Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 923: Literature of a Village (Finale)

Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

In the 1990s, when Fang Minghua was at the peak of his creative career, there were rumors that he might win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and even some international organizations gave odds, but those were just rumors.

After the millennium, Fang Minghua's creative works decreased significantly and these rumors disappeared.

He doesn't care about that.

This award is very evil.

Don’t be fooled by the applause these days. Who knows, in a few years, the wind direction will change and you will probably be criticized to death on the Internet.

But I didn’t expect that it has been given this year!
Seeing Fang Minghua's disbelief, Chen Zhongshi took out a piece of letterhead from his briefcase: "This is an official letter from the Swedish Academy."

Fang Minghua took it and looked at it. It was written in three languages: Swedish, English and Chinese. The message was concise and to the point, congratulating Mr. Fang Minghua on winning the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature and inviting him to attend the award ceremony in Stockholm on December 12.

There is also a line of small words, which is the reason for the award: "He uses his pen to record an era, whether it is serious or popular text."

"How about it, is it true? Minghua, do you think we should have three whites?!" Jia Pingwa said with a smile.

"It's your fault!" Fang Minghua also had a smile on his face.

Everyone immediately got to work, setting up tables and chairs in the living room, and putting the cooked food and dishes they brought on the table. Fang Minghua took out a bottle of Moutai from the house, and the four of them and the driver started eating and drinking together.

Chen Zhongshi was the first to raise his glass: "This year, our Qin Province literary world has made remarkable achievements. First, Pingwa's Qin Opera won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, and then Minghua won the Nobel Prize in Literature. As the chairman of the Writers Association, I am also proud. Come on, let's drink!"

"Dry!"

Several people's cups clinked together.

The news that Fang Minghua won the Nobel Prize in Literature was quickly reported by the official media and spread throughout China and abroad. His phone was almost blown up with calls from leaders, friends and colleagues congratulating him. He had to return to Xijing City from Xiangyugou Village to avoid people coming to the village to disturb the villagers.

Winter soon came, and Song Tangtang found that Fang Minghua was leisurely staying at home all day and seemed to have no plans to travel far.

"Minghua, you have to apply for a visa as soon as possible, otherwise it will delay your trip to Sweden to attend the Nobel Prize in Literature ceremony." Song Tangtang had to remind him.

"Who said I was going?" Fang Minghua said leisurely while drinking tea.

"Why?" Song Tangtang was very surprised.

“Because I’m afraid of being scolded in the future.”

"what?!"

"Oh, that's wrong. I meant I will definitely catch a cold in the future."

More than ten years have passed in a flash. It is now the autumn of 2021, and Fang Minghua is in San Francisco, USA.

The domestic epidemic situation at this time is still severe, and entering and leaving the border is a very troublesome thing. This time Fang Minghua overcame many difficulties and rushed to San Francisco to pick up Li Li and bring her back to China.

At this time, the Feroli Manor was very lively. Li Li and her friends from San Francisco, Demi, Zhang Qing, Lei Dawen, and Phillips, who was once the president of Xijing Investment, all came to see her off.

She came to teach at San Francisco State University in the United States after graduating with a Ph.D. in 88. Now 33 years have passed and she is finally retiring and preparing to return to China.

Daughter Li Xin did not return to China with her mother.

She has lived in the United States since she was a child and has gotten used to everything here. After receiving a bachelor's degree in literature from Princeton University, she published a series of novels and became a well-known writer in the United States.

However, her current identity is the president of Ashley Press. Last year, she took over the position of her mother's best friend, the former president Demi.

Ashley Press is quite unique in the American publishing industry. Although it is not as famous as Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, it is a holy land for literature lovers. It has always been famous for selling serious novels, and a considerable number of them are pure literature books from mainland China.

Demi has also retired and is chatting with Li Li.

"Demi, when the epidemic is over, you must come to China to play," said Li Li.

