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

Chapter 91 Shy Gong Ruxue

Chen Yixiu glanced at him.

"Don't think about those things for now."

"Plan carefully how to convert the gold into cash."

"I've thought about it. I'll take it to another place to exchange. Don't exchange too much each time, half an ounce at most."

Xu Yuexin said confidently, "So the big yellow croaker now is definitely not good. It has to be divided into small portions to exchange for money."

"We buy 24K pure gold, which is soft and easy to split, but we must avoid waste during the splitting process."

Chen Yixiu's gaze lingered on Xu Yuexin for a while longer.

Good, it's great to prepare such a detailed plan in advance, taking all the details into consideration.

After saying that, Xu Yuexin went to the bedroom and took out the diagonal pliers, bristle brush, hammer, and the scale that his father usually used that he had prepared in advance.

Before dividing the gold, Xu Yuexin asked Chen Yixiu to put a 25-gram weight on one end of the scale and find a pile of paper to put under the yellow croaker.

"Clang."

After unscrewing a small piece of gold, Xu Yuexin threw it onto the scale.

22.5 grams, no problem.

Then, the next piece.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

After breaking off several pieces of gold in succession, Xu Yuexin used a hammer to smash the small gold nuggets into thin gold cakes.

“Why smash it?”

Chen Yixiu asked doubtfully.

"The heirloom gold of ordinary families is usually this kind of gold cake."

"And if you take the gold nuggets to a gold shop, an experienced person can still tell that they are from a whole yellow croaker."

Xu Yuexin explained, handing the hammer to Chen Yixue, "Use a brush to brush off the gold powder on top and wrap it with paper."

Chen Yixue nodded, picked up the boar bristle brush and carefully brushed off the gold on the hammer head. The gold powder fell on the paper, making a rustling sound.

……

After some hard work, Xu Yuexin finally cut all the yellow croakers into small pieces weighing less than half a tael, and then used a hammer to hammer them all into golden cakes.

Chen Yixiu also collected about half an ounce of gold powder.

Xu Yuexin found a bottle to collect the gold powder, and then put a gold cake into his pocket.

"Change now?"

"Well, go now."

Xu Yuexin nodded.

After going out, he did not ride a motorcycle, but took a bus first, and then a coach to Changping County.

The road conditions in the suburbs were not good these days, and Xu Yuexin felt sorry for his beloved car. Moreover, riding a motorcycle would be too conspicuous, which did not fit his original intention of keeping a low profile.

After arriving in Changping County, Xu Yuexin found a gold shop and went in to sell gold.

Unlike the gold shops in later generations, the gold shops of that time only bought and did not sell, because the policy on individuals purchasing gold jewelry had not yet been relaxed.

Xu Yuexin took out a thin gold cake and greeted the salesperson: "Hello, comrade, I sell you gold."

“Oh, you saw the policy, right?”

The salesperson put on gloves to prevent sweat from getting on the gold, and took the gold cake and placed it on a special electronic scale for precious metals.

The electronic scale showed the reading, and the salesperson used an abacus to quote the price: "22.5 grams, a total of 175 yuan 7 cents."

Seeing the style of the gold in Xu Yuexin's hand, the salesperson assumed it was handed down from his ancestors and did not question him.

After yesterday's news announcement of the increase in the gold purchase price, several individuals came in this morning with gold cakes like this one to sell.

At the beginning, the gold shop would ask about the source of the gold, but after too many times, they became too lazy to ask.

Xu Yuexin took the money from the salesperson and counted it slowly.

After confirming that everything was correct, he put the money in his pocket and walked back to the train station along the same route he came.

In the following days, apart from attending classes, Xu Yuexin's daily task was to exchange gold without paying attention.

Finally, before the cold season came, he exchanged all 14 yellow croakers for cash!
Xu Yuexin received nearly 27000 yuan, and a little over 7000 yuan went to his sister-in-law.

On the day of dividing the money, Chen Yixiu held a thick stack of banknotes in her hands, her eyes full of brilliance.

