Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 260 Borrowing Your Head

The Overseas Chinese Apartments in Huayuan Village were the earliest commercial residential buildings in Yanjing, mainly built to earn foreign exchange, and were also known as "Foreign Exchange Apartments".

The goods are similar to those in the Friendship Store, but you can't pay with RMB, and the prices are higher. Of course, the price is linked to the quality, and the living environment is definitely better than that of a traditional courtyard house.

Of course, not everyone there is an overseas Chinese; mainland Chinese who want to buy can do so through a special approval process. However, the number of specially approved slots is extremely limited.

"The apartments in Muxidi are nice, and the Overseas Chinese Apartments are even better. They're not cheap, so you'd better have the money ready," Cao Yu said with a smile.

Liu Yimin said, "The student still has some money!"

“You don’t know your student well enough. All the writers in the country combined can’t earn as much money as him,” Li Yuru joked.

"Teacher, do you know any overseas Chinese who want to sell their houses?"

“I don’t have much contact with these people, and even those I have, many of them are now descendants of the deceased. You should ask them yourself,” Cao Yu said with emotion.

"Okay, I'll find some time to go and inquire about it!"

After discussing the house, Liu Yimin told him about Yenching University's offer to appoint him as an adjunct professor.

When Cao Yu took Liu Yimin away from Yenching University, he said he would teach some students for Yenching University. At the time, it was just a joke, but now it's time for Yenching University to fulfill his promise.

Seeing Cao Yu hesitate, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "You wouldn't want me to be someone else's student, would you?"

“Of course, those old guys in the Chinese department really hit the nail on the head. I’ll just join Yenching University as an adjunct professor!” Cao Yu said.

"I estimate that Professor Yan from the Chinese Department of Yenching University will personally invite you to the Beijing People's Art Theatre soon!"

Liu Yimin poured Cao Yu a glass of medicinal wine. The wine was almost empty, and he would have to bring two more bottles over in a few days.

Cao Yu made up his mind that when Yan Jiayan came to invite him, he would teach him a lesson for using his own student as a blackmail.

The relationship between graduate students and their supervisors has transcended the so-called teacher-student relationship of undergraduate students; it is a true mentor-apprentice relationship.

If Liu Yimin were to take a few more professors as his mentors, damn it, while others have students all over the world, Liu Yimin would have teachers all over the world.

After dinner, Li Yuru called Wan Fang to tell her the good news. They exchanged a few words, and then Li Yuru handed the phone to Liu Yimin.

"Junior brother, you're amazing! From now on, we should call you Professor Liu!" Wan Fang teased over the phone.

Liu Yimin chuckled: "Yes, Associate Professor Liu!"

"What's with all this talk about 'deputy'? He'll be Professor Liu sooner or later! The Chinese department is really something, having to add the word 'deputy' is just superfluous!" Wan Fang said with a hint of teasing.

Wanfang's husband, who was standing next to her, said something that came clearly into the phone: "Yimin might become the head of the Chinese department in the future. According to you, we should just call him Director Liu now!"

Wan Fang said cheerfully, "Director Liu is fine too!"

"Senior sister, you really are my dear senior sister!"

Wan Fang's tendency to side with relatives regardless of right or wrong is, to be honest, quite comforting to hear the word "relative."

Over the phone, Wan Fang said she would find some time to celebrate with Liu Yimin, but they couldn't have dinner at home.

"Donglaishun, Xilaishun, Quanjude – you can choose whichever you like!"

"Alright, that sounds nice!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yimin sat in his study and listened to Cao Yu's lecture on the way of being a teacher.

Liu Yimin walked out of Muxidi, rubbed his head, and realized that it would still be half a year before he could actually start teaching, and a year before he could become a professor or associate professor.

I leisurely rode my bicycle back to the courtyard house, opened the gate, parked the bicycle, and looked it over in the light of the incandescent bulb.

This bicycle can still be used for a while, but let's not replace the motorcycle yet, let's buy a house first!

Just as it stopped, Sanhua meowed and jumped from the eaves of the west wing onto the ginkgo tree. The sound of the tiles clattering startled Liu Yimin.

He muttered a few curses under his breath, ate a piece of iced watermelon, and then went into the bathroom.

After being exposed to the sun all day, Liu Yimin grimaced from the scalding water in the iron bucket. He quickly washed up and ran back to his room to sleep.

The next morning, after getting up and having breakfast, Liu Yimin started writing in his study, focusing on his novel; his academic paper was less important.

There were many letters from Li Lanyong next to him, which Liu Yimin regarded as important references.

"Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" is a classic novel about frontline warfare, but the author probably already had enough, so Liu Yimin had to find another way.

