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

Chapter 412 A Breakthrough in Olympic History
Inside the room, Liu Yimin heard Li Congren calling in his dream. He woke up groggily, rubbed his slightly aching head, and walked to the door to open it.

Li Congren's face was flushed, and his eyes bulged out. Seeing his excited appearance, Liu Yimin asked, "What's the matter?"

"Liu, look, you're on the cover of Time magazine!" Li Congren excitedly waved the Time magazine cover in front of Liu Yimin.

Liu Yimin did not take the book. Instead, he went to the bathroom to wash his face and clear his head before taking Time magazine from Li Congren.

On the cover, Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin are making dumplings in the kitchen, their heads close together. Whoever holds the magazine can see the tender and sweet feeling emanating from it.

"Liu, you and your wife are so happy," Li Congren exclaimed.

This photo was taken by Niki during the Spring Festival in a courtyard house this year. I never expected it to appear in Time magazine after so long.

Next to the cover are a few lines of small print, which include Liu Yimin's name and his position. At the bottom is a brief introduction: "An Eastern writer who has caught the attention of the American literary world!"

Li Congren quickly opened the magazine, which contained a complete report about Liu Yimin, detailing his background and even revealing that he had just had twins.

“The American media really knows how to infiltrate every corner of the world,” Liu Yimin said.

Li Congren sat on the sofa and began reading with great interest. The magazine devoted three pages to Liu Yimin, detailing his achievements, especially his book "Beloved," in addition to his background.

Images of readers and media welcoming Liu Yimin at the airport yesterday were also printed next to the article. Time magazine added the events of yesterday to its print run yesterday.

"He is a young man unlike traditional Chinese writers. He dares to express himself and engage in heated debates. Traditional Chinese writers always face the West with a smile and patiently explain themselves when faced with misunderstandings, but Yi Min Liu is different. He will launch a fierce attack on his opponents with the most incisive words..."

As Li Congren read, he read aloud, using this opportunity to demonstrate to Liu Yimin that his Chinese had not deteriorated.

"Liu, if I remember correctly, you should be the first Chinese writer to appear on the cover of Time magazine. Time magazine is a major American publication with unparalleled influence, and even fewer people get to appear on its cover."

Li Congren talked on and on, while Liu Yimin sat beside him, ignoring him and listening attentively until the end.

After reading it, Niki from China Book and Periodical Press came to the hotel. Niki also presented Liu Yimin with a copy of Time magazine to express her congratulations.

When Niki saw Li Congren appear in Liu Yimin's room, her gaze was filled with doubt, confusion, and finally respect.

“Ms. Niki, this is Li Congren, a former international student at Yenching University. He currently runs a magazine in California called ‘Thoughts’,” Liu Yimin explained.

After hearing the explanation, Niki realized what was going on: "I've heard of your magazine, 'Thoughts.' It's very concise, but you've really captured the hearts of young people."

"Thank you, Ms. Nikki. I hope we can work together in the future."

Nikki smiled and said, "I hope so, but our main business is Chinese book publishing and magazine sales, so I don't think the possibility of cooperation is very high."

“Who knows?” Li Congren shrugged.

"Liu, it seems you already know this good news. I didn't expect Time magazine to choose this time to publish the photos I took."

"I thought it was a 'business' arrangement you made." When Li Congren brought the magazine over, Liu Yimin really thought so, after all, Niki was trying every means to increase book sales.

“Time magazine is a major publication, and we only have a minor working relationship. They won’t listen to us unless there’s enough profit involved. I think they weren’t originally planning to publish this, but after they heard you were coming to the United States, they planned this issue,” Nikki said.

Liu Yimin nodded and said, "That's the only explanation; otherwise, the timing wouldn't be so precise."

Li Congren interjected, "No matter what, this is a good thing. Time magazine has essentially given Liu free publicity, increasing his influence in the United States."

Because of Niki's presence, Li Congren didn't have time to chat with Liu Yimin alone, so he made a promise to go to Los Angeles with Liu Yimin to watch the game: "The two of us traveled south from San Francisco, along the west coast of the United States, feeling the gentle sea breeze all the way to Los Angeles."

Watching Li Congren's departing figure, Niki couldn't help but say, "That guy is quite interesting."

"uh-huh."

"Liu, I heard that you've authorized publishers in France and the UK to publish in multiple countries. Our publishing house wants to obtain exclusive rights in the US and Canada. What do you think?"

After Niki finished speaking, she looked directly at Liu Yimin, expecting his reaction.

Liu Yimin said, "Okay, I agree. But we need to discuss the specific details further."

"Of course, no problem. We're friends. Friends should have a good talk."

