Back to 80: My Literary Life

After breakfast, the two put on down jackets and went out.

The San Francisco Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides and is affected by the California cold current in the Pacific Ocean. It has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm winters and cool summers. The temperature is basically above 5 degrees, and snow is rarely seen.

However, it is often cloudy and rainy in winter. It was raining today, giving people a feeling of depression.

But Li Li was in a good mood and hummed a song while driving.

Fang Minghua heard that it was an American country folk song.

i swear by the moon and the stars in the sky

I swear, in front of the stars and the moon in the sky

and i swear like the shadow that's by your side

I swear, like waiting for your back

i see the questions in your eyes

I see the questions in your eyes

"I Swear", a representative work of American country singer Montgomery, has been covered by Sandy Lam, Chyi Yu and others.

He then discovered that Li Li's singing was also very good.

Meng Da Wen Law Firm is located on Montgomery Street in the northeast corner of Jiujian Mountain. Li Li drove through the city and finally arrived in front of an office building on Montgomery Street. After the car was parked in the underground garage, the two went up to the tenth floor together.

After getting out of the elevator, Fang Minghua saw an English nameplate hanging on it, which read Meng Da Wen Law Firm.

Li Li seemed to come here often. Soon a blonde girl in an OL uniform led them to an office.

There sat a middle-aged man with black hair, about forty years old and very refined.

When the man saw Li Li come in, he immediately smiled and stood up and greeted: "Good morning, Professor Li, do you have any new books to publish?"

He spoke Mandarin but his accent was a bit like that of Taiwan.

"No." Li Li shook her head and introduced Fang Minghua: "Lawyer Meng, this is my friend, Fang Minghua, a famous writer from mainland China."

"Oh Minghua, hello!" The other party immediately stretched out his right hand: "I have read your works, they are really well written, especially the book "In the Name of the People" is simply amazing!"

"Thank you."

The three sat down on the sofa, and Meng Dawen asked: "Mr. Fang, are you coming to the United States for academic activities or to visit relatives? I heard from Professor Li that she is your wife's cousin."

"It can be considered a visit to relatives." Fang Minghua smiled and said: "But I have some legal matters to consult you."

"You want to immigrate?!" Meng Dawen suddenly realized: "With your conditions, there should be no problem in applying for a green card."

Why do you think I want to immigrate?

Fang Minghua felt funny: "I don't have this plan. I want to ask you, can I acquire a company in the United States?"

"You want to buy a company?!" Meng Dawen's eyes widened immediately.

"Yes, a small publishing house." Fang Minghua told Meng Dawen everything that happened.

Meng Dawen came to his senses from the shock and immediately showed the professional qualities of a lawyer: "Legally speaking, there should be no problem, whether you are an individual or a company acquiring a company in the United States. The publishing industry does not involve the provisions of the "U.S. Comprehensive Trade Act of 1988", so the acquisition is relatively simple, as long as you have enough legal funds."

"Funds should be no problem, mainly from my royalties and earnings on the U.S. stock market." Fang Minghua explained.

"That's OK!" Meng Dawen spread his hands: "Of course, acquiring a company is also a relatively complex economic activity, which not only involves the law but also the other party's asset evaluation, taxation, finance and other issues. I suggest you find an accounting firm to help you deal with financial matters." Meng Dawen said.

"Lawyer Meng, I want to entrust this matter to your law firm, including finding a suitable accounting firm and negotiating with the other party in the future." Fang Minghua said.

"Mr. Fang, I am happy to serve you. Don't worry, I will provide you with the most professional service." Meng Dawen said with a smile.

The two parties signed a contract of entrustment, and the lawyers charged on a case-by-case basis: 100,000 US dollars. It is said that this is a preferential price given by Li Li because she is an old client.

Of course, the accounting firm's fees have to be paid separately.

After leaving the law firm, Fang Minghua felt relieved.

To be honest, he didn't know much about business, and he was in a foreign country in the United States. The cumbersome legal provisions gave him a headache. It would be best to find a professional to do it.

"Minghua, I will accompany you to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. This place is not far from the bridge." Li Li said.

"Okay, anyway, there is nothing to do these two days, wait for news from Meng Dawen first."

Now the rain has stopped, but the wind is still strong. The two stood by the bridge and watched the waves rolling under the bridge.

Li Li brushed her short hair that was messed up by the wind with her hand: "Although it's a bit far from where I live, I still drive around here every week, or go to Chinatown to eat some Chinese food, just like returning to China."

"Like this city?"

"I think so. After all, this is the city with the most Chinese in the United States. You can see black-haired, yellow-skinned compatriots who even speak Chinese everywhere, which makes people feel inexplicably familiar."

"Then you might as well go back to China, where there are Chinese people everywhere." Fang Minghua smiled.

"To be honest, there was a time when I really wanted to go back to China, back to Xijing, but now I think staying here is my best choice."

"Why?"

"I have made a home here. If you come to the United States, you will feel the warmth of home." Li Li said, looking at him.

"Then I will come here often."

"No need. Just remember me." Li Li smiled.

Fang Minghua looked at him silently.

"Hey, by the way, have you heard in China? Zhang Ailing passed away." Li Li suddenly changed the subject.

Fang Minghua shook her head.

There was indeed no report in domestic newspapers and television.

Although there was a wave of "Zhang Ailing" fever in China in the late 1980s, her novels began to circulate widely in the mainland.

But given her experience and somewhat sensitive identity, it was destined not to be reported in China.

"Zhang Ailing died in her Los Angeles apartment on September 8, the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival. I also read the news in the newspaper."

"Her will required that there be no memorial service, no tombstone, and her body be cremated. Finally, I heard that her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean. A talented woman died alone, cleanly, without leaving any trace in this world, except for her writings." Li Li continued to say while looking at the sea water under the bridge.

"In the future, if I die, I will also be like Zhang Ailing, without a tombstone, cremation, and scattering ashes into the Pacific Ocean, but I don't want to scatter them here, I want to scatter them on the other side of the ocean."

"Don't talk nonsense, we will all live a hundred years." Fang Minghua said gently.

"Yes. I also hope to live a hundred years, because I feel very happy." Li Li finished speaking and looked at him.

"Let's go, it's too cold here, it's easy to catch a cold." Fang Minghua gently supported Li Li's shoulders.

"Yeah."

The two walked under the bridge together.

The next day, Meng Dawen called Li Li's home to tell Fang Minghua that he had contacted the famous Zhang Qing Accounting Firm and was willing to accept the commission.

Li Li had to go to school, so Fang Minghua took a taxi to go there alone. A staff member of the firm received him. After the two parties signed the contract, the other party immediately began to investigate and evaluate the company.

Fang Minghua's days in San Francisco became leisurely.

Li Li had to go to school every day. In addition to cooking for her, Fang Minghua wandered around outside and asked how Chinese people could drive in the United States. At the San Francisco DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles), the staff enthusiastically told him that in addition to having a legal Chinese driver's license, he also needed a translated driver's license to drive freely in California.

How to apply?

Just fill out a form.

A week later, Fang Minghua got the translated driver's license and received a call from Zhang Qing Accounting Firm, saying that the basic situation and financial situation of Ashley Press had been investigated and he was asked to come to the firm for a detailed discussion.