My era, 1979!

Chapter 196 Unparalleled
Back in his room, he casually picked up several early editions of the morning newspaper that the waiter had brought to him.

In the 80s, in order to meet deadlines, Japanese newspapers would print some of their newspapers in the early morning.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Baba Koichi's operational efficiency and the "creativity" of the tabloid reporters still made him raise an eyebrow.

The headlines on the front pages of those entertainment tabloids were increasingly sensational and outrageous:
"A passionate kiss in front of the TBS building!" "Beauty of the Showa" Matsuzaka Keiko and the noble Chinese prince, the secret before the recording! 》

(Passionate kiss in front of TBS building! Secrets between "Showa Beauty" Keiko Matsuzaka and a wealthy Chinese man before the recording!)
The accompanying photo was a candid shot taken in the afternoon when Keiko Matsuzaka bumped into him and spilled coffee. The angle was so tricky that it actually looked like the two of them were embracing tightly.

"The rising star in the literary world, はプレイボーイ!" ? After the collection of Tetsuko’s house, a secret meeting at a high-end restaurant in Ginza! 》

(A rising star in the literary world is Playboy!? A secret rendezvous at a high-class Ginza restaurant after recording at Tetsuko's Cabin!)

The report vividly described his "secret rendezvous" with Keiko Matsuzaka at a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant), as if the reporter were listening under the table.

"その美の里に!" Chinese writer Xu Chengjun, "In the past, there were ten enemy soldiers on the battlefield, and the white soldiers fought against each other and took them out!" 》

(Beneath that beauty lies the legend of Chinese writer Xu Chengjun, who once killed ten enemy soldiers with his bare hands in hand-to-hand combat!)
This is utter nonsense; it's an untold "legendary experience" that was dug up from some corner or simply fabricated and then forced onto his head.

Looking at these reports, which could be described as magical realism, Xu Chengjun couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

Baba's methods were indeed shrewd. These exaggerated and even absurd reports, although a mixture of truth and falsehood and sensationalism, accurately grasped the public's curiosity, binding his image as a "handsome genius writer" with elements such as sexiness, mystery, and strength. Before the official broadcast of "Tetsuko's Cabin," he dropped a bombshell, completely igniting his fame in another way.

He tossed the newspaper back onto the table, walked to the window, and gazed at the sleeping outline of Tokyo outside, a complex smile playing on his lips.

The public discourse in Japan during the 1980s was truly... incredibly lively.

However, this muddy water is perfect for fishing.

The next morning, when Xu Chengjun stepped into the restaurant of the New Otani Hotel, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.

The restaurant, which was originally a bit noisy, seemed to be muted the moment he walked in.

Almost all the delegation members, including the staff who were getting food or talking in hushed tones, focused their gazes on him. Their eyes held a mixture of inquiry, curiosity, a hint of ambiguity, and even a touch of…unspeakable admiration?

Aodesir, the eagle from the grasslands, was carrying a plate of scrambled eggs. As soon as he saw him, his sharp eyes narrowed into slits. Taking advantage of the moment when his back was to Bajin's table, he quickly and discreetly gave him a thumbs up. His lips moved silently, clearly saying, "Good lad! Bringing glory to the country!"

Xu Chengjun stumbled and almost lost his balance, three black lines instantly appearing on his forehead.

This is nothing!
He was about to explain the tabloids' fabrications when a voice, clearly hostile, rang out beside him.

"Hey, our great hero, our Casanova, is up? Looks like you had a very deep 'cultural exchange' last night. Are you tired?"

Xu Chengjun turned his head and saw Song Liangxi standing not far away with a glass of milk in her hand. The light yellow sweater she was wearing made her skin look like jade, but at this moment her bright face looked like it was covered with a layer of frost.

Her lips curled up slightly as if she were smiling, but there was no smile in her eyes at all; instead, it looked as if two small flames were flickering within them.

His tone was sarcastic and clearly barbed, but his voice was soft, so only the two of them could hear him clearly.

Looking at her puffed-up face and her forced composure, Xu Chengjun felt a little amused, but also a little helpless.

He shrugged and replied in an extremely innocent yet nonchalant tone, "Reporter Song, you're really wronging an innocent person. Last night, I had a casual meal with Fujii, the editor from Iwanami Shoten, and Ms. Matsuzaka, whom I met by chance. It was purely for work. Those newspapers will write anything for the sake of sales, and you actually believe them?"

His intention was to clarify, but to Song Liangxi, especially the address "Ms. Matsuzaka," it only added fuel to the fire.

