authors make editors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand-mile horse is rare; so is a connoisseur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many great writers emerged alongside discerning mentors who spotted their potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few gold-star editors Geng Zhi knew all had experience guiding and nurturing multiple outstanding authors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During group discussions, some editors would proudly boast: “When I first met XXX, his writing was still crude—I gave him confidence, guidance, and support... we accomplished each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listen, listen—I’ve mentored a great writer! Doesn’t that instantly elevate my status?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This quiet bragging was every junior editor’s dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every ambitious editor hoped to find a young dragon, nurture it carefully, and climb the clouds together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo was undoubtedly ambitious, but his experience was too shallow—could he even mentor an outstanding author if one were handed to him now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a high school student? That was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Geng Zhi received the manuscript of “Infiltration,” the author’s pen name was “Seven-Inch Blade Edge,” but the contact address listed was Class 1, Retake, No. 2 High School, Qingshui County, Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Geng Zhi had assumed Li Ye was a teacher at No. 2 High School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he realized—if the author were a teacher, he wouldn’t have specified the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Geng Zhi hadn’t considered that others might have realized “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” could be a student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Deputy Chief Editor Lv, like Feng Bo, like Sister Xu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mentoring a student with immense potential, using the student’s shoulders to climb upward—it looked like a free ride to the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo snatched paper and pen, questioning the caller on the phone while scribbling furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to verify some facts—your real name is Li Ye, correct? How old are you? Is ‘Infiltration’ entirely your own work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your novel has serious flaws—we need you to bring the full manuscript here, undergo our guidance, and make strict revisions before it can be published...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice on the other end asked: “If your publishing house intends to guide me in revising the manuscript, who will be guiding me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo’s eyes flickered, and he softened his tone: “The press has decided—I’ll be your contact. I’m a graduate of XX University, with sufficient literary foundation...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much will my royalty be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, student, why only think of royalties? Literature is noble, rigorous—you still need to learn much... Hello? Speak... Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【No wonder he’s a college grad—impressive, impressive... ruined a perfect opportunity.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geng Zhi watched Feng Bo suddenly grow agitated and almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Feng Bo’s precise, probing questions, it was clear the other man’s thoughtfulness and strategy far surpassed Geng Zhi’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you’ve only been in the industry a few days—why rush so badly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t just envy the gold-star editors’ glory; their outstanding authors were nurtured one by one with care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re no famous editor—do you really expect someone to bow down to you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really think a young “Seven-Inch Blade Edge” is easy to manipulate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello? Hello? Are you still there, Li Ye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo’s tone had lost its composure—he realized he’d pushed too hard and might have upset the high school student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye was indeed upset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today he received a letter from the provincial capital, eagerly went to the post office to call, expecting a warm, friendly greeting and a discussion about royalties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after connecting, he felt he was talking not to an editor, but a boxing coach delivering jab, cross, and hook after jab, cross, and hook—and trying to charge him private lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Li Ye lost all interest in continuing the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye coldly asked into the receiver: “I’m here. You’re Editor Feng, right? I have a question to confirm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo paused, then said: “Of course. Our press deeply respects authors—state your concerns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked: “At the end of my submission, I clearly wrote that if your press wished to publish, you’d mail me a contact number—so why are you now uncertain whether my novel will be published?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo in the provincial capital was annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re a high school student—what kind of attitude is this? Don’t you know humility?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he snapped: “Student Li Ye, I think you’ve misunderstood. We mailed you the number to give you a chance to revise and resubmit—not to promise publication.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye listened silently, then asked slowly: “Just tell me—will you publish it, or won’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bo’s temper flared: “I’ve said it several times—your book must be reviewed and revised further. I hope you’ll adjust your attitude...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then forget it. Return my submission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pam~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye hung up the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within days, he’d encountered two “guidance” requests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Feng Bo was nothing like Teacher Ke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Teacher Ke made his request, he was gentle, subtle—even somewhat... humble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye still remembered the shame in Teacher Ke’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years of hardship, self-reliance and self-respect might be Teacher Ke’s last precious treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, when Teacher Ke learned Li Ye deliberately avoided sensitive topics, he immediately abandoned the idea of “guidance”—Li Ye had to actively offer help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Li Ye’s lifetime of reading people, he could foresee that after receiving his help, Teacher Ke would repay him adequately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what about this Feng Bo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listen to that tone, look at that arrogance—who the hell are you trying to gaslight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I beg you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think you can step on my shoulders to become famous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Get lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye hung up cleanly; Feng Bo in the provincial capital was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept saying “Hello? Hello?” into the receiver before realizing he’d probably messed things up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like trading stocks—watching your shares surge, holding, holding, not selling, not selling... then hitting the daily limit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Game over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modern phones had no caller ID—he couldn’t even redial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geng Zhi, who had been furious moments ago, now relaxed. He stopped arguing, glanced at Feng Bo’s furrowed brow, chuckled softly, and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later, through careful whispers from Geng Zhi, Sister Xu, and others, the rumor spread through the entire press: Feng Bo tried to guide “Seven-Inch Blade Edge,” and the author hung up on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Deputy Chief Editor Lv summoned Feng Bo into his office for a private lecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he emerged, Feng Bo composed himself and redialed the number to Qingshui County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, is this No. 2 High School in Qingshui County? I’d like to speak with Li Ye from Retake Class 1... Li Ye isn’t there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then please tell him—we’ve decided to publish his work. He must come to the provincial capital immediately to discuss publication.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..................”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Chang of Qingshui No. 2 High School hung up, turned to Teacher Luo, and asked again: “We only have one Li Ye in this school?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Luo confirmed: “Yes, only one. I’ve checked—he’s been acting strangely lately, seems to be writing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not ‘seems,’” Principal Chang waved his hand. “We must find out for sure. If true, we must fully support him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember—everything must follow the boy’s wishes. Give him every possible convenience...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, Principal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye, still fuming, wandered outside, then walked into class to find fifty-one pairs of eyes fixed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A student by the door bolted out, sprinting toward Teacher Luo’s office—his shout of “Li Ye’s back!” carried over dozens of meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Luo arrived in a rush, stepped onto the podium, and beamed as he addressed the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our student Li Ye has worked hard and devoted himself to writing—he’s reached a publishing agreement with Dahe Publishing House in the provincial capital. Let’s congratulate Li Ye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Luo clapped first, prompting a group of stunned classmates to follow suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong, now fully awake, clapped until his palms turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Teacher Luo finally stopped the applause and turned to Li Ye: “Li Ye, come up and share your thoughts with everyone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye looked embarrassed, stood up, and asked: “Teacher Luo, how do you know Dahe Publishing House agreed to publish my novel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Luo said: “Just now, Dahe Publishing House called our school—they clearly confirmed they’ll publish your novel and asked you to bring the full manuscript to the provincial capital as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a novel? My brother’s a writer. My brother’s a writer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong was genuinely thrilled and loudly announced it to the students in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye smiled and said: “Actually... Teacher Luo, a few hours ago, I already declined Dahe Publishing House’s offer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze—even Wen Leyu, who knew the most, was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>",1513,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","999b351dedae184f7ada1fcc1ac94fcff17028bf11668264110dde701d6c996d","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-39","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-37",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]