My era, 1979!

Chapter 41 All in, I'm in a hurry (Seeking monthly votes and to continue reading)

Xu Chengjun shook his head: "They're not quite the same. Márquez's magical realism is 'reality itself carrying magic.' The flying carpet and the three-year rain in 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' are real things that grew out of Latin America. But the 'shadow rebellion' in 'The Fitting Mirror' is, in essence, the reality in one's heart bursting out. What Chunlan dared not do, the shadow did for her. It's more like turning 'suppressed desires' into visible actions. It's reality being squeezed out of shape, not something that's inherently magical."

This understanding of Latin American literature surprised her and also made her a little curious.

This deepened the problem's complexity and difficulty.

"Is that surrealism? Dali's paintings also contain this kind of 'illogical truth'."

"Surrealism is more like a subconscious, random jumble of things!"

Xu Chengjun explained, “For example, the clock that melts away in ‘The Persistence of Memory’ is a random and incoherent expression. But Chunlan’s shadow always revolves around the ‘floral shirt,’ and all her actions point to a clear thought: she wants to live as herself. This ‘surrealism’ is purposeful, in order to tear apart the things that bind people in the era, more like ‘magical reality with shackles.’”

Li Xiaolin suddenly laughed, her fingertip tracing a note on the manuscript: "There's another detail: you made all the dressing mirrors have the same notch, like 'a group of open eyes.' How do you interpret this 'collective awakening of things'?"

"Foucault said that mirrors allow the 'false self' and the 'real body' to meet, thus revealing the cracks in reality,"

Xu Chengjun nodded. “In 1979, China was full of such cracks. Borges also wrote about ‘self-doubt in a mirror’ in ‘The Circular Ruins,’ but he was more concerned with the philosophical confusion of identity. I want to write about specific people. Those desires that secretly blossomed in the cracks of policy.”

Li Xiaolin was genuinely surprised, even astonished!

What is the breadth of knowledge of this educated youth?

Are you born with knowledge?
At this moment, Xu Chengjun also felt a little regretful. Foucault's theories and Borges's works were only circulating in a small circle in China at that time, and there were no formal translations yet.

There is no awareness of these contents in China yet!

How could a young educated youth sent to the countryside know so much?

But it's alright, Chongqing writer Yu Qie has provided a very effective solution.
Xu Chengjun said, "Actually, I also know a little Spanish."

Spanish!?

These days, few people speak English, let alone Spanish.

Was he an educated youth sent to the countryside?
Nothing could be more amazing than this.

"Yes, I had studied a little before, and then I saw some Spanish versions of these kinds of works from Editor-in-Chief Zhou and some friends."

But he really does know it, and it would be best if he did.

My workout partner at the university gym in my previous life, whom I trained with for three and a half years, was a Colombian.

They initially communicated in English.

After a while, Xu Chengjun suddenly said: I'll learn Spanish from you.

It wasn't a sudden whim.
In my past life, I was in college in 06. Back then, the coolest thing for guys was:
Read a classic novel, pick up a guitar, and chase after a girl!

A bohemian type, huh?
If you know a less common language in addition to that, what would you call it?
A stylish and artistic young person!

However, most people were learning Japanese or Korean at that time, so he was the only one among Scorpion Papa to learn Spanish.

Li Xiaolin didn't think anything was unreasonable. After 78, the atmosphere in China gradually opened up.

Some cultural figures will use their overseas connections to procure original foreign literary works.

Moreover, Chief Editor Zhou is a leading figure among Anhui's cultural figures.

As for Spanish, Xu Chengjun's explanation is acceptable; after all, everyone has a family history of learning Spanish!

She's an editor, not a police officer!

Suddenly, Li Xiaolin stood up and smiled at Xu Chengjun, saying, "The manuscript for 'The Fitting Mirror' has been approved by me, but the review process isn't solely my decision. I have to take it to Editor Wu for review. However, your manuscript isn't long, and it's good. I'll let you skip the queue."

In 79, after the magazine Harvest resumed publication, the review process usually followed a "three-review, three-proofreading" system, which included three stages: preliminary review, second review, and final review.

However, at this time the magazine had just resumed publication, and it was still quite difficult to organize review experts for the second review.

Therefore, it is generally the case that the editor in charge writes one draft and the deputy editor-in-chief writes another.

As for the editor-in-chief, he was still in Beijing preparing for the Fourth National Congress of Literary and Art Workers at that time.