She scoffed, raising her chin slightly: "Three people? Who knows if someone will leave halfway through the meal? The great writer Xu is incredibly charming; even the 'last beauty of the Showa era' threw herself at him in front of the TV station. What's so special about having dinner together? How could a small-time reporter like me not believe it?"

Her voice rose slightly as she spoke, carrying a hint of jealousy she herself was unaware of. Without waiting for Xu Chengjun to explain further, she turned and walked back to her seat, picking up a piece of bread and smearing it with butter as if the bread were the face of some despicable person.

Hey, no, what do I have to do with you?
This scene, witnessed by onlookers, further confirmed certain speculations.

Several young staff members exchanged knowing glances.

Just then, Du Pengcheng passed by carrying a tray. He had obviously overheard a few words, and a knowing smile spread across his face. He patted Xu Chengjun's shoulder forcefully, his voice booming:
"Chengjun, you're a young man, full of energy. It's fine for you to travel abroad and broaden your horizons! I understand! But let me give you a piece of advice,"

He lowered his voice, speaking with the tone of someone who's been there, "Just have some fun with her, you can't really marry a woman from that 'little Japanese' lifestyle! We should still find a proper, upright Chinese girl!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ai Wu, who was drinking porridge at the next table, slammed down his spoon and frowned, clearly having heard Du Pengcheng's words.

He reprimanded her sternly, his voice tinged with anger:
"Pengcheng! What nonsense are you spouting! Comrade Chengjun is here for a serious literary exchange! What kind of nonsense is this? What kind of behavior is this! We must be mindful of international influence! We must also maintain our integrity! The image of our literary and artistic workers in New China cannot be tarnished by these messy scandals!"

Du Pengcheng was embarrassed after being reprimanded by Ai Wu in public, and tried to retort with his neck stiff: "I was just concerned about the young people..."

Xu Chengjun was caught in the middle, listening to one of them "understanding and supporting" and the other "seriously criticizing" him. He felt like his head was about to explode and he was speechless.

This misunderstanding is so deep, it's impossible to clear it up even if you jump into the Yellow River!
He took a deep breath, knowing that he couldn't reason with these two in a short time.

His gaze swept across the restaurant, finally landing on the group leader, Ba Jin, who was sitting alone by the window, quietly having breakfast.

Xu Chengjun composed himself, ignoring the probing gazes around him, and walked straight to Ba Jin's table, bowing slightly:

"Good morning, Mr. Ba. I would like to report to you the truth about some of the inaccurate reports in some Japanese tabloids this morning."

Ba Jin was sipping his congee when he heard this. He looked up, adjusted his glasses, and his eyes, which had seen through the world, were filled with calm and understanding.

He gestured to the seat opposite him and said gently, "Chengjun, sit down and talk. I've seen a few of the newspapers too. They're just some attention-grabbing tricks; don't take them too seriously."

Xu Chengjun sat down and briefly explained the situation of having dinner with Fujii, Matsuzaka Keiko, and others the previous night, as well as how the tabloid reporter distorted the facts.

Ba Jin listened quietly, then slowly nodded, a faint smile on his face carrying a hint of helplessness and insight.

"The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. You are young, talented, and now you have gained fame, so it is natural that you will be in the eye of the storm. These things are unavoidable. The important thing is to have a sense of justice in your heart, to know what you should do and what you should not do, to act uprightly and honestly, and the rumors will naturally fall apart on their own."

He paused, his tone becoming more earnest: "However, Chengjun, sometimes you should keep in mind the old saying 'avoid suspicion in a melon patch or under a plum tree.' Avoid unnecessary social interactions if possible. Ultimately, your stage is your work."

Hearing Ba Jin's words, which were both inclusive and implicitly admonishing, Xu Chengjun felt somewhat relieved and quickly nodded, "Mr. Ba, I understand. Thank you for your guidance."

The commotion at the breakfast restaurant was probably just an unexpected little episode in his trip to Japan, and bigger waves may be yet to come.

He glanced at Song Liangxi, who was still sulking not far away, and then at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the restaurant. He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

These days are really... getting lively.

For the next three days, Xu Chengjun's schedule was packed full and colorful.

The activities on the itinerary mainly revolved around official arrangements, but because Ba Jin, Bing Xin and others had been deeply involved in the Japanese cultural scene for many years and had many old friends and acquaintances, the so-called "official exchanges" were often immersed in a gentle atmosphere woven from personal friendships, and the delegation almost never experienced a truly "fully staffed" collective action.

During his visit to the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Inoue Yasushi once again personally received him, held hands with Ba Jin and reminisced about the past. Their conversation was filled with a sense of peace that came with having experienced many vicissitudes and an expectation for the future.

In such situations, Xu Chengjun usually listens quietly, absorbing the wisdom and demeanor of his seniors.

