A widower's entertainment

Chapter 386 [The Astonishing Form of "Love"] (Please Subscribe)
The announcement of the main competition nominees for the Venice Film Festival has sparked considerable discussion within the Chinese film industry, and filmmakers are naturally paying close attention to this festival.

Hou Hsiao-hsien from Taiwan also called to inform Lin Yu-cheng of his nomination and invited him to attend the Venice Film Festival in early September.

However, it is clear that Lin Youcheng has no intention of going to Venice.

Although Lin Youcheng did not plan to go to the Venice Film Festival, he did take a few children to Tianjin.

Firstly, it was summer vacation, and secondly, Xie Shuhua's parents were in Tianjin, so Lin Youcheng was thinking of bringing his parents-in-law to Beijing.

However, Xie Zelin hasn't thought about retiring yet, so he'll only consider going to Beijing when he's actually retired.

Lin Zhaoxi and his six siblings were naturally very happy to go to Tianjin. Although it was not far from the capital, it was still a long trip.

Because Xie Zelin in Tianjin clearly knew he would have so many grandchildren someday, and there weren't enough rooms in the house, the three girls and three boys naturally had to sleep separately in the same room. Originally, Lin Youcheng planned to find a guesthouse or hotel to stay in, but the children felt it was unnecessary. Xie Zelin also felt that it wouldn't be proper for them to stay outside since they were at home, so he let the children squeeze together.

"If we have another child, we won't be able to sleep in Tianjin next time we come here."

Lin Youcheng smiled and told Xie Shuhua about it, then said, "Should I get my parents a bigger house in Tianjin?"

Xie Shuhua was surprised that Lin Youcheng was thinking of buying a house in Tianjin, and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Mom and Dad will definitely not agree, they don't need it at all."

"Didn't we say before that they would come to Beijing and live with us after they retire?"

Lin Youcheng nodded. He knew that once his parents-in-law retired, they would go to Beijing, but that would take a long time.

Hearing the children playing on their beds in the next room, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh and said, "I'll talk to Dad about it tomorrow and see what he thinks."

Xie Shuhua didn't say anything more, and let Lin Youcheng talk to his father instead.

Clearly, Xie Shuhua understood her father. When she heard that Lin Youcheng wanted to buy her another house in Tianjin, Xie Zelin immediately refused.

"Youcheng, you absolutely mustn't waste this money!"

Xie Zelin actually knew that Lin Youcheng had bought a lot of houses in Beijing. Although he didn't quite understand, he didn't say much, since it was Lin Youcheng spending his own money.

Upon hearing his father-in-law Xie Zelin's words, Lin Youcheng knew that Xie Zelin would not agree to him buying a house in Tianjin. He did not insist, but simply said, "My houses in Beijing can also be rented out, and my children can support themselves by collecting rent in the future."

“They can support themselves. Zhao Xi got into medical school and he’s going to be a doctor.”

Xie Zelin also thought his granddaughter was quite good. He liked her from the bottom of his heart. She was sensible and smart, and she wanted to be a doctor in the future. She was truly remarkable.

Lin Youcheng nodded.

But Xie Zelin naturally wouldn't know that Lin Youcheng's purchase of a house in Tianjin was not just for overseas Chinese, but also an investment. Even though the house prices in Tianjin were not as high as in the capital, they would definitely rise sharply in the future, and the return on investment would be quite high.

Not to mention, Lin Youcheng has money on hand now, which he can naturally use for investment.

Lin Youcheng is truly not short of money. His original novels sold very well after publication. Even though piracy was rampant in China, it didn't stop Lin Youcheng from publishing a large number of works, and each one was quite a classic.

Even now, some publishing houses want to publish Lin Youcheng's original film scripts, which are essentially novels that will be published as films of the same name.

Lin Youcheng's screenplays for Hollywood companies, such as "Everyday" and "The Truman Show," have generated considerable buzz overseas. "Everyday" was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and "The Truman Show" is currently the most widely discussed film abroad.

