Frame it and hang it up. This is our family heirloom!

Just a single sheet of manuscript paper?
Not even qualified to be called a certificate of merit?
Seeing Elder Wu simply hand over a sheet of draft paper without any extra expression on his face, Cheng Xuemin's mind went completely blank for that moment, unable to think of anything else. He only managed to stand up excitedly and bow to receive it.
As for Zhang Guangnian, Uncle Guang Li, and Qin Chuan, besides utter astonishment, they were consumed by intense confusion.
Elder Wu had handed over nothing more than a sheet of manuscript paper?
Yet the weight of this single sheet of paper was ten times more formidable than Elder Mao's preface. Just what on earth was written on it?
Instructions from the highest authorities?
If it were truly instructions from the highest echelons, it wouldn't have been so casually scribbled on a piece of draft paper.
General instructions, not to mention being issued in a red-headed document, should at least be more formal.
Yet it was merely an ordinary sheet of draft paper—what on earth could it be?
Secret instructions delivered in person?
Or perhaps just a simple verbal praise in writing, not even a formal commendation?
Plunged in deep confusion, the three of them all crowded closer, eager to take a look and find out what was going on.
"Huh?"
However, upon seeing the contents on the manuscript paper, the eyes of Uncle Guang Li, Qin Chuan, and Zhang Guangnian suddenly contracted, and their pupils dilated violently.
Their complexions turned utterly incredulous as they stared at Elder Wu.
Could this... really have been secured by Elder Wu?!
Similarly, Cheng Xuemin received the manuscript paper from Elder Wu with both hands. Looking at the text written upon it, his first glance was also filled with complete bewilderment and shock.
Because there were simply four large, cursive characters written on the draft paper: Reform and Opening-Up Pioneer!
When he saw the signature at the bottom!
With a violent jolt, Cheng Xuemin's heart was heavily struck. With an equally incredulous expression, he gazed at Elder Wu.
Inside his chest, a boundless, stormy sea was already raging!
Yes!
Earlier, Cheng Xuemin had preemptively paid tribute to *Director Qiao Assumes Office* precisely for this honor!
This honor would allow Cheng Xuemin to go much, much further in the future.
Yet in his past life, this honor would have taken another year or two to be officially bestowed upon the original author of *Director Qiao Assumes Office*.
What Cheng Xuemin had never expected was that!
The supreme honor of being a "Reform and Opening-Up Pioneer" was being handed to Cheng Xuemin right now.
Was this... an affirmation of Cheng Xuemin? And a voice backing the reports of the *Tianjin Daily*?
Or perhaps, the final verdict on the matter?
"How is it? Feeling a bit surprised?"
Seeing Cheng Xuemin's utter shock and awe, Elder Wu narrowed his eyes with a smile and said, "Xuemin, that piece of yours, *Director Qiao Assumes Office*, is the first draft of the reform and opening-up personally designated by the old leaders!"
"It's a manuscript meant to leverage our cultural propaganda channels to deepen the spirit of the conference!"
"Although this manuscript has also drawn different voices, we shouldn't negate it just because of that!"
Elder Wu picked out some simple points from the instructions he had just received to share with Cheng Xuemin, and continued, "Moreover, Xuemin, that piece of yours, *New Year's Visit*, published later in *October*, elaborated on this point even more thoroughly!"
"The old leader specifically singled out the beginning of your *New Year's Visit* as being exceptionally well-written, almost serving as a special metaphor for the spirit of our conference!"
"'The Gregorian calendar year'—what kind of year is that? No matter how nice a name you give it like 'New Year's Day', Chinese people have never regarded it as a 'year'. Tape recorders and televisions can be imported, but I've never heard of a 'year' being imported! A Chinese person's true year is the Spring Festival! The first day of the first lunar month—now that is the new year and a new age, everything renewed!"
"Xuemin, you wrote this sentence brilliantly. It's a very powerful counterattack against those dissenting voices, and the old leader also highly praised and agreed with your words!"
