My era, 1979!

Chapter 179 My dear brother, you must have lost your mind today~ (6k words, one more chapter to come)
According to Xu Chengjun himself, the value of "Hope" does not lie in achieving a breakthrough in narrative technique.

Although its structure is already quite novel.

Its true significance lies in the spirit of "Xin Xiwang," which struggled out of the mud and, with its unwavering determination to move towards the future, infused this era of rebuilding and turmoil with a living spring called "belief."

More importantly, the heroic figure of "Li Changcun," rooted in the black soil and silent as a mountain, resonates deeply across time and space with the world he depicts, proving the immortality and inheritance of a spirit.

However, Xu Chengjun underestimated the impact that this work, which "does not rely on technique," has had on the contemporary literary scene due to its unique narrative style.

The moment "The Mailbox" was released, it stirred up an unprecedented storm in the commentary world.

Traditional critics, holding their eyes, were both amazed by its ingenious form and bewildered.

"What is this? A novel? A collection of letters? Or a prophecy?"

At an internal discussion within the Writers' Association, a veteran critic slammed his fist on the table, exclaiming, "It completely disregards the classic narrative structure; this is simply... a desecration of the novel genre!"

But many more voices, especially those from younger readers and commentators, are filled with excitement and admiration.

"The Mailbox of Hope breaks down the fourth wall! It allows the future to directly communicate with the present, and transforms hope from an ethereal slogan into a tangible and communicable reality!"

An article published in the magazine *Reading* enthusiastically stated, "Xu Chengjun is not writing stories; he is building a corridor of time, allowing readers to walk through it and engage in dialogue with their future selves and with the future of China. This is an unprecedented reading experience and a narrative revolution!"

The debate spread from literary publications to university campuses, and from artsy teahouses to the streets and alleys.

The "letterbox style" has even begun to be imitated by some young authors who are trying to use letters to explore their confusion and aspirations regarding technological change and personal value.

Xu Chengjun, unwittingly, has pried open a crack full of possibilities for rigid literary expression.

Beyond the realm of pure literature, the impact of "The Box of Hope" is even more profound and subtle.

In the "letters from the future" in the book, seemingly casual mentions include "sole proprietorships are no longer a rarity," "township enterprises are developing rapidly," "computers are beginning to enter ordinary households," and "people are starting to talk about 'going into business' and 'market economy'"...

These details, which serve as background elements in Xu Chengjun's writing, are nothing short of thunderclaps in the eyes of some observant individuals.

This "novel" is quietly circulating in some economic research institutes and government compounds.

They carefully perused the pages, trying to extract from the literary descriptions the path forward for the economy.

"He doesn't write science fiction,"

An economist who participated in the internal discussion spoke cautiously, "What he wrote is a logically rigorous and detailed deduction. If some of the scenarios in the book become reality, then shouldn't our policy research and our industrial planning be more forward-looking?"

Even at some higher-level meetings, when discussing the specific path of reform and opening up and the new problems that may be encountered, someone would occasionally subtly mention: "There is a novel recently called 'The Box of Hope'. It contains some ideas that, although imaginative, are quite inspiring... We can study what the masses, especially young intellectuals, expect for the future."

Xu Chengjun's experimental work is more than just a literary work.

It became a unique lens, allowing people from different fields to observe, think, and try to predict the era that was rapidly approaching.

To a certain extent, it subtly influenced the perception and imagination of some elites about the "future," and laid the groundwork for a "stress test" of their thinking and concepts in advance for many policies that have not yet been introduced and the economic wave that is about to emerge.
-
On New Year's Day afternoon, the sunlight, carrying a rare warmth for winter, lazily spilled onto the cobblestone paths of Fudan University campus.

Xu Chengjun had just finished organizing a manuscript about Song Dynasty anecdotal novels when Su Manshu caught him red-handed.

"Let's go, let's go! We agreed to have dinner at home today!"

