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

Chapter 578 Oscar Night

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Liu Yimin got up, straightened his clothes, and prepared to go out. Cao Yu and the others were already waiting for him.

Qian Zhongshu returned the manuscript of "God's Visa" to Liu Yimin: "Let's go, let's go see Ambassador He."

After an hour's drive, they finally arrived at He Fengshan's house. He Fengshan had already asked his family to clean the lawn in front of his house, preparing to invite them to have a barbecue on the lawn.

"Dean Cao Yu, Professor Qian Zhongshu, Mr. Ma Shitu, I never expected that we would meet again in the United States when we were separated in China." He Fengshan shook hands with Cao Yu and the others happily.

In the 1930s and 40s, Cao Yu and Qian Zhongshu were already well-known in China. He Fengshan, as an intellectual, greatly admired Cao Yu and Qian Zhongshu. However, like most idols and fans in the world, he only knew their names but had never met them.

This trip to the US was a success, I guess I really did my dream of meeting my idol!

Cao Yu glanced at He Fengshan a few times: "Mr. He Fengshan, we were deeply moved after reading your story. We never expected that there was a 'Rabe' in our country."

The moment Cao Yu saw He Fengshan, he felt that this man was different from the bureaucrats of the GMD in the past. He was a typical scholar-official, with an aura of humility and kindness.

Qian Zhongshu said, "He is indeed a kind ambassador. Ambassador He, you are too kind. It is really inconvenient for so many of us to come and visit."

He Fengshan quickly said he wouldn't disturb them, and then began to tell stories from the past, mainly about the popularity of Cao Yu and Qian Zhongshu in China: "I once saw 'Thunderstorm,' and it was an unforgettable experience. Dean Cao, last time I returned to China, I was itching to see 'Thunderstorm' at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Unfortunately, I heard that it wasn't being staged recently, and I felt particularly disappointed at the time."

"Thunderstorm" was restaged for a period of time after ten years, and it has not been staged for about three years now, with occasional performances.

“Mr. He Fengshan, that’s a real pity. Whenever you return to China, please bring the Beijing People’s Art Theatre with you. We have many good plays at the Beijing People’s Art Theatre right now, and Yi Min has quite a few good scripts. In addition, Yi Min has already written a novel about your life. After I finish reading it, I plan to have it staged. I would like to ask you to return to the Beijing People’s Art Theatre to guide our work then.”

Upon hearing this, He Fengshan looked at Liu Yimin and asked, "Professor Liu, so fast?"

“Yi Min is known for writing articles very quickly!” Ma Shitu added from the side.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zengqi quipped, "In martial arts, speed is the only way to break through, and the same goes for my writing style. I wrote so fast and so well that I felt ashamed at first, but later I got used to it."

He Fengshan looked at Acheng beside him. Acheng introduced himself first, but didn't dare say he was Liu Yimin's student. He was afraid He Fengshan would ask him what books he had written and how fast he wrote them!

Wang Zengqi blurted out, "This is Yimin's student."

"Oh? Mr. Acheng, what works have you written?" He Fengshan became interested.

Acheng smiled sheepishly: "I haven't written much."

"How much is not more?"

"There are three stories!"

He Fengshan nodded and said, "Indeed not many. I mean, not many compared to your teacher. But you look older than your teacher."

"."

He Fengshan showed Cao Yu and the others around the house, then walked to the barbecue grill set up next to the lawn:

"After I came to the United States, I learned how to grill beef. Although it's different from barbecue in China, the taste is quite good after my modifications," He Fengshan said with a smile.

He Fengshan's daughter also drove home at this time, holding a newspaper. The newspaper published He Manli's interview with Liu Yimin, and she also analyzed the significance of this exchange between writers from the mainland and the island.

"As the date draws closer, some newspapers have begun hiring Chinese writers in the United States to analyze the impact of this event." He Manli handed the newspaper to Liu Yimin and then unloaded the beer she had bought from the car.

He Manli wanted to see how Liu Yimin would describe his father in the novel, so Liu Yimin casually handed the manuscript to He Manli.

After reading the title, He Manli turned to He Fengshan, who was busy at work, and said, "Father, Professor Liu has named the novel 'God's Visa'."

"God's Visa? God? That's a bit too lofty a name." He Fengshan turned to Liu Yimin and smiled.

Looking at the traffic on the street, Liu Yimin said, "You're too modest. What you're doing is exactly the kind of problem that they can't solve even after praying to God."