Not to mention, Lin Youcheng's screenplay "Love," written for Hou Xiaoxian in Taiwan, has been shortlisted for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival. None of these screenplays were adapted from novels, and the films have not been released in China. This has naturally attracted the attention of domestic publishers, who want Lin Youcheng to publish novels based on the films. These would definitely be very popular works.

In fact, domestic publishers and booksellers are well aware that whatever Lin Youcheng publishes, the sales will not be bad, let alone stories that have been bought for a high price and made into movies, which is naturally very worthwhile to publish.

Lin Youcheng didn't expect that Yanjing Literature Publishing House would come up with this idea. In fact, quite a few people have followed this path since then. For example, there are books with the same name as the TV series "Lurking" and the TV series "Plot Against". These can all be said to be books that are republished after the TV series has been broadcast.

Although Lin Youcheng felt it was unnecessary, the Yanjing Literature Newspaper directly approached him to discuss cooperation, and they offered to quote royalties based on his situation, showing their sincerity.

However, Lin Youcheng still refused. After all, if he wanted to write it as a novel from the beginning, he could have simply published it as a novel and then adapted it into a film or television series, just like the script he wrote before, "My Brothers and Sisters".

Lin Youcheng felt from the bottom of his heart that there was no need to make this money.

Although Lin Youcheng has not published a novel of the same name as the film, the film "Love" has been selected for the Venice Film Festival, and people in Beijing's literary circles have been discussing the film. Some people who know the story behind it have also been exchanging and discussing it.

This naturally leads to discussions among figures like Zheng Xiaolong, Zha Haisheng, and Wang Xiaobo about Lin Youcheng's mention of the story "Love" in his novel "The Reader."

Of course, it's just a name mentioned in passing; it refers to a story called "Love" that Jiang Xia reads to Yang Ju in "The Reader."

The editorial department of People's Literature Publishing House would naturally discuss the story between Lin Youcheng's film script "Love" and "The Reader".

"Director Zhang, did the movie 'Love,' written by Lin Youcheng, really appear in 'The Reader'?"

An editor in the editorial department was flipping through Lin Youcheng's already published book, "The Reader," and said, "How come I didn't see it? Did I miss it?"

“It’s not that you missed it, it’s just that it was mentioned in passing. If you didn’t say that Lin Youcheng wrote this novel, I’m afraid no one would even notice.” Another editor said, taking the book from his colleague and turning directly to the passage in the novel *The Reader* where Jiang Xia sent Yang Ju the last audio recording of his reading. He read it aloud, word by word: “…I also made some preparations for Yang Ju’s release from prison. I furnished the room I arranged for Yang Ju with some old furniture, placed books on the bookshelves, hung paintings on the walls, and bought food supplies. I sent Yang Ju the audio recording of my last reading, without thinking about whether she would be interested enough in *Love*, a novel that discusses love and marriage. I was particularly busy and stubborn when I did these things, and all of this felt like a heavy burden. But it was enough to keep me so busy that I didn’t have time to think about that visit to Yang Ju…”

"This 'Love' is about love and marriage."

Clearly, everyone in the editorial department present heard those words and the phrase "a novel about love and marriage."

"There really is one!"

The editor who couldn't find the source before was also surprised. After taking another look, he said, "It really is just mentioned in passing. You wouldn't notice it if you didn't look carefully. I really didn't expect that this 'Love' was written by Lin Youcheng."

"It seems that the movie script he wrote for Hou Xiaoxian, 'Love,' is also about love and marriage."

"However, since Lin Youcheng mentioned the novel 'Love' in his novel 'The Reader,' then it must be a novel!"

An editor was also discussing this point in the text, and then looked at Zhang Wei, saying, "Director Zhang, Lin Youcheng has written a novel called 'Love,' you should at least let him publish this work as a novel!"

Hearing his colleague's words, Zhang Wei raised an eyebrow. He had mentioned this matter to Lin Youcheng before, but unlike his colleague, he hadn't brought the text from the novel "The Reader." Now, hearing this, he naturally felt that he could talk to Lin Youcheng again about publishing the story "Love."

