My era, 1979!

Chapter 120 Xu Chengjun, sing a song! (6.6k)

In the end, Lin Yimin's desire to treat others was defeated by his desire to dine with writer Xu Chengjun.

"That"

"Forget about that, let's eat together tonight, we can have a bite at the cafeteria together."

"Then I shall respectfully comply." Comrade Lin Yimin chose to closely unite with Comrade Xu Chengjun.

On the way from Songzhuang to the first student canteen of Fudan University, Comrade Lin Yimin fully utilized his initiative as a literature enthusiast and delved into the details of Comrade Xu Chengjun's creative process.

"Comrade Chengjun, how did you come up with the idea of ​​creating the character Chunlan?"

"Comrade Chengjun, can this work be considered magical realism?"

"Comrade Chengjun, what is your opinion on the fact that this year's 'Foreign Literature Trends' officially translated the characteristics of contemporary Latin American novels as 'magical realism'?"

To be honest, Xu Chengjun is now regretting bringing this guy to dinner.

Can you stand bringing a reporter out with you?

"What magical realism? Who said Latin American literature is magical realism? You have no right to speak without research, Comrade Yimin! If real events that happen in Latin America are considered magical realism, then literature has lost its fundamental nature."

Márquez was very resistant to the label of magical realism. He always believed that he was writing about "the reality of Latin America" ​​rather than deliberately creating "magic".

In the interview, he repeatedly emphasized: "All my novels are an interpretation of the reality of Latin America" ​​and "The so-called 'magical realism' is only because outsiders do not understand the reality of Latin America."

Magical realism, as a critical tool from the outside world, especially in Europe, America, and the Chinese-speaking world, is more of an inductive generalization based on textual features and cross-cultural cognition.

While the content of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is indeed fantastical, it is based on a true story.

Reality can be so surreal sometimes.

Xu Chengjun sighed and rubbed his forehead, only to see Lin Yimin's eyes widen.

"but."

"Forget about 'buts,' if we have to categorize them, we should classify these novels as realist novels with magical realism elements, or, like Editor-in-Chief Zhou, simply say neo-realism for a more thorough understanding."

In fact, Márquez's attitude was not to deny the magical elements in his works, but rather to refuse to use magic to cover up reality.

The labels used by critics are not misunderstandings, but rather necessary generalizations based on cross-cultural communication.

However, the interplay between these two aspects has made "One Hundred Years of Solitude" not only a representative work of "magical realism" but also transcended this label, becoming one of the most profound literary records of Latin American reality.

"Oh dear~"

Stop!

"No, what I meant was that Comrade Cheng Jun has a very profound understanding of literature, and there are many things I can learn from him."

Lin Yimin blushed, but although he didn't completely agree with Xu Chengjun's statement for the time being, it didn't stop him from thinking that it made a lot of sense.

Xu Chengjun was also embarrassed.

There's no misunderstanding!

Fortunately, Su Manshu and Xu Xiaomei came to the rescue. The three of them had arranged to meet at the first canteen at 5:30 that morning.

The two girls were both exceptionally beautiful.

The newcomer immediately spotted Su Manshu and Xu Xiaomei.

Su Manshu was still wearing that moon-white shirt, the orchids embroidered on the cuffs appearing and disappearing under the light.

Xu Xiaomei, with her hair in pigtails and clutching a newly bought English grammar book, ran over to Xu Chengjun, swinging her pigtails as she saw him: "Brother! Sister Manshu and I have been waiting for you for ages!"

Xu Chengjun smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Xiaomei."

"Let me introduce you. This is my roommate, Lin Yimin, from Shanghai."

"Yimin, this is Su Manshu, a third-year student in the Department of Economics. This is my younger sister, Xu Xiaomei, who is now working in the library."

Lin Yimin nodded, but looked at Su Manshu with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

'No, what happened between you two?'

Xu Chengjun noticed something strange: "You two know each other?"

"His dad and my dad were classmates in college."

Su Manshu walked up but did not greet Lin Yimin.

