Chapter 398: This will not happen again
Tao Huimin did not return to Beijing during this period, and the casting for Xie Tieli's Dream of the Red Chamber had not yet begun. The Shichahai courtyard had been empty for two months, with no one living there, and a layer of dust had fallen on the house.
Lin Weimin didn't bother to clean the house. He slept for most of the day to adjust to the jet lag.
He woke up at around four in the morning. He tidied up the house and drove to work in his Crown, which had been parked for two months.
When they arrived at the Guowen Press, as soon as their colleagues saw the long-lost crown, they immediately realized that Lin Weimin had returned.
Many people surrounded Lin Weimin who had just got off the car, and everyone asked a lot of questions, of course, all about Lin Weimin's experiences in the United States.
It took him a while to get to the back building, and his colleagues in the editorial department were equally surprised to see him.
"Oh! You're finally back!" Liu Yin was overjoyed.
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I didn't expect that I've been gone for two months and Sister Liu missed me so much."
But Liu Yin hurriedly said, "I missed you so much! It's good now, you're finally back, someone is being scolded!"
"What's the meaning?"
Tong Zhonggui handed a letter from a reader to Lin Weimin with a bitter face, "Teacher Lin, it's all about cursing Wang Shuo and The Troublemakers."
Lin Weimin took the letter and took a look at it. The writer was a university professor, and his criticisms of "The Troublemakers" were nothing more than "vulgar language", "vulgar idea" and so on.
"It's okay, just curse as much as you want!"
Lin Weimin didn't care at all after reading the letter. He had already thought of this result long before he decided to publish "The Troublemakers".
He didn't take the criticism of "The Troublemakers" and Wang Shuo to heart, and took out a pack of original books from his bag, "Come on, come on, I didn't bring anything else back from the United States, everyone can have a book."
Everyone rushed forward and grabbed all the books.
Zhang Zhonge, who was standing by, did not move. He said, "Why are you bringing English books? We can't understand them either. It's better to bring something more practical!"
Before Lin Weimin could speak, Liu Yin, who was standing beside him, smiled and said, "Comrade Zhang, do you think he really brought the book back for us to read?"
Zhang Zhonge asked in confusion: "What else can I do if I don't watch it?"
Liu Yin placed the book in his hand on the table, revealing the English name on the spine.
"Of course it's for you to put on the bookshelf!"
After hearing what she said, the other colleagues smiled knowingly.
Zhang Zhongye finally understood and couldn't help but smile bitterly. So that's how it was.
Lin Weimin gave Liu Yin a thumbs up and said, "Sister Liu really understands me!"
After chatting and laughing with his colleagues for a while, Tong Zhonggui reminded them, "By the way, Teacher Lin, your package was sent from Hong Kong some time ago and is now with the director. When the director comes, you should think about picking it up."
Lin Weimin nodded to indicate that he understood. A few minutes later, Qin Chaoyang came to work. He went over to say hello and picked up his package, as well as an international wire transfer slip.
Qin Chaoyang asked: "When will the novel be published in Hong Kong?"
Lin Weimin opened the package and found only a thin certificate under the heavy packaging.
At the Cannes Film Festival, only films that win the Palme d'Or will receive the Palme d'Or trophy, and the remaining awards are all certificates.
"What's this?"
"A certificate from the Cannes Film Festival. The film "Lover" participated in the film festival and won two awards, one for Best Cinematography and the other for Best Screenplay. I didn't go to the film festival, so the production company specially sent me the certificate for Best Screenplay."
Qin Chaoyang asked in surprise: "Cannes Film Festival?"
At this time, the three major European film festivals are not so well-known in China. For many Chinese people, as long as a domestic film wins an award, as long as it is a film festival with a foreign name, it is glory for the country.
However, Qin Chaoyang often subscribes to "Popular Film" and has some understanding of the Cannes Film Festival. He knows that it is one of the three major film festivals in Europe and is of considerable importance.
"It's a pity you didn't go then!"
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "What's there to regret? Everyone is most concerned about the Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and the Palme d'Or. Who would pay attention to the Best Screenwriter award?"
“Is this the culture of the Cannes Film Festival?”
“Film festivals all over the world are the same!” Lin Weimin said in a nonchalant tone.
Qin Chaoyang took a look at the "Best Screenwriter" award certificate. It was written in both French and English. There was no Chinese text, and he could not understand it very well, but he still saw the Chinese pinyin of Lin Weimin's name.
He tasted it and said, "This can be considered as bringing glory to the country!"
These days, the country and the people are really short of "light". No matter what time it is, we have to fight for it even when we go abroad.
"What was the name of the play you won last time?"
“Tony Awards.”
"Yes, the Tony Award. You are really good. You have won several awards abroad quietly and you don't even know how to publicize it." Qin Chaoyang said.
Lin Weimin shook his head. "What's there to promote? Is it because I'm not famous enough? Or is it because my work is not popular enough? I've just added a lot of trouble. When the reporters come to interview me, I'll have to deal with them."
Qin Chaoyang pointed at him and smiled: "You, when you are showing off, you are really showing off, but now you are being low-key."
"Hehe!" Lin Weimin laughed, picked up his things and prepared to leave, and said, "I'm going to find Lao Meng to cancel my vacation!"
"No need to go, Lao Meng has retired!" Qin Chaoyang said.
Lin Weimin's face was filled with astonishment. "What the hell? Retirement? When did it happen?"
