[{"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-40":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},2294458,4489,"Chapter 40: You","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>“It’s just the math and science exam papers! Didn’t you personally ask someone in the big city to bring them for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exam papers used by the repeat class were all school-printed, but Teacher Ke had clearly stated they were “created by Li Ye,” and although Xia Yue and others didn’t believe it, Li Dayong did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong was big and burly, but his mind was extremely perceptive; ever since Li Ye and Wen Leyu started working on novels, the exam papers handed out in class quickly lost all novelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t that obvious enough? It’s all thanks to my brother!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa was deeply puzzled, because he had never used any connections to get exam papers for Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his level of knowledge—even recognizing all twenty-six English letters was beyond him—he had no idea that high-level exam papers were an effective way to improve college entrance scores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Li Zhongfa asked Li Ye curiously: “Exam papers from the big city? Did that girl from the Lu family send them to you...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it wasn’t her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye firmly denied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly didn’t understand why everyone around him still thought he was entangled with Lu Jingyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa realized he’d misunderstood—he’d actually thought the Lu girl truly intended to fulfill her father’s promise and help Li Ye “get into Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed she’d flown up to become a phoenix...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Zhongfa couldn’t help feeling that his grandson no longer seemed so obsessed with that phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the old man continued: “Xiao Ye, where did you get these papers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said: “I made them myself. Originally, I just copied them out for Dayong and a few close friends to practice, but then the teachers thought they should be shared with everyone...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa frowned and asked sternly: “So how much of an effect can these exam papers actually have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment and replied modestly: “Given our class’s current situation, if we keep studying like this, we could raise scores by one hundred and fifty to two hundred points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone around was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Zhongfa, who prided himself on being a rough-and-tumble type, knew what raising scores by one hundred and fifty to two hundred points meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But precisely because they understood what it meant, no one believed Li Ye’s “nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an era where three hundred points could get you into junior college, you’re saying you can help classmates raise their scores by one hundred and fifty to two hundred?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen if this got out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless parents would definitely drag their children here begging for improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, come on, this is my grandson, sir, please give him your best effort—don’t even need one hundred and fifty points, just a hundred will do... let me kowtow to you first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa smacked his lips and said to Li Ye: “Talking big comes with responsibility. Tell Grandpa the truth—how much can you really raise scores by?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye couldn’t answer—he couldn’t tell the truth because they wouldn’t believe him, and he couldn’t lie either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Li Dayong “heroically” spoke up: “Master, I won’t claim we can raise scores by over a hundred points, but it really works—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I used to rank thirty-something in math and physics in Class One; a few days ago, I ranked fourteenth in math and eleventh in physics... several other classmates improved a lot too...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa and Li Kaijian stared at each other, then both slapped their thighs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re both foolish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Li Zhongfa could speak, Li Kaijian exploded, launching into Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two dumb kids don’t understand—college entrance isn’t about raw scores, it’s about ranking! Only a few get admitted; one point higher or lower means a completely different fate—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By helping others raise their scores, you’re pushing yourselves down in rank...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled: “It’s not that dire—I’m definitely getting in. Besides, Dad, what kind of awareness is this? You’re a retired soldier!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye knew soldiers weren’t all blindly self-sacrificing—he was just silencing Li Kaijian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When danger strikes, soldiers charge without hesitation, but don’t assume they’re clueless about human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look around at retired soldiers—except the overly honest ones, most are sharp, know how to handle people, and have excellent instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Kaijian opened his mouth to scold, but couldn’t—because as workshop director, he loved lecturing people about “awareness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li family’s grandmother didn’t care—she jabbed her finger straight into her beloved grandson’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just a naive fool, always thinking of others—do they ever think of you? When Lu Jingyao took the college exam last year, did she help you? Why haven’t you learned your lesson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Grandma dared mention Lu Jingyao to Li Ye—everyone else avoided that sore spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent; even Li Dayong looked awkward and embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew firsthand what Grandma was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For starters, Xia Yue’s little clique got a new set of exam papers from County No. 1 High and refused to let Li Dayong and others copy them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who else is as generous and upright as Li Ye, handing out paper after paper, only to earn sneers and backhanded comments?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye, poked in the forehead by Grandma, had to explain: “Grandma, you’ve got it wrong—I’m no fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A fence needs three stakes; a hero needs three helpers. I’m just testing who’s grateful, giving them a hand—so I’ll have allies later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grandma still wasn’t satisfied, muttering that her grandson had been taken advantage of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye kicked Li Dayong’s shin—he immediately stepped forward to draw the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, Grandma, Uncle Kaijian—Li Ye’s telling the truth. He’s stopped giving out exam papers because many are ungrateful wolves...