140. Ge You’s Unexpected Appearance—What Will The Herdsman Turn Out Like?

"That just-finished novella!"

Seeing Zhang Guangnian's puzzled and astonished look, Cheng Xuemin added an explanation from the side.

"What? That novellas? Weren't you supposed to give it to Teacher Gu, your mother-in-law?"

Now Zhang Guangnian became even more suspicious and surprised. How could a manuscript that had already reached Teacher Gu's hands be spit back out and yielded to *People's Literature*?

Could it be that the writing wasn't very good and his mother-in-law had rejected it?

It wasn't unreasonable for Zhang Guangnian to have this concern. After all, while Cheng Xuemin's short stories were indeed brilliantly written, up to this point, he hadn't yet produced a single novellas.

Therefore, frankly speaking, no one had ever witnessed the true caliber of his novellas.

And there were quite a few authors like that!

Their short stories were exceptionally awesome, but they couldn't write at length, prone to collapsing later on, so writing a long novellas was just a bit lacking;

Conversely, there were those who excelled at long novellas, but simply couldn't write short stories.

Could it be that Cheng Xuemin belonged to the former category—his short stories took off directly, but a novellas was rejected even by his mother-in-law?

Soon, however, Zhang Guangnian directly dismissed this thought in his mind.

If it had been rejected, Cheng Xuemin's mother-in-law would definitely have asked him to revise the manuscript, rather than sending it directly to *People's Literature*.

A manuscript that even *October* didn't need and that required rejection and revision definitely wouldn't pass the quality standards of *People's Literature*.

Cheng Xuemin, standing right before him, couldn't possibly be unaware of this logic.

"I wrote another manuscript for her later. She and Teacher Liu discussed it and decided to use that one first, and told me to bring this novellas to you, Teacher Zhang!"

Cheng Xuemin offered an explanation, then added, "Teacher Zhang, please take a look at the manuscript first and see if it's usable!"

Although his mother-in-law told him to send it directly to *People's Literature*, the editors still had to read and review the work.

Though Cheng Xuemin didn't think this novellas would fail *People's Literature*'s review or fail to be published.

"Xuemin, you wrote another manuscript for Teacher Gu?!" Hearing this, Zhang Guangnian seemed to react and realize something, asking, "Is it directed at the Tianjin side?"

Right now, the offensive from the *Tianjin Daily* against Cheng Xuemin was extremely fierce, with sharp articles published for three consecutive days. Moreover, as time fermented, there was a strong momentum of followers springing up all over the country.

Therefore, if their side didn't launch a counterattack now, they would end up taking a one-sided beating.

Regarding this point!

Old Wu had already explicitly instructed *People's Literature* to find a few authoritative manuscripts wherever possible to suppress the influence.

However, it was best not to let Cheng Xuemin—this "Old Qiao"—himself step into the fray to write aggressive counter-attacking articles, as that would be extremely unwise.

That was why Zhang Guangnian was actively soliciting manuscripts, but had refrained from soliciting one from Cheng Xuemin personally.

Yet who would have thought!

The young man was still a bit too young and lacked the composure to hold back, rushing to write relevant articles at the very first moment, dragging even his mother-in-law down into the madness of abandoning this novellas to push that kind of piece instead.

Wasn't that far too unwise?

"No, no, Teacher Zhang. Earlier, Old Wu instructed me to remain calm and wait a few days to see how things develop. Honestly, it really doesn't bother me personally!"

"The manuscript I gave to Mother isn't targeting the *Tianjin Daily*; it's still in response to the call, focusing on the theme of reform and opening-up!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded repeatedly. Why did people of their generation always assume he was writing vengeful and aggressive articles?

"Then that's right!"

"Xuemin, we must keep our composure. Opposition isn't necessarily forbidden; after all, we're all crossing the river by feeling the stones."

Zhang Guangnian nodded inwardly, believing what the young man said. For from Cheng Xuemin's words and his calm, steady tone, there was not the slightest trace of gunpowder smell.

Nodding along, he lowered his gaze to look at the manuscript in his hand. But after just a quick glance, he couldn't help lifting his head to look at Cheng Xuemin in utter astonishment, asking, " *A Parents' Love*? Xuemin, is this about your parents, or about your father-in-law, mother-in-law Teacher Gu, and old Feng?"

If it was written about his mother-in-law and father-in-law, then damn it, this son-in-law was truly awesome!

"Teacher Zhang, it's just an article title, portraying that generation in general. It doesn't specifically refer to my parents or my parents-in-law!"

"Really, it's just a microcosm of an era!"

"Or should I change the title of the manuscript?"

Everyone kept saying he was writing about his mother-in-law, but he was truly wronged.

It was just that An Jie, the bourgeois young lady in *A Parents' Love*, was the epitome of so many women of this era, especially in Beijing.

