"Since it's called 'World,' it needs to feature both domestic and foreign content. First, adapt *Tai Chi* into a novel. Then there are those ancient historical romances and the Eight Great Masters of Old School wuxia—Wang Dulu, Bai Yu, Zhu Zhenmu, and so on. Look for suitable works among them that can be adapted.
"Take Wang Dulu's *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, for instance. There's a character named Yu Jiaolong. We could untangle her storyline and give her a standalone serialized section.
"When I go to Hong Kong this time, I'll hunt down Western novellas and short stories to mail back to you, and you can reprint them as you see fit. Throw in some bizarre curiosities and anecdotes as well—like a gunman trying to assassinate Chuanbao, Chuanbao turning out to be the Chosen One, poised for a glorious comeback, that sort of thing...
"Then put out a general call for submissions to draw contributions from amateur writers. That should pretty much cover it..."
Besides all this, Chen Qi also provided an "original outline" titled *Five Phoenixes Facing the Sun Saber*. This wuxia story was one of the few masterpieces penned by a mainland writer; it was later adapted into a pingshu storytelling performance, but had not yet seen the light of day in this era.
*World of Wonders* was designated as a bimonthly publication. Each issue would feature two serialized novels and three mid-length or short pieces, making for a rich and varied read.
Reprints of Western fiction would serve as a major source of material—partly because they offered novelty, and partly because copyright fees were completely unnecessary in these days.
With Liang Xiaosheng agreeing to serve as editor-in-chief, he threw himself headlong into the magazine. He probably wouldn't have time to write serious literature anymore. His life's trajectory had truly been derailed by Chen Qi, though he would certainly be making money far earlier than in his previous timeline.
As they ate and drank, the sky gradually darkened.
Outside, a fine drizzle began to patter down once more. Liang Xiaosheng raised his glass and proposed, "It's getting late, and it's time to call it an evening. One last toast—wishing Comrade Chen Qi smooth sailing and unbroken success on his journey to Hong Kong!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Beer, liquor, and soda were all drained in a single gulp.
With the meal winding down, the guests moved to help clear the table. Chen Qi chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter if you men head home late, but she shouldn't be out this late. Hurry up and take Jiao Dan home!"
"It's really fine—I can help you tidy up before I go!" Jiao Dan offered.
After some friendly back-and-forth, Liang Xiaosheng rode off with Jiao Dan on his bicycle. Li Lianjie wanted to pitch in as well, but Ji Chunhua caught on quick this time, shooting him a meaningful look before chiming in: "Brother Qi, we have an early shoot tomorrow, so we should head out too."
"Oh, all right. Take it slow on the road—it's raining!"
"Got it! When you get back from Hong Kong, we'll throw a welcome-back dinner for you!"
Ji Chunhua dragged Li Lianjie away.
In an instant, only the two of them remained in the cavernous courtyard. Chen Qi latched the main gate and walked back inside. Looking at the lamps glowing on either side and the empty rooms around them, Gong Xue couldn't help rubbing her bare arms. "It really was the right move to let them move in. Otherwise, it would be terrifying here at night."
"Tell me about it. A couple of nights ago, I stayed here by myself. Woke up in the middle of the night feeling totally creeped out, convinced someone was watching me from the dark. I turned on every single light, intending to sit up till dawn. But after just a little while, the lights suddenly cut out—*bam!*... Boo!"
Chen Qi jumped at her to give her a fright.
Gong Xue jumped out of her skin, goosebumps breaking out across her arms. "Have you lost your mind?!" she scolded in exasperation.
Ignoring him, she turned on her heel and headed into the rear courtyard. Chen Qi hurried after her and found her clearing the leftovers, joining in with a grin. There was still a fair amount of food left on the table. Gong Xue scooped it all into a large bowl and asked, "Shall we put this in your Wanli cabinet?"
"No, no, no! How could you put leftovers in a piece of furniture that's hundreds of years old?"
"Isn't that cabinet meant for storing food?"
"Nowadays it's an antique, strictly for looking at. I even have to maintain it regularly—it's treated more preciously than I am."
Gong Xue rolled her eyes at him, covering the bowl with a woven bamboo mesh cover to keep out flies and insects. "Check it when you wake up tomorrow. It's not hot today, so it might not spoil. If it turns, don't eat it. It's late now; I should be heading back too."
"Hold on a second. Come inside with me."
"What for?"
"I have something to give you!"
