[{"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-869":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},2295287,4489,"Chapter 869: Everyone","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-869",869,"\u003Cp>Li Ye looked at Ning Pingping, who spoke with unshakable confidence, and saw in her the super-confident older sisters from future-era matchmaker shows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fenghua Clothing has multiple brand lines: the Doukou series targets young, fashion-conscious students, the Liren series targets fashionable women, and the Fenghua series is the most expensive and most successful high-end brand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Ning Pingping insisted “I don’t want anything else,” her appetite was far from small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye smiled faintly: “What if I refuse? You’ll stop shooting ads for Fenghua Clothing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping felt Li Ye’s pressure but still said: “Don’t refuse right away—I’m willing to pay ten million U.S. dollars for brand transfer fees, and I’ll give you a share of Fenghua series profits; everything stays the same, you won’t lose out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye asked in surprise: “Where did you get ten million U.S. dollars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping was ecstatic—after being suppressed by Li Ye and his sister for so long, Li Ye had finally been stunned by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly: “Li Ye, you’re not the only one who understands market economics. Though you graduated from Jingda’s economics program, over these two years in the Lighthouse, I’ve also learned what capital is, what management is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mainland economics, before the highly developed market economy of the Lighthouse, is like an undeveloped child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten million U.S. dollars isn’t a small amount—I can’t believe you have that money just because you say so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye grew serious, asking questions while closely observing Ning Pingping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping’s eyes flickered, then she said: “I’ve won the trust of a major company in the Lighthouse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re interested in my influence on the mainland and in its apparel industry—if our cooperation goes well, there will be more capital investment later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not interested in you, and they don’t want the operating rights to the Fenghua series.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said coldly: “Your backer is after Fenghua Clothing’s nationwide sales channels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m not mistaken, when you said ‘everything stays the same,’ you meant to use Fenghua’s sales channels to expand your backer’s other businesses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping froze, wanting to deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Ye sneered: “Don’t bother denying—your eyes have already betrayed you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye knew this Lighthouse capital tactic from his past life—many high-quality mainland brands had been blinded by flashy U.S. dollars; later, the controversial Gree almost fell for it, selling out at a seemingly high price to cunning foreign capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping snapped: “How dare you talk about my backer? Don’t you have capital behind you? How did you get Fenghua Clothing big in the first place—by using Pei Wencong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You went first, used your efforts for the Wen family to marry Wen Leyu, and now you dare stand high above and mock me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Ye, you’re no different from me—we’re neither of us superior. Don’t play that moral high ground with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye finally understood—Ning Qingqing saw him as the Wen family’s “glove,” and now wanted to replicate his path, even his emotional bond with Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye exhaled softly: “Stop wasting my time. If you think you’re right, go talk to Wen Guohua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping, as if stung, suddenly stood up: “Li Ye, I came here in good faith—expanding the Fenghua series benefits both of us. But since you won’t accept it, don’t blame me for dropping sentiment and dealing only in business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said coolly: “Go ahead. Use whatever tactics you want. But I’ll warn you—if you’re trying to prove something to Wen Guohua, ask his opinion first. Don’t act on your own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, our business doesn’t concern you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Pingping turned and stormed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye listened to the fading stomps of her high heels and let out a quiet sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Guohua clearly had feelings for Ning Pingping—otherwise he wouldn’t have asked Li Ye for help so many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ning Pingping had misjudged her position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a trophy, yet insisted on proving her ability, proving her worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Wen Guohua need Ning Pingping to be his glove for collecting money? What nonsense—Wen Leyu controlled over a billion in funds. Do you think Wen Guohua cared about your few million dollars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Guohua needed a beautiful, curvaceous, obedient woman who could provide abundant emotional value—not a power-hungry career woman trying to become his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Guohua already had a child with Pan Xiaoying; Ning Pingping had long missed her chance. If she kept stirring, she’d lose even the last shred of goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye thought for a moment, then called Hao Jian—but Hao Jian was probably on the road; his phone was out of service, and his pager received no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye then called Pei Wencong in Hong Kong—he should still be there today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the phone rang twice before being answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Li, are you looking for me or for Dayong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I wanted Dayong, I’d call his number directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no, Dayong got drunk and is resting now—I thought you called him and got no answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You got Dayong drunk? Watch it—he’s currently involved with Xiao Hui’s Hope Project, you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What hope project?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind. I’ve got something else to tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye stopped joking with Pei Wencong and said seriously: “Arrange for your Lighthouse contacts to investigate Ning Pingping—find out which company she’s closely tied to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lighthouse capital never acted without seeing results; if they promised Ning Pingping ten million, they’d have a hidden agenda—Li Ye couldn’t wait for them to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Wencong paused, then asked: “The Ning Pingping who’s the spokesperson for Fenghua Clothing? What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said coldly: “She thinks her wings are grown, and wants to fly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh oh oh~ So Mr. Li, should we replace the spokesperson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye said: “Temporarily use Kong Moli as a placeholder—we’ll find a better candidate to cultivate later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Moli started shooting ads with Ning Pingping, but her image wasn’t as strong, so Li Ye had to prepare a backup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Pei Wencong suddenly grew excited: “Mr. Li, may I recommend someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who do you want to recommend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye warned: “I’m telling you, Pei—after Ning Pingping’s example, I won’t tolerate anyone uncontrollable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Wencong laughed heartily: “Of course, of course—Huimin is one of us, she’s sensible and won’t cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huimin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye blinked, puzzled: “You don’t mean Zhou Huimin, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehehe~ Xiao Hui already told you, right? I’m coming to Beijing tomorrow—I’ll bring her to show you. If you think she’s unsuitable, we won’t use her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Pei—you’ve got to settle down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye hung up, muttering: “Everyone’s got a crush—they all turn into love-struck fools around pretty girls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro, when you met my sister-in-law, did your IQ drop too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ye looked up and saw his sisters tiptoeing in—and behind them stood Wen Leyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls had snitched and brought Wen Leyu here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wen Leyu gave Li Ye face, smiling: “You don’t need to ask your brother that question—when I first met him, my IQ dropped a little too.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1168,"2026-06-20T05:05:02.628Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","220d041e311872e2381cd7e384225c297659b38ddbc2af41229328c13525c570","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-870","that-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-chapter-868",884,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-the-flowers-bloomed-in-1981-cover.jpg"]