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

Chapter 352 Travelogue of America

Ever since the office had a fan installed, several senior professors have been coming over to join in the fun, whether they have something to do or not.

At first, Zhu Guangqian could chase him away, but as the weather got hotter, he couldn't chase him away anymore.

"Professor Zhu, you can keep writing your stories, we won't say anything, we'll just sit here and read our books," Wang Yao said with a smile, then shifted her position to let the breeze blow on her more easily.

Zhu Guangqian said, "Instead of staying here, you might as well go to Yan Jiayan's room and ask him to improve the working conditions of our Chinese Department."

The group fell silent and began to read their books.

Seeing that they didn't speak, Zhu Guangqian stopped paying attention to them.

Led by Yan Zhen, Liu Yimin and his students found him. Liu Yimin glanced at the papers of two students, Li Sinian and Wu Zuxiang, and handed the paper on "Dream of the Red Chamber" to Wu Zuxiang, who was standing next to him: "Professor Wu, please take a look!"

Wu Zuxiang took the paper and said, "Let me take a look. We're just living under someone else's roof!"

"You're right, it's mainly because you're an expert on 'Dream of the Red Chamber'!" Liu Yimin praised.

Liu Yimin glanced at Yan Zhen's novel: "It's alright so far. Finish it during the summer vacation, and I'll take a look at it again when school starts."

Several professors nearby became interested when they heard it was a novel and all asked to take a look.

Zhu Guangqian, without even looking up, said, "Is it that four-legged creature?"

Yan Zhen, who was standing next to him, looked slightly embarrassed upon hearing this. Liu Yimin explained, "Professor Zhu, it has already been corrected."

Zhu Guangqian looked up at Yan Zhen and said, "That's alright. It won't hurt to listen to Professor Liu. Professor Liu's writing skills have already reached their peak."

After giving his guidance on the thesis, Wu Zuxiang looked at Liu Yimin and asked, "Yimin, haven't you written anything lately?"

Zhu Guangqian, who was standing next to him, chuckled and said, "Just wait and see!"

Liu Yimin pulled out a manuscript from the drawer and said, "These are a few essays from the United States."

Several professors commented on Yan Zhen's novel, concluding that it was perfectly acceptable for her to replace a graduation thesis.

After Yan Zhen and the others left, everyone began to read the essays written by Liu Yimin.

Wu Zuxiang couldn't help but read aloud a sentence at the beginning of the essay: "The problem with some young people today is that their bodies are too far from the United States, but their hearts are too close to it."

After reading it aloud, he turned to Liu Yimin and said, "You really dared to write that!"

Several professors gathered around Wu Zuxiang, appreciating the sentence with great interest.

Zhu Guangqian, who was standing nearby, snorted inwardly, thinking, "He really has no taste."

The essays in the American section detail Liu Yimin's experiences in the United States, going beyond superficial issues and even analyzing American history as background.

“Professor Wu, essays are meant to express one’s own thoughts,” Liu Yimin said dismissively.

"That's right, let's take another look!" The professors passed the document around and started looking at it.

After reading it, Wang Yao said first, "Your American essay is written in a different style than other essays. It has no tricks, it's all sincere words."

In other words, there are no skills involved, it's all about output.

Sun Yushi said, "The problem now is that some students are unwilling to believe that America is like that. Even if we tell them, they think that what we are saying is not the truth, but a lie."

“At least some people will believe it, and that’s enough,” Liu Yimin said.

“That’s right, doing something is better than doing nothing. Professor Zhu, you studied at a university in Hong Kong back then, can you tell us what Hong Kong was like at that time? What was the status of Chinese people?” Sun Yushi asked.

Zhu Guangqian put down his work, looked at Sun Yushi, and slowly began to recount his experiences in Hong Kong in 1919.

"People in the colonies are all the same. The colonists are arrogant and haughty, while the Chinese live in fear and trembling. In addition to the British police, there are also some Indians with cloth wrapped around their heads. These Indians have no awareness of being in the same colony as others, but instead help the evildoers."

After listening to Zhu Guangqian's words, everyone started talking about the Indians again.

“This is a ‘magical’ country; the British are still their fathers!” Liu Yimin joked with a smile.

Around 10 o'clock, Liu Yimin took the essay manuscript into his hands, got on his motorcycle, and rode towards People's Literature and Art.

After Liu Yimin left, several professors laughed and said, "This kid never runs out of inspiration. We're no match for him; we can only do academic work now."

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he were to win the Nobel Prize in Literature like Marquez,” Zhu Guangqian said meaningfully.

