1978 Synthetic Writers

Chapter 616 [Time Travel] + [Orphan] = ?

Under Jiang Xian's influence, after the first part of "Ordinary World" was published in "Huacheng", it did not follow the original historical trajectory, like a pebble thrown into water, without even making a splash.

On the contrary, because the story of "Jiang Xian's debate with the scholars" spread, "Ordinary World" attracted a portion of readers.

Subsequently, the second part of "Ordinary World" was quickly and successfully published in "People's Literature", making Lu Yao's novel appear in one of China's top publications.

This is both recognition and encouragement.

With this change, Lu Yao felt much less pressure when creating the third book.

Jiang Xian was always worried that Lu Yao's health would collapse during his creative work, and perhaps it was because of his interference that Lu Yao's health remained quite good.

"Comrade Lu Yao, I've read the manuscript." Jiang Xian called Lu Yao over after reading it.

"how are you feeling?"

Lu Yao asked somewhat nervously.

After all, the creation of this work was a battle that lasted for several years.

The third book, as the final installment of the "Ordinary World" series, serves as the final conclusion, bringing the entire novel to a complete close.

Previously, with only an incomplete story, it was impossible to fully judge the quality of this novel.

Now the whole story is presented to Jiang Xian.

Jiang Xian can also give this novel its final verdict.

"I think it is a very touching work. I have to say that the character Sun Shao-ping has indeed left a very deep impression on me. He gradually grows from a poor student who is ashamed of poverty and only focuses on basic material satisfaction into a middle school teacher who is eager to explore the world and whose inner world is gradually becoming richer and more fulfilled."

Despite his impoverished life, he experienced a naive and painful first love, had the opportunity to go to the big city to see the outside world, and met the open-minded and cheerful Tian Xiaoxia. More importantly, through reading, he gradually explored human nature, the meaning of life, and the philosophy of life.
This portrayal of inner feelings is so detailed and meticulous that it feels very familiar to me, someone who has been through youth.

His sudden realizations, his profound thoughts, his contemplation of the meaning of human life, his questions about the world, and the warmth he felt—all stirred up memories of the past within me.

"."

Lu Yao listened with great excitement.

He could tell, of course, that what Jiang Xian was saying wasn't just empty flattery, but a genuine analysis and evaluation of the book from a reader's perspective.

"I personally really like this work."

Jiang Xian then said, "We, People's Literature, will accept this manuscript. I can make the following three promises to you: first, the entire article will be published in one issue; second, it will be on the front page; and third, it will be in large font. I hope Comrade Lu Yao will be satisfied."

"Satisfied, satisfied."

Lu Yao was already overjoyed to hear that his manuscript would be published in People's Literature. Even if Jiang Xian didn't give him that treatment, he would be perfectly satisfied and wouldn't ask for anything else.

On the other hand, Jiang Xian didn't feel that he had suffered any loss by helping Lu Yao so wholeheartedly.

This is "Ordinary World"!
In later generations, this became synonymous with a masterpiece, a classic literary work that has moved countless Chinese people, and a monumental work that has been constantly mentioned, explored, and interpreted in the literary world.

The discovery of such a novel is enough to prove and can be regarded as one of the most brilliant and widely recognized achievements during Jiang Xian's time as editor of "People's Literature".

With this novel as a basis, who can say that his experience as editor-in-chief of People's Literature was not outstanding?
It's important to know that the process of publishing "Ordinary World" was not smooth sailing.

If "Ordinary World" is a work that everyone approves of, then it's nothing special that it was published in "People's Literature" and discovered by Jiang Xian.

The reality is that "Ordinary World" was a novel that no one had high hopes for. It was a novel that Jiang Xian insisted on publishing despite external pressure and even the doubts of his colleagues in the editorial department.

The fact that such a novel later became a classic truly demonstrates Jiang Xian's discerning eye and is proof of his outstanding work as an editor.

"Let's stay in the capital for a while."

Jiang Xianchong said to Lu Yao, "Revise the manuscript carefully. There's no need to rush. We can publish this novel in a few months. The important thing is to revise the novel well and ensure its quality."

"Don't worry about that." Lu Yao was also a veteran writer, and he knew that Jiang Xian was hinting that he should revise his work properly. He secretly resolved to revise it well and not let Jiang Xian down.

