Training the Heavens

Chapter 41 Welcome Party
No. 675 Julu Road, Gao Jialin stood outside the door, drooling at the sight of the yard, he really wanted to buy it!
In 1926, Liu Jishen, a famous industrial tycoon in Shanghai, bought this piece of land and invited Hungarian architect Hudec K. Hudec to design this garden house, which cost him 20 silver dollars to build. He gave it as a 40th birthday gift for his childhood sweetheart, Chen Dingzhen.

Therefore, this villa is also called Eros Garden, which can be regarded as a classic of old villas in Shanghai. Gao Jialin was naturally envious when he saw it.

Unfortunately, no matter how rich he was, he could not buy this place, because since the liberation, it has been nationalized and became the office of the Shanghai Writers Association. The editorial offices of magazines such as "Harvest", "Shanghai Literature", "Germination", "Haishang Wentan", and "Shanghai Culture" are all here.

This is why he chose to submit his manuscript to "Mengya". He can just take the bus to get here, and discussing the revisions with the editor saves the time of correspondence, so he can get the manuscript approved and paid earlier.

He walked over, took out his manuscript and student ID and explained his purpose. The guard let him in and pointed out the room on the same floor as the editorial office of "Mengya". He had seen many authors submitting their own manuscripts, so he handled the matter according to the usual practice.

Fortunately, he didn't know what Gao Jialin was thinking just now, otherwise he would definitely pick up the broom and chase him out, and even call him a fool.

When you go inside, you will see a two-and-a-half-story building. Walking along the path inside, you will arrive at the lobby with a black and white checkerboard marble floor. Following the instructions of the doorman, you will find the editorial office of "Mengya".

The editorial office door was half open. Several editors were chatting animatedly about the latest manuscripts they had received. They didn't notice anyone approaching the door. Only when they heard the knock did they turn around and ask, "Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, teachers. My name is Gao Jialin, and I'm here to submit an article!" Gao Jialin answered politely.

"Oh, hello, hello, please come in!" The Sprout also inherited Lu Xun's tradition of enthusiasm for young authors. Someone immediately came over to take the manuscript from his hand, invited him to take a seat, and even offered to pour him some water. "Tea or coffee?"

Wow, it’s worthy of being Shanghai. Nowadays, people treat authors with coffee?

"Haha, I'm not from the editorial department. I love coffee myself. If you like it, I'll give it to you to try! Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Niu Xinliang, and I'm the editor of Mengya!"

Wow, this is a good surname, most suitable for being an editor. Everyone will call me Niubian when I go out. How cool.

"Hello, Teacher Niu, I'm not thirsty, so I won't bother you!" Gao Jialin was tactful enough not to call Editor Niu.

"No trouble, no trouble. Good things should be shared with everyone. Just sit down, it will be ready soon!" Niu Xinliang took out an exquisite coffee cup, poured it, and handed it to Gao Jialin with anticipation. "How about trying it?"

"Thank you, Teacher Niu." Gao Jialin took a sip, frowned slightly, and then quickly relaxed. "It's a little bitter at first, but slowly I can smell a unique fragrance!"

"See, I told you this is good stuff, but you guys didn't know what's good for you. This little comrade tasted it and recognized it in one bite!" Niu Xinliang was so happy that he slapped his thigh. It was a very happy thing that something he liked was recognized by others.

Gao Jialin glanced at his clothes. The style was good, but the cuffs and collar were a little worn and white. He probably saved a lot of money to drink coffee. After this little episode, Niu Xinliang liked Gao Jialin even more. He immediately picked up the manuscript and started reading. Before he even turned the first page, he was attracted by the beginning of "Goose Father". "This picture is so strong!"

"Oh? What's it about? Let me see it, too?" Upon hearing this, the editor next to him came over. After taking a few glances, he immediately gasped, "The visuals are truly powerful! Such writing skills at such a young age. Is our "Mengya" going to encounter another Peng Jianming?"

Peng Jianming is a writer from Hunan. Last year, he published the short story "That Mountain, That Dog, That Man" in "Mengya" and won the National Short Story Award. More than ten years later, the novel was adapted into a movie, won the Golden Rooster Award, and achieved impressive box office results in Japan.

Literary magazines are supported by good works. The one that can publish more good works will have a greater influence. Now seeing such an amazing beginning, their expectations are immediately filled.

As he continued reading, distinct characters like Zhong Yuemin, Yu Shanqing, and Tian Xiaoxia emerged one after another, making Niu Xinliang forget for a moment that the author was still sitting across from him. Only after finishing a cup of coffee did he realize, "Sorry, sorry, I was just too engrossed!"

"Can I take this as a compliment?" Gao Jialin was not angry at all. The fact that he was so engrossed in reading proved that his manuscript was good.

"Haha, that's a compliment, it's a compliment! First of all, your manuscript has a novel subject matter. It's been six or seven years since the resumption of the college entrance examination, but there aren't many excellent works that reflect the lives of contemporary college students! I finally came across one today."

"Secondly, your writing is incredibly visual, and the characterizations are incredibly vivid. You manage to capture their personalities with just a few strokes! From what I've read, the college students who appear each have their own distinct characteristics, making them instantly memorable! Amazing!"

"Does my manuscript meet the requirements for publication?" Gao Jialin just wanted to know whether he could get the royalties.

"Well, from the current perspective, it should be possible. However, whether it can be published depends on whether the quality can be maintained consistently and it also needs to pass the editor's review! You are a Shanghai native, right?" Niu Xinliang touched the thickness of the manuscript. "I definitely can't finish reading it today. The day after tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, so come over on Monday afternoon and we can have a good chat!"

"Oh, by the way, do you have a phone number near your workplace or home? If so, leave one for me. I can notify you if I finish reading it in advance!"

"I'm studying at Pujiang University. There's a public telephone downstairs in the dormitory building. You can dial this number to find me!" Gao Jialin wrote down a string of numbers. Fortunately, he was in Shanghai, where telephones were relatively popular. It might not be so convenient in other cities.

Niu Xinliang suddenly realized, "I thought you must be a college student, otherwise you wouldn't be able to write such a work! Okay, I'll make a note of it and contact you as soon as I have any news! You should also pay more attention these two days."

After chatting for a while about the process of writing this novel, Gao Jialin said goodbye and left.

After taking the bus and wandering around for nearly two hours, they finally got back to school. As soon as they entered the dormitory, Ma Chuanjie hurriedly dragged him out, "You're finally back. The student union just called a few of us to a meeting to discuss the welcome party. Let's go quickly and don't be late."

(End of this chapter)