Her gaze first fell on Xu Chengjun, and she gently reached out to straighten his folded collar, her hand brushing against his neck, feeling a slightly cool touch.

"Look at you,"

Her voice was soft and gentle, with a hint of reproach, but she wasn't really angry.

"You must have been so engrossed in writing that you didn't even realize your collar was turned up. If you do that again, I won't bother fixing it for you."

Xu Chengjun smiled and moved closer to her, his tone slightly roguish: "With Teacher Su here, why would I worry about such a small thing? You always manage to take care of these things for me anyway."

As soon as she said that, Su Manshu's face turned red. She quickly withdrew her hand and pretended to look away, but secretly clenched the hem of her clothes behind her back: "You have such a sweet tongue."

Lin Yimin stared wide-eyed at the sight. Was this the Su Manshu he knew?

High intelligence, high emotional intelligence, rationality, confidence, and exceptional memory—these are the impressions Su Manshu left on them since childhood!

Pretty? Pretty is her least noteworthy quality!

When had Lin Yimin ever seen Su Manshu look so "shy"?

No wonder Comrade Chengjun's tone was different when he mentioned Sister Manshu earlier; so that's what their relationship is like!
He quickly coughed twice and tactfully moved aside to make room for the two of them: "Um... I'll go grab a seat by the window. I heard the cafeteria has braised pork today, and it'll be gone if you go too late!"

Xu Xiaomei, oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, held up her grammar book and approached Su Manshu: "Sister Manshu, look at this grammar book I bought. All the example sentences have translations. It's much better than the old one my brother gave me!"

As she spoke, she turned around and glared at Xu Chengjun, "My brother said before that 'old books have more flavor,' he just wanted to be lazy and not buy me new ones!"

Xu Chengjun was about to retort when Su Manshu smiled and came to his rescue: "Your brother was just worried that you would waste it, but this book is really good. I'll highlight the key points for you next time."

As she spoke, she glanced at Xu Chengjun again, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Xu Chengjun understood her gaze, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. He reached out and ruffled Xu Xiaomei's hair: "Alright, I know your sister Manshu loves you. Come with us now, or the braised pork will be gone if you dawdle any longer."

As the four walked toward the dining table, Su Manshu deliberately slowed her pace and walked behind Xu Chengjun, whispering, "I'm not very familiar with Lin Yimin, but our families have some interactions every year, so we know each other."

"Understood, Teacher Su."

Xu Chengjun also lowered his voice.

"But when you were adjusting my collar just now, did you deliberately touch my neck?"

Su Manshu, however, was not to be outdone. She raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with provocation: "Yes, so what?"

She was originally a person who dared to love and hate, but her shyness as a young girl led Xu Chengjun to stir up a lot of trouble.

Xu Chengjun was speechless for a moment.

I wanted to say something witty, but the occasion wasn't right.

"(⊙o⊙)..."

Su Manshu waved her little fist triumphantly.
Then he finally remembered Lin Yimin, who had been left out: "Yimin, I didn't expect you to get into Fudan University too. Uncle Lin must be overjoyed."

Lin Yimin scratched his head and chuckled, "You and Sister Lianzi both got into Fudan University, so I can't fall behind."

Su Manshu was always the "other people's child" in their small circle since she was a child.

He has been outstanding since childhood, and now he's two or three years older.

He was still somewhat intimidated by Su Manshu.

He then looked at Xu Chengjun, his eyes full of curiosity, "By the way, Sister Manshu, how do you know Comrade Chengjun too?"

You asked him?

How did we get to know the great writer?

Su Manshu's eyes held a smile, and her gaze softened slightly when she looked at Xu Chengjun.

Xu Chengjun, whose mind wasn't on this, was still working on "The Box of Hope," and casually remarked, "Writers have a lot of charm, that's why Sister Manshu is like a moth drawn to a flame."

"Go to hell!" Su Manshu rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

Lin Yimin nodded seriously: "Comrade Cheng Jun is good-looking and a popular writer. I wish I were a woman."

