1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 142 Sales and Reviews
"Alright! Everyone can end this afternoon's training. Starting tomorrow we will intensify our training and prepare for the dance performance in May. I hope everyone is mentally prepared. Disband!"

Teacher Jiang Ling, dressed in a training suit, glanced around the dance studio. She saw four rows of girls on the cork floor with their legs spread apart, doing splits on the ground.

This is not torture or punishment, in fact it is just simple flexibility training.

Every girl here can fold her legs more than 180 degrees without any effort.

"Hu~~"

When everyone in the room heard the announcement, they all breathed a sigh of relief and could finally rest.

Liu Xiaoli lowered her upper body, supported her hands on the floor, and quickly combined her legs to stand up in a simple and graceful movement.

Others followed suit.

Teacher Jiang took a step away. The dancers in the dance troupe soon started chattering after leaving the teacher's supervision.

"What are we having for dinner?"

"How about we go out for dinner? I remember there's a restaurant on Jianghan Road that's really delicious."

"I'd rather not go. This month's salary hasn't been paid yet and I've already used up all my money."

……

"Huanhuan, have you ever been to BJ's?"

"No, we're going there next month. I'm sure we'll have some free time by then, so we can go out and have fun at places like the Forbidden City, the Badaling Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, etc..."

"I feel like if we exclude the trip, we'll probably be leaving around the 20th."

The girls talked about dinner and wages, and of course some of them were excitedly talking about their performance in Beijing in May. After all, BJ in this era was not a place that could be reached simply by taking a train.

Letters of introduction, guest houses, temporary residence permits, etc. are all difficult problems.

Fortunately, they were invited by the Ministry of Culture to perform, and there were also many senior dancers in the theater who went to Beijing last year to participate in the 30th anniversary National Day celebrations, so they had experience.

"Isn't Xiaoli's family in Beijing? Can we ask Comrade Cheng Kaiyan to take us out to play? He is from Beijing, so he must be more familiar with it than us."

"Hey! Speaking of which, Xiaoli hasn't seen her boyfriend for a month or two. She must be grinning from ear to ear now that she knows the news."

Roommates Xiao Caiyun and Zhang Yi were chatting while packing their clothes.

After saying that, he looked at Liu Xiaoli, who was quietly packing her things, with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Xiao Li."

"Sure, we'll meet then anyway."

Liu Xiaoli nodded and agreed.

In fact, although she knew Cheng Kaiyan's home address and had sent many letters there during this period, if she went looking for him with the address, she might not be unable to find him.

"That's good. By the way, I heard that your comrade Xiao Cheng has published a new article. Congratulations!"

The two smiled and said that although they did not leave the theater today, they also heard about this matter from some teachers and colleagues in the theater who liked reading.

It is said that the subject matter is love. I didn’t expect that a love novel was published in "People's Literature". It is really surprising.

Is the current social atmosphere already open to this extent?

"thanks, thanks."

Liu Xiaoli narrowed her eyes in pleasure, like two crescent moons.

After saying goodbye to her friends, Liu Xiaoli left the theater alone. While it was still early, she went to the post office to mail a letter and see if she could buy a copy of People's Literature for herself.

The content of the letter was very simple, just some trivialities in life. Liu Xiaoli did not intend to tell her boyfriend about her performance in Beijing in May, but planned to keep it a secret and give him a surprise when the time comes.

Because she didn't have a bicycle, Liu Xiaoli walked for almost fifteen minutes to send the letter.

Then we went straight to the Xinhua Bookstore on Jiefang Avenue.

Liu Xiaoli looked up and saw that there was still a long line in front of the bookstore.

Jiangcheng in April was not like January. At this time, all the major universities in Jiangcheng had already started classes. Although there were not millions of college students like in later generations, the number of college students was still among the highest in the country.

Many of these young people got to know Cheng Kaiyan through "Fang Cao" and "Xiao Fang". Now they heard that his new book was published in the national journal "People's Literature". Many people are looking forward to this book and what kind of world he will bring.

"Have you heard? This issue of People's Literature published a love story! It's a love story written by Teacher Cheng Kaiyan."

"What is your name?"

"love letter."

Several college students standing in line were communicating with each other enthusiastically.

Obviously, apart from the college students in Beijing who were the first to get the news, many people in other places did not actually know that Cheng Kaiyan had published a new book in People's Literature, nor did they know what subject he wrote about.

Besides, it has only been on sale for one day, so a lot of news has not had time to ferment.

Therefore, such conversations took place in many places. After people bought "People's Literature" with curiosity and anticipation, they immediately discovered the unique cover and unique subject matter.

love!

That's right, it's love.

How could these college students who consider themselves to be literary youths not be excited?

After reading it, everyone's eyes were red with tears, and they were moved by the pure and beautiful secret love in the story.

I was moved by the love letter sent to heaven at the beginning.

