108. Librarian at Yenching University—This Is Far Too Sacred!

"Xue-min, how is it? Did you manage to bring out the sample copy of *People's Literature*?"

Meeting up with Feng Jiayou, the first thing she asked about was the *People's Literature* sample copy; it was clear the woman was anxious! And her roommates were even more so.

"Yes, yes! Is it true, Lao Xu, that you created an 'atomic bomb' for the journal *October*, only for it to be hijacked by *People's Literature*?"

"An 'atomic bomb'!? Just how good must that manuscript be for it to be exaggerated into an atomic bomb, and for *People's Literature* to fight over it like that?!"

"And that’s not all. Xue-min, you were called to the ministry for a meeting yesterday, and there were special instructions specifically for you?"

Yesterday, the search for Cheng Xuemin across Yanjing University had been so thorough it even alarmed the President's office. In the end, they found Cheng Xuemin—the author of *The Herdsman*, known as Lao Xu—in the library. The incident caused quite a stir, and the name "Cheng Xuemin" suddenly became even more famous than his pen name, "Lao Xu, author of *The Herdsman*."

Everyone was asking: Who is Cheng Xuemin? Which department, which class is he in at Yanda? When they were told that Cheng Xuemin was the real name of the author of *The Herdsman*, everyone had an "aha!" moment. So, they had been looking for *The Herdsman*'s Lao Xu all along!

"The sample copy underwent some adjustments, so they didn't let me take it out. However, it's already in print, and you'll be able to see and buy it tomorrow morning!" Cheng Xuemin replied to Feng Jiayou, then looked at Huang Beijia, Cha Jianying, and the others, truly at a loss for how to answer them.

"Xue-min, you're here!"

"Come on, let's head to the office. Lao Xie is looking for you!"

Just then, Chen Shumin ran over and greeted Cheng Xuemin.

"Lao Xie?! Isn't he over at the Yanjing Film Studio?" Cheng Xuemin was stunned. How was it that he kept running into Lao Xie—Xie Jin—everywhere?

Earlier today, while at the People's Literature Publishing House, he hadn't met Lao Xie himself, but a "Lao Pan" had emerged. Lao Pan had been invited by Lao Xie to the Film Studio to oversee the storyboards. Upon seeing the storyboards Cheng Xuemin had drawn and realizing that Cheng Xuemin was the man behind *The Herdsman*, Lao Pan had hit it off with him immediately. He took all the storyboards Lao Xie had rejected and brought them back to his publishing house, intending to talk to Cheng Xuemin about using them as illustrations. That was how today's scene had unfolded.

But now, just as Cheng Xuemin arrived at the Yanda library, Lao Xie had popped up again?

"Is Lao Xie back at the Film Studio? I don't think so!" Chen Minsheng shook his head in confusion, muttered something, and then urged him on. "He's waiting for you in the office right now! It must be about that phone call from the higher-ups yesterday. What exactly happened yesterday!? You didn't give us any word!"

The call from the higher-ups searching for him had gone directly to Lao Xie's office; he heard it had first gone to the university president. At the time, the president had been completely bewildered, wondering what major trouble one of their Yanda students had stirred up.

"The meeting ended too late yesterday. Actually, I did come by, but I didn't see you at the library, so I went home first!" Cheng Xuemin gave a sheepish laugh and added, "Actually, it's nothing major! It's just that a certain manuscript was approved by the higher-ups, and they want to coordinate with the publicity department to echo the spirit of the meeting following its conclusion!"

"So that's how it is!?" Chen Shumin nodded, then suddenly looked shocked. "Xue-min, what kind of incredible piece did you write to catch the eyes of the higher-ups and be hand-picked for the publicity department to publish?!"

"It's the same manuscript I gave to Teacher Liu Xinwu at *October*!" Cheng Xuemin said with a smile.

"That 'atomic bomb'?!" Chen Shumin reacted. During the symposium held for Cheng Xuemin by *Yanjing Literature*, hadn't Ding Ling been the first to blurt out that Cheng Xuemin had something big coming up? So, this was it!

"It's just a manuscript about the Reform and Opening-up. It will be published in *People's Literature* tomorrow. It's not as exaggerated as Old Liu and Old Li are making it out to be!" Since the sample copies were basically out and the piece would be published tomorrow, there was no need to hide it anymore.

"A manuscript about the Reform and Opening-up?! The meeting just ended, didn't it? Xue-min, was this a custom-ordered piece from the higher-ups?" Chen Shumin, being an expert in the field, immediately grasped the crux of the matter. The meeting had just concluded, but Cheng Xuemin's "atomic bomb" had been written long before. If it wasn't a politically commissioned task, what was it?

This was extraordinary! Cheng Xuemin had only recently begun to rise to prominence after writing *The Herdsman*. How had he caught the eye of the publicity department so quickly, enough to be tasked with writing such a piece?

What talent did he have to deserve this?! Usually, such commissioned pieces from the publicity department were reserved for people of the caliber of Qian Lao or Ding Ling. Even Chen Shumin, despite having some small achievements in writing, wasn't even invited to the *Yanjing Literature* symposiums, let alone being on the radar of the publicity department. This was something Chen Shumin had always held a grudge about, suspecting he’d been caught red-handed trying to poach manuscripts for *People's Literature* right in front of the *Yanjing Literature* crowd.

"Just a blind cat hitting a dead mouse. I happened to write a piece, and it happened to be sent for review by Old Liu at *October*, and it got noticed!" Cheng Xuemin shook his head, smiling bitterly.

"That’s because your manuscript is genuinely powerful and aligns with current social needs, which is why they picked it!" Chen Shumin nodded. So that was how it happened. He had truly thought the publicity department had given Cheng Xuemin a specific assignment. Still, talent was talent; once an opportunity arose, one could soar, just like Cheng Xuemin was doing now. He continued, "So it's *People's Literature*, is it? I'll have to read it first thing tomorrow!"

