Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 449 The Crazy Auction
On the evening of the 28th, Liu Yimin and his entourage checked into a hotel owned by Broadway. Liu Yimin had a suite, which was convenient for him to hold meetings at the hotel.

Liu Yimin's team, comprised of members from China Book and Periodical Press, The Paris Review, Broadway, Writers Association Secretary Tang Dacheng, translator Xu Mengxiong, and others, worked diligently to prepare for the charity gala.

Niki and her team organized all the novels personally signed by Liu Yimin, preparing to sell them before the evening party began on the 29th.

In addition to personally signed versions of the novel, there are also unsigned versions.

"Liu, what do you think of these recommendations?" Niki wrote recommendations for each novel, and Liu Yimin glanced through them and thought there were no problems.

"We also need to create some environmental protection slogans."

Georges, editor of The Paris Review, said, "I'll do it."

"I'll write some words for you!" Liu Yimin wrote quickly, and the reporter next to him, Simon, craned his neck to see what Liu Yimin was writing.

After finishing writing, Liu Yimin prepared to get up to go to the restroom, and Simole immediately got up as well.

"Himol, you sound like someone who wrote the daily records of the emperor in ancient China," Liu Yimin said helplessly.

Tang Dacheng and Xu Mengxiong, who were standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh when they heard Liu Yimin's words.

"Daily records? Is that news too?"

"More or less," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Liu Yimin took two steps forward and, seeing that Ximoer was about to follow, hurriedly indicated that he was going to the restroom.

After leaving the restroom, Broadway manager Bond entered the room with a list: "Liu, this is the list of participating artists, and they each have their own items to auction. Some artists are just too enthusiastic, so we have no choice but to stipulate that each person can only participate in the auction with one item."

If an artist is willing to create something, they can turn anything into "art" in an instant.

"Let's not waste the rest. We can exhibit and sell them outside the performance hall," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Bond nodded in agreement: "Liu, your mind is indeed suited to be a businessman. Do you want to meet with these people tomorrow morning? After all, most of them are after you."

"Okay, let's meet."

“I’ll arrange it. There’s an arts meeting room on Broadway, tomorrow morning at 10 a.m..” Bond already had a plan in mind.

Before leaving, Bond asked Liu Yimin to compile a list of the items to be auctioned and rank them according to their value.

As Bond followed Liu Yimin into the room, the people in the reception room heard Bond shouting, "NO, how can this be? This is insane, absolutely insane! How could you put it up for auction?"

Not long after, Bond's voice weakened, and then he walked out of Liu Yimin's bedroom with a smile on his face, carrying a briefcase.

"Ladies and gentlemen, see you at the party, Liu, don't tell them yet." Bond smiled mysteriously and strode out.

After Bond walked out, he turned back in and said, "Liu, do you need another set of clothes made for you?"

"No need, I still have some." Liu Yimin waved his hand, telling them to leave quickly.

Himmel looked knowing. "Liu, you auctioned off your clothes! Let me see which one it was. Oh, baby, it wasn't your underwear."

Seeing the lewd expression on Himmel's face, the others nearby felt a chill run down their spines.

Liu Yimin ignored him and continued discussing the details with everyone. After confirming that there were no problems with the process, Liu Yimin picked up a few American newspapers to see how the situation was described.

Major newspapers are discussing the charity gala, while a few tabloids are making sarcastic remarks about the lack of experience of Chinese writers in organizing charity galas and are pessimistic about the amount of money that can be raised.

Tickets for the general public have basically been sold out. The key question is whether the invited audience members will attend on time, as they are the main focus of the auction.

Seeing that there were no more news reports in the newspapers, Liu Yimin turned on the TV. As soon as he turned it on, he saw the Tax King proudly announcing to the media that he would attend a charity gala and contribute to environmental protection through his actions.

“We’re not just profit-driven real estate developers!” the Tax King declared loudly.

