You're Confused!

"It's the math and science test papers! Didn't you ask someone to bring them from the big city, Grandpa?"

The papers used by Retake Class One were mimeographed by the school, but at the time, Teacher Ke had explicitly stated they were "papers created by student Li Ye." Although Xia Yue and the others didn't believe it, Li Dayong did.

Li Dayong was large and strong, but he had a very sensitive mind. Ever since Li Ye and Wen Leyu started dabbling in novels, the test papers distributed in class quickly lost their novelty.

Wasn't that obvious enough? It was all my brother's credit!

Li Zhongfa was very puzzled because he had never used his connections to get any papers for Li Ye.

With his level of understanding, where he couldn't even recognize all 24 English letters, he didn't know that high-level test papers were an effective means to improve college entrance exam scores.

So, Li Zhongfa asked Li Ye doubtfully, "Test papers from the big city? Did that girl from the Lu family mail them to you?"

"It wasn't her."

Li Ye denied it flatly.

He really couldn't understand why people around him still thought he was entangled with Lu Jingyao.

Li Zhongfa realized he had misunderstood. He had thought that the Lu family girl truly intended to fulfill her father's promise and help Li Ye "get into the Capital City"!

Now it seemed she had flown high and become a phoenix.

However, Li Zhongfa always felt that his grandson didn't seem so obsessed with that phoenix anymore.

So the old man continued to ask, "Xiao Ye, where did you get the papers from then?"

Li Ye replied, "I created them myself. Originally, I just let Dayong and a few close friends copy them for practice. Later, the teachers thought they should be shared with everyone."

Li Zhongfa frowned and asked in a deep voice, "So, how much of an effect can these test papers have?"

Li Ye thought for a moment and humbly said, "Given our class's current situation, if we continue to study, it could improve scores by about 150 to 200 points!"

"..."

Everyone around was stunned.

In those days, even Li Zhongfa, who considered himself a rough fellow, knew what it meant to improve by 150 to 200 points.

But precisely because they knew what it meant, they didn't believe Li Ye's "nonsense."

In an era where 300-odd points could get you into a vocational college, you claimed you could help your classmates improve by 150 to 200 points?

What would be the consequences if this got out?

Countless parents would surely bring their children to your door begging for improvement.

"Come, come, this is my grandson, please put in some extra effort. If not 150 points, even 100 points would be great. I'll kowtow to you first."

"Good heavens!"

Li Zhongfa smacked his lips and said to Li Ye, "Making big talk requires responsibility. Tell Grandpa the truth, how many points can it really improve?"

Li Ye had no way to answer. If he told the truth, you wouldn't believe him! Should I lie?

At this moment, Li Dayong next to him "righteously" spoke up, "Grandpa, I wouldn't dare say over a hundred points, but it's really effective.

Before, my math and physics were ranked in the thirties in Class One. In the tests a few days ago, math was ranked fourteenth, and physics was eleventh. Several other classmates also improved a lot."

Li Zhongfa and Li Kaijian, father and son, exchanged glances and then slapped their thighs.

"Oh my!"

"You fools!"

Before Li Zhongfa could speak, Li Kaijian became agitated and started berating Li Ye.

"Do you two foolish kids know that the college entrance exam isn't about scoring points, it's about ranking? Only a few people are admitted in total. One more or one less point means a different fate. By helping others improve their scores, you're pushing down your own rankings!"

Li Ye smiled, "It's not that exaggerated. I'll definitely get in. Besides, Dad, what kind of awareness is that? You're a veteran!"

Actually, Li Ye knew that soldiers weren't all about blind dedication. He was just trying to shut Li Kaijian up.

When facing danger, soldiers would charge forward without hesitation, but don't think for a moment that soldiers are oblivious to human affairs.

If you don't believe me, look at the veterans around you. Except for those who are particularly honest and upright, they are actually very insightful, good at "handling things," and all very perceptive.

Li Kaijian opened his mouth to curse, but couldn't bring himself to do it. The reason was simple: he, as the workshop director, usually loved to talk about awareness with people.

But Li Ye's grandmother didn't care about that. She pointed a finger at her precious grandson's forehead.

"You're just a silly child, always thinking of others. Do others think of you? Did Lu Jingyao help you when she took the college entrance exam last year? Why haven't you learned your lesson?"

Only the old grandmother in the family dared to mention Lu Jingyao in front of Li Ye. Others would never bring up a sore subject.

Everyone fell silent. Li Dayong beside them also looked sheepish and very awkward.

He deeply understood what Grandma Li was talking about.

Not to mention anything else, that small group led by Xia Yue got a new set of papers from the County No. 1 High School, and they wouldn't even let Li Dayong and the others copy them.

Where could you find someone as righteous and selfless as Li Ye? He exchanged his papers for sarcastic remarks in the end.

Li Ye, with his forehead poked by his grandmother, could only explain, "Grandma, you've misunderstood. How could I be a silly child?

A fence needs three posts, and a hero needs three helpers. I'm just seeing how many people are grateful and willing to repay kindness, and giving them a hand. That way, I'll have some helpers in the future."

Grandma Li was still upset, muttering that her grandson had been taken advantage of.

Li Ye kicked Li Dayong's calf, and the latter quickly stepped forward to draw fire.

"Master, Grandma, Uncle Kaijian, what Li Ye is saying is true. Li Ye no longer provides exam papers for the class because many people are ungrateful."

These days, because Li Ye stopped explaining problems to his classmates, many people had been gossiping and spreading rumors. Li Dayong and Hu Man had been arguing with those people every day.