He Fengshan shook his head, wanting to look at the manuscript, but he couldn't leave the beef in his hands unattended, while the rest of his family members were in the kitchen preparing Hunan cuisine. Cao Yu and the others helped out while chatting with He Fengshan.

He Fengshan answered all of Cao Yu's and others' questions without reservation. When Qian Zhongshu suddenly asked about his life in America, He Fengshan glanced wistfully at the house.
"Actually, I prefer living in China. I frequently travel between the mainland and the United States because I miss home! I've lived in the United States for one or two decades, but I don't feel the feeling of home. When I go back to my hometown and lie in bed, I don't even get up at night."

He Manli, who was reading the manuscript, looked up at He Fengshan, then lowered her head and continued reading.

As her child, how could she not know that her father missed home? But she had gotten used to living in the United States and did not want to return to the mainland.

The delegation of writers was so large that the He family had to cook a huge pot of food to make it enough. During the meal, He Fengshan kept talking about his past as a diplomat.

He Manli talked to Liu Yimin about her trip to Latin America, hoping to get some unknown details from Liu Yimin.

"Ms. He, the reporter's curiosity is indeed extraordinary." Liu Yimin was a little overwhelmed by He Manli's relentless probing.

He Manli flicked a strand of short hair behind her ear: "Yimin, it's not easy for a Chinese person to be a reporter for a newspaper in the United States. Good news is hard to find."

Cao Yu and the others chuckled softly upon hearing this. He Fengshan looked at He Manli with affection and said, "Being a reporter is not easy, especially an American reporter. A young woman running around like this, I suggested she change to another job, but she didn't want to."

After finishing his meal, He Fengshan eagerly picked up the manuscript and began to read it: "Professor Liu, I'll just read it, I won't nitpick."

A novel is not a biography, so it will definitely contain fictional and exaggerated elements.

He Fengshan sat in his study reading, while the delegation and He Manli and others exchanged ideas. He Manli wished she could interview everyone.

"With the interview materials from everyone, I am confident that I will be able to write a good article in the next two days, mainly about the visit of Chinese writers to Latin America."

Interviews with multiple people from various perspectives, supplementing with numerous details, can produce an in-depth report that is sorely lacking in American media.

The article was long, and He Fengshan might not be able to finish reading it today. At nine o'clock in the evening, the group returned to the hotel.

"Everyone, pack your bags tonight. We need to leave on time tomorrow," Cao Yu said.

Apart from Liu Yimin, Cao Yu and the others will be taking a flight back to China tomorrow afternoon. Ma Shitu smiled at Liu Yimin and said, "Yimin, let's go back to China and enjoy ourselves!"

"Haha, Mr. Ma, if I have the chance to go to Sichuan Province sometime, I'd like to try your local twice-cooked pork, or hot pot would be fine too."

"Okay, next time you come to Sichuan Province, I'll make the arrangements!"

Cao Yu again reminded Liu Yimin to be careful in the United States, and then asked him if he had any messages to take back. "I'm only staying for five more days, so I don't have anything to say. When you see Linlin, tell her I'm doing well in America," Liu Yimin said.

Cao Yu nodded and said, "Don't worry, Linlin is working hard at home too. You should return to China as soon as you're done with your work."

Liu Yimin then handed the letter he had written to Acheng, instructing him to deliver it to Yan Zhen at the Institute of Literature and Art after returning to China.

"Senior Brother, I will definitely pay him a proper visit when I get back." Ah Cheng put the letter in the safest place in his suitcase, afraid of losing it.

Besides visiting the Institute of Literature, Acheng also planned to deliver the gifts he bought to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Liu Yimin gave him his address.

"Teacher, I'll wait for you to come back to Yanjing," Acheng said in a low voice.

"You better speak properly, kid. You're making it sound like I'm about to go into the lion's den." Liu Yimin kicked Acheng.

Acheng immediately straightened his chest and said, "Teacher, I'll be waiting for you in Yanjing!"

"That's pretty much it."

Liu Yimin didn't waste any more of his time; there was so much luggage, it would take a while to pack it all.

The next morning, Liu Yimin was woken up by George. The moment George opened the door, he hugged Liu Yimin, expressing his excitement. Liu Yimin, overwhelmed by George's body odor, could barely open his eyes: "George, it's alright, George!"

"Liu, where's the article? Let me see it!"

"The article isn't with me, and this time it's not in English, but in Chinese. You'll need to find someone to translate it. Also, once I leave the United States, you need to return the original manuscript to me."

