1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 12: A single man and a single woman, crossing the line of intimacy

Young people in cities read the works published in the bookstores eagerly. Soldiers, cadres and workers in the frontiers received the magazines from the postman and used reading to nourish their souls in the difficult life of guarding the border.

The article "The Wreath under the Mountain" immediately came into the readers' attention and became the well-deserved focus of the May issue of People's Literature.

Readers from different living environments and educational backgrounds fell into deep thought after reading the novel "High Mountain". Discussions related to the novel are quietly emerging.

As a senior reader of People's Literature, Chen Qiaoqiao bought the May issue as soon as possible.

However, this time, after getting the magazine, Chen Qiaoqiao did not read it from the beginning as usual, but quickly flipped through the entire book, hoping to find works written by Xu Yuexin.

"Who is Chunfeng? I've never seen this pen name before."

"Could it be the new brother?"

In the living room of the Chen family, Chen Qiaoqiao compared some works and finally set her sights on the article "The Wreath under the Mountain" because the pen name looked unfamiliar and the length of the full article was consistent with the 651 yuan royalties.

Chen Qiaoqiao planned to ask Xu Yuexin directly the next time they met.

With speculation in mind, Chen Qiaoqiao carefully read "The Wreath under the Mountain", and her heart was gradually moved by the ups and downs of the plot...

At this time, her father Chen Shi was also sitting in a recliner, holding a copy of People's Literature and reading it with great interest.

"Oh, Liang Sanxi died!"

Seeing the key plot, Chen Shi subconsciously slapped his thigh and exclaimed.

Zhou Zhifeng heard the noise and urged in dissatisfaction in the kitchen: "I'm busy cooking and can't spare my hands. I asked you to pick the vegetables. You said you'd come right away, but how long has it been?"

"Right away, right away..."

Chen Shi couldn't bear to miss the exciting part, so he agreed without thinking, his mind completely immersed in the novel.

Zhou Zhifeng was so angry: This is obviously a trick.

After several rounds of urging, Chen Shi actually came to the kitchen with a magazine in his hand. He read the ending of "High Mountains" in one hand and washed vegetables carelessly with the other.

"What is it that could fascinate you like this?"

Zhou Zhifeng frowned and said with an unhappy look.

This time Chen Shi finally managed to give a decent answer: "A very wonderful novel called The Wreath under the Mountain."

"I think the quality of the issue published by People's Literature is the best in recent years."

"Oh? That should make a lot of money."

Zhou Zhifeng asked casually.

Chen Shi had already read the entire article. He flipped back and did some calculations before giving his answer: "That's right. It's very long. I think the author can earn at least three or four hundred yuan in royalties."

"so much?"

Zhou Zhifeng's eyes lit up and she said, "It's equivalent to several months' salary for you."

Chen Shi works as an engineer in a state-owned enterprise in the neighborhood. His professional title is technical level seven and he earns 102 yuan a month.

Zhou Zhifeng has always felt that her family belongs to a high-income group. Now that she hears that someone can earn hundreds of dollars just by writing a novel, she feels that her family's income is too little.

"Don't you like writing? Why don't you try submitting an article?"

Zhou Zhifeng thought for a moment and urged her husband, "Maybe the next one will be yours."

Chen Shi was both amused and annoyed, and patiently explained to her: "This is People's Literature, not some third-rate tabloid."

"That's not something I can throw at."

"By the way, didn't Qiaoqiao tell you that Xu Yuexin published an article there? Do you think he wrote this novel?"

Zhou Zhifeng curled her lips, thinking that her husband was imagining things.

"Didn't you just say that People's Literature is of a very high standard? That guy has only been writing for less than two months, how could he possibly get published there?"

"Our daughter is so gullible. She believes whatever others say."

Zhou Zhifeng snorted coldly.

Chen Shi holds a different view: "That's not necessarily true. Some people are born with literary talent."

Zhou Zhifeng looked disapproving and glanced at her husband: "How can someone with talent fail to get into college twice?"

Facing Zhou Zhifeng who could never be persuaded, Chen Shi shook his head helplessly: "Okay, I'll pick the vegetables and I won't talk to you anymore."

……

The next day was the day Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao had agreed to meet.

Xu Yuexin told his family in advance that he would not go with them to visit relatives. After getting up in the morning, he went to the Xueyuan Road Supply and Marketing Cooperative and bought six bottles of orange soda, a pound of apples, two pounds of pears, and a bag of White Rabbit milk candies, preparing to treat Chen Qiaoqiao when she came.

When Xu Yuexin returned to the faculty building with two large bags of food and drinks, he checked his mailbox as usual to see if there was any sample issue of People's Literature sent to him.

It is very slow for an individual to send a letter to a magazine. On the other hand, it is much faster for People's Literature to send a letter to an individual, as they have a special postal channel.

After opening the green iron mailbox, Xu Yuexin saw a postal package sent to him from the No. 166 Chaonei compound, and he knew that the sample magazine had arrived.