It should be noted that the People's Literature magazine can also publish short stories.

Lin Youcheng hadn't expected that the editors of People's Literature magazine would bring up his writing from the novel The Reader to talk to him; this was a direct attack on the text.

However, Lin Youcheng did consider publishing the novel "Love" at that time, but he hadn't decided whether to write it or not. Later, when Hou Xiaoxian was going to film "The Reader", Lin Youcheng had originally promised Jiang Wen, and then gave the film script of "Love" to Hou Xiaoxian.

Is the novel "Love" now being published as a short story?
“Youcheng, since you mentioned the novel ‘Love’ in your novel ‘The Reader’, why not publish it as a novel?”

Zhang Wei advised, "The movie 'Love' that Hou Xiaoxian made is also unlikely to be shown in mainland China. Since it was originally a novel, readers should be able to see the story of 'Love' that you wrote."

Lin Youcheng understood Zhang Wei's meaning, and after considering it, he naturally agreed to publish the short story "Love".

Don't you think the content of this story is sensitive?

When Zhang Wei heard Lin Youcheng's question, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "The standards of literature haven't reached that point yet."

Lin Youcheng understood what Zhang Wei meant. Since the editor Zhang Wei had said so, Lin Youcheng didn't say anything more.

Soon, the editors of People's Literature magazine learned even earlier than the audience at the Venice Film Festival just how amazing Lin Youcheng's story "Love" was—it truly exceeded their expectations.

"Director Zhang, Lin Youcheng is really too cruel!"

"No wonder this film was selected for the Venice Film Festival! The story is truly remarkable!"

Yes, it is an amazing story, an amazing love story.

One editor, with tears in his eyes, finished reading Lin Youcheng's simple and short story. Just like Zheng Xiaolong, the editor was equally shocked.

She never imagined that Lin Youcheng's "Love" would be like a profound elegy at the end of life, playing a moving melody about love, life, and death through the interweaving of simple imagery and delicate emotions.

The entire story speaks of the decline and silence of life. This elderly couple, retired music teachers, lived a life filled with artistic inspiration and tender, mutual support. However, fate dealt them a sudden blow: the wife suffered a stroke, leaving her paralyzed on the right side, drastically changing their lives. Lin Youcheng's delicate writing vividly portrays the love between this elderly couple, every glance and gesture brimming with the deep affection that comes with age.

Despite the hardships of caring for his wife, the husband remained steadfastly by her side. Every time he helped her up or fed her, his deep love was palpable. While the wife, tormented by illness, gradually lost her dignity and hope for life, her gaze towards Georges remained filled with love and dependence.

But even with such love, the final outcome was that the husband smothered his wife to death with a pillow.

This is amazing!
Such love is truly heartbreaking!

Clearly, the editorial department believes that Lin Youcheng's story "Love" is cruel to more than one person, and those who have read this short story have also clearly felt the astonishing love in the story.

Yes, it was an amazing love.

The cruel and heartbreaking love story left the editors speechless with admiration and horrified.

The novel's title is a simple word: "Love." What exactly is love? It's a lifelong pursuit. The passionate intensity of youth fades with the passage of time. This is the story of an elderly couple, their children successful but rarely home, the two elderly people relying on each other. A sudden stroke leaves the wife paralyzed. Despite her husband's unwavering and meticulous care, the worsening condition gradually erodes her will to live. The embarrassment of falling and being scolded, the guilt and self-reproach for bedwetting, culminating in her incoherent weakness, drive this once vibrant and beautiful old woman to seek liberation. After telling her a story, her husband ends her life with a pillow.

But when life comes to an end, is it the one who suffers more, the one who leaves or the one who stays behind?
There is so much to discuss in this simple word "love".

After three rounds of review and proofreading by the editorial department of People's Literature, they naturally had no objections to Lin Youcheng's short story "Love" and were ready to publish it without hesitation.

Soon, "Love" will be published in the latest issue of People's Literature magazine.

But in reality, no matter what form "Love" takes, this true "Love" is breathtaking and awe-inspiring.

(End of this chapter)