My era, 1979!

Chapter 195 - No, I mean, what threesome~ (Still 1.1 words, please vote, please follow!)
"Xu-san is as cool as ever!"

Kuroyanagi winked playfully, restoring the show's relaxed atmosphere. She addressed the audience with a gossipy and teasing tone, "Oh dear, I'm already starting to worry. After tonight's episode airs, how many young Japanese girls will have their hearts stolen by this handsome, talented, and guitar-playing writer from China?"

"Hahaha--"

The audience burst into good-natured, understanding laughter, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

"So, to conclude today's program," Kuroyanagi smoothly steered the conversation back to the main topic, "we would like to once again solemnly recommend Mr. Xu Chengjun's work—'The Unbreakable Red Silk'! This book will be officially released in 5 days by Iwanami Shoten in major bookstores nationwide and at designated sales points of its 'Iwanami Bunko' series!"

She picked up the sample book, showed it to the camera, and said in a sincere and infectious tone, "I want to emphasize again that I have really read it! It is really, really good! Perhaps, through today's conversation, you have already personally felt Mr. Xu Chengjun's unparalleled creative talent and depth of thought without me saying more."

Just then, a scene director strode over to Kuroyanagi and whispered a few words in her ear. A look of surprise flashed across Kuroyanagi's face, followed by an extremely amused smile, as if she had caught some "big news."

"Ah~ wait, wait!"

She called out to Xu Chengjun, who was about to give his final summary, her face beaming with the excitement of a little girl discovering a secret. "I suddenly received a 'tip,' and there's one last 'gossip' question!"

She turned to Xu Chengjun, her eyes sparkling, "Our sharp-eyed staff noticed that before coming to our program, Ms. Xu was walking into TBS with Ms. Matsuzaka Keiko, who is known as the 'Last Beauty of the Showa Era'! It seems the two of you are quite familiar with each other~"

She deliberately drew out her words, pressing on with a mischievous smile, "Shouldn't you explain something here? Could it be... that there's some beautiful story about you and our national beauty that we don't know about?"

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers and curious glances.

Upon hearing this, Xu Chengjun smiled helplessly and rubbed his forehead, then offered a simple explanation: "Ms. Kuroyanagi, everyone, please don't misunderstand. Ms. Matsuzaka Keiko and I just happened to meet at the TV station today and came in together. That's all, just normal courtesy between friends."

He did not elaborate on the details to avoid unintentional interpretation by the media.

Japanese media at that time were no different from Hong Kong media.

"Eh—?" Kuroyanagi deliberately dragged out the sound, persisting, "That doesn't stop it from being the beginning of a beautiful encounter!"

Faced with this well-intentioned "probing," Xu Chengjun smiled nonchalantly and responded in a tone that was both humorous and firm: "Then I'm afraid it will sadden a girl from my hometown and disappoint Ms. Matsuzaka's fans."

"Wait, something's not right? Maybe it's happiness?"

He paused, then looked gently at the camera, as if speaking softly to someone in the distance.

"Where I came from, there was a girl. We chose each other, it was that simple."

"For me, love isn't about picking and choosing; it's about knowing that this is the one. She's willing to believe in me and walk this path with me, even though it might not be easy."

His voice was steady, carrying a quiet firmness.

"Then I will continue on this path and live up to this trust."

The words fell silent for a moment. There were no flowery words, yet they were more sincere than any vow. Someone clapped first, and then, a soft chorus of understanding applause filled the air.

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi also dropped her joking expression, her eyes revealing genuine approval. She said softly, "That... is truly a sincere and precious feeling."

She knew that ending the conversation here would be perfect.

"Alright!" She glanced at the time, then flashed a bright smile at the camera. "Happy times always fly by, and it's time to say goodbye again!"

As the classic closing melody gently began, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, along with Seijun Xu, Kenzaburo Oe, and Ryotaro Shiba, rose to their feet.

"This concludes this episode of 'Tetsuko's Little House'! Many thanks again to Mr. Xu Chengjun, the renowned Chinese writer and academic genius from Fudan University! Thanks to writer Kenzaburo Oe! Thanks to historical novelist Ryotaro Shiba! Thank you for watching!"

"I am Tetsuko Kuroyanagi!"

(They bow together)
"さようなら～またTomorrow!" (Goodbye~See you tomorrow!)

The lights dimmed, and the camera zoomed out.

But everyone knew that the ripples stirred up that night were only just beginning to spread. Xu Chengjun's name, along with his thoughts, talent, and demeanor, would surely resonate throughout Japan via the radio waves.

The studio lights switched from bright recording mode to ordinary lighting, and the magic that isolated us from the outside world seemed to dissipate as well.

As the recording of "Tetsuko's Little House" came to an end, the staff began to pack up the equipment in an orderly manner. Under the guidance of the staff, the audience reluctantly left one after another, leaving behind a lingering atmosphere of excitement and sadness.