Su Manshu couldn't listen anymore.

"You, Lin Yimin, you've only just met Xu Chengjun, and you dare to make fun of me!"

"How could that be? They're a perfect match!"

"Tch!" In the end, it was Su Manshu who blushed deeply.

Xu Xiaomei listened intently from the side, tugging at Su Manshu's arm and shaking it: "Sister Manshu, is my brother really that amazing? He told me before that he published a novel in Harvest, and I thought he was just bragging!"

“Yes, you can write about ‘My Writer Brother Xu Chengjun’ in your college entrance exam essay,” Su Manshu joked from the side.

"Really! You can write it like that!"

The four of them found a table by the window. Just as Xu Chengjun was about to go get the food, Lin Yimin stood up first: "Comrade Chengjun, I'll go! You sit with Sister Manshu and Sister Xiaomei. It's my treat today!"

He was really "tortured".

The relationship between Su Manshu, who has always been elegant and refined, and Xu Chengjun, a writer of the same generation whom she currently admires most, is shrouded in mystery!

Run!

Xu Chengjun was about to stop him, but Su Manshu pulled him back: "Let him go, he doesn't need that little bit of money."

When Lin Yimin returned with the food, Xu Xiaomei looked at the braised pork on the plate and suddenly exclaimed, "Brother, this braised pork looks beautiful!"

The cafeteria worker happened to be passing by, and it just so happened to be the same worker who had served Xu Chengjun's meal last time. Hearing this, he laughed and replied, "Meat has to be as beautiful as people!"

"What's your name, student? I saw you saying you were going to take the entrance exam for Fudan University a while ago, and now you've already been accepted. That's impressive!" the head chef asked Xu Chengjun with a smile.

"Just call me Xu Chengjun, Master."

When the students at the surrounding tables heard the name "Xu Chengjun," they all looked over curiously.

On this day, the news that writer Xu Chengjun had been admitted to Fudan University had already spread, and even showed a tendency to spread to other schools.

A bespectacled boy approached, holding up a copy of "Poetry Journal": "Are you Xu Chengjun, the author of 'Look'? Can I ask you how you came up with the phrase 'the amber light formed by scooping up light'?"

Xu Xiaomei sat to the side, watching her brother being surrounded by people asking him about poetry, and then she remembered what Lin Yimin had just said: "Comrade Cheng Jun's 'Granary' is sparking heated discussions in the national literary circles."

Suddenly, she leaned close to Su Manshu's ear and whispered, "Sister Manshu, it turns out my brother really is a great writer! He told me before that 'people in Shanghai asked him for autographs,' but I didn't believe him!" Su Manshu suppressed a laugh and put a piece of braised pork in Xu Xiaomei's bowl: "Your brother wasn't bragging. Last time at Green Wave Corridor, there were girls chasing after him asking for autographs."

The taste is a bit sour.

Xu Chengjun finally managed to get rid of the students who wanted to ask him about poetry. When he sat back down at the table, he saw Xu Xiaomei staring at him with a smile, her eyes full of admiration: "Brother, when I tell my classmates 'My brother is Xu Chengjun,' they'll be so envious!"

Lin Yimin nodded in agreement, "That's for sure! Comrade Cheng Jun is now at Fudan University, even more famous than the old professor!"

"Stop!"

Helpless, Xu Chengjun picked up a piece of braised pork and stuffed it into Xu Xiaomei's bowl: "Eat yours quickly, or your food will get cold."
-
In the blink of an eye, half a month at Fudan University has quietly passed.

The revision of "Red Silk" has been successfully completed. On the 1st, Xu Chengjun specially sent the manuscript to Hefei by registered mail.

He went to the post office with his roommate, Cheng Yongxin.

Cheng Yongxin's trip was to send a letter to his hometown in Zhejiang. It was also at that time that Xu Chengjun officially decided to publish his novel "Red Silk" in the magazine "Qingming".

