Chapter 489: Eating a Free Meal

Wang Xiaobo has loved literature for many years and started writing in his youth. However, before he was 36 years old, the only work he had published was "Eternal Love", which was published in the 7th issue of "The Ugly Duckling" in 1982.

During this period, he did not create only this one work, but most of his works were piled at the bottom of the box and had no chance to be published.

The Golden Age, as seen by the editorial department of Contemporary Magazine, is the novel that took Wang Xiaobo the longest time to create, having been in the works for six years since 1982.

Wang Xiaobo was naturally overjoyed when he heard that the novel could be published.

He was so happy that he talked a lot more, especially when talking about the creation of "The Golden Age", he talked nonstop.

So, there are very few people who are really introverted and unwilling to talk, they are just not interested in your topic.

When Wang Xiaobo said that he was not satisfied with this version of The Golden Age, Lin Weimin said, "It doesn't matter. Just revise it slowly until you are satisfied."

Wang Xiaobo was even more grateful for Lin Weimin's thoughtfulness, and he took out the completed "Tang People Stories" and asked Lin Weimin to review it.

Lin Weimin flipped through the book for a while and said, "It's well written. It's a fresh attempt to parody, imitate and creatively rewrite the legendary story."

Wang Xiaobo said excitedly: "My inspiration for writing this novel came from Mr. Lu Xun's New Stories."

Lin Weimin nodded and said, "How about this? You leave these "Tang People's Stories" here first, let the editorial department review the manuscripts and publish them first. As for the "Golden Age", it happens that you are not satisfied with the writing, so take it back and revise it, and then send it back after the revision is completed. Do you think this is okay?"

Wang Xiaobo nodded hurriedly, "Sure, that's great!"

After the two of them discussed the manuscript, Lin Weimin took him to the editorial office.

"Xiao Tong, where is the manuscript of "The Golden Age"? " Lin Weimin asked.

Liu Yin waved, "It's here with me!"

"Let's return the manuscript to the author first. He plans to take it back and revise it. Please take a look at this manuscript."

Lin Weimin handed the manuscript of "Tang People's Stories" to Liu Yin. She took it and reluctantly handed back the manuscript of "The Golden Age", muttering, "I think it's already very well written, what else do you want to change?"

Her words made Wang Xiaobo look somewhat happy, but a hint of hesitation flashed through his mind.

Otherwise, just send it out like this?

Lin Weimin said: "It's a good thing that the author has aspirations. As an editor, how can you not support him?"

His words enlightened Wang Xiaobo, and after taking the manuscript, Wang Xiaobo became determined to strive for perfection.

The collection of novels named "Tang People Stories" by Wang Xiaobo includes 5 stories: "No. 1, Lixin Street and Kunlun Slave", "Hong Xian Steals the Box", "Hong Fu Escapes at Night", "Night Travel Notes" and "Uncle and Lover", all of which are the size of novellas, and it is just right to put them together to publish a book.

A few days later, Wang Xiaobo was called to the editorial department of Contemporary Magazine again.

"Tang People's Stories" has passed the editorial review and is expected to be published in "Contemporary" at the rate of one article per issue starting in November.

Wang Xiaobo's editor was Tong Zhonggui, who said to Wang Xiaobo: "You have broken the record of our Contemporary magazine. No other writer has ever published a novel in Contemporary magazine for five consecutive issues."

Wang Xiaobo felt a little embarrassed by what he said, "I just chose the subject matter and the size by chance."

"Publishing a novel of the style of "Tang People's Stories" is also a bold attempt for us at "Contemporary". Before this, we have never tried to publish a novel of this style!"

They chatted casually and the manuscript was confirmed to be published. Both of them were in a good mood.

After chatting for a while, Wang Xiaobo asked about the issue of royalties again.

Wang Xiaobo is now teaching at Yanjing University, actually thanks to his wife Li Yinhe.

Li Yinhe studied for a doctorate in the United States and returned to China to work as a postdoctoral fellow under Mr. Fei Xiaotong, the great writer of "Rural China", and entered the Department of Sociology at Yenching University.

Wang Xiaobo was arranged to enter Yanda as a family member. Strictly speaking, he was a gigolo.

At Yanda, Wang Xiaobo was nominally a teacher, but he basically had no classes.

"I'm just a hanger-on at Yanda." Wang Xiaobo said to Tong Zhonggui.

He is proficient in computer programming and spends most of his time at Yanda helping out in the computer room.

With a monthly salary of 130 yuan and a soaring price trend that year, such work content and salary level made him feel like he had no sense of belonging at Yanda.

"I'll take you to see Teacher Lin!" Tong Zhonggui took Wang Xiaobo to Lin Weimin's office again.

"Teacher Lin is a very easy-going person. You can complain to him later and he will give you the payment slip in advance. You may even get all five articles at once." Tong Zhonggui gave advice to Wang Xiaobo as they walked in the corridor.

Wang Xiaobo walked into the office with doubts, and continued the conversation.

Working as a handyman at Yanda University, he could not see any future. His monthly salary was not low compared with most working-class people, but he had studied in the United States after all, and he could earn 20 million US dollars a day washing dishes in an American restaurant, which was equivalent to two months' salary for him now.

