I am a literary giant in Japan

1998:12 p.m., December 10, 2.

Stockholm Concert Hall, Stockholm, Sweden.

Saito Reina, wearing a dark red evening gown, held her head high and walked into the hall arm in arm with the tall and handsome Kitagawa Hide, amid the curious and expectant eyes of a group of Westerners.

The last time, which was this time last year, Saito Rena came here, she was still a "star-chasing girl" who was dreaming of winning the highest award in world literature, and her mind was full of "I must win it with Kitagawa."

After experiencing various changes and setbacks in a year, she has completely become disenchanted with the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The founder of the award is a great man, and the award was once something that people yearn for and admire, but as Kitagawa Hide said when he was preparing her mentally on the plane -

Nothing remains unchanged.

In this world, the most fickle thing is the human heart, followed by the so-called "eternity".

When elections become talent shows, when power pollutes literature, and when awards begin to be covered in dust, they are no longer high and mighty.

The only people who can define whether a writer is excellent are the countless literature lovers, practitioners, and readers from ancient times to the present.

There are a total of 172 steps from the check-in desk to the main hall, which would have taken the two of them only a few minutes to complete.

But wherever they went, applause and exclamations rang out all around. Countless familiar yet unfamiliar faces, with smiles on their faces, praised and complimented the two generously, stretching these few minutes into more than ten minutes.

Seven former Nobel Prize in Literature lifetime judges, led by Ma Yueran and Knut, were all present and applauded the two men loudly in the crowd.

At this moment, Rena Saito completely lost the timidity that Japanese people have had towards Westerners since birth. She was confident and proud, and enjoyed the praise that was also given to her.

"Teacher Kitagawa, Kafka on the Shore is a great book that will go down in the annals of literary history."

Ma Yueran excitedly shook hands with Beichuan Xiu, and Knut on the side also greeted him with a smile.

"I got the French translation of Kafka on the Shore from Mr. Audemaison last night. I finished reading it in one breath, and then I realized that it was already daybreak."

Knut was holding in his hand the copy of Kafka on the Shore (French translation), which was extremely valuable in Sweden.

Because of the blockade of Kitagawa Hide by the Arnault Club and the Nobel Prize officials, all his works are now strictly banned in Sweden and Norway.

Even literary masters like Knut and Ma Yueran have to ask their friends in the European Union for the latest works if they want to read Kitagawa Hide's latest works.

But this meaningless blockade is just like the two major consortiums' pursuit of Kitagawa Hide in Japan. There are policies from the top and countermeasures from the bottom. They cannot stop readers' obsession and pursuit of excellent works.

During the most brutal period of World War II, music, dance, literature and other arts were not destroyed or eliminated by the war, let alone these small tricks in peacetime.

"It's my honor to be liked by you." Kitagawa Hide said modestly.

Facing these true literary masters, he always maintained the heart of an apprentice.

Every time he discussed and exchanged ideas with these world-class writers, Kitagawa Hide benefited a lot and generated a lot of inspiration.

As the conversation between the three people deepened, more and more writers and celebrities joined in their topic.

Combesco, who also won the Goncourt Prize and is now a mainstay of the French literary world, squeezed through the crowd and excitedly shook hands and hugged Kitagawa Hide.

The Goncourt Prize was Kitagawa Hide's first stop in expanding into overseas markets, and also his first shot in gaining overseas fame.

The award of "Paradise Lost" is of great significance to Kitagawa Hide, the French literary world, and the world literary world.

Combesco and others were also his best friends in the overseas literary world.

"Hey, where is Mr. Odmeson?" Kitagawa Hide looked around but didn't see the old man.

Odemaison is an evergreen in the French literary world. He was an old-school writer who had supported him from the very beginning and sent many wedding gifts before his and Yumeko's wedding, including travel tickets for their subsequent trip to Colombia.

It can be said that he also contributed to the publication of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" in this world.

"Teacher, he hasn't been feeling well lately, and he has been revising your "Remembrance of Things Past", so he didn't make it here.

By the way, the teacher asked me to bring you a message." Combesco said.

As Kitagawa Hide listened to him, an image of a lovely old man emerged in his mind, bowing his head under the lamp, carefully annotating and revising "Remembrance of Things Past" every day.