In the living room, everyone shook their heads at the real estate developer's ostentatious behavior. Georges of The Paris Review shook his head and said, "The young real estate developer's son is hyping himself up in front of the media. He'll take a picture of something insignificant and then brag about it to the media for three days straight."

Nicky said, "He is indeed a business genius, but he's not that generous!"

"Alright, everyone, let's go eat together, and then rest," Liu Yimin said.

While eating, Niki told Liu Yimin about the upcoming itinerary. After the New York party, Liu Yimin would fly from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States, a journey that would take about ten days. The plane would hop from one state to another, like hopscotch.

Others sweep buildings, Liu Yimin sweeps the nation.

Liu Yimin smiled and looked at Tang Dacheng and Xu Mengxiong: "I have no problem, it's just that you two old comrades have worked hard following me."

"Haha, this will also allow us to experience American culture and see the real America," Tang Dacheng said happily.

Where else can you find such a good deal: a free trip to the United States paid for by the China Publishing House!
George said, "The new issue of The Paris Review will go on sale the day after the party, and I believe that The Paris Review will make a huge profit during this time. Liu, thank you. The road for literary magazines is very difficult, and thank you for your support."

“George, support is mutual.” Liu Yimin broke off a piece of bread and put it in his mouth.

On March 29, at 9:30 a.m., Liu Yimin stood at the door of the art reception room, greeting each of the artists who came to attend.

Stephen King also arrived, and the item he brought for auction was an early manuscript.

Black artist Basquiat holds up a street graffiti-style painting that satirizes politicians who boast but do nothing.

Receiving an invitation is a symbol of status, and each person who comes showcases their artistic taste to the fullest.

Black tuxedos and flowing, unruly long hair are one type; another type is mostly people with eccentric and highly individualistic clothing, who are often lesser-known artists.

The writer, when mingling with this group, dressed much more normally.

“Liu, this is director Frank Darabont,” Stephen introduced Liu Yimin.

Frank Darabont is the director of "The Shawshank Redemption". He has a very good relationship with Stephen Chow and has directed many of Chow's works.

Besides him, Steven Spielberg, who directed films such as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan, was also present.

These directors all maintain friendly relations with Broadway, and the invitations from Broadway compelled them to come.

"Liu, your works are all excellent, I love them so much! Congratulations on winning the National Book Award, your work is undisputed." Steven Spielberg put his arm around Liu Yimin's shoulder and said happily.

Steven Spielberg and playwright Miller are also good friends, and Steven Spielberg offered a lot of advice before and after the rehearsals of the play "The Favourite".

"Thank you, Steven. I look forward to more of your brilliant film scripts," Liu Yimin said enthusiastically.

Once most of the people had arrived, he walked to the stage in the reception room and began his opening remarks.

The reception room has been renovated into a more suitable space for socializing, with tea breaks and red wine set up nearby.

After Bond's opening remarks, Liu Yimin took the stage and gave another speech on the issue of "environmental protection." He focused on thanking these people for their attention to environmental protection, bestowing upon everyone the title of "environmental enthusiast," making each listener feel as if they were draped in a halo.

"A toast to environmental protection, to the Earth, and to ourselves!" Liu Yimin accepted the red wine brought to him by the waiter.

For Earth!

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, some people chatted among themselves in the audience, while others went up on stage and gave passionate speeches.

"Liu, do you think the party will be a success?"

Liu Yimin said confidently, "It definitely will."

"why?"

"Because of you, because of all of you!"

Stephen and the others around him were laughing so hard their faces were almost contorted, and at the same time, a warm feeling welled up in their hearts as they were touched by Liu Yimin's sincerity.

Whether this gala can succeed depends not only on Liu Yimin, but also on Broadway, some of the artists here, and to some extent on the audience. Everyone is helping each other out.

They only need to win once to gain fame, but Liu Yimin needs to win twice, for both fame and money.

Liu Yimin had a brief chat with almost every artist, while the photographer next to him was so busy that he didn't have time to rest.

