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

Chapter 375 No need to pay for meals in Yanjing anymore?

The temperature in the south is still quite pleasant, so Yu Hua wasn't wearing anything that thick. Meanwhile, in Beijing, a northwest wind howled all night, and the temperature had dropped below 10 degrees Celsius.

After resting for a while on the Yanjing platform, my legs felt much better, but my body was shaking even more.

Someone nearby glanced at Yu Hua, who was dressed in thin clothes, with a mocking look in their eyes. Yu Hua noticed this and immediately straightened up, stretching out in the northwest wind.

"Damn, it's not cold at all. The wind here is much better than where we are," Yu Hua said to himself, then put down his things and tidied his middle-parted bangs.

After Yu Hua walked away, the other person spat and said to the person next to him, "Hey, where did this country bumpkin come from? His hair is blown up like the lion in front of the compound gate."

"He must be from the south; even when he swears, he's so weak and limp."

Yu Hua walked out of Yanjing Station, took out his notebook, which contained detailed route notes.

"From Yanjing Station to Yanjing Cultural Bureau, take bus number 5 first." Yu Hua saw bus number 5 and quickly rushed onto it with his luggage.

A pair of eyes peered out from the bus in Yanjing, trying to see what the differences were between Yanjing and Zhejiang Province.

When Yu Hua arrived at the Yanjing Cultural Bureau, he felt a chill run through him. After showing his letter of introduction, he quickly walked to the editorial office of "Yanjing Literature and Art".

Upon seeing the words "Yanjing Literature and Art," Yu Hua was so excited that he almost burst into tears. He had finally written about Yanjing and was only one step away from becoming a true writer.

Yu Hua was the first writer from Haiyan County to go to Beijing to revise his manuscript, and the county attached great importance to his arrival. The moment he boarded the train, he felt a sense of honor as a representative of Haiyan writers.

"Comrade, is editor Zhou Yanru here? My name is Yu Hua, and I'm here to revise the manuscript!"

The person Yu Hua was pulling was Zhang Dening. Zhang Dening glanced at the disheveled Yu Hua and said, "Yu Hua, come in with me. Editor Zhou is looking at the manuscript."

After leading the resurgence of "Yanjing Literature and Art" for a period of time, former editor-in-chief Li Qingquan was transferred to "People's Literature and Art," where he was not happy.

Li Qingquan was an editor at People's Literature and Art, and he went back with the mindset of "avenging his humiliation," but unfortunately, he still suffered a crushing defeat.

When Liu Yimin went to People's Literature and Art, everyone seemed to be having a good time, but in reality, which organization doesn't have its share of infighting?

In particular, every move of People's Literature and Art magazine was related to the literary and artistic line, so the struggle against it was much stronger than that against other magazines.

The actual person in charge of "Yanjing Literature and Art" is now Zhou Yanru; the real person in charge is just a figurehead.

Led by Zhang Dening, Yu Hua met Zhou Yanru, and the two clasped hands tightly.

Zhou Yanru frowned: "Comrade Yu Hua, why are your hands so cold?"

"How can you not be cold wearing such thin clothes?" Zhang Dening said with a smile.

Zhou Yanru quickly stood up: "Comrade Yu Hua, did you bring any warm clothes? Sigh, it's my fault. I told you everything, but I forgot to mention that it's very cold in Yanjing right now."

"Editor Zhou, I have a sweater and long johns in my luggage," Yu Hua said awkwardly.

"Okay, okay, I'll take you to your place."

Zhou Yanru led Yu Hua toward the residence of the author who was revising the manuscript for "Yanjing Literature and Art," without in a hurry to discuss the revision with Yu Hua.

When they arrived at the dormitory, Yu Hua laid out the contents of her bag on the table. Zhou Yanru glanced at it and saw that it contained local specialties such as tea, rice wine, and pastries.

Zhou Yanru was a little annoyed. How could this author, who was so young, have such a strong habit of giving gifts?