He sat down and talked with Jiang Xian for a long time about the novel "Ordinary World".

For Jiang Xian, this process was undoubtedly very enjoyable. Sitting with the author of his favorite novel and talking about the novel and some creative ideas was absolutely thrilling for him as a "book lover".

On the other side, Lu Yao also talked more and more, as if she had endless things to say to Jiang Xian.

In his mind, if he had only one true confidant in the whole world, it would definitely be Jiang Xian.

For so long, he created on his own, and the stories he wrote were all for his own "self-admiration."

After finishing writing, Lu Yao felt an urgent urge to show the manuscript to others.

What he desperately needed was for that person to connect with the novel on a deeper level.

Jiang Xian truly achieved this, and Lu Yao found such satisfaction in him.

He was like a person who had been holding back for a long time, grabbing Jiang Xian and pouring out all the "stock" he had kept bottled up over the years.

Jiang Xian and Lu Yao chatted from the office to the cafeteria until late at night, when Lu Yao finally left reluctantly.

Jiang Xian was also still not satisfied.

He sat in his study, savoring the moment for a long time. Finally, he took a sip of tea, shook his head, cleared his mind of thoughts about "Ordinary World," picked up his pen, opened the manuscript paper on the table, and continued writing.

This is his new work, a novel that combines the inspirations of "time travel" and "orphan," and it is also a novel he is currently writing.

— "【Time Travel】+【Orphan】=《The Miracles of the Namiya General Store》"

Shota suggested that they go to the abandoned house instead.

He said there happened to be a suitable abandoned house.

"What's this about a proper abandoned house?" Atsuya looked down at Shota, who was not tall and still had a boyish look on his face.

"Appropriate means appropriate, it means suitable for hiding. I found it by chance during my previous reconnaissance, and I never thought it would actually come in handy now."

"I'm sorry, you two," Yukihira said, shrinking his tall frame and gazing longingly at the old Crown parked beside him. "I never dreamed that the battery would fail in a place like this."

Atsuya sighed. "There's no point in saying these things now."

"But what exactly happened? There were absolutely no problems on the way here; we didn't keep our lights on the whole time."

"It's reached the end of its lifespan," Shota said bluntly. "Look at the mileage, it's already over 100,000 kilometers. It was already close to the end of its life, and it's completely finished now. That's why I said, if you're going to steal a car, you should steal a new one."

Yukihira crossed his arms and made a "hmm" sound. "Because all the new cars have anti-theft devices installed."

"Never mind." Atsuya waved his hand. "Shota, is the abandoned house you mentioned around here?"

Shota tilted his head in thought. "If we walk quickly, it will take about twenty minutes."

"Okay, let's go take a look. You lead the way."

"Leading the way is no problem, but what about this car? Is it okay to leave it here?" Atsuya looked around. They were standing in a monthly parking lot in a residential area. Since there was a space available, they parked the Crown there. Once the owner of the space found it, they would definitely call the police immediately.

"Of course there's bound to be a problem, but the car can't move, so there's nothing we can do. You didn't touch anything without gloves, did you? In that case, we can't be caught because of this car."

"We can only leave it to fate."

"That's why I said, this is the only way to do it for now."

"I'm just checking, okay, then come with me." Shota strode off with light steps, and Atsuya followed. The bag he was carrying in his right hand was quite heavy. Kohei walked up to him.

"Dunye, should we try to flag down a taxi? It's just a short walk to the main road, where we should be able to find an empty cab."

Atsuya sneered and said, "At this hour, with three suspicious-looking men hailing a taxi in this place, the driver will definitely remember what we look like. When they release wanted posters with our facial features, we're doomed."

"But will the driver look at our faces carefully?" "What if we encounter a driver who scrutinizes us closely? Besides, what if the driver can remember our faces after just one glance?" Yukihira remained silent for a short while, then quietly apologized, "I'm sorry."

"Forget it, let's shut up and get on our way."

It was a little after 2 a.m., and the three people were walking in a residential area on high ground.

They were walking on a gentle slope, but after a while, the slope became steeper and the houses became fewer and fewer.

"Where are we going?" Yukihira asked, panting.

"We'll be there soon," Shota replied.