At midnight, the meeting ended, and everyone finished their meal together before leaving.

After dinner, Liu Yimin went directly to the performance theater at Lincoln Center. The theater was indeed larger and had more complete facilities.

“This is usually used for listening to musicals, Liu. Musicians perform up here. Through the special architectural space design, the sound is constantly enhanced and fulled. It’s simply a pleasure to be here.” Bond stretched out his arms, looking extremely comfortable.

Liu Yimin didn't say anything and walked forward. Joseph and his team members were rehearsing and familiarizing themselves with their positions on the stage.

Because of the different stage, the actors' positions and routes had to be redefined. "Joseph, how is it?" Liu Yimin asked.

Joseph said helplessly, "We're too nervous and prone to making mistakes. Our performances used to be more for entertainment."

"Don't be nervous. We're not a commercial performance group. Do you know what we need most?"

"what?"

"Sincerity, it's all about sincerity! We sincerely give our hearts to the audience, letting them understand the efforts we've made for the world. Sincerity is always the most touching thing."

Joseph reached out and pulled Liu Yimin onto the stage: "Liu, you are the most sincere person I have ever met!"

Standing on the stage, Liu Yimin addressed the audience, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work. The staff of the China Forestry Farm asked me to express my gratitude to you all. They will definitely plant more trees and work harder. When the time is right, the Chinese forestry department will also invite you to visit the forest farm and see the trees you have planted."

The team applauded excitedly, and then continued rehearsing under Joseph's instructions.

Tang Dacheng remarked with emotion, "With such a group of international figures, how could the Three-North Shelterbelt Project not be successfully completed?"

"They are just like Comrade Bethune who selflessly went to aid China back then!"

As evening falls and the East Coast of the United States begins to blur under the lights, the lights of Broadway come on, and countless tourists and locals stroll through it.

Various banners were hung at the entrance of the performance hall. The exhibition outside attracted many visitors, who held books or looked thoughtfully at the hanging artworks.

Buy a book today, plant a tree tomorrow.

The white man looked at the sign, picked up a book from the platform, and started reading. A staff member from the China Publishing House next to him quickly said, "Sir, books have a price, but environmental protection is priceless."

"How much for a signed copy?"

Twenty dollars!

"Oh?" The white man frowned, sensing that it was a bit expensive; the book was priced at less than ten dollars, but the signed edition was twenty dollars.

"Sir, twenty dollars can plant a tree in China and provide shelter for our homeland."

"I should plant one for my wife and children too!"

Liu Yimin and Bond stood at the entrance to welcome the audience. He kept shaking hands with the audience, and after most of them had gone in, the invited guests slowly arrived.

Men and women, dressed in expensive formal attire, stepped out of luxury cars, each holding an invitation card, which was also extremely lavish in design.

"This is a New York fur dealer, this is a toy dealer. That one is from California Sports."

“I know him, Li Congren!” Liu Yimin greeted him with a smile and extended his hand.

Li Congren said excitedly, "Liu, that's great! We meet again. Congratulations on winning the award. When I heard the news, I even put your story in my magazine."

"You didn't say anything bad about me, did you?"

"It's definitely an inspirational story."

The car headlights outside the chat room swept over the group of people. Li Congren said in a low voice, "These people in the back are from several families in New York. They run docks, casinos, and other illegal businesses."

“The one in the white dress is Alice Walton, the youngest daughter of the founder of Walmart, who is very fond of doing charity work,” Bond added.

After greeting them one by one, Liu Yimin turned around and went back to the performance hall. Almost everyone who could come had arrived.

The performance officially began at 8 p.m.

The performance was indeed quite amateurish, and most of the emotions were not quite there, but Liu Yimin felt it was enough.

After the performance, a round of applause erupted from the audience. The actors did not leave; Liu Yimin walked to the front of them, raised the microphone, and recited the poem aloud with them. The poem was the lyrics to "Everyone Gives a Little Love," with Liu Yimin adding the content about planting trees.

