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

Chapter 343 Born a Chinese Literature Major, Die a Chinese Literature Major

As Liu Yimin's voice of refusal rang out, the office fell silent. Previously, apart from their conversation, several graduate students had been flipping through documents, filling the office with the sounds of turning pages and writing.

Everyone looked at Liu Yimin, then at Qian Zhongshu, wondering what his reaction would be.

A slight embarrassment crossed Qian Zhongshu's face. Seeing this, Zhu Guangqian, who was standing next to him, smiled and said, "Comrade Zhongshu, it seems you're late. But what exactly is 'Beloved'?"

After his initial embarrassment, Qian Zhongshu felt somewhat helpless. He had arrived late, and he knew Xu Chi's translation skills; Xu Chi was one of the top translators in China.

"Professor Qian, please forgive me!" Liu Yimin apologized again.

Qian Zhongshu straightened up, a relaxed smile appearing on his thin face: "It's alright. It seems this book and I are destined to never be together. Comrade Xu Chi's translation skills are very high, and I believe he will definitely make this book stand out. Comrade Yimin, you did a great job."

If you agree to this today and it creates a rift between you and Comrade Xu Chi, that wouldn't be good!

“Hey you two, were you even listening to me? What exactly is ‘Beloved’ about?” Zhu Guangqian said impatiently from the side, tapping the edge of the table with his left hand.

Liu Yimin smiled easily: "Thank you for your understanding, Professor Qian!"

Qian Zhongshu glanced at the anxious Zhu Guangqian, smiled and prepared to explain, when several more professors entered: Wu Zuxiang, Wang Yao, and Yan Jiayan.

The office was bustling with activity. Qian Zhongshu explained his purpose for coming, and Yan Jiayan said with a smile, "As for Sino-US literary exchanges, Dean Qian, our Chinese Department of Yenching University will definitely do our part."

Yan Jiayan was much younger than Qian Zhongshu, so he spoke very politely.

Qian Zhongshu, seeing that he had stayed there long enough, prepared to leave. He said to Zhu Guangqian, "Old Zhu, you can ask him yourself later. Comrade Yimin, could you please see me off?"

Liu Yimin stepped forward and followed behind Qian Zhongshu, extending his right hand in a gesture of invitation.

Qian Zhongshu waved goodbye to the several elderly professors, telling them not to see him off, and then turned and walked out along the corridor.

Once outside, Qian Zhongshu said as he walked, "This Sino-US literary exchange is very important. We are making history in this exchange. I believe that through this exchange, the literary circles of China and the United States will be able to get to know each other again."

We plan to have Professor Wang Zuoliang as the head of our delegation this time. He has been representing the Chinese academic community in lecturing at various universities in the United States for the past few years and has a good understanding of the American side. We hope you will cooperate with us!

"Professor Qian, don't worry!" Liu Yimin said.

"Don't worry, I have an excellent relationship with your teacher. We were both students at Tsinghua University back then. You know, I was known as the 'Tiger of Tsinghua,' and Yan Yuheng was known as the 'Dog of Tsinghua.' Do you know what Jiabao was called?"

"The Dragon of Tsinghua? My teacher never mentioned it to me."

Qian Zhongshu laughed heartily: "That's right, it's the dragon of Tsinghua. Our dragon, tiger and dog correspond to the dragon, tiger and dog in the Beiyang warlords. You, people outside call you the treasure tree of the Chinese department, because your son Jiabao has also gone to Yenching University to become a professor in the Chinese department. Jiabao has a successor."

When they reached Weiming Lake, Qian Zhongshu stopped and said, “Alright, I’ll leave you here. I live in Sanlihe Nanshagou. If you need anything, you can come and find me there. My wife is also very interested in you. We’ve read many of your books and exchanged opinions with them.”

In Sanlihe Nanshagou, there is a cluster of red-brick apartment buildings where a large number of famous professors and scholars lived. Compared to Cao Yu's home in Muxidi, which was called "Shangshulou" (Shangshu Building), this place was called "Gaozhilou" (High-Level Intellectual Building).

"I'll walk you to the school gate!"

Qian Zhongshu waved his hand: "No need, I'll just stroll around Weiming Lake by myself, you don't need to come with me."

Qian Zhongshu declined repeatedly, and Liu Yimin said goodbye and returned to the Chinese Department.

In the office, Zhu Guangqian was already waiting for Liu Yimin. As soon as he entered, he asked impatiently, "What exactly is 'Beloved' about?"

"Professor Zhu, don't worry, I'll find a quiet place to explain it to you slowly!" Liu Yimin reassured him.

Zhu Guangqian did not talk about novels with the other professors; he wanted to read them himself first before giving any lectures.

