An 80s female translator was spoiled rotten by a rough and jealous man.

Chapter 93 Wen Cenqing (Part 2)
After pushing Wen Cenqing into the classic literature section, Meng Youyou planned to leave.

He glanced casually at the books on the bookshelf, then stopped in his tracks.

She saw Han Shiheng's translation of "Snow Country" and immediately became interested.

Meng Youyou recalls that there are several translations of Kawabata Yasunari's "Snow Country" on the market. She once happened to see the version translated by Han Shiheng in the library and spent an afternoon reading it.

The semi-classical style of the text may be a bit difficult to read at first, but if you persevere, you can feel its unique classical charm, which is a charm that other vernacular translations do not possess.

However, she searched the entire library but could not find the second volume. After checking online, she discovered that this translation was gradually being discontinued due to copyright issues and its conflict with mainstream market demand, making it difficult to purchase the original book.

Nowadays, you can find them in any bookstore here.

Meng Youyou pulled the book from the bookshelf, picked it up, and opened it.

Seeing this, Wen Cenqing, who was sitting to the side, spoke up gently: "You like Kawabata Yasunari's books?"

Meng Youyou briefly looked up from her book at the man who had spoken, and nodded. "Hmm, it's not bad, but I wouldn't say I particularly like it."

What is this book about?

A hint of doubt flickered in Meng Youyou's eyes. "You haven't seen it?"

Wen Cenqing smiled and said, "May I hear your opinion?"

Meng Youyou began to try to recall the contents of the book. As she said, she did not particularly like Kawabata Yasunari's books, and her impression of them was not deep. However, she did have a certain fondness for the translator's translation style.

After thinking for a moment, she hesitated before speaking: "The story of two brave girls who risked their lives for love."

She spoke with a weak voice, because her memory of the book was rather hazy.

Upon hearing this, Wen Cenqing's gentle smile broadened: "Now I truly believe that you don't particularly like it."

His words carried a hint of teasing.

Meng Youyou smiled sheepishly: "Japanese literature inevitably carries a certain degree of local cultural color. My appreciation ability is limited, so I may not understand it very well."

Wen Cenqing's smile slowly faded, and she returned to her most gentle and proper demeanor, slowly saying, "I really like Kawabata Yasunari, especially this book, 'Snow Country'."

It vividly reveals that the essence of life is nothingness, and tells us nakedly that all efforts are in vain in the face of the vicissitudes of fate.

Komako poured all her energy into striving for life, pursuing art, and loving Shimamura unconditionally, like a moth drawn to a flame, but in the end, she could not obtain what she desired and could not have him.

In the end, all our efforts and pursuits in life amount to nothing more than an illusion.

After he finished speaking, he looked straight at Meng Youyou.

Upon hearing this, Meng Youyou pursed her lips and subconsciously looked at the man's legs placed in front of his wheelchair. The next second, she immediately realized her offense and quickly looked away.

For no apparent reason, we found ourselves in an awkward silence.

Offering words of comfort would seem too superficial and useless, and might even be mistaken for pity or sympathy.

Although the man in front of me has difficulty moving around, his clothes are excessively clean and exquisite. He must be a person who has high standards for himself, and most likely a person with high aspirations. No matter what situation such a person is in, what he least wants is for others to pity him.

Wen Cenqing seemed to realize Meng Youyou's dilemma and took the initiative to ease the silence, speaking in his usual gentle tone: "Could you please pass me a book? It's on the bookshelf to your left, 'My Distant Qingping Bay'." Meng Youyou reacted, "Oh, okay," and quickly turned around to find the book he wanted.

She quickly pulled out the book, handed it to him with both hands, and said with a smile that curved her eyes, "I really like Shi Tiesheng."

Wen Cenqing raised an eyebrow slightly, "Really? Then..."

Meng Youyou sensed something was wrong, so she decided to take the initiative and asked first, "This is the book you're looking for, so tell me what it's about?"

He reached out and took the book, saying, "My views might be a bit unconventional, please don't mind, Miss."

Meng Youyou smiled and shook her head to indicate that she was fine. "Reading is a very subjective thing. As the saying goes, there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's hearts. This is normal. I would like to hear more about it."

"In my opinion, this book, on the surface, conveys the author's nostalgia and praise for the villagers during his time as an educated youth sent to the countryside, as well as his deep affection for that land. Most people probably think so, most normal people," he emphasized.

He continued, "But I think the book actually reflects the author's memories and attachment to his healthy period. To some extent, 'he' is trapped in the past, unable to forget it or let it go."

If such a view were posted in the book review section of any reading app in later generations, it would surely be met with fierce criticism, wouldn't it? It's truly a "rebellious" interpretation. Meng Youyou was the first person to read "Hamlet" as "Harry Potter," she thought abruptly.

But then I suddenly thought, maybe... there really is such a possibility?

Are the most mainstream views and interpretations of a work in the literary world always 100% correct?
Just like the standard answers given in the reading comprehension questions on the Chinese language exams they've been working on since childhood—are they absolutely correct?
They are not Shi Tiesheng, but he may understand Shi Tiesheng better than they do.
perhaps.

After a moment of silence, Meng Youyou said, "This is only a phase; 'he' won't be trapped in the past forever."

His tone was serious.

"Then why does he only write about his feelings and stories when he was healthy?"

Meng Youyou smiled slyly, "How do you know he won't write about his illness later? Maybe he's writing it now? Maybe he'll start writing it tomorrow?"

Wen Cenqing raised the book in her hand upwards, "We'll wait and see."

……

Meng Youyou pushed Wen Cenqing to the counter to pay. The two of them put their books on the counter, and Meng Youyou looked down to rummage for change in her bag.

Then she heard, "Let's put these together, boss, how much is it in total?" Meng Youyou looked up and saw a pair of well-defined hands pushing the two stacks of books slightly closer together.

The shopkeeper looked at Meng Youyou's face and Wen Cenqing's face with complicated emotions. His gaze eventually passed over the counter and lingered on Wen Cenqing's legs for a little longer than he had looked at his face.

Wen Cenqing's hand on the book tightened almost imperceptibly.

Meng Youyou quickly declined, saying, "No need, we can each pay our own."

Wen Cenqing insisted, "You've helped me a lot today, so let's consider this a gesture of friendship. I'll pay for it together."

Since these books wouldn't cost much, Meng Youyou didn't refuse again.

Note: The words and actions of many passersby in the book serve the plot and do not represent mainstream social values.

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