1980 My literary era

Two days later it was the weekend. Lin Weimin went to the market to buy some mutton rolls and came to No. 26 Yonghegong Street, with a tail behind him.

"Tiesheng! Tiesheng!"

Lin Weimin entered the courtyard and called Shi Tiesheng's name, and Xiaojian pushed him out.

"Xiao Jian is here?"

"For the people!"

The two said hello.

Lin Weimin brought the mutton into the house again and said to Shi's father: "Uncle, don't cook at noon today. Let's eat boiled mutton."

"Okay." Father Shi replied with a smile.

In the morning of early autumn, the sun is just right.

Shi Tiesheng's wheelchair was pushed to the jujube tree in the courtyard. Xiaojian leaned against the jujube tree casually. Han Zhuangzhuang brought a stool, but he didn't want it, saying that he had been sitting in the room for a long time.

Several people were sitting or standing around the jujube tree in the courtyard.

Lin Weimin asked Shi Tiesheng jokingly, "How is it? How does it feel to be famous?"

At this time, more than four months have passed since the publication of Shi Tiesheng's "My Distant Qingping Bay". The novel has aroused considerable repercussions across the country. Through this work, many literature lovers know that there is a novel in Yanjing. Shi Tiesheng, a writer with a disability but strong ambition.

"That's it." Shi Tiesheng's tone was casual, and he added, "The only advantage is that the royalties may increase in the future."

He asked again: "How is the writing of the novel you talked about last time?"

"It's finished and will be published early next year."

Xiaojian asked: "Why do you have to wait until the beginning of the year to publish it? Is the page so tight?"

"There's nothing I can do. The publisher said that I took up too much space in People's Literature in a year and didn't give young writers a chance. They asked me to wait for a supplement to be published."

Lin Weimin said pretentious words in a helpless tone, which made Shi Tiesheng want to hit someone.

"Aren't you also a young writer?" Xiao Jian asked stupidly and naively.

Shi Tiesheng said quietly: "You didn't understand what he meant. He meant that he is now a generation higher than us."

Only then did Xiao Jian react, "You are so shameless!"

Lin Weimin said aggrievedly: "What does this have to do with me? It's not what I said."

After joking for a while, Shi Tiesheng said seriously: "Issuing a supplement this time, what should I do in the future? Is there also a supplement?"

Lin Weimin spread his hands, "Who knows. Anyway, I have to earn this royalties. If the publisher really doesn't want to accept my works, then I will publish them somewhere else. "Harvest", "October", "Zhongshan", "Flower City" is both good."

Shi Tiesheng joked: "You kid is going to betray G's destiny. Your leader's blood pressure will probably rise."

"There's nothing we can do about it."

Shi Tiesheng added: "By the way, when you mentioned Harvest, Xiaojian also wrote a novella and submitted it to Harvest."

It is true that Xiao Jian is a student of Yan Ying, but he has been engaged in literary creation for a longer period of time, which can be traced back to the early 1970s.

Lin Weimin has also read what he wrote. If he had to evaluate it, he can sum it up in four words - his talent is limited.

Lin Weimin pretended to be unhappy, "What's going on? You didn't vote for me, but voted for "Harvest". You kid must be considered as betraying G's life!"

Xiaojian waved his hand quickly, "It's not that I didn't vote for you, but I voted for "Contemporary". You didn't want it. You were on a business trip at that time."

"We didn't ask for it, so you voted for "Harvest"? When did our standards for "Contemporary" become so high? Only the works that have been brushed off will have their turn in "Harvest"?"

Shi Tiesheng and Xiao Jian were made to laugh by him.

Xiao Jian said: "I am simply casting a wide net."

"It's okay. Every editorial department has a different style. It doesn't necessarily work in our "Contemporary" or in other publications." Lin Weimin said with relief.

“I have been used to submitting papers for so many years, and rejection is the norm.”

After chatting for a while, Xiaojian talked about graduation again. He actually graduated this year and was assigned to Hainan. But because I had to help my teacher Xie Fei with the script, I temporarily stayed in Yanjing.

Lin Weimin became interested when he heard Xie Fei. He had had several contacts with Xie Fei before.

"It's called "Our Fields" and it's a reaction film..."

Xiaojian gave Lin Weimin a brief introduction to the movie. Now the script is almost complete and filming can start next month.

Lin Weimin thought about it for a moment and found that this film was not in his memory. It seemed that the quality was average.

Following the topic of the movie, Lin Weimin asked Xiaojian about the whereabouts of this class of graduates. Xiaojian, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and Zhang Yimou were all classmates in the same class.

"Everyone is basically assigned to film studios in various places. For example, many of our editing and directing classes are locals from Yanjing and stayed at Yanying Studio directly, such as Cheng Kaige and Tian Zhuangzhuang."

These days, the principle of distribution based on proximity is implemented, and those who can return to their hometowns will do so.

"Where is Zhang Yimou?"

"Zhang Yimou?" Xiao Jian thought for a long time before a face with vicissitudes of life appeared in his mind.

Zhang Yimou was a good professional in school, but he was low-key and could not compare with a man like Cheng Kaige. Xiao Jian's impression of him was limited to his good photography skills.

"He seems to be in the photography class, right? I remember he went to Xiying Film Studio."

Everything is the same as history.

A few people were chatting, and Father Shi over there also prepared lunch.