Elder Wu spoke with great resonance, instantly striking a chord with Cheng Xuemin and making his heart surge passionately.
The piece *New Year's Visit* that he had published in *October* through his mother-in-law had precisely this purpose.
Because the manuscript *New Year's Visit* was originally written by the author of *Director Qiao Assumes Office* as a silent counterattack while under immense pressure and criticism.
The entire manuscript subtly used the concept of *New Year's Visit*—using the notion that New Year's Day is not the real year, but the Spring Festival is—to implicitly refute the dissenting voices questioning the spirit of the conference.
Publishing this manuscript originally carried a bit of a risk.
But now it seemed that not only did Cheng Xuemin need this manuscript, but the entire spirit of the conference also desperately needed such a piece.
That was why Elder Wu gave such high praise and verbal commendation today.
Listening to Elder Wu convey the words from above, Cheng Xuemin nodded repeatedly, saying with excited and nervous reverence:
"Elder Wu, I dare not take such praise. I really didn't think that much when I wrote this manuscript. Actually, that New Year's Day happened to be a Sunday, and my two little niece and nephew were making a fuss, shouting that it was New Year today and wanting to eat our Beijing roast duck!"
"At the time, I corrected them, saying that for us Chinese, New Year's Day is not the real New Year; we have to wait for today's New Year's Eve and tomorrow's first day of the first lunar month—the Spring Festival—that is when the New Year arrives!"
"Following closely after that, the *Tianjin Daily* published that manuscript, and it was only then that I felt inspired to write something!"
Cheng Xuemin wasn't lying here. Previously, Feng Liqing and Feng Liwen had indeed begged for New Year to be celebrated on New Year's Day, demanding to eat big roast duck, and Cheng Xuemin had indeed corrected them at the time.
Now, it could just happen to be used as the inspiration for writing *New Year's Visit*.
"What you said is wonderful, Xuemin. The concept that New Year's Day is not the New Year truly needs to be instilled from childhood!"
Hearing this, Elder Wu suddenly understood. So the inspiration for the manuscript *New Year's Visit* actually came from here.
However, using it now to counter the *Tianjin Daily* had produced a truly unexpected effect.
"Old Li, Old Qin, you two must take these 'four characters' in Xuemin's hands back with you!" Elder Wu then looked at Uncle Guang Li and Qin Chuan and said, "Since it's called verbal praise, it truly cannot remain merely verbal!"
"These four characters are given to Xuemin, and they are equally given to you!"
"For Xuemin's collection of manuscripts, the old leader invited Elder Mao himself to write the preface!"
"And these four characters—I asked for them so they can be used on the book cover of the manuscript collection. Do you understand?"
At Elder Wu's words, Uncle Guang Li and the others instantly realized what was happening, their expressions growing even more shocked and awed.
So that was how it was!
No wonder it was just a reward of praise on a single sheet of paper. If it were just these four characters, Cheng Xuemin could have taken them back to be framed and regarded as a family heirloom.
Yet hearing Elder Wu's instructions now, they realized once again the actual purpose!
These four characters were to be used for the book cover of Cheng Xuemin's collection of short stories?!
Goodness gracious!
Using the calligraphy of "Reform and Opening-Up Pioneer" for the book cover, with Elder Mao personally wielding his brush to write the preface—this kind of exceptional honor... this kind of exceptional honor!
Hearing this, Uncle Guang Li, Zhang Guangnian, and Qin Chuan were consumed by jealousy, envy, and burning eyes.
Even Cheng Xuemin himself was dumbfounded on the spot.
He had originally thought these four characters were merely a verbal commendation meant for him, and he had intended to take them back to show his wife properly, to show his mother-in-law and father-in-law.
This was calligraphy from the highest levels after all!
Knowing the pride of his wife Feng Jiayou and her mother, they would inevitably have this sheet of manuscript calligraphy framed and hung in the most prominent place of their front courtyard's main hall.
Whenever guests came to visit in the future, they would surely see it at first glance, someone would inevitably ask, and the two of them would casually reply.
