Woman, if you keep acting like this, sooner or later you'll have no friends left.

They're planning to launch a big satellite in October too? And it's even larger than the one Yanjing Literature just released?

For a while, the entire October editorial office was abuzz with the news!

When Feng's mother, Gu Xueqing, returned to her office and saw the envious expressions on her colleagues' faces, she couldn't help but feel proud and delighted!

The once arrogant Teacher Gu had returned!

If only Old Liu had been a bit more decisive, and actually arranged for an exclusive interview with her son-in-law for a single-author issue—then she could be even more pleased!

Unfortunately, Old Liu hadn’t done so, claiming he needed to study the matter further.

This only made Gu Xueqing more anxious, wishing that everyone in the editorial office could learn from outside that the author of "The Horseman," Old Xu, was her son-in-law!

Wasn’t Li Qingquan from Yanjing Literature flaunting his success? Didn’t he launch a big satellite?

Her son-in-law helped him do it!

Cao Aiqin, tell me, isn’t my son-in-law impressive? Is your son-in-law as outstanding?

Gu Xueqing truly looked forward to the rumor spreading that the author of "The Horseman," Old Xu, was her son-in-law.

And she hoped Old Liu’s decision would come soon, so they could launch another satellite!

Then everyone would ask, who was responsible for this one? Again, her wonderful son-in-law!

...

"Xueming, do you know? You’re famous at Beiying now. Almost every student and teacher holds a copy of Yanjing Literature, discussing you as the author of 'The Horseman,' Old Xu!"

At dinner, everyone was gathered together, and eldest brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao mentioned it, instantly sparking conversation.

"Exactly! Big Cheng, our school is the same! Especially the female students—each dreams that their other half is just like your character, Xu Lingjun!"

"Even more exaggerated, some girls secretly write you, Old Xu, love letters during class, only to be caught by their teachers!"

Little sister-in-law Feng Jiamo chimed in.

"Ahem..." Cheng Xueming nearly choked on his sister-in-law's words, awkwardly insisting, "I just followed the trend after 'Scar' became popular!"

"You mischievous kids. Every day you don’t study properly, reading all sorts of random books!"

"Feng Jiamo, listen to me—focus on your preparations. If you don’t get into Yanjing University next year, you’ll be in trouble!"

Mother Feng smacked Feng Jiamo’s chopsticks as she reached for a chunk of meat, nagged her, and then deftly transferred the meat into Feng Jiayou’s bowl.

Ridiculous!

How could a little sister-in-law speak of writing love letters to her brother-in-law? Isn’t she embarrassed?

"Mom, is this really a 'random book'? Even our Chinese teacher is involved! He said Big Cheng’s 'The Horseman' is definitely a groundbreaking piece after 'Class Teacher' and 'Scar,' predicting it will leave a strong mark on next year’s college entrance exams, and even assigned us a deep reading reflection!"

Mother called Big Cheng’s "The Horseman" a random book, but the little sister was the first to protest!

Taking advantage of her mother’s distraction, she snatched another piece of meat and popped it into her mouth.

She knew her mom was biased; any good food or drink always went to her sister first, claiming her sister now had two stomachs and deserved special treatment.

Bias is bias—even though tonight’s promised roast duck wasn’t bought.

"Did your class teacher really say that?"

Mother Feng looked at Feng Jiamo in surprise, not expecting her son-in-law’s "The Horseman" to receive such high praise, even considered the inaugural work of 'Scar Literature.'

"Mom! Xueming’s 'The Horseman' is incredible! Even the veterans at my work are amazed, saying China’s literary world now has a 'Horseman.' Remarkable!"

Eldest brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao’s words carried even more weight!

Who were those veterans at his unit? If they believed China’s literary world now had a 'Horseman,' then her earthy son-in-law, just from this one work, could secure a place in China’s literary circles!

"You didn’t tell them Xueming wrote 'The Horseman,' did you?" Mother Feng glanced at Feng Jiazhao and Feng Jiamo, especially at Jiamo, adding, "Especially you, Jiamo—you didn’t go bragging at school, did you?"

Mother Feng had instructed them beforehand: don’t spread the news that their brother-in-law wrote "The Horseman."

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The original intention was to let Li Qingquan of Yanjing Literature enjoy his glory a few more days, then reveal the big satellite she held, to put him in his place.

Now, Mother Feng was even less inclined to let the secret slip too soon; she wanted to launch her own big satellite at her work first.

"No, no, Mom, don’t worry. I’d never sell out Big Cheng. I’m waiting for him to officially attend Yanda's affiliated school, so I can properly introduce him to my classmates!"

"Especially those girls—let them stew in envy. I’ll make them so jealous!"

Her little sister's mischievous look was just like her older sister Feng Jiayou’s!

A family of show-offs!

Cheng Xueming realized it now—this whole family were masters of showing off, each outdoing the other.

"Hiss..."

But just as Cheng Xueming was feeling pleased, he suddenly sucked in a breath for no reason.

"What’s wrong, Xueming? Are you feeling unwell?"

A rare moment of concern from his mother-in-law!

"No, no, Mom, I’m full. You all carry on!"

Cheng Xueming quietly rubbed his waist, and glanced at the woman beside him, Feng Jiayou—what did he do to annoy her this time?

"Xueming, you’re getting quite the reputation! Thanks to 'The Horseman,' how many girls have written you love letters now?"

"Do you know, I noticed Huang Beijia looked a bit off today. Do you know what she did?"

Back in their room, Feng Jiayou grinned as she spoke to Cheng Xueming. But the more she smiled, the more he sensed trouble in her tone.

He hadn’t actively sought out those girls—besides, before submitting "The Horseman," he had shown it to her first!