“It still has some weight.”

Xu Yuexin held snacks and drinks in one hand and picked up the package in the other. He felt that the package felt heavier than the regular People's Literature magazine.

After returning home, Xu Yuexin put down the things he bought and couldn't wait to open the package. He found that it contained two sample magazines, each of which was beautifully bound.

Unlike the common products sold on the market, the sample issue has a hard cover, is more finely crafted and of better quality, and the cover painting is also different.

The People's Literature sold outside is like most magazines of this year, with a black and white cover, and this issue has a street scene. However, the two sample issues in Xu Yuexin's hands have a colorful cover of the beautiful mountains and rivers of the motherland.

If you examine it carefully, you can see that the vegetation on the mountain is mostly lush green rubber trees and banana trees, which is obviously the scenery of the southwestern border of our motherland, and echoes the background of the story of "The Garland under the Mountain".

After admiring the sample issue, Xu Yuexin picked up the key, went downstairs and waited for Chen Qiaoqiao to come over.

These days, there are security guards in the housing estates of workplace employees, and no one can get in without permission.

After waiting downstairs for a while, Xu Yuexin saw a girl wearing a white silk shirt and a black midi skirt walking towards him with a magazine in her hand.

"Qiaoqiao."

After seeing her face clearly, Xu Yuexin went up to her.

Chen Qiaoqiao waved the magazine in her hand, walked over excitedly, and greeted Xu Yuexin: "Look, the new issue of People's Literature."

The clothes Chen Qiaoqiao wore today were slightly slim-fitting, outlining the girl's graceful breasts and slender waist. Her long and delicate calves under the skirt were as smooth and white as porcelain, and looked even more beautiful against the black skirt.

Xu Yuexin walked up to her and took her hand: "Come on, come to my house and sit down."

"Open the book and take a look. There are some good things in it."

Chen Qiaoqiao handed the magazine to Xu Yuexin and said.

Xu Yuexin took the magazine and turned to the middle, and found a full page of commemorative items commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of Yenching University.

There are stamps specially issued for this occasion, 80th anniversary school badge commemorative medals, and postcards with the words "anniversary"...

"Do you like it? This is for you."

Chen Qiaoqiao saw that Xu Yuexin's eyes were attracted and touched him lightly with her finger.

Xu Yuexin retracted his gaze, closed the magazine, shook his head and returned it to Chen Qiaoqiao: "You are a student at school. This is your honor and a mark of your life. I can't take it away."

Chen Qiaoqiao put her hands behind her back and refused to take the magazine: "I planned to give it to you last year, please accept it."

Unable to refuse the kindness, Xu Yuexin had to reluctantly accept the series of souvenirs, holding Chen Qiaoqiao's fair and tender hand, and walked into the stairwell.

After going upstairs and entering the house, Xu Yuexin opened a bottle of soda for Chen Qiaoqiao and washed two apples.

Just as he came back from the kitchen with an apple, Chen Qiaoqiao noticed the sample magazine on the coffee table.

"Huh? Your People's Literature is a little different from mine." Chen Qiaoqiao picked up the sample issue, looked at the cover, and said with a curious expression.

Xu Yuexin put down the washed apple, sat down next to Chen Qiaoqiao, and explained to her: "This is a sample issue, which was just mailed today."

"I see. Now I remember that publishers usually send sample copies to authors."

Chen Qiaoqiao held the magazine and couldn't put it down. "The cover is much better than the one I bought, and it has a hard cover."

“It’s quite collectible.”

"If you like it, take one home."

Xu Yuexin said generously.

"Then I...will not be polite?"

Chen Qiaoqiao's pretty face lit up, and she smiled, "By the way, did you write the article 'The Wreath under the Mountain'?"

As she spoke, she flipped open the sample issue on the table, found the article "High Mountains", and pointed to the author's name Chunfeng.

"Yes. Have you seen it?"

Xu Yuexin picked up another sample magazine and said.

Chen Qiaoqiao's guess was confirmed, and her eyes sparkled. "Yeah, I watched it yesterday afternoon. You really have a brilliant pen. You wrote the battle scenes so grippingly, and the ending so touchingly. I can't get enough of it."

“Now that I think about it, I want to watch it again with you.”

"The coffee table is too low to put books on. Go into the room and read."

Xu Yuexin suggested, standing up from the chair.

"Bring something to eat in."

Chen Qiaoqiao agreed, picked up the apple and fruit knife on the coffee table, and followed Xu Yuexin to the bedroom, just like when she was a sent-down youth and followed him in the countryside.

Xu Yuexin’s bedroom is not big, only about seven or eight square meters, and the furnishings are also very simple, with a desk and a cabinet full of various books.

Actually, he bought these books in the past two days, mainly because there is a lack of entertainment these days and reading has become an interesting way of leisure.

After sitting down at the desk with Chen Qiaoqiao, Xu Yuexin put the sample magazine on the table, turned to the page of "The Wreath under the Mountain", and read it with her with all his heart.