That scene—the prestige was simply off the charts.
Who could have expected!
There was no need to wait for guests to visit and see it just to subtly flex.
Now it was going to be published directly as a book, using these four characters straight away as the book cover to be published facing the people of the entire country, making it universally known in an instant!
"Understood, understood. I was just thinking of asking Elder Wu for advice on what to title Xuemin's collection of short stories!"
"Now I understand. Having these four characters you secured, Elder Wu, could not be better, couldn't be better!"
Uncle Guang Li of the People's Publishing House nodded repeatedly, indicating his complete understanding.
Only then did Elder Wu nod with satisfaction, and then looked at Qin Chuan, who was sitting upright waiting for instructions, and said, "Old Qin, it's the same for your side. According to the original final layout, this issue of the *People's Daily* literary supplement will publish all four of Xuemin's manuscripts in full!"
"At the same time, make these four characters the headline story for the first edition of the new year. Old Qin, you should go back and flesh out the specific content as soon as possible!"
Ah?
Before Qin Chuan could accept the order, Cheng Xuemin, listening from the side, was even more shocked and disoriented!
Not only was a collection of short stories going to be published!
Tomorrow's *People's Daily* was also going to have related reports, and not only would his four manuscripts occupy the entire supplement page of the daily.
Now the front-page headline was also going to use these four characters to deepen the content for a published report?!
"Alright, Elder Wu, I'll make arrangements immediately as I get back!"
Hearing this, Qin Chuan of the *People's Daily* wore a solemn expression and nodded repeatedly.
Next, because time was pressing and the task heavy, Elder Wu had originally invited Cheng Xuemin and the others to stay and have lunch with Elder Mao and the rest, considering it the New Year's Eve dinner for their cultural propaganda sector, but the invitation was politely declined!
Qin Chuan of People's Literature had to rush back to write the article and send it over as quickly as possible for review and final typesetting.
Although Elder Wu had designated it as the first draft of the new year, it was not specified for the first day of the lunar new year, but rather the second day, leaving one more day.
The time for the *People's Daily* side was a bit tight, and the task a bit heavy, so they didn't dare stay behind to eat the New Year's Eve dinner here.
The same went for Zhang Guangnian and Uncle Guang Li; none of them stayed for the meal.
As for Cheng Xuemin, had Old Zhang, Old Li, and Old Qin stayed for this New Year's Eve dinner, he certainly would have shared in the honor and stayed as well!
However, since everyone else was leaving, it wouldn't do for him to brazenly stay behind, so he followed them back as well.
"Xuemin, this is a treasure. If you have time, come back to the *People's Daily* with us first!"
"Once we make a rubbing of it, you can take it back and present it as a treasure to your mother-in-law and Old Feng!"
"We certainly wouldn't dare keep it over the New Year anyway. In case some clumsy worker at the printing plant loses or damages it, our *People's Daily* really wouldn't be able to afford the compensation!"
What Qin Chuan of the *People's Daily* was referring to was the manuscript paper of the four-character calligraphy in his hands. Truly, as he said, this was a treasure!
Their *People's Daily* really didn't dare keep it overnight through the New Year; if it got damaged, they truly couldn't compensate for it.
And just as Qin Chuan had said!
If Cheng Xuemin took these four characters back and pulled them out at the New Year's Eve dinner table tonight, that scene...
His mother-in-law, the proud Teacher Gu, would inevitably look at her son-in-law in a brand-new light.
You must know!
This sheet of manuscript paper could practically rival an imperial decree from ancient times! His mother-in-law, Teacher Gu, would definitely frame it and hang it up!
"Teacher Qin... Very well, I'll go over with you for a bit!"
Originally, Cheng Xuemin wanted to offer the modest remark that it really wasn't necessary, but remembering that this wasn't something he had written himself, but calligraphy bestowed from above, he realized that no matter how much importance and fondness Qin Chuan and the others attached to it, it was entirely justified.