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yongxin, speaking from experience, kindly advised: "Chengjun, your previous works were all published in magazines like *Anhui Literature* and *Harvest*. You should continue to focus on top-tier national publications. Even if you don't choose *Harvest*, at least aim for something like *October*."

At that time, Cheng Yongxin did not realize the future significance of "Qingming" in the Chinese literary world, and regarded it as just an ordinary publication.

Xu Chengjun patiently explained the positioning of "Qingming" to him, mentioning that the magazine had an inscription by Mr. Mao Dun, and added: "This is the inaugural issue. I am already very grateful to have such a platform to publish my work."

These words silenced Cheng Yongxin instantly.

Xu Chengjun, seemingly oblivious, continued to add insult to injury: "Thank you for your suggestion, but I will still prioritize submitting my future works to Harvest."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yongxin remained silent for an even longer time.

Xu Chengjun chuckled to himself: Who told you to reject my manuscript in your past life?

Although it was approved later, the previous rejection is still a rejection!
Cheng Yongxin's status in later literary circles was also extraordinary.

This roommate is not only a future senior editor of Harvest magazine, but also the author of the documentary work "A Personal Literary History".

In his past life, Cheng Yongxin had a widely circulated saying in literary circles: "Only those who can publish three novels in Harvest can be considered true writers."

Xu Chengjun: In this lifetime, I'll make you watch me publish three articles in Harvest!
Over the past two weeks, the roommates of Room 201 have gradually arrived.

In addition to Cheng Yongxin from Zhejiang, there are also Li Jihai from Heilongjiang (a student from the "Old Three Classes"), Hu Zhi from Sichuan, Zhou Haibo from Beijing, and Lin Yimin from Shanghai.

The dormitory didn't follow the old custom of "ranking students by their generational names," partly because such a rule was rare in universities these days.

Secondly, Xu Chengjun was among the six people.

He is not only famous, but also a graduate student. It would seem awkward if someone called him "Third Brother" and someone else called him "Senior Brother".

Everyone tacitly agreed not to bring it up.

On the first day that all the roommates arrived, Lin Yimin, a local tycoon, took the initiative to treat everyone to a "feast" at the international student cafeteria—a truly extravagant meal given the circumstances at the time.

At the dinner, everyone chatted about everything under the sun, from their hometowns and literature to their country and their own future.

When the mood struck him, Zhou Haibo even composed a poem on the spot.

"When I was a child, I thought I could pluck the stars from the sky; now I'd rather not."

"If the Jade Emperor knows what's good for him, he'll personally send me down!"

He drank it, and on the spot, he even asked Xu Chengjun, the only person present who could be considered a poet, to give his opinion.

Xu Chengjun: Zhang Zongchang's eldest disciple.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Among the six, Li Jihai and Hu Zhi came from slightly poorer families, but they were both emotionally intelligent. They always unconsciously centered around Xu Chengjun and got along well with everyone.

However, when people from all over the country gather together, minor frictions are inevitable.

Lin Yimin from Shanghai and Zhou Haibo from Beijing always disliked each other and would bicker from time to time; Zhou Haibo and Hu Zhi often argued heatedly about their literary ideas; Li Jihai was a bit older and more experienced, but his academic foundation was weak. His English score in the initial placement test was almost the lowest among the first-year students in the Chinese department. The quick-witted Cheng Yongxin couldn't help but tease him, making him lose face, and the two had a little tiff.

Fortunately, young people's tempers come and go quickly, and these little disputes disappear in the blink of an eye, never really affecting the atmosphere in the dormitory.

After all, apart from Xu Chengjun, who is actually approaching forty, mediating, youth itself carries a sense of openness and enthusiasm, sincerity and clarity, and a unique purity and magnanimity. Those minor disputes arising from the clash of ideas have become fleeting memories.

Perhaps years later, it will become a source of amusement for writer Li Jihai and editor Cheng Yongxin as they banter with each other in a magazine, and an inspiration for screenwriter Zhou Haibo as he writes a script.
-
9 month 12 day.