The two went into the bedroom of the rear courtyard's main house. There were no antiques here; it was thoroughly modern, featuring a large bed with an imported mattress, as well as a television, a radio, and an electric fan.
The lights shone brightly, and the large glass window reflected their silhouettes.
Chen Qi reached into a drawer and pulled out three keys. "One is for the main gate, one is for the middle courtyard gate, and one is for the corner gate. I'm entrusting them all to you."
"Why are you giving these to me?"
A blush crept up Gong Xue's cheeks.
"It took so much effort to finish building this house, yet I barely get to live in it before leaving for months. It'll be full of outsiders, and no matter how close our relationships are, I can't completely set my mind at ease. You're different. While I'm gone, you can make the decisions on everything here for me."
"Then I'll just sell off all your things behind your back!" she huffed teasingly.
"Sell whatever rubs you the wrong way—I've put it all in your hands anyway... Oh, right!"
Chen Qi fished out an unusually thick envelope. "There's five thousand yuan inside, plus some overseas remittance certificates... Hear me out first! When I'm away, I'll always be worrying about you. If something happens to you, I might not be able to rush back in time, or if you ever need money in an emergency, having some on hand will give me peace of mind. I might not be explaining this very well, but you know what I mean, don't you?"
"I understand, but I can't take your money."
"Oh, come on!"
Chen Qi took her handbag, slipped the envelope straight inside, and paused to consider if he had forgotten anything. Then he smiled. "There, now that I've settled all my affairs, I can depart in peace."
"What kind of gloomy talk is that? It's bad luck!"
*Rumble!*
A rolling crack of thunder crashed overhead, and the rain outside suddenly poured harder. Gong Xue smiled. "See? Don't go saying reckless things. Even Heaven is watching—"
*Rumble, rumble!*
Thunder cracked again and again, cutting her off. Right after that, the light overhead flickered and went out.
Both of them jumped. Chen Qi cursed under his breath, "Damn it! The power grid is so unreliable. Cutting out right in the middle of a thunderstorm—are they trying to stage a haunted house?"
"Stop talking like that! Hurry and light some candles!" Gong Xue said nervously.
Chen Qi dug out a pack of candles and lit three of them. The room glowed once more, but the flickering light cast shifting shadows against the window, making the courtyard outside seem all the more eerie. Feeling a little unsettled himself, he yanked the curtains shut with a rustle.
"..."
Gong Xue glanced at the drawn curtains, then at him, biting her lower lip. "I really have to go!"
She moved to turn around, but didn't make it—Chen Qi caught her by the arm.
"Where are you going in weather like this? Stay the night here."
"How could I?!"
"You can sleep in the room across the hall. That one's nicely furnished too."
"..."
The blush on Gong Xue's face had spread all the way to the tips of her ears. Fortunately, the candlelight obscured its depth. After a long silence, she gave a soft, barely audible murmur of agreement.
...
The only upside to this era was that a blackout didn't get in the way of much, like boiling water. With a small stove and honeycomb coal briquettes, a big kettle of water was boiling in no time.
In the secondary bedroom, there was likewise a large bed with an imported mattress, just without a television.
Beneath the hazy candlelight, Gong Xue washed up. She took off her shirt to reveal the camisole beneath, then stepped out of her trousers. Her slender, bare legs met a pair of vintage floral-print underpants typical of the era.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, her mind seemed to drift into a blank daze.
Suddenly, footsteps approached. She gave a start, glanced around frantically, and could only dive under the covers, wrapping herself tight in a thin quilt.
"Are you done washing up? Oh, you're already lying down?"
Chen Qi walked in holding a candle. Seeing her cocooned like a chrysalis, he chuckled. "I figured I'd help you dump the wash water."
"No need, it's still raining out."
"All right, then let me pour you a cup of hot water. Have some if you get thirsty. I'll leave the cup right here. Should I blow out the candle?"
"Don't. If you put it out, I'll be scared."
"Then we'll leave it lit. Call me if you need anything."
Chen Qi said this, but didn't leave. He simply stood there, gazing down at her.
"What are you staring at!"
Gong Xue felt as though she were being melted by his gaze, just like the burning candles, and heat flared through her body. Unable to bear it any longer, she let out a soft whimper and pulled the quilt over her head.
Immediately after, she felt someone step closer, and a familiar scent gradually enveloped her.
Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around him, murmuring softly, "Xiao Chen... Xiao Chen..."
"Ah Qi..."
On this night, the wild wind swept up fallen leaves, and the rain lashed the battered plantains!
Chapter 215