Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 708 Golden Gate Bridge
After breakfast, they put on down jackets and went out.

The San Francisco Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides and is influenced by the California Current of 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 rainy in winter. It is raining today, which gives people a depressing feeling.

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

Fang Minghua recognized it as 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, just like waiting for your back

i see the questions in your eyes
I see doubt in your eyes
"I Swear" is a representative work of American country singer Montgomery, and has been covered by Sandy Lam, Chyi Yu and others.

Only then did he realize that Li Li's singing was also very beautiful.

Meng Dawen Law Firm is located on Montgomery Street in the northeast corner of Old Case Mountain. Li Li drove through the city and finally arrived in front of an office building on Montgomery Street. After parking the car 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 that read Meng Da Wen Law Firm.

Li Li seemed to come here often, and soon a blonde girl in an OL uniform led them into an office.

Sitting inside was a middle-aged man with black hair, about forty years old and looking very refined.

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

He speaks Mandarin but his accent sounds a bit like that of Taiwanese.

"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", which is absolutely amazing!"

"Thank you."

The three of them 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 said with a smile: "But I want to consult you on some legal matters."

"You want to immigrate?!" Meng Dawen suddenly realized: "With your qualifications, it shouldn't be a problem to apply for a green card."

Why do people think I want to immigrate?
Fang Minghua found it funny: "I don't have such 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 suddenly.

"Yes, a small publishing house." Fang Minghua told Meng Dawen the whole story.

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

"Funds should be no problem. They mainly come from my royalties and earnings from 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. It not only involves legal issues but also the other party's asset valuation, 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 would like 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'm 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 power of attorney contract, and the lawyer charged on a case-by-case basis: US$10. It was said that this was a preferential price given to Li Li because she was an old acquaintance.

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

After coming out of the law firm, Fang Minghua suddenly felt relieved.

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

"Minghua, let me accompany you to visit the Golden Gate Bridge. This place is not far from the bridge." Li Li said. "Okay, I have nothing to do these two days anyway, so I'll wait for news from Meng Dawen first."

The rain has stopped now, but the wind is still quite strong. The two stood on the bridge, watching the waves rolling under the bridge.

Li Li brushed her short hair messed up by the wind with her hand: "Although this place is 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?"

"It's OK. After all, this is the city with the largest number of Chinese people in the United States. You can see compatriots with black hair, yellow skin, and even speaking Chinese everywhere. It makes people feel inexplicably familiar."

"Then you might as well go back to China, there are Chinese people everywhere." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"To be honest, there was a time when I really wanted to return to China, to Xijing, but now I feel that 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'll come over often."

"No need, just remember me." Li Li smiled.

Fang Minghua looked at him silently.

"Hey, by the way, have you heard about it in China? Eileen Chang passed away." Li Li suddenly changed the subject.

Fang Minghua shook his head.

There was indeed no report in domestic newspapers and television.

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

However, given her experience and somewhat sensitive identity, it is destined not to be reported domestically.

"Zhang Ailing died on September 9, the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, in her Los Angeles apartment. I also read the news in the newspaper."

"Her will requested that there be no memorial service or tombstone after her death, and that her body be cremated. I heard that her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean. Such a talented woman passed away alone and cleanly, without leaving any trace in this world except for the words she wrote." Li Li continued, looking at the sea water under the bridge.

"In the future, when I die, I will do the same as Eileen Chang, without a tombstone, and have my body cremated and my ashes scattered into the Pacific Ocean. But I don't want them to be scattered here, I want them to be scattered on the other side of the ocean."

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

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

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

"Ah."

The two walked under the bridge together.

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

Li Li had to attend class, so Fang Minghua took a taxi and rushed over alone. He was received by a staff member of the firm. After both 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 goes to school every day. Apart from cooking for her, Fang Minghua hangs out outside and even consults Chinese people on how to 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 needs a translated copy of the driver's license to drive freely in California.

How to apply?

Just fill out a form.
A week later, Fang Minghua received the translated copy of his driver's license. At the same time, he also received a call from Zhang Qing Accounting Firm, saying that the basic situation and financial status of Ashley Press had been fully investigated and asked him to come to the firm for detailed discussions.

(End of this chapter)