After walking for a while, Shota did stop. There was a house nearby. It was a shop and a residence, but the house wasn't big. The residential part was a wooden Japanese building, and the shop, with a storefront less than four meters wide, had its metal roller shutter closed. There were no words written on the roller shutter, only a mail drop-off slot, and next to it was a small shack that looked like a warehouse and parking lot.

"Here?" Atsuya asked.

"Uh," Shota looked around the house, tilting his head as he answered, "It should be here."

"What does it mean? Isn't it supposed to be here?"

"No, I think this is the place, but it feels a little different from when I was here last time. I remember it looked newer when I saw it before."

"You came during the day last time, that might be the reason."

"Maybe." Atsuya took a flashlight out of his bag and shone it around the metal roller shutter. There was an advertising sign above the door, and he could barely make out the words "general store." There was also a shop name in front of it, but he couldn't make out what the words were.

"A general store? In a place like this? Will anyone come?" Atsuya couldn't help but ask.

"It went bankrupt because nobody came, right?" Shota's words made a lot of sense.

"I see. How do we get in?"

"Go through the back door, the lock there is broken, follow me." Shota walked into the firebreak alley between the general store and the shack, and Atsuya and the others followed behind. The firebreak alley was about one meter wide. As they entered the firebreak alley, they looked up at the sky, and a full moon hung directly overhead. There was indeed a back door at the back of the shack, and next to the door was a small wooden box.

"What is this?" Yukihira muttered to himself.

"Don't you know? It's a milk box; it's placed here when the milk is delivered," Atsuya replied.

"Oh, really?" Yukihira looked at the milk carton with an admiring expression.

The back door opened, and three people went inside. The room smelled of dust, but not unpleasant. A rusty washing machine sat on the roughly square meter of concrete floor; it was probably broken.

There was a pair of dusty slippers at the shoe drop-off area. They didn't take off their shoes, stepped over the slippers, and went inside. The kitchen was right inside the door. The floor was covered with wood flooring, and the countertop and gas stove were placed side by side by the window, next to a double-door refrigerator. A table and chairs were placed in the center of the room.

Yukihira opened the refrigerator and said disappointedly, "There's nothing there."

"Of course not," Shota pouted. "If there were, would you be planning to eat it?"

"I was just saying." Next door was a Japanese-style room with a wardrobe and a shrine, and cushions piled in the corner. There were also closets inside the Japanese-style room, but they had no intention of opening them to check. Behind the Japanese-style room was the shop. Atsuya shone his flashlight around and saw that a few items remained on the shelves, mostly stationery, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies.

"How lucky!" Shota exclaimed as he checked the drawers of the altar. "There are candles! Now we have light."

He lit several candles with a lighter and placed them in several places, instantly brightening the room. Atsushi also turned off the flashlight.

"That's great," Yukihira said, sitting cross-legged on the tatami mat. "Now we just have to wait for dawn."

"

Many people should be familiar with this novel.

Miracles of the Namiya General Store.

The story is about a general store on a quiet street. If you write down your troubles and drop them into the letter slot in the shutter door in front of the store, you will receive an answer in the milk box behind the store the next day.

A young girl named Yue Tu is torn between love and her dreams because her boyfriend is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Matsuoka Katsuro left home to pursue his musical dreams, but found himself struggling to make ends meet in reality.

Young Kosuke faces a major family upheaval and struggles with uncertainty about family ties and the future.
These people wrote their confusion in letters and dropped them into a general store, where they were seen by orphans who wandered in, and from then on, strange things began to happen.
This is precisely why "Time Travel" and "Orphan" were able to combine to create this book.

This novel is quite popular.

After all, it's a work by Keigo Higashino.

Keigo Higashino has always been a favorite among readers, with his works remaining popular for years. He is considered the most globally influential bestselling author in the Japanese mystery novel world, with his works selling huge volumes and being adapted extensively. He is widely recognized as a phenomenal bestselling king.

However, his status in the history of detective literature is controversial. He is often looked down upon by readers who consider themselves passionate about suspense novels. Many people scoff at his novels, believing that he belongs to the category of first-rate bestselling authors rather than first-rate writers.

But the significance of this novel is somewhat different.
(End of this chapter)