I frequently travel between Beijing and Shanghai.

Unable to be photographed with celebrities
Xu Chengjun was a little disappointed, but he also believed that this wouldn't be the last time he came to collect the magazine.

There will be many opportunities to meet that renowned literary figure in the future.

At this moment, Xu Chengjun also stood up and said, "That would be too much trouble for Editor Li." You see, being able to cut in line is all thanks to connections.

Old Zhou is still very helpful; we should still cling to his coattails!

However, "The Fitting Mirror" is also of special significance to Xu Chengjun. It is the first time that he has tried to use writing techniques that do not belong to this era to write about people and things that people have not yet paid attention to at this point in time.

If one had to say, "The Fitting Mirror" was his true debut film.

The works "The Barn" and "The Stars" are more like stepping stones for him to integrate into this era.

In a sense, it is also a talisman.

In terms of influence, even though he used many writing techniques and policy foresight from later generations, these two works are still essentially works that cannot escape the clichés of educated youth literature. If placed 40 years later, or even just 20 years later, these two novels would only become a line in Xu Chengjun's biography.

Just like who will talk about "The Class Teacher" and "The Wounded Teacher" 40 years from now?
Literary works that stand at the forefront of the times sometimes have a symbolic significance far greater than their literary significance.

Its reach is also limited to a specific time and place.

Li Xiaolin returned with two cups of water before Xu Chengjun had to wait long.

Perhaps it was because Xu Chengjun had made such a good impression on her before,
Instead of busy reviewing manuscripts, I chatted with Xu Chengjun about literary creation and the history of literary development.
The conversation ranged from contemporary literature on the trauma of the past, reflective literature, and reform literature to classic works of literature from abroad.
The conversation then shifted from writing techniques to reality itself.

What surprised Li Xiaolin even more was...

Even after talking for so long, she still couldn't figure out Xu Chengjun's true intentions.
Is this a 20-year-old educated youth?

The insights and perspectives on literature and art of the educated youth who were sent to the countryside in this small town.
It truly amazed her!
You should know that she is the daughter of Ba Jin, and having been exposed to this circle, most writers would feel intimidated when discussing literature in front of her.

After all, being good at writing books does not equate to having a good grasp of literature as a subject.

Yu Hua gave it another thumbs up.

Is this kid really not Sun Wukong in disguise?
When the conversation turned to his work as a worker-peasant-soldier recommendation interviewer at Fudan University, Li Xiaolin became even more curious.

She was formally trained, graduating from the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 68, and instinctively felt that the college entrance examination was the right path.

Therefore, she asked:

"Why don't you take the college entrance exam? With your level of knowledge, getting into university shouldn't be too difficult."

“The recognition of trainees recommended by workers, peasants and soldiers may be far lower than that of college entrance examination candidates.”

Xu Chengjun's words surprised her, and even shocked her.

She sensed that Xu Chengjun had the confidence to have a well-thought-out plan for his future and then follow it.

Such people are rare.

Therefore, she was certain that his achievements would not be limited to the provincial journal and a book that might be published in Harvest Magazine called "The Fitting Mirror".

She wanted to gamble.

Xu Chengjun looked up and stared at her intently, his gaze seemingly filled with curiosity, before he said:

"The value of life does not lie in how I enter which university, or even in whether I go to university at all, but in what achievements I can make, what mark I leave on the world, what works I write, and what innovations I make in academia."

I wasted many opportunities in the past, but now I've woken up, and a recommendation opportunity from Fudan University has just appeared in front of me.

I'm willing to give everything to seize this opportunity, not because my knowledge is inadequate and I'm incapable of taking the college entrance exam, but because life often offers only one chance, and if I don't seize it now, it will be gone forever.

I've wasted many opportunities in the past. Now I'm awake, and I want to rediscover the world, and also let the world rediscover me. So, I'm in a hurry.

After listening, she was somewhat moved.

Sometimes, the times and the Creator favor certain trendsetters.

In his eyes, there was no reason why Xu Chengjun wouldn't pass Fudan University's interview.

Because he was the trendsetter.

The times are like a grain of sand, but when they weigh down on each person's shoulders, they become a mountain.

But sometimes, if you open your eyes to the truth, the times are just a passing breeze.

May it help you soar to great heights.

　It's a new month! Everyone, please vote with your monthly tickets. Thank you all!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)