Kenzaburo Oe was the first to stand up. He straightened his slightly wrinkled chunky knit sweater, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but his eyes still held an undiminished excitement.

He walked up to Xu Chengjun and shook his hand firmly:

"Mr. Xu, tonight was truly...unforgettable. Your remarks and that song gave me a lot to think about. I'm sorry, I have an appointment with my editor tonight to discuss my new book manuscript, so I have to go now."

He spoke sincerely, "I look forward to our next closed-door dialogue and hope to have a more in-depth exchange."

"Mr. Dajiang, you're too kind. Please take care. We'll talk again another day." Xu Chengjun bowed slightly.

Immediately afterwards, Ryotaro Shiba also stood up.

His face was even more somber than when he arrived, as if weighed down by thick clouds. He didn't look at Xu Chengjun again, but simply nodded slightly to Ma Chang Gongyi, who came to greet him.

Baba wore a professional, slightly apologetic smile and said in a low voice, "Mr. Shiba, thank you for your hard work today. The program was very impactful... Iwanami Shoten is extremely grateful. Regarding the promotion of your new work, we will arrange it with the highest level of support."

Ryotaro Shiba gave a soft "hmm" through his nose as a response.

He clearly understood what Baba meant by "impact" and knew that Iwanami's subsequent "arrangements" were a form of compensation and appeasement.

Without saying anything more, he glanced at Xu Chengjun out of the corner of his eye, his expression complex and unreadable, and then turned and left the rest area with slightly heavy steps.

Seeing the two distinguished guests leave, Maba Koichi immediately led Fujii Shozo to Xu Chengjun.

Baba's excitement was almost uncontrollable; he rubbed his hands together, his tone full of amazement and flattery:

"Mr. Xu! A divine performance! A divine performance! It was simply...perfect! Of all the writers I've worked with in Baba, you're the only one who can achieve this kind of effect in your first television appearance! This is no longer a simple TV interview; this is a cultural 'event'!" (An event refers to something with significant social impact.)
Xu Chengjun had just received the Gibson J-45 guitar case, which had been carefully wiped clean, from the staff. Hearing this, he simply smiled nonchalantly, slung the case over his shoulder, and said naturally, "Mr. Baba, you flatter me. I just said what I wanted to say and sang a song that was appropriate for the occasion. It was Ms. Kuroyanagi and the production team who created the atmosphere."

His nonchalant attitude made Baba feel that this young man was unfathomable.

At this moment, Fujii Shozo squeezed forward, panting, his face flushed with a mixture of frustration and extreme excitement; he had clearly run all the way here.

"Mr. Xu! Mr. Xu! I'm so sorry! I just rushed over here after urgently communicating with the printing plant and bookstores about the details of reprinting and distributing the new book... I completely missed your amazing performance at the end! I only heard a snippet on the backstage monitor... Mr. Baba already told me it was so stunning! With such a performance, plus the depth of thought and personal charm you showed in today's interview, it's no wonder 'Red Silk' is a hit!"

Fujii was so excited!
In the Japanese publishing industry in the 1980s, literary translators held a very high status, especially those who collaborated with top academic publishers like Iwanami Shoten.

A translator who successfully translates a bestselling or award-winning foreign literary work will have their name closely associated with the original author, gaining extremely high academic prestige and cultural capital.

Moreover, in terms of income, in addition to the considerable translation fees, the most important thing is the royalty sharing!

If he can establish a solid cooperative relationship with Xu Chengjun, a young literary superstar with unlimited potential, Fujii Shozo, as Xu Chengjun's "official translator" and early discoverer and promoter in Japan, will see his status in the academic and publishing circles rise accordingly, and his future will be limitless!
The thought that Xu Chengjun was only twenty years old and that his future literary path was still incredibly long made Fujii feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Looking at the excited Fujii, Xu Chengjun smiled gently and said, "Fujii-kun, thank you for your hard work in preparing for the new book's release. The fate of this book in Japan largely depends on your accurate communication."

Baba glanced at his watch; it was almost six in the evening. He slapped his forehead suddenly. "Ah! Mr. Xu, I'm so sorry! I'm afraid I can't have dinner with you tonight. The recording tonight went so well, it was a godsend! I have to contact all the media outlets immediately: *Weekly Bunshun*, *Friday*, *Focus*, and the culture sections of *Asahi Shimbun* and *Yomiuri Shimbun*... I need them to subtly 'leak' tonight's highlights, especially your last song and some of the sharp dialogue, to ignite the buzz ahead of time!"