"last month."
"I was only away for two months and such a big thing happened in the community?" Lin Weimin said in amazement.
"What's the big deal? How old is he? It's time for him to retire!"
After Qin Chaoyang said this, he found that Lin Weimin was staring at him, and Qin Chaoyang could guess the expression on his face.
He has retired, why haven't you retired yet?
Qin Chaoyang glared back at him and said, "Go find Cheng Zaochun. He is now the president and editor-in-chief!"
Lin Weimin rubbed his hands and said, "Oh my god, I have to flatter Old Cheng!"
"What a shame!" Qin Chaoyang cursed.
Before leaving, Lin Weimin took from the table a 1962 edition of "A Tale of Two Cities" that he had just given to Qin Chaoyang.
"Hey! Are you taking back the things you gave away?" Comrade Lao Tan was so angry that his eyebrows were about to fly away.
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I'm just going to pay my respects to the leader of the mountain. I'll compensate you with two books later."
Comrade Lao Tan finally calmed down.
Lin Weimin took the copy of A Tale of Two Cities to the president's office in the front building, knocked on the door, and a familiar voice came from inside.
Lin Weimin poked his head in with a sneaky look on his face, but as soon as he saw Cheng Zaochun, a flattering expression immediately spread across his face.
"Hey, isn't this President Cheng?"
Cheng Zaochun looked helpless, "Stop interrupting me!"
He asked again: "When did you come back?"
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I just got back. I came to report to the leader right away!"
"Speak nicely."
Lin Weimin then said seriously: "Come here to cancel your leave. I have only been away for two months, and I didn't expect that you have made such a big step forward, brother!"
Cheng Zaochun shook his head. "There's nothing the higher-ups can do. Comrade Junyi and Lao Meng are more anxious than each other to handle the retirement process. They won't wait for anyone. They can only let me take over first."
Before Wei Junyi wanted to retire, she submitted a report to her superiors, but they did not approve it at first. Wei Junyi simply started to work for a few days and rest for a few days, and only returned to normal after their superiors approved her retirement application.
Meng Weizai was not as willful as Wei Junyi and reported it in advance. After much selection, Cheng Zaochun was young and energetic, and he was also the editor-in-chief, so he was the most suitable candidate.
But the question of who would take over as the editor-in-chief was a problem. Now the government is promoting the rejuvenation of cadres, so the old generation would definitely not be chosen. There were really not many suitable people in the Guowen Press who were in their prime.
After much discussion, it was decided to let Cheng Zaochun take on both the responsibilities of president and editor-in-chief. It would be perfect to have younger cadres!
After listening to Cheng Zaochun talk about the things behind taking over as president, Lin Weimin nodded in understanding.
"You, work hard and don't be too jumpy." Cheng Zaochun said to him.
"I'm so honest!" Lin Weimin retorted.
Cheng Zaochun couldn't help but sneer when he heard what he said, "Don't play tricks on me. Last year, my colleagues disagreed with publishing Lu Yao's novel, but you insisted on publishing it. Now let's see if the reputation is good or not."
"Boss, the reputation of The Ordinary World among critics is not so good, but it has a very good reputation among readers! Isn't the publishing house eager to publish a separate volume for it?"
"What about Wang Shuo's article 'The Troublemakers'? I've seen all the reactions. He got scolded again!"
When it comes to "The Troublemakers", Lin Weimin has nothing to refute. This thing was indeed not in line with mainstream values in 1986.
“The content of “The Troublemakers” also reflects a social phenomenon. We can’t pretend that this phenomenon doesn’t exist, right?” Lin Weimin said with some guilt.
Cheng Zaochun glared at him unhappily and said, "Of course, 'The Troublemakers' has its merits and is of good quality, but it depends on what magazine it is published in. 'Contemporary' attracts a lot of attention, so you must be careful when publishing such articles."
Lin Weimin nodded and said, "I understand. I will pay attention next time!"
When Cheng Zaochun saw his character, he knew that he definitely didn't take it to heart.
"Pay attention! The Bian Division mentioned you several times when he talked to me. The leaders are optimistic about you. Don't let everyone down."
Lin Weimin looked at Cheng Zaochun suspiciously, suspecting that he was giving him a love drug.
"What's that look in your eyes?"
"nothing."
Cheng Zaochun glared at him helplessly. After Mrs. Wei left and Old Meng also left, there were fewer and fewer people in the Guowen Society who could control this Monkey King.
As the president, I still haven’t established my authority!
As soon as Lin Weimin saw Cheng Zaochun's expression, he felt something was not right. Was this guy trying to use him to establish his authority?
He immediately handed over the book A Tale of Two Cities.
"What for?" Cheng Zaochun asked.
"Don't misunderstand me, Boss. Take a look. This is the 1962 edition of A Tale of Two Cities. I found it with great difficulty in New York!"
Cheng Zaochun said, "I just became the president, and you want me to make a mistake."
"What do you mean by making a mistake when it comes to literary matters? How much does a book cost? The important thing is that our matter is elegant!
Look at it, look at it. 1962, English version, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.
After emphasizing a few key words, Cheng Zaochun couldn't resist the temptation and touched the cover of A Tale of Two Cities.
How many people who are engaged in literature don’t love books?
Even if you don’t understand it, you can just keep it at home as a collection!
"This won't happen again!"
Lin Weimin chuckled and said, "This won't happen again, this won't happen again!"
(End of this chapter)
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