If I were to give it to myself later, I would definitely give it a good talking-to.

“You sent us three short stories, one of which had a rather bleak ending and needs to be revised to be more uplifting,” Zhou Yanru said.

Yu Hua knew which one it was after a moment's thought. Her mind raced, and she asked slyly, "If I revise it, will you publish it?"

“We’ll release it once it’s been revised,” Zhou Yanru said.

“Okay, as long as it can be published, I’ll change it to ‘bright’ from beginning to end,” Yu Hua said excitedly.

“No need for that, it’s just that the ending is a bit gloomy. How could you, at such a young age, write such a dark ending?” Zhou Yanru asked, puzzled.

Yu Hua said with a hint of grievance, "They said we should criticize, because critical articles are easier to publish, so I thought I should criticize."

"What kind of bullshit rules are these? Even if you're being criticized, it has to be right. As long as it's well-written, it can be published no matter what. Take Comrade Liu Yimin from Yenching University, for example. Some of his works are criticized, and some aren't. His novel 'Emerging from the Sky' is all praise, and now the standalone edition has sold nearly five million copies," Zhou Yanru said bluntly.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, five million copies?" Yu Hua asked in surprise.

Zhou Yanru said, "Yes, he's not much older than you. You should learn from him and stop learning crooked ways. You should write your own things. Your writing uses very strong language, which is your personal style, but you can't go too far with it."

Yu Hua put down what she was holding, too embarrassed to take out her red sweater and green long johns from her bag.

"Editor Zhou, where is Comrade Liu Yimin staying now?" Yu Hua asked.

Zhou Yanru asked, puzzled, "What? You're going to see Comrade Liu Yimin? Comrade Yu Hua, you should revise your manuscript first. Comrade Liu Yimin is very busy and doesn't usually see people. Back then, we went to him three times to commission a manuscript, but we all came up empty-handed."

“Editor Zhou, I know Comrade Liu Yimin. I am able to write novels thanks to his guidance, but I have never met him. We correspond with each other and have a very good relationship. We are comrades and brothers.”

Zhou Yanru looked at Yu Hua, who was spitting saliva, with suspicion. If Yu Hua were from Beijing or Henan Province, she would believe it.

One was from Zhejiang Province, the other from Henan Province, and both became famous in Beijing. Their status in the literary world was also worlds apart, so it seemed like they had no connection whatsoever.

"Editor Zhou, don't disbelieve me, I showed this article to him at the beginning of the year, and he suggested submitting it to a provincial or higher-level journal. I submitted it for more than half a year without hearing anything back, and I thought he was lying to me again."
No, what I meant was that Comrade Liu Yimin overestimated me. I didn't expect you to call me. Don't you think Comrade Liu Yimin has such keen insight and such a refined grasp of the text?

Yu Hua blushed instantly, inadvertently revealing her "admiration" for Liu Yimin.

Zhou Yanru looked Yu Hua up and down: "I believe that. Comrade Liu Yimin has introduced many good works to our publishing house. Of course, he has introduced even more to People's Literature and Art."

Zhou Yanru's last sentence was almost spoken through gritted teeth.

"That's why I came to Yanjing; I definitely had to pay him a visit to thank him for his help to us new writers. I heard that Comrade Lu Yao was also discovered by him."

Zhou Yanru nodded in agreement with Yu Hua's words: "Comrade Yu Hua, I completely agree with your grateful heart. But remember, if Comrade Liu Yimin asks you to go to People's Literature and Art, you absolutely must not go!"
"Are all these things intended for Comrade Liu Yimin?"

“Yes, there’s nothing special, just some local specialties. Editor Zhou, I don’t even bother with People’s Literature and Art; I only care about our Yanjing Literature and Art.” Yu Hua quickly said, afraid that if he showed any sign of being a traitor, Yanjing Literature and Art would refuse to publish his work.