However, publishing it before "Garland Under the Mountain" is expected to have a similar effect, somewhat like it has stolen the luck of "Garland Under the Mountain".

The reason why "Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" became a hit is not only because of its well-written story, but also because it changed the way military-themed novels are written in this era.

It changed the idealized, perfect hero image of previous military-themed novels, making the heroes more flesh and blood.

Previously, it was a combination of revolutionary optimism and romanticism. But since the appearance of "Garland at the Foot of the Mountain," it no longer focuses solely on the indomitable fighting spirit. Heroes are also human; they get hurt and feel pain, and when they encounter injustice within the military, they will shout out loud.

Zhu Lin finished writing at noon and went home. When he came in, he was no longer cheerful as usual, but looked tired and had a strong work smell on him.

Liu Yimin handed her a slice of watermelon and asked with a smile, "What's wrong, Director Zhu Lin? Are you upset by the actors or the script?"

"Who am I? I'm just an assistant director. Who can I be angry with? Who dares to be angry with me?" Zhu Lin said sarcastically, as if he wanted to choke on his own voice.

"Hahaha!"

Liu Yimin was amused by Zhu Lin's appearance. It seemed that on the first day of formal rehearsals, Director Zhu Lin had not achieved the expected results.

"Teacher Liu, you're still laughing!" Zhu Lin slumped into a chair in the study, her limbs weak and listless, looking utterly devastated.

With his limbs spread wide, Liu Yimin took a few steps forward, startling Zhu Lin so much that he immediately closed his mouth wide, losing all his previous lazy energy.

"What happened? Who bullied you?" Liu Yimin asked gently.

"Well, actually no one bullied me. It's just that I find it really difficult to explain the scenes to the actors. Everyone has their own understanding of the characters. But there are so many actors, and I can't discuss with each one individually. After discussing for ages, we still haven't rehearsed the play!"

What you get on paper is shallow, but you know you have to do it!
"You're the director. You not only need to learn how to communicate with the actors, but also how to make decisions independently. With so many people talking at once, who do you listen to and who do you ignore?"

Liu Yimin sat in a chair and gently lifted Zhu Lin into his arms, using his hands to relax her tired body.

"I'm afraid those veteran actors will say I'm giving bad directions!" Zhu Lin wrapped her arms around Liu Yimin's neck, pressing her head against his chest with a pitiful expression.

“You have to listen to even the most haphazard instructions. You’re the director, not an actor!” Liu Yimin continued.

The main problem is that Zhu Lin lacks experience. If Lan Tianye were directing, they wouldn't be able to keep nagging so much. Experience takes time to build. Once Zhu Lin's first film is successful, directing other films will be much easier.

In this light, Lan Tianye's excessive delegation of authority has both advantages and disadvantages. Lan Tianye didn't even go to the rehearsal hall that morning.

"Teacher Liu, now that you mention it, it does seem to be true."

"Teacher Liu always makes sense. You're the director; if you don't use your power, it'll expire! We've just started, so if any actors don't cooperate, we'll replace them immediately!"

"Yes, change it!" Zhu Lin repeated with a grin, his eyes looking towards the kitchen.

"Okay, I'll go cook. You can rest!"

After Liu Yimin left the study, Zhu Lin changed positions a few times to relax his body. Looking at Liu Yimin busy in the kitchen, he gave him a smug look and then picked up the manuscript to read.

"Teacher Liu's skill level remains as high as ever!"

The kitchen had an electric fan, so cooking wasn't as hot as I'd imagined. The noodles were cooked, rinsed in water, and then topped with the prepared minced meat sauce—it smelled delicious!

In the study, Zhu Lin saw Liu Yimin carrying a bowl and pretending to be exhausted.

Liu Yimin kicked a chair: "Stop pretending, get up and eat!"

"Okay!" Zhu Lin immediately sat up.

Liu Yimin said, "Where did you learn that attitude from?"

"Teacher Liu, I'm not faking it, I'm really tired."

"I'll go to the Beijing People's Art Theatre rehearsal with you this afternoon!"

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. Anyway, I don't have much to do, and I can't just sit in the study all day long!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Great!" Zhu Lin was filled with confidence. After finishing his meal, he thoughtfully wiped Liu Yimin's mouth and ran to the kitchen to wash the dishes with a smile.

In the afternoon, after lunch break, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin rode their bicycles to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. In the alley, some children, seemingly unbothered by the heat, ran around barefoot with their bellies exposed.

In the rehearsal room, most of the actors had already arrived. When Yang Lixin saw Liu Yimin enter, he smiled and asked, "Comrade Yimin, what brings you here?"

"I don't have anything planned for this afternoon. I heard you have a deep understanding of the play 'Button,' so I'd like to hear your insights!" Liu Yimin said with a grin.

