Chapter 41

Dong Yuejin saw Li Ye approaching from the classroom and finally understood what Principal Chang meant.

【Isn’t this just a kid? Handsome, full of vigor...】

Before coming, Dong Yuejin never imagined that Qi Cun Dao Feng, the author of “Infiltration,” was a high school student.

Now, watching Li Ye walk over with a smile, he felt a flicker of inner conflict.

Several days ago, Dong Yuejin received Li Ye’s manuscript submission and immediately reported to the chief editor, urging them to secure “Infiltration.”

The chief editor also saw great potential in the novel, but he considered more factors.

For instance, who exactly was Qi Cun Dao Feng—the person capable of writing “Infiltration”? Was he a sensitive figure entangled in trouble?

In the end, the chief editor handed full authority to Dong Yuejin.

“Little Dong, this book is entirely your responsibility. Go negotiate—whether it succeeds or fails, the credit is yours.”

The chief editor’s meaning was clear: this novel was a strong work, but its subject matter was sensitive. If you want it, take it. If trouble arises, you, Dong Yuejin, bear the blame. If it succeeds, the credit is yours. The publishing house disclaims all responsibility.

Dong Yuejin came to Qingshui County with trepidation, hoping Qi Cun Dao Feng was a pure writer, not some X faction member.

This wasn’t just cowardice on Dong Yuejin’s part.

Li Ye had the perspective of the future—he knew that after the spring breeze came renewal—but others didn’t. How many years had passed since the wind shifted? What if the pendulum swung back?

But no matter how Dong Yuejin calculated, he never imagined Qi Cun Dao Feng was a “child.”

【I wonder if the latter half of the manuscript can maintain the same quality as the first. If—even if only half as good—“Infiltration” would still be outstanding.】

As Dong Yuejin muttered to himself, he walked toward Li Ye.

From Principal Chang’s tone, Dahe Publishing had already contacted Li Ye—he couldn’t afford to appear too high-handed.

Stubborn kids were like stubborn donkeys—you had to stroke them the right way. He understood.

But the moment Dong Yuejin smiled, Li Ye stretched out his hand from afar.

“Hello, Editor Dong. I only received your telegram yesterday—didn’t expect you’d arrive today. I didn’t get a chance to meet you at the station—my apologies!”

“Haha, no need, no need. We’re not delicate ladies who need to be picked up.”

“Then, shall we discuss business first, or look at the manuscript first?”

“..........”

Dong Yuejin paused slightly, surprised.

【Where’s the stubbornness? Where’s the difficulty? This kid is quite reasonable, very socially astute.】

The manuscript Li Ye submitted to Lanhai Publishing contained only a small portion of the plot, ending as Yu Zecheng, en route to take up his post as Major and Director of the Tianjin Secret Bureau, entered Jin-Cha-Ji to receive progressive ideological education.

After reading it, Dong Yuejin was obsessed with knowing what came next.

First, the plot was gripping; second, the rest of the story determined the novel’s political stance.

If the later plot collapsed or the stance veered off, Dong Yuejin would have made a wasted trip.

So now, Dong Yuejin couldn’t wait to read the rest of the manuscript—not a moment to spare.

He said: “If possible, I’d like to see the manuscript first.”

Li Ye agreed promptly: “Alright, I left the manuscript at home. Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”

Dong Yuejin smiled: “Then I won’t refuse your hospitality.”

Li Ye smiled at Principal Chang and turned to lead Dong Yuejin away.

Principal Chang hadn’t even reacted when he saw the two walking off briskly, gone.

“What kind of behavior is this?”

Principal Chang was displeased. Publishing house people came once in a blue moon—why was Li Ye so rude, not even letting everyone share a meal and get acquainted?

“Ding ling ling~”

The telephone behind him interrupted Principal Chang’s frustration.

He turned, sat down, and picked up the receiver.

“Hello? Who’s calling?”

“This is Dahe Publishing. Li Ye hasn’t contacted us. Did you convey our publishing interest to him?”

“Dahe Publishing?”

Principal Chang blinked, then blurted: “Didn’t your people just arrive? Why are you asking me?”

“.........”

“Duuu~ duuu~ duuu~”

Li Ye hadn’t left the manuscript at home—he simply didn’t want to linger at school, so he pulled Dong Yuejin out and headed straight for the county’s best restaurant—Qingshui Restaurant.

Inside, Li Zhongfa and Li Kaibian were already waiting.