"Let's go to my office, no one's there!" Zhu Guangqian led Liu Yimin to his office and hurriedly closed the door.

Liu Yimin said, "Professor Zhu, that's right. The novel that Professor Qian saw was also based on the history of racial oppression in the United States."

"Why does Comrade Zhongshu attach so much importance to this? If it were as you say, he wouldn't have specifically raised the issue of translation. Besides the affairs of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Comrade Zhongshu has a whole host of other matters to attend to!" Zhu Guangqian concluded after careful analysis.

"Let me explain in detail. I wrote it using the techniques of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' and the story goes like this."

When Zhu Guangqian heard the words "One Hundred Years of Solitude," he already felt that this novel was extraordinary.

After listening to Liu Yimin's explanation, Zhu Guangqian seemed to suddenly realize something: "No wonder Comrade Zhongshu wanted to translate it. It is indeed a good story. Where is the manuscript of this novel?"

"He's with Comrade Xia Yan now!"

“How about I take a look at the next one? I’ll study it with Lao Yang. If he knew you wrote this novel, he would be very happy, and maybe even the sickly look on his face would disappear a bit.” Zhu Guangqian’s expression was gloomy, and he was very worried about his old friend.

"Okay, after Professor Xia finishes reading it, I'll have someone make two copies for you. You and Professor Yang can take them and read them!"

"Okay, that's good." After Zhu Guangqian finished speaking, he talked to Liu Yimin about the progress of the textbook compilation. After they finished speaking, the two returned to the office.

When it was time to eat, Liu Yimin clapped his hands and said to the graduate students, "I have already paid this month's subsidies from the finance department. Everyone, please collect them and sign your names on the form after you have received them."

Everyone was all smiles after receiving their money; fifteen yuan was a month's living expenses. Adding their graduate student stipends, that made fifty yuan a month, putting them among the wealthier students at the university, enough to treat themselves to a nice meal at the Changzheng canteen every few days.

They can also be the pillars of their families, sending their postgraduate stipends home to supplement their household income.

"Thank you, Professor Liu!" the group said excitedly.

After distributing the money to the graduate students, Liu Yimin and Zhu Guangqian rode their bicycles to Yandongyuan. Liu Yimin personally handed the subsidy to Yang Hui, who then signed it.

"Old Yang, Yimin has a good novel. I'll have him bring it to you in a couple of days. I'm sure you'll like it. You still need to rest. Textbook writing can't be rushed."

Sit under the tree and look at the flowers outside, listen to the birds singing.

Yang Hui ignored Zhu Guangqian's advice, but was interested in the novel he was talking about, urging Liu Yimin to bring it over as soon as possible.

"Professor Yang, please get some rest. I'll bring it to you another day!" Liu Yimin said.

"You guys go ahead, I can still hold on!"

Zhu Guangqian chatted with Yang Hui. When Liu Yimin left Yandong Garden, he ran into Yan Jiayan, who was carrying some things to visit his teacher Yang Hui.

"Yimin, what did Dean Qian say to you when he took you out today? It wasn't about letting you teach at Tsinghua University, was it?" Yan Jiayan asked, squinting his eyes. Liu Yimin raised his head and said, "Professor Yan, I was born a member of the Chinese Department, and I will die a member of the Chinese Department."

"That's good. I'll go see Professor Yang!"

After taking the manuscript from Xia Yan's house, Liu Yimin found Yang Lixin and Pu Cunxi and asked them to help him copy it.

Upon receiving the task of copying again, the two were thrilled and immediately assured each other that they would finish it first thing the next morning.

Liu Yimin looked at Pu Cunxi and asked, "Has Director Su started rehearsals for 'The Acacia Tree in the Minefield'?"

"It hasn't started yet, they're casting!" Pu Cunxi said with a hint of regret on his face.

Yang Lixin spoke up in his defense, saying, "Comrade Yimin, I think Lao Pu is perfectly capable of playing a college student soldier, but Director Su was afraid of gossip, so he excluded Lao Pu."

"So that's how it is," Liu Yimin patted Pu Cunxi on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, leave this to me!"

Pu Cunxi immediately straightened up, his face filled with gratitude.

"Keep up the good work! Your acting skills are improving rapidly. I believe you will definitely become the pillars of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, or even its leading figures." Liu Yimin made no attempt to hide his praise.

The two men watched Liu Yimin's retreating figure as he left, feeling as if they had met a wise ruler or a discerning mentor.

Yang Lixin pointed at Pu Cunxi and said, "What are you waiting for? Copy it!"

"Okay, copy it!" Pu Cunxi quickly prepared to copy it after realizing what was happening.

Pu Cunxi did not go home that night, but stayed in Yang Lixin's dormitory to copy the text.

