068 That's Not a Satellite Anymore, It's Turned Into an Atomic Bomb? (Please Vote for Me)

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Passing through one imposing hall door after another, Cheng Xueming’s nerves grew increasingly taut.

What kind of place was this!?

In his previous life, he’d lived for over thirty years and never set foot in here, not even once. Yet, since crossing over into the late 1970s, it had only been a month or so—and now, he was already inside these hall doors, waiting outside the office courtyard for the leader’s reception!

“Old Liu, the leader has called you in!”

Secretary Yang came out to announce, calling Liu Xinwu’s name and indicating that the three of them could enter.

“Alright, thank you, Secretary Yang!” Liu Xinwu nodded repeatedly, motioning for Cheng Xueming and Mrs. Feng beside him to follow.

Soon, led by Secretary Yang, the three entered the leader’s office.

As they passed through the door, Cheng Xueming stole a glance inside and found the leader’s office was simple and unadorned—a large desk, and a modest sofa set.

At that moment, three people were sitting on the sofa.

“Hello, Elder Wu!” Liu Xinwu took the lead, greeting the elderly gentleman seated at the head. Then, seeing the two accompanying him, his face went pale with shock. He hurried forward, forcing a bright smile and warmly addressed them, “Elder Mao, you’re here as well!”

“And Teacher Ding, I heard you’ve returned to the capital. I’ve been meaning to visit you!”

Mrs. Feng, following closely behind, exchanged a glance with Cheng Xueming. She was equally astonished. With these two present, was her son-in-law about to rise directly to the top?

She hurried forward to greet them, saying, “Elder Wu, Elder Mao, Teacher Ding—this is Old Qiao, author of ‘The Chronicle of Director Qiao’s Appointment,’ and also Old Xu, author of ‘The Horseman’ published in Yanjing Literary Review. His real name is Cheng Xueming!”

“Well, well! Old Qiao of ‘Director Qiao’s Appointment,’ and Old Xu of ‘The Horseman.’ Comrade Cheng Xueming, you change your pen names more often than I did in my youth!” joked the gentleman seated to the left, rising to greet Cheng Xueming.

“Xueming, this is Elder Mao from our Writers’ Association!” Liu Xinwu quickly introduced the elder who had joked with Cheng Xueming, and continued, “This is Elder Wu Zhen, who oversees our cultural sector; and you should know Teacher Ding Ling. Just a few days ago, in the Literary Digest, Teacher Ding praised your piece ‘The Horseman’!”

Elder Mao!

Cheng Xueming never expected to meet this literary titan here. He didn’t know the other two, but how could he not recognize Elder Mao?

He hurried forward to greet them. “Elder Mao, Elder Wu, Teacher Ding, I’m Cheng Xueming… It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Cheng Xueming had hoped to express his humility with more elegance, but nerves got the better of him and he could only repeatedly blurt out, “It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

“Comrade Cheng Xueming, you’re quite bold!” Elder Wu, who oversaw the cultural sector, suddenly remarked.

“What?!”

Instantly, Liu Xinwu and Mrs. Feng’s faces changed, and Cheng Xueming himself was stunned.

Wasn’t the manuscript already approved, and hadn’t they invited him over for a chat? Why was he suddenly being criticized by Elder Wu as soon as they met?

“The Chronicle of Director Qiao’s Appointment” was a pioneering work of the new era, its historical impact and literary stature rivaling Liu Xinwu’s “The Class Teacher” and Lu Xinhua’s “The Scar.”

When the manuscript was published, it perfectly aligned with the opening tide of reform, debuting in People’s Literature, then reprinted by Yanjing Literary Review, October, Harvest, Contemporary, Shanghai Arts, Literary Digest, Xinhua Daily, People’s Daily, Workers’ Daily, PLA Literature, and countless other media outlets.

On radio broadcasts, Jiang Zilong’s “The Chronicle of Director Qiao’s Appointment” was aired almost around the clock.

Its popularity truly eclipsed the long-reigning scar literature, and it met the demands of the times for progress, balancing a decade’s worth of scars—a true milestone.

Yet!

Cheng Xueming smiled wryly, realizing why Elder Wu was criticizing him.

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A pioneering work, but the plenary session was not yet over—it was still ongoing! The official announcement would not be made for more than ten days.

For Cheng Xueming to submit such a manuscript now—wasn’t that audacious?

Of course!

It could also be seen as youthful zeal, highly attentive and responsive. Though the plenary session hadn’t concluded, relevant reports were already emerging. Young people were simply a bit impatient, eager to express themselves.

To convey his love for the country, Cheng Xueming’s earlier “The Horseman” had already accomplished much.

So, although Cheng Xueming was nervous on his way here, he wasn’t particularly afraid.

But he hadn’t expected that upon meeting, Elder Wu would rebuke him so sternly.

“Comrade Cheng Xueming, do you know how much stir Liu Xinwu caused when he submitted your manuscript that day?”

“It’s excellent! We urgently needed a piece like this—our cultural sector needed a manuscript to respond to societal demands!”

“Comrade, your work was hailed as ‘timely rain’ over there! You’ve caught their attention!”

Elder Wu’s face was initially grave as he spoke to Cheng Xueming, but quickly broke into a smile, eyes twinkling as he stepped forward, extending his hand enthusiastically to shake Cheng Xueming’s.