This was the largest single income she had ever received in her life!

Chen Yixiu put the money into her shoulder bag and turned around to take out a piece of clothing from her handbag.

"I bought you a coat. Try it on now."

Chen Yixiu said with gratitude in her voice.

Xu Yuexin has been running back and forth these days to exchange gold and has spent a lot of effort. Chen Yixiu knows this very well.

So she prepared this coat long before the weather got cold.

Xu Yuexin took off his coat, took it from his sister-in-law and put it on, then stretched out his arms and put his hands into the sleeves.

Chen Yixiu stared at Xu Yuexin without blinking, and thought he looked very handsome in his coat, with a particularly manly demeanor!

"What are you standing there for? Button your clothes."

Xu Yuexin pointed at his still open coat and said.

"You can't tie it yourself?"

Chen Yixiu said stubbornly and went forward to button his shirt.

Chen Yixue couldn't help but look at Xu Yuexin again after he put on his coat, and then nodded: "Yeah, he looks quite energetic."

“You know this dress is right for you when you buy it.”

"How does it fit?"

Xu Yuexin raised his eyebrows and asked deliberately.

Chen Yixiu smiled lightly, raised her face and said nothing.

Doesn't he just want to hear me praise him? But I don't want to.

"If you don't tell me, then what should have been there will be gone."

Xu Yuexin took off his coat and said, "Don't regret it."

Come again.

Chen Yixiu snorted inwardly.

"Okay, you are tall and well-proportioned, so this dress suits you."

"Isn't that what you want to hear?"

"Good boy, this is my good sister-in-law."

Xu Yuexin raised the corner of his mouth slightly, went back to the house, took out a jewelry box, and handed it to Chen Yixue, "Here, open it and take a look."

"Is this... for me?"

Chen Yixiu opened the box and found an exquisitely shaped gold necklace inside.

"Yes, I found a craftsman in the countryside to make it."

Xu Yuexin said briefly, "I've prepared one for Qiaoqiao as well."

Chen Yixiu suddenly realized why Xu Yuexin's share was a little less than she expected when the money was divided just now.

"I can't have it."

Chen Yixue certainly understood the significance of giving gold jewelry to each other, and immediately refused, "Give both to Qiaoqiao."

"Put it on."

Xu Yuexin said in an extremely firm tone. He put one big hand on Chen Yixiu's shoulder, picked up the necklace with one hand, and put it on her pink and white swan neck with his own hands.

Chen Yixiu has an outstanding temperament, and she immediately looks elegant and luxurious after putting on the gold necklace.

"Look, how beautiful it is."

Xu Yuexin said to the bewildered Chen Yixue, taking her hand, "Come on, go look in the mirror."

Chen Yixiu was taken to the bathroom by him and saw herself in the mirror.

It really looks good when worn.

Chen Yixiu couldn't help but sigh, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Still saying no?"

Xu Yuexin let go of Chen Yixue's hand and said, "Wear it out next time. It's so charming."

Chen Yixue sighed slightly, took off the necklace and handed it to Xu Yuexin: "I'll give it back to you."

"Don't give me something so expensive next time."

"We can't do it after all."

Okay, then don’t want it.

My sister-in-law's reaction was quite normal.

Xu Yuexin took the necklace and hugged Chen Yixue in his arms: "You are also at the age where you should consider your lifelong affairs."

"I am the only one suitable for you."

Chen Yixiu stood quietly, neither hugging him nor pushing him away.

"Don't make it difficult for me." After a long silence, Chen Yixue said softly, her tone tangled, "Isn't that enough?"

Xu Yuexin kissed his sister-in-law on the forehead and looked at her affectionately: "Well, nothing is enough."

This time, Chen Yixue was not angry like before when she was kissed. She just avoided his gaze and sighed faintly: "You, you."

"It's a real headache."

……

After seeing off his sister-in-law, Xu Yuexin picked up the 1566-word manuscript of "The Ming Dynasty 50" and went to the editorial department of People's Literature.

