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

Chapter 313 America is not beautiful

The apartment they stayed in was an old-fashioned building, and the conditions weren't very good. The literary prize organizing committee's hospitality department arranged special accommodations for the winning authors, but Liu Yimin felt it was unnecessary to go through the trouble of finding separate accommodations, so he stayed here instead.

There was a coffee shop downstairs in the apartment building, and under Edward's guidance, Liu Yimin met with several local reporters.

Inside the coffee shop, Edward introduced Liu Yimin to the reporters in turn: "This is Jonk, a reporter from The New York Times; this is Nira, a reporter from The Economist; this is Ed, a reporter from The Washington Post; and this is..."

Liu Yimin shook hands with each of the reporters and greeted them with a smile.

"Liu, thank you for bringing wonderful literary works to Americans. The spirit of reconciliation in your novels is something every American should learn from. How do you feel about America now that you've come here?" Nira, a reporter from The Economist, asked with a smile.

"The United States is definitely a great country!"

"How does this compare to China?"

"China is definitely better for me!"

Washington Post reporter Ed laughed: "Oh? But China's economy is still very underdeveloped. Many Chinese people who come to the United States don't want to leave!"

"I believe that more Chinese people are thinking about how to learn from advanced experiences and go back to build our motherland. We are currently behind the United States in terms of material resources, but we are very rich in spirit. I believe that one day, both our spiritual and material resources will be greatly enriched."

By then, we hope the American people will also be spiritually enriched!

Liu Yimin said calmly.

Seeing this, Edward interjected, "I've met many Chinese people who came to America. They're more hardworking than Americans, and some students study even harder. Hey guys, weren't you looking for articles?"

Several reporters presented their topics of interest, with The Economist and The Wall Street Journal focusing more on the current domestic economic opening-up policies and business environment.

The Washington Post and The New York Times focused on the daily lives of ordinary people and Liu Yimin's feelings about coming to the United States.

Several people left their phone numbers and provided their respective newspapers' rates for commissioned articles, with The New York Times offering the highest rate at $150 per thousand words.

After seeing the others off, Edward looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Liu, I heard you've been to the battlefield?"

"Edward, how did you know?"

Edward shrugged. "Nikki and I are old friends. My family has been a loyal subscriber to the China Publishing House for a long time. My father even participated in the sports games held in China."

"Sports meet?" Liu Yimin thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what it was.

“North Korea!” Edward reminded them.

Liu Yimin suddenly realized: "Your father fought in Korea? And successfully joined a prisoner-of-war camp run by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, right?"

"Haha, Liu, you're hilarious! You've successfully joined; we call that place North Korea!"

"We call it North Korea!"

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. My father said your soldiers have an iron will. He couldn't sleep at night on the battlefield, always feeling that countless Chinese soldiers would rush down from the hillsides on both sides. But when he got to the prisoner-of-war camp, he slept very well. You are very fierce to the enemy, but very friendly to the prisoners of war. Your soldiers seem to have two faces."

Edward ordered two more cups of coffee, wanting to have a good chat with Liu Yimin.

"No, our soldiers only have one face. It's because your identities have changed, from enemies to prisoners of war. Our soldiers are compassionate warriors of steel; they love peace, but they are never afraid of death!"

After a moment of contemplation, Edward nodded: "My father has been looking forward to your novel about the current war. He wants to know whether the Chinese army still has an iron will after all these decades."

"In this war, we not only have an iron will, but more importantly, we have also become steel!"

Unexpectedly, the two people who should have been sitting here discussing literature have now started talking about war.

After finishing his coffee, Edward stood up and said, “Liu, my father is planning a reunion for World War II veterans, and he hopes you can attend. Of course, it’s just a casual get-together. You know, they’re bored in their later years; their lives are tied to the military and that damn war.”

"What is the exact time?"

“It depends on your schedule!” Edward said with a smile.

"Then let's discuss this further!"

Edward and Liu Yimin walked out of the coffee shop together. Looking at the surrounding high-rise buildings and passing cars, Edward turned to Liu Yimin and said, "I hope to see your article in the newspaper!"

Goodbye, Edward!

