1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 41: Literary Stars Gather Together (Please Continue Reading)
"Okay, I'll wait for you to finish the other novels in the collection."

"I'll go to the finance department later and ask them to send you the money for the extra printing of Gao Shan. Remember to pick it up at the post office."

"Ha, the total is 1800 yuan."

Wang Chaoyin said to Xu Yuexin in a congratulatory tone.

This is the highest single payment ever paid to a writer since the resumption of People's Literature. Wang Chaoyin is happy that his author has achieved such an achievement.

Xu Yuexin was also in high spirits. The 1800 yuan more than doubled his savings.

"I've been busy with other things lately, but I'll make time to finish the collection as soon as possible."

Xu Yuexin said confidently, "I'll submit it to you once I finish writing it."

"Well, wait for the masterpiece."

Wang Chaoyin said cheerfully, "By the way, I want to get together with Jiangong and the others in a few days. Do you want to have a meal together?"

"When exactly?"

"Five days later. If you're free, wait for me to get off work and meet me at the gate of this courtyard."

"Okay, then we'll see you there."

"See you then."

After making an appointment with Wang Chaoyin to meet, Xu Yuexin took a bus back to Wudaokou and went home to study for a while.

As the time for the college entrance examination drew closer, the books on his desk became thinner and thinner as he read them.

After the recent period of serious preparation, the knowledge that had gradually become blurred after he was admitted to university was constantly awakened in Xu Yuexin's mind.

After reading for a while, Xu Yuexin put down his textbooks, took out manuscript paper and started writing a novel to be used as a follow-up to "The Shepherd".

……

On the appointed day, Xu Yuexin left a note at home telling his mother not to cook for him, then moved his bicycle downstairs and rode to People's Literature.

These days, every household moves their bicycles into the house to spend the night, as they feel at ease only when their important assets are kept under their noses.

Xu Yuexin is big and strong, so moving a bicycle is no problem for him.

It would be more difficult for the old comrades or female comrades. In the staff building, you can often see some old people or petite female teachers struggling to carry the 28-meter-long bicycle upstairs and take a rest on the first floor.

When encountering such a situation, Xu Yuexin would usually lend a hand, because they were all old neighbors and these people were also Xu Qiang's colleagues.

In the evening, the fiery clouds in the sky illuminated half of the capital city in red.

Under the sunset glow, the streets on both sides of the road are bustling and full of vitality, and the hawking sounds one after another seem to be announcing the arrival of free time after get off work.

"Watermelon, the watermelon from Pangge Village, big and sweet, five cents a pound, juicy and sweet!"

"Disposable goods! Disposable floral fabrics from a large state-owned factory, 60 cents a foot, no fabric coupons required!"

"The electronic watches shipped from Guangzhou are 140 yuan each! Buy two and get a discount!"

The wind of contracting production to households had not yet reached the rural areas of Beijing, but even so, the bold production teams had quietly expanded the area of ​​their private plots. The number of watermelons on the stalls of the melon-selling farmers was obviously not enough to be grown on the stipulated three-tenths of private plots.

Large state-owned factories also secretly opened a small crack in the tightly closed door of the planned economy under the pretext of clearing goods and leftover goods, and sold goods that did not require tickets, but the prices were a little higher than normal.

As for electronic watches...

Xu Yuexin was a little amused when he heard the quotation. This was an era when electronic watches were more expensive than mechanical watches.

This situation will be quickly reversed when the domestic primary manufacturing industry develops rapidly in the 90s.

Facing the cool evening breeze, Xu Yuexin rode his bicycle through many streets and alleys and arrived at No. 166 Chaonei.

At the gate of the yard, Wang Chaoyin was waiting for him, holding his bicycle.

After seeing Xu Yuexin, Wang Chaoyin greeted him from a distance: "Come on, there is a good place to eat two kilometers away. I'll take you there."

"What's a good place?"

Xu Yuexin waved at him and asked after riding closer.