The people reciting were professionals, and their voices, amplified by the sound system, reverberated throughout the performance hall.

I'd hold an umbrella for you when it rains.

Starlight ignites for you in the darkness

Truth, goodness, and beauty are a universal language.
The power of love will make the world colorful and splendid.
The Western forests fell
The deserts of the East have turned into a green sea.

The recitation was even more effective than the theatrical performance, and the applause from the audience came one after another.

After the recitation, Liu Yimin raised the microphone and gave a speech entitled "The Earth Knows No East or West, We Protect Our Home Together".

Looking at the expressions of the audience below, Liu Yimin felt that his speech had been delivered effectively.

Bond was the auctioneer. After Liu Yimin stepped down, Bond began to present the first item to the audience with his persuasive language.

"The manuscript of Stephen King's 'Saloemtown' is up for auction with a starting price of $500 and open to bidding."

Salem is not a well-known novel by Stephen, so the starting bid will not be too high.

Five hundred and twenty!

"Five hundred and thirty!"

Five hundred and thirty-three!

The final price was settling at three thousand dollars. Stephen personally delivered the manuscript to the winner, shook hands, and took a photo with him.

Most paintings by ordinary artists can only fetch around five hundred dollars at auction, some even a few dozen, while those by well-known artists can go up to five thousand.

"A signed copy of a book by Yi Min Liu, winner of the U.S. National Book Award and the Italian Nonino International Literary Prize, starting at $100. Thirty copies available. Bids will be raised in turn."

Liu Yimin and the rest of his team immediately tensed up, fearing that the auction would not go smoothly, but Bond and his team had also arranged for their own people to help.

If the actual audience shows little interest in the auction, they will then bid and create a lively atmosphere.

"Two hundred dollars!" Li Congren shouted first, raising his hand.

Two hundred and thirty dollars!

Seeing that everyone was starting to raise their prices, Liu Yimin finally felt relieved.

The first set eventually sold for $490, and the last set out of the thirty sold for the highest price, but it was still less than $1,000.

As the auction continued, the atmosphere in the room became increasingly heated, with Bond constantly mentioning words like "Earth, love, and environmental protection," gradually blurring the audience's concept of money.

"A gold badge belonging to director Steven Spielberg, starting bid: three thousand dollars."

Steven Spielberg was already famous by then, and as soon as Bond finished speaking, the competition intensified, with prices rising rapidly and quickly surpassing eight thousand dollars.

Steven Spielberg wore a smug smile; it was a symbol of his pride.

"Thirteen thousand dollars for three times, sold!"

"The following items up for auction are Chinese-style clothing from one of China's most renowned custom clothing stores. Yi Min Liu is wearing this as he first stepped out of China, winning the Italian Nonino Literary Prize and the US National Book Award. He is one of the most charismatic young writers in China and even the world, and his future lies in the highest halls of literature."

Starting bid: $5,000!

Tang Dacheng and Xu Mengxiong's breathing quickened. This 100-dollar dress would fetch a starting bid of 5,000 US dollars in the United States. Was it trimmed with gold?
As soon as the clothes were displayed, many people in the front row immediately became serious and began to raise their bids. Everyone was eager to compete with the others, as thousands of people were watching, and they couldn't afford to lose face.

"Ten thousand dollars! This side offers ten thousand dollars!"

Walmart princess Alice Walton shouted, "Twenty thousand dollars!"

"Twenty-eight thousand"

Walmart Princess Alice Walton: "Forty thousand dollars!"

Forty-three thousand US dollars

Walmart Princess Alice Walton: "Sixty thousand dollars!"

"Sixty thousand dollars once, sixty thousand dollars twice!"

"Sixty-five thousand US dollars!"

Alice Walton, with the same air of Bruce Wayne from the Gotham movies, loudly proclaimed, "Eighty thousand dollars!"

(End of this chapter)