Chapter 71: A Small Trial, Final Gains

The school did not make a big fuss with any “donation announcement”; it simply invited Jiang Xiaoyan’s family into the principal’s office and resolved the matter as quietly as possible.

This was also due to Li Ye’s influence; otherwise, by past practice, they would have at least publicized it somewhat.

They would have praised the student’s academic performance, highlighted the school’s and teachers’ devotion to talent, and encouraged Jiang Xiaoyan to keep striving and reach new heights.

When Jiang Xiaoyan’s mother, Chen Jinhua, thanked the principal and teachers and stepped out of the office, Jiang Xiaoyan’s grandfather had already stormed out of the school gate, furious.

The old man watched his granddaughter’s scholarship vanish and his grandson’s spot in the advanced class disappear, so angry he nearly cursed aloud.

This deeply worried Jiang Xiaoyan; her mother, though fierce and domineering at home, tearing through everything in sight, was in truth exhausted—exhausted beyond measure.

And Jiang Xiaoyan herself was the heaviest burden causing her mother’s physical and emotional fatigue.

“What are you crying for?”

Chen Jinhua saw Jiang Xiaoyan lowering her head, wiping tears, and snapped sharply: “Raise your head. Don’t act like a monkey urinating—people will laugh at you.

Remember, a woman’s tears are useless. Only by getting into university can you earn people’s respect, only then can you speak loudly to men.”

Jiang Xiaoyan wiped her tears but still didn’t raise her head, whispering softly: “Mom, when you get home, Grandma might blame you...

First, tell Dad—I’ll send you ten yuan every month once I’m in university.”

“What’s the point of telling him? If he’d ever stood up for himself at home, would I be this worn out? Would I have to beg everyone?”

Chen Jinhua grumbled, then lowered her voice to Jiang Xiaoyan: “Don’t ever say again that you’ll send money home—it’ll be taken as gospel.

They’ll cling to you like giant mosquitoes, happily sucking your blood. If one day you can’t send money, they’ll think you’ve committed a sin against heaven and point fingers at your back.”

Seeing Jiang Xiaoyan wasn’t quite sharp, Chen Jinhua tapped her daughter’s head hard: “Did you remember everything I said?”

Jiang Xiaoyan nodded quickly: “Mom, I remember—I’ll only send money to you.”

Chen Jinhua glared: “Send me money? I hold the family’s rice spoon—do you think I’ll starve?

Don’t worry about them giving me trouble—if they dare to act tough, I’ll choke them all with pickles every day. Just take care of yourself. If you’re well, I’m leaving.”

Chen Jinhua strode off. Behind her, Jiang Xiaoyan’s eyes welled with tears, but she held them back, refusing to let them fall.

Her mother had little education—even couldn’t recognize her own name—but she was sharp.

Nowadays, a girl can’t carry a family—not even a college student can.

Earlier this year, Lu Jingyao had helped classmates review their lessons; Jiang Xiaoyan and others had seen her.

She still wore an old cotton-padded jacket, her face pale and thin, her eyes bright yet weary.

She bore no resemblance at all to the energetic, vibrant college students they imagined earning wages.

Because of her grandfather’s outburst, Jiang Xiaoyan received special “attention” from her classmates.

Li Ye found Hu Man and others and told them to go first to the Second Grain Store to cook.

“When you get there, cook and chat about happy things—don’t ask any questions, understood?”

Hu Man and the others nodded, half-understanding; they’d just been wondering what exactly had happened to Jiang Xiaoyan!

Kids these days were innocent; they didn’t understand what “fragile self-respect” even meant. A little curiosity made them dig until they found the bottom. The closer the friend, the more intensely they probed.

Only Wen Leyu, having experienced too much, resonated with Li Ye’s thoughts.

Once, those people had also been “well-intentioned,” asking her endless questions, offering warm condolences.

But in the end, they only gave her hollow comfort, then turned her pain and sorrow into gossip, boasting about it to others.

Isn’t a plucked phoenix always the best subject for gossip wherever she goes?

