1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 14 The Future Vice Chairman of the Writers Association Comes to Congratulate

In recent days, more than one person has talked to Chen Yixue about this novel. I heard that the People's Literature in bookstores and street newsstands has been sold out because of it. It's useless for the workers in the printing factory to print in three shifts. As soon as the book is put on the shelf, it is snapped up by readers queuing up just to read "The Wreath under the Mountain".

Just at the end of today's performance, the head of the art troupe discussed with several of the mainstays of the stage whether it is possible to adapt the article "High Mountains" into a stage play.

Unexpectedly, the author of this best-selling novel was actually my sister's boyfriend.

Chen Yixue took a deep breath and said with certainty in her beautiful eyes: "Someone introduced his book to me. Since everyone likes it so much, it must be well written."

Even among authors who have published works, there are differences between them.

The influence of his works can reach this level, and Xu Yuexin is much better than those literati in the troupe who claim to be talented.

Now Chen Yixiu has accepted in her heart that Xu Yuexin is a truly talented man.

Chen Qiaoqiao was very happy to see that the reputation of her boyfriend's work had spread to her sister, "Well, I have a copy of People's Literature."

"I'll give it to you later."

"Ah."

When Chen Yixiu saw Chen Qiaoqiao's proud look when she mentioned her boyfriend, she curled her red lips and smiled slightly.

That night, Chen Yixiu sat at a small desk by the bedroom window. On the desk was a copy of People's Literature with a picture of green mountains and trees.

In front of her was a thick note paper with elegant and graceful handwriting on it, which seemed to be the lyrics for the song.

The last line of the note paper was filled with shocking red crosses. This was the nth version of the lyrics that Chen Yixue had rejected.

With less than two months left until the tribute performance, Chen Yixiu, the lead singer of the Supreme Art Troupe, has still not found the lyrics.

In the past two years, the country has undergone tremendous changes, and the social landscape has changed with each passing day. In addition, it is the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, so the superiors require that this tribute performance must be innovative and the program must reflect the new era.

Innovation is not easy. In the past few days, several lyricists in the group presented her with newly written lyrics, but Chen Yixue didn't like any of them.

Just like the lyrics that she had rejected before, the lyrics of these people were either too old-fashioned, still stuck in the atmosphere of several years ago, or too soft, decadent and inappropriate for the occasion of tribute.

As for the two lyrics that she had written with great effort, Chen Yixiu felt that they were very mediocre and did not reach the level that she thought a tribute work should have.

Chen Yixiu thought and thought, constantly pondering the lyrics, and her anxiety continued to deepen.

After writing the lyrics, she has to compose the music, practice, and choreograph the corresponding dance...she doesn't have much time left.

“What a headache…”

Looking at the days crossed out on the calendar, Chen Yixiu sighed softly, her mood gradually becoming heavy.

At this moment, the People's Literature on the desk came into view, and an idea came to Chen Yixiu's mind.

Or, go find your sister's boyfriend and ask him to write lyrics for you?

He could write a work like "The Garland under the Mountain", so his literary talent must be outstanding, and perhaps it could help him resolve his troubles.

Chen Yixiu thought about it and felt like she had found a new way out.

……

At breakfast the next day, Chen Yixue asked Chen Qiaoqiao: "Qiaoqiao, is your boyfriend free recently?"

"If he's free, I'd like to ask him to do me a favor."

Request? In Chen Qiaoqiao's memory, her sister rarely spoke in this tone.

She never had any worries about study or work. It was always others who asked her for help, but never did she ask others for help.

"What's the matter, sister? Tell me. If it's within his ability to solve it, I'll take you to ask him."

Chen Qiaoqiao asked curiously, eager to know the answer.

"It's like this, I'm the lead singer for this year's tribute performance, and I haven't found the lyrics for the song yet. I'm not satisfied with any lyrics written by others or by myself."

"Yue Xin is very talented, I would like to ask him to help me write lyrics."

"Writing lyrics? How about I take you to him after school this afternoon?"

So that's what's going on. After hearing her sister's distress, Chen Qiaoqiao thought she could take her to find Xu Yuexin.

"Xu Yuexin wrote novels before, can he write lyrics?"

Zhou Zhifeng interrupted and said, "Don't waste time and make mistakes."

"Mom, help me wash the dishes. I want to talk to Qiaoqiao." Chen Yixiu didn't want to listen to her mother's chattering anymore, so she simply sent her away.

"And my bowl."

Chen Qiaoqiao also pushed the bowl in front of her mother.