Niki had already reaped the profits from "The Favourite," so she readily accepted Liu Yimin's request to renegotiate the revenue sharing. The specific figures were quickly agreed upon, with an increase of one percentage point compared to the previous agreement in Yanjing.

"Happy cooperation!"

"It's a pleasure working with you!" Nikki happily put away the authorization contract and told Liu Yimin about his schedule for the day.

"This afternoon we're going to Stanford University for a meet-and-greet and book signing for 'Beloved.' Tomorrow morning we're at the University of San Francisco, and we have no plans for the afternoon. During the Olympics, we'll be holding meet-and-greet and book signings in Los Angeles, including a Chinese cultural promotion event, which is co-organized with the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco."

Liu Yimin glanced at the schedule and said, "Let's proceed according to your plan!"

“Liu, let’s go have breakfast first, rest for a bit, and then head to Stanford,” Nikki said happily.

During the meal, Nikki told Liu Yimin about the impact of authors on book sales: "Since the news of your arrival spread, book sales in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas have increased continuously, by about ten percent."

"How much will we sell it for?" Liu Yimin asked.

"Twelve to twenty dollars."

Liu Yimin remained silent; this price was considered quite high even in the United States. The two ate some eggs and bread in the restaurant, after which Liu Yimin returned to the hotel and contacted the volleyball team.

After Coach Yuan finished speaking on the phone, Yu Jiajia's voice came through. Upon learning that Liu Yimin was going to hold a book signing event in Stanford, Yu Jiajia instantly had the idea of ​​ignoring the Olympics and rushing to San Francisco to attend the event.

"Comrade Yimin, when are you arriving in Los Angeles?"

"I'll arrive tomorrow night."

After hanging up the phone and taking a short rest, Liu Yimin, accompanied by the China Book and Periodical Press, headed straight for Stanford University, located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Stanford University is lush and green in the summer, and the buildings on campus are also very distinctive.

Niki asked, "Liu, which school do you think is more beautiful, Yenching University or Stanford?"

“Ms. Niki, I’m used to seeing Chinese architecture, so of course I think it’s more beautiful. Of course, Yenching University’s teaching facilities can’t compare to Stanford’s, but with the development of China’s economy in the future, Yenching University’s teaching facilities will definitely catch up.”

Niki led Liu Yimin straight to the indoor lecture hall at Stanford University, which was already full of students. Just like last time, Vietnamese students were protesting outside the lecture hall with signs.

"It's really tough in this sweltering summer," Liu Yimin said. The monkeys were already dark-skinned, and after being exposed to this sun, they all looked listless and almost like they were of African descent.

Niki laughed when she heard Liu Yimin's words: "Liu, you really have the mood to joke." The car stopped next to a student, and Liu Yimin handed her a bottle of water. The student hesitated for a few seconds before taking the water blankly. Only after the car drove away did she belatedly throw the water at the car.

As we all know, there are only two emotions in the world that are most hurtful: indifference and forgetting.

After resting for about ten minutes in the reception room outside the lecture hall, Liu Yimin walked onto the stage from the side, introduced by the host.

"Thank you all for liking my book. It proves that literature has no borders and that we are committed to the pursuit of love and equality."

Liu Yimin stood on the stage and bowed deeply: "I have always believed that excellent writers earn royalties, while great writers win people's hearts."

The audience erupted in applause and chanted slogans of "love and equality." Then Liu Yimin stood on the stage and talked about his motivation for writing "Beloved."

"There are always some histories that cannot be forgotten, and someone has to record them. I thought, why not me? The bestseller Green Book made me realize that the power of words is limited. In order to make the power of words stronger, I must write more literary works."

It's time for us to say 'NO' to deep-seated racism.

The students and professors in the audience listened attentively. One professor looked at the students behind him, then at Liu Yimin, who was speaking eloquently on the stage, and said, "If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was seeing a pastor from the East."

“Professor James, it’s very effective. He’s promoting his book and his ideas like a politician giving a speech,” a professor nearby remarked.

“Magical realism is rooted in realism, and ‘Beloved’ is also based on a true historical story. I traveled from rural China to the capital, to the plateau, to the desert, to the front lines, and also to the United States. In each place I went, I observed the local stories and made reality my source material.”

The host asked Liu Yimin many questions about writing, and some students also brought books such as "Triumph at Midnight" and "Smoke of War in Beiping" to ask questions. Liu Yimin explained them one by one.

In particular, "The Flames of War in Beiping" involves traditional Chinese culture and historical background, and Liu Yimin was worried that these people would not understand it.

"Professor Liu, I have some Japanese students who think the atomic bomb is evil. What do you think?"

