Chapter 11: The Powerful and Influential Lady (Humbly Seeking Continued Reading from a Newcomer)

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Li Qingquan nodded and took the manuscript, flipping to the designated page. He scanned it briefly, then spoke with keen interest, “The quality feels quite high—you’ve received a good submission.”

Zhou Yanru smiled faintly and continued, “Of course it’s a good manuscript. From a quick glance, it’s about 100,000 words, a medium-length novel. I think it’s suitable for publication in a magazine.”

Li Qingquan nodded again and then focused his gaze on the manuscript.

After another hour, Zhou Yanru, growing bored from revising other manuscripts nearby, noticed Li Qingquan’s eyes shining as he read “Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots.” Upon finishing, he was equally amazed by the talent displayed in the novel.

He hurriedly asked, “This quality? A new author?”

Zhou Yanru chuckled and replied, “I had my doubts too! This novel is exceptional—ingenious in concept, well-structured as a medium-length piece. Much of the 100,000 words are meaningful; even among medium-length novels, it ranks among the best!”

“I said it’s the second best after ‘Life.’ Naturally, it doesn’t fall short of ‘Life.’”

The artistic merit of the novel “Life” was never widely recognized in literary circles. However, due to its accessibility, it became a seminal work in the 1980s, inspiring countless young people and ultimately standing as a classic. It was the work that brought Lu Yao fame, making him the most renowned author of the 1980s and an idol for many young writers.

Zhou Yanru’s claim that this was the second “Life” implied that “Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots” had a solid narrative and even slightly surpassed “Life” in artistry.

“No need for second or third rounds of review—there’s no need to filter a manuscript like this!” Li Qingquan sighed with a smile.

He then glanced at the November issue, which was already set for publication. “It’s a pity the November issue is already finalized, otherwise this could have bumped ahead this month.”

“Publishing it in the December issue will be fine,” Zhou Yanru said, taking the manuscript. “Besides, I need a few more days to revise it.”

“By the way, let’s have Comrade Li Yousi come over in the next half month to revise the manuscript!”

Zhou Yanru’s suggestion was quickly approved by Li Qingquan. He said, “Let’s arrange it then. Judging by the letter, he’s from the Battle Flag Art Troupe in Jincheng. Coming to Beiping will probably take some time.”

Soon, she stood up and walked over to the telephone.

The recommendation letter from the Battle Flag Art Troupe included the contact number of their Publicity Department, so she simply dialed the number.

Beep beep beep!

Meanwhile, inside the Battle Flag Art Troupe…

Wang Hai was lying in the office, organizing various materials. Compared to others, the Publicity Department’s work was evidently lighter. Suddenly, the telephone rang.

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He quickly went to answer it. “Hello, this is the Battle Flag Art Troupe!”

A distinguished woman’s voice came through: “Hello, I am Zhou Yanru, editor of Beiping Literature magazine!”

Wang Hai was slightly surprised.

He had naturally written the recommendation letter to Beiping Literature, but he did not expect to actually receive a call from them. It seemed the Battle Flag Art Troupe had produced another promising writer.

“Recently, we received a submission from your troupe titled ‘Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots,’ by author Li Yousi. I’m calling to inform you that it has passed the review,” Zhou Yanru continued.

Wang Hai suppressed a small sense of surprise. When he first saw Li Yousi’s initial novel, he felt it was no ordinary work. Passing the review was indeed effortless.

He smiled and replied, “Comrade, hello, I’m Wang Hai from the Publicity Department. This author is a member of our troupe and is still in training!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanru asked, “Comrade Wang, could you please have this comrade come over to discuss some details about the manuscript?”

“Of course. In half an hour, I’ll call you back. I need to find him in the troupe first,” Wang Hai said quickly.

After hanging up, he looked outside.

The sky was dimming; dusk was approaching, as winter nights fall early.

It had already been five or six hours since Beiping Literature began internal review of the manuscript. Now it was 5:30 p.m.

If the troupe had no evening practice, work would be ending soon.

Thinking this, Wang Hai immediately stood up, donned his green military coat, and headed out.

…

Li Yousi had already gained some renown in the Instrumental Ensemble. He was now the central figure of the Traditional Music Band, as he was the only one who could play the suona.

He sighed inwardly, “When will Beiping Literature send me a reply? If they don’t soon, I might just become the troupe leader!”

With Zhu Chunsheng leaving, the position of leader would naturally be his!

Li Yousi felt a kind of helplessness—not wanting to improve, but being swept along by the tide of the times.

A middle-aged man in military uniform, about 1.6 meters tall, approached—it was Zhu Chunsheng. He called out, “Today’s training is over. Everyone, return to the dormitory.”

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Then he turned to Li Yousi and said, “Tomorrow, someone from the Wind Instrument Band will be transferred over.”

“Oh?” Li Yousi looked somewhat surprised. That sounded like he was about to be freed.

“However, this new member only plays Western instruments and can’t play the suona. You’ll need to stay in the Traditional Music Band. From now on, you’ll be fully assigned there,” Zhu Chunsheng smiled.

Their ensemble was divided into two bands: Western Instrument Band and Traditional Music Band, both under Zhu Chunsheng’s management.

Though the instruments differed, there were connections—for example, woodwinds: China’s dizi and suona shared some similarities with the Western flute.

Since the newcomer only played Western instruments, Li Yousi couldn’t move to the Western Instrument Band and had to remain obediently in the Traditional Music Band.

The silver lining was that with two bands each having woodwind players, he wouldn’t have to juggle between the two anymore.

“Alright then.”

“Also, in two days, there’s a performance for the Municipal Committee. Prepare your latest piece well.”

“Oh~!”

~

At that moment, Wang Hai quickened his pace outside the courtyard.

He watched the crowd of the Instrumental Ensemble filing out and looked around, searching for Li Yousi’s figure but found nothing.

Finally, he walked over and casually asked a member of the Instrumental Ensemble, “Comrade, do you know where Comrade Li Yousi from your band is?”

The band member glanced at Wang Hai, noting the official’s rank on his shoulder. He knew Wang Hai outranked Zhu Chunsheng, but he was still a minor official.

“You mean Li Yousi? He’s still inside, discussing something with Captain Zhu!”

Li Yousi was now a big name in the Traditional Music Band, about to assume the captain’s position. Naturally, everyone knew him.

“Thanks a lot!”