"I will definitely go. Lili, we went to school together at Oxford, and it's been 37 years. We have been together almost all the time. I really can't bear to see you leaving suddenly now," said Demi.

Hearing her friend's sad words, Li Li comforted her: "We Chinese have an ancient poem: A bosom friend is a friend indeed. No matter where I go, I will think of you."

"Me too"

The two women were chatting, and Fang Minghua was also chatting with Phillips.

"Minghua, are you planning to transfer all your assets back to China?" Phillips asked.

Since 15, Fang Minghua has gradually transferred his assets in the United States, first selling DreamWorks and DreamWorks Animation to NBC Universal for US$65 billion.

At the same time, it gradually sold off Xijing Investment's investments in US stocks, bonds, and gold. That is, two years ago, it moved Xijing Investment's headquarters to Hong Kong.

After hearing what Phillips said, Fang Minghua smiled and said, "That's not the case. I still hold shares in Amazon and Nvidia, as well as these two estates."

Fang Minghua also disposed of the manor and ranch in Miami, and now only the two manors in Los Angeles and San Francisco are left, but they have both been transferred to Li Xin's name.

In terms of stocks, Amazon and Nvidia each hold 5%, and all other shares including Microsoft and Apple were sold. Last year, on the 2020 Forbes Rich List, Fang Minghua's wealth was as high as 2058 billion US dollars, far surpassing Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who ranked second.

Most of these assets have been transferred back to mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore, where Xijing Investment has branches.

"Or, Phillips, why don't you come to Hong Kong with me? You continue to be the president of Xijing Investment. I am confident in you doing the job! I will give you an annual salary of 5000 million US dollars!" Fang Minghua said.

Phillips shook his head, took a sip of coffee and said, "Boss, it has been 96 years since I became your full-time financial advisor in 25. If it is 88 years since I was hired by you as your personal financial advisor in 33, I am tired and old. I don't want to run around anymore."

"After you leave, I plan to sell my house in San Francisco, return to my hometown of Chicago, and buy a house in the suburbs. I will spend my old age there."

Fang Minghua said nothing more after hearing this.

Yes, we are all old.

Phillips in front of him had wrinkles all over his face.

And don’t I also have gray hair on my temples?
At this moment, Li Li and her daughter suddenly raised their voices, as if they were arguing about something.

"Mom, I've already told you that I won't get married!"

"Why don't you get married? Are you worried about conflicts with your career? Look at your brother Fang Le, and your sister-in-law Zhao Min, they have been childhood sweethearts. Now they have happy families and successful careers, and they help each other. How great!" Li Li also raised her voice.

indeed.

Fang Le and Zhao Hongjun's daughter finally got married.

As the saying goes, "When a man pursues a woman, it's as if a mountain is between them; when a woman pursues a man, it's as if a layer of gauze is between them." Fang Le could not resist Zhao Min's relentless pursuit. Although Zhao Min was not particularly beautiful, she was well-educated and caring. The two confirmed their relationship when they were about to graduate from college, and eight years later, they finally walked into the marriage hall hand in hand.

After graduating from the University of San Francisco Business School, Zhao Min did not continue her studies but chose to work. She first worked for DreamWorks Films, then went to Ashley Press Publishing House as head of operations, and later went to the financial department of Morgan Stanley on Wall Street. While working, she dated Fang Le and their feelings for each other deepened.

Five years later, Fang Le obtained a Ph.D. in microelectronics from Stanford University. He led several like-minded classmates back to China to start a business. He used the funds invested by Xijing Investment to establish Lehua Technology in Shanghai and served as the company's CEO. The company specializes in the design, production and sales of integrated circuits and semiconductor microelectronics related products.

Zhao Min also returned to China and served as the company's COO.

After ten years of development, Lehua Technology has become a large-scale domestic enterprise integrating chip design and production. It has obtained thousands of patents of various sizes and its corporate assets amount to 5000 billion yuan.