Su Manshu gripped his arm tightly, her face beaming with a bright smile, like the warm winter sun. "I called Xiaomei, and she said... uh, she said she made plans with a classmate to discuss homework, and will spend the holiday with you tonight."

Xu Chengjun understood that his sensible younger sister felt that her presence, as the "sister-in-law," might make everyone uncomfortable on such an important family occasion as the "prospective son-in-law's" visit.

This girl, though young, always has such a delicate and thoughtful mind, carrying a kind of "deep understanding of righteousness" that is just like his but not belonging to his age.

Unable to resist Su Manshu's insistence, Xu Chengjun had no choice but to be dragged along by her, once again embarking on the journey to Su's alley.

In fact, Professor Su Liancheng had already returned from Beijing during this period. However, whether by coincidence or design, the two, despite being in the same Chinese department, rarely met. Occasionally, when they encountered each other in the hallway, Su Liancheng would simply nod reservedly as a greeting, without engaging in any further conversation.

Wang Shuizhao, always eager for a good laugh, would tease them every time he saw them together, saying, "Oh, father-in-law and son-in-law sharing a room!"

Su Liancheng would often just glare fiercely at Wang Shuizhao, snort through his nose, his expression a mixture of helplessness, resentment, and a hint of barely perceptible...acceptance?
To be fair, Su Liancheng knew in his heart that a young man like Xu Chengjun, with his talent, temperament, and vision and sense of responsibility beyond his years, was hard to find even with a lantern.

After reading the first draft of the economics paper on the ratio of agriculture, light industry, and heavy industry that he co-authored with his daughter, he was secretly shocked. How could this kid be like a sent-down youth who had just come from the countryside?

His vision and perspective are unmatched, even by many veteran professors who have been immersed in academia for many years, and he has perfectly avoided the narrow-minded detours he himself took in his youth.

His daughter and he were kindred spirits and could encourage each other academically; they were a match made in heaven.

But rational as he was, emotionally, the thought of his precious daughter, whom he had carefully nurtured for twenty years, being "kidnapped" away by this "brat" in front of him without a word filled him with the bittersweet feeling of a father, making it impossible for him to put on a good face.

My precious cabbage!
As soon as I entered the alleyway where the Su family lived, the neighbors' warm gazes immediately turned to me. Several elderly women sitting in the doorway, basking in the sun, chuckled and teased me in their soft, gentle Shanghainese:
"Manshu's back? Bringing your boyfriend along for some fun?"
"Oh my, this young man is quite handsome! Professor Su is so lucky!"
"Yu Ru, have you found a son-in-law that you're happy with?"

Hearing this, Shen Yuru, who was tidying up the salted meat drying at the door, didn't stop working. She straightened up deftly and said in a clear, slightly sassy voice, "Satisfied! How could I not be satisfied? Our Manshu has good taste! Much better than her father back then! Don't be too envious!"
A burst of good-natured laughter echoed through the alleyway.

Xu Chengjun maintained a polite smile, but his ears felt a little hot.

He was afraid of these gossipy aunts in his past life.

Fierce and ruthless~
Su Manshu was quite poised and even winked at the elderly women.

Upon entering the main room, one sees Su Liancheng sitting upright on a mahogany sofa, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand. He slightly raises his eyelids, glances at Xu Chengjun, and gives a barely audible "hmm" as a greeting. Then he lowers his head again, intently watching the tea leaves floating in the cup, as if some unparalleled masterpiece is hidden within them.

The atmosphere momentarily froze.

Shen Yuru followed in and smiled with a hint of annoyance at her husband's pretentious expression.

She casually walked to Su Liancheng's side, reached out, and precisely pinched the soft flesh of his waist, giving it a gentle twist. Her face still held a gentle smile as she lowered her voice, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear: "Su Liancheng, let me tell you, I like this son-in-law very much. If you dare to give me a hard time and scare him away, I'll never forgive you! Do you hear me?"

"Ouch! Be gentle..." Su Liancheng was caught off guard and winced in pain, but dared not raise his voice. He could only nod helplessly while inhaling, "I know, I know... Let go, what kind of behavior is this..."