"Go visit him tomorrow. It's the weekend, and he's staying at the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Here's his phone number. Make an appointment before you go. Comrade Liu Yimin is a very busy man these days. If you make an appointment too late, he might go to Zhonghai."

"Zhonghai?"

"Yes, the preface to 'The Birth of a Nation' was written by a high-ranking official. When the play premiered, there was a group of high-ranking officials present. To be honest, I had never seen so many officials when I was in the anti-Japanese base area."

Seeing that Yu Hua really wanted to wear thermal pants, Zhou Yanru turned around to leave: "You're the only one in this room right now. Go visit her tomorrow, and then revise the manuscript. There's no rush."

Before leaving, Zhou Yanru glanced at the local specialties on the table one last time, shook her head, and thought of all the words of advice she had to give, but she couldn't use them at all.

Back in the editorial office, Zhou Yanru saw the busy Zhang Dening and sighed inwardly, "Why isn't my senior sister as attractive as my senior brother? People's Literature and Art Publishing House is really lucky."

Zhang Dening suddenly sneezed and looked around suspiciously.
According to People's Literature and Art, this issue's sales have exceeded one million copies. Meanwhile, Yanjing Literature and Art now sells approximately 800,000 copies a month. Zhou Yanru, the person in charge, is overwhelmed just thinking about it.

The next day, Liu Yimin finished breakfast and prepared to go to school. The textbook revision was time-sensitive, so Liu Yimin also had to go to the office on Sundays.

"Teacher Liu, this is the first time I've seen you work longer hours than I do at work," Zhu Lin said, swirling the milk in her glass.

Zhu Lin was wearing pajamas, planning to go back to her bedroom for a good rest after Liu Yimin left.

Just as I was getting ready to leave, Yu Hua called.

Hearing the stammering voice on the other end, Liu Yimin frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

"Comrade Liu Yimin, this is Yu Hua. I've come to Yenching to revise the manuscript."

"Yu Hua?" Liu Yimin paused for two seconds before reacting: "Yu Hua, congratulations! Which editorial department did you submit your work to?"

"Comrade Liu Yimin, thank you for your help. May I visit you at the Overseas Chinese Apartment?" Yu Hua asked cautiously.

"Hmm? Come over this afternoon. I have some business to attend to at Yenching University this morning. When you arrive at the Overseas Chinese Apartments, go directly to room 308 in the North Building."

"Okay, I'll definitely be there. You go ahead with your work." Yu Hua quickly hung up the phone. "Teacher Liu, who was that?"

"Yu Hua, a writer from Zhejiang Province who came to revise his manuscript. Do you want to go out this afternoon? Let's have lunch at Fengzeyuan. If you're too tired, you can stay home and rest."

"I won't go. There's too much chatter. I'll wait for you at home," Zhu Lin said.

"Row."

Liu Yimin called Liu Zhenyun again, inviting him to dinner at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Liu Zhenyun happily replied, "What time? Oh, I'm really craving braised sea cucumber with scallions. I've been hearing about it so much lately, I was even drooling in my dreams last night."

Liu Zhenyun's words amused Liu Yimin, who then said, "I have to go to work this morning. Could you ask Shi Tiesheng if he's free? It's been a long time since we've seen each other. If possible, let's meet at Fengzeyuan at 3 pm this afternoon."

"No problem," Liu Zhenyun readily agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Zhenyun tossed his hair and swallowed hard, gazing in the direction of Fengzeyuan.

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin met Yu Hua, who was wearing green woolen pants and a red sweater, carrying some local specialties to test the cadres.

Yu Hua took a stroll around the Overseas Chinese Apartments, her eyes wide with astonishment, like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, thank you for your help with my writing. You are my teacher on my writing journey!"

Liu Yimin smiled and said, "It's all thanks to your own hard work. Come on, it's your first time in Yanjing, I'll introduce you to some friends and treat you to a meal."