In the middle, Xu Yuexin noticed that Chen Qiaoqiao's eyes were slightly red, but she didn't even blink.

She also has a sentimental side.

Xu Yuexin thought.

After reading "High Mountains", Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao turned to the next page and found that it was a romance novel, in which the male and female protagonists were both educated youth sent to work in the countryside.

The scale of romance novels of this era cannot be compared with those of later generations. They are nothing more than hugging and kissing at most.

Even so, when Chen Qiaoqiao saw those detailed descriptions and thought of Xu Yuexin right next to her, she still felt embarrassed.

"Want to read the next one?"

Chen Qiaoqiao endured the fever on her face and pretended to be calm as she suggested.

Xu Yuexin did not agree with Chen Qiaoqiao, but naturally took her hand and asked, "Did you think of something?"

Chen Qiaoqiao turned her face away slightly, not wanting him to see her embarrassment: "Nothing... Don't let your imagination run wild."

In the small room, the girl's fresh body fragrance permeated Xu Yuexin's nose from time to time. Her slender, tall and warm body was close at hand. The hem of her black skirt, which originally reached her knees, was now exposed a small part above her knees when she sat down. Her skin was as smooth as cream and as delicate as a baby's.

The slight anger and the flustered and shy look on her pretty face added vivid temptation to this scene.

"You're my partner."

Xu Yuexin corrected, wrapping his arm around Chen Qiaoqiao's slender waist, "So, that's not called random thoughts."

"It's just like the intimacy between a husband and wife."

"Nonsense, who are you and your spouse?"

Chen Qiaoqiao snorted angrily, but did not push Xu Yuexin's hand away.

Xu Yuexin understood that Chen Qiaoqiao was not opposed to it, so he continued to hold her waist and read the book.

Chen Qiaoqiao not only has a thin waist, but also has tight and elastic skin. When Xu Yue put his hand on it, it felt like he was pressing on jelly, it felt great.

Even though Xu Yuexin did not take any further action immediately, Chen Qiaoqiao's originally pink face became redder and redder, and her breathing became heavier.

"You are so beautiful."

After reading another novel, Xu Yuexin praised it from the bottom of his heart.

Chen Qiaoqiao smiled. She was about to play a joke on Xu Yuexin when she noticed that his big hand covered the skin exposed under her skirt.

"Hey, you..."

Before Chen Qiaoqiao could even protest, Xu Yuexin hugged her in his arms.

Fortunately, Xu Yuexin did not attack further. He just hugged Chen Qiaoqiao, rubbed her legs with one hand, and teased her in her ear from time to time.

Chen Qiaoqiao wanted to respond to Xu Yuexin, but he took the opportunity to do something naughty, blowing hot air from time to time, which made Chen Qiaoqiao's earlobes itchy and tingling. From the earlobes to the originally snow-white swan neck, a crimson color appeared, and it was hot and uncomfortable.

Bad guy, big bad guy.

Chen Qiaoqiao half-closed her eyes, her face resting on Xu Yuexin's shoulder, and blaming him for her strange reaction with confidence, biting her cherry red lips.

……

After a long time, Xu Yuexin let go of Chen Qiaoqiao, whose face was flushed.

Considering the customs of this era, his intimate behavior just now has already crossed the line.

After being released, Chen Qiaoqiao panted and was about to complain, but Xu Yuexin used his hands to help her tidy up her slightly messy hair and straighten her wrinkled shirt. Seeing her lover being so gentle and considerate, Chen Qiaoqiao swallowed her words.

"Can you give me the bill for the manuscript?"

After Chen Qiaoqiao caught her breath, she asked Xu Yuexin, "I want to take it home to show my mother."

"I'll give it to you."

Xu Yuexin opened the desk drawer, and from under a pile of Great Unity papers, he took out the royalty receipt signed with "People's Literature" and handed it to Chen Qiaoqiao.

As soon as Xu Yuexin heard Chen Qiaoqiao say this, he knew what was going on with her mother.

The two of them had been whispering to each other for a long time. At this time, the sun was already at its zenith outside the window, and Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao were both feeling a little hungry.

“Do you have any vegetables at home?”

Chen Qiaoqiao glanced at the clock in the bedroom and asked Xu Yuexin.

"There are vegetables, but no meat. Why, do you want to eat at home?"

"I want to show you my skills."

"I'm going to the street to buy some meat."

Xu Yuexin opened the drawer again and took out a meat ticket.

He still had a lot of meat coupons that were subsidized when he went to the countryside, and he had to spend them as soon as possible.

Otherwise, when pork is released into the capital next year and no longer purchased with coupons, it will be wasted.

When Xu Yuexin went out to buy meat, Chen Qiaoqiao looked at the receipt for the manuscript fee in her hand and began to daydream.

Didn't my mother insist that Xu Yuexin was a liar? I'll take the manuscript fee back later and see what else she can say.

(End of this chapter)