Back to 80: My Literary Life

People in the Provincial Writers Association soon knew that Fang Minghua received a doctorate from Northwest University, and some of his close friends immediately started asking him to treat him. As a last resort, Fang Minghua set up a table at Xijing Restaurant.

At the banquet, everyone raised their glasses to congratulate Fang Minghua. Jia Pingwa looked even more envious. She held her glass and said, "Minghua, I really envy you. As an undergraduate at Western University, I have always dreamed of doing something in my alma mater." It’s okay to give me an honorary doctorate.”

"Haha. Brother Jia, don't worry, I will give it to you too." Fang Minghua said haha.

However, Jia Pingwa’s wish never seemed to come true. Later, the University of Macau seemed to give him an honorary doctorate.

At the end of September, Fang Minghua published three consecutive articles in the "Literary News" and ignored the matter. He also locked the doctorate certificate in the drawer of his study. To him, it was him. It’s just another beautiful line of text in your resume.

For more than a month, Fang Minghua has been writing the second part of "Harry Potter", "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

It mainly tells that Harry reached the second grade in the magic school. He, Ron and Rui Fang learned that there is a secret room in Hogwarts, which was left by Slytherin.

When several students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw were petrified, but not the students from Slytherin, everyone knew that this prank came from Slytherin. student.

Then, another piece of bad news about the Chamber of Secrets came: Ron's sister Ginny was caught by Voldemort in the Chamber of Secrets and her life was in danger. Harry and Ron were very anxious after hearing this. Only by opening the secret room and subduing Voldemort can everyone be saved.

In the end, Harry defeated Voldemort with wisdom and courage and successfully rescued Ginny.

This book continues the magical world of the previous work, with a twists and turns and tense plot. It is also one of the more exciting books in the "Harry Potter" series.

Fang Minghua didn't write much in more than a month, about 70,000 words. Anyway, there is no rush. The first part has not been officially published yet - Li Li called a few days ago to say that all translations have been completed and is contacting Simon Company about publishing matters. .

Tomorrow is the National Day, and they have three days off in total. Fang Minghua and his wife decided to take their children to drive around, planning to go to Chenggu in the Tianhan area. I heard that there is a place called Orange Garden that is rich in citrus. In autumn, the mountains and plains are covered with yellow. The oranges are spectacular.

In the evening, Song Tangtang prepared her luggage. She had to worry about everything when a family of four went out. Moreover, it would take at least two days to cross the Qinling Mountains to go to Chenggu.

Fang Minghua was supervising the two children doing their homework upstairs. He told the two children very seriously: "Only when you finish your homework seriously can you have fun and play!"

Whether you listen or not, say what a father should say.

At this time, the nanny went upstairs and told Fang Minghua: "Brother Fang, Sister Li called you long-distance from the United States."

Li Li?

"I know, I'll pick you up in my study."

Fang Minghua came to his study room, picked up the phone and said in a joking tone: "Lili, I wish you a happy National Day."

"Brother-in-law." Li Li's tone didn't seem very happy: "Let me tell you something, the negotiation between Simon Company and I has collapsed."

"Did the deal break down?"

"Yes, Simon Company refuses to publish this Harry Potter book."

Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

"You called me a few days ago and said that Simon's Vice President Johnson had read the manuscript and thought it was very good and was going to publish it as soon as possible. Why did you suddenly change your mind?" Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

"The problem is not with Johnson, but with their president Evans. He refused to publish the book unless the character Ruifang was changed to an English-American girl." Li Li said the reason.

"Why?"

"He said it was in line with British and American reading habits. Later, I heard Johnson tell me privately that their president is a far-right person who claims white supremacy. He is very angry that you used a Chinese girl as the heroine of this Western magic novel. ”

"Oh, that's right." Fang Minghua replied calmly: "I won't change it."

"Brother-in-law, I don't think it should be revised. From a literary point of view, the character Ruifang is very well written. We can't get used to these people's bad habits." Li Li replied, and then said:

"Don't worry, I have already contacted Random House in the United States. Their vice president, Mr. George, appreciates you very much and is willing to discuss the publication of this book in detail. I am going to send the manuscript over in the afternoon."

Of course Fang Minghua had heard of Random House.

One of the famous book publishing companies in the United States, it was founded in 1925 and has a long history. It is known as the world's largest English-language commercial international publishing house, comparable to Simon Company.

Fang Minghua has nothing to lose by letting Random House publish this book. Both are well-known publishing companies, and Fang Minghua believes that once the contract is signed, Random House will do no worse than Simon in terms of book operations.

But he wasn't going to do that.

"Lili, don't worry, Simon Company is not willing to publish it, so I'll leave the manuscript with you." Fang Minghua said slowly.

"ah?"

"I'll think about it again."

"Okay then." Li Li didn't know what Fang Minghua wanted to consider, but if he said so, she would do what he said.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Do you want to chat with your cousin?" Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"OK."

"Hold on."

Fang Minghao put the microphone on the table, walked out of the study and shouted to Song Tangtang who was busy in the next bedroom: "Tangtang, Lili's phone call, she wants to talk to you."

"Okay, I'll come right over."

The two sisters chatted on the phone, and Fang Minghua went to see the children doing homework - she couldn't neglect her duties.

At around nine o'clock in the evening, the two children finally finished their homework and ran downstairs to watch TV with cheers. Fang Minghua was also relieved. Just as she returned to her study, Song Tangtang walked in.

"Minghua, I heard from Lili that Simon Company refused to publish your book?"

"Yes, it's no big deal. The manuscript will be temporarily kept with Lili." Fang Minghua said while turning on the computer.

"Hey, why can't a Chinese girl be the heroine of this book? Our country is very enthusiastic about Americans, but I didn't expect them to discriminate against us so much." Song Tangtang sighed.

"Racial discrimination is everywhere in the United States." Fang Minghua smiled and said, "Okay, you don't have to worry about it."

"I'm worried about Lili - do you think she will also be discriminated against in the United States?" Song Tangtang said.

"Lili is a university professor and a senior talent after all, so this phenomenon will be less common." Fang Minghua comforted, "Okay, don't think too much, have you prepared your things for Tianhan tomorrow?"

"Everything is ready."

"That's good, we'll set off at 7 o'clock in the morning and cross the Qinling Mountains to enjoy the oranges!"