Chapter 17: Whose Waist Did Youth Collide With

Watching Wang Conglun clutching the envelope as he dashed away, as if afraid he might change his mind, Zhang Yiyuan stroked his chin and smiled silently.

In truth, his suggestion was somewhat detrimental to “Story Edition.” Serialization requires a proper beginning and end; any interruption midway would surely displease the readers. Had Zhang Yiyuan been merely the chief editor of “Story Edition,” he would never have made such a proposal—he would never have allowed even the slightest harm to come to the magazine.

What Wang Conglun didn’t know was that Zhang Yiyuan had ambitions for further advancement. Where there are people, there is rivalry; the Jin Gu Legends Magazine wasn’t a harmonious place. To move up, it took more than a dinner invitation; one needed to do superb work and, more importantly, possess a strategic vision.

How could someone who only fixated on their own little patch ever hope to lead an entire magazine?

Supporting the “Wuxia Edition” was precisely Zhang Yiyuan’s way of demonstrating his broader outlook.

On the other hand, Wang Conglun hardly dwelled on Zhang Yiyuan’s motives. For him, the greatest priority was to ensure the flawless launch of “Jin Gu Legends: Wuxia Edition.”

With the ten-page handwritten manuscript of “The Four Great Constables Shock the Northeast” in hand, Wang Conglun immediately gathered his editors to review it. Though he was the chief editor, he still valued his colleagues’ opinions.

The manuscript was over ten thousand words, but it only took two or three minutes to read, so within half an hour, every editor in the office had finished it.

“Boss, this manuscript is of high quality—concise prose, a tight plot, and an overwhelming sense of grandeur. It truly captures the essence of wuxia,” said Dugu Moran with a conspiratorial wink. His pseudonym sounded impressive, but he looked rather sly.

Bi Wanzhen, the female editor, spoke with gentle charm, “I really like the name ‘Cold Blood.’ The Four Great Constables: Iron Hand, Heartless, Cold Blood, and Chasing Life—they all sound like real experts.”

“It has a wonderful feel—what a great piece. Is there more to come, boss?” Chu Tianluo asked, still unsatisfied.

Wang Conglun spread his hands. “The author is probably a first-year high school student—a beginner at submissions, doesn’t know much. The length is short, and he even sent it to ‘Story Edition.’ I had to work hard to get it from Old Zhang. But Old Zhang is a good guy; he plans to publish the beginning in ‘Story Edition’ as an advertisement for us.”

“That’s great—we’re really in need of publicity,” Li Qiuyu said excitedly.

Hu Ruji spoke calmly, “I counted—this manuscript has only around twelve thousand five hundred words. For a trial issue, it’s a bit short, especially since it’s not a short story but the start of a serial.”

“Short is no problem. Let’s see if we can contact the author and ask him to send the rest… In any case, this manuscript is worth publishing,” Wang Conglun decided firmly.

“Should we pay him the beginner’s rate?”

“At this quality, the beginner’s rate is too low. Raise it to two hundred per thousand characters. When we contact the author, make sure to mention the increased payment, and encourage him to keep writing at this high standard. We’ll publish as much as he can send! I have a hunch—this Zhang Tan, or Tan Zhang, has the potential to become a great wuxia author.”

…

Zhang Tan had no idea his submission was causing such a stir at Jin Gu Legends Magazine.

He was busy haggling with the sportswear shop in Shuangdun Town. It was 2001, and a legitimate set of jerseys cost several hundred yuan—far beyond what ordinary students could afford—so they could only buy knockoffs. Knockoff didn’t mean poor quality; in fact, they were very well made. The jersey Zhang Tan bought in his previous life lasted until his rebirth, only the printed letters on the chest had faded.

“Twenty yuan each, and I’ll take them. I’m buying in bulk—eleven sets!”

“You drive a hard bargain, kid. At twenty-one each, I’d lose money. Thirty is the lowest.”

“Come on, boss, we’re all students here. Cut us some slack.”

“Look, it’s not that I don’t want to help you students, but I have to make a living too, right? Tell you what, twenty-five each, and that’s absolutely my bottom line. Any lower and I really can’t do it.”

“Then throw in the numbers for free.”

“All right, deal.”

So, after some haggling, Zhang Tan struck a deal at twenty-five yuan per jersey, almost the lowest possible price for a knockoff, with free numbering included.

He handed over the heights and chosen numbers for all eleven players and paid a hundred yuan deposit before leaving.

After a plate of fried rice, he wandered around Shuangdun Town.

To be honest, once the excitement of being reborn faded, he felt a deep emptiness inside. His previous life hadn’t been a success, and he had longed for a second chance. But now that he truly had one, he suddenly realized how hard it was to let go of his past.

For better or worse, it was all part of who he was.

You can’t just forget.

“But I have to learn to accept it. The opportunities I have now are what others can only dream of. There’s no reason not to live better.”

Touching his short-cropped hair, Zhang Tan made up his mind.

The past was the past; this life was his new beginning. Only by breaking free from the chains of his former self could he truly live freely and well.

“Heaven, I, Zhang Tan, make you this promise!”

“In this life, I will live brilliantly, freely, and with meaning!”

…

Forming the soccer team was the biggest event in his class at this stage.

Zhang Tan busied himself running between the sophomore and freshman dormitories, mainly discussing the tournament with the sophomore students organizing the event. He had vague memories of many students at school, so he was naturally sociable, and others quickly saw him as the spokesperson for Class Five’s soccer team.

Naturally, the other team members in his class had no objections. Even if they did, they were too embarrassed to bring it up, for Zhang Tan had never declared himself captain, yet the title had somehow landed on his head.

It had become a fait accompli.

Unwittingly, Zhang Tan had replaced Zhu Ran from his previous life, becoming the leader of Class Five.

In every school, there are always one or two students who are the center of attention, representing their class in inter-class interactions. Although Zhang Tan hadn’t set out to steal anyone’s thunder in this new life, the truth was he had little interest in studying and no money for entertainment outside school, so all his energy was spent stirring things up on campus.

These were just students—Zhang Tan had little trouble winning them over. In just two days, he’d become a leading figure among the freshmen.

Especially because of the soccer tournament, many freshmen already knew there was a Zhang Tan in Class Five.

Even the girls in his class liked to chat with him after lessons. When they met in the hallway, they would always exchange a few words. The young girls were as fresh and tender as bean sprouts, but their age couldn’t hide their natural, unpolished beauty.

Surrounded by these girls, Zhang Tan, the self-styled “uncle,” felt a peculiar delight.

“Hey, Zhang Tan, when does your soccer team play its first match?” asked Zhu Mingxing, a plainly dressed girl. Beside her stood her roommates, Liu Jing and Tao Jing.

Liu Jing held Tao Jing’s hand tenderly, occasionally glancing sidelong at Zhang Tan as he strolled with his characteristic nonchalance.

“In about a week, I’d say. We’ve only just put the team together—no preparation at all. We can’t play just yet,” Zhang Tan replied, glancing at the three girls by his side.

His gaze met Liu Jing’s, quite by accident.

Instead of the awkwardness of a novice, Zhang Tan smiled with an easy, upward curve.

Liu Jing, however, seemed to have a herd of startled deer in her heart. She quickly turned away, not daring to look at him again.

This amused Zhang Tan greatly. Such flustered reactions—he himself had felt them long ago.

“Youth—whose heart have you brushed against this time?”