I ask you, which intellectual woman hadn't experienced that bourgeois era of the Republic of China?

Women who could go to school back then, especially universities, generally came from very privileged family backgrounds; they were basically capitalist misses who grew up with silver spoons in their mouths.

Therefore, when Cheng Xuemin paid homage by plagiarizing this manuscript, his mother-in-law naturally projected herself into it very smoothly.

"No need, no need, no need!"

"Xuemin, let me read the manuscript first. Just let me read the manuscript first!"

Zhang Guangnian wore a knowing, lewd expression. The more you emphasized and explained it like that, the more certain it was about those affairs between his mother-in-law Teacher Gu and Old Feng.

This instantly aroused Zhang Guangnian's curiosity. He desperately wanted to see what kind of flowers son-in-law Cheng Xuemin could write out of those affairs between his mother-in-law and his father-in-law.

Hopefully, the book would contain some unknown wild history; that would be even more damn exciting.

"By the way, young comrade, don't be so constrained. Read whatever you want, flip through it casually, it doesn't matter!"

Zhang Guangnian sat down directly to flip through the manuscript in his hand. Seeing that the skinny monkey standing behind Cheng Xuemin looked extremely uncomfortable, he offered words of comfort.

"Ah, ah, alright, alright. Hello, Teacher Zhang! My name is Ge You, and my mother often mentions your great name!"

Ever since entering the editor-in-chief's office of *People's Literature*, Old Ge had been extremely constrained and restless.

Yet Old Cheng seemed completely at home here. The moment they stepped in, the great editor-in-chief handed him two royalty slips—what was going on here?

Wasn't it said that Old Cheng hadn't published any manuscripts in *People's Literature* yet and was just coming over to try his luck today?

How come the moment they walked in, the great editor-in-chief even had the royalty slips prepared!

And furthermore!

Listening to the conversation between Old Cheng and this great editor-in-chief, it sounded as if Old Cheng had written quite a few manuscripts that *People's Literature* was scrambling for?

And what was that about the *Tianjin Daily*?

What was wrong with the *Tianjin Daily*? Judging by their tone, had the *Tianjin Daily* offended Old Cheng?

Old Cheng also mentioned manuscripts related to the theme of reform and opening-up. Was he skilled at writing those too?

Old Ge had also heard teachers mention manuscripts about reform and opening-up. *The Appointment of Director Qiao*, published by *People's Literature* last month, was considered the pioneering work of reform and opening-up.

However, the author was someone named "Old Qiao," not Old Cheng's "Old Xu" from *Herdsman*.

A succession of doubts left Ge You, standing to the side, completely bewildered and full of incomprehension.

Seeing that the great editor-in-chief of *People's Literature* had taken the initiative to speak to him, Old Ge hurriedly bowed, trembling slightly with excitement, and introduced himself.

"Ge You?! Your mother often mentions me? Young comrade, which unit is your mother from?"

Hearing this young comrade's name was Ge You, Zhang Guangnian mentally scanned whether there was anyone surnamed Ge in their circle. But since the kid immediately claimed his mother frequently mentioned him, he asked with surprise.

"Teacher Zhang, my mother is in the literature department of the Beijing Film Studio. Her name is Shi Xinwen!" Ge You immediately added.

"Ah! Teacher Shi! Little Ge, so you're her kid? No wonder you looked familiar!"

Zhang Guangnian nodded repeatedly. Little Ge's mother, Teacher Shi, was considered a senior editor within the circle, and they had previously worked together.

"Sit, sit, sit!"

Following that, Zhang Guangnian invited Cheng Xuemin and Ge You to take a seat. Ge You, looking excited and well-behaved, was about to sit down, but Cheng Xuemin waved his hand repeatedly and said, "Teacher Zhang, you won't finish reading this manuscript anytime soon. We won't disturb you any longer; we'll head back first!"

"Indeed, I won't finish it anytime soon. Xuemin, this manuscript of yours is probably over two hundred thousand words, right?" Zhang Guangnian asked with a wry smile, weighing the thick stack of manuscript paper in his hand.

"A little over two hundred and sixty thousand words!" Cheng Xuemin nodded and said.

"Two hundred and sixty thousand words?! That makes it exactly two installments of one hundred and thirty thousand words each, to be published in two issues for you, Xuemin!"

This was the promise Zhang Guangnian had previously made to Cheng Xuemin: a novellas divided into two installments and published within a month!

"Teacher Zhang, perhaps you should look at the manuscript first!" Of course Cheng Xuemin hoped the sooner the better, but he didn't want to rely on the back door; the proper procedures for manuscript review still had to be followed.

"I know your manuscripts, Xuemin. They have a reputation, quality, and guarantee. Our manuscript review is just going through the motions!"

Zhang Guangnian only had to read the opening and know that son-in-law Cheng Xuemin was writing about his mother-in-law Teacher Gu to realize this manuscript couldn't be bad.