"Wait, why *People's Literature*? Didn't you just say you gave it to Old Liu at *October*?" After walking a few steps, Chen Shumin stopped, having processed the information, and asked with surprise.

"Well... I felt that Teacher Liu's *October* lacked a bit of influence, so I switched it to *People's Literature*!" Cheng Xuemin continued to feel awkward on behalf of Liu Xinwu. If everyone saw it published in *People's Literature* tomorrow, they would definitely be confused. Why *People's Literature*? Hadn't it always been Liu Xinwu's *October*? Old Liu would inevitably be pestered and teased by everyone, especially Li Qingquan from *Yanjing Literature*, who had spent all of yesterday afternoon "comforting" him.

"I see! *October*'s influence is indeed not as strong as *People's Literature*'s!" Chen Shumin nodded, not overthinking the drama of the switch. "*People's Literature* is the ceiling of our journals, a national institution! In terms of magazines, perhaps only Ba Lao's *Harvest* could compete, but it certainly wouldn't win."

"Lao Xie, Xue-min is here!"

It was only then that Cheng Xuemin realized Chen Shumin wasn't taking him to his own office, but to the library director's office! And the "Lao Xie" Chen Shumin was referring to wasn't the director Xie Jin, but Xie Daoyuan, the Director of the Yanda Library!

"Director Xie, you were looking for me?" Cheng Xuemin quickly stepped forward to greet him. This was his second time dealing with the director; he had received the phone call here just yesterday noon!

"Little Cheng, come, have a seat!" Xie Daoyuan was very warm toward Cheng Xuemin. Seeing him enter, he stood up to greet him and said, "I have read your piece *The Herdsman*; it is very well written!"

"Qian Lao's critique was also spot on. The first piece of 'reflection literature'—your reputation is very high, Little Cheng!" As he spoke, he went to pick up the thermos to pour tea for Cheng Xuemin himself, a sight that left Chen Shumin standing nearby completely dumbfounded. Was this the first time Lao Xie had ever poured tea for someone in his own office? Chen Shumin had been to this office hundreds of times a year, and he had never once received the honor of being poured a cup of plain water, let alone tea!

"Director Xie, you are too kind, and Qian Lao is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise and feel quite humbled!" This was a major figure, no less significant than the university president, and Cheng Xuemin was flattered.

"Little Cheng, you're being too modest! Go out and walk around, ask anyone at Yanda if they don't say the same thing!" Xie Daoyuan said politely, then asked about yesterday's events. Cheng Xuemin repeated what he had told Chen Shumin.

"That 'atomic bomb'! I've heard of it, I've heard of it!" Director Xie nodded, finding it quite amusing. "I imagine Old Zhang must be jumping for joy. *October* and *Yanjing Literature* fought over it, only for his *People's Literature* to reap the benefits out of thin air. Interesting, very interesting!"

This would certainly become an anecdote in the industry. And it was just the beginning; who knew how exaggerated the story would become as it spread? Whenever people mentioned the "pioneer of the Reform and Opening-up" in the future, they would surely laugh at this story, and it might even evolve into an unofficial historical anecdote. After all, the title of "pioneer of reform" was far more resonant and far-reaching than that of the "first person of reflection literature."

"Xue-min, are you interested in working at the Yanda library?" Finally, Director Xie extended an invitation to Cheng Xuemin, wanting to keep him at the university library.

"Ah?" Cheng Xuemin was stunned again. He hadn't expected such an invitation. A librarian at Yanda—the thought flashed through his mind as a noble one!

"Director Xie, actually, I've been studying for next year's college entrance exam, preparing to get into Yanda. My wife is already a student here!" After the initial thought, Cheng Xuemin chose to decline politely. As sacred as the title was, it would take up his time, and he was currently focused on making money to buy a house—a big house! He didn't want to spend his mornings emptying chamber pots, or spend the spring and summer getting covered in mosquito and fly bites every time he went to the bathroom!

"I know that!"

"Then... after you get into Yanda next year, how about coming to the library for a work-study position?" Xie Daoyuan asked.

"That sounds great! I will definitely report to you then, Director Xie!" Cheng Xuemin thought to himself that this was a good deal. By next year, he would likely have achieved his goal of buying a big house! He could come to "gild" his resume, as it was indeed a sacred place and position.

"Alright, it's a deal then! You must get into Yanda next year!" In this era, there was no such thing as special admissions, otherwise, Xie Daoyuan would have brought him on board immediately to prevent other universities from snatching him up.

"Definitely, I am full of confidence about getting into Yanda!" Cheng Xuemin replied without false modesty.

"Actually, Xue-min, you could have accepted Lao Xie's offer and taken the position now! I heard he was offering you a permanent staff role; there are plenty of people in the university eyeing that!" As they left the office, Chen Shumin felt his younger brother hadn't been very wise. A permanent staff role at the Yanda library—that meant a formal faculty position at Yanda! How prestigious that would sound! With so many educated youths returning to the city and so many professors' children eyeing these spots, people were breaking their heads trying to get in! Yet Cheng Xuemin was so carefree, declining it with a simple "I'm taking the exam next year." He was still too young! If he had just said, "Let me go back and discuss it with my mother-in-law," that position would have been his.

"Well... should I go back and ask Lao Xie for it now?" Cheng Xuemin joked.

"You definitely should! Let's go!" Chen Shumin took him seriously and started to pull him back.

"Old Chen, Old Chen, I'm just joking!" After some lighthearted banter, Cheng Xuemin picked up Feng Jiayou, and they headed home to celebrate.