It’s not time to get off work yet, so Wang Chaoyin must have skipped work.

It’s great to be an editor these days. As long as you can collect manuscripts, you can enjoy highly flexible working hours.

"It's a restaurant opened by a self-employed person. The food is good." "We used to get together there often."

As Wang Chaoyin spoke, he got on his bicycle and rode along Chaonei Street.

Xu Yuexin followed closely, and after riding out of Chaonei Street with him, they entered the alley and turned several turns, finally stopping in front of a small courtyard without a house number.

The door to the courtyard was open. Firewood and coal briquettes were neatly stacked against the walls on both sides, all covered with rainproof tarpaulin. Next to them were water tanks and chicken coops, where chickens and big fish as long as arms were raised.

In the middle of the yard, there was an empty path that could accommodate three or four people walking side by side. On the roof stood a large chimney that had obviously been modified. The sound of cooking could be heard from the kitchen through the wall.

As soon as the spring breeze blew, many self-employed people started their business in such houses. Because the houses on the street were all public, the people in charge often had prejudices against self-employed people and were unwilling to rent to them.

"That's it."

Wang Chaoyin got off his bicycle, pushed it into the yard, and called out to the house, "Brother, there are four of us in total."

It is not difficult to see that he is very familiar with the operator of this restaurant.

"Hey, there are four of you, right? Please come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, a smiling middle-aged waitress came out of the door. Her attitude was much more enthusiastic than that of the staff in the state-owned restaurant.

"Lao Wang, we are here."

At this time, Chen Jiangong's voice came from inside, "Is Lao Xu here?"

It turns out he arrived first.

"I'm here."

Xu Yuexin responded and walked into the house first.

From the outside, it looks like just an ordinary bungalow, but once you enter, you'll find that it's a completely different world.

The whole house was converted into a restaurant, with a dozen tables neatly arranged inside. Diners sat around the tables eating and chatting about all sorts of things.

Chen Jiangong was sitting at a table against the wall, next to him was a thin young man who looked to be around 20 years old.

Seeing Xu Yuexin and Wang Chaoyin coming over, the young man nodded at them: "Brother Chen and I just arrived."

"This is Liu Zhenyun, a sophomore from the Chinese Department of Yenching University."

Wang Chaoyin introduced the two parties, "This is Xu Yuexin, a well-known writer of our People's Literature."

"Hello, classmate Zhenyun."

"Hello, Brother Xu."

Liu Zhenyun has not published any works yet. When he heard that Xu Yuexin was a senior in the literary world, he immediately stood up and shook hands with him.

Xu Yuexin shook hands with him vigorously, actually feeling a little amused and helpless.

To be honest, he is actually one year younger than Liu Zhenyun.

It’s really because I entered the industry early that I got the title of big brother.

At this time, the proprietress handed over the menu. Xu Yuexin ordered stir-fried lamb with green onions, Wang Chaoyin ordered boiled fish fillet, and Chen Jiangong ordered tomato and egg soup.

Liu Zhenyun was reluctant to order at first, saying that he would just eat along with everyone else. After some persuasion, he finally ordered a dish of cold cucumber salad.

After ordering the food, the group started chatting. Liu Zhenyun, as the only person at the table who had not yet published any well-known works, spoke relatively less.

It was not until everyone became more interested in talking that Liu Zhenyun began to speak more and more often and join in the topic at the table.

"Team Leader Wang, the novel "The Wreath Under the Mountain" published by your magazine has been very influential recently. Our teacher has been using this novel as a case study in class."

Liu Zhenyun asked excitedly, "Excuse me, do you know the author of this book?"

As soon as he said this, Chen Jiangong, who was standing next to him, started to hold back his laughter.

"Haha, it's so far away, yet so close at hand. The author is your Big Brother Xu."

Wang Chaoyin smiled and said, "If you are interested in "High Mountain", you can ask him for advice."

The famous author Chunfeng turned out to be the same age as me?

Liu Zhenyun was shocked, but excitement was revealed in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)