The literary era since 1979

November, late autumn.

Zhu Lin bid farewell to her parents and followed Gong Xing and Fang Yan to Hong Kong for the first time. Everything around her was both strange and new to her.

Tall buildings are lined up one after another, and the whole city is flashing neon lights under the night sky, always interspersed with warm green and retro red.

In Zhu Lin's eyes, it was like an urban film with a strong Hong Kong flavor that could only be seen in movies.

However, this discomfort did not completely disappear when we arrived at the villa in Repulse Bay. Instead, it became more and more intense, even to the point of being at a loss.

"Xiao...Xiaoxiang, is this your home?"

"Yes."

Gong Xing smiled and pushed open the door. "Yanzi and I lived here when we were in Hong Kong."

Zhu Lin looked around timidly, and saw a middle-aged woman leading a group of people walking towards them.

"Xiaoxiang, who is she?"

"The housekeeper."

Gong Xing called out "Auntie Wu" to the housekeeper and asked her to tidy up a guest room.

"Ma'am, I have already arranged everything."

Aunt Wu said, "My husband just called and said that a friend of yours will be staying at home for a while."

Zhu Lin's eyes widened, and he was at a loss as to what to do: "Butler...Butler?"

"It's to help my wife manage all the household affairs, including the affairs of the servants."

Auntie Wu greeted them with a smile, and then with a glance, the two Filipino maids behind her understood and helped them carry their luggage.

Seeing the exotic face of the Filipino maid, Zhu Lin was shocked:

"This is almost catching up with the old palace rules."

"To be honest, I was not used to it at first, but I got used to it slowly."

Gong Xian pulled her to the living room and said, "You just arrived. It's normal for you to feel uncomfortable. You will be fine after living here for a while."

Zhu Lin looked over the entire antique-style living room from top to bottom, from left to right, and from outside to inside, and felt increasingly uneasy.

Gong Xing keenly noticed her best friend's reservedness and uneasiness, and while pouring tea for her, she spoke softly to comfort her, like a gentle spring breeze.

"When the time comes, I'll book a table at Jumbo Floating Restaurant and give you a good welcome. By the way, do you have any dietary restrictions when it comes to seafood?"

"No no."

Zhu Lin gradually came to his senses, "Teacher Fang, don't you want to eat with us?"

"He's very busy. You saw him at the airport. He left in a car with Yaoming, Xiuyu and the others right after he got off the plane."

Gong Xing looked like he was used to it.

"What are they going to do in such a hurry?"

Zhu Lin was extremely surprised.

"Of course it's Sanlian Bookstore."

Gong Xing told him the truth. Since receiving the news that "The Three-Body Problem" had won the Hugo Award, the Joint Publishing Company of Hong Kong has prepared a celebration banquet for Fang Yan. In addition to celebrating his record as the first Chinese science fiction writer and achieving the Grand Slam of the world's science fiction literature awards, the company was also discussing the reprinting of the "The Three-Body Problem" series. After all, under such a good situation, how could they miss this good opportunity to publicize and promote science fiction literature in Hong Kong?
"No wonder……"

Zhu Lin suddenly understood.

"If we invite the media, we will be even busier. I guess we won't be able to make it to the dinner tonight."

Gong Xing said apologetically: "This is your first time in Hong Kong, we should treat you well, but I'm really... sorry..."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Xiaoxiang, you don't have to apologize to me."

Zhu Lin raised his hand, "On the contrary, if your work is delayed because of me, I will feel bad."

Gong Xing patted the back of her hand gently, and began to talk while introducing the specialties of Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

After chatting for a while, Zhu Lin couldn't help but ask curiously: "Mr. Fang... Is Yanzi usually so busy?"

"Occasionally very busy, often occasionally."

Gong Xing said half-jokingly.

"Ah?" It took Zhu Lin a long time to react to the sudden change in his mind.

"On weekdays at this time, Aunt Wu and the others are the ones who keep me company in the room."

