1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 303 Bestseller Potential
On the south side of the campus, there is a dense redwood forest.

The air in the forest is very humid, and dew falls from time to time.

The air was filled with the scent of pine resin and humus, mixed with the coolness lingering in the tree holes from last night's heavy rain.

In the open space next to the woods stands a three-story Victorian building.

The mansard roof is covered with fish-scale wooden tiles. A Gothic spire rises on the left side of the roof, and the protruding bay windows are inlaid with complex stained glass windows.

"crunch-"

Professor Ansel stood in front of the window and pushed it open. The rusty hinges made a teeth-grinding sound, but combined with the classical decorative atmosphere of the house, it was unexpectedly harmonious.

After opening the window, the morning breeze blew in from the forest.

A gust of moist mist-like forest wind blew across Professor Ansel's old face, making him feel cool all over and refreshed.

"Here is your coffee, Professor. Please enjoy it."

At this time, a calm and gentle voice of a middle-aged woman came from behind.

Professor Ansell half turned.

The woman's warm and delicate hands came into view, and she handed over a white porcelain coffee cup with intricate golden patterns printed around the rim.

The steaming brown coffee liquid ripples smoothly in the cup.

“What a rich flavor.”

Professor Ansel sniffed and caught the distinctive scent of coffee.

“Of course, I specifically used coffee beans from Colombia, which have moderate acidity and a strong nutty aroma. I hope you like it.

I would also like to remind you that your working hours this morning have exceeded the limit, so please take a rest."

The woman raised her face and smiled proudly, then gently reminded the professor of the working hours.

"I know, Mary, but you also know that my research has reached a critical stage. I think this paper will be completed in another month... Oh no, it can be completed in three weeks at most!"

Professor Ansel took the hot cup from his assistant, held the handle, took a sip of coffee, and said with confidence.

The woman called Mary could only shrug helplessly.

In the past six months, Professor Ansel has been studying a special relationship.

That is, the relationship between adults and children in children's literature.

Professor Ansel believes that the images of children portrayed in children's literature are not real children, but a false fantasy subconsciously imposed on children by adults.

Abbreviated as "children's fiction theory".

This is undoubtedly a rather radical and bold theory.

As far as the current academic circles of children's literature in the United States are concerned, no one has ever explored this "child fiction theory" that extends from psychoanalytic theory.

Therefore, this theory is novel and creative enough.

Of course, constructing its theoretical framework is also difficult enough.

Professor Ansel suffered for a long time because he couldn't write.

"Well honey, good luck to you."

Ms. Mary bowed slightly to Professor Ansel, then turned around and left with the tray.

"Three weeks? I'm afraid it won't be completed in three months..."

The professor thought of Ms. Mary's considerate words and muttered to himself somewhat awkwardly.

"Maybe it's time to relax. Maybe I can catch some inspiration?"

Professor Ansel was the only one left in this research office, which had a layout that was no different from a living room.

He held the warm cup in his hand and looked out the window at the redwood forest wet with dew, lost in thought.

I don’t know how long it took, but a drizzle of autumn rain began to fall from the sky.

The air suddenly became three degrees colder, causing Professor Ansel to shrink his neck. Suddenly, he noticed a familiar figure emerging from the woods, running wildly in the rain.

George? Why is this kid here?

The professor was a little surprised. He gently placed the cup on the gradually wet wooden window sill and turned to go downstairs.

Go to the downstairs door and open it.

A tall and thin man in his thirties with slightly wet hair appeared in front of him, holding a book in his arms.

"Good morning, teacher."

"Good morning, child, come in and wipe off the rain..."

……

"So you discovered an excellent work by accident, and that's why you rushed to see me without stopping? That's quite in line with your style!"

Professor Ansel looked at George, who was wiping his hair with a towel on the sofa, with a somewhat emotional tone.

George smiled lightly at this and didn't respond, "Guess which magazine I saw it in?"

"Let me guess. Is it Children's Digest or Cricket? I think only the children's literature in these two magazines could make you so excited?"

The professor cast his eyes on the magazine in George's arms and guessed.

"Cricket" is known as the children's version of "The New Yorker". "Children's Digest" is subscribed to schools and families, with an average monthly circulation of two million.

Both magazines are reading magazines for teenagers and children in the United States. They are quite classic and authoritative.

"wrong!"