Su Manshu watched her parents' subtle, undercurrent-like actions from the side and covered her mouth to chuckle.

Xu Chengjun suppressed a laugh and said to Shen Yuru in a serious tone, "Auntie... what a graceful demeanor!"

Shen Yuru then released her hand with satisfaction, patted off non-existent dust, and smiled, "Chengjun, sit down and ignore him. Auntie will make you a good cup of tea."

Su Liancheng rubbed his side, looking sullen, and finally looked at Xu Chengjun properly, beckoning him: "Ahem... since you're here, don't just sit there. Come over, let's play a game of chess in the study. I heard you're pretty good at chess, the whole Chinese department knows about it."

How do you know?
Of course, it was Zhu Dongrun who promoted it~
This player's chess skills are superb; he is a match for me!
Well, we all know how good you are at chess.
Xu Chengjun readily agreed and followed Su Liancheng into the study.

The study was filled with the fragrance of ink, and a set of Go stones was already laid out on the low table by the window.

The two sat facing each other, with Su Liancheng playing black and making the first move decisively.

The game of chess proceeded smoothly, with only the crisp sound of pieces being placed echoing in the study.

After a long pause, Su Liancheng spoke as if casually, his gaze still fixed on the chessboard: "I have read 'Red Silk' carefully. It is about war, but not about grand narratives. It focuses on the pain and resilience of ordinary people, the helplessness behind the war and the glimmer of humanity... It has flesh and blood, it has soul. It is far superior to those works that only shout slogans."

He placed a piece, paused, and continued, "Hope... has a broader scope. It's not just about technical innovation; it truly sees the aspirations of the people on this land and gives them the strength to look forward. Mr. Zhu was right about you; you have indeed grasped the key to 'establishing the roots of tradition and ushering in a new era.'"

This is extremely high praise.

Xu Chengjun was deeply moved and respectfully replied, "Thank you, Teacher Su. I will continue to work hard."

"Hmm." Su Liancheng responded noncommittally, then changed the subject, "This exchange trip to Japan is a rare opportunity. The Japanese have some worthwhile things to see in Sinology, especially in Tang and Song literature and the collation of ancient books. As for the scholars of the Kyoto School, although we may not completely agree with their views, they are rigorous in their scholarship and we can exchange ideas, but we should be mindful of our position and remain neither arrogant nor humble."

He pondered for a moment, then placed another piece, his tone carrying the advice of someone with experience: "Going out there represents not only you personally, but also Fudan University, and the face of young Chinese scholars. You can debate academically, but you can't lose face in terms of integrity. Also... be careful in your daily life. I heard they have a lot of raw and cold food there. If your stomach can't handle it, find somewhere to get some hot food."

As he spoke, he maintained a stern expression, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, as if he were merely commenting on the game.

Xu Chengjun felt a surge of warmth in his heart, knowing that this was the greatest care and recognition his awkward "future father-in-law" could offer. He solemnly replied, "I understand, Teacher Su. I will be careful and will certainly live up to the school's expectations, and I will also... take good care of myself."

Su Liancheng snorted in response, his attention seemingly returning entirely to the chess game, but the corners of his tightly pressed lips softened slightly.

Outside the study, the faint sounds of Su Manshu and her mother preparing meals could be heard, mixed with the clattering of pots and pans.

The chess game in the study ended with Xu Chengjun winning by a narrow margin of half a point. Su Liancheng said, "Young people are too impetuous and don't know how to conceal their strength."

There was no annoyance in his eyes.

Xu Chengjun also won on purpose.

You just have to tease your father-in-law a little!
Just then, Shen Yuru's voice came from the dining room: "Dinner's ready! Chess idiots, if you don't get off the table soon, the food will get cold!"

The two moved into the restaurant and were immediately attracted by the scene before them.

A large octagonal table is laden with dishes, each one a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, showcasing the abundance and refinement of Wuxi cuisine.