As the chief operating officer, Zhao Min made an indelible contribution. Fang Minghua also felt that his daughter-in-law was very capable, so he appointed her as the president of Xijing Investment, replacing Phillips who was about to retire.

Last year, his son and daughter-in-law gave him another grandson.

In short, he was very satisfied with Fang Le's marriage.

Li Xin seemed unconvinced and said to Li Li, "Mom, you only talk about my brother, why don't you talk about my sister? Look at my sister, what's the point of her marriage? Didn't she get divorced in the end?!"

"You" Li Li opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

Compared to Fang Le's happy marriage, Fang Rui's marriage is very painful.

She is beautiful, proud, talented, and has an impressive family background. As soon as she entered Yandian University, she became the target of crazy pursuit by boys.

Soon she fell in love with a tall and handsome boy and married him after graduation. This man had some acting skills, but he turned out to be a scumbag. He cheated on her soon after marriage and what was even more terrifying was that he even committed domestic violence!
Once, Fang Minghua saw his daughter returning to Xijing with a bruised face and beaten up, and he was furious!

He immediately rushed to Yanjing and found someone to beat that man up. He also made a public statement for the first time in the domestic entertainment industry, calling for this man to be expelled from the entertainment industry!
If anyone is so blind as to make a film or appear on a variety show with this man, Xijing Investment, Shengshi Group and its affiliated companies will never cooperate with him!
This man played the victim online and threatened to sue Fang Minghua in court for personal threats, but nothing came of it.

Finally, the man had no choice but to go abroad to the United States, hoping to make it in the film and television industry, but he didn't expect that there would be so many difficulties here. What made him even more terrified was that Fang Minghua's shadow was like a lingering nightmare.

Finally, he was shot and killed on the street for no apparent reason.

This marriage left a shadow on Fang Rui, so she never looked for another partner after the divorce and has remained single ever since.

Now hearing Li Xin talking about Fang Rui, Fang Minghua couldn't help but sigh.

There are some things that you can't do anything about even if you have money.

If my daughter's marriage is unhappy, I am also responsible as a father.

Li Li certainly understood his feelings. Seeing him like this, she quickly said to her daughter: "What are you talking about? Your sister will definitely find her own happiness again in the future!"

Li Xin made a "tsk" sound and said nothing more.

"Okay, Lili, stop arguing. Our daughter is grown up now, just let him be." Fang Minghua advised.

Indeed, if the younger daughter doesn’t want to get married, then she shouldn’t.

Just don't get involved in anything LGBT.

"It's almost time to go." Fang Minghua looked at his watch and asked, "Have all the things been safely shipped back to China?"

"Sir, it has been shipped away a long time ago." The butler replied respectfully.

Fang Minghua did not bring back any items from his estate, leaving them all to Li Xin, except for the donation to the Confucius Institute at San Francisco State University.

This year, the Confucius Institute was forced to close, and Fang Minghua immediately asked for the calligraphy and paintings that he had donated to the institute.
Everyone said goodbye to Fang Minghua and Li Li, and Li Xin drove her parents to the airport.

Before leaving, Li Li looked at her daughter, reluctant to leave.

"Xinxin, you are alone in the United States, you must take good care of yourself."

"Mom, I know, I'm 24 years old this year and I'm not a child anymore!" Li Xin's tone was slightly impatient.

Li Li sighed slightly and said nothing more.

Alas, my daughter is like this now because I spoiled her.

At this time, Fang Minghua took over the conversation and said, "Xinxin, your mother is right! Also, when the epidemic is over, you must come back to see your mother often!"

"Okay Dad, she is my biological mother, of course I miss her." Li Xin said quickly, and then hugged Li Li's neck affectionately.

She still listened to her father.

Soon, the two dragged their suitcases into the security check channel and boarded the plane.

Not long after, the plane roared into the sky and disappeared into the clouds.

This time, the destination of their voyage was not Yanjing or Shencheng, but Macau.

