[{"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-820":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},2295238,4489,"Chapter 820: Mooching Meals with Unshakable Confidence","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-820",820,"\u003Cp>On Sunday, Li Ye had planned to continue mooching meals at his mother Fu Guiru’s place, since Fu Guiru complained about the hassle of caring for her son yet cherished the quiet moments spent with Li Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unluckily, after waking up in the morning, Li Ye received a call from Fu Guiru: the financial team at Lighthouse had judged on Friday that the Lighthouse stock market was likely to accelerate its decline, so Fu Guiru had flown to Lighthouse to join Pei Wencong and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Li Ye, left alone at the hotel, couldn’t act independently—he didn’t speak Japanese and couldn’t visit famous sites by himself, so he had to follow the group on their “sightseeing” tour of Tokyo’s streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the internet became widespread in 2000, mainland travelers lacked detailed knowledge of local attractions; upon arriving in a new city, many treated strolling the streets as “sightseeing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d walk several laps along major roads, observing how the city differed from their own, and if they spotted any interesting customs or quirks, they could brag about them for months back home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you, women from Heilongjiang are fierce—I stepped on one’s foot on the bus, just thought I’d flirt a bit, and she didn’t say a word before cursing my entire family line.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just got back from Shanghai—I saw tons of women in high heels and miniskirts at the Bund Hotel entrance, those skirts were ridiculously short, tsk tsk—though they were all with foreigners, which made me feel uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Ye trailed behind Xiao Jinggang and others along Tokyo’s bustling streets, he kept hearing the group’s tsk tsk sounds of amazement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do all these Japanese girls have pigeon-toed legs? Don’t they feel cold? It’s autumn and they’re showing their legs bare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at their cars—polished to a shine. Let’s take a photo later and show it to the drivers at our unit, let them see how far behind they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This building is so tall. And there are so many traffic lights on this road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye followed listlessly behind, not mocking his companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between mainland China in the 1980s and Tokyo in the 1980s was far more shocking than the shock a person from Daliang Mountain might feel upon first arriving in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhao Professor and Xiao Zheng in the group had different interests from the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were fascinated by the cars on the road—not just their appearance, but also the sound of their engines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, look at that Mitsubishi pickup—it must be the upgraded version of our imported project. The engine noise is quieter, and the body panels are clearly tighter and more refined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the gap! This is the difference!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached a gentle undulating slope, the two simply stopped walking, standing by the roadside to observe the cars speeding past, watching how their suspensions reacted to the uneven road surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, Liu Muhan and the others noticed Zhao Professor, Li Ye, and Xiao Zheng had stopped: “Hey, Professor Zhao, why aren’t you walking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll watch for a bit—go on ahead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That won’t do—we’re supposed to stay together as a group.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Jinggang and the others helplessly stood in place, breathing in car exhaust for twenty minutes, listening to Zhao Professor and Xiao Zheng’s tsk tsk sounds and watching them shake their heads in sighs, thinking the two were absolute fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye knew that among the entire team, only these two were true technicians obsessed with mechanical technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, may I ask—are you from the mainland?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group stood idly watching cars, a woman suddenly approached and spoke to Li Ye and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke fluent Beijing dialect, instantly sparking enthusiasm in several people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you’re from the mainland too? From Beijing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes yes! You’re from Beijing too? I haven’t heard my hometown dialect in a couple years—this feels so warm and familiar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, we feel the same! Didn’t expect to meet a Beijinger in Tokyo—rare, really rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not easy at all! I spotted you from far away and immediately thought you looked like fellow townsfolk—may I ask your surname?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Xiao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? I’m Xiao too! I’m from Dongcheng—what generation and lineage are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the 23rd generation, Jin character.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! Then I can’t call you brother—I have to call you uncle. I’m the 24th generation, Qun character—my name is Xiao Qunfang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then! We’re truly family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Xiao Jinggang established kinship with the woman surnamed Xiao, they grew warm and familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a foreign land, meeting a fellow townsman is a rare blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Xiao Qunfang, she came to Japan during the early wave of overseas migration two years ago, working and studying simultaneously; after graduation, she used her savings to open a department store selling various electronics and small goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye squinted and sized up Xiao Qunfang from head to toe, and guessed her true nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye walked over to Liu Muhan, quietly tugged her sleeve, and gave her a meaningful look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Muhan wasn’t Wen Leyu—she didn’t share Li Ye’s intuitive understanding, and remained suspicious for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Sigh, so you’re also a socialist infant.