George smiled and shook his head. “And it’s totally wrong. This work comes from China, Red China.”

"China?!"

Professor Ansel immediately showed a surprised expression. "What a surprising answer. Well, I also want to see what kind of work you admire so much!"

After saying that, he stretched out his hand.

"Absolutely! You won't be disappointed!"

George handed over the magazine with a decisive tone, without any of the contempt for Chinese literature that he had shown yesterday.

Professor Ansel shrugged in agreement, took it casually, then crossed his legs, curled up in the soft sofa, covered himself with a blanket, and then lowered his head to read.

"A submarine in the depths of midnight, deep in the depths of midnight... maybe it's related to dreams?"

Professor An thought about it subconsciously and felt that the name was interesting.

Sure enough, as he read, he discovered that this short story was indeed about a young boy with an amazing imagination. He imagined that he had a "night submarine" and dived into his fantasy every night, going under the floor of his home, into the flowers in the courtyard, and even deep into the earth's crust to explore fictional oceans and lost civilizations.

He used coins to modify a submarine dashboard, carved coral reefs with a pencil sharpener, and even used his mind to transform the light of a desk lamp into sea water, integrating real objects into the fantasy world.

Reality and fantasy are intertwined at this moment, making it impossible not only for the protagonist to distinguish them, but even for Professor Ansel, the reader, to distinguish them.

“Perhaps this is what I think is the imagination that belongs only to children! An imagination that is enough to blur the lines between reality and fantasy.”

Professor Ansel's eyes gradually filled with excitement, especially when he thought about the topic he was researching, his anticipation for this novel grew deeper.

The novel is not long, only a few tens of thousands of words, and even Professor Ansel patiently read it, it only took less than an hour.

"How is it, teacher?"

George, who was sitting nearby flipping through a magazine, noticed that the professor put down the book, leaned back on the sofa, and had a thoughtful look on his face, so he asked with a smile.

It seems that the teacher likes it very much.

Let me tell you.

“He writes with imagination to the extreme.”

When the professor heard this, he could no longer suppress his desire to speak out and shouted excitedly.

"I know it. Please tell me more about it."

Sharing his success, George nodded with satisfaction and spread his hands as a gesture of invitation to speak.

"After reading this novel, I have to admit that this guy is a genius, a real genius."

“In terms of narrative style, this guy is completely different from the Chinese writers I’ve read before.

I really can't appreciate those deeply sad realist works.

But this guy is more inclined to postmodernism which is popular in our literary world. It is incredible that he has kept up with the international trend and done a good job.

In addition, this article made me see the shadow of Mr. Borges. Although the traces of tribute are somewhat obvious, the story is quite good.

If it were published in an American literary magazine, I can’t imagine how many young literary people would love it! ”

Professor Ansel gave a long speech, spilling the beans.

“Is your rating so high?”

George raised his eyebrows, very surprised by the teacher's evaluation. He actually thought that this work from China would be loved by young literary people?
"Dear George! Listen to how this fellow flaunts his talent!"

"I once had talent, but it was too strong to achieve anything in reality. Once I had it, reality was insignificant. There is no greater joy than those fantasies.

My flame was extinguished at the age of sixteen, and the so-called career I have achieved in the rest of my life is nothing more than a few wisps of smoke rising after the flame was extinguished. "

"Fuck!"

"This guy is so crazy! He is completely different from those Chinese people. He is so crazy that people think he should be like this. Anyone who has read this novel will not deny his talent!"

Professor Ansel recited while shaking his head, and his hairy beard looked very funny.

As the deputy director of the English Department and a literary critic, he could not deny the work of this Chinese man.

"You're thinking the same thing I am. I have an idea. Perhaps we could write a book review for her and have it published in the Philadelphia Journal and the Daily Pennsylvanian."

George pondered for a moment and slowly suggested.

If he remembered correctly, the bookstore clerk sold the magazine as a giveaway this morning.

This means that if no action is taken, this work will be completely buried in the sea of ​​books.

He couldn't bear it and couldn't bear to do it.

"Yes, of course young man, just go for it, I will recommend and sign it for you!"

Professor Ansel agreed with a smile and was about to close the book, but the wind outside the window, carrying the moisture and smell of pine resin, blew the thin paper.

Turned to the next page.

kaiyan cheng?

"Cheng? He has another work?"