Gong Xing stretched out his hand to hold her shoulder, "But now it's good, you've moved in, I won't be lonely at all."

Zhu Lin listened to her bestie's confession quietly. Thinking of the time when she was alone in Emei Film Studio, she couldn't help but empathize with her and said:

"So how did you spend your time when you were alone at home?"

"I watch TV, write scripts, and if I'm too bored, I'll go visit friends."

Gong Xing said that Lin Qingxia, Li Zhi, Wang Zuxian and Zhang Guorong were all neighbors, and they often got together to go shopping, play and play mahjong.

Hearing the words of the people, Zhu Lin's two watery eyes widened:
"Lin Qingxia, Wang Zuxian and others all live here?"

"Yes, I live nearby."

Gong Xing smiled and said, "If you're willing, I'll invite them to my house to play mahjong someday and introduce you to each other."

Zhu Lin stared blankly at her best friend with a rosy complexion and elegant manner of speaking. Unlike her own haggard appearance and dead heart, her charm was even more brilliant than when they first met, as if the sun in the daytime could not bear to hurt her and the moon at night would not harm her. There was a bit of self-abasement in her envious eyes.

Just as she was daydreaming, Aunt Wu came over respectfully:
"Ma'am, the table you requested has been reserved."

"Also, a few days ago, Miss Lizhi came to deliver an invitation letter, saying that she asked Yongsheng to send it, and it seemed that she invited you to visit the inside, the inside..."

"Internal preview."

When Gong Xing took the invitation letter and looked at it, the words "Chinese Hero" immediately caught his eye.

………………

Meanwhile, the Regent Hotel.

With a "bang", the cork flew forward, and then the amber champagne poured into the wine glasses.

"Congratulations to Fang Sheng for his success and winning the Hugo Award!"

All the staff of Joint Publishing Company of Hong Kong raised their glasses and expressed their congratulations.

"Thank you very much, everyone!"

Fangyan is all smiles.

Pan Yaoming just shouted "Cheers" loudly, and suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of crisp and loud clinking glasses.

"Yanzi, this time it's really thanks to you again."

Xiao Zi couldn't stop smiling. As soon as the news that "The Three-Body Problem" won the Hugo Award reached Hong Kong, in less than a day, the sales of the novel soared dozens of times compared to usual. Some newspaper stands and bookstores that had already sold out made frantic phone calls urging for delivery, and the ringing of the phone never stopped from morning to night.

Even publishers from Taiwan and Southeast Asia called and asked to import thousands of copies of the "Three-Body" series of novels.

"In that case, why don't we add more fuel to the fire?"

Dialect looks left and right.

There was anticipation in everyone's eyes, just like a pack of hungry wolves, waiting for the order from the wolf king.

"Instead of inviting reporters to do interviews as usual, how about holding a 24-hour book signing?"

Fang Yan said: "We can even ask the notary of the Guinness World Records to see if we can break the record of the number of books signed and sold in one day."

Yanzi, you are such a genius! Your IQ must be 160!
Pan Yaoming slammed the table excitedly, and other people around him also thought that this was a great idea!
"That's right. Not only will it help promote the Three-Body series, it will also help promote science fiction literature in Hong Kong."

Xiao Zi showed a satisfied smile, but when he thought about the fact that the popular literature business of Hong Kong Joint Publishing Company was flourishing, but the pure literature, serious literature and academic works were obviously at a low point, they should have moved forward, but they were always like a stagnant pool, with no progress.

"Mr. Xiao, don't worry too much. After all, the public's literary habits and the market's literary atmosphere cannot be cultivated or changed overnight."

Fang Yan, Dong Xiu Yu and others came to comfort them one after another.

"I have an idea. Let's give it a try."

As soon as Pan Yaoming said this, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Xiao Zi said expectantly: "Tell me what good ideas you have!"

Pan Yaoming adjusted his glasses and nudged Fang Yan with his elbow, "Shouldn't you show us your book The Rise of Great Powers?" (End of this chapter)