Chapter 453 Provincial Newspaper Interview

The next day.

Lin Anan got up early and changed into her newly bought clothes: a light blue dacron shirt and a white long skirt. She looked quite gentle and elegant, less sharp than when she was in military uniform, and regained her usual tranquility and gentleness.

Staff members were already waiting at the provincial newspaper building, and when Lin Anan and others arrived, they were warmly welcomed.

Editor Liu and Lao Zhou looked at each other, turned on the recorder first and walked beside Lin Anan. Lao Zhou's camera also started working. The lens swept across the "Military Medals on the Tip of the Pen" column banner hanging in the hall, and with two "clicks", it began recording.

Xiao Zhu held a sample copy of "Spine" and followed Lin Anan like a little assistant. There were also interview points he had compiled between the pages.

"Hello, Mr. Lin! I'm glad you can accept the interview with our provincial newspaper. I'm the editor-in-chief of this column, Chang Xinyue. I will be interviewing you personally today."

Chang Xinyue politely extended her hand to Lin Anan.

Lin Anan smiled and shook hands gently, "Editor-in-Chief Chang, nice to meet you."

The two of them were standing in front of the banner, and the moment they held each other was captured by multiple cameras.

"Teacher Lin, this way please."

"It's troublesome."

Chang Xinyue welcomed people to the interview room.

Lin Anan stood straight and managed her expression very well.

"Teacher Lin, are you ready?" Chang Xinyue stood at the door of the interview room, with a bright red five-pointed star printed on the background board behind her.

Lin Anan took a deep breath and nodded.

When the spotlight in the interview room suddenly lit up, it was followed by warm applause.

The interview room from the 1970s still bears a strong imprint of the times. The slogan "Literature and Art Serve the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers" on the background wall contrasts beautifully with the brand new red velvet curtain.

There were two rattan armchairs in the middle of the room, and on the low table in the middle was an enamel cup with the words "Serve the People" on it. It was smoking and freshly brewed tea leaves were floating slightly on the surface.

There are two Seagull brand cameras standing in the corner of the wall. They have metal bodies and are considered to be the best equipment at the moment.

Next to the camera stood a sign that said "Keep Silence", with the day's interview outline written in chalk on the back.

"Teacher Lin, please sit here." Chang Xinyue pointed to the rattan chair.

"Thanks."

As soon as Lin Anan sat down, the recorder started to turn with a "click", and the sound of electricity could be heard while it was turning.

The sunlight shines in through the windows covered with green gauze, casting a grid-like pattern of light and shadows on the concrete floor.

"Then we'll start now."

"OK."

With a "click", Chang Xinyue immediately got into the state.

"This is the column "Military Medals on the Tip of the Pen", warmly welcome the well-known writer Lin Anan, Comrade Lin."

"First of all, I would like to ask you about the original intention of writing "Spine". I heard that the prototypes of the characters in this book are all soldiers from the Northwest Military Region?"

Lin Anan's eyes fell on the steam rising from the enamel cup, and her voice suddenly became low, "Yes! Last year I went to a friend's house. His trouser legs were empty, and he could only sit in a wheelchair from now on. He was completely out of touch with life.

I asked him if he regretted it. He said he regretted it. He was not afraid of sacrifice, but he regretted not being able to save more comrades! He was once an outstanding signalman and a strong soldier in the War of Resistance, but now he can't even take care of himself..."

Lin Anan paused as she spoke, her fingertips running over the worn lines of the rattan chair, "Another time, I went to the outpost with my comrades to get information, and there was a retired veteran planting poplar trees not far away. His left arm was bare, but he could swing a shovel with one hand with great vigor.

Later I learned that he lost his left arm in a border conflict and refused a job in the city when he was demobilized, saying, "The outpost must be guarded and the poplar trees must be planted."

The prototypes of the protagonists are revealed before the public as Lin Anan tells her story.

"We Chinese soldiers are never afraid of sacrifice. The rows of tombstones in the Martyrs Cemetery are all buried with military spirits! Our lives today are exchanged for their blood and tears. I will always be in awe of them.

But... there is still a group of people who are no longer healthy, they are unknown, but their experiences should be known to everyone!

It is because of them that this book "Spine" was created. They are the backbone of the country and the backbone of the people, and they are also the eternal silent heroes in my heart. "

After the words fell, there was a moment of silence in the audience...

Chang Xinyue's eyes were already filled with tears as she led the applause, "Great! You are the backbone of the country and the people!"

Many staff members of the filming crew secretly wiped away tears.

This interview is the highlight of the new column and is a good start. Most of the people interviewed have read the book "Spine".

They were moved when reading the book, and now the author personally tells each true story... making them feel as if someone is grabbing their hearts.

"Teacher Lin, do you think...are they worth it?"

In fact, everyone knows that after these disabled soldiers retire, only a few can be assigned jobs, and many of them have even lost their labor force due to severe injuries.

Is it worth it?

What did they get?

Lin Anan nodded to Xiao Zhu, and Xiao Zhu hurriedly handed over a letter.

When the letter was unfolded, there was a row of crooked handwriting on it.

"This was written by a veteran who lost his eyes. He said, 'I can't see the red flag, but I can hear it fluttering in the wind; I can't touch the gun, but I can feel the bullet heating up in the chamber.'

He also said, "It's a pity that I can't see the beautiful mountains and rivers again, and I can't block the enemy's bayonets for the people anymore..."

The stage manager suddenly put down the clapperboard and looked up at the ceiling to stop his tears from falling.

Lin Anan's eyes swept across the camera, "Do you think they are worth it? They used their remaining limbs to hold up the dawn for us, and they used their bones and blood to protect every inch of peace under our feet!"

Chang Xinyue stood up suddenly and took the letter with some trembling hands.

All the staff stopped their actions, and even the "buzzing" sound of the camera seemed particularly abrupt.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lin."

Chang Xinyue bowed deeply, "I shouldn't question the weight of a hero."

Lin Anan shook her head and motioned for her to sit down. "The true military spirit is the steel that grows out of broken bones. It is always strong and always hot."

When Chang Xinyue sat down again, she couldn't control her tears. "One last question: What do you think we can do for the silent heroes? Should we commemorate them?"

Lin Anan shook her head again, "It's not about commemoration, it's about inheritance! Instead of writing their stories in a book, it's better to plant their spirit in the hearts of every Chinese - just like the poplar trees in the Gobi Desert, which stand for three hundred years after death and remain immortal for three hundred years after falling."

"Well said!"

The applause broke out again like a tide.

"Teacher Lin, your class is worth it for all of us!"

"You flatter me. I'm just a storyteller."

"Teacher Lin, you are so polite. I am glad you are our guest. Today's interview is very exciting."

“Thank you very much, everyone.”