While it’s generally wise not to flaunt wealth, newspapers are something that can be proudly shown off.
For this article, Song Wei used the pen name “Jian Qingshan.” Since she had included photos, she clearly wasn’t afraid of being discovered.
Besides, this wasn’t something to be ashamed of. However, if anyone asked about the payment for the article, that would need to be kept under wraps.
So, the next day, Heidan, feeling refreshed and proud, took the newspaper to school.
There was only one copy of the newspaper. Although Lin Zhen was also proud and wanted to show it off, he managed to restrain himself.
Instead, he rode his bicycle to town to buy his own copy of the newspaper.
At school, Heidan’s class was too excited to focus on their studies.
They had made it into the newspaper!
This was huge news. When Heidan pulled out the newspaper, his classmates were stunned.
“The photo in the newspaper—it has me in it, and my dog too!”
“And me!”
The children were so excited they were practically howling. Shuanzi was no exception. Even though his family didn’t have a dog, he was also in the photo.
Shuanzi had already discussed it with his parents, and they had decided to get a dog this year.
He and Heidan were such good friends. Since other people’s dogs had been taken hunting by Heidan’s Wolf One and Wolf Two, how could his best buddy not be part of it?
“Hahaha… I’m in the newspaper too! Look, look, that’s me right next to Heidan in the photo!”
When the teacher arrived, she scolded them a bit, but then she too was stunned when she saw the newspaper.
The article was about their very own Ping’an Brigade!
This class was taught by Li Juan. Although she was just an educated youth and not technically a member of Ping’an Brigade, seeing an article about the village’s achievements in the newspaper filled her with pride.
“This article was written by Song Wei? Her article got published?”
Li Juan’s voice was filled with surprise and admiration, though there was no trace of jealousy.
She had skimmed through it and thought it was really well-written.
Although the language was simple, it made you feel as if you were right there, and the phrasing was very comfortable.
Heidan puffed out his chest proudly. “Yes, it was written by my sister Song.”
“Everyone, sit down. Since you’re all so curious about the newspaper, I’ll read it to you.”
At this, all the children obediently took their seats.
By the end of the class, the news that Song Wei had written an article and even had photos published in the newspaper had spread throughout the school.
Several teachers fought over the chance to read it.
After reading it, some were full of praise and excitement, while others began to entertain their own ambitions.
Getting an article published in a newspaper came with payment, just like a worker’s salary. If people found out, they would surely be envious.
If Song Wei could do it, and they were literate too, why couldn’t they?
After school, the news about Ping’an Brigade being featured in the newspaper quickly spread from the children to their parents.
Soon, everyone who needed to know had heard about it.
But there was only one copy of the newspaper, and everyone was scrambling to get a look at it.
When the brigade leader found out, he was so excited he kept slapping his thigh.
“Be careful with it! Don’t damage it!”
They had made it into the newspaper! This was such an honor. In ancient times, this would have brought glory to their ancestors!
Although it was the children and the village dogs that were featured, that didn’t stop everyone from feeling proud.
Lin Zhen returned just in time, as the entire village was gathered around trying to read the single copy of the newspaper.
Seeing this, he pulled out his own copies.
“I’ve got newspapers here!”
Immediately, all eyes turned to him.
Jiang Wenwu, being quick-witted, was the first to react and darted over to Lin Zhen.
“Brother Lin, give me a copy!”
Lin Zhen quickly handed him one.
Others quickly gathered around.
Many of them couldn’t read, but that didn’t stop them from looking.
Especially when they saw the photo—the school in the picture was theirs, and the children and dogs were from Ping’an Brigade. That alone was enough to get everyone excited.
“Oh, if only I’d gone to pick up the kids that day, maybe I’d be in the photo too.”
“My kid was unlucky; his face is mostly blocked.”
“I’ve been searching forever, but I can’t find my kid.”
“Then he must have either run off early or hadn’t come out yet.”
“My kid, my kid’s in here! He looks so handsome and lively, hahaha…”
Some were happy, while others were disappointed.
The brigade leader’s face was beaming like a chrysanthemum.
“Find someone with a good voice to read it out loud for everyone.”
“Why not just ask Song Wei? She’s the one who wrote it, after all.”
“Right, right, where’s Song Wei? Why isn’t she here?”
Song Wei… had run away.
Although she loved joining in on the excitement, she had anticipated this situation and made a quick escape.
Lin Zhen saw her sneaking off and shook his head with a smile. Instead of calling her back, he covered for her and let her leave.
Since Song Wei couldn’t be found, and Lin Zhen didn’t want to steal the spotlight, Jiang Xiaowan ended up doing the reading.
She read with such passion, rhythm, and emotion that everyone cheered, as if they were at a theater performance.
But everyone was happy.
Of course, there were a few who weren’t pleased.
Like Zhao Yuyin and Luo Yecheng.
Zhao Yuyin was jealous and arrogant.
“It’s just writing an article. I can do that too. I just hadn’t thought of it before. Hmph, when I write an article and submit it to the newspaper, they’ll definitely choose mine. How could a modern college student like me lose to a high school graduate?”
She was determined to show Lin Zhen how exceptional she was. Only someone like her was worthy of a future tycoon like him.
Luo Yecheng, on the other hand, had a dark expression. After failing to become a teacher, his life hadn’t been going well.
Now he was just gloomy.
The better Song Wei and Jiang Xiaowan were doing, the worse it made him look.
Such a disparity was unbearable for someone who prided himself on being a talented scholar.
But…
Song Wei’s article had given him an idea.
Why hadn’t he thought of this before?
Writing articles and poetry was his forte.
Just wait. He would surpass everyone.
As for the few who were unhappy, the people of Ping’an Brigade couldn’t care less.
The entire village was buzzing with excitement all day.
Lin Zhen had brought back quite a few copies of the newspaper—more than a dozen.
But it still wasn’t enough to go around.
He distributed the newspapers to a few families he was close with.
Anyone else who wanted a copy would have to buy their own.
Those who got their hands on a copy couldn’t resist the urge to show off.
Even the usually composed brigade leader was no exception.
This was like having a child accepted into a prestigious university. The parents were so proud they couldn’t help but share it with everyone.
They didn’t have social media, but they had friends.
After finishing work early, the brigade leader strolled around with the newspaper in hand, a cigarette holder in his mouth, and went visiting.
He visited the neighboring villages.
It was a bit of a journey, but he had a bicycle, so even at night, he went out to show off.
Others who had gotten their hands on the newspaper also happily went to visit relatives.
The brigade leader arrived at the home of the brigade leader from a nearby brigade.
“Oh, what brings you here today?”
The brigade leader grinned, unable to suppress his smile.
The neighboring brigade leader took one look at his expression and felt a twitch in his eyelid.
Something was off. Old Lei was acting way too strange today!
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