"How about this! If you don't have any urgent business, Xuemin, you can wait here and have lunch with us at the agency! I'll strive to finish reading it before the afternoon shift ends and give you the result?"

"Teacher Zhang, we still have two final exams to take in the afternoon!"

Cheng Xuemin naturally wanted to wait right here for the result, preferably taking the royalty slips back with him so that woman Feng Jiayou would be overjoyed.

However, there were still two exams in the afternoon, and he had to rush back to cook lunch for the woman, so he really didn't have time to idle around here waiting for the verdict.

"Final exams?!"

The corners of Zhang Guangnian's mouth twitched twice. Only then did it dawn on him that while this kid was outrageously brilliant at writing manuscripts, he was also a senior high school repeat-class student preparing for next year's college entrance examination.

No, speaking correctly now, it should be this year's college entrance examination, since the New Year's Day of 1979 had already passed by half a month.

"Alright then! I'll strive to get a result by tomorrow and give your mother-in-law Teacher Gu a call, saving you the trip back, Xuemin!"

Zhang Guangnian nodded along, having no other choice!

"Alright, alright, then I'll await your news, Teacher Zhang!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded politely, though in his heart he thought making a trip really didn't matter. If Old Zhang was going to use the manuscript, he could totally notify him to come over tomorrow to pick up the royalty slips!

However, since Old Zhang hadn't mentioned the royalty slips, it wouldn't do for Cheng Xuemin to appear too mercenary.

Anyway, the royalty rate had been brought up previously; the price Old Zhang offered when poaching the manuscript was also the top-tier rate of seven yuan per thousand words.

Moreover, given Cheng Xuemin's standing across various newspapers and magazines now, his royalty rate was inherently top-tier.

Who wouldn't give the top-tier royalty rate and still have the nerve to solicit manuscripts from Cheng Xuemin?

So even though Old Zhang didn't mention it this time, if the manuscript was accepted, the price wouldn't stray far—seven yuan per thousand words was practically guaranteed.

"Leaving just like that?! Didn't you say the exam is in the afternoon? Stay for lunch before you go?!"

Seeing that Cheng Xuemin was about to leave as soon as he spoke, Zhang Guangnian quickly placed the manuscript on the desk and stood up to persuade them to stay.

The most polite phrase in this era was "stay for a meal before you go," universal across the entire country. In this era, when a guest visited, offering them a bite to eat was likewise the most courteous form of hospitality.

After all, no one's household had an abundance of surplus grain in those days.

Thus, having lived through this era, "staying for a meal before you go" had already become a conversational cliché to detain guests.

"No, no! Teacher Zhang, please don't be so polite. I still have someone at home waiting for me to take care of them!"

Cheng Xuemin politely declined as well, waving his hand repeatedly.

"You still have someone at home!"

"Right, right, I remember now! Xuemin, you really are a devoted and caring husband!"

As Zhang Guangnian escorted the two of them to the doorway, he happened to run into Li Shuguang from the People's Publishing House coming down the stairs, leading to another round of courteous remarks.

Li Shuguang stopped Cheng Xuemin to talk about the standalone book edition of *The Appointment of Director Qiao*, saying Old Wu had already made the final decision to publish it, and Old Li was just about to have Zhang Guangnian contact Cheng Xuemin, the original author.

As for publishing a standalone edition of *The Appointment of Director Qiao*, Cheng Xuemin naturally raised both hands in agreement; there was no reason to refuse.

He was only surprised that amidst this turbulent wind and rain, Li Shuguang's People's Publishing House actually dared to publish a standalone edition, showing they were pressing forward against the pressure.

Calculating it this way, with the addition of the People's Publishing House, the united front led by Cheng Xuemin's mother-in-law would wield even greater influence.

"Old Cheng! No way! Just now I heard Old Li from the People's Publishing House say that *The Appointment of Director Qiao* was written by you?"

On their way back, Ge You asked with a face full of disbelief.

It turned out that the author "Old Qiao," whom their teachers touted as the "pioneer of reform and opening-up," was none other than his desk-mate and best buddy Cheng Xuemin!

"I wrote it! Didn't you know, Old Ge?! Didn't I mention it to you guys before?"

Cheng Xuemin honestly didn't have much recollection of it. Anyway, Feng Jiayou's classmates knew that his pen name "Old Xu" was Old Qiao.

As for whether Ge You knew or not, Cheng Xuemin truly couldn't remember!

"You didn't mention it!"

"Old Cheng, you hardly ever come to class, you never brought it up to us!"

Ge You wore a dumbfounded expression. He knew Old Cheng's "Old Xu" was awesome, but he hadn't expected his "Old Qiao" to be even more awesome.