"Professor Zhu, I believe you, but Yimin still needs to work harder. Based on his current articles, it's still not enough."

Zhu Guangqian said smugly, "Then let's wait and see. I think a great article will appear soon."

The group wondered if Zhu Guangqian had been spending too much time with Liu Yimin and knew something they didn't.

They tried to find out more, but they didn't find out anything.

After parking his motorcycle, Liu Yimin quickly ran upstairs to the editorial office of People's Literature and Art. Once inside, he saw everyone eating watermelon, so he went over and casually took a slice.

"This melon is delicious. Where did you buy it?" Liu Yimin asked with a smile.

Xu Yi said, "These are the ones I grew in my own yard. I brought them out for everyone to try when they were ripe. Yimin, you're really lucky today."

"Editor Xu, teach me how to grow watermelons sometime!"

Cui Daoyi, who was originally in Zhang Guangnian's office, immediately came out after hearing the laughter outside: "Yimin, you're finally here. Let me see what you wrote?"

Xu Yi teased, "Editor Cui, didn't you say this morning that Yi Min might defect?"

"Oh dear, how can you slander me for no reason? Yimin, this is pure defamation. I would never say such a thing!" Cui Daoyi shouted, as if his tail had been stepped on.

Liu Yimin said to the others, "My senior brother is capable of saying such things."

After everyone had made a fuss for a while, Liu Yimin handed his essay to Cui Daoyi.

"I thought it was a novel!"

"Do you want?"

"Yes, yes, I didn't say no. Yimin, let me take a look. See the reporter's original report, is there any difference between it and what you wrote?"

As Cui Daoyi was reading, Zhang Guangnian also came out with a teacup. As the head of the delegation, he was fully aware of Liu Yimin's trip to the United States.

As Zhang Guangnian read, he fiddled with the lid of his teacup. After finishing one article, he said, "Yimin, what you wrote makes me feel like I'm back in America last year."

"This is incredibly powerful! It's no ordinary essay; it's more like a non-fiction novel, with a much stronger storyline than typical essays," Cui Daoyi chimed in.

After Cui Daoyi and Zhang Guangnian finished reading, they handed "Travels in America" ​​to the others.

Zhang Guangnian said, "It accurately records our time in the United States. It is not only highly effective but also very insightful. It is a learning opportunity for those who superficially say whether America is good or bad. I will add a commentary later, and I believe it will definitely bring a cleansing to everyone's soul."

Seeing that everyone was engrossed in the reading, Zhang Guangnian waved to Liu Yimin and led him into the office.

Because of the building's structure, ventilation on both sides is not very good. Zhang Guangnian's office is very hot. The windows open outwards with curtains hanging on them, and there is a washbasin stand behind the door so that there is always a basin of water to wash one's face and wipe away sweat.

Zhang Guangnian closed the door and said, "Yimin, if you come to People's Literature and Art again in a month, you won't see me."

"Have you found a replacement?" Liu Yimin already knew in his heart who it was.

"Found her, it's Wang Meng!" Zhang Guangnian said, then observed Liu Yimin's expression and asked in surprise, "Aren't you surprised?"

"Comrade Wang Meng is suitable at present, both in terms of her influence in the literary world and her age and seniority."

"Yes, he is quite suitable. The position at People's Literature and Art is not easy to hold. I have nominated several people, but they have all been rejected. Either one side is dissatisfied or another side is dissatisfied. Comrade Zhou Yang was initially satisfied, but then disagreed. Recently, he agreed to Wang Meng. I want to step down as soon as possible. I am getting old, and it is not appropriate for me to continue to hold this position."

"And I feel deeply inadequate; the magazine's overall quality has declined over the past two years. If it weren't for your work, we would have long since lost the competition to other magazines."

"You flatter me."

"Not at all. In a way, you are the bread and butter of our People's Literature and Art. Comrade Wang Meng will take office in July, and then I can finally get some rest."

After finishing his sentence, Zhang Guangnian brought up Jiang Zilong's matter with Liu Yimin: "I actually intended to transfer Jiang Zilong to People's Literature and Art, but I don't know why I haven't heard from him recently. You two are close, so please ask him for me."

"Okay, I'll call and ask tomorrow."

Upon hearing Liu Yimin's agreement, Zhang Guangnian said with a relaxed expression, "Okay, let me know when the time comes."

"From now on, I'll have to go to the Writers' Association to find you!"

“Yimin, everyone had a lively Mid-Autumn Festival in your courtyard that year. I wonder if we could visit your courtyard again this year?” Zhang Guangnian asked.