Yu Hua said to Zhu Lin, "Excuse me, Comrade Zhu Lin, I'm sorry to bother you."

Zhu Lin waved his hand: "It's nothing, I'm just not feeling well today, otherwise I'd like to have dinner with you guys."

Liu Yimin led Yu Hua to Fengzeyuan Restaurant. The restaurant was bustling with customers. Yu Hua looked at the large characters "Fengzeyuan" and asked, "Is this the Fengzeyuan Restaurant from 'The Legendary Shopkeeper'? It must cost a lot of money to eat here, right?"

"It's alright, it's my treat."

"No, Comrade Liu Yimin, I'll treat you."

At this moment, Liu Zhenyun and Shi Lan pushed Shi Tiesheng over. Shi Lan looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Brother Yimin, it's been a long time."

"It's my fault. I'll treat everyone to dinner today."

Shi Tiesheng and Liu Zhenyun turned their attention to Yu Hua. Liu Yimin introduced them to each other, and Yu Hua held Shi Tiesheng's hand, inwardly marveling at Shi Tiesheng's strength.

After entering, Liu Yimin said to the waiter, "We're eating by ourselves today, so any seat is fine."

The waiter nodded, no longer considering informing the general manager.

Liu Yimin ordered a few dishes first, and then let everyone else order. When Liu Zhenyun saw that there was braised sea cucumber with scallions and cuttlefish egg soup, he didn't order any more, since he had already ordered what he wanted.

"Shi Lan, come here, they're all being too polite!" Liu Yimin handed the menu directly to Shi Lan.

Shi Lan ordered another dish of braised crucian carp and Jiaodong stew: "Brother Yimin, that's enough, we can't finish any more."

Liu Zhenyun and Shi Tiesheng asked Yu Hua what works he had written. Yu Hua spoke modestly yet boastfully, and after finishing, he said, "I estimate that when I go back to Yanjing, I will be transferred to the cultural center."

Liu Zhenyun said, "Working at the cultural center is easy, unlike my job at the Farmers' Daily, which was too tiring."

Yu Hua looked at Liu Zhenyun: "Comrade Zhenyun, you're from the Farmers' Daily!"

"Hmm!" Liu Zhenyun's "hmm" was devoid of emotion, filled only with smugness.

When Liu Yimin started talking about Shi Tiesheng's recently published essays, Yu Hua couldn't wait to join in. As they chatted, he discovered that he and Shi Tiesheng shared many of their views on literature, and a sense of mutual appreciation arose in their hearts.

Shi Tiesheng and Yu Hua both became typical representatives of avant-garde literature in the mid-to-late 1980s.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, do you think Western literature is ahead of us?" Yu Hua suddenly asked.

"I don't think so. The West always views Chinese literature with prejudice. I've had this feeling when I went to France, the United States, and participated in the Sino-US Comparative Literature Forum. They view Chinese literature as if it were an unearthed artifact, with a sense of superiority. If the starting point is prejudiced, then the conclusion is bound to be wrong."

They believe that Chinese literature has strayed from its essence, while some of our writers have begun to admire Western literature. Their criticisms of us are hailed by our writers as sobering truth. Under the praise of some of our writers, they become complacent in the praise derived from prejudice.

This is so abnormal. It's like someone's about to slap you, and you stick your face out and say, "Good riddance!" Isn't that just pathetic?

After listening, Shi Tiesheng, Yu Hua, and Liu Zhenyun each had their own thoughts. Shi Tiesheng felt that many writing styles in Western literature were worth learning, while Yu Hua shrewdly did not express his own opinion.

Liu Zhenyun strongly agrees with what Liu Yimin said. Essentially, Liu Zhenyun's novels have always been rather "rustic" and down-to-earth, belonging to the rural realist literature, but not to traditional realism. They focus on looking at the real world from the perspective of people's inner world and spiritual world.