The most eye-catching dish is undoubtedly the Wuxi-style braised pork ribs. The deep red, glossy sauce tightly coats the ribs, rich and flavorful, exuding an enticing sweet aroma. It is the essence of the sauce, slowly simmered with rock sugar and dark soy sauce.

Next to it was a bowl of stuffed gluten balls in clear broth. The golden, round gluten balls were soaking in the clear soup, and when you poked them with chopsticks, the plump meat filling and delicious juices would gush out.

The stir-fried eggs with silverfish are a beautiful mix of yellow and white, with tender eggs encasing silverfish, one of the "Three Whites of Taihu Lake," making it incredibly delicious.

There's also Mirror Box Tofu, square-shaped fried tofu hollowed out and stuffed with minced meat, resembling a mirror box used by women in olden times for dressing, with a rich, savory sauce. The pickled mustard greens stir-fried with winter bamboo shoots are crisp and refreshing. In the stewed pork and bamboo shoot casserole, salted pork, fresh pork, and spring bamboo shoots simmer in a milky white broth, steaming hot and fragrant…

Each dish showcased Shen Yuru's culinary skills as a well-bred young lady from Wuxi and her emphasis on this "prospective son-in-law's homecoming banquet."

Awesome!
"Come, come, Chengjun, sit down quickly."

Shen Yuru warmly invited Xu Chengjun to sit down next to her, and then magically produced two antique ceramic wine bottles. "This is old yellow wine that I brought from my hometown of Wuxi. It's been stored for quite a few years. I'm happy today, so you two... oh no, your Teacher Su and you should have a drink too."

Upon seeing this, Su Liancheng immediately put on a stern face and waved his hand reservedly: "No, no, I have things to do this afternoon. Drinking will only make things worse."

He has the demeanor of a strict teacher.

Shen Yuru ignored him and directly filled the white porcelain cups in front of Xu Chengjun and her husband with wine.

The amber-colored liquor was poured into the glass, and its rich aroma immediately filled the air.

Xu Chengjun quickly stood up to express his gratitude. After a few bites of delicious food, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Encouraged by Shen Yuru and toasted by Xu Chengjun, Su Liancheng reluctantly drank the first cup.

The aged Shaoxing wine was smooth on the palate, but had a strong aftertaste. After a few cups, the seriousness on Su Liancheng's face melted away like spring snow.

"Tsk, good wine!"

He smacked his lips, downed a few drinks, and started talking, "Chengjun, let me tell you, back in the Southwest Associated University... hiccup... that was truly a turbulent time! Mr. Wen Yiduo slammed his fist on the table, he was so passionate and eloquent! Although I, Su Liancheng, am a scholar, I... didn't disgrace Chinese intellectuals! Staying up all night writing articles, debating with the reactionaries, that was commonplace..."

He began to recount his time at the Southwest Associated University, recounting the glorious past of persisting in scholarship amidst hardship and safeguarding cultural heritage in the midst of war. When he got excited, his eyebrows danced, as if he had returned to that passionate youth.

Xu Chengjun listened attentively with a smile, occasionally chiming in with a few words, while his hands moved methodically as he offered toasts.

In his previous life, he worked his way up within the system, which honed his drinking capacity and taught him how to control his pace.

Perhaps it was due to the superior genes of this young body, but after a few cups of rice wine, his complexion remained normal and his eyes were clear, forming a stark contrast with Su Liancheng, who had a flushed face and a dazed look in his eyes.

As the wine flowed freely, Su Liancheng completely let loose.

Xu Chengjun behaved appropriately, which earned him many points.

He grabbed Xu Chengjun's shoulder, reeking of alcohol, and said, "Brother Xu... let me tell you! My daughter Manshu... hiccup... is in your hands! You're a talented and loyal guy! I can see that! Much better than my students!"

Xu Chengjun was both amused and exasperated, and looked at Su Manshu and Shen Yuru across the table for help.

But then they saw that the mother and daughter had quietly moved to a corner far away from the "battlefield" and were whispering to each other, their faces showing amusement.