There are too many manuscripts. If they are lost in the mail, all his investment during this period will be wasted.

Ever since he tricked his sister-in-law last time, Xu Yuexin has been taking time to finish the rest of "The Ming Dynasty 1566".

As of today, the task is finally completed.

Xu Yuexin put on the coat given by Chen Yixiu and started his motorcycle to People's Literature.

In late autumn in the capital, the streets are covered with dead leaves, and pedestrians are wrapped in thick clothes, lowering their heads to avoid the wind.

When Xu Yuexin rode to No. 166 Chaonei, he happened to meet Wang Chaoyin who was riding a bicycle to work.

"Lao Wang, go to work."

Xu Yuexin stopped his motorcycle and greeted him.

"Correct."

Wang Chaoyin stopped his bike and looked at it curiously, "What a magnificent motorcycle. Where did you get it from?"

"bought."

Xu Yuexin answered, turned around, opened the trunk, took out the bag containing the manuscript, and waved it in front of Wang Chaoyin, "Look, the manuscript of Ming Dynasty 1566."

"so much."

Wang Chaoyin looked around happily and said, "Let's go find a place to talk."

After saying that, he rode his bicycle and took Xu Yuexin to a breakfast shop to sit down.

"I haven't eaten this morning yet. Have you eaten yet?"

"I have already eaten."

"Well, this is all the remaining manuscript, right?"

“Yes, the whole book is finished.”

"You write fast. None of the authors here can write as fast as you."

"I definitely can't finish reviewing so many manuscripts in a short time. But you still have to come back to the editorial office with me. We need to reprint "High Mountain" and "The Horse Herder"."

Wang Chaoyin picked up the buns in the steamer and said happily.

After Wang Chaoyin finished his breakfast, Xu Yuexin went back to the editorial office with him.

"We have changed our editor-in-chief. Mr. Li has been elected as the executive vice chairman of the Writers Association, and the new editor-in-chief is Comrade Zhang Guangnian, the chairman of the Writers Association."

When going upstairs, Wang Chaoyin talked to Xu Yuexin, took him to the reception room to sit down, and he took the manuscript back to the editorial office.

After getting the contracts for "The Garland under the Mountain" and "The Shepherd", Wang Chaoyin returned to the reception room and handed the contracts to Xu Yuexin for review.

"The terms in your contract are the most generous among all the authors in our magazine."

"Hey, it's the only one."

Wang Chaoyin leaned back on the sofa and said.

"If we print 10000 more copies each, that would add up to 200000 copies."

Xu Yuexin held the contract in his hand and muttered to himself.

"Yes, the price increase application has also been approved by the Planning Commission. The price of each book has increased by 1 cents, and now it is 3 cents per book."

Wang Chaoyin explained enthusiastically, "Based on the 9% royalty rate, your royalty is 5400 yuan."

From 2 cents to 3 cents, my income has increased by half.

Xu Yuexin was very happy after hearing what Wang Chaoyin said. He turned to the second page of the contract and saw that the price had indeed increased.

Sign, stamp, and get the money.

When leaving No. 166 Chaonei, Xu Yuexin had a huge envelope in his hand.

After returning home, Xu Yuexin put together the 5400 yuan in royalties, the income from the sale of gold, and his previous savings, and carefully counted his belongings.

During this period, he earned some money from selling songs, and the publishing houses he had contacted before also reprinted his works, which together amounted to a considerable amount of income.

"45000, 46000, 47000..."

"51000."

Xu Yuexin put down the last stack of great unity and stretched lazily.

A stack of banknotes is 1000 yuan, and there are 51 stacks in the drawer!
These days, a person with a deposit of 10,000 yuan is considered wealthy, and if anyone has a deposit of more than 50,000 yuan, it would be terrifying to tell others about it.

Xu Yuexin’s current mood can be described in one word.

Cool!
By the way, he began to think about how to spend the money.

