Chapter 61: Okay, I will go take a look

Inside the state-run restaurant, despite the somewhat aloof attitude of the waitstaff, the chefs possessed the skill of veteran artisans, preparing every dish to absolute perfection.

Lin Junsheng, Liu Siyao, and Liu Jingjing sat gathered around a slightly greasy wooden table, upon which rested four dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor.

The Yellow River carp was tender and savory, the crispy fried pork was crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, the scallion-braised mutton was intensely fragrant, and the braised beef with potatoes was soft and infused with flavor.

These dishes were much like the ones ordered last night.

Still, it did not matter, so long as they tasted good.

Lin Junsheng always had a hearty appetite for meat, relishing whatever was placed before him.

Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing were somewhat more reserved, only sampling each dish lightly. Even so, with Lin Junsheng lending a hand, the four dishes were quickly swept clean.

After the meal, a well-fed Liu Jingjing asked Liu Siyao, "Siyao, where are we heading next?"

Liu Siyao pondered for a moment, answering her own question, "Let's wander around for a bit first. There are vendors setting up stalls over at the old street. The clothes they sell have rather nice styles, said to be brought in from the south, and they have some very pretty hair accessories too."

"Then let's go take a look at the old street." Liu Jingjing expressed her interest as well. She was a girl who loved beauty and was always brimming with curiosity about new things.

Lin Junsheng had already returned from paying the bill, holding the returned paper currency and small change in his hand.

Grain coupons, meat coupons, and the ten-yuan bill Liu Siyao had originally given him now only left a few stray coins.

Lin Junsheng had wanted to refuse the money, but Liu Siyao insisted on splitting the cost, so he did not push the matter further.

After all, he truly had no coupons on hand right now, and he understood Liu Siyao's temperament well—once she made up her mind, it was hard to change it.

They walked along the familiar yet slightly weathered path leading toward the old street, the bluestone slabs baked piping hot by the sun.

Before long, the outline of the old street gradually came into view, and its familiar ambiance rushed over them, blending the aromas of various snacks, the musty scent of old books, and the occasional drift of tobacco smoke.

The old street was lined with a wide variety of stalls at the moment.

The unpredictable winds of change in '82 had forced many laid-off workers, who once held "iron rice bowls," to seek out their own paths for survival.

Due to recent strict crackdowns, many people did not dare to easily venture out to set up stalls, and the usual bustle of the old street was much dimmed, with sparse stalls lacking the clamor of the past days.

Just a few months prior, the entire street had been packed tightly with stalls pressed against one another, resembling a grand festival.

The vendors had all been full of spirit, their cries rising and falling in succession, some high-pitched and passionate.

Now, though the resounding shouts had vanished, they were replaced by the sound of bargaining between customers and vendors, echoing back and forth.

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the old street.

The street was dotted with various stalls selling clothing, jewelry, and snacks.

Although the authorities had been cracking down strictly of late, leaving many vendors too afraid to set up shop, life still had to go on, and people were striving in their own ways.

In front of a jewelry stall, Liu Jingjing and Liu Siyao simultaneously came to a halt.

Liu Jingjing's gaze was firmly captured by a deep blue headband embedded with several delicate crystals, resembling the brightest stars in the night sky. It was simple yet undeniably elegant.

"That is so pretty," Liu Siyao could not help but praise.

"If you like it, just buy it."

Lin Junsheng had walked up beside them at some point.

As he spoke, he unhesitatingly pulled a crisp, brand-new hundred-yuan bill from his pocket, his movement smooth and natural as if the money were a negligible trifle to him.

Liu Jingjing froze, staring at Lin Junsheng in astonishment while muttering inwardly, *How did Lin Junsheng suddenly get so wealthy?*

A hundred-yuan bill was not something one could casually pull out.

"Lin Junsheng, I'm the one buying the item, I should pay for it," Liu Jingjing quickly declined, unwilling to accept someone else's kindness without cause.

Especially when it came to Lin Junsheng; despite their pleasant relationship, they were still merely ordinary friends.

They had not reached the point of casually exchanging large sums of money.