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days, since Li Ye stopped tutoring classmates, many had been gossiping and spreading rumors; Li Dayong and Hu Man and others had been arguing with them daily,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but fewer and fewer believed Li Ye’s “selfless dedication,” while more and more accused him of selfishness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the “Team Li Ye” centered on Li Dayong and Hu Man had shrunk to just a few people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? I told you—you’re a fool! You treat others with kindness, and they spit on you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa barked sharply, then asked Li Ye and Li Dayong: “How many of these grateful allies have you found?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment: “Seven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dayong added: “Including Wen Leyu, that’s seven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seven isn’t few,” Li Zhongfa said. “Last year, our entire county didn’t send out seven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what’s your plan? If teachers come asking for more papers, what will you do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa, having weathered so many storms, instantly pinpointed the core issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Li Ye wouldn’t be giving out problems anymore—but what about teachers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s still plenty of time before the college exam; you seven won’t stop doing new papers, right? So when teachers come to you, Li Ye, how will you handle it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students and teachers have different positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students cram onto a narrow bridge, desperate to knock everyone else off so only they remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But teachers want all their students to cross the bridge smoothly, one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One side follows selfish instinct; the other upholds noble public duty. When they clash, the individual is morally weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye nodded: “That’s a real problem. I plan to start having Dayong and the others practice intensively soon—teachers will notice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa’s face hardened: “You don’t need to worry about this—I’ll handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, how are you planning to receive that editor from Daocheng? Do you need me to find you some company from the County Writers’ Association?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need,” Li Ye refused. “With outsiders present, it’s hard to negotiate prices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prices?” Li Zhongfa blinked. “What prices?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Royalties!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said, puzzled: “The state sets royalties at three to ten yuan per thousand characters. My goal is the top rate—ten yuan... but what I really care about is reprint royalties—that’s the endless stream of cash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhongfa: “..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Kaijian: “..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li family plus Li Dayong: “..........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Li Zhongfa asked: “Xiao Ye, are you writing novels just for the money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course,” Li Ye said firmly. “Who works for free?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Kaijian sneered with contempt: “You’re so young and already obsessed with money—you’ve sunk into a money pit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if it’s for money? So what? You two grown men are worse than my grandson!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li family’s grandmother exploded, scolding her husband and son, then turned to Li Ye: “Grandson, how much money can this novel make?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment: “Maybe a few thousand at first... then it’ll trickle in steadily...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned—back then, a few thousand yuan was real, tangible wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Zhongfa’s mind stirred—he realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The money Li Ye made from selling candy was still hot—too risky to spend, hidden at home. But if he got this big royalty payment, wouldn’t it perfectly cover it all up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Li Zhongfa looked up at his grandson—and met Li Ye’s gaze exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye grinned smugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Grandpa, you’re right—I thought exactly that.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yuejin squeezed onto a green train for over ten hours, then rode a bus for two more, finally arriving in Qingshui County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After getting off, he asked around until he reached Qingshui County No. 2 Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you looking for? From which unit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Liu at the guardhouse blocked Dong Yuejin with a gruff voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m here for Li Ye. I’m from Lanhai Publishing. Here’s my ID.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yuejin pulled out his credentials and handed them to Old Liu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Liu took it and pretended to examine it, rolling his turtle eyes upward to sneak a glance at Dong Yuejin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t read, but he could read people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yuejin was clearly a typical scholar—cut from the same cloth as the schoolteachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a school gatekeeper, Old Liu knew how troublesome teachers could be—they could argue a single point all day long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The office is over there... never mind, I’ll take you myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Liu cursed his bad luck inside, but after thinking it over, he led Dong Yuejin over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being beaten up by Jin Peng earlier, Old Liu had held a grudge against Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a true man doesn’t fight when outmatched—seeing Li Ye’s star rising, he couldn’t afford to provoke him, so he had no choice but to back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Principal Chang, this is a comrade from the publishing house, here to see Li Ye. I’ve brought him over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the publishing house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Chang, who had been reading documents, looked up sharply and stepped forward with a beaming smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re from Dahe Publishing House, right? Oh, welcome, welcome!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.........”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yuejin felt the sincerity of Principal Chang’s handshake and muttered inwardly, puzzled: “Dahe Publishing House? That’s not right...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden jolt of clarity struck Dong Yuejin—he realized Li Ye had been submitting the same manuscript to multiple publishers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, uh, could I meet Li Ye? Our editor-in-chief gave me a task—I must see Li Ye in person as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, I understand. This kid Li Ye—he’s stubborn, but he’s young! Of course he’s got fire and spirit...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After we got your call, we already gave him a serious reprimand...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yuejin was utterly bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Kid? What are you talking about, Principal?】\u003C\u002Fp>",1885,"2026-06-20T05:04:59.129Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6b627cd527d48fe17ffb52d7364256237f8feb7d7a535a37fb6bbc8af8c2fb0d","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-41","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-39",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]