Lin Chaoyang thought that it would be a good choice to let reporters from the "United Daily News" supplement go to Xiangjiang to interview him when he returned to Xiangjiang, but Lin Haiyin insisted on doing the interview in mainland China.

There is certainly something to say here.

The obvious reason is that the Neustadt International Literature Prize has just been announced, which is when everyone’s attention is highest. Seizing the time to do interviews can catch the audience’s attention.

When Lin Chaoyang stayed in the mainland for a few days and then returned to Xiangjiang for an interview, and then the interview was published in the newspaper, the day lilies were already cold.

The underlying reason why Lin Haiyin insisted on doing this was related to a public case three years ago.

In 1987, when the two sides of the Taiwan Strait opened up family visits, the Bay Island's Zili Evening News sent reporters to the mainland via Japan for interviews, and received a warm welcome from the mainland.

However, it caused an uproar on the island. The island's government announced that the two journalists who went to the mainland for reporting had violated the criminal law of the island and other relevant laws, and wanted to sentence them.

Fortunately, due to the support of a large number of well-known figures in the press and cultural circles, the matter was finally settled.

After the Zili Evening News incident, the island imposed stricter restrictions on journalists traveling to the mainland.

In the minds of many Bay Island people, going to the mainland for interviews has thus become a very symbolic meaning.

In the eyes of many media and reporters, this incident has become similar to the invitation of the ancient imperial envoys to fight for their future.

In the following days, Lin Chaoyang continued to participate in activities.

In the past few days, dozens or hundreds of media outlets across the country have reported the news that he won the Neustadt International Literature Prize, and the news spread throughout the streets and alleys of the country.

Wherever he went to participate in activities, literary young people gathered in large crowds, with endless applause and flowers, and he became a literary idol.

It has also given a solid boost to the morale of the domestic people who have experienced the Asian Games.

During this period, the "United Daily News" supplement has been working hard for reporters to go to mainland China for interviews.

It was not until late October that the reporter from the "United Daily News" supplement finally flew to Yanjing.

In order to show the grandeur, the editor-in-chief of the "United Daily News" supplement, Zheng Xian, took the lead and brought two reporters to Yanjing.

According to the current regulations, Zheng Xian and others must first be received by the Journalists Association, and they can only conduct interviews when accompanied by comrades of the Journalists Association.

The Journalists Association originally wanted to arrange the interview to a relatively high-end venue, such as the Yanjing Hotel or the Great Wall Hotel, but Zhengxian had to visit Lin Chaoyang in person.

That morning, a group of people came by car from East Chang'an Street and passed by Tiananmen Square. The car turned around and then turned into Daliubukou Street.

"Mr. Lin lives very close to Tiananmen Square!" Zhengxian asked.

Cao Yiwen from the Journalists Association said with a smile: "Indeed, this place was placed at the feet of the emperor who used to be a serious emperor, and the yard of Comrade Chaoyang's house is not ordinary."

Two reporters traveling with Zhongxian also hold editorial positions. One is Su Weizhen, a middle-aged man, and the other is Yu Bixiao, a young woman who has only been with the supplement for two years.

Hearing this, Yu Bixiao showed a somewhat inquiring gaze. Since coming to the mainland, he has seen many tall buildings.

But there were more low-rise bungalows, and she didn't think Lin Chaoyang's residence could be that different.

The car stopped at the entrance of Xiaoliubukou Alley, and a few people got out of the car and walked. After walking for a while, they saw a courtyard door open, and there were vague sounds of busy people inside.

Xianxian and the others looked around the courtyard curiously, but saw no one in the courtyard. They only saw a sign hanging at the door that read "Author's Home".

Xian looked at the sign and asked Cao Yiwen, "This is————

"This is the west courtyard of Comrade Chaoyang's house. Comrade Chaoyang is very hospitable and there are always many guests at home.

Writers and editors from Yanjing often gather here. When writers from other places come to Beijing, this is the first place they think of.

His courtyard has a nickname called ‘Folk Literary Association’. Do you know about the Literary Association?”

Ao Xian nodded, "Understood."

"It seems that Mr. Lin is very popular in the literary world."

Su Weizhen said: "Mr. Lin is a character like Lin Haiyin."

In the 1950s and 1960s, the living room of Lin Haiyin's house was known as "half of the literary world of Bay Island".

Zheng Xian tilted his head slightly, quite approving of Su Weizhen's evaluation.

Several people stopped at the entrance of the west courtyard for a while before continuing to walk into the alley.

Arriving at the entrance of the east courtyard, the courtyard door here is still open.

Su Weizhen noticed the "Xunweizhai" plaque and couplets hanging on the door. Before he could ask anything, Cao Yiwen knocked the door knocker.

After waiting for a while, a young man ran out of the courtyard.

"Is Comrade Chaoyang here? I'm Cao Yiwen from the Journalists Association. I had a phone call with him yesterday."

The young man said: "Here, please come in quickly! Teacher Chaoyang has already said that there are guests coming today."