Yang Lixin didn't get a lead role, but Zhu Lin still gave him a small part.

At first glance, these words seemed like a compliment, but upon closer examination, Yang Lixin realized there was more to them than met the eye!

"Comrade Yimin!" Pu Cunxi nodded to Liu Yimin and greeted him.

"Rehearse well. This is a reform drama. Although it is not as important as a commemorative drama, we should not take it lightly. We still need to rehearse well."

Teacher Wan and several directors, including Shan Zun, often tell me that the Beijing People's Art Theatre doesn't have small plays or minor roles. They tell me to get ready for rehearsals, and I'll just sit here and watch. Everything is ultimately decided by Director Zhu Lin!

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, a group of actors began to prepare for rehearsal. For ordinary rehearsals, no one wore makeup, otherwise it would be too troublesome and wasteful.

They only put on makeup one by one during important rehearsals.

In the afternoon, the entire stage was very quiet, with almost only Zhu Lin's voice. Liu Yimin glanced around the stage with a grin, and everyone felt that his smile seemed to have a deeper meaning.

In reality, it's just that Comrade Liu Yimin likes to laugh on a regular basis.

With less discussion, rehearsals progressed faster. Zhu Lin watched the actors perform and immediately interrupted them if they didn't act correctly.

The original intention was to make an example of them, but the actors were all very well-behaved, and the opportunity was not found all afternoon.

During a break in rehearsals, Liu Yimin approached Yang Lixin and said, "Excuse me!"

Yang Lixin was completely baffled. When she went back on stage, Zhu Lin replaced her because her shoelaces were not tied properly.

Yang Lixin wanted to argue a bit more, but after seeing Liu Yimin's serious expression, he gave up and understood what was going on after stepping down from the stage.

After rehearsals ended, Pu Cunxi found Yang Lixin and expressed his regret for him. However, Yang Lixin looked cheerful and did not feel any regret about being replaced.

Pu Cunxi was puzzled. Yang Lixin put his arm around his shoulder and patted his head: "You've really become a silly deer while reclaiming wasteland in Northeast China. We're actors, remember to learn more about culture. Go buy a copy of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' when you have time!"

As he spoke, he hummed a tune and left.

As they walked out of the rehearsal room, they saw Ouyang Shanzun and Lan Tianye. Lan Tianye smiled and said, "Yimin, what brings you here?"

"Just wandering around aimlessly!"

Ouyang Shanzun and Lan Tianye exchanged a smile, and Lan Tianye said, "New directors all start like this! With your help, Xiao Zhu is much better off!"

"We'll help you get on your horse, and then we'll see you off for a while!" Liu Yimin said to Lan Tianye in a low voice.

"Hahaha!"

Although he said it in a low voice to Lan Tianye, Ouyang Shanzun, who was standing next to him, also heard it, and the two of them laughed.

"You're called Yimin now, but in another year you'll be Professor Liu. Yimin, we originally wanted you to stay at the Beijing People's Art Theatre!"

"The young dean!"

Liu Yimin said to Lan Tianye, "Don't talk nonsense!"

“Let’s talk to each other. Even if you don’t work at the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, you should come to the theatre often!”

There was considerable opposition within the Chinese Department to Liu Yimin's decision to stay on as an associate professor after graduation.

At the Chinese Department meeting this morning, as soon as the news was announced, some young teaching assistants and lecturers were quite dissatisfied, as there was no precedent for such a thing in the Chinese Department!
Zhu Guangqian said, “A student with a vast body of work, whose works are popular with readers both at home and abroad, do you think it’s appropriate for us to appoint him as a lecturer or teaching assistant? If we bring in writers of equal standing in the literary world today, would we appoint them as teaching assistants or lecturers at Yenching University? Why is it that when it comes to our students, it’s not acceptable?”

Wu Zuxiang slapped the table and said, "The reason why Yenching University is Yenching University is that it dares to be a pioneer and can demonstrate its inclusiveness and free academic style. Moreover, Yenching University is not without precedent. Back then, Chen Han returned to China at the age of 27 and was directly appointed as a professor by President Yuanpei."

The teaching style is lively and humorous, and the students love it!

"Chen Han is Chen Han, and Liu Yimin is Liu Yimin. Writing is writing, lecturing is lecturing, and being a professor are two different things!"

“How can they be two different things? I think they’re the same thing. Who among you thinks that lecturing can attract more students than Liu Yimin? Why don’t we hold a class and see who gets more students?” Zhu Guangqian said.

Some people lowered their heads, while others stubbornly insisted on competing, giving off a "I could do it too" vibe!

(End of this chapter)