Back to 80: My Literary Life

This time Wang Shuo did not hesitate and immediately decided to go.

While having dinner at home in the afternoon, Wang Shuo told his wife Shen Xujia, who had just returned from get off work, the news, which made Shen Xujia feel a little strange.

"I remember that time in 1986, when Fang Minghua invited you to attend a literary symposium in Xijing. You were still hesitant. How can you be more active this time?"

"You don't understand this." Wang Shuo lit a cigarette and looked at his wife: "I once told you that there is a private book publishing company in Xijing called Shengshi Books?"

"I told you, and also said that the deputy general manager of the company is Song Tangtang, Fang Minghua's wife, and also the brother of the big courtyard."

"Yes, the series of books "The Ordinary World" written by Lu Yao were actually published by Shengshi Books under the ISBN of another publishing house. They sold very well, and I feel ashamed."

"I know this too. I even bought a set. I just shed tears when I read it. The writing is really touching."

"But you know what Shengshi Book Company gives Lu Yao, it's not royalties, it's royalties!"

"Royalty?!" Shen Xujia was surprised.

"Yes, royalties! This is the news I got not long ago. I didn't believe it at first, but then a buddy of mine in Xijing told me something that I immediately believed."

"What's up?"

"Lu Yao bought a Santana not long ago!"

"Okay, Lu Yao actually bought a car? He's a rich man." Shen Xujia laughed.

"Yeah, you're talking about a writer who almost died from a serious illness the year before last. He suddenly bought a car this year. Where did the money come from? Become a businessman? Sell coal and steel? The introduction in the book says that Lu Yao is just... He is from a farmer in Northern Qin and is not a son of a high-ranking official. How can he have such ability? Then there is only one possibility: Shengshi Books will give him royalties!"

"But why does Shengshi Books give Lu Yao royalties?" Shen Xujia was a little confused.

"I heard that the boss of Shengshi Book Company and Fang Minghua once worked together in Gansu Province and were very close. Otherwise, how could Song Tangtang be the deputy manager? And Fang Minghua and Lu Yao are famous in the literary world for their good relationship. I guess It’s mainly Fang Minghua who is pulling the strings here.”

After her husband's explanation, Shen Xujia finally understood.

"Fang Minghua has a good vision. I heard you say that no one wanted Lu Yao's book "The Ordinary World" at the beginning. I didn't expect that he would dare to let his wife's company publish it and return royalties."

"Without royalties, I guess Lu Yao would be reluctant to hand over the book he had worked so hard for several years to a private book publisher that publishes martial arts romances, right?" Wang Shuo laughed: "For Lu Yao, this is nothing but a loss of status. ”

"But I also admire Fang Minghua, not for the novels he wrote, but for his vision, which is truly unparalleled in the literary world."

"Ouch. Not many people can admire you, Wang Shuo." Shen Xujia joked with her husband.

"Okay, don't hurt me." Wang Shuo glared at his wife, but Shen Xujia smiled coquettishly.

"Hey, Wang Shuo, after all that, are you going to go to Xijing to find Shengshi Books to publish your selected novels? Do you want royalties?"

"That's what I mean." Wang Shuo said calmly.

Not long ago, Yanjing Youth Publishing House decided to publish the short stories and short stories published by Wang Shuo in recent years. The collection is called "Stewardess". Wang Shuo didn't have any objections, but he made his request: royalties must be paid!

The other party flatly refused, and the two parties broke up unhappy.

"Then do you think the boss of Shengshi Books will agree to your request?" Shen Xujia asked again.

"I don't know the boss of Shengshi Books, but I know Fang Minghua." Wang Shuo crossed his legs and looked confident. "Fang Minghua is definitely willing. Did you know that three of the novels have been adapted into movies and are being filmed this year? It will be released one after another! Only Youth Publishing House is so stupid that it cannot see the huge benefits contained in this.”

"You're not stupid, are you? It's because they are sure that you can't do anything to them, so they won't give you royalties." Shen Xujia said with a smile.

"That's right. It's a pity that this time, they made a mistake! I will make them regret it to death!" Wang Shuo said fiercely.

Wang Shuo was fully prepared to go to Yanjing and embark on the road to wealth and freedom, while Li Hongying, who was in Shanghai in the south, looked happy.

Holding a book, I walked on the beautiful campus of Fudan. It was spring, and there were flowers and willows everywhere.

Li Hongying has been studying here for more than a semester. The conditions at Fudan are much better than those at Luyuan, both in terms of school environment and food, but Li Hongying still misses her days in Luyuan.

"Wow, Teacher Fang has not forgotten me!"

Of course, Li Hongying also knew in her heart that Fang Minghua was only interested in her literary talent and nothing else.

But it is also a very pleasant thing.

April 20th, still half a month away

She hopes to arrive in Xijing as soon as possible.

At this time, Fang Minghua was chatting with someone in his office.

Liao Runbo from the Northwest Writers Class.

Liao Runbo made a special trip to see Fang Minghua, not for the seminar, but to give him a copy of "Ghost Blows Out the Lamp".

It took Liao Runbo four full months to complete this 200,000-word tomb-robbing novel under the pen name: Wild Man of the Mountain Village.

Fang Minghua took it and turned it over carefully.

It was the first story he told, "Longling Mysterious Cave", but the setting was moved to the Shiwanda Mountains that he was familiar with, so the content was naturally different from the original storyline.

It doesn't matter, as long as the writing is wonderful.

It is obvious that Liao Runbo took this popular novel very seriously and consulted a large amount of literature and folklore.

"There are a lot of our local folk customs and legends in it. I went back during the winter vacation to visit many local elders, and I heard some of the folk legends they told me, so I added them in. I don't know if it will work."

Liao Runbo asked.

"It's pretty good. It looks more real and mysterious this way." Fang Minghao praised: "Tomorrow you take the manuscript and go to Shengshi Company to find their manager Song, who is also my wife, and sign a contract with them."

"Okay, I'm leaving then." Liao Runbo stood up after saying that.

"Runbo, have you received the invitation letter informing you of the meeting? Ask your director for leave and come on time. Yu Hua and Li Hongying will also attend the meeting." Fang Minghua warned.

Liao Runbo was a little hesitant after hearing this: "I am the editor-in-chief Fang."

"What's wrong?"

"I don't think I'm qualified to participate in such a seminar." Liao Runbo said what he meant.

"Not qualified? Do you think that because you wrote this tomb-robbing novel, you feel that you are not a writer and that you are inferior to Yu Hua and Li Hongying?" Fang Minghua asked.

"Yes, it is."

"Don't think so. I invited you to participate because of your literary talent and your good writing on realistic themes. As for this book "Ghost Blows Out the Lamp", it is considered a last resort for you to make a living, and it is not shabby. Besides, you Are you sure you won’t write serious novels in the future?”

"I will definitely write after I have enough food and clothing!"

"That's alright, come and listen, it will be good for you."

"Okay, I'll listen to you!" Liao Runbo cheered up.