How could such extreme beauty not make young artists excited and fanatical?

"Are you OK?"

When a literary young man who had just finished reading a book stood on the street and shouted to the sky, soon a group of people responded one after another.

"I'm very good!"

"Huh! This damn love, I'm willing to die for love!"

"I praise the noble and pure secret love. I declare that I will never confess my feelings. Secret love is the real pure love!"

far away.

Liu Xiaoli, wrapped in a coat and scarf, quietly looked at the scene in front of her and whispered, "Has his influence reached this point without her noticing?"

Then he smiled and joined the crowd to queue.

Half an hour later, it was getting dark and Liu Xiaoli finally got her turn.

"Sister Aiqun! Is there a new issue of People's Literature?"

"Xiao Li!"

The clerk Mao Aimin's tired face was filled with sudden surprise, and he subconsciously pulled Liu Xiaoli's hand and shouted.

You should know that this young and beautiful girl in front of you is the object of that great talent.

"Yes, yes. We have a lot of People's Literature. We sold almost 20,000 copies today."

Mao Aiqun reacted quickly and took out a brand new, snow-white copy of "People's Literature" from the bottom of the drawer and handed it over.

"Thank you. Go on with your work. I won't bother you any more. See you next time."

Liu Xiaoli achieved her goal, gave a word of notice and turned to leave.

Not long after she left, all the new books that had arrived in the bookstore that afternoon were sold out.

So Mao Aiqun immediately returned to the bookstore office and called his boss, "We're sold out. The new 8,000 copies have already been sold out! Boss, do you want to add a little more tomorrow?"

In fact, this problem of supply exceeding demand is not only happening in Jiangcheng. Many bookstores in big cities have this problem and have turned to their superiors for help, asking for more goods, otherwise the people queuing in front of the store will wait in vain.

The majority of book buyers were high school and college students, followed by educated youth, because the book "Fragrant Grass" promoted the policy of returning to the city, and whether the educated youth who returned to the city liked it or not, they chose to buy the book as a way of repaying the favor.

After seeing such a hot situation, many literature lovers and literary magazine editors realized one thing, that is - the new issue of People's Literature has sold out.

“Is this the impact he had months after the release of ‘Fresh Grass’?”

"A new literary star is rising!"

A writer lamented like this.

……

Beijing. 166pm, Renwen Press, Chaoyangnei Street, People’s Literature editorial office.

At this time, the office was already crowded with people coming and going. There were not only members of People's Literature, but also members of Contemporary Literature, Humanities Publishing House, People's Publishing House, etc.

"How's it going, Lao Cui, Lao Wang? Have the sales statistics for the whole day come out?"

"Yes! Lao Hu and I went out to observe today and found that all the bookstores in Beijing, big and small, have been looted by readers."

Everyone looked at Choi Do-yi expectantly, and excitedly talked about their thoughts today. It was so rare to see such a passionate scene.

Because at this time Cui Daoyi was holding a pen, leaning over the table to calculate the documents sent from the publishing office. These were the sales volume of "People's Literature" on April 1st.

"Tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands... Gulu~"

Cui Daoyi looked at the calculated number in disbelief and swallowed hard, "In just one day, the sales volume alone has reached a huge amount of 210,000."

"Twenty-one thousand!"

"Sales of 210,000 in a single day, this must have broken the record, right?"

"Apart from Quotations from Chairman Mao and 100,000 Whys, this should be a record-breaking book."

Since its publication in 1964, almost everyone has a copy of Quotations from Chairman Mao. According to statistics, over 1964 million copies were published nationwide between 1976 and . Naturally, the book cannot be compared.

As a national magazine, People's Literature has attracted much attention. After Scar Literature and Pioneering Reform Literature were published in People's Literature, it almost led the domestic literary trend.

According to statistics, there are a large number of units across the country that subscribe to "People's Literature", including state-owned enterprises, factories, schools, etc., and the total monthly subscription volume fluctuates around 800,000 copies.

The so-called subscription means that readers place an order with the magazine and have it delivered to their home by a special person.

These pre-orders are usually made before the book is officially published, and the publishing house arranges the printing and distribution of the book based on the number of pre-orders received.

Subscription is the mainstream way of buying books nowadays, but Xinhua Bookstore, as the main book distribution channel, has implemented open shelf sales in recent years. This move has greatly facilitated readers' book purchases.

People can walk into the bookstore and buy directly, reducing unnecessary trouble.

"According to estimates by the comrades at the publishing office, including subscriptions, direct purchases from bookstores and other channels, the monthly sales of this April issue of People's Literature may reach about 1.2 million, which is likely to break the record of People's Literature in history."

Choi Do-yi picked up the piece of paper in his hand and shook it in his hands, explaining.

