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

Chapter 262 Liberating Thought from "Buttons"
In Zhu's father's study, he pointed to the homework on the table and began to tell Liu Yimin about the hardships of being a teacher.

Liu Yimin flipped through a few pages, but unfortunately, they were science and engineering topics that he couldn't understand.

"Being a teacher, especially a university teacher, sounds impressive and respectable, but in reality, many university teachers live in poverty. Their meager salaries are barely enough to support a family."

When Zhu's father remembered that Liu Yimin received royalties, he swallowed back what he was about to say.

Liu Yimin had several books on his desk in the study. The desk was a regular large desk. Liu Yimin smiled and said, "Uncle, your desk is missing something. Put some green plants on it to make it look more lively."

"There used to be an asparagus fern, which I found with great difficulty, but it's dead!"

Upon hearing the name "Asparagus fern," Liu Yimin had a sudden realization, remembering the asparagus fern that Zhu Lin had given him on his desk.

However, I was relieved to hear that it was dead, which meant it wasn't just one plant.

"So what if she's dead? Linlin had to throw away the porcelain pot she used to grow the asparagus fern. Sigh, it's my fault too. I didn't explain to her clearly that the porcelain pot was no ordinary thing!"

"Ok?"

Liu Yimin's heart began to pound. Luckily, Zhu's father had never been to his own courtyard house. If he had, he would probably have been overjoyed to have Wenzhu back!

"Yimin, what do you think of this article I wrote? Doesn't it resemble a thick, old-fashioned novel from old Beijing?" Zhu's father didn't notice Liu Yimin's gaze, but instead showed him his manuscript.

Liu Yimin finished reading the novel, which was over 20,000 words long, even while holding his nose.

Finally, he handed the manuscript to Zhu's father: "Uncle, it's very well written, but it needs to be revised before it can be published?"

"Oh?" Mr. Zhu's interest was piqued. He quickly put on his glasses, feeling as if he had found a kindred spirit: "Where does it need to be changed?"

“The first seven or eight paragraphs need to be revised, and the last few paragraphs also need to be revised!” Liu Yimin said.

"So you mean if we change the beginning and the end, we don't need to change the middle part of the story?" Zhu's father asked.

"Um...actually...it would be best to change it!"

"."

Finally, Zhu's father threw down his pen and refused to make any changes. After Liu Yimin left, he started thinking about it again.

Zhu's mother leaned against the door frame and laughed, "You're a science and engineering professor, and all you think about is literature, not how to improve science and technology. Literature is for you to do!"

"Zhenzhen, you can't say that, never mind!"

Zhu Lin escorted Liu Yimin to the outside of the courtyard. Liu Yimin turned around and asked, "What about the asparagus fern in my study?"

Seeing that he had discovered it, Zhu Lin said guiltily, "My dad doesn't usually water it, so the asparagus fern is practically dying. I might as well give it to you!"

"Judging from what Uncle said earlier, that porcelain jar containing the asparagus fern doesn't seem to be an ordinary object!"

"How could that be? It's just an ordinary thing. My dad must be making it up."

"Then, what about the artificial hill?"

"Hey, it's just a broken rock. My dad put it in the cupboard, and it hasn't seen the light of day in ages!"

After seeing Liu Yimin off, Zhu Lin patted his chest, looked up at the lit-up apartment upstairs, and tiptoed up.

Seeing that Zhu's father was acting as usual, she knew that she hadn't been discovered yet, so she pretended to be nonchalant and went back to her bedroom to sleep.

I'll find another opportunity to explain to my father later!

My mind was preoccupied with how to meet Liu's parents during the winter break. Just a while ago, I was saying how nervous I was about Liu's first visit, and now it's my turn. The more I thought about it, the less I could sleep.

I've imagined all sorts of scenarios.

As an actress, she firmly believes that the longer the rehearsal time, the smoother the performance on stage.

On October 1st, with the arrival of National Day, the short story "The Button" was officially published.

At the end of "The Button," Cui Daoyi added a note: "Literary works that take a downward perspective in reform literature shift the focus of reform from the big picture to the small corners that are closely related to our lives. The subtle changes in the small town and rural vendors show that reform and opening up have already brought tremendous impact to people's lives in the corners that are not noticed."

The title "Button" may seem strange at first glance, and people may even wonder how "Button" could be the title of a novel. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that "Button" is the main theme of this novel.