"The atomic bomb is a demon, but we've learned the mathematical principle that 'two negatives make a positive.'" Liu Yimin paused after saying this, and seeing that the American students didn't quite understand, he explained the mathematical principle of "two negatives make a positive" to them.

"Using evil to stop evil, that is justice!"

After Liu Yin finished speaking, the students in the audience applauded again.

“Professor Liu, my friend told me about your speech at the Sino-US Comparative Literature Forum. You are an excellent professor with a deep understanding of Sino-US literature. Welcome to the United States,” a professor said.

"Thank you!"

After the speech, it was time for the book signing. Liu Yimin brought the seal that Xu Chi had carved for him, and after signing, the staff stamped it.

Three hours later, Niki reported the sales results: more than 1,500 copies of the book had been sold.

“Completed!” Liu Yimin shook his aching neck and stood up to say.

When I came out of the lecture hall, the Vietnamese students outside had disappeared, leaving only signs hanging on both sides of the road.

In the evening, Consul Hu from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco came to the hotel to welcome Liu Yimin to the United States, congratulate him on being featured in Time magazine, and finalize the specific arrangements for promoting Chinese culture in Los Angeles.

"Comrade Yimin, you are remarkable. You have appeared on the cover of Time magazine at such a young age."

"I didn't expect that either!"

The following day, after attending a book signing event at the University of San Francisco, Liu Yimin got into Li Congren's car and headed straight to Los Angeles.

Li Congren handed Liu Yimin a set of clothes: a white t-shirt, shorts, a baseball cap, and sunglasses: "Liu, just think of it as a beach vacation."

"You can't expect me to change in the car!"

"I have no opinion."

Liu Yimin chuckled and scolded, then told Li Congren to drive towards Los Angeles. They traveled along California Highway 1, the west coast winding and twisting, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and majestic mountains on the other.

Liu Yimin lamented that the Native Americans couldn't hold onto such a fertile land.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Liu Yimin and Li Congren first went to the Olympic Village, found the volleyball team's accommodation, and received their tickets from Yuan Weimin.

Yuan Weimin pointed at Li Congren with a puzzled look, and Liu Yimin said, "He used to be an international student at Yenching University."

"I see. Yimin, see you on the court." Yuan Weimin didn't say much. Time was tight. Tomorrow, the 28th, was the opening ceremony, and the women's volleyball preliminaries were on the 30th.

Liu Yimin and Li Congren were staying at a hotel not far away. Li Congren had several tickets, and Liu Yimin asked him if there were any tickets for the men's free pistol shooting competition.

“This project is boring,” Li Congren complained. “I prefer watching basketball, badminton, and other sports where there is direct or indirect physical contact between the two sides.”

"Comrade Li Congren, is it possible for you to find me a ticket? I want to go and take a look. There are Chinese athletes participating on the 29th."

Upon hearing this, Li Congren immediately made a phone call, and that evening someone delivered two tickets to the freestyle pistol shooting competition to them.

On the 29th, Liu Yimin and Li Congren entered the Los Angeles Stadium after passing through security. As Li Congren said, there weren't that many spectators in the stadium.

Liu Yimin saw Xu Haifeng in his seat. He calmly took out his gun and started shooting. He did very well in the first two groups. However, in the third group, Xu Haifeng felt his condition decline, so he left the field to rest for 20 minutes. When he returned, his condition was still not good.

Liu Yimin couldn't help but feel a little worried for Xu Haifeng. Xu Haifeng didn't rush, but slowly adjusted his state before starting to fight.

After the competition ended, enthusiastic spectators cheered for the athletes, and Liu Yimin took the opportunity to take many photos.

The results are not displayed in real time, but are verified by the organizing committee, which takes about thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes later, the referee announced over the loudspeaker: "First place, Xu Haifeng, 566 rings, from China!"

Upon hearing the news, members of the Chinese Olympic delegation, coaches, Chinese people, and Chinese spectators in the stadium jumped up excitedly. China had finally achieved its first Olympic gold medal.

In addition, one Chinese athlete won a bronze medal.

The organizing committee never expected China to win an award, nor did they expect to win two medals. They only prepared one national flag, and it wasn't until 45 minutes later that they brought out another five-star red flag.

Under the watchful eyes of the audience at the venue and Chinese spectators across the ocean, International Olympic Committee President Samaranch personally presented the award, calling it a great day in the history of Chinese sports.

The Chinese people on the other side of the ocean were thrilled, and the newspapers that published the news of the award were sold out the next day.

Liu Changchun, the Chinese athlete who traveled alone across the ocean to compete that year, passed away last year and was unable to witness this scene.

P.S.: Thank you to the generous reader "自扰者忧天4998" for the donation.
(End of this chapter)