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

Chapter 62 needs to be seen by young people across the country (please continue reading)
In the late 1970s, Liu Yimin felt that the China Youth Daily was truly outspoken, even more so than major newspapers. Some of its articles truly lived up to the "youth" in the newspaper's name. In 1978, amidst the wave of newspapers and magazines resuming publication, on October 7th, just three days after Liu Yimin arrived at Yenching University, the China Youth Daily resumed publication.

The first article after the publication resumed was a critique of the old saying "like father, like son" and "like father, like son"—"Should Family Background Be Inherited?"

This sparked heated discussions in society and displeased many. Young people were excited, holding the China Youth Daily, and the newspaper subsequently featured a variety of articles on youth issues every day. These articles criticized the restrictions that hindered youth progress and encouraged them to learn knowledge and culture, actively participate in the college entrance examination, and study science and culture.

Writing letters to the China Youth Daily has become an important way for young people to express their inner confusion and indignation. It is said that the China Youth Daily is now often blocked at the door by letters sent by young people from all over the country. Liu Yimin doesn't know if it's true!

Cui Daoyi raised his wrist to look at his watch, anxiously gazing towards the south gate. The appointed time had arrived, so why hadn't the editor from China Youth Daily arrived yet?
"Old Cui, what kind of article did they ask me to write?" Liu Yimin asked.

Liu Yimin was shocked when he thought of this. Could it be that the China Youth Daily was going to use him as a weapon?

"I don't know either. The China Youth Daily has been very aggressive lately, and young people are all proud to read and submit articles to it. As a young writer, they definitely want you to say something!"

Newspapers usually commission articles with a specific theme. Cui Daoyi thought to himself that if the theme he was given was too difficult, he would speak up to help Liu Yimin if he saw him resisting.

As Cui Daoyi was thinking, a girl with a ponytail suddenly ran in. Looking up, he saw it was a junior editor from China Youth Daily. The girl's forehead was covered in sweat, and she gripped the strap of her bag tightly with both hands to keep it from swinging around as she ran.

"Teacher Cui, I'm sorry, my bicycle broke down on the way, so I threw it at the South Gate and ran here!" The girl wiped her hands on her clothes, making sure her palms were dry before reaching out to shake hands with Cui Daoyi.

"No wonder, sit down and rest for a while," Cui Daoyi said with concern, recalling that he was the same age when he first started working.

The young girl smiled slightly, turned to look at Liu Yimin, and extended her hand, saying, "This must be Comrade Liu Yimin, right?"

"Yimin, let me introduce you. This is Yu Jiajia from China Youth Daily. Yu Jiajia is a very strong-willed girl. After the China Youth Daily resumed publication, her enthusiasm for soliciting articles made me ashamed back then!"

"Hello, Comrade Yu Jiajia, I am Liu Yimin."

Looking at the young people who were not much older than herself, Yu Jiajia felt a little relieved. She had just received a commission and was very enthusiastic, but sometimes she couldn't relax when facing colleagues who were older than her.

After a seemingly fluent but somewhat awkward exchange of pleasantries, Liu Yimin finally understood her purpose.

"Comrade Yu Jiajia, I dare not accept the title of youth representative. I have only worked a little harder than the average person. It is too much of an honor to be a youth representative." Liu Yimin was overwhelmed by Yu Jiajia's flattery. Such a heavy title was going to crush him.

Putting aside others, even the people at Yenching University would be furious with Liu Yimin. How can writing a few articles make him a representative of contemporary youth? Everyone has written a few articles, and even if they aren't as good as him, they would still be vying for the title of youth representative.

Cui Daoyi: "Jiajia is right! I've heard of the name 'Little Li Bai' in People's Literature and Art."

"Are you sure you want this manuscript?"

Liu Yimin held the *Henan Provincial Daily* that Yu Jiajia had handed him; it was from September, and it contained a reprinted article titled "Inspiring a New Generation: Genius Writer Liu Yimin Encourages Test Takers." Liu Yimin was puzzled; when did this article get reprinted by the provincial newspaper?
"Comrade Liu Yimin, your report is excellent. The language is powerful and inspiring. It captures the positive and high-spirited fighting spirit of the younger generation. My colleagues in Henan Province sent me a copy of the newspaper, and after reading it, I immediately decided to ask you to contribute. How can a report for young people not be published in the China Youth Daily? We should let young people all over the country hear your voice, to cheer them up, to look forward, and to set off towards the light."

Cui Daoyi curiously took the document and glanced at Yu Jiajia. No wonder she told him it was a pre-written draft. After reading it, Cui Daoyi couldn't help but say, "Yimin, you're really good at giving reports! If you were placed before the founding of the People's Republic of China, hey, you'd be a loudspeaker-wielding bum too!"

That's incredibly inflammatory. The line, "Those who chase the light will surely shine brightly," is really inspiring.

"Since this is a report, and it was recorded by a reporter on the spot, I'm afraid that my record may deviate from the original report. So I came here today to ask if it would be convenient for Yimin Fang to use this as a basis to publish a new article."

Yu Jiajia spoke subtly, but everyone understood what she meant: we wanted something better.

"Okay, I'll try my best to polish it, but it will take too long to mail the letter."

Yu Jiajia hurriedly said, "Is five days okay? I'll come and pick it up by bicycle in five days!"

"Okay, but make sure the bicycle is checked before you come back in five days, so it doesn't break down again!" Liu Yimin joked as he put away his newspaper.

Yu Jiajia got her face all messed up. Then the two got up to say goodbye. Cui Daoyi drove Yu Jiajia away from Yanda University, intending to take her to get her bicycle repaired. Liu Yimin stood in the veranda, vaguely hearing Cui Daoyi instructing Yu Jiajia on how to solicit manuscripts and how to communicate with authors.

In Maiji Brigade, Liu Fuqing received the package from the postman. It was addressed to his second son. He thought to himself that his second son had already sent a telegram home to let them know he was safe after arriving in Yanjing, so why was another package being sent back?

He called to Yang Xiuyun to open the package together. Inside were two envelopes. One envelope had the words "To Lan Yong" written on it. The package also contained some daily necessities that the family was short of.

"This child, even after arriving in Yanjing, still misses home. We have everything we need back home. I wonder if he can take care of himself all by himself in Yanjing," Yang Xiuyun complained.

The envelope was filled with photos Liu Yimin had taken in Yanjing. The elderly couple looked at each photo one by one, offering their comments from time to time.

"Yimin also took a photo with the old man. Look at Tiananmen Square in the background, it looks just like the portrait we have at home!"

“Mother, you stay here and keep watch. I’ll give this letter to Lan Yong.”

"Okay, we have to hang this photo up in our house!"

Li Lanyong took the letter, his nose running with delight. Inside was a leader badge that Liu Yimin had sent him from Tiananmen Square.

"Uncle Fuqing, Mom and Dad, I must go to Beijing to see Tiananmen Square sometime. The Tiananmen Square in the photos is so beautiful, it must be even more beautiful in Beijing!"

Dear readers, this is a robbery! Hand over your tickets now!
(End of this chapter)