The young man let Cao Yiwen and others into the yard, and introduced himself enthusiastically: "My name is Yu Hua. I happened to have written a novel, and I came to ask Teacher Chaoyang to help me correct it."

Cao Yiwen was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the young man in front of him was Yu Hua.

After greeting Yu Hua, he introduced Yu Hua to Xian and others, saying, "This is also a relatively famous young writer in our mainland."

Xian smiled and said, "I know, I know."

Yu Hua asked carelessly: "Do you still know me?"

"Of course I do. In the past two years, some publishers in the Bay Island have published a lot of novels by mainland writers, mostly in collections. Our "United Daily News" supplement has also reprinted some articles."

Yu Hua smiled and said, "I really didn't expect that."

After saying hello and chatting for a while, Xian asked Yu Hua, "Is anyone else here today?"

"No. I handed the manuscript to Teacher Chaoyang last week, and in time for the weekend, I thought I would ask Teacher Chaoyang what he thought. I didn't know you were coming."

Yu Hua looked a little embarrassed as he spoke.

While the few people were talking, they just turned into the hanging flower door and saw a man with a gentle temperament walking out of the inner courtyard.

"I'm sorry, I'm so far away from you!" The man quickly stepped forward when he saw a few people.

"Hello, Comrade Chaoyang, I am Cao Yiwen who spoke to you on the phone yesterday. This is the reporter from the United Daily News of Bay Island.

The editor-in-chief of the supplement is Xian, and these two are the editors Su Weizhen and Yu Bixiao."

"Welcome welcome!"

Lin Chaoyang shook hands with Zhong Xian and others and exchanged polite greetings.

Yu Bixiao's eyes glanced around the courtyard, feeling that the courtyard was indeed very impressive.

She was particularly interested in the goldfish bowl and trees in the yard because they reminded her of Lin Yutang's description of the courtyard house:

Every house there has a yard, and in each yard there is a goldfish tank and a pomegranate tree.

Unfortunately, there are no pomegranate trees in the courtyard, only two tall plane trees.

"Why aren't there any pomegranate trees planted in the courtyard?" Yu Bixiao suddenly asked, somewhat presumptuously.

Lin Chaoyang smiled and replied: "There are pomegranate trees in the west courtyard. The plane trees were originally planted here. These two trees came earlier than me and are the real owners."

The elegance of the literati struck their faces, making Xian and the others secretly admire him.

Lin Chaoyang let a few more people into the main room. Yu Hua finished pouring the tea and huddled quietly in the corner, with no intention of leaving.

Lin Chaoyang glanced at him, knowing that he just wanted to watch the fun, so he didn't say anything.

Zhongxian and the others came all the way, so of course they couldn't be interviewed right away. He and Lin Chaoyang both knew Lin Haiyin. With this common acquaintance, there was a topic.

After chatting with Lin Haiyin for a while, Xian told Lin Chaoyang some of the reviews of his novels in Bay Island. They all received good reviews, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

"Mr. Lin is familiar with Sanmao?" Su Weizhen asked.

Lin Chaoyang waved his hand, "It can only be regarded as a close acquaintance, I have never met him in person."

"I heard that the two of them even gave each other gifts, and Brigitte Lin handed them over on her behalf."

"Yes." Lin Chaoyang told the story about Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin helping to deliver the gifts. Zhengxian sighed: "The friendship between gentlemen here is as light as water."

Yu Bixiao is very young, and her focus on this matter is the participation of the two female stars, which feels like it adds a bit of legend.

The whole morning passed in small talk. As noon approached, Cao Yiwen looked at his watch and figured out where it would be better to invite Zhongxian and the others to eat at noon.

Lin Chaoyang noticed his movements and took the initiative to say: "It's already noon, let's have some food at home."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and said to Hua: "Please help greet the guests for a while."

"Okay!"

Yu Hua agreed happily and was very happy. He didn't expect that he could still have a meal.

Cao Yiwen didn't expect Lin Chaoyang to cook in person. He smiled and said to the others: "Comrade Chaoyang's cooking skills are very famous in the writer circle. You can have a try today."

"I have heard from Ms. Haiyin." When Xian said this, there was a look of expectation in his eyes.

At this time, Yu Hua said: "Teacher Chaoyang's craftsmanship is indeed good, but it's a pity that he hasn't treated me to guests in the past two years. I used to expect to win a national award and let him treat me to a meal."

Yu Bixiao curiously asked Yu Hua what the relationship was between "treating" and "winning a prize".

"This matter is so relevant——"

Yu Hua told the origin of the Xunweizhai Cultural Salon, then smacked his lips with an expression of deep regret.

"This year, after the Zhuang Chongwen Literary Award was awarded, I was treated to a treat, but it was said that the quality was average and the chef was hired from Tan Jia Cuisine."

After listening to Yu Hua's introduction, Xianxian and others couldn't help but yearn for it. They didn't expect that there was such a tradition that was not traditional in the mainland literary world.
To be continued...