Ever since *People's Literature* published *The Appointment of Director Qiao* last month, for over a month now, almost everywhere you went people were talking about *The Appointment of Director Qiao*.

Even the decrepit radio in their house broadcasted *The Appointment of Director Qiao*.

He truly hadn't expected that!

This *The Appointment of Director Qiao* that had swept through the streets and alleys was actually written by his buddy Old Cheng.

If he hadn't tagged along to the People's Publishing House today, he genuinely wouldn't have known.

"That means I forgot to mention it! Don't you know now, Old Ge!"

Cheng Xuemin chuckled sheepishly.

"Damn, damn, damn! Old Cheng, you're awesome. Old Cheng, you're truly awesome! No wonder when I mentioned you to my mother, she refused to believe you were my desk-mate!"

Ge You exclaimed repeatedly, feeling as though he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

"By the way, Old Ge! You said just now that your mother works at the Beijing Film Studio?"

Mentioning Old Ge's mother being at the Beijing Film Studio, once the *Herdsman* crew started shooting in the spring after the New Year, Cheng Xuemin could also be considered half a person from the Beijing Film Studio.

Besides, Xie Jin had returned to Shanghai for quite some time now, and feedback from the Shanghai Film Studio should be arriving soon, right?

Right now, Cheng Xuemin didn't care about empty fame; making money remained his top priority.

With Xie Jin at the Shanghai Film Studio, Cheng Xuemin had established his name there, and in the future, good manuscripts would certainly be given priority to be adapted into films;

The same went for the Xi'an Film Studio back home. Originally, he intended to visit the Xi'an Film Studio before the New Year to show his face and also establish his name there.

Needless to say, with brother-in-law Feng Jiahao at the Beijing Film Studio, he was similarly tied into that network.

However, brother-in-law Feng Jiahao's seniority at the Beijing Film Studio was considered a bit lacking.

Now that Old Ge said his mother was also at the Beijing Film Studio, it was all the more reason to get closer; later on, they might find themselves mutually helping each other and putting these connections to use.

"Yeah! She's a chief editor in the literature department, though her main focus is on screenplays!"

Ge You nodded, then seemed to recall something and added, "By the way, my mother mentioned in passing that your *Herdsman* is going to be made into a movie. Did you know?"

A chief editor—wasn't that the same rank as his mother-in-law at *October*?

However, wasn't Old Ge's information a bit outdated? He replied, " *Herdsman* is indeed going to be made into a movie. Barring any unexpected accidents, I might have to head to the Northwest after the New Year to shoot *Herdsman*!"

"What?! You knew, Old Cheng!"

"And you're going to shoot *Herdsman* too, Old Cheng? Are you going to direct it, or are you going to play Xu Lingjun?!"

Ge You's face once again filled with shock and surprise. How was it that his buddy played so widely and openly, and was so exceptionally talented?

Not only did he write good manuscripts, but he was actually going to shoot a movie after the New Year?

"Director Xie wants me to play Xu Lingjun..."

"Holy shit, Old Cheng, didn't you practically become Old Xu for real then?!" Before Cheng Xuemin could finish, Ge You exclaimed again, "No, no, I have to talk to my mother later and get myself a role too, so we can go to the Northwest together to shoot *Herdsman*."

"This..."

Cheng Xuemin was left completely speechless. With Ge You barging into the picture, he honestly had no idea what kind of movie Director Xie would end up making out of *Herdsman*.

Passing by the Quanjude Roast Duck restaurant, Cheng Xuemin had a flash of inspiration and went straight inside to pack a few stir-fried dishes, along with a roast duck and some rice.

He was too lazy to cook when he got home, so he would just make do with this for lunch.

"Old Ge, I originally intended to treat you to a meal outside, but you know I have three little ones at home to take care of!"

"So come along, we'll just make do with a casual meal at home. Besides, I packed a few side dishes!"

Since Old Ge had run errands with him all morning, it wouldn't do to leave him hungry; under normal circumstances, he definitely would have treated him to a proper meal outside.

Today's timing was just unfortunate, as Feng Jiayou and her niece and nephew were waiting at home, so he had to bring the food back.

"You're far too extravagant, Old Cheng! You bought a whole Quanjude roast duck just like that, plus so many good dishes, and you call this 'making do'?"

"Let's go, let's go home quickly! I, old Ge, won't stand on ceremony with you; I've been craving this to death!"

Seeing Cheng Xuemin buy a big Quanjude roast duck, Ge You had been drooling with desire for a while. He rushed home even more eagerly and anxiously than Cheng Xuemin.

By the time they returned home, it was already past twelve!

Feng Jiayou and her two nieces and nephews were at home, and indeed, they were starving and craning their necks, looking toward the courtyard gate.

When she saw Cheng Xuemin walk in, little niece Feng Liqin cheered and jumped up.

For she had caught the aroma of the big roast duck from far away.