Weekly Bunshun was a well-known entertainment, gossip, and news weekly in Japan during the 80s.
A shrewd glint flashed in his eyes, and a series of sensational and eye-catching headlines were already forming in his mind:

"The noble son of China, the story of "Tetsuko nobuya""! 》

"Beautiful and talented writer, Nora katatakaheira and Nora praying are singing hotly!" 》

"Shima Ryotaro's family is so deep!" ? Straight Talk of China's New Generation"

"The Literary World's Novel is Born!"そのルックスとthoughts are boiling in Japan! 》

This combination of techniques is what he usually uses.

By leveraging the sensationalism and rapid dissemination of tabloids to attract viewers to the program and its subjects, and then using in-depth or controversial reports from mainstream media to elevate its style and generate discussion, all the attention is ultimately converted into real book sales.

This time, he anticipates that the effect of targeting Xu Chengjun, a "perfect subject" who possesses good looks, talent, topicality, and intellectual depth, will be unprecedented!
Just then, a slender figure walked gracefully towards them; it was Matsuzaka Keiko.

With a perfectly measured smile on her face, she stopped abruptly upon seeing Baba and Fujii, bowed slightly, and greeted them in a tone that was both slightly reserved and sweet, befitting a junior meeting a senior or industry authority.
"Good evening, Mr. Baba. Hello, Mr. Fujii." Her manners were impeccable, fully demonstrating the respect that a junior in the Japanese entertainment industry has for a senior in the cultural world.

Upon seeing Matsuzaka Keiko, Baba's shrewd and eager expression instantly transformed into a knowing yet ambiguous smile. He gave Xu Chengjun a meaningful look and immediately changed his words:
"Ah, Ms. Matsuzaka! Mr. Xu, it seems that having Fujii accompany you to dinner tonight is indeed somewhat inappropriate! It was my oversight."

He winked at Xu Chengjun, "You and Ms. Matsuzaka can go to the 'Yoshiya' ryotei in Ginza. I've already made arrangements, and all expenses will be charged to our Iwanami Shoten! Please enjoy yourselves!"

He sneered inwardly. What "girl from his hometown"? What young writer who talked so eloquently about his ideals of family and country and cultural principles on the show?

Having spent decades in the publishing industry, how many so-called "rising stars" and "pure writers" had he seen? Which one of them, after becoming famous, didn't write profound or pure love stories while simultaneously indulging in frivolous pleasures with actresses, models, or even bar hostesses in Ginza clubs or high-class restaurants?

To say nothing of the distant past, there is Junichi Watanabe, who wrote about "pure love" so vividly in works such as "Paradise Lost" and was regarded as a master of love by countless housewives. His scandalous affairs of abandoning his wife and having affairs with many women are well known within the Bungei Shunju Publishing House.
And then there's Yukio Mishima, who gained worldwide fame for "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" and is hailed as a master of the postwar school with his strong style. His private life, including his addiction to host clubs and his entanglements with many handsome young men, has long been an open secret in the industry and has even become part of his aesthetics!

Not to mention the highly respected Mr. Inoue Yasushi, famous for his historical novels, who, in his youth, was also... and Akiyuki Nosaka, famous for "Grave of the Fireflies," with his chaotic private life...

He didn't believe Xu Chengjun was truly a saint who was detached from worldly affairs and unmoved by temptation.

Keiko Matsuzaka is a top-tier actress who is currently very popular and has a superb appearance and figure. Now that she is taking the initiative to show her affection, which man would not be tempted? These writers have two faces, one on stage and one off stage.

The saying "the writing reflects the person" is just a lie to fool readers!
The ideals, purity, and profundity they depicted in their writings were never at odds with the things they did below the waistband.

Upon hearing this, Fujii's face immediately showed a hint of disappointment.

He really wanted to take advantage of the dinner to have a deeper conversation with Xu Chengjun and solidify their "revolutionary friendship".

Xu Chengjun, however, seemed oblivious to Baba's ambiguous gaze. He first smiled and nodded at Matsuzaka Keiko, then turned around, very naturally placing his hand on Fujii Shozo's shoulder, and said to Baba and Matsuzaka Keiko:

“Mr. Baba, I appreciate your kind offer. However, Mr. Fujii is a very important friend of mine, just like Mr. Lu Xun and Mr. Kanzo Uchiyama. They are like-minded partners and friends. Of course, Fujii cannot be absent from this dinner.”

Upon hearing this, Fujii Shozo was stunned. A surge of overwhelming flattery instantly coursed through his body. He stared at Xu Chengjun, almost unable to believe his ears—

I... I was actually compared to Mr. Uchiyama Kanzo by Mr. Xu?
Is he really that important... a friend?

Especially after experiencing Xu Chengjun's grand performance, Xu Chengjun's personal image in his mind is almost mythical!
Xu Chengjun then turned to Matsuzaka Keiko, whose smile was slightly stiff, and introduced her: "Ms. Matsuzaka, this is Mr. Fujii Shozo, a young scholar from the University of Tokyo and the translator of the Japanese version of my work 'Red Silk.' He is a very talented sinologist and an indispensable partner of mine in Japan."