The mist from the Huangpu River, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, drifted into the Fudan University campus. The sycamore trees on Handan Road had just sprouted their slightly yellow leaf tips, and the freshmen of the Chinese Department, Class of '79, were already gathering on the playground next to the fourth teaching building, stepping on the fallen sycamore leaves.

They were wearing uniform grass-green military uniforms, with small red collar tabs pinned to their collars, and creases still visible on their cuffs.

This is the third cohort of college students since the resumption of the college entrance examination. Some have just put down their hoes in the countryside, while others have just left the machine tools in the factory. Behind their glasses, their eyes sparkle with longing for the ivory tower, but also hide their trepidation about the new lesson of military training.

Xu Chengjun stood in the queue with a sense of helplessness. Who would have thought that someone who was almost forty years old would have to stand at attention with freshmen?

Zhang Peiheng specifically sought him out for this: "Others can run during military training, but you can't. You've been through the hardships of being sent to the countryside, right?"

Xu Chengjun said helplessly, "Is it absolutely necessary to go?"

Zhang Peiheng: "With whom?"

Where is Senior Brother Chen?

"He participated in it during his freshman year, are you comparing yourself to him?"

Speaking of which, Chen Shangjun lived in the dorm next to his. They were both first-year graduate students when the semester started. Xu Chengjun even asked Zhang Peiheng why they weren't in the same dorm.

"You two are both graduate students, and if you live together, won't it be obvious to everyone that I'm abusing my power for personal gain?"

Xu Chengjun was taken aback: You understand?
The playground is right next to Xianghui Hall, and the dark red brick walls gleam warmly in the sunlight.

The instructor leading the training had just returned from a rotation on the southern border. His skin was so dark it shone, and he shouted slogans with a slight Jiangzhe accent: "Attention! Chinese literature students, you must be able to hold your pens firmly, and you must also be able to hold your guns firmly!"
Standing at attention was the first lesson of the day, and 1979 was no exception.

As the sun climbed into the sky above the courtyard, the concrete ground of the playground became scorching hot. Tiny grains of sand stuck to the soles of shoes, and some students had sweat trickling down their temples, but dared not raise their hands to wipe it away.

There was a boy in the queue wearing round-framed glasses. He had come back from Henan after being sent to the countryside. His military trousers had patches on the knees, and his calves trembled after standing for a long time. He whispered to the classmate next to him, "Look at the eaves of Xianghui Hall. Doesn't it look like the 'cylindrical tile eaves' described in 'Dream of the Red Chamber'?"

Before they could finish speaking, the instructor caught their gaze, and the two quickly straightened their backs, but secretly smiled.

Around lunchtime, Su Manshu came to see Xu Chengjun. Seeing the tense look on Xu Chengjun's face, she couldn't help but smile brightly.

Xu Chengjun caught a glimpse of the funny face Su Manshu was making and almost couldn't hold his breath.

Rolling her eyes as if she hadn't seen anything, Su Manshu smiled and picked up a copy of "Principles of Economics" and sat down by the playground to read it.

Zhou Haibo, a man from Beijing, gestured to Hu Zhi beside him with his lip: "The moon is round. Look at that girl to the north, she's incredibly beautiful, even Zhang Jinling can't compare."

In that era, Zhang Li and Gong Xue, who were highly regarded in later generations, had not yet appeared on the film and television stage.

Besides Liu Xiaoqing, who starred in "Little Flower", Zhang Jinling was one of the most popular actors this year.

This year, the first issue of Popular Cinema after its relaunch featured a still of Zhang Jinling as Liang Qing in "The Great River Flows On". The seventh issue of the same year featured a still of her and Yang Zaibao in "From Slave to General", making her the only female star to appear on the cover of Popular Cinema twice in one year.

"Dogtooth, don't try to demoralize our troops! Don't pull your little Bolshevik tricks!"

Dog Tooth was Zhou Haibo's nickname. Hu Zhi saw the letter from home.

As a result, the name "Dog Tooth" spread throughout the second floor of Songzhuang, and as Zhou Haibo committed more outrageous acts, it was on the verge of spreading further.

