At first, Hu Shi was still studying in the United States, but he didn't return home, and he was very young. But Chen Duxiu liked him very much after reading his works, and wrote to him, hoping that he could come to Peking University after returning home, become his colleague, and edit "New Youth" with him. Indeed, Hu Shi lived up to his expectations. After returning home, he found Chen Duxiu, joined New Youth, and contributed a lot of excellent works to New Youth. During his teaching at Peking University, he was also highly respected by students because of his profound knowledge.
At first, Hu Shi returned to China and joined New Youth. Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao had a very good relationship. They hit it off, often drinking and chatting together, and regard each other as bosom friends. However, Hu Shi returned to China because Chen Duxiu in his mind did not talk about his political beliefs and ideals for 20 years, but devoted himself to academic research and cultural traditions in China. However, with the turbulent development of China and the ups and downs of the world, Chen Duxiu gradually wavered from talking about politics for 20 years. In this way, there is a gap between Chen Duxiu and Hu Shi, and there are contradictions and differences between them. After the May 4th Movement, Chen Duxiu saw the current situation in China and understood that it was not feasible to talk about politics, so he began to intervene in politics and gradually shared a common belief with Li Dazhao. My Marxism holds that China can only be truly saved if, like Russia, the proletariat unites and takes the road of proletarian dictatorship. However, he didn't always study experimentalism with Dewey in America. Therefore, he strongly advocated experimentalism, and the three gradually moved towards opposition.
At the end of The Awakening Age, Chen Duxiu invited Hu Shi and Li Dazhao to drink together. Although they are still true friends, they are no longer struggling on the same road.