However, fewer and fewer people believed that Li Ye was "acting for the public good," while more and more people were mocking him for being selfish.

As a result, the "Li Fan Club," centered around Li Dayong and Hu Man, was left with only a few members.

"Look, look, I told you you're a silly kid. You were kind to them, and they ended up cursing you."

"Enough!"

Li Zhongfa shouted, then asked Li Ye and Li Dayong, "How many helpers who know how to repay kindness have you found?"

Li Ye pondered for a moment and said, "Seven."

Li Dayong added, "Including Wen Leyu, that makes seven."

"Seven isn't a small number," Li Zhongfa said. "Last year, our entire county didn't have seven people get into college."

"Then what are your plans for the future? If the teacher asks you for questions or exam papers again, what will you do?"

Having experienced so much, Li Zhongfa immediately pinpointed the crucial issue.

Given the current situation, Li Ye wouldn't be providing questions or explanations for his classmates anymore. But what about the teachers?

There was still plenty of time before the college entrance examination. Surely the seven of you will need new exam papers, right? So, what will you do when the teacher asks you, Li Ye, for questions?

The students and teachers had different standpoints.

Students were crammed onto a single-plank bridge, wishing they could knock everyone else off so only they remained.

But teachers wanted their students to cross the bridge smoothly, one after another.

One followed their inner selfishness, while the other held great and noble public justice. When the two collided, the individual was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of morality.

Li Ye nodded. "This is indeed a problem. I plan to have Dayong and the others start doing practice problems in a few days. The teachers will definitely notice."

Li Zhongfa put on a stern face and said in a deep voice, "You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it for you.

Also, how do you plan to receive the editor from Island City? Do you need me to find some people from the County Federation of Literary and Art Circles to accompany you?"

"No need," Li Ye refused. "It's not convenient to discuss prices with outsiders present."

"Prices?" Li Zhongfa was taken aback and asked, "What prices?"

"Royalties!"

Li Ye said strangely, "The state regulations stipulate that the current royalty fee is 3-10 yuan per thousand characters. My target is the highest tier, 10 yuan. Actually, I value the royalties from reprints more, as that's the continuous stream of income."

Li Zhongfa: "."

Li Kaijian: "."

The Li family members and Li Dayong: "."

After a long pause, Li Zhongfa finally asked, "Xiao Ye, are you writing novels for money?"

"Of course," Li Ye said confidently. "Who would do it for free?"

Li Kaijian's face was full of disdain and contempt. "You're so young and already thinking about money, obsessed with it."

"What's wrong with wanting money? What's wrong with it? You two grown men are not as good as my grandson!"

Grandma Li couldn't stand it. She berated her husband and son a few times, then asked Li Ye, "Good grandson, how much money can you earn from your novel?"

Li Ye pondered for a moment. "It'll be a few thousand yuan at first! It'll be a steady income later on."

"Whoa~~"

Everyone was astonished. After all, a few thousand yuan in those days was a truly enormous sum.

Li Zhongfa, however, felt a stir in his heart, contemplating something.

The money Li Ye made from selling malt candy was still a bit hot to handle, and he didn't dare to spend it much at home. But if he had this large sum of royalties, wouldn't it all be covered up?

Thinking of this, Li Zhongfa looked up at his grandson, his eyes meeting Li Ye's.

Li Ye smiled triumphantly.

Grandpa, you're right, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Dong Yuejin squeezed onto a green-skinned train for over ten hours and then took a bus for two hours before finally arriving at Qingshui County from Island City.

After getting off the bus, he kept asking for directions until he finally reached Qingshui County No. 2 Middle School.

"Who are you looking for? Which unit are you from?"

Old Liu Tou, at the reception room, blocked Dong Yuejin with his gruff voice.

"I'm looking for Li Ye. I'm from Blue Sea Publishing House. This is my work ID."

Dong Yuejin took out his work ID and handed it to Old Liu Tou.

Old Liu Tou took it and pretended to look at it, his beady eyes rolling up to peek at Dong Yuejin.

He couldn't read, but he could read people.

Dong Yuejin, at first glance, was a standard intellectual, part of the same "group" as the teachers at school.

As a school gatekeeper, Old Liu Tou knew how difficult teachers could be; they could talk your ear off about a single point.

"The office is that way. Never mind, I'll take you!"

Old Liu Tou cursed his bad luck inwardly, but after thinking about it, he led Dong Yuejin over.

After being disciplined by Jin Peng a while ago, Old Liu Tou harbored resentment towards Li Ye.

But a wise man doesn't fight a battle he can't win. Seeing that Li Ye was gaining momentum, he couldn't afford to offend him, so he could only back down.

"Principal Chang, this is a comrade from the publishing house. He's here to see Li Ye. I've brought him over."

"From the publishing house?"

Principal Chang, who was looking at documents, suddenly looked up and greeted him with a smile.

"You're from Dahe Publishing House, aren't you? Oh, welcome, welcome!"

"."

Dong Yuejin felt the sincerity in Principal Chang's handshake and muttered suspiciously, "Dahe Publishing House? That's not right..."

Dong Yuejin jolted awake, guessing Li Ye's "multiple submissions" trick.

"Oh, um, can I see Li Ye? Our president gave me a task, and I must meet Li Ye in person as soon as possible."

"We understand, we understand. This child, Li Ye! He's a bit stubborn, but he's young! He definitely needs some spirit and drive... After receiving your call, we've already criticized and educated him."

Dong Yuejin was a bit confused.

[Child? Principal, what are you talking about?]