Cheng Xueming never expected it would attract so much admiration from female readers.

As for her classmate Huang Beijia, he wasn’t close enough to know what she’d done!

"She’s writing love letters too!" Feng Jiayou revealed without preamble.

For a moment, Cheng Xueming’s scalp tingled—wasn’t this woman playing a bit too much?

He clicked his tongue and quickly advised, "Wife, maybe you should just tell them. This can’t stay secret for long. Won’t it be terribly awkward later?"

When Huang Beijia and the others find out their letters were all intercepted by Feng Jiayou, how will they feel? How embarrassing would it be!

Can we even get along after this? Once we’re at Yanda, three or four years of seeing each other daily—does she really need to play this game?

"No way! I must get Huang Beijia’s letter first. It’s her first love letter, and she’s hiding it well—I can’t see it, nor can Jianying!"

"So I’m very curious what she wrote! Aren’t you curious, Xueming? Aren’t you looking forward to it?"

Feng Jiayou shot him a glance, mischievously pressing him.

"I... What’s there to look forward to!" Cheng Xueming shook his head, though anyone would know he was lying—but would he dare admit he was eager? His waist wasn’t red enough yet!

If he dared nod, she’d surely teach him why the flowers are red.

"But... why did Huang Beijia decide to write... that? Isn’t she worried the author might be an old man?"

He was a new author, but who knew his real age? Yanjing Literature kept it a secret, and Huang Beijia wasn’t the impulsive type.

"Huang Beijia isn’t stupid! The news has spread!"

Feng Jiayou was successfully diverted from the topic of whether he was looking forward to the letter.

"It’s spread? The news that I’m 'The Horseman' author has spread?"

Cheng Xueming asked, confused—if it had spread, would Huang Beijia still write love letters in front of Feng Jiayou?

And if it had spread, would Feng Jiayou allow her best friend to send love letters to her husband?

Did Feng Jiayou have such unique hobbies?

"The news that 'The Horseman' author is a Yanjing University student has spread!"

"It probably leaked from the mailroom. Didn’t we use Yanjing University as the return address for our submissions?"

"Luckily, we wrote 'The Horseman' Old Xu as recipient. Now everyone’s searching and guessing who the author really is!"

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"Huang Beijia and the others, hearing that the author is a fellow student, are even more eager, wanting to connect with 'The Horseman' author through reader letters!"

"I bet Beijia’s letter invites you to go to the movies!"

"Then we can go together and give her a big surprise, okay?"

Play!

Woman, keep playing like this—you’ll end up with no friends!

In the days that followed, Feng Jiayou awaited her friend’s letter, while Cheng Xueming, no matter how busy, never neglected his plan to grow his little fortune.

While slowly working on his novella, he finished another short story of nearly thirty thousand words!

This time, Cheng Xueming didn’t disturb Feng Jiayou, nor his mother-in-law, who had monopolized his two manuscripts and hadn’t replied yet.

He submitted it quietly!

He sent it to "Yanhe Literature" back home, since the story was about those years on the Loess Plateau, and he titled it "Loess Plateau," focusing on hometown sentiments.

Time gradually passed November, and Cheng Xueming had been in Yanjing for nearly a month!

He also received a letter from his parents back home, in response to his suggestion that he and Feng Jiayou spend the winter holiday in Shaanbei with them.

But his parents wrote that, with Jiayou’s belly growing, it wasn’t wise to undertake a long, tiring journey. Instead, for his first year as a son-in-law, he should spend the New Year with his father-in-law’s family.

They said, after the child was born in spring, they could bring the grandson back to visit.

Their reasoning was sound—Jiayou’s belly was getting bigger by the day, and traveling during the winter holiday would be even more strenuous.

Going to Shaanbei was out of the question—even with a sleeper ticket, it would be exhausting, and a soft sleeper was unattainable without the proper status.

So Cheng Xueming and Feng Jiayou decided, since they couldn’t go home, to invite his parents to Yanjing for the New Year instead.

Cheng Xueming worried his parents might be reluctant to leave their hometown.

Feng Jiayou suggested they simply book train tickets for his parents and mail them to Shaanbei—how could they refuse?

This little clever fox... It was a good idea. She was essentially kidnapping her in-laws to Yanjing for the New Year!

After several days, Mother Feng was also impatiently waiting!

"So, Old Liu, have you come to a decision yet? The author is urging us constantly—if nothing happens soon, he’ll withdraw the manuscript. Yanjing Literature is about to finalize this issue!"

That morning, Gu Xueqing went straight to Liu Xinwu’s office to ask for an update.

It’s been over a week already!

"Teacher Gu, the leaders are busy! They can’t approve our manuscript at the drop of a hat!"

"But don’t worry, I’ve been following up. If there’s any news, I’ll inform you at once!"

Liu Xinwu was anxious too, but the leaders had more than just their department to manage!

"I can wait, but the author can’t! Li Qingquan from Yanjing Literature is pressuring him too. We’re holding onto two of his manuscripts—of course he’s anxious!"

The same argument again—Old Liu lacked the boldness he had with "Class Teacher!"

"Teacher Gu, maybe you should..." Liu Xinwu was about to suggest she stall the author, but then the phone rang on his desk, making him jump; sensing something, he quickly answered!

"Hello, Secretary Yang! Yes, yes, I’m Liu Xinwu from October! The leaders have approved it? Good, good, I understand! I’ll notify the author promptly, no delay!"

"Old Liu, is there news?!"

Seeing Liu Xinwu’s stunned expression as he hung up, Mother Feng quickly asked!

"Teacher Gu, notify the author at once—he must report to the department tomorrow morning. The leaders want to meet him in person!"

...

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