After exchanging pleasantries with Dong Yuejin, they ordered wine and dishes, their warm hospitality deeply pleasing to Dong Yuejin.

Li Ye took the manuscript from his backpack and handed it to Dong Yuejin.

Normally, Dong Yuejin shouldn’t have opened the manuscript so soon, but he couldn’t hold back.

“Before the food arrives, let me glance at it—this is the real business. Please forgive me.”

“By all means, Editor Dong. Your dedication to work is admirable—truly admirable.”

Dong Yuejin flipped open the first page, scanned it, and instantly connected it to the plot in his mind.

【Yu Zecheng arrives in Tianjin... encounters the traitor Ma Kui... must bring over his fictitious wife...】

The tight, thrilling plot immediately captivated Dong Yuejin—he didn’t put the manuscript down even when the food arrived.

Worse, he didn’t just keep reading—he occasionally chuckled, shook his head, and sank deep into the story.

Li Zhongfa and Li Kaibian exchanged glances, both astonished.

They’d only just learned yesterday that Li Ye had written a novel, so they hadn’t read his manuscript.

Even with all their hopes for their son (grandson), they still thought of him as merely an “excellent high school student.”

But this bespectacled editor was over thirty, clearly a cultured man, and a professional in this field—how could he be so absorbed by a child’s writing?

“Cough~”

Li Ye cleared his throat and gave Li Zhongfa and Li Kaibian a subtle glance.

【Your grandson’s done his part. Now it’s your turn, old general.】

Li Kaibian understood at once, picked up the wine bottle, and filled Dong Yuejin’s cup.

“Editor Dong, you’ve traveled far—let me toast you first.”

“Oh, no, no trouble at all—you’re too kind.”

Dong Yuejin finally set down the manuscript, raised his cup, clinked it with Li Kaibian’s, and drank.

He’d been on the road all day and was starving; now, with a warm meal in his belly, his mood lifted.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere grew lively. Dong Yuejin learned of Li Zhongfa’s military background, and they exchanged compliments.

But through careful probing, Dong Yuejin also learned the Li family had no one involved in covert intelligence work.

He asked Li Ye curiously: “Li Ye, how did you come up with those espionage plots?”

Li Ye replied: “I received help from a teacher, and I plan to co-author the book with her.”

【Of course!】

Dong Yuejin’s heart tightened: “Your teacher—what’s her current situation? Could we meet her? You know, since you’re co-authoring, we need her approval for publication.”

Li Ye nodded: “Yes. She’s teaching students right now—I’ve notified her. She’ll be here soon.”

Dong Yuejin relaxed slightly. If “the teacher” was free to move and still teaching, she wasn’t among the most problematic types.

Soon after, Teacher Ke arrived.

Li family and Dong Yuejin had never met Teacher Ke before, but after a brief exchange, all three felt a sudden gravity.

Aura wasn’t something you could fake.

Teacher Ke’s demeanor, speech, and bearing all exerted a subtle pressure.

Even in plain clothes, she stood like a solitary star—respectful, yet distant.

Dong Yuejin hesitated. How could someone like Teacher Ke co-author a novel with a student?

He asked cautiously: “You’re Teacher Ke, correct? Li Ye says he wants to co-author this book with you. Do you have any requirements or opinions about publishing ‘Infiltration’?”

But Teacher Ke replied: “No, I only gave Li Ye minor help. There’s no need for co-authorship.”

“...........”

Li Ye stared at Teacher Ke, bewildered—why had she changed her mind?

Teacher Ke smiled at Li Ye, then took two journals from her bag.

She said with a smile: “When I was young, I liked to write, earn a little royalty... back then, I thought I had some real writing ability.”

Dong Yuejin quickly took the journals, opened them, and saw they were top-tier literary publications from over a decade ago—marked passages were substantial, high-quality novellas and novels.

Dong Yuejin respectfully said: “So you’re a senior!”

Teacher Ke shook her head humbly: “When I first met Li Ye, I thought I could offer him substantial help... but I was wrong...”

“You’ve read Li Ye’s ‘Infiltration,’ haven’t you, Editor Dong? You must have noticed—his writing style is entirely different from ours old-timers.”

Dong Yuejin nodded, deeply agreeing: “Yes. It’s a completely new style—fresh, captivating.”

Teacher Ke smiled at Li Ye: “If I can’t help much, how could I shamelessly take credit for his work?”

Li Ye truly didn’t understand—he looked at Teacher Ke, wanting to ask why right now.

【Has she no longer needed help?】