Oudmaison's pursuit of literature has reached perfection, and nothing and no one can disturb him.

After the publication of "Remembrance of Things Past", he was convinced that this was a masterpiece that could change the history of French literature and was worth his lifelong study.

Therefore, he decisively stopped all the work at hand, stopped writing books, and ignored the fact that he had only written less than one-third of his autobiography. He spent all day studying and refining "Remembrance of Things Past", vowing to carve it into a real unpolished jade before he was buried.

The previous life's "Remembrance of Things Past" was published too early and carried too many halos, and in the end it could only be passed down from generation to generation with its bloated body.

This is a good thing and a bad thing.

It would indeed be better for it if there were both a lengthy version and a refined version.

Readers can also choose a version to read according to their own preferences, without having to hold their noses to read the very long one, and finally miss such a masterpiece due to loss of interest and motivation.

Kitagawa Hide strongly agreed with this matter.

Hearing that such a senior was going to spend the rest of his life on a piece of literary work, he felt a little sad and helpless.

"Please speak." Kitagawa Hide stood up straight and said seriously.

"There is gossip all day long, but if you don't listen, it will disappear."

Combesco said a proverb in French, which roughly translated into something that the winter swimming weirdo that Kitagawa Hide had seen in his previous life often said.

“There is gossip all day long, but if you don’t listen it will disappear.” Saito Reina, who was standing by, chewed on it carefully and suddenly felt enlightened. Many things that had been suppressed in her heart and her recent troubles seemed to have been answered.

Ma Yueran and the others also savoured it in silence, and Knut said bluntly: "We owe Professor Oddmeisson a Nobel Prize in Literature."

"I think Mr. Odmesson doesn't care about this at all." Kitagawa Hide chuckled.

Several people were stunned for a moment, then they all laughed and agreed with what he said.

At this time, Gene Autry, Stephen King, Hernando, Jorge Luis Borges and others who were also familiar with Kitagawa Hide came over to communicate with them.

Originally, the Stockholm Concert Hall was where all the Nobel Prizes were awarded, but at this moment, such a large crowd attracted all the celebrities from all walks of life, and those involved in other awards also flocked in like a tide.

Trapped in the middle, Kitagawa Hide could no longer tell who was talking to him. Now he finally understood why those top stars in the entertainment industry had to set up cordons and security when they traveled.

Indeed, if there were so many fans chattering and surrounding him every time, no one would be able to bear it.

Fortunately, his fans are all celebrities with high social status and high social status. They are not like those mindless star-chasing girls who just rush over and say "Brother, I love you!"

After finally finishing talking to a bunch of people, Kitagawa Hideichi turned around and found that Saito Rena had gone to socialize with Aung San Suu Kyi and a group of female celebrities. He did not go over to disturb them, but found a seat and sat down.

The highlight of today is the award ceremony in a while.

He wanted to see how the Arnaults were going to "humiliate" him here.

With its extremely high quality and exaggerated network of contacts, "Kafka on the Shore" has become a sensation in the overseas literary world in just two days.

Especially in Greece, which is closely related to the mythological stories used in the novel, its official literary organization and government directly extended an invitation to Beichuan Entertainment, hoping to be the sole agent for the permanent copyright of "Kafka on the Shore" in Greece.

The Greek government offered 1.8 million euros + 15% profit share, which was considered to be giving enough face to Kitagawa Hide.

In addition, many powerful countries such as France, Britain, the United States, the six Civet countries, and Southeast Asian countries have also successively expressed their demands to purchase various copyrights of "Kafka on the Shore".

It can be said that the income from this book alone is enough to allow the employees of Beichuan Entertainment to have a comfortable and exciting year.

The effect I wanted has been achieved, and my combination punch has been thrown out. It all depends on how the opponent responds.

Hide Kitagawa recalled the final outcome of the Arnault couple.

As a lifetime judge of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Talina was finally saved by the Nobel Prize officials because her problem was not serious.

However, the Nobel Prize in Literature was not awarded for one year, and its popularity dropped significantly.

Later, she seemed to have lived in seclusion and no longer appeared frequently in public.

As for her husband Arnault, he is completely stinky.