Shabu-shabu mutton is Shi Tiesheng's favorite. Lin Weimin has been coming to Yanjing for two or three years, and he likes it now.

In addition, Han Zhuangzhuang was a big eater, so the meal was full of enthusiasm. The eight kilograms of mutton rolls were not enough.

Before National Day, Lin Weimin received a reply from Tao Huimin.

Seriously, Lin Weimin and she only met once. Although they didn't say it explicitly, they both confirmed the other's status in their hearts.

Tao Huimin's reply was not as bold as Lin Weimin's, but the girlish shyness and affection between the lines was really irresistible.

Especially when she mentioned the love poems written specially for her by Lin Weimin, she felt even more excited and joyful.

Tao Huimin also mentioned in the letter that the performance in Xiangjiang has been successfully completed. They are now back in Hangzhou and are rehearsing new plays.

The response to this performance in Xiangjiang has been very good. Starting next month, the troupe will prepare to perform in many cities in Zhijiang Province. Next year, it may also perform in other cities in China, and may also go to Yanjing.

When she said this, Tao Huimin's tone was both excited and disappointed.

What’s exciting is that the troupe’s performances are becoming more and more influential, and I’m very likely to come to Yanjing to meet Lin Weimin next year.

What is disappointing is that there is little hope of meeting Lin Weimin this year. She now spends most of her time practicing and rehearsing every day, followed by performances, unless she quits.

Tao Huimin had a strict upbringing and a very conservative style. She was determined not to do such a treasonous thing.

Lin Weimin thought of the girl's beautiful eyebrows slightly frowning and looking worried, and a knowing smile appeared on her face.

He spread out the letter paper and wrote her a reply, with the general idea of ​​letting her perform with peace of mind. He also wrote an extremely disgusting love poem to Tao Huimin in his heart.

Girls like this, Teacher Lin must arrange it.

After replying to the letter, Lin Weimin sighed.

This was the 1980s. If we had left it to future generations, if lovers did not see each other for months and a year, and usually relied on letters that only received one letter every ten months to maintain their relationship, I am afraid they would have broken up long ago.

It's not like Lin Weimin never thought of calling Tao Huimin.

But the problem is that neither of them has the conditions to make a phone call.

Lin Weimin's work unit does have a phone. Can he go to Lao Meng or Lao Qin's office to talk on the phone with his girlfriend? The dog's head has to be hammered off.

As for installing a telephone in your own home, it is even less realistic. These days, it is not possible for ordinary people to set up a telephone. To be serious, you need a certain level to be qualified.

Tao Huimin lives in an art school, and the school also has a phone, so she definitely won't use it. It's okay to call a public phone on the street once or twice, but the girl's financial strength doesn't allow it.

Lin Weimin couldn't give her money directly. He knew very well that given Tao Huimin's character, giving money would be counterproductive.

Alas, it was not easy to fall in love in the 1980s!

On the last day before the National Day holiday, Meng Weizai found Lin Weimin in his office.

Lin Weimin thought Meng Weizai was going to talk to him about the Yanbing Literature Award, but when Lao Meng opened his mouth, he was stunned.

"There is news from the United States that "Farewell My Concubine" will be reprinted."

"Printed? Is this sold?"

Random House contacted the Chinese Literature Society in June. Because the manuscript was translated in advance, it was quickly typed and printed. It appeared in bookstores in the United States in late July. The Morleys who Lin Weimin met by chance at West Lake were the Morleys. I bought the English version of "Farewell My Concubine" while traveling in the United States in early August.

Calculating the time, from late July to late September now, in two months, the first printing of 30,000 copies of "Farewell My Concubine" will be reprinted. Lin Weimin has no idea of ​​this sales volume.

"Leader, is this sales volume good?"

Meng Weizai said: "From what Random House said, it should be pretty good. If I print it and sell it, I might have a chance to get on their Sinchon Times bestseller list."

After hearing what Meng Weizai said, Lin Weimin had an idea.

The "Sinchon Times" bestseller list has a history of several decades and is a benchmark in the American book industry.

The works at the top of the rankings are all popular in the United States, and some of the heavyweight works have had a great influence around the world.

And being ranked on the best-seller list, even at the bottom, proves that "Farewell My Concubine" has a group of loyal readers in the United States, which is considered to be a small influence.

It's right to think about it, the decadent and charming mysterious East, the chaotic political background, the darkness and betrayal of human nature, the twisted same-sex relationships under repression, the poignant and beautiful love...

With so many factors that Laomi is interested in put together, it is not surprising to achieve such results.

After the fact, any analysis is correct.

Lin Weimin asked: "How many more volumes are Random House planning to print?"

"One hundred thousand copies."

Lin Weimin was surprised, "This is a big step."

Meng Weizai chuckled and said, "This proves that your book is popular!"

"This little printing volume has nothing to do with popularity. At most, it helps the publishing house make some money."

Then he asked happily: "The royalties will be as agreed upon last time, right?"

Meng Weizai smiled and teased: "I know you kid can't forget this."

"That's right. After we reply, they will wire the money immediately."

"Old rule, exchange it for foreign exchange coupons."

"You kid really never suffers any loss."

"Leader, I'm not at a loss. If you don't go out and ask around, what's the price for rice knives among the people?"

Meng Weizai didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Okay, I got it. I'll exchange them for foreign exchange coupons for you. I'll report to the president later."

Lin Weimin then said with a playful smile: "Thank you, leader."