Wen Leyu and Li Ye walked behind, watching Jiang Xiaoyan’s back, and said to Li Ye: “Maybe I’m inexperienced, but I’ve never met anyone who helps others the way you do.”

Li Ye smiled and asked: “How do I help others?”

Wen Leyu didn’t smile; she said seriously: “You help people so carefully, as if afraid they won’t accept your help.”

Li Ye shook his head: “I’m not as good as you think. My help is selective—I’d never help some people, no matter what. Look at Xia Yue and the others—they hate me!”

Wen Leyu looked at Li Ye, pondering his words, then softly said after a few seconds: “They’re blind. If you’re not good, then no one is.”

Li Ye smiled: “Good people die young; evil ones live a thousand years. In movies, aren’t the good guys always the first to die, and the villains always survive until the final showdown?”

So I won’t hold myself to the standard of a good person. In other words...”

Li Ye turned to Wen Leyu, teasingly: “I might do bad things sometimes.”

Wen Leyu stared blankly for a long time, then slowly couldn’t hold back her laughter, struggling to suppress it.

“Fine! Be good to me—be a good person to me. To everyone else, be a bad person—a thoroughly bad one... hahaha.”

Wen Leyu’s loud laughter left Li Ye baffled, but he soon sank into her radiance.

Wen Leyu was truly perfect—even in unrestrained laughter, there was no grotesque gum display, only white teeth and brilliant light, dazzlingly blooming.

As Wen Leyu laughed, she suddenly looked far off, then ran toward it.

“Mom, you’re back!”

Li Ye turned and saw Teacher Ke walking toward them.

Wen Leyu darted like a light deer, rushing to her mother’s side, clinging to her affectionately.

The separation of over ten days, the constant longing, had only deepened the girl’s attachment to her mother.

But Teacher Ke, seeing Wen Leyu’s demeanor, was utterly astonished.

Since the family tragedy, she had never seen Wen Leyu run freely or laugh openly—yet in just a few days, how had her daughter become so cheerful?

But Li Ye knew the reason.

【Nurturing and shaping is a skilled craft. A small trial, yet real gains. Old man... very pleased.】

Teacher Ke first exchanged pleasantries with Principal Chang, canceled her leave, then spoke with Li Ye about the novel.

She smiled and asked: “Li Ye, has your writing been affected these past days?”

Li Ye said: “I’ve only incorporated usable material into my writing. Anything that might affect the outline or main plot, I didn’t use—and won’t use in the future.”

Li Ye didn’t refuse because he didn’t want to—he couldn’t.

In his past life, so many wartime historical web novels had been swallowed by divine beasts; how could he not know the rules?

What shouldn’t be written, absolutely must not be written—even Teacher Ke’s face wouldn’t save him.

But upon hearing Li Ye’s words, Teacher Ke was reassured: “If you think this way, I’m at ease.

You don’t know—these past days, though I received many complaints and suggestions, even more readers expressed eagerness for the next chapters.

In truth, as long as someone writes about those years, they’re already delighted.”

Hearing this, Li Ye felt slightly embarrassed and said: “I’ll try to meet readers’ demands—I’ll try to include characters and plotlines where possible.”

Teacher Ke thought for a moment and smiled: “That’s good. In the future, we may receive many letters and opinions.

But treat them like a group of old men who once competed in their youth, now, years later, reviving their old habit of rivalry and banter. Listen, but don’t take it seriously.”

Li Ye agreed, then listed several sensitive issues he’d accumulated over the past few days and discussed them with Teacher Ke.

In the early 1980s, the literary creation atmosphere was still quite tolerant and open—even fewer restrictions than in some later periods.

Li Ye, not being from this era, absorbed Teacher Ke’s professional advice and gained deeper insight into his upcoming writing.

In the end, Teacher Ke said: “Publication may be delayed, but rest assured—it will be published.”

Li Ye understood, but throughout, he never asked about Teacher Ke’s personal affairs.

Such matters are only yours to know when the other person chooses to tell you.

Only then will Li Ye no longer be an “outsider.”