After seeing Edward off, Liu Yimin turned and walked back to the apartment. The stairwell was dark, the walls were covered in graffiti, and the stairwell smelled unpleasant.

Walking back upstairs, there were two more people in the living room. Without any introduction, Liu Yimin knew that they were Nie Hualing and her husband.

“Yi Min, this is Ms. Nie Hualing, and this is her husband, Paul!” Zhang Guangnian’s voice had just fallen.

Nie Hualing and her husband Paul stood up from the sofa and greeted Liu Yimin warmly.

"Hello, Yimin, it's a pleasure to meet you in New York. I only learned about you because of 'Green Book'. When I corresponded with my friends in China, I specifically asked them about you."

Nie Hualing is fifty-seven years old this year, but she doesn't look that old. Her hair is permed into waves, so you can see the expression on her face more clearly.

She is warm and sincere, yet exudes a refined and gentle air. Her trench coat and attire reflect her dual roles as a university worker and writer.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Liu Yimin said with a warm smile.

After shaking hands with Liu Yimin, Nie Hualing spoke a few words in English with her husband, Paul. Paul then warmly extended both hands to hug Liu Yimin.

Paul has lived with Nie Hualing for many years, but he doesn't speak Chinese.

Sitting on the sofa, Zhang Guangnian thanked Nie Hualing for his contributions to the exchange of Chinese writers across the country.

"I am a tree, with roots on the mainland, trunk on the island, and branches in Iowa. Of course, the branches and leaves should do something for the roots and trunk. Of course, besides Chinese writers, people of all skin colors come to Iowa."

"In 'Green Book,' racial reconciliation was achieved at this international writing camp," Nie Hualing said humorously.

Paul said in English, "We would like to invite you to the University of Iowa for an exchange and a lecture."

After Xu Chi translated, Zhang Guangnian immediately said, "After we finish our business in New York, we can make Iowa our last stop!"

"Yimin, I hope to hear your voice then!" Nie Hualing said with a smile.

Nie Hualing and Paul also stayed in the apartment; they were going to attend a gathering of local Chinese writers together later.

After everyone else had returned to their rooms, Xu Chi chuckled and went into Liu Yimin's room, asking what he had talked about with the reporter.

Upon hearing that it cost $150 per thousand words, Xu Chi immediately started counting on his fingers.

"Damn, capitalism is really rich! The Americans are richer than France!" "Same as always, I'll write it!" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"I'll translate!"

"Fifty-five!"

"That's too high, too high. A washing machine shouldn't cost that much," Xu Chi quickly waved his hand and said.

The most expensive washing machine currently costs only 500 yuan. Xu Chi's main idea is to exchange US dollars for foreign exchange certificates, otherwise it will be difficult to buy a washing machine.

"Let's buy something else, Comrade Xu. Besides the washing machine, you can buy a washing machine and a refrigerator. Treat yourself well. If you can't use them yourself, you can give them to the kids!"
"Without you, *Green Book* wouldn't have won the award, especially since your translation fees were all paid in RMB."

Xu Chi wanted to buy a washing machine because his wife was getting older and he couldn't bear to watch her wash clothes by hand anymore.

Xu Chi agreed only after hearing Liu Yimin say that.

After Xu Chi left, Liu Yimin quickly sat down at his desk and began writing for the first time.

My first impression of America – America isn't beautiful.

At the beginning of the article, Liu Yimin wrote: "In Chinese translation, we translate America as 'the United States,' and 'beautiful' in Chinese means 'pretty.' Logically speaking, the United States is a beautiful country, but as soon as I entered the United States, I felt the arrogance and prejudice of Americans."

This made me realize that the impact of "Green Book" was still too small. Words can resonate with people's hearts, but they cannot transform people in an instant.

I wrote down everything I saw and heard along the way, and also took the opportunity to retaliate against those unscrupulous media outlets.

Around ten o'clock, the three thousand-word manuscript was finished. Liu Yimin knocked on Xu Chi's door; Xu Chi was conserving his energy, preparing to work hard all night.

Xu Chi was startled when he saw the headline. Liu Yimin said, "They love headlines like this. The more provocative they are, the better. What they want is newspaper sales!"