However, when the conversation inadvertently turned to the younger generation, Inoue Yasushi would always cast an approving glance at him, and a few precise comments about "Red Silk" would make the Japanese people present not dare to underestimate this young man from China.

The real stage was a forum held between Waseda University and the Faculty of Letters at the University of Tokyo.

The topics focused on "comparative literature after the war" and "new developments in realism." Facing a large audience of top Japanese literature professors, sinologists, and sharp-eyed young students, Xu Chengjun was no longer just a passive listener.

His fluent English and decent Japanese, his extensive knowledge of postwar Japanese literature, and his unique insights into the Latin American "literary boom" and Western modernism repeatedly sparked mini-climaxes in the conference.

When conservative scholars questioned whether his "future narrative" in "The Box of Hope" deviated from the path of realism, he calmly explained his concept of "new realism," believing that true realism should not only depict the reality that already exists, but should also include a keen perception and artistic presentation of the reality that is about to emerge and that may be.

"Literature is not only a mirror, reflecting the past and the present; it should also be a searchlight, trying to illuminate the path ahead with a glimmer of light."

His eloquent and insightful arguments, drawing on classical texts, not only dispelled doubts but also spread the title of "Chinese Sinology genius," which began to resonate strongly even within academia.

During their visit to major publishing houses such as Iwanami Shoten and Kodansha, as well as the magnificent bookstores in Jimbocho, the delegation was deeply impressed by the mature market operation mechanism, exquisite book design, and large readership of the Japanese publishing industry.

Looking at the bustling crowds in the bookstore and the wide variety of books on the shelves, Xu Chengjun gained a deeper understanding of the logic behind the Japanese publishing industry and had higher expectations for the performance of his works in this market.

The expectation of making money~
In his private time, he was mostly accompanied by Fujii Shozo, immersing himself in the labyrinthine old bookstore district of Jimbocho.

On the one hand, with his forward-thinking knowledge and insight, he searched for classical books and academic works that were hard to find in China, especially first-hand information about Japanese folklore and social changes. On the other hand, he also accumulated material for his conceived book, "My Ambiguous Japan." The annotations between the yellowed pages and the everyday life in old magazines became unique slices of his observation of this complex country.

Fujii Shozo also introduced him to some emerging young writers and critics in Japan, such as Murakami Ryu, who was just beginning to make a name for himself in the literary world and was known for his delicate psychological descriptions (at the time, he had just caused a stir with "Approaching Infinite Transparent Blue"), and Kasai Kiyoshi, a critic with active ideas and expertise in cultural criticism.

In these more private and relaxed exchanges, free from the formality of official occasions, they talked about Salinger, Kerouac, rock music and the alienation of urban youth, and the collision of ideas sparked many new ideas.

The clash of ideas may have helped them gain more academic followers in this unfamiliar country.
Xu Chengjun keenly captures the confusion and restlessness hidden in the hearts of the younger generation beneath the surface of Japan's rapid economic development, which will become an important part of his "Ambiguous Japan".

During this time, Keiko Matsuzaka contacted him again as expected. Her voice on the phone carried a hint of resentment and barely perceptible anticipation as she invited him to enjoy the cherry blossoms at night.

"Xu Sang, the cherry blossoms of my hometown."

Xu Chengjun politely and tactfully declined, citing a full schedule and the need to prepare for subsequent academic exchanges. His words were both dignified and clearly demarcated.

However, whether by coincidence or design, one evening, Keiko Matsuzaka drove her rather stylish white Toyota Soarer sports car straight to the entrance of the New Otani Hotel and was caught red-handed by reporters who were lying in wait.

The next day, a new headline appeared in the tabloids:
"Decided to wait for the future!" It’s time for Keiko’s car to heal? The passion of a Chinese nobleman and a beautiful actress is softened"

(A determined wait! A healing moment spent together in Keiko's car? The Chinese nobleman's attitude softens towards the beautiful actress's passionate advances?)
The accompanying photos are a blurry picture of Keiko Matsuzaka leaning against the door of a sports car and looking out, and a moment when Xu Chengjun was photographed as he walked out of the hotel.

Xu Chengjun could only shake his head and smile wryly at the skill of interpreting pictures.

After three days of continuous media bombardment, academic appearances, and gossip, the name "Xu Chengjun" has truly begun to spread throughout the Japanese archipelago.

From the intellectual elite circles of central Tokyo to the citizens of Kyoto and Osaka, ancient capitals in the Kansai region, people are talking about this handsome, talented, bold, and somewhat mysterious young writer from China.

