1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

"What's all the noise outside?"

Yang Shulin tapped his pipe and added some more tobacco.

"I'll go take a look."

Wang Jianshui stood up and walked outside.

He returned excitedly a short while later, "Secretary, great news! Chen Weidong's article submitted to 'October' has been accepted. The editorial department sent a letter asking him to go to the magazine to revise the manuscript."

"Chen Weidong!? Are you sure you didn't hear me wrong?"

Yang Shulin looked at Wang Jianshui with surprise, his expression full of disbelief.

"It is indeed Chen Weidong. I heard it from the postman Ren Hongxing myself. Should I let him in to report?"

Wang Jianshui was also somewhat incredulous at this moment, but he was also a little smug. His judgment was indeed excellent; he could tell at a glance that Chen Weidong's future was definitely extraordinary. It seemed that his previous advice was the right thing to do.

"Well, since Ren Hongxing has confirmed it, it should be fine. But what newspaper is 'October'? I've never heard of it before. Is it from the city?"

"I really didn't expect this..."

Wang Jianshe exclaimed that he had just recently marveled at how much Chen Weidong had changed, never expecting that he would become a writer.

"Secretary, if I remember correctly, 'October' should be a magazine published in Yanjing."

Yang Shuzhi was in charge of the brigade's book management and would occasionally glance at the books, so he had some impression of "October".

Yang Shulin, Wang Jianshe, and the others were taken aback again. They had prepared themselves mentally, thinking that Chen Weidong would at most submit to local newspapers, but they never expected him to reach Beijing, something they never dared to imagine.

"These young people are truly formidable! From now on, the village must strengthen education, and the school children must be properly supervised. Anyone who murmurs 'studying is useless' will have to clean up the pigsty!"

As soon as Yang Shulin finished speaking, Wang Jianshe, Yang Shuzhi, and the others nodded in agreement.

Although they had always heard that studying could change one's destiny, now it had become a reality. Even someone like Chen Weidong could write articles in newspapers in Beijing, so the children from Yangjiatun might not necessarily have a bad future.

"So, what about the quota for educated youth returning to their hometowns this time...?"

Wang Jianshui tentatively inquired, explaining that what they had just discussed was the number of people returning to their hometowns that Yangjiatun had reported this year—a total of two.

He was just thinking about how to mention Chen Weidong, so that even if he couldn't come back this time, he would have a chance next time. He didn't expect Chen Weidong to give him a huge surprise. With the experience of submitting to "October", he was definitely able to surpass others and take a spot.

Moreover, Wang Jianshui felt more confident in making the recommendation, and he could easily gain a favor by doing so.

Yang Shulin frowned slightly. In his mind, he had never considered Chen Weidong's family before, since the latter and Su Man were already married, which would be a priority in terms of policy.

Priority will now be given to educated youth who did not marry locally, did not receive state-arranged employment, and whose household registration is still in rural areas to return to their hometowns.

But now that Chen Weidong's articles have been published in Beijing's newspapers, if he were to hold the other party hostage now, and the other party were to write something bad about him, then...

Moreover, Yang Shulin has also figured out some clues. With Chen Weidong's current abilities, even if he can't return to the city in the future, he should have no problem getting into the county cultural center with this manuscript.

If he were to block someone now, he would be purely offending them.

However, if you choose Chen Weidong, the procedures are quite complicated, and he himself has to help to get it approved.

Should we take action?

Yang Shulin fell into deep thought.

After a while.

"That's all for today. As for this spot, everyone can think about it carefully when you get back, and we'll discuss it again next time."

Yang Shulin chose to stall, intending to observe Chen Weidong's reaction, especially the reception of his manuscript.

Although the people who were appointed to grassroots leadership positions may not have high academic qualifications, they were all adept at interpersonal relationships and immediately understood Yang Shulin's meaning, nodding in agreement.

After the meeting, Wang Jianshui followed behind Wang Jianshe.

"I heard you've been getting quite close to that Chen Weidong lately?"

Wang Jianshe asked.

"He's alright. He's quick-witted, grateful, and loyal."

Wang Jianshui knew what Wang Jianshe was asking, and after thinking for a moment, he answered.

"It's good to know how to be grateful!"

Wang Jianshe sighed once and said nothing more.

……

"Su Man, congratulations, you're about to make it big!"

Lin Xi ran into the house and said to Su Man with a smile.

This left Su Man and Fu Xiao, who were busy sewing insoles, completely bewildered, unsure of what had happened.

"What do you mean? I'm going to be rich? How come I didn't know?"

Su Man looked at Lin Xi with a puzzled expression.

"Chen Weidong's article was accepted, and it was even published in Yenching's October magazine."

If Lin Xi hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes, she herself wouldn't have believed it either.

Of the six people in the educated youth settlement, Chen Weidong was second to none when it came to eating, drinking, and having fun, but when it came to studying and writing, Chen Weidong was at the bottom.

She was already quite shocked when Chen Weidong was able to write couplets and had such good handwriting a few days ago. She never expected that Chen Weidong would be so good at writing articles. No wonder Su Man married Chen Weidong in the first place. It seems that the latter must have been wise and discerning to discover Chen Weidong's true nature.

He glanced at Su Man, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

Chen Weidong?

Writing an article?

Has the manuscript been accepted by the October magazine?

Fu Xiao could understand these words individually, but when they were put together, she felt as if she couldn't understand Mandarin anymore.

Su Man was filled with questions. Her man could write articles, and they had even been approved?

Are you sure you're not joking?

Seeing the disbelief on Su Man and Fu Xiao's faces, Lin Xi hurriedly explained, "What I said is true. I just went to the brigade headquarters to pick up a letter and happened to see Chen Weidong opening it. The postman specifically confirmed this."

Liang Xiao even questioned it, but unexpectedly, everyone laughed at him for a long time, and he left in a sorry state. Fu Xiao, I guess you'll have some peace and quiet for the next ten days to two weeks.

"Chen Weidong's manuscript really got approved?!"

Fu Xiao was starting to believe it, but her mind still couldn't quite believe it.

Not to mention Fu Xiao, even Su Man was half-believing and half-doubting at this moment, with anticipation, fear, and some trepidation...

"Honey, I have some good news to tell you..."

Chen Weidong happily pushed open the door, only to see six pairs of eyes staring at him.

"Dad~"

When Chen Xiaosui saw Chen Weidong return, she immediately reached out her arms, wanting to hug him.

"Comrade Chen Weidong, has your manuscript been accepted by 'October'? Let him tell you himself."

When Lin Xi saw Chen Weidong come in, she stopped explaining and let Chen Weidong prove himself.

"You all know, you're quite well-informed. I was planning to give you a surprise. Here's the letter."

Chen Weidong handed the envelope to Su Man, then picked up Chen Xiaosui and rocked her from side to side.

Chen Xiaosui was not afraid at all; instead, she giggled and laughed, her voice crisp and clear, like a string of silver bells hanging in the summer breeze.

……