Seeing Xu Chengjun looking over, Shen Yuru gave him an encouraging look that said, "You handle it, we don't care." Su Manshu even secretly threw him a flirtatious wink, her eyes full of charm, with a hint of cunning and indulgence.

"Teacher Su, you've had too much to drink. Shall I help you to rest?"

Xu Chengjun tried to remain rational.

Upon hearing this, Su Liancheng immediately waved his hand and slurred, "Teacher Su? No way! Each... each person should be addressed separately! In the department, you call me Teacher Su! But in this house... you have to call me... call me father-in-law!"

Xu Chengjun, being a man who had "smoked around" before, knew that going along with the situation was the right thing to do. So he immediately followed suit and tentatively called out, "Father-in-law?"

I'm not pretending anymore~
It's all about getting your daughter!

Su Liancheng immediately beamed and responded loudly, "Yes!"

That "Eh" was drawn out for a long time, full of pride and satisfaction.

But after a short while, he seemed to remember something important and beckoned to the mother and daughter in the corner: "Manshu! Yuru! Come here!"

As the two approached, he hiccuped, slurred his words, and said to Xu Chengjun with a serious expression, "Chengjun! You're even better than I expected! People say...a person's character is revealed when they're drunk! You're a true gentleman! Cough cough...so, when...are we setting a date?"

Su Manshu blushed and scolded, "Dad! What nonsense are you talking about!"

Shen Yuru glared at her husband, her eyes sharp and decisive, almost like Wang Xifeng's. She reached out and pinched the soft flesh of his waist, saying, "My dear brother, you must be out of your mind today. What nonsense are you spouting? Manshu is still in school, and Chengjun is just starting out. What kind of date are you setting? I think you've had too much wine and your mind is clouded!"

"Ouch!" Su Liancheng winced in pain, seemingly sobering up a bit, but the stubborn streak that comes with alcohol kicked in, and he stubbornly argued, "What's wrong with going to school? Let's settle things first..."

In the end, it took Xu Chengjun and his daughter Su Manshu working together, using a combination of coaxing and cajoling, to get this drunken "old child" back to his bedroom and onto the bed.

He started snoring almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Shen Yuru tucked her husband in and returned to the living room. With a hint of apology, she said to Xu Chengjun, "Chengjun, I'm so sorry you had to see this. That's just how he is. He's usually so proper, but once he's had too much to drink, he reveals his true colors and becomes like a little kid. We were all so happy today, and we wanted to invite your sister over for a lively family reunion dinner, but... sigh, on this New Year's Day, this whole mess has ruined your meal."

Xu Chengjun quickly and politely replied, "Auntie, please don't say that. Teacher Su is just being genuine; she doesn't treat me like an outsider. I'm already very happy to be able to spend the holiday with you, Teacher Su, and Manshu. This meal was especially heartwarming, and the food was particularly delicious—the most authentic Wuxi cuisine I've ever had. Xiaomei is alright; we can get together again tonight."

His words were sincere and thoughtful, and upon hearing them, Shen Yuru's apology turned into deeper satisfaction and affection.

After sitting for a while and drinking a cup of hangover tea, Xu Chengjun got up to say goodbye.

Shen Yuru asked Su Manshu to see him off.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly in the alleyway.

Su Manshu and Xu Chengjun walked side by side.

"You did a great job~" Su Manshu tilted her head, smiling at him with bright eyes.

"Not bad?" Xu Chengjun raised an eyebrow.

"It's so-so," Su Manshu said, feigning modesty, then chuckled, her voice tinged with a hint of naivety. "Try harder next time, sir!"

Xu Chengjun readily agreed, nodding slightly, his tone carrying a smile and a hint of barely perceptible seriousness: "Yes, Madam."

The two smiled at each other, the sunlight shining on them, warm and bright. There was none of the usual shyness of young lovers, only a tacit understanding and a shared expectation for the future flowing quietly between them.

(End of this chapter)