Fortunately, the *People's Daily* was located at No. 117 Wangfujing Street, not too far from here, just a twenty-minute bicycle ride away.
Uncle Guang Li of the People's Publishing House and Zhang Guangnian of People's Literature also nodded and went along with them! Because Uncle Guang Li also needed to go over to bring the rubbed version of these four characters back, saving him from making a second trip.
Before long, the three of them, guided by Qin Chuan, entered the office building of the *People's Daily*.
Although today was New Year's Eve and other work units might have already started their winter breaks—with those whose homes were far from Beijing perhaps having asked for leave to return home days ago!
The sense of the New Year was still very, very strong in this era, and ordinary citizens universally valued it. Even if they had to travel across mountains and seas, they would rush home to reunite with their families for the New Year.
However, the *People's Daily* was an exception because it did not suspend publication during the New Year. Therefore, they basically didn't take holidays here, operating on a rotating shift system instead.
Upon entering the *People's Daily*, Uncle Guang Li and the others didn't need Qin Chuan to host them or enthusiastically brew tea for them!
Instead, they urged him to get straight to business so that once it was done, they could take the items back and take a holiday for the New Year.
Qin Chuan didn't stand on ceremony either, immediately rolling up his sleeves and getting to work personally, carefully and meticulously making rubings of the four calligraphic characters and the signature from the manuscript paper!
"Xuemin, do you want me to laminate this for you over here?"
Once everything was done, Qin Chuan asked Cheng Xuemin very enthusiastically, as he happened to have a laminating machine right here.
"Old Qin, cut it out! If Teacher Gu were here, she definitely wouldn't let you do something so redundant!"
"Teacher Gu's *October* also has a laminating machine. When the time comes, Teacher Gu will surely take it to *October* to laminate it herself!"
Before Cheng Xuemin could nod—thinking that getting it laminated right now on the spot was actually quite good—he heard Zhang Guangnian make a joking remark from the side. Cheng Xuemin then realized that his mother-in-law truly was that kind of mother-in-law.
"Oh, oh, oh, right, right, right! I—I really was meddling like a dog in a manger!"
Realizing this, Qin Chuan nodded repeatedly with a smiling, self-deprecating laugh.
"Not at all, not at all. Teacher Qin, Teacher Zhang, you really know how to make jokes at my mother-in-law's expense!"
Cheng Xuemin said with an embarrassed smile, but with his hands, he quickly and cautiously placed the manuscript paper back into his briefcase.
This item indeed needed to be left for his mother-in-law and wife to handle themselves later.
After a brief jest, Qin Chuan insisted on having everyone stay for lunch!
However, since even the state banquet New Year's Eve dinner at Elder Wu's place hadn't been enough to make them stay, Teacher Qin's lunch was even less likely to do so.
Right now, Cheng Xuemin's heart was eager to fly home; he wished he could just soar back instantly.
Besides, calculating the time!
If he rode fast and flew back, he could still catch the time to call his parents, just in time to share this good news and let the old couple rejoice.
He could also tell his parents over the phone to look out for the *People's Daily* on the second day of the lunar new year!
By then, perhaps entire pages would be reporting on their wonderful son, and he wondered what kind of expressions and reactions his parents would have.
Perhaps Cheng Xuemin would be able to witness it with his own eyes!
After all, although it would be the newspaper of the second day of the lunar new year, by the time it was actually delivered to northern Shaanxi, or even to their commune's Chengjiawan Brigade, it would still take at least a week.
By that time, Cheng Xuemin might have already arrived home!
Because according to Cheng Xuemin's established plan, after spending the New Year here in Beijing, he planned to catch a train back on the third day of the lunar new year.
Immediately, after bidding farewell to Old Zhang and Old Li outside the *People's Daily*, Cheng Xuemin rode his bicycle and sprinted wildly toward home.
However, today was New Year's Eve, and citizens from all over Beijing city were out, making the roads very crowded and jammed.
By the time Cheng Xuemin rushed home, it was already past one o'clock in the afternoon!