Liu Zhenyun's "rustic" style means that it is not as sharp as avant-garde literature; a silent child is never as eye-catching as a loud and boisterous one.

The popularity of Liu Zhenyun's "rustic" style is related to its adaptation into film and television. Liu's humor is more appealing in the film industry than in the physical book industry, and its popularity in the film and television industry has helped him on his literary path.

Liu Zhenyun picked up his chopsticks and said, "You're discussing literature with such good food? You really don't understand the finer things in life. If you're not going to eat it, I will."

Yu Hua glanced at Liu Zhenyun and quickly picked up her chopsticks as well.

"Not bad, this braised sea cucumber with scallions tastes authentic!" Liu Zhenyun wolfed down his first bite, only savoring the second one carefully.

Shi Lan remembered Shi Tiesheng's instructions before he came and ate very reservedly, but after a while, it was so delicious that she simply forgot all about Shi Tiesheng's words.

“I’ve been mooching food from Yimin since the first day of school. First it was chewing gum, then it was the Changzheng Hotel at Yenching University. Now I’m living a good life and I can mooch food from Fengzeyuan,” Liu Zhenyun said with a smile.

Shi Lan raised her hand and said, "Me too, me too! Brother Yimin, why didn't Sister Zhu Lin come?"

"She is pregnant, so she is resting at home."

"Wow, next time we meet, I'll get to see the little brother!"

"Ahem, you'd better think about what to call me again!" Shi Tiesheng tapped Shi Lan on the head.

After finishing her meal, Yu Hua pinched her wallet. She had secretly checked the prices of the vegetables earlier and realized that she didn't have enough money!
They were just saying they wanted to pay the bill, but now they have to pretend they forgot.

After chatting for a while, Liu Yimin said, "We still have time in the days to come. Let's go out and not keep the diners at Fengzeyuan Restaurant from getting in the way."

Liu Zhenyun wiped his mouth and said with satisfaction, "Hahaha, it's just that we arrived at three o'clock and missed the mealtime, otherwise we might not have been able to get a seat. Now, because of 'The Legendary Manager,' Fengzeyuan is as popular as a sunset."

Liu Yimin took the lead, and the closer Yu Hua got to the counter, the more flustered he became, fearing that Liu Yimin's gaze would fall on him.

With trepidation, the group had already reached the door. Yu Hua glanced at Fengzeyuan, then at the expressionless faces of the group.

Taking advantage of Liu Yimin's inattention, he secretly tugged at Liu Zhenyun's sleeve and whispered, "Yanjing has developed to this point that you don't have to pay for meals?"

Liu Zhenyun revealed the expression typical of an old Beijing resident: "Yimin eats several plates of braised sea cucumber with scallions and doesn't need to pay? He doesn't even pay when he eats at the White House in America!"

"what?"

Liu Yimin and Shi Lan were pushing Shi Tiesheng's wheelchair when they heard Liu Zhenyun's words. They turned around and laughed, "Zhenyun, you bastard, don't talk about me behind my back."

"So friendly, so very friendly!" Liu Zhenyun said shamelessly.

Shi Lan said with a smile, "Brother Yu Hua, Fengzeyuan is free for Brother Yi Min. No matter how much he eats or how many people he brings, it's free."

"why?"

"Of course, it's because of the novel 'The Legendary Shopkeeper'."

Yu Hua glanced at Fengzeyuan behind him and asked, "Should I write one for them too?"

"Hahaha!"

Liu Yimin looked at Liu Zhenyun and asked about his relationship with Guo Jianmei. Liu Zhenyun smiled shyly, his meaning unspoken.

Liu Zhenyun and Shi Lan pushed the wheelchair away from Fengzeyuan, while Liu Yimin escorted Yu Hua back to the Cultural Bureau.

Yu Hua invited Liu Yimin to come inside and sit down. Liu Yimin laughed and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come out once I go in. Comrade Yu Hua, I wish you a smooth revision process."

(End of this chapter)