When Li Li retired from the University of San Francisco and returned to China, she immediately received invitations from several universities in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to become a professor, including Yenching University, her alma mater where she studied for her master's degree.
However, she declined and chose the University of Macau to continue her research in comparative literature.

She didn't want to return to her country.

Actually, he was planning to go to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, but what happened in Hong Kong in the past two years made Fang Minghua feel very uncomfortable. Finally, after discussing with Li Li, he chose the University of Macau.

After a long flight of more than 20 hours, the plane stopped at the Macau International Airport. After a series of security checks, Fang Minghua and Li Li dragged their suitcases to the waiting hall and saw a young woman waving at them.

"Dad, Aunt Li!"

It turned out to be Zhao Min, the president of Xijing Investment and Fang Le’s wife.

Seeing his daughter-in-law coming, Fang Minghua smiled and said, "Minmin, you can just send someone to pick her up at the airport. I even rushed all the way from Hong Kong to Macau."

"No, Dad. Now that Aunt Li is back, I have to take good care of her. My mother-in-law called me specifically to tell me." The mother-in-law Zhao Min was talking about was naturally Song Tangtang, who had retired from the position of president of Shengshi Group a few years ago, but still served as the chairman of the board of directors of Shengshi Group and was the helmsman of Shengshi Group.

"Where are your parents? How are they in health?" Fang Minghua asked with concern as they walked.

"Everything is fine. My mother is at home taking care of Mengmeng, and my father has also returned to China."

Fang Minghua said oh and said nothing more.

Mengmeng is her own grandson and also Wang Xia's grandson, so Wang Xia basically takes care of him.

Zhao Hongjun completely resigned from all positions in Shengshi Group and lived a free and easy life, traveling around the world. However, the epidemic became serious since last year, so he hurried back to China.

As the three of them were talking, they walked out of the terminal hall and got into a Mercedes-Benz. The driver drove them directly to Wangyang Mountain.

Guia Hill is located in the Parish of Lhasa, a famous wealthy area in Macau where many wealthy people have purchased villas.

Li Li's villa is located halfway up the mountain. The manor covers an area of ​​3000 square meters. Although it is not as large as the manors in San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is already quite good in Macau, where every inch of land is valuable.

The manor's pond, garden, tennis court, swimming pool and other buildings have both Lingnan flavor and European architectural style.

After making arrangements for Li Li, Zhao Min returned to Hong Kong. The villa was fully equipped with a butler, driver, servants, security guards, etc.

If anything happens on Aunt Li's side, she will arrange for someone to come over immediately. After all, Hong Kong is not far from Macau.

Fang Minghua stayed in Macau for more than a week and then returned to Xijing.

After returning to Xijing, he was quarantined in a hotel for half a month. After everything was fine, he returned to his home in Qujiang and basically stayed at home. Now there are outbreaks in the country from time to time, and it is not safe to go anywhere. Even Song Tangtang, who usually stays in Shencheng, returned to Xijing to reduce all unnecessary business activities.

The children are all working hard outside, and the best support you can give to your children is to keep your health in check.

But today the couple drove out to watch the latest play directed by their daughter.

The performance took place at the Guohe Theater on Gaoxin 2nd Road. The couple entered with their free tickets. The space inside the theater was not very large. It was a popular small theater format, but the theater was basically full of audiences, most of whom were young people.

Soon, the performance began, it was "Youth".

"Youth" is a novel written by Fang Minghua forty years ago. It mainly describes the events of the art troupe in the 1970s and 1980s. The work became popular after it was published and was adapted into a movie by the famous director Xie Jin. It was also adapted into a drama by the General Political Department Repertory Theatre and Fang Minghua was invited to Yenching to watch it.

Now, Fang Rui has re-adapted it and put it on stage.

Watching the actors on the stage performing in Type 65 military uniforms and the heroine dancing to "Song of Yimeng", Fang Minghua couldn't help but think of Song Tangtang dancing alone in the moonlight on a small path in the fields of southern Xinjiang many years ago. She was also wearing a Type 65 military uniform.

