Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 188 (Bonus Chapter for 1000 Votes) Good evening, my name is Zweig!
It was already evening of the next day when the train finally pulled into Vienna train station.

On the platform, the head of "Hugh & Mann Publishing" had been leading a small welcoming team for quite some time.

They carried eye-catching banners that read in German and French, "A warm welcome to the great writers of the 'Meitang Night Party'!"

Several Austrian girls dressed in traditional clothing came forward to present flowers.

Apart from Lionel, the others were flattered.

The publisher's general manager, Karl Hugh, also spoke fluent French: "Welcome to Vienna! On behalf of Hugh & Mann Publishing House and all literature lovers in Vienna, I extend my highest respect to you all!"
Your presence is a great event for Vienna's cultural scene!

The grand welcoming ceremony instantly washed away the writers' travel fatigue and filled them with energy again!
Soon, they were put into a lavishly decorated carriage and taken to their hotel.

The carriage traveled along Vienna's wide, clean streets, revealing a cityscape quite different from that of Paris.

The ring road is magnificent, with grand buildings standing on both sides—opera houses, museums, parliament buildings, exuding the solemnity and splendor of the imperial capital.

This is Vienna!

A city of lights, a city of fountains, a city of dreams and illusions!
-----

The book signing event on the second day was held in front of the largest bookstore under the "Hugh & Man" publishing group.

At the entrance of the bookstore, a signing table, erected overnight, was covered with a dark green velvet tablecloth, on which seven gold-plated fountain pens, carefully prepared by the publisher, were neatly arranged.

This is still a novelty—most people are still used to writing with dip pens (such as quill pens).

However, Hugh & Mann had already given Lionel and others a chance to try it out.

With the experience gained in Paris, the organization in Vienna appeared much more orderly.

More than an hour before the scheduled start time for the book signing, a long line had already snaked out from the bookstore entrance, along the neatly paved sidewalk, around the street corner, and disappeared into the distance.

Unlike in Paris, the readers queuing here are more well-dressed and wait more quietly.

Many people not only carry "The Night of the Plum Blossom" under their arms, but also Zola's "L'Hotel" or "Modern Life".

Clearly, the readers here came prepared and were not completely ignorant of their work.

Local newspapers had already touted the book signing as "a symbol of a city's civilization and culture," a testament to Vienna's status as a European cultural capital.

The fact that Vienna can attract popular French literary stars is itself a testament to its cultural soft power.

The autograph session was lively yet well-organized.

The writers were once again moved by the enthusiasm and sophistication of the Viennese readers.

Many of them could communicate in French and express their particular fondness for a story, which made the writers feel very welcome.

“Mr. Zola, Dominic’s sacrifice breaks my heart…”

"Mr. Maupassant, the fate of Boule de Suif is a lash out at us all!"

“Mr. Sorel, your ‘Old Man Milon’ and ‘Hometown’ remind me of my grandfather…”

Lionel particularly noted that readers here seemed especially interested in his "Letter from an Unknown Woman".

Many women brought copies of "Modern Life" to him for autographs, and their gazes toward him were particularly complex and ambiguous.

Mr. Hugh moved among the crowd, constantly directing the staff to refill the writers' hot coffee and replenish the books for signing.

The smile on his face never faded, and he kept whispering to Zola, "An unprecedented success! An absolute climax! Vienna hasn't been this crazy about literature in a long time!"

The book signing was a great success. Not only were all 6000 copies of "Meitang Night Meeting" sold out, but it also boosted sales of other books in the store.

Moreover, this book signing further solidified Hugh & Mann's position as Vienna's premier bookstore. Karl Hugh was overjoyed, repeatedly exclaiming "unprecedented success" and "a historic day."

That evening, to celebrate the success of the book signing, Hugh & Mann Publishing House hosted a grand welcome ball at Vienna’s most prestigious ballroom.

The towering dome frescoes depict the feast of the Olympian gods, while the surrounding walls are inlaid with huge Venetian mirrors that repeatedly refract the light from countless gas lamps and candlesticks, making the entire space as bright as day.

Between the massive gilded columns, deep red velvet curtains hang, not only heavy and luxurious, but also able to absorb the echoes of noise, making the clamor of voices and band performances not sound noisy.

The space was filled with a rich aroma, a blend of cigar smoke, women's perfume, and the fragrance of champagne and cream desserts on the table.

In the center of the dance floor, a sizable orchestra, dressed in sharp white suits, skillfully performed Johann Strauss's waltz.

Austrian cultural figures, nobles, wealthy businessmen, and diplomatic envoys gathered together.

In the magnificent hall, the band played the Strauss family's light and beautiful waltzes.

……

For Zola, Lionel, Maupassant, and others, this was yet another novel experience.

Parisian salons are more of a gathering of intellectuals, while Viennese balls perfectly blend social interaction, art, and luxury.

Zola and Huysmann, among others, preferred to speak with local writers and critics.

Maupassant, on the other hand, was in his element and quickly invited a beautiful noblewoman onto the dance floor. His graceful dance steps drew attention from those around him.

Lionel had just finished exchanging pleasantries and quietly hid to the side, sipping a glass of Austrian wine and observing this glamorous and elegant feast.

Just then, a slightly plump, ruddy-faced, well-dressed middle-aged man walked towards him with a smile, accompanied by an extremely charming and gentle young lady.

The man spoke French with a slight German accent, but was very polite: "Good evening, Mr. Sorel."

Lionel quickly returned the greeting: "Good evening, sir."

The man smiled and said, "Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Moritz Zweig, and I run a small business, mainly textiles."

This is my wife, Ida.

Lionel: "..."

Moritz Zweig did not notice Lionel's momentary lapse in concentration: "Mr. Sorel, your 'The Night of the Médan' is absolutely brilliant, especially your 'Old Man Milon,' which is incredibly powerful."

My friends and I have all read it. We all agree that this is a rare portrayal of peasants in European literature, overturning the previous narrow depictions of them as dull and ignorant.

Lionel then came to his senses and said modestly, "You flatter me, Mr. Zweig."

At this moment, Mrs. Zweig, Ida, took a small step forward, her eyes very bright, with a sincere flame.

Ida stared intently at Lionel and said softly, "Mr. Sorel, please forgive my intrusion."

But I must tell you personally that I have read your "Letter from an Unknown Woman"... I..."

She seemed a little too excited, so she paused for a moment before continuing, blushing, "...I think it's the most profound and touching love story I've ever read."

It...it seems not to have been written, but rather to have flowed from the deepest part of a woman's soul.

How could you possibly understand so well a woman's silent, passionate, and desperate love?
It touched our hearts, truly.

For the first time, Lionel was at a loss for words when asked about the artwork, and his gaze secretly drifted towards Ida's lower abdomen...

(August ended perfectly! I'm asking for your guaranteed monthly votes for September!)

(End of this chapter)