Liu Siyao suddenly chimed in, "Just let him pay. This guy recently earned a huge payout in manuscript fees!"

"Manuscript fees?"

Liu Jingjing widened her eyes, staring at Lin Junsheng in disbelief.

She had also submitted manuscripts to *Shanghai Literature* before, but every single one had sunk like a stone without a single echo, let alone any manuscript fees.

"Didn't you also submit manuscripts to *Shanghai Literature*? He submitted one too, and he got a thousand yuan in manuscript fees!" Liu Siyao continued to spill the details, a gleam of gossip shining in her eyes.

"Ah? A thousand yuan in manuscript fees? Did you win the first prize in this competition for *Shanghai Literature*?"

Liu Jingjing's voice was full of shock; she could scarcely believe her own ears.

One had to understand that *Shanghai Literature* was recognized as a sacred literary ground within their circle. Winning an award there was practically supreme glory.

Lin Junsheng had not expected Liu Siyao to spill the beans so directly. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and could only nod in confirmation.

In truth, his heart was also churning with excitement, but he mostly wanted to handle the matter with a low profile.

After all, the literary road was long and arduous, and he did not want to become complacent over a minor achievement.

"First prize? Wait a minute, didn't you only write *The Chess Master*?" Liu Siyao suddenly seemed to recall something, a trace of doubt flickering in her gaze.

Lin Junsheng feigned ignorance and shook his head. He really did not want to dwell too much on this topic, but Liu Siyao clearly had no intention of letting him off easily.

"Mmm..." Liu Siyao drew out the final syllable, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "Come on, spill it. What is this all about?"

Lin Junsheng smiled helplessly and had no choice but to confess, "I actually submitted a new work and didn't expect it to win. It will be published in next month's new issue."

"The August issue?"

Liu Siyao's eyes instantly lit up. She could already picture Lin Junsheng's name printed on the cover of *Shanghai Literature*, and what an honor that would be.

Liu Jingjing was even more speechless with astonishment.

She truly never imagined that Lin Junsheng, the ordinary village veterinarian who usually kept a low profile among the crowd, could write such an outstanding piece of work and win first prize in *Shanghai Literature* in one fell swoop!

This news struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Liu Jingjing momentarily unable to gather her thoughts.

"Wait, *The Chess Master*?"

Liu Jingjing finally experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment, as if struck by a sudden spark of inspiration.

She widened her eyes and stared incredulously at Lin Junsheng. *The Chess Master* had actually been written by Lin Junsheng!

That piece, held in such high esteem among her fellow teachers and mentioned and praised on countless occasions, had come from the hand of this seemingly ordinary friend standing right beside her.

She recalled how, in the past, whenever friends mentioned in letters that they had read *The Chess Master*, they could not help but sigh with emotion and share their reading reflections, as if terrified others might not know they too had read this masterpiece.

And now, the author of that very masterpiece was standing right before her, looking at her with a smile.

"That's right, *The Chess Master* was written by Lin Junsheng," Liu Siyao confirmed from the side.

Watching Liu Jingjing's astonished expression, she felt a quiet sense of triumph inside.

This could be considered helping Lin Junsheng out in a big way.

Presumably, Liu Jingjing would now look at Lin Junsheng in a completely different light.

Liu Jingjing's gaze shifted back to Lin Junsheng, her eyes filled with curiosity and probing interest.

"So that 'Rainy Night Carrying a Blade Without an Umbrella' was you all along!"

She suddenly remembered the pen name used by the author of *The Chess Master* and burst into a laugh.

That name was certainly eccentric enough to leave a lasting impression upon hearing it.

Lin Junsheng smiled as well, not expecting Liu Jingjing to still remember his pen name.

He nodded, acknowledging his identity.

"That's right, it was me. I just picked a random name back then, never imagined you would remember it."

His tone carried a hint of bashfulness and pride, clearly overjoyed that his work had won Liu Jingjing's recognition.

"You are truly amazing!" Liu Jingjing could not help but exclaim.

"Is that so? *Shanghai Literature* will also publish my work in August, so make sure to read it when it comes out. It's the very piece that just won the award."

"Alright, I will definitely read it."