The next three years will be a period of rapid economic growth and price increases.

Only by finding a good place for savings can we avoid being exploited by inflation.

Xu Yuexin had already planned to find an opportunity to go to Hong Kong to play with Baiyin later.

Of course, it is spot, not futures.

Futures trading in Hong Kong started very late, with the futures exchange not established until 1976. The products are single, with only three varieties to date: sugar, soybeans, and cotton. The liquidity is also very poor, just like Hong Kong stocks in later generations.

To be honest, Xu Yuexin would not enter a market like this even if silver products were offered.

The worse the trading in a market is, the easier it is to be manipulated, and it often happens that the international market is rising, but the market is falling instead.

Xu Yuexin planned to go to Hong Kong in a while, and before that he wanted to send a telegram to Lin Qingxia.

In those days, going to Hong Kong was not as convenient as it is now. You either had to travel on official business or visit relatives and friends.

Xu Yuexin planned to ask Lin Qingxia to invite him so that he would have a reason to go.

After Xu Yuexin sent the telegram, he went home and sat down at his desk.

He had promised to write a script for Gong Ruxue, and now it was time to concentrate on fulfilling his promise.

Xu Yuexin has always been serious about his promises, especially those with top beauties like Gong Ruxue.

Following the previous idea, Xu Yuexin felt that he should still use land as the starting point to describe the changes in rural areas.

However, the vision should be broadened and should not be limited to the household contract responsibility system since last year, but can start from before the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The peasants were bullied by local tyrants and evil gentry, and their land was taken away; after the Red Army came, they distributed the land to the poor peasants, but when the Homecoming Corps came back, they took the land away again.

Then came the land reform, the people's commune collectivization movement, and finally the current household contract responsibility system.

Such a plot is more substantial and can better show the development and changes in the countryside over the past few decades, as well as the vicissitudes of history, triggering the audience's in-depth observation and thinking.

After making up his mind, Xu Yuexin immersed himself in writing.

With the previous practice on "The Ming Dynasty 1566", Xu Yuexin wrote the script very quickly this time.

In just one afternoon, he completed a script of more than 6,000 words.

As for the name, let’s just call it “Tomorrow”.

Because the ending is open-ended, when it comes to the section on household contract responsibility system, the protagonist's family not only gets a bumper harvest, but their labor force is also liberated.

The second son in the family is planning to open a brick kiln to change the fate of farmers who have had to dig in the soil for food for thousands of years.

In fact, this is exactly the significance of household contract responsibility system in Xu Yuexin's eyes: it liberated rural labor.

The name "Tomorrow" can give the audience more hope and imagination.

After writing the script, Xu Yuexin rode his motorcycle to the drama troupe and handed it to Gong Ruxue who had just got off work.

"You've finished writing? That's great!"

Gong Ruxue happily took the script and couldn't wait to open it, "Is it about rural areas?"

"Well, this is a book tailor-made for you."

Xu Yuexin nodded and said, "The heroine in the second half, Xue'er, is very suitable for your temperament."

"I see. Let me see."

Gong Ruxue turned to the back of the script and quickly found the plot about Xueer.

In Xu Yuexin's writing, Xue'er is a young, beautiful, quiet, shy and strong-willed rural girl who marries the second son of the protagonist Xu's family.

As she continued reading, Gong Ruxue's face felt a little hot.

Because Xu Yuexin's description of the second son of the Xu family is completely based on his own template.

Did he do it on purpose?
Gong Ruxue closed the script, looked up at Xu Yuexin, and found that he was staring at her.

Gong Ruxue's face suddenly turned even redder.

"Look what I'm doing..."

Gong Ruxue turned her head shyly and asked in a soft voice.

"You look good."

Xu Yuexin smiled and said, "Can your drama troupe accept outsiders to play roles?"

really……

Gong Ruxue vaguely guessed Xu Yuexin's thoughts, and her heart began to beat fast.

(Photo by Gong Xue)
(End of this chapter)