Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 25: Consultant of "Unnamed Lake"

What surprised Lin Chaoyang was that besides Chen Jiangong, there was another unfamiliar face in the bell pavilion.

"Come on, Chaoyang, let me introduce you to Zou Shifang, a student in the Class of 1977 in the Department of Philosophy at our school."

"This is Lin Chaoyang, the administrator of our Yanda Library. He is an excellent novel writer."

Chen Jiangong enthusiastically introduced the two to each other, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then explained to Lin Chaoyang the reason why he was looking for him today.

The day after tomorrow, September 9, is the day of the restoration and founding conference of the May Fourth Literary Society of Yenching University. It will be resumed after being suspended for more than ten years. This time the restoration and founding conference of the May Fourth Literary Society will be on a large scale, and the guests attending include many heavyweights in the cultural circle.

The leaders of Yenching University who attended the event included Deputy Secretary Ma Shijiang, Vice President Ji Xianlin, and professors Zhu Guangqian and Wang Yao. Representatives from the literary world included poetry critic Xie Mian, poet Zhang Zhimin, and head of the Yenching Literature and Art novel group Zhou Yanru. Representatives from the press included four reporters from the People's Daily and China Youth Daily.

Chen Jiangong spoke fluently and excitedly as he introduced the preparations for the conference. As one of the participants in the restoration of the May Fourth Literary Society, he was not only full of expectations but also pride.

When the May Fourth Literary Society is restored in the future, he and Zou Shifang will both become vice presidents.

At the end, he looked a little regretful, "It's a pity that Mr. Mao Dun has important matters to attend to and cannot come to attend."

After listening to Chen Jiangong for a long time, Lin Chaoyang still didn't understand why he came to him today. Finally, Zou Shifang couldn't stand it anymore and reminded him: "Jiangong, let's talk about business, let's talk about business."

"Oh, yes, yes. Sorry, Chaoyang, I was too excited." Chen Jiangong apologized and then got down to business.

"After the May Fourth Literary Society was re-established, our first important task was to establish our own journal. We hope to invite you to serve as a consultant for our journal."

"Be a consultant?" Lin Chaoyang was very surprised. He was just a librarian. Although the journal of the May Fourth Literary Society was not a well-known publicly distributed publication, it should not be his turn to be a consultant, right?
Besides, since it is a club journal, it must be mainly for students who join the literature club. How could it be possible for a school employee like him to get involved?

Lin Chaoyang expressed his thoughts tactfully, but Chen Jiangong laughed.

"Chaoyang, don't be so modest. I have read your novel "The Horse Herder". I think I have some experience in novel writing, but I am far behind you.

The literary club was re-established, including the launch of Weiming Lake, and many seniors were willing to serve as our consultants. However, these seniors all had their own jobs and were usually very busy, so it was not good to bother them all the time.

That's why I discussed it with everyone and would like to trouble you to help us check it.

Don't worry, there's not much work for consultants. We only ask you for some advice when we are unsure of the direction or have a key project. "

Chen Jiangong's words made Lin Chaoyang unable to help but complain in his heart: I'm sorry to trouble those old guys, but you have the nerve to trouble me?

"Wenming Lake" is the journal of the May Fourth Literary Society. Since it is a journal, being a consultant naturally does not pay a penny. It is definitely working for free. Lin Chaoyang is incapable of doing such selfless work.

Besides, if he was a consultant for "Weiming Lake", wouldn't his name appear in the publication? His father-in-law was at the school, and with the influence of Yanda, the "Weiming Lake" magazine would definitely be circulated in major universities in Yanjing in the future, and Tao Yushu had a high chance of seeing it.

The name of a librarian named Lin Chaoyang appeared in the consultant column of Weiming Lake. With a little inquiry, wouldn't it be revealed that he wrote novels?
Thinking of this, Lin Chaoyang was shocked.

Great!
He quickly pulled Chen Jiangong aside and asked, "Who did you tell about my novel?"

Chen Jiangong didn't understand, but still answered: "It's just a few of us who are in charge of the preparations."

Lin Chaoyang looked serious and warned: "Don't spread this matter."

"Ah..." Chen Jiangong wanted to ask why, but he was nearly thirty years old after all and still quite shrewd. Lin Chaoyang told him not to spread the news, so he must have his own reasons. Since he didn't say anything, it was because he didn't want him to ask.

Thinking of this, he agreed: "Okay, I'll tell them when I get back."

Lin Chaoyang nodded. "Chaoyang, do you not want to be a consultant?" Chen Jiangong asked.

Since Lin Chaoyang doesn't want others to know that he is writing novels, he must be unwilling to be a consultant for "Weiming Lake".

Lin Chaoyang gave Chen Jiangong an apologetic smile, "Jian Gong, I'm so sorry, I won't be a consultant for your magazine. But if you need anything, I'm happy to help."

Chen Jiangong understood that Lin Chaoyang didn't want his name to be published.

His eyes rolled and he had an idea, "You can come up with a pen name. We promise not to reveal your identity."

"This……"

Lin Chaoyang hesitated. After all, Chen Jiangong had helped him before. Now that things had come to this, it would be a bit unkind of him to refuse.

After a moment, Lin Chaoyang made up his mind, "Okay!"

Seeing that he agreed to the job, Chen Jiangong and Zou Shifang were very happy and wanted to take him to meet the other founders of the May Fourth Literary Society.

"No, no." Lin Chaoyang grabbed Chen Jiangong and said, "I will not participate in your literature club's activities, and I don't need to meet so many people. If you need a manuscript from me in the future, Jiangong, please leave a note for me at the library."

Well, we caught up with the underground party.

Chen Jiangong and Zou Shifang looked at each other. The other party had agreed to help, so if he didn't want to show up, then he didn't have to show up. It was nothing more than Chen Jiangong running errands.

"Okay, then it's settled."

Before leaving, Lin Chaoyang reminded everyone, "Tell everyone not to spread the novel."

"Do not worry."

It took some time to get off work, and when I got home it was almost half past six. Tao Yushu had not come back yet, and her mother was serving dishes to the table.

"Hey!" Tao Yumo called Lin Chaoyang.

When he looked over, she said stiffly, "There's a letter for you."

Lin Chaoyang took the letter from the table without saying a word.

My sister-in-law never talks to him at home, so the half portion of braised pork last time did have some effect.

My sister-in-law is a very particular person.

After dinner, Lin Chaoyang and Tao Yushu read the letters from home together.

The content was very ordinary, expressing Lin Erchun and his wife's concern for Lin Chaoyang and his wife's work and life. Lin Chaoyang wrote a reply and sent it back to his hometown the next day.

Another day passed, and as soon as he got to work in the morning, Lin Chaoyang was called to the meeting room.

The May Fourth Literary Society was established today, and a re-establishment meeting will be held in the library conference room. The library called in several young and strong men to help set up the venue.

(End of this chapter)