Looking down at the buttons on my clothes, I realized how much more convenient it is to buy them now than before.

Not only are they convenient, but they also come in a wider variety of styles, with many designs that have never been seen before.

Nowadays, people don't pay much attention to buttons. In the past, when people mainly made clothes by their own hands and sewing machines, they always wanted to choose some nice buttons to decorate their plain clothes.

State media published commentaries in newspapers such as "Firmly Upholding the Determination to Reform and Opening Up from a 'Button'" and "Government Departments at All Levels Should Actively Study Higher-Level Policies and Convey the Latest Policy Spirit to the People."

The China Youth Daily published a commentary titled "Young People Should Be Pioneers of Reform: Changing Their Lives with Their Own Hands."

Young people should take "Zhang Huamei" as a role model and forge their own path.

There is no distinction between high and low status in work; let's break away from the sole focus on "work unit"!

One newspaper even published a news story about a group of young people selling large bowls of tea at Daqianmen, which successfully solved the employment problem for 25 unemployed youths. On the first day, they sold more than 3,000 bowls of tea and earned more than 60 yuan. The newspaper called on everyone to learn from them.

Local newspapers are also actively seeking out such examples, urging unemployed youth to find their own jobs.

Reforms and solutions to unemployment both align with the directives from above, so we must leverage the influence of literature to promote them effectively in society.

Tell those unemployed young people who have returned to the city and are still relying on their parents to support themselves to stop thinking about going to factories or companies, to support themselves, and to change their mindset.

However, the novel "The Button" has truly inspired many people and changed some people's views.

Parents who believe in prioritizing their workplace and disdaining individualism throughout their lives are particularly stubborn and restrict their children even more severely than traditional rules and regulations.

Whenever something gets involved with newspapers and calls to action, everything changes. It's not that things fundamentally change, but rather that people find a good reason to justify them.

When arguing with someone, you can use a newspaper to retort.

Some young people who worked as street vendors suffered greatly from discrimination. Many of them were moved after reading the article and posted big-character posters to thank Liu Yimin. Liang Sanhulu, who sold candied hawthorns and also worked as a scalper at the entrance of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, was so excited when he saw Liu Yimin that he hugged him. Unfortunately, it was not the season for candied hawthorns, so he could not give them to Liu Yimin. He promised to give Liu Yimin the first candied hawthorn he made in winter.

The simple sentiment behind the candied hawthorns deeply moved Liu Yimin. Liang Sanhulu had made some money in the past few years and was planning to open a shop near the Beijing People's Art Theatre, but he didn't know what to do.

Liu Yimin told him that if he had connections to get small commodities from the supply and marketing cooperative, he could open a small commodity store.

If you can't get it, just pretend he didn't say anything.

Liang Sanhu took it seriously and actually went to ask, but it's unclear whether he got it or not.

Zhang Huamei, who lives far away in Wenzhou, was also praised by the local newspaper. Many people would buy buttons from her instead of anything else, which made her a lot of money.

When all the buttons were sold out, she had no more buttons to sell, so she greeted and chatted with everyone.

A steady stream of people approached her with magazines, asking if the woman in the magazine was Zhang Huamei.

She smiled and nodded as she chatted with everyone, proudly telling them that she knew Comrade Liu Yimin and that the two had even exchanged telegrams!

Seeing that she had sold out of her own buttons and her friend couldn't sell theirs, she offered to help her friend sell them without asking for a share.

Even though it's not their own product, it's still selling like hotcakes.

When the night was deep and quiet, the two walked home, marveling at the power of the novel.

"Everyone's gone crazy buying buttons because of the novel. Writer Liu writes so well, and he sells buttons so well too. If he were to sell buttons, he could make a penny for every ten buttons he sells. If he did it for a year, Writer Liu would be rich!"

The two girls, carrying baskets, sighed.

Zhang Huamei wearily pounded her back with her hand and said in a hoarse voice, "I never expected that even bad buttons would be bought. I don't want to sell them, and the buyers don't agree!"

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

"If we ever get the chance to go to Beijing, we must visit Writer Liu's house to express our gratitude!"

"Haha, the money we've earned isn't even enough for train tickets! Reporter Yu said it takes several days to get to Yanjing by train!"

The two of them dreamed of a bright future selling buttons. That night, under the moonlight, Zhang Huamei thought about how she could expand her business and earn more steamed buns.