George immediately said, "Liu, don't worry. But why isn't the manuscript here? Did you show it to another magazine?"

Seeing the slightly uneasy look in George's eyes, Liu Yimin gave him a reassuring look: "George, I still trust you! This novel is based on a real person and adapted from his story. The person reading this is the original author of the novel."

In the afternoon, after dropping off the delegation at the airport, George and Liu Yimin went to He Fengshan's house. He Fengshan handed the manuscript to Liu Yimin: "Yimin writes well, but when I read it, I feel a bit of something I can't quite put my finger on."

Liu Yimin understood that he would feel a little uncomfortable being asked to look at his own story.

Upon learning that the article would be published in The Paris Review, a hint of joy flashed across He Fengshan's face, but it was quickly replaced by a calm expression.

He Manli, standing nearby, was already thinking about how to interview her father. The day the article was published would be the day He Fengshan became famous, and as He Fengshan's daughter, she would naturally have the advantage of being close to him.

George did not understand Chinese, but he was deeply moved after hearing about He Fengshan's deeds and praised He Fengshan as an internationalist who should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

He Fengshan waved his hand, indicating that these were all insignificant. Upon hearing this, George felt even more that He Fengshan was of noble character.

George read He Fengshan's "Thirty Years of Diplomacy" and thought it should be published in the United States as soon as possible.

“I didn’t intend to publish these; I just wanted to leave some information for future generations. But since Yimin’s novel is going to be published, I’ll presume to do so.”

Liu Yimin proposed that "Thirty Years of Diplomacy" be published by China Book and Periodical Publishing House, and left Niki's contact information with He Fengshan.

After taking the manuscript and dropping Liu Yimin back at the hotel, George went straight to find a translation expert to translate it.

Liu Yimin met with Niki and told her about "God's Visa" and "Thirty Years of Diplomacy". He also told Niki that he planned to stay in the United States to wait for the Oscars and that she could arrange his itinerary during that time.

Nikki said happily, "Liu, we always reap great rewards from our collaborations, and I think this time will be no exception."

Niki immediately had people prepare and personally contacted various universities to rent venues and arrange specific schedules according to the time.

In the days that followed, Liu Yimin was busy traveling to various cities in the United States to give speeches. China Book Publishing House bought a lot of newspaper space to report on his novels and promoted them like crazy.

The novel "House of Cards" has had a tremendous influence on politically zealous teenagers in the United States. Every time I give a speech, someone asks me questions about the novel, and some of these questions even touch on how to solve this kind of corruption.

The book fairs, held nine times over four days, attracted no fewer than a thousand participants each time. Often, the problem wasn't a lack of attendees, but rather that the venues couldn't handle the demand.

Looking at the sales figures, Niki happily told Liu Yimin that the speech had been a great success: "Liu, you always manage to bring new excitement to American readers. Many writers are just putting old wine in new bottles, but you're different."

Exchanges between Chinese and Latin American writers, the announcement of a new international literary organization by Liu Yimin and Gabriel García Márquez, and strong sales of "House of Cards" are all new stimuli.

"Ms. Niki, we have fulfilled our mission!" Liu Yimin looked at the sales figures with a sigh of relief.

"Liu, our China Book and Periodical Press has announced that we will donate US$50,000 to the International Federation of Literature. Once you are officially established, this money will definitely be deposited into your account."

"Fifty thousand dollars?"

"What? Liu, you think it's not enough?"

"It's better to have less than nothing!"

Niki poured Liu Yimin a cup of coffee: "Tonight is Oscar night, Liu, I'm waiting for your good news."

Frank was already impatient. Liu Yimin walked out of the China Book and Periodical Publishing House, and his car was parked downstairs.

"Liu, get in the car!"

After shaking hands with Niki to say goodbye, Liu Yimin leisurely got into the car.

Frank slammed on the gas, and the car sped off toward Los Angeles after turning at the intersection.

The Oscars ceremony was held at the Dorothy Chandler Hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Frank first took Liu Yimin to the company to change into a suit: "Liu, this is something I specially prepared for you."

"Frank, let's go!"

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the area around the music center was bustling with activity, with Oscar posters hanging everywhere and actors and directors who are rarely seen in public.

Frank led Liu Yimin to greet the American directors and actors while accepting their praise.

"Frank, good luck tonight. Liu, I'm very interested in your 'House of Cards.' Frank isn't good at political films, so why don't you give this movie to me?"

(End of this chapter)