He spoke sincerely, both praising Fujii and explaining why he insisted on inviting him.

What could Keiko Matsuzaka say? Maintaining a polite smile, she bowed slightly: "Hello, Mr. Fujii. It's a pleasure to dine with you, Mr. Xu and Mr. Fujii." (Yes, I understand. It's a pleasure to dine with you, Mr. Xu and Mr. Fujii.)
However, a hint of bitterness and helplessness, as if the plan had been disrupted, inevitably flashed through the depths of his eyes.

What was originally planned as a dinner for two looks like it's going to turn into a dinner for three.

Oh no, what threesome?
It scared me to death!
The atmosphere inside the private room of the "Yoshiya" ryotei in Ginza was surprisingly harmonious.

The exquisite kaiseki dishes were served one by one. For Xu Chengjun, who had tasted all kinds of cuisines in his previous life, the Japanese food of the 1980s was certainly made with fresh ingredients and the techniques were exquisite, but the taste was ultimately light and elegant.

For his palate, which has been spoiled by all the rich, oily, and complex seasonings of modern times, trying something new occasionally is a pleasure, but when it comes to lasting satisfaction, perhaps nothing beats a bowl of steaming hot, perfectly balanced braised pork belly with white rice.

However, if there is a lack of delicious food, then beautiful women and "loyal ministers" will make up for it.

Keiko Matsuzaka had clearly dressed up carefully, having taken off her slightly formal daytime coat and wearing a well-tailored light purple kimono that made her skin look even whiter and her neck longer.

After a few cups of mellow "Dassai" sake, a blush rose on her fair cheeks, and her eyes sparkled with allure.

Xu Chengjun was knowledgeable and skilled in the art of conversation. He casually threw out a few humorous anecdotes that had been verified by later generations, and with slight modifications to fit the current context, he made her laugh so hard she was doubled over, her laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells.

She laughed so hard her body trembled, and without realizing it, the strict cross-collar of her kimono seemed to loosen a little, the slightly open neckline vaguely revealing her delicate collarbone and a hint of alluring, snow-white cleavage, exuding a silent invitation under the dim light, enough to make any normal man's heart race and his desire stir.

Meanwhile, Fujii Shozo was completely under Xu Chengjun's thumb with his words.

Xu Chengjun did not deliberately ask him what he had done, but focused on affirming his "indispensable" value.

“Mr. Fujii,” Xu Chengjun poured him a glass of wine, speaking sincerely, “I have carefully read the translation of ‘Red Silk’. Many subtle details are handled extremely well, especially the sense of historical weight and the delicacy of personal emotions. Only someone who is deeply versed in the essence of the cultures and literature of both countries could do this. It is my good fortune that we chose each other.”

He actually watched it.

He also knew that Fujii was not the only one who had contributed to this; Maruyama Sei must have played a significant role behind the scenes.

However, this is not the right time to say it.

He patted Fujii on the shoulder and said in a low voice, almost as if entrusting him with a heavy responsibility, "My future literary journey in Japan cannot be separated from a like-minded partner like you. There are some ideas and plans that I can only truly feel at ease entrusting to you."

These seemingly casual words carried immense weight in Fujii's ears.

He seemed to have been injected with a powerful dose of adrenaline; his previous scholarly restraint was instantly replaced by surging passion. His face flushed red, and he gripped his wine glass tightly, so excited he almost swore an oath of loyalty: "Mr. Xu! Please rest assured! I, Fujii Shozo, will do my utmost to live up to your trust! Whether it's translation or any other matter, I will do whatever you ask, even at the cost of my life!"

He seemed to already see himself as Xu Chengjun's "chief spokesperson" in Japan, and how he would become famous in academic circles and enjoy a high status as this literary superstar rose to prominence.

He was so excited by the meal that he couldn't wait to go back and work through the night to contribute to Xu Jun's great cause.

hey~
Xu Chengjun watched the scene before him with a smile; the beautiful woman was alluringly drunk, and his younger brother was utterly loyal.

He skillfully controlled the pace of the conversation, sometimes joking with Keiko Matsuzaka, eliciting glances from her beautiful eyes; at other times, he encouraged Fujii, giving him plenty of motivation.

Life's pleasures seem to be nothing more than this.

By the time Xu Chengjun politely declined Matsuzaka Keiko's suggestion to "go for another drink" and returned to the New Otani Hotel accompanied by Fujii, it was already late at night.

After saying goodbye to the still excited Fujii, he stood alone in the hotel courtyard.

Looking up, the neon lights of downtown Tokyo cannot completely obscure the clarity of the winter night sky. The Milky Way, like a ribbon, is scattered across the sky like shattered diamonds, echoing the sea of ​​lights in the distant city. A sense of loneliness arises amidst the hustle and bustle.

(End of this chapter)