The next morning, when Liu Yimin was taking Zhu Lin to work, he found the two of them. The two handed over the neatly copied manuscript to Liu Yimin.

After looking at them, Liu Yimin smiled and said, "You two have worked hard. Look at those dark circles under your eyes."

“Of course, Comrade Yimin. Copying books can improve our literary knowledge. Everyone knows this is a work of extremely high artistic value. We learn and improve as we copy. We should be thanking you. Entrusting us with this task is a sign of your trust in us. Don’t worry, Comrade Yimin, we will keep the contents confidential.” Yang Lixin’s face was full of smiles.

Liu Yimin looked at Yang Lixin: "Alright, Lixin, you don't need to keep making that delicate pinky gesture anymore. It's easy to cause trouble if you keep doing it for too long!"

After saying that, Liu Yimin left Yang Lixin's dormitory.

Pu Cunxi nudged Yang Lixin's arm with his own: "You're quite something, Lao Yang. You've got a whole repertoire of these words, but are they even useful?"

"Remove the 'ma'. Before I met Comrade Liu Yimin, I had never played a leading role. And now?" Yang Lixin patted Pu Cunxi on the shoulder, her delicate fingers just forming a delicate gesture before she immediately withdrew them.

As soon as the two came downstairs, Su Min shouted to Pu Cunxi, "Little Pu, starting today, you'll be playing Zhang Guozheng in 'The Acacia Tree in the Minefield'!"

While Pu Cunxi was still in a daze, Yang Lixin muttered to him, "It worked, didn't it!"

As soon as Su Min entered the rehearsal room, Pu Cunxi asked Yang Lixin for guidance: "Old Yang, please teach me a few more moves in the future!"

"Easy to say, easy to say!"

After Liu Yimin came downstairs, he ran into Su Min. The play required a lot of young actors, and it would be a waste of resources if Pu Cunxi didn't participate.

The phrase "recommend the worthy without avoiding relatives" relieved Su Min of his concerns, especially since Liu Yimin had said it in front of many people.

After saying goodbye to Cao Yu, Liu Yimin prepared to leave the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Miller waited at the bottom of the stairs: "Professor Liu, the premiere of 'Death of a Salesman' in China is at the end of April. I hope you can attend. You won't be too scared to come, will you?"

"Old Mi, you're just too hostile. We Chinese believe that in a group of three, there must be one who can teach me. The truth may be harsh, but we have to listen to it."

As Liu Yimin walked to the exit of the Beijing People's Art Theatre building, he waved without turning his head and said, "I'll be here at the end of April!"

Under Miller's watchful eye, the motorcycle sped away from the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

Upon arriving at Yenching University, Zhu Guangqian and Yang Hui were already anxiously waiting in Yandong Garden. Yao Dong was pruning flowers as usual, but many of them had already withered.

Yang Hui wanted to walk a few steps over to take it, but Liu Yimin quickly walked a few steps and handed the manuscript to him.

Yao Dong, who was standing next to her, said worriedly, "Teacher Yang, you..."

After letting out a sigh, she went back to tending to the flowers and plants, her eyes slowly turning red.

In the courtyard of the villa in spring, it's the perfect time to sit and read a manuscript.

Bored, Liu Yimin got up to help water the plants. Yao Dong walked into the house and made Liu Yimin a cup of tea: "Yimin, I'll give you that orchid and plum blossom. What do you think?"

"These two are the best that you've taken care of, you should keep them!" Liu Yimin declined.

"I'll get older and have less energy, so I might as well give them to you. Don't refuse!" Yao Dong adjusted his reading glasses, glancing reluctantly at the spring orchids and plum blossoms in the pot.

"Okay, thank you. Please teach me about this flower."

Yao Dong explained all the flowers and plants in the yard to him, detailing their habits and how to care for them.

"He gets incredibly excited when it comes to flowers and plants!" Yang Hui looked up at Yao Dong and smiled after reading the manuscript.

"Just like you, except you prefer novels."

Yang Hui said to Liu Yimin, "This novel is truly remarkable. In my lifetime, I have finally witnessed magical realism written by an author from our country. I have studied it for so long, and this is my only regret. I have no regrets in my life!"

"No wonder Comrade Zhongshu liked it so much, calling it a novel that can climb the peak of world literature. Anyone who reads such a novel will love it! Let the whole world see what the Americans really did back then."

"Old Yang, I think Yimin can focus on researching cross-cultural issues and racial discrimination from now on. No one in the entire Chinese department is more professional than him!" Zhu Guangqian joked.

"Professor Zhu and Professor Yang, please stop praising me. If you keep doing that, I'll become so smug. Let everyone see the final draft after I finish writing it; it's almost done. What's important for us right now is to compile the textbook!"

(End of this chapter)