Uh…

The abrupt change left Cheng Xueming sweating coldly.

He had worried the manuscript was submitted too early, but Elder Wu seemed to imply it was perfectly timed!

And Elder Wu’s reference to “over there”—Cheng Xueming knew exactly what he meant. This office, just a bit further—that “over there”!

So his manuscript had caught the eye, been approved for publication, and was praised as “timely rain”!?

Did this mean that, even before he’d taken the university entrance exam—before he had his ticket in hand—he’d already gained significant capital?

Consider Jiang Zilong, the original author in his previous life, whose career soared after this work.

And Liu Xinwu beside him—his “The Class Teacher” was published under great pressure during the same era, earning him career capital and a smooth rise.

So, with “The Chronicle of Director Qiao’s Appointment,” wasn’t Cheng Xueming’s path even more promising?

After all, it was praised as “timely rain” by those at the top!

“Oh! Elder, you… you scared me to death!” Liu Xinwu, stunned and drenched in cold sweat, stammered once he regained his composure.

Mrs. Feng fared no better!

She thought she had harmed her son-in-law, hoping he could follow Liu Xinwu’s path and use the manuscript as a stepping-stone for his future career.

But who could have guessed it would be so perilous?

When Elder Wu’s next words came, Mrs. Feng’s expression was stunned, but her heart soared with joy.

Timely rain!

Those at the top had praised her son-in-law’s manuscript as “timely rain”—imagine the weight of that!

“Liu Xinwu, weren’t you always bold? Why so timid now?” Elder Wu teased, smiling.

“I thought with your temperament, you wouldn’t even seek my approval—you’d publish it right away in October’s next issue!”

“Elder, please don’t mock me. Without your wise guidance, I wouldn’t dare publish my manuscript!” Liu Xinwu replied sheepishly.

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“Nonsense! Boldness is no fault. Now, don’t just stand there—come, sit down! With Elder Mao and Teacher Ding both here, we can discuss how to adapt the manuscript to the spirit of the meeting, make some revisions.”

Elder Wu beckoned Cheng Xueming and the others, “Comrade Cheng, you’re the protagonist—sit here and discuss with Elder Mao and Teacher Ding.”

“Elder, does the manuscript still need revision?” Liu Xinwu asked, hesitantly.

“Yes, it needs further refinement! The specifics aren’t deep enough—we must integrate the meeting’s spirit into the manuscript and deepen it, so it serves as a guide and a vanguard.”

Indeed!

Cheng Xueming’s “The Chronicle of Director Qiao’s Appointment” was actually more restrained than the original, since he knew the official announcement hadn’t been made, and slogans hadn’t yet been formally adopted.

So he had hidden all related slogans in the manuscript.

Now, with the request for revision and deeper integration of slogans, it was clear Elder Wu wanted the piece to serve as a guiding vanguard—those slogans had to be clearly included.

In his previous life, Jiang Zilong had indeed received the honor of “Pioneer of Reform” for this manuscript.

“Comrade Xu, it’s a pleasure—I never expected Elder Wu and Elder Mao would invite me to discuss, and it would be your major work. Impressive!” Teacher Ding Ling greeted Cheng Xueming with a smile.

“Teacher Ding, you flatter me. I was simply moved by recent reports—perhaps too impulsive and eager to express my excitement, so… I hope the elders will forgive my rashness!” Cheng Xueming explained, greeting Ding Ling.

But now, what he considered sensitive, turned out to be “timely rain” for them.

After all, to be a vanguard, someone must charge ahead first.

In his previous life, it was Jiang Zilong; this time, it was Cheng Xueming’s turn to pay tribute and take up the mantle!

“Young people with drive are excellent! If you hadn’t had this energy, Comrade Cheng, we wouldn’t know where to find such a manuscript!” Elder Wu praised.

“Indeed! The younger generation is impressive—Xueming, I’ve read both your manuscripts and they’re excellent! Reading the works of young people, I realize I’m truly old!” Elder Mao laughed.

Three literary giants all praised her son-in-law, and Mrs. Feng, who hadn’t managed to get a word in, was beside herself with joy.

She wished she could sprout wings and fly home to share the good news with her husband.

She was also afraid she’d lose control and boast on the spot that this was Gu Xueqing’s son-in-law.

The manuscript was discussed all morning, with every key element re-examined. Elder Wu and the others asked Cheng Xueming to take it home for revision, hoping he could finish quickly to publish it in tandem with the meeting’s spirit.

At that moment, no one was more excited than Liu Xinwu, editor-in-chief of October!

This… this was no longer just a milestone—it was an atomic bomb for October!

On the way back,

Liu Xinwu returned the other novella to Cheng Xueming, asking him to give it back to Yanjing Literary Review.

Liu Xinwu knew October could only keep one of the two manuscripts, and Old Xu, author of “The Horseman,” had promised Yanjing Literary Review a piece for this issue. One must be returned to Li Qingquan.

Previously, Liu Xinwu hadn’t made up his mind, but now, with an atomic bomb in hand, who would choose the novella over this?

Just wait!

Let Li Qingquan at Yanjing Literary Review wait a little longer—this time, Liu Xinwu’s October would drop an atomic bomb for him to see.

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