Professor Ansel looked at the familiar name with wide eyes and thought happily, "Let me see if you really have amazing talent, right?"

The Alchemist's Alchemy?

This is a pure fairy tale, right?

Since there was no progress in the research, Professor Ansel simply gave up for the day.

He shrunk back into the sofa and began to read leisurely.

But this time, the work once again exceeded his expectations.

Professor Ansel looked more serious than ever before.

On the other side, George found an empty seat, took out a pen and paper and started writing a literary review.

I didn't notice the professor's change at all.

The rain was falling outside the window, and the room was so quiet that the only sounds were the rain and the rustling of papers.

Time passed quietly.

At noon, Ms. Mary came downstairs and wanted to say hello, but when she saw that both of them were busy, she stepped quietly and went downstairs.

At half past twelve, Ms. Mary came back wearing a raincoat and carrying two lunch boxes.

George had already written the review and was revising it. When he saw Ms. Mary, he greeted her and she handed him a lunch box and a knife and fork.

"Where's the professor?"

"He's like this when he's busy. Don't worry about him for now. I'll heat it up for him later."

……

3pm.

Professor Ansel silently put down the magazine in his hand. This time he was not so excited.

It was just this Chinese writer named Cheng who once again changed his stereotypes and superficial views.

"Teacher, have you finished reading?"

George noticed the professor's actions, handed him a cup of coffee and asked.

"Well, didn't you notice that this Cheng has another work published there? It's a very good work of children's literature."

"Really?"

"Of course, I feel that this work has the potential to be a bestseller. Of course, this is my personal opinion."

Professor Ansel commented solemnly.

"A best-selling...book?"

George's blue pupils shrank suddenly.

Previously, the teacher only gave the work on the submarine an evaluation of excellent work.

George was surprised, but that was because of the writer's nationality.

But the evaluation of "bestseller" is different, even though it's just three simple words.

But George felt that it directly crushed the long list of comments made by the professor in the morning.

Because best-sellers are the best evaluation for a writer.

These two words are often associated with many factors such as money, fame, and influence.

It would be even more terrifying if the literary and ideological aspects of the work were more outstanding.

Just like The Little Prince is a global bestseller, its huge influence and readership have made it rise from a literary work to a cultural trend and cultural phenomenon.

This is what almost every writer aspires to.

You have to know that even in the United States, not many works can be called bestsellers.

This Chinese writer named Cheng actually has such potential?

"Do not believe?"

Professor Ansel asked back with a smile.

"Ah."

George nodded hesitantly.

"Time will tell. Okay, young man, we should focus on the reviews that are about to be submitted."

……

November 7th.

Two special commentary articles were quietly published in the school newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian, also known as DP.

"Submarine at Night": A literary genius from the mysterious ancient oriental country.

"The Alchemist": a classic allegorical fairy tale about pursuit, dreams, and life choices, and a guiding light in life.

The Philadelphia Daily News also published these two articles.

……

"Chinese literary works? Can this be good?"

"It seems quite interesting from the reviews, and it was recommended by Professor Ansel."

"Well, let's go to the bookstore and see, I hope they have it for sale."

In the school library early in the morning, several college students were chatting in low voices and heading towards the commercial street.

At the same time, many students and literature lovers in Philadelphia saw these two reviews.

Although some people were unmoved, a few were influenced by the reviews and went to bookstores to inquire about the Chinese literary magazine, "Chinese Literature".

"Waiter, please bring me a copy of Chinese Literature."

"Chinese literature?!"

The clerk was extremely shocked. On normal days, he only sold more than a hundred magazines in a month, but now there were dozens of people coming to buy them every day?
This is a good thing!
……

"Shit! Cheng's work is so great! Does he have any other works?"

"It's really amazing how talented he is, I just love him so much!"

"He is a genius! A genius from Red China."

Cheng Kaiyan's works are like a warm breeze in the morning, spreading in a very small range, although they have little impact.

But it has quietly touched the hearts of a small group of people and left a deep impression.

Just like the tropical warm current deep in the Atlantic Ocean, it is quietly gathering strength, waiting to sweep across the United States.

Two days later.

A group of uninvited guests came to the Children's Literature Research Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

As soon as Professor Ansel opened the door, he saw a group of young people with black hair and black eyes standing neatly at the door, looking at him with sincerity and expectation on their faces.

(End of this chapter)