He certainly didn't return to China for the material conditions, but the salary of 130 yuan did make him feel a little underappreciated.

While submitting his articles, an editor asked Wang Xiaobo to write some essays about his life abroad. Nowadays, Chinese people admire foreign things, and such articles have a huge audience.

Wang Xiaobo wrote a few articles as requested, but then he found it boring. The money was easy to earn, but it did not inspire a sense of accomplishment in him.

Wang Xiaobo loves driving. He even discussed with his wife Li Yinhe about buying a taxi. However, Li Yinhe rejected the proposal decisively considering his driving level. Wang Xiaobo is a terrible driver.

He talked for a long time, and Lin Weimin listened patiently. Finally, he said, "In this case, I'll give you an advance on the manuscript fee."

Wang Xiaobo was overjoyed when he heard this and glanced at Tong Zhonggui.

Editor Tong was right. Teacher Lin is really easy to talk to.

"Tang People's Stories" consists of 5 stories with a total of 110,000 words. The standard fee for manuscripts is 20 yuan per thousand words, so the total fee is 2,200 yuan.

With Lin Weimin's approval, Wang Xiaobo received a one-time payment of 2,200 yuan for the manuscript.

That evening, he walked back to his home near Wanshou Temple with the huge sum of money in his pocket.

The house is simply furnished, the only advantage is that the living room is very large and three walls have been turned into bookcases by Wang Xiaobo.

His wife, Li Yinhe, was cooking in the kitchen after work. When she saw him coming back, she asked, "Are you back? Wash your hands and prepare dinner later."

Wang Xiaobo did not tell his wife that his novel had been sent to Contemporary Magazine. He wanted to give her a surprise.

He sat in the chair for a long time before he got up and walked to the dining table. At this time, Li Yinhe was serving dishes to the table.

With a "bang", a thick envelope fell on the dining table.

"What is this?"

As Li Yinhe asked the question, he picked up the envelope, took a look at it, and was stunned.

"Where did you get so much money?" she asked in surprise.

"I earned it." Wang Xiaobo said.

"You earned it? What did you do to earn it?"

"My novel is about to be published in Contemporary China. This is my payment."

Li Yinhe's face was filled with surprise. "When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

Wang Xiaobo's ugly face finally broke into a smile, "I want to give you a surprise!"

He added, "I am publishing Stories of Tang People. All five articles are published, one article per issue. The fee is 20 yuan per thousand words, a total of 2,200 yuan. The advance I paid to the editor-in-chief is all here."

As he said this, the smile on his face turned into pride.

Wang Xiaobo could not conceal the pride in his heart. He thought that apart from marrying Li Yinhe, he had never done anything more awesome in his life!

The surprise on Li Yinhe's face turned into joy and she hugged her husband.

In fact, the two met because Li Yinhe accidentally saw the novel "Green Haired Monster" written by Wang Xiaobo from a friend.

At that time, Wang Xiaobo was used to writing his novels in a large notebook, which could only be read by his close friends. Later, the novel was passed on to Li Yinhe.

At that time, Li Yinhe was still studying at a university in Shanxi, and Wang Xiaobo was still working in a factory. Later, Li Yinhe secretly met with Wang Xiaobo under the pretext of visiting Wang Xiaobo's father, Wang Fangming, a famous logician in China.

She didn't have a very good impression of Wang Xiaobo at the time, thinking he was too ugly. But she never thought that this ugly man would become her husband.

Now, this ugly husband of hers has given her another big surprise.

His novel is going to be published!

She and Wang Xiaobo got married in 1980. They lived in poverty after marriage. This situation did not improve because of her studying in the United States. At that time, Wang Xiaobo even went out to work to supplement the family income.

Unfortunately, he had no talent for work and worked very hard but made no money.

Li Yinhe understood Wang Xiaobo and knew that his talent lay in writing.

She let him concentrate on studying and writing at home, while she herself studied for a doctorate, worked as a teaching assistant, did housework, and worked part-time.

"Stories of Tang People" was completed in the United States. Wang Xiaobo sent it back to China in the hope that it could be published, but unfortunately no one was interested in it.

From before their marriage to now, more than ten years have passed, and Wang Xiaobo has been writing for more than ten years, but he has not achieved anything outstanding. Li Yinhe recognizes her husband's talent, and she thinks that all he lacks is an opportunity.

Now, the opportunity has finally come.

“I met Lin Weimin in Contemporary this time, and his novel The Lover is really good!

There is also Tong Zhonggui, who is my editor. His pen name is Su Tong, and he is the writer of "The Escape in 1934" and "Wives and Concubines".

Wang Xiaobo hugged his wife. Li Yinhe's smile was full of gentle maternal love as she listened to him quietly.

"And there's 'The Golden Age', which they're actually going to publish, too. But I'm still a little dissatisfied with it, so I want to take it back for revisions, and they agreed. After I finish revising it, this novel can also be published in 'Contemporary'..."

Wang Xiaobo kept talking, with a light in his narrow eyes.

(End of this chapter)