"Alright, I'll send out invitations to all heroes then."

Zhang Guangnian saw Liu Yimin out of the office. Cui Daoyi reviewed the essay, checking all the typos and other errors with Liu Yimin.

After verifying the information, Cui Daoyi invited Liu Yimin to dinner.

"Senior, you can eat at work, I'll eat at home, or you can come to my place with me!"

Cui Daoyi said, "Forget it, forget it, let's do it when you have time. Once a person gets married, half of their time is no longer their own, and with work, two-thirds of their time is gone."

"Senior brother, let's go!"

Liu Yimin timed it perfectly; he left People's Literature and Art magazine just in time to have lunch with Zhu Lin at the courtyard house.

When Liu Yimin saw a commune member wearing a vest with the words "Labor is Glorious" and a straw hat, sitting next to an oxcart selling watermelons, he bought one.

"Comrade, how much is this watermelon per pound?" Liu Yimin tapped the watermelon, not knowing what sound to make, but it was a habit he had developed since childhood to always tap it.

"One cent a pound, comrade, look at these, we grew them ourselves, they're all top-notch melons!"

"Does your melon stay ripe?"

"Guaranteed ripe? I'm selling watermelons here in a cart pulled by an ox, why would I sell you unripe ones?"

"As long as it's ripe, this one will do!"

"Okay, four and a half pounds, I'll give you four pounds, that'll be four cents."

Liu Yimin took out fifty cents from his pocket and said with a smile, "Keep the change."

A watermelon costing one cent per pound was already considered expensive; by June or July, it would usually cost a few cents per pound.

When they arrived at the courtyard, Zhu Lin was already cooking. Hearing the sound of the motorcycle, he immediately came out.

"Teacher Liu, what brings you here?"

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "What's wrong? Not happy having dinner with you?"

"Happy, happy, this humble courtyard is truly blessed." Zhu Lin smiled as she took the watermelon from Liu Yimin, walked back to the kitchen, put it in the refrigerator, and then picked some more vegetables.

During the meal, Liu Yimin saw a small yellow dog lying under the stone table. Zhu Lin introduced it, saying, "This belongs to Teacher Su Min. I thought the little dog was strong and healthy, so I brought it home."

After dinner, Liu Yimin took out the watermelon and cut it open. Sure enough, the flesh was red and the rind was thin. Zhu Lin took a bite and praised it as delicious.

Zhu Lin talked about the watermelon he bought a few days ago, saying that the flesh was white after he cut it open.

"I went to see him, and he told me that this is a variety imported from the United States, a white-fleshed watermelon," Zhu Lin said dejectedly.

"Haha, and then what?" Liu Yimin asked.

"I just put the watermelon aside and left. I didn't dare buy any of the others because the flesh was all white!"

The two ate a few slices of watermelon to cleanse themselves before returning to their bedroom to prepare for a midday nap.

Zhu Lin turned on the air conditioner and said with a smile, "Teacher Liu, this air conditioner is really comfortable. Before, I would wake up from my nap in a sweat and couldn't fall asleep when it was hot."

"When we first started installing it for you, you weren't happy about it!"

"Teacher Liu, thank you!" Zhu Lin stood in front of Liu Yimin, hugging his neck and saying in a sweet, coquettish voice.

Her eyes were fixed on Liu Yimin, and her breath tickled his face.

"Teacher Liu, let's have a lunch meeting!"

Liu Yimin laughed heartily, then pulled Zhu Lin into his arms and fell onto the bed: "Actions speak louder than words!"

Despite the air conditioning blowing cold air, the two of them still sweated quite a bit.

Zhu Lin said, "Teacher Liu, why am I not pregnant yet?"

"You can't rush things. Besides, a world of three is more crowded than a world of two!" Liu Yimin comforted him.

"Teacher Liu, don't worry, I won't neglect you even after we have a child." Zhu Lin stroked Liu Yimin's head, then lay down to sleep.

After Zhu Lin went to work, Liu Yimin slept in the yard for a long time before waking up. Because he slept for so long, he had a bit of a headache. Liu Yimin checked the time and it was already three o'clock. He would get to school at three-thirty, which would be close to four o'clock, so he decided not to go.

After sitting under the ginkgo tree in a daze for a while, Liu Yimin went into his study to call Jiang Zilong and ask about Zhang Guangnian's situation.

Recently, Jiang Zilong was transferred from the machine factory to the Writers Association, and Liu Yimin directly called the Tianjin Writers Association.

(End of this chapter)