After saying this, he glanced at the editor-in-chief Zhang Guangnian standing beside him. Although Zhang Guangnian had been saying when Fangcao was published before, "If Fangcao is published in People's Literature, it will definitely break the record and may even exceed one million sales", not many people in the publishing house believed it at the time.

After all, selling millions of copies is easier said than done, but quite difficult to achieve.

For a general literary journal, a monthly circulation of 100,000 is already considered to be somewhat famous.

Even nationally renowned pure literature magazines such as "Contemporary", "October" and "Yanhe" have a monthly circulation of only four or five hundred thousand, which shows the difficulty of achieving sales of one million.

So when Cui Daoyi made the sales forecast of 1.2 million, everyone in the office looked at her with disbelief, shock, and questioning.

"One million and two hundred thousand? Did I hear that correctly? We agreed to do it together... How come your People's Literature has now soared to one million and two hundred thousand?"

Qin Zhaoyang, the editor-in-chief of "Contemporary", stood aside and spoke with difficulty, his eyes full of regret.

The day Cheng Kaiyan brought "Love Letter" to Renwen Publishing House, Cui Daoyi was not optimistic about his manuscript.

So when Liu Yin saw that Cheng Kaiyan had been waiting in People's Literature for a long time, she found Qin Zhaoyang and said that she wanted to poach Cheng Kaiyan. If People's Literature didn't like her, then our Contemporary Literature could.

But naturally, he declined Liu Yin's request.

Just kidding, it publishes romance novels. Although Contemporary is not as good as People's Literature, it is also a nationally renowned journal.

But I didn’t expect that I would be slapped in the face now.

One million and two hundred thousand, this number is almost the circulation of the contemporary magazine in more than three months.

How does this compare?
"Liu Yin, I really regret it!"

Qin Zhaoyang gritted his teeth and bumped his shoulder towards Liu Yin beside him.

"Ah, but there will be opportunities in the future."

Liu Yin looked at Qin Zhaoyang speechlessly. She regretted it now. What did she do at that time?
"You have no chance."

Wang Meng interrupted with a smile on his face. This was the young man he was optimistic about.

"you!"

Liu Yin and Qin Zhaoyang's faces turned dark and they said indignantly.

"Okay, everyone, go home from get off work, don't waste any more time."

Zhang Guangnian stood up, took the paper from Cui Daoyi's hand, looked at it, and waved his hand with a smile, indicating that everyone should go home as soon as possible.

"Got it Editor-in-Chief!"

"let's go."

When everyone heard this, they dispersed and hurriedly packed up to go home. With the excitement of a single-day circulation of 210,000, they quietly waited for the fermentation of "Love Letter".

The next morning.

There is a courtyard called Wutong Tree in Xiaowei Hutong, Beijing.

"Let's go, I'm going out."

Xu Yuxiu walked on the bluestone bricks in the yard and turned back to call out to Cheng Kaiyan who was packing her things.

"understood."

Although the popularity of "Love Letter" surprised many people, Cheng Kaiyan's daily life continued to go on as normal.

After sending his mother to school, Cheng Kaiyan rode his bike slowly on the road, sometimes riding side by side with the bus, and sometimes letting go of the handlebars.

After a while, I finally arrived at the office.

"Teacher Cheng, I heard that your new book was released. Congratulations."

"I heard from students that it was published in People's Literature. Congratulations."

Several teachers in the corridor greeted with smiles.

"Thank you."

Cheng Kaiyan thanked him calmly, then turned and walked into the office.

In the quiet room, my aunt Jiang Ting was sitting behind the desk, holding a newspaper and reading it attentively.

"Good morning, auntie."

"Morning, morning, Kaiyan."

"Congratulations, great writer. Your new book has been published. It's been less than a day and there are already reviews. Take a look. Peking University professor and famous literary critic Mr. Xie Mian wrote a review in the Literary Gazette."

Jiang Ting greeted him casually and handed over the newspaper in her hand.

Cheng Kaiyan took a quick look and saw the comment was titled "Remembrance of Things Past".

"That name?"

“Love Letter is not just a book, it is a love letter to the past, a recollection of youth, and a remembrance of lost love.

……

The most touching thing about this book is its delicate capture of youthful memories and its profound presentation of the pure nature of love.

Cheng Kaiyan uses an almost poetic brushstroke to depict fragments of growth, first love, and loss.

Every scene in the book, whether it is the shouting in the snow or the curtains fluttering in the wind in the library, has become a symbol of youth, touching the softest part of the reader's heart.

……

The love in "Love Letter" is implicit and profound. It is not a grand declaration, but a silent protection.

In this book, love becomes a bridge connecting the past and the present, and a key to the inner world of the characters.

……

Beautiful things always seem fragile and fleeting. It is a good thing to reminisce about them, but it is better not to reminisce about the past.

What is more important is to move on from the past, the pain and scars, and move towards a better future.”

(End of this chapter)