His image has been constantly shaped and disseminated—he is an academic rising star who challenges authority, a sharp commentator who causes intellectual upheaval, and a passionate and talented man who stirs up a pool of spring water.

"The Cabin" has not yet been broadcast.

"Red Silk" has not yet been widely distributed.

The anticipation has been built to the max.

Just as Xu Chengjun was creating a sensation in Tokyo, countless ears back home, interested in literature and concerned about national affairs, were closely following the delegation's every move.

In the early 1980s, the transmission of information mainly relied on wired loudspeakers that covered thousands of households and radios that required a knob to tune.

At 6:30 p.m., almost without fail, the solemn and familiar prelude to the "News and Newspaper Summary" program of Zhuang'er Radio Station emanates from loudspeakers throughout the city's government offices, factory workshops, school canteens, and rural fields.

The announcer's clear, authoritative voice flowed out amidst the crackling of the static:

"Our station reports: The delegation of writers from the University of Tokyo, currently visiting Japan, has had a busy schedule recently. They have visited the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association and held several fruitful exchange seminars with figures from the Japanese cultural and academic circles, further enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the literary circles of China and Japan..."

This formulaic reporting, to the average listener, may just be one of many foreign affairs news items.

But for those astute cultural figures, literary enthusiasts, and Xu Chengjun's readers, every word is worth careful consideration.

They can imagine literary giants like Ba Jin and Bing Xin chatting and laughing with their Japanese counterparts, and they can also vaguely sense a cultural confidence being rebuilt.

However, what truly stirred countless hearts and even provoked outrage was a short message that followed, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples:

"...According to Xinhua News Agency, Xu Chengjun, the youngest writer in the delegation, has officially signed a contract with Iwanami Shoten, one of the most influential academic publishing institutions in Japan. The Japanese version of his novel 'The Unbreakable Red Silk' will be officially released nationwide in Japan on the 8th of this month. This marks the first time that a work of Chinese literature from the new era has been proactively introduced and published by a mainstream Japanese publisher, signifying that contemporary Chinese literature is steadily moving towards the world literary scene with its unique artistic charm..."

"Iwanami Shoten!"

"Actively introduce them!"

"The 8th of this month! Just a few days from now!"

"Going global!"

These keywords, like electric currents, instantly pierced the eardrums of countless listeners and reached their hearts.

In the somewhat old office building of the China Writers Association in Beijing, a smoke-filled conference room had just finished a routine work meeting.

Before the leaders of the Writers' Association had even left their seats, the news coming from the wooden radio in the corner of the office made the air in the room freeze for a few seconds.

Deputy Director Liu picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and said with his usual caution, "This Xu Chengjun... is making a bigger and bigger fuss. Iwanami Shoten is a leading institution in academic publishing in Japan. It seems we should consider officially admitting him to the National Writers Association? It's not quite right for him to always be out there... fighting alone."

Upon hearing this, an older vice chairman, Mr. Wang, whose brows were habitually furrowed, immediately shook his head and put down his pen: "Too young, isn't he? He's only in his early twenties at most. He was just admitted to the Anhui Provincial Writers Association last year, which was already a great favor. To be admitted to the National Writers Association like this? It doesn't follow the rules! Our Writers Association still emphasizes seniority and believes in letting things happen naturally, not forcing growth."

"rule?"

A clear, slightly sharp voice broke in.

Everyone looked over and saw the middle-aged man who had been sitting by the window, silently flipping through documents, raise his head.

Zhang Guangnian's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible, sneer.

"Old Wang, Director Liu,"

Zhang Guangnian tapped the table lightly, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, "We're discussing a young man whose work has caused a huge sensation in China, whose magazine sold over 300,000 copies in a single issue, and who's now being actively sought out by Iwanami Shoten in Japan—you all know what that means—to publish a book. You're here talking about seniority and rules..."

He paused, leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpened, and his voice rose a few decibels:
"I'd like to ask you all, including myself, whose work was displayed in the window of Iwanami Shoten in Jimbocho, Tokyo when we were twenty years old? Whose work could have Japanese critics eagerly interpreting it and their readers lining up to buy it? Are your 'rules' more important than the fact that Chinese literature is truly 'going global'?"

Old Wang's face flushed instantly, his lips trembled as he tried to refute, but he found himself unable to find any compelling words.

Deputy Director Liu's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, the tea sloshing slightly.

Zhang Guangnian stopped looking at them and turned his gaze back to the window.

"If our Writers Association doesn't actively embrace such a promising talent and such momentum, are we supposed to wait until the world literary scene recognizes him before belatedly giving him a 'title'? That would be the biggest violation of the rules—the rules that are out of step with the times!"

(End of this chapter)