In September 1980, when it came to which book was the most popular, it had to be "Love Letters", and even "The Conspiracy" was ranked behind.
To see how popular it is, just look at Yanjing’s letter mailing growth data.
Although they are all classmates or friends and live close by, they still choose to write letters, and the letters always start with the familiar phrase, "How are you? I'm fine."
The destructive power of this novel on literary youth cannot be underestimated. Although it is not regarded as a Bible, it is very popular because of its implicit and beautiful description of life and death, which is sentimental but not sad.
If the Chinese people like this novel because of its novel subject matter and unique writing style, then the island people in China like this novel because it matches the brain waves.
Saten Ruiko, an international student from the island country, is a friend of Jessica and the others. Jiang Yulou has also met her several times, so he has some connections with her.
As mentioned before, Saten Ruiko is also a product of the policy of normalizing diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Because of her family, she could not go to a good university in the island country, but when she applied to study in China, she received government subsidies.
It's just that the government subsidies only solve her living problems. As for flying back to the island country to visit relatives during the winter and summer vacations, she can't even think about it.
Like her, if a person lives abroad for a long time, he will always feel homesick, but he can't go back, so he can only communicate by writing letters. Especially since she is in a woman's most beautiful age, the lack of love makes her lack emotional support and satisfaction.
Loneliness, anxiety, depression, these emotions appeared one after another. Just when she suspected that she might not be able to hold on, a novel appeared.
That book is "Love Letters".
Can a book really have such a big impact on a girl like Saten Ruiko?
Yes, this is because she realized the beauty of material sorrow from the novel.
In the cultural aesthetics of the island country, "material sorrow" is a kind of tragic beauty and desolate beauty bred from an empty state of mind, and it is also a kind of pessimism about the impermanence of life and time. It is an aesthetic pursuit of the impermanence of life. Islanders have a unique understanding of death. They face death calmly, can look directly at death with an open-minded attitude, and look at death with awe.
Kawabata Yasunari said: "Death is the highest art and the expression of beauty."
This is their view of life and death.
As a girl from an island nation who was born and raised here, Saten Ruiko will naturally be affected by the beauty of this kind of mourning.
The beauty of things is sad, touching but not hurting.
Originally, Saten Ruiko's certain tendencies were released emotionally after reading the entire novel.
"Perhaps, everything is not so bad." After thinking about it, she put away the novel with great care, picked up paper and pen and started writing, "Such a good novel cannot only be read by me, but must be seen by more compatriots. .”
The compatriots she refers to are not Japanese in China, but people living in the island country.
"To Kadokawa Shoten:
My name is Saten Ruiko, an ordinary island girl. I am currently studying at China Yenching University through a government program. Having not been home for a year, I was infected by a strong sense of homesickness. Loneliness, anxiety and emptiness followed one after another. Just when I couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to end it all, a book saved me.
It was a youth romance novel. (laugh)
Yes, it is a youth romance novel, but this novel has a kind of magic and it saved me. It’s hard to believe that Chinese writers can write such novels, which are very consistent with our island people’s outlook on life and death.
I felt that more people should see this work, so I chose to write to Kadokawa Shoten. After all, this is the company I most want to join after graduation.
In addition, the Chinese name of this novel is "Love Letter", and the Japanese name I translated is "ラブレター". The author's name is Jiang Yulou, a very popular writer in China today.
…”
After writing two pages of letter eloquently, Saten Ruiko chose to stop writing.
She folded the letter and stuffed it into the envelope. There is a place to send letters in the school, which is very convenient. Although she was sending an international letter, it wasn't much more difficult because of her status as an international student.
When she finished sending the letter, she breathed a sigh of relief. She did everything she could. In the end, it still depends on the choice of Kadokawa Bookstore.
…
Just when Jiang Yulou's new work was selling well, one of his old friends came to Beijing in a low-key manner.
When Lu Yao came out of the train station, his mood was undoubtedly exciting.
He has been engaged in literary creation for nearly ten years and has published many articles, but this is the first time he has submitted it to a Yanjing magazine. What's even more rare is that his works have been included.
After several revisions to the manuscript, the contemporary editorial department finally invited him to come to Yanjing to sign a contract.
It is shameful to say that although he has been writing for a long time, his remuneration has never been high. In the letter, the contemporary editor gave him a remuneration of seven yuan per thousand words and he was already overjoyed.
It's not like he hasn't thought about higher remuneration. For example, his little brother Jiang Yulou's remuneration alone is probably tens of thousands.
He just wanted to think back and was envious. He knew that although his novel was pretty good, it was still far from being a bestseller. It was impossible for contemporary editors to pay him according to Jiang Yulou's standards.
However, he believes that as long as he perseveres, getting paid for a thousand words or even a few copies will not be a dream.
Thinking of this, he stepped out of the station with confidence.
He was dumbfounded as soon as he left the station because he had no idea how to navigate the contemporary editorial department.
Before coming, his wife suggested that he contact the editorial department or Jiang Yulou to pick him up in advance, but she was rejected. He is a face-saving person and asked his little brother to pick him up. He still couldn't lose his face.
Fortunately, Lu Yao knows how to ask for directions. Although there are also scammers at the station, there are still many honest people after all.
After asking for directions, he took his luggage and got on the bus to the contemporary editorial office.
When Jiang Yulou knew that Lu Yao had come to Beijing, it was already two days later.
By this time, Lu Yao had already signed a contract with Dangdai.
Although he has not received the royalties yet, Dangdai will be responsible for his accommodation and food in Yanjing these days. I can’t say how good it is, but it’s absolutely no problem to be full.
After Jiang Yulou met him, he couldn't help complaining: "Brother Lu, you came to Yanjing for such a big thing, why didn't you tell me, so that I could pick you up and wash away the dust for you, and fulfill my friendship as a landlord?" ah."
"Haha, Yulou, I appreciate your kindness. However, this is why I don't want to disturb you. I just came to Yanjing to sign a contract, so how can I have the nerve to cost you money?" Lu Yao felt warm in his heart and said slowly .
Jiang Yulou asked: "Is Brother Lu's novel definitely going to be published in contemporary times?"
"Well, it's confirmed, the third issue." Lu Yao said with a smile.
"Congratulations." Jiang Yulou smiled and said seriously: "To celebrate the publication of Brother Lu's novel in contemporary times, I must treat you to this meal!"