And the song that has been sung for decades:
红岩 上 红梅开
Thousands of miles of ice under the feet

What is there to fear in the severe cold of March Nine

A heart of loyalty opens to the sun, opens to the sun
He couldn't help but turn his head and look at his wife beside him.

Forty years have passed and the good times are gone.

The girl from the past is no longer young and has some white hair on her temples.

Song Tangtang was watching the performance seriously. She seemed to notice her husband's gaze, turned her head and smiled slightly: "Watch it carefully."

"Ah."

Fang Minghua turned his gaze to the stage again, and this time a pair of warm hands gently held him.

After the performance, Fang Rui led all the actors to the stage for a collective bow, and the theater erupted in warm applause.

Fang Minghua thought that young people today would not be interested in this period of history, but she did not expect the audience’s response to be so enthusiastic.

After the performance, Fang Minghua and his wife did not disturb their daughter but drove home.

The car is driving on the street.

It is now early September and the weather is still quite hot. Fang Minghua sits in the back seat and looks out the window. The sunlight shines brightly on the buildings on both sides of the street.

When he got to the vicinity of Bianjia Village, there was still a lot of traffic. He looked at the scenery outside and suddenly shouted, "Tangtang, stop the car."

"what happened?"

Song Tangtang asked, but still slowed down and found a parking space on the side of the road to stop.

"I'm going to sit in the bookstore."

Fang Minghua pointed to a bookstore not far ahead. There was a circle drawn on the wall with a big word "拆" (demolition) written on it.

It's Xuecheng Bookstore.

"Then I'll go home first and leave the car to you." Song Tangtang replied.

"What about you? How are you going to get back?"

"Subway."

Fang Minghua didn't say anything. He took the car keys handed over by Song Tangtang and walked towards the bookstore.

When I walked to the door of the bookstore, I heard a song playing on the speakers inside, and a hoarse male voice:

You once told me you will always love me

I understand love, but what is it forever?

Girl, don't cry, we are still together

Today's joy will be tomorrow's eternal memory
Luo Dayou "Love Song 1980"

People like to listen to "Love Song 1990", but Lei Xuecheng seems to like playing "Love Song 1980" very much.

There are still quite a few readers inside, and some are checking in. A girl in a skirt, carrying a backpack, stands next to the bookshelf, makes her scissors hand gesture, and smiles sweetly at the camera.

Lei Xuecheng sat at a table in the coffee area, drinking tea and looking at the girl taking pictures. He said nothing but had a smile on his face.

He saw Fang Minghua coming in again, so he asked, "Why are you free to come here today?"

"I just finished watching a play and came to sit down while passing by." Fang Minghua smiled and sat opposite him.

Lei Xuecheng picked up a teacup and poured him a cup of tea.

"How's business?" Fang Minghua asked casually after taking a sip.

"It's OK, but I'm going to close the bookstore."

"Is it because this place is going to be demolished?" Fang Minghua looked through the window glass and saw a big "demolition" word written on the wall across the street. He continued:
"You can go somewhere else. Xuecheng Bookstore is the oldest private bookstore in Xijing City and a famous check-in spot for internet celebrities. It's a pity that it's closed."

"I can't help it. My daughter doesn't like this store and doesn't want to run it. I've been here for 30 years. Now I'm old and tired, so I want to travel. After the epidemic is over, I'm going to go to LS alone, and then go to Xinjiang. If I don't leave, I really won't be able to walk in a few years."

Why.
Fang Minghua sighed slightly in his heart, he now had one less place to go.

Lei Xuecheng seemed unwilling to talk about this matter anymore and changed the subject: "Minghua, have you watched Jia Zhangke's latest movie "Swimming to the Blue Sea"? "

Fang Minghua nodded.

He seldom goes to the cinema now, but he still went to see the movie directed by Jia Zhangke.

This is a documentary film that is specially screened in major independent cinemas in the country.