Zhou Zhifeng had no choice but to leave with the bowl. Seeing this, the two sisters continued to discuss the matter of looking for Xu Yuexin.

……

"Yue Xin, your movie 'High Mountain' is a big hit. To be more precise, it's an unstoppable hit."

"The readers responded enthusiastically. Many young men joined the army after reading the book, and strongly demanded to go to the front line to defend the country. Many young women shouted the slogan of not marrying anyone other than a soldier."

"The literary community has sparked a discussion around this book, and some leaders in the cultural sector are also paying attention to your masterpiece."

"What are your plans for this? Do you want to continue on the path of literature?"

In the afternoon, in a pub near Wudaokou, Chen Jiangong, holding a few peanuts in his hand, congratulated Xu Yuexin with a beaming face.

Chen Jiangong was a student of the Chinese Department of Yan University in 77. In his early years, he worked in a mining area under the Jingxi Coal Mine. Like Xu Yuexin, he was a worker who went down the mine.

After being admitted to university, Chen Jiangong returned to the mining area to revisit, and thus got to know Xu Yuexin.

When they first met, Xu Yuexin and Chen Jiangong got along quite well, and since their fathers were close academic partners, they became friends.

Chen Jiangong began publishing his works in the early 70s and was an old acquaintance of Wang Chaoyin, the editor of People's Literature. Two days ago, he learned from Wang Chaoyin that his friend was the author of "The Wreath under the Mountain", so he found Xu Yuexin to congratulate him in person.

Xu Yuexin also grabbed a handful of peanuts, threw one into his mouth, chewed it up, and swallowed it.

"Now that I can make a living from this, I definitely want to go further and make creation a long-term career."

Facing his friend, Xu Yuexin did not hide his intentions and said frankly, "By the way, you said that the higher-ups are paying attention to this work. How exactly are they paying attention?"

Chen Jiangong has been in the Beijing literary and art circles for a long time, knows many people and is well-informed. Xu Yuexin wants to know the current situation from him.

When Chen Jiangong heard that Xu Yuexin planned to pursue a career in writing, he was delighted: his friend had found his path in life and become his colleague, and the literary world would have a new star.

"'High Mountain' was published by Chao Yin, who is an old friend of mine. Some leaders from the cultural department approached him these past two days to ask for his opinion on the book. If nothing unexpected happens, the higher-ups will make a statement on this matter."

"Of course, there are many channels and ways for the top leaders to express their opinions, and it is difficult to guess the specific methods."

Chen Jiangong smiled mysteriously and said, "But one thing is certain, you must participate in the process of speaking out. You can't let the leader do it alone."

"As for the content of the voice, it is ultimately inseparable from the word creative style."

"Because the writing style of "High Mountain" is indeed very different from the currently popular scar literature, it has the significance of a weather vane."

When talking about Xu Yuexin's writing style, Chen Jiangong's voice was full of admiration. Before visiting Xu Yuexin today, he had read this novel more than ten times, and each time he read it, he had new insights.

As a professional, Chen Jiangong concluded, after repeated consideration, that "The Garland under the Mountain" has epoch-making potential.

If the cultural and artistic authorities really make a strong statement on this matter as rumored, it will become an opportunity to stimulate this potential.

Chen Jiangong was delighted that Xu Yuexin was valued by his superiors, and he also wanted to know what kind of changes "The Garland under the Mountain" could bring to the literary and art circles once his superiors gave the order.

I started paying attention to my own work above.

Xu Yuexin was not surprised by the news. Whether in the present or in the future, whenever influential works emerge in the literary and artistic circles, the relevant ministries, literary federations, writers' associations and other institutions will pay attention to them.

Especially in the late 70s and early 80s, an outstanding literary and artistic work could often lead social trends and change public perceptions.

"Teacher in the Class", and the movie "Love in Lushan" after entering the 80s...

And now, the focus of the higher authorities' attention is "The Garland under the Mountain".

Xu Yuexin did not feel uncomfortable with the attention from his superiors. On the contrary, he knew that in any era, starting a business was inseparable from dealing with people in official positions.

"Old Chen, I have no objection to participating in the voice. It's just that the form of the voice must be sought for my opinion."

Chen Jiangong is ten years older than Xu Yuexin, and Xu Yuexin has been calling him this since they met. "If you can get in touch with the relevant leaders, please convey my message to them."

"If we meet, I will definitely tell you. What do you think..."

Chen Jiangong asked.

(End of this chapter)