"Round Moon" was a nickname given by Zhou Haibo in retaliation against Hu Zhi. Hu Zhi strongly agreed with some of Dr. Hu's views, especially admiring "A Preliminary Proposal for Literary Reform" and its subsequent influence. Because it was somewhat similar to Dr. Hu's name, she was given the nickname "Round Moon".

The two have been locked in a love-hate relationship for over half a month.

Lin Yimin, who was behind him, said, "Look in the mirror and see what a bastard you are. Next time we meet, remember to call her 'sister-in-law'."

"Damn, I won't even need a week to win this girl over, three days, believe it or not, I mean what I say, and a man from Beijing has his pride!"

"What are you chasing after? Do you really want to become Cheng Junlei?"

Northeasterners are known for their outspokenness, and these days Xu Chengjun has been openly and secretly helping this "big brother" from the Northeast. Li Jihai has also witnessed the "unusual" relationship between Xu Chengjun and Su Manshu.

Zhou Haibo was stunned for a long time. He looked at Su Manshu, who was staring at Xu Chengjun, and then at Xu Chengjun, who was rolling his eyes at Su Manshu.

He said sullenly, "Damn it, you big writer, are you trying to kill us all?! You became famous early, you're handsome, and you even got the prettiest girl in school first, huh?"

In 1979, the term "school beauty" was not yet widely used.

Xu Chengjun didn't indulge him: "Envious, huh? You're just a kid!"

Zhou Haibo: If I could out-argue you, I would definitely verbally abuse you to death!

Xu Chengjun's image as a troll is already deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Zhou Haibo is a bit sharp-tongued, but he never gets too angry with you. He's definitely the most hilarious character in 201.

The afternoon assassination training was the most exciting.

The shouts of "Kill! Kill! Kill!" carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms towards Guanghua Building. The Chinese Literature Department students gripped their wooden rifle stocks, their movements slightly stiff.

The instructor then grasped their wrists and corrected them: "When you thrust, you must have momentum! Power!"

There was a girl with braids. During the assassination, her braids swung to the corner of her mouth. Her face turned red, but she continued to shout. Her voice was soft but showed a kind of tenacity.

Later, she wrote in her diary: "'Excitement' is not just an adjective in textbooks, it is a hoarse voice, an aching arm, and the drive that should be present in youth."

As evening exercises ended, the setting sun dyed the sycamore leaves golden red, and the students lined up to walk towards the third canteen, their military boots making a "rustling" sound as they stepped on the fallen leaves.

Some people hummed "Returning from Target Practice," some argued about the marching steps during the day, and others talked about things at home.

The boy from Henan said that when he was sent to the countryside, he read the complete works of Lu Xun under a kerosene lamp. Now he can sit in a classroom at Fudan University to study Chinese and do military training next to Xianghui Hall. "It feels like a dream."

The food in the canteen was simple: plain noodles, vegetable buns, and stir-fried bok choy. But no one complained. Everyone sat around the long table, chatting under the dim light, and even drank the noodle soup clean.

In the evening, the instructors led everyone in singing military songs.

Halfway through the song, Instructor Liu started chuckling: "I heard that we have a great talent and writer in our Chinese department named Xu Chengjun, who can write poetry like it's nothing, but I wonder if he can sing!"

"Okay!" Zhou Haibo was the first to cheer.

"It'll definitely work!" The students of Class 201 led the entire department in shouting.

"Xu Chengjun, sing one!"

"Xu Chengjun, sing one!"

All eyes turned to the Chinese Literature Department, and even students from other grades walking across the playground, as well as those from the Mathematics and Computer Science Departments on either side of the playground, looked over.

Many people have heard the name Xu Chengjun so many times these days that they're sick of it.

Lu Qi, a freshman in the Computer Science department, looked at the Chinese Literature department with a puzzled expression and said to the classmate next to him, "Who is Xu Chengjun? Why is he making such a big fuss?"

"No, you don't even know him?"

(End of this chapter)