Who made this guy touch the person he shouldn't have touched - Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

By the way, the Crown Princess seems to have a good relationship with little Olivia.
He shook his head, put aside all distracting thoughts, and before the award ceremony began, he took out a pen and paper and started writing "1Q84".

This novel is scheduled to be released on the 18th. It is a work used to compete with Nagai Kazukaze and is also the final work of this year. He must treat it with caution.

Fortunately, its core is still Haruki Murakami's style, and it is based on the "Tokyo Subway Sarin Gas Incident", so it is not difficult to write, unlike some previous articles that required Kitagawa Hide to spend a lot of time and energy.

Of course, striving for excellence and seeking change in stability has always been Kitagawa Xiu’s pursuit.

In "1Q84", he also wants to write with a different feeling.

Just as Kitagawa Hide was writing furiously, the Arnault couple and a group of members of the Arnault Club finally arrived.

Strictly speaking, they represent the mainstream of the world literary scene and are the real protagonists of this award ceremony.

However, the Arnault couple, who came in a hurry at this time, did not look very well. The best makeup could not hide their somewhat listless appearance caused by excessive indulgence and drug use.

"I shouldn't have taken so many drugs yesterday." Arno's head was still dizzy. If the maid hadn't forced the door open and pulled them up, he would have almost missed the award ceremony!

As the founder of the Arnault Club and the most sought-after non-literary creator in the Swedish and Norwegian literary world, Arnault's fame has surpassed that of his wife and is approaching that of several of the Nobel Prize's top directors.

He is also the specially invited award presenter, and will present awards and deliver speeches to the winners of the Literature Prize, Physics Prize and Peace Prize today.

If he was really late, he himself couldn't imagine how it would end.

"They are coming." Beichuan Xiu looked up and saw them.

As if they had sensed something, the Arnault couple looked over and met Kitagawa Hide's gaze.

His features and oriental appearance were so recognizable that Arno recognized him at first sight.

"He's here too!" Arno was ecstatic, yet a little confused.

I did send an invitation, but it was a humiliating invitation.

Kitagawa Hide was banned from running for the Nobel Prize for five years, was disqualified as a nominee, and was disqualified from being a finalist. It can be said that he was directly blacklisted by the Nobel Prize Council and the jury.

Most people would know better than to get involved if they encountered such a thing, and would retain the last bit of dignity for themselves.

He actually dares to come?

No wonder they say that the Japanese are licking the West in their bones. Even if the Westerners have left over bones, they will pick them up and take a few bites to feel comfortable.

And I saw that all those celebrities who had refused to attend actually came.

Arno felt more relieved.

Kitagawa Hide didn't pay much attention to the two of them. After the eye contact, he lowered his head and started working on his book.

The concert hall, which had just quieted down, became lively again because of the people from the Arnault Club.

At this moment, if you stand on the second floor, you can clearly see the two groups of people, Arnault's faction and Kitagawa Hide's faction, confronting each other.

Of course, from Arnault's perspective, these people were all there to support his award ceremony.

As the time approached 4: in the afternoon, the noise in the concert hall gradually quieted down.

Rena Saito had returned to Kitagawa Hide's side at some point, with a strange smile on her face, and she couldn't help but pursed her lips with her hands several times.

"What's wrong? Did you hear any funny jokes?"

Kitagawa Hide rarely saw her so emotional.

The last time Saito Reina lost her composure was when she and he secretly went to the bookstore to check the distribution of magazines.

"A joke? Ha. Strictly speaking, it seems to be a different kind of joke."

Saito Reina came close to him, and the faint body fragrance mixed with the scent of Chanel perfume kept pouring into his nose.
“Guess what I heard from Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and others?”

"I don't guess." Kitagawa Hide said seriously.

Guess, why do women have such a strange mentality!

Wouldn't it be better to just say it directly?

"Okay!" Saito Reina rolled her eyes at him and continued, "They just told me that they didn't plan to come here originally."

"Hmm?" Kitagawa Hide smelled a strange smell.

When he was chatting with old man George Seferis just now, the old man smiled at him mysteriously, as if he was hiding something from him.

"They, as well as this large group of celebrities, writers, and award winners, all came here because of you, Beichuan." (End of this chapter)