Unable to sleep in the middle of the night, I ran out of bed, found my individual business license, hugged it to my chest, and started daydreaming.

When Liu Yimin arrived at Yenching University, a discussion broke out in the university's triangular area about whether such a small gadget as a "button" could be considered a reform!
Some people recognized Liu Yimin and stopped him to talk. Liu Yimin told them that the reform was a top-down reform, a deep and multifaceted reform. The shadow of the reform could be seen in everything from "buttons" to people's clothing, food, housing, transportation, and even haircuts and baths.

After finishing his speech, Liu Yimin returned to his dormitory.

In the dormitory, a group of people were also discussing. Li Lanyong sighed that Liu Yimin's novel was very popular, and even several people from the security department wanted to go out and work.

Li Lanyong told them about the money he earned from odd jobs, and they all felt it was better than the fixed salary they received from the school.

Of course, the security guards with permanent positions don't think that way. Some of the temporary workers might have this thought, but the idea of ​​potentially becoming permanent staff in the future makes them hesitate.

"You don't know, Yimin's novels have always been like this, this is nothing. Last year at the freshman orientation ceremony, Yimin gave a speech. All the students at Yenching University were holding his books, it was a sea of ​​people, with drums and gongs. You think that's all?"

Liu Zhenyun said in a pretentious manner.

"Don't hold it in, just tell me!" Li Lanyong asked.

“Students from the Normal University, the University of Science and Technology, and Renmin University all came; the playground was packed. When they left, everyone was shouting that they wanted to see Yimin, and they wouldn’t leave until they saw him!” Chen Dazhi said.

Liu Zhenyun looked at Chen Dazhi with dissatisfaction; this guy always interrupted him.

"Stop blowing it! Next time you blow it, close the door. I feel embarrassed if someone hears it!" Liu Yimin knocked on the dormitory door and said helplessly.

"What are you embarrassed about? It's not fake!" Liu Zhenyun said with a smile.

"Professor Yan's class is this afternoon, why are you here so early?"

"Hey, Professor Yan still wants to see the paper, right? I'll take it to him in a bit!" Liu Yimin sat on the bed to rest for a while; he was really getting tired from all the kicking.

Li Lanyong handed Liu Yimin a bottle of soda, and Liu Yimin asked with a smile where it came from.
Li Lanyong pointed to several bottles under the bed. He didn't usually have many expenses, and his favorite drink was soda. His roommates had benefited from his generosity.

"Someday, our brigade will open a soda factory, and I'll drink soda like porridge!" Li Lanyong joked.

"Yimin, I heard you're going to be teaching a course soon? A comparative study of modern Chinese and Western literature? We're all looking forward to hearing it!" Li Xueqin asked, leaning closer.

"I heard it's a challenge against Professor Chen, just like Professor Gu Hongming in the past, using his classes to attract students and prove himself. Yimin, I believe in you, I'm a die-hard Liu supporter!"

Liu Zhenyun said casually, which Chen Dazhi looked down on: "You were originally surnamed Liu yourself."

"Since your surname is Chen, are you going to attend Professor Chen's class?"

Several people in the dormitory laughed, all guessing that Liu Yimin would definitely win.

Liu Yimin actually had a good impression of Teacher Chen. He didn't expect the two of them to have a competition. He'll apologize to Teacher Chen after he wins!
After resting in his dormitory for a while, Liu Yimin got up and went to the department office, found Yan Jiayan, and handed over the paper he had written, which was less than a quarter of the way through.

Yan Jiayan glanced at the paper, but since he didn't understand the topic, he couldn't offer any guidance. He was more interested in the "French avant-garde" and "magical realism" literature mentioned in Liu Yimin's paper.

"Both of these literary styles will have a tremendous impact on domestic literature in the future. Avant-gardeism is inherently rebellious, which is extremely easy to emerge when thoughts are in disarray."

This magical realism, with its unique narrative style and global influence, is bound to become a model for many writers to emulate. But our key question is: how do we use magical realism to represent China and realize our narrative?

Yan Jiayan had heard of avant-garde literature, because Liu Yimin had mentioned in his essays the avant-garde writers he had met in France, and he had also noticed this trend when reading some Western papers.

I know even less about magical realism than about avant-garde literature.

But in the near future, after Musk wins the Nobel Prize next year, a slow yet rapid surge of discussion about magical realism will sweep across China.

P.S. Thank you to the user "天下纵横有我" for the 800 coins!

(End of this chapter)