"Okay!" Xu Chi nodded, a cup of coffee sitting on the table.

"Old Xu, don't stay up too late!" Liu Yimin said with concern.

Xu Chi glanced at Liu Yimin: "I thought you were going to order me another coffee in the middle of the night!"

Liu Yimin gave an awkward smile and quickly left Xu Chi's room.

After leaving Xu Chi's room, Liu Yimin read an American newspaper for a while before lying down and falling asleep.

The next morning, Xu Chi handed the manuscript to Liu Yimin.

"Old Xu, you did a great job!" Liu Yimin said meaningfully after seeing it.

"Why not make money off the Americans?"

In some places, where a single word could suffice, Xu Chi would insist on using several adjectives. Even with a manuscript of three thousand characters, the final payment would increase by at least a third.

The two exchanged a smile, and Wei Junyi, who came out of the room, asked, "What are you two doing?"

Xu Chi said, "Let's promote exchanges between the two countries!"

Zhang Guangnian also came out of the room. Feeling that the two wouldn't do anything reckless, he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he said, "We're meeting with the local Chinese Association today. Everyone, please get ready!"

New York has a large Chinese population, including the well-known Chinatown. Around nine o'clock in the morning, with the help of local Chinese community organizations, everyone took a car to Chinatown.

Looking around at the Western buildings with Chinese characters and the streets filled with Chinese people, Zhang Guangnian said to the association's driver, "Anyone who didn't know better would think they were in China!"

"There are many Chinese people here, and this year many more people from mainland China have come here, with the largest number being people from Fujian!"

Starting in the 1980s, people from Fujian Province were one of the main groups illegally immigrating to the United States. It's not surprising that a large number of Fujianese people have gathered here.

The driver led them into a Chinese restaurant, which was already full of people. When Zhang Guangnian led them in, everyone stood up to greet them.

Some people got up, but they looked at them with complete unfamiliarity.

Zhang Guangnian spoke on behalf of everyone, thanking the Chinese community for their help and hoping that this trip would promote Sino-US exchanges and help overseas Chinese to have a correct understanding of the country today.

Zhang Guangnian praised the reform and opening up policy and hoped that capable overseas Chinese could bring their funds back to build their motherland.

"Once the doors of our motherland are opened, they will never be closed. We welcome everyone to come home and visit!"

The two sides chatted about the changes in China, and when someone raised a question, they skillfully defused it.

Finally, the head of the Chinese Association made a request, hoping that the delegation could speak out in the media to help them.

"Is there anything we can help you with?" Zhang Guangnian asked curiously.

Huang, the vice president of the Chinese Association, explained: “The government plans to build a prison near Chinatown. We have protested many times, but to no avail. Our voice is too weak, but you are different.”

Zhang Guangnian was unaware of the full story and was hesitant to agree.

"Did your protests have any effect?" Liu Yimin asked.

"It's not having much effect; the voices of the Chinese community are too weak!"

"Why are they weak? As far as I know, there are quite a few Chinese people in New York!"

The others said, "It's all because we're Chinese. If we were white, we would have succeeded long ago!"

Liu Yimin scoffed, "But you can't change your skin!"

"It will be great once we are fully integrated into mainstream American society!"

"Fellow Chinese, no matter how much you try to integrate, you can never change your skin color. When I came here, an American friend told me that Chinese people don't like to get involved in politics. They focus on their own little corner of the world, so politicians don't pay them any attention."

Some Chinese people looked rather grim because the mayor of New York City publicly told them, "If you don't vote, then you don't matter."

Some people in the Chinese community do not have the right to vote, while others do, but are not enthusiastic about politics and do not make good use of their voting rights.

"You should actively participate in political activities and form your own political force in American society so that your voices will be heard. I think we should start by changing our mindset. Trying so hard to integrate into American society? But will America really accept you?"

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, someone retorted: "The United States is a country of immigrants, a tolerant country. Once we integrate, it will definitely accept us!"

"Black people arrived much earlier than the Chinese! As one of the major population groups in the United States, were Black people accepted by white people?"

(End of this chapter)