In 15, Fang Minghua's Xijing Investment bought Shengshi Film and Television's independent cinema chain for RMB 40 billion, making it one of the eight famous cinema chains in the country, specializing in screening niche non-commercial films.

Of course it is a loss.

But Fang Minghua didn't care.

The Chinese Literature Award Organizing Committee, Rongshuxia Online Literature Company, Xijing Art Museum, and several companies and organizations under Fang Minghua’s personal name, which one is not making a loss?
There is another reason: Jia Zhangke's documentary tells their stories.

Just two years ago, dozens of writers came to a small village in Fenyang, Shanxi Province, where they discussed the countryside and the city, literature and reality. The film uses this as a prelude, and tells the story of China's past since 18 in 1949 chapters like a symphony.

Three writers, Jia Pingwa, Yu Hua and Liang Hong, became the most important narrators of the film. Together with the daughter of the late writer Ma Feng, they re-examined individuals and families in the midst of social change, creating a history of the Chinese soul spanning 70 years.

It is said that the original name of this movie was "The Literature of a Village". Later, after Jia Zhangke heard a story told by Yu Hua, he changed the name to "Swimming Until the Sea Turns Blue", which sounds more poetic.

However, Fang Minghua still likes the original name.

The Literature of a Village.

Behind the portrait of writers of an era is a spiritual history, and all of this starts from the countryside.

The two continued chatting.

"I heard that Jia Zhangke originally invited you to be the protagonist of the movie?" Lei Xuecheng asked again.

"Yes, Jia Zhangke approached me and hoped that I could play the leading role in the film, but I refused and recommended Yu Hua instead."

"I think it would be better for you to go. You are an excellent eloquent person." Lei Xuecheng said.

"What can I say?" Fang Minghua said with a smile, "Twenty years ago, I wrote a book called "My Twenty Years of Literature". I have said everything I need to say. It would be repetitive to say it again. As for the past ten years, what can I say about literature?"

Lei Xuecheng fell silent.

After drinking his tea, Fang Minghua sat for a while and then left, driving aimlessly around Xijing City.

Before we knew it, the car arrived at Jianguo Road, and the Yanhe magazine office was still there.

Fang Minghua hasn't been here for a long time.

When the car passed the entrance of the magazine, he saw a familiar figure, an old security guard in uniform sitting at the gate.

It's Zhang Baofu.

So he parked his car across the street, got out, crossed the road, and called out to the door, "Bao Fu!"

Zhang Baofu also saw Fang Minghua and a smile appeared on his face.

"Brother Minghua, are you here to do something?"

"No, just walk around." Fang Minghua walked to the gate. Zhang Baofu quickly moved a chair from the guard room and handed him a cigarette. Fang Minghua smiled and declined.

The two of them just sat at the door of the guard room.

"Baofu, you are the head of the security department of the magazine, and you are here to guard the gate?" Fang Minghua asked curiously.

"I gave up my position three years ago and let the young people do it. As for me, I have nothing to do, so I will continue to look after the gate." Zhang Baofu said with a smile: "To be honest, I like this job very much. Besides, after finishing work today, I will retire."

"retire?"

"I just finished the formalities this morning, Brother Minghua. I remember that you are one year older than me. You are retired too, right?" Zhang Baofu asked again.

"Yes, I completed the procedure last year."

"Time flies. I remember when I first met you, we were both young." Zhang Baofu said with emotion.

Yes
Fang Minghua looked around, and his thoughts seemed to go back to a day many years ago.

Cicadas were chirping in the sycamore tree outside the gate. There was a bicycle repair stall on the opposite side of the street, and occasionally a hawker pushing a bicycle and wearing a straw hat selling popsicles passed by.

I sat at the gate with an honest young man, chatting and laughing, and stopped a boy from Northwestern Polytechnical University who was trying to meet the editor-in-chief with a poem manuscript.

However, that was more than forty years ago.

(Complete the book.)
(End of this chapter)