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since starting work, Liu Muhan had only handled official assignments and had never interacted with overseas Chinese from the lower classes, so she lacked proper vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, in 1987, many overseas Chinese were genuinely kind and helpful—another reason for Liu Muhan’s complacency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the woman surnamed Xiao warmly invited everyone: “You’ve all been walking for hours—tired, right? My department store is just ahead—I’ll treat you all to lunch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can we accept that? Too much trouble, too much trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not at all!” Xiao Qunfang laughed cheerfully. “I’ve done well in business these past two years, made some money—but I miss home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today I’ve met so many fellow townspeople—I must fulfill my duty as host. After lunch, I’ll give Uncle a video recorder to take home, and each of you a small appliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, oh my—you’re too generous, too generous!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they protested verbally, their hearts were already tempted; one greedy fellow had already taken a step forward to follow Xiao Qunfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye coldly asked: “Excuse me, do you have receipts for those items?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qunfang froze, puzzled: “What receipts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said: “For the video recorder and the small appliances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qunfang’s face stiffened, then she smiled: “I’m giving these as gifts to Uncle—why would I need receipts? Are you worried about customs inspection when you return? Don’t worry—as long as it’s under the limit, no proof is needed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye slowly shook his head and said firmly: “I’m not worried about customs—I’m worried about Japanese police asking questions. What if they suspect these items were stolen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you talking about, Li Ye? This woman’s being kind—she’s a fellow townsman inviting us to sit down. What nonsense are you spouting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh come on, Xiao Qunfang, don’t mind him—our young colleague just speaks bluntly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Jinggang flew into a rage, glaring at Li Ye, while another colleague was already begging Xiao Qunfang for forgiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Muhan now realized the truth and stepped forward with a smile: “We’re truly sorry, Ms. Xiao. We left in a hurry today and didn’t bring any cash, so we can’t visit your store. Please leave us your address—we’ll come visit you another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xiao Qunfang turned and walked away, muttering curses as she went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re ungrateful dogs—biting Lü Dongbin! I offered kindness and you treated it like donkey liver. You’ll stay poor your whole lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Jinggang watched his “niece” storm off, then turned to Li Ye, his eyes blazing with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Deputy Factory Director, what exactly are you implying? Do you think only you can make side money and become rich, while everyone else is a fraud?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye glanced at Xiao Jinggang and nodded toward Xiao Qunfang as she vanished down the alley: “Do you really think she’s a small-time shopkeeper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Jinggang sneered: “I don’t think she’s small-time—she’s a big merchant. She’s ready to gift us a video recorder. Unlike some people who only spend their own hard-earned money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then go after her now—you still have time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye cut him off sharply, then addressed the others: “I don’t know if you noticed, but Xiao Qunfang’s hair hasn’t been washed in at least three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s highly abnormal in Japan—a shop owner wouldn’t dare show up in public with unwashed hair for three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone paused, recalling—then realized Xiao Qunfang indeed didn’t seem as clean as other Japanese people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Jinggang blinked, then argued: “She’s not Japanese—she’s our own countrywoman. Different customs. Isn’t it normal for girls back home to go three days without washing their hair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye didn’t even look at Xiao Jinggang. “Did you notice her shirt and shoes? Her collar is stained with oil, and her heel is worn unevenly on one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s walk to Ikebukuro ahead—we’ll see many Chinese restaurants and shops. Check out those Chinese shopkeepers—any of them look as shabby as her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone now believed Li Ye, especially Ma Zhao and Lu Zhizhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, both had believed Xiao Qunfang—after all, this was the pre-internet era, and everyone held deep affection for overseas compatriots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go! Let’s check out Ikebukuro—they say there are many Chinese compatriots and restaurants there. Let’s have Chinese food for lunch today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Liu Muhan broke the awkward silence and led the group toward nearby Ikebukuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today’s lunch would definitely exceed the budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when Li Ye and the others arrived at Ikebukuro, they happened to run into Mr. Inoue from Mitsubishi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Inoue was leading several colleagues and seven or eight white guests out of a car, heading into a large Chinese restaurant for lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group instantly erupted in anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t Mitsubishi say they rest on Sundays? Why are they taking Lighthouse people out to lunch? What’s this? We’re guests, the Lighthouse people are guests—why do they get special treatment? So infuriating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why get angry? Isn’t this perfect? We’ve got someone to treat us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Zhao chuckled, then strode straight toward Mr. Inoue’s group—Liu Muhan, the interpreter, couldn’t even catch up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Mr. Inoue! Working on Sunday? Oh my, who are these people? Also your guests?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Muhan: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You really are shamelessly mooching meals.】\u003C\u002Fp>",1732,"2026-06-20T05:05:02.628Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e950805622c0c7475f99f1472c5cd7dd898d92aa59d4ecf3576b10f98e8437f0","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-821","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-819",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]