Reborn in 1977

The sidecar motorcycle I borrowed before was parked behind the kitchen of the small building. After uncovering the oilcloth, Chen Fan checked it, and it started up normally. He slowly drove it out.

The Changjiang 750 motorcycle only has two independent seats, with a raised ring-shaped handle in the middle of the seats, making it look old-fashioned.

Most importantly, unlike the sofa seats of later motorcycles, where several people can squeeze together, this motorcycle can only seat two people, plus one more in the sidecar.

In this way, the Jiang sisters had to ride their own bikes. After Jiang Lili closed the courtyard door, the five people set off slowly towards Julu Road in three vehicles.

Zhou Yali sat behind her cousin, holding the handrail tightly with both hands. At first, she was a little excited, but after driving less than a kilometer, she couldn't stand it anymore. She said with a bitter face, "Little brother, isn't there any other car?"

Chen Fan didn't turn his head back, "Then you go sit behind Lili?"

Zhou Yali glanced at the bicycle Jiang Lili was riding and stuck out her tongue gently, "Forget it, I'll just sit on this one."

At least the motorcycle seat has some shock absorption function, but the bicycle's back seat is just an iron frame. She was a little worried that her butt would be bumped badly.

(Changjiang 750, actually not that bumpy)

At this time, Zhao Wanru, who was sitting in the sidecar, smiled and said, "Xiaofan, why not give you a car? Although you have a car of your own, it's in the provincial capital. Lili and Tiantian will live here for four years, so having a car would be more convenient."

Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian, who were pedaling hard beside her, quickly shook their heads when they heard this, "No need, no need..."

What a joke! They were already high-profile enough riding bicycles every day. If they drove a car, what would that be like?

Besides, they can't drive either.

Before they could finish speaking, Chen Fan glanced at the two of them and said with a smile, "I've already made arrangements. In at most one or two months, there will be a car to use."

The two sisters were immediately dumbfounded, almost unable to hold the handlebars.

He really made arrangements?

Zhou Yali's eyes flickered slightly, "Is it a car you designed yourself?"

Zhao Wanru was also full of surprise, "A car designed this year can be launched this year?"

Doesn't it need to be tested?

"Yes, it's a kind of small multi-purpose passenger and cargo vehicle that I designed."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "China is not like foreign countries, where there are so many vehicle tests. Only a few key safety tests are needed."

As for domestic units, sometimes the efficiency is very low, but sometimes the efficiency can be very high.

These two cars, which have been approved by FAW and the First Ministry of Machinery Industry, belong to the category where efficiency can be very high. If Chen Fan estimates correctly, it should be launched as early as this month, that is, June, or no later than July. Saying one or two months is no problem at all.

As for the car license plate, he had already discussed it with Old Ba. As long as he could find a car, Old Ba would agree to register it under the unit's name for his use.

At that time, he might even be able to help Yunhu Automobile Factory sell a few cars.

And what he reserved for himself was naturally a van. That kind of grand car was not suitable for him. It was too high-profile and easily attracted criticism. A small van was good enough, it was fast and could carry a lot.

It wasn't far from home to the Writers Association, a distance of 3.5 kilometers. If it weren't for considering that the two sisters were riding bicycles, they could have arrived in a few minutes.

Even so, they arrived at their destination in just over ten minutes.

No. 675 Julu Road is the location of the Shanghai Writers Association.

(Here)

This building was designed by the famous Hungarian architect Hudec. Yes, it is the same designer as Sun Dashao's villa across from Chen Fan's house. It was originally the former residence of Liu Jisheng, a famous industrialist, and was also one of the top garden villas in Shanghai at that time. A beautiful marble goddess statue stands in the garden, and because this villa was Liu Jisheng's 40th birthday gift to his wife Chen Dingzhen, it was known as the "Garden of Eros".

Since 1953, the predecessor of the Shanghai Writers Association, the East China Writers Association, has used this place as its office.

To this day, and "today".

At the same time, the editorial departments of well-known magazines such as "Mengya", "Harvest", and "Shanghai Literature" are also located here.

Jiang Tiantian learns at the editorial department in this place every time.

(Inside the Shanghai Writers Association, the main building was restored and opened for visits, but as part of the Writers Association compound, some people still work inside. It is more grand and beautiful than Chen Fan's small western-style building)

Chen Fan drove the sidecar motorcycle flamboyantly into the yard. The roar of the engine immediately attracted the attention of many people.

A few months ago, he was brought here by Old Ba and stayed for a whole day, so he was naturally no stranger to it. Someone immediately greeted him, "Little Chen, you're here."

Chen Fan drove the car into the corner and waved to them, "Long time no see."

Then he took out the key and got out of the car, took out cigarettes and distributed them around, "Is Old Ba in?"

The person closest to him pointed to the small building, "Inside, do you want me to take you over?"

At the same time, his eyes glanced at the four girls behind him. He had seen Jiang Tiantian before, and the one who looked very similar to her should be her sister. Why was her sister closer to Chen Fan? Didn't Little Chen ask Old Ba for help to get Jiang Tiantian in to study? Then isn't she Chen Fan's girlfriend?

Hiss, my brain is a little itchy.

Looking at the other two women, needless to say, they were obviously overseas Chinese who had just returned to China. Although Shanghai women pay attention to exquisiteness, it also depends on the environment. At least they don't usually wear makeup and wear gold and silver.

So Little Chen also has overseas connections?

Chen Fan glanced at him, "No need, no need."

Saying that, he walked inside, and the others followed closely behind.

Passing through the front hall, the central hall has a hollow space, and you can see the stairs to the top floor when you look up...

Here is a spiral staircase. Climbing up the steps, they soon arrived at Old Ba's office.

At this time, Old Ba was writing at his desk. Hearing the knock, he shouted without raising his head, "Come in."

Chen Fan pushed the door open. As soon as he entered, he waved his hand and smiled, "Old Ba."

Old Ba raised his head, his mouth already grinning, "So it's you."

Saying that, he put the pen cap on and stood up, holding the table. He looked at the few women behind him again, "What is this?"

Chen Fan quickly introduced, "This is my aunt Zhao Wanru, this is my cousin Zhou Yali, we have something to ask you."

Then he pointed to the Jiang sisters and said with a smile, "Tiantian doesn't need to be introduced, this is Lili, Tiantian's sister, also my girlfriend, she especially admires you, considers you as her idol, and followed me when she heard that I was coming over."

Old Ba was stunned for a moment, the younger sister is the girlfriend? Did I guess wrong?

However, after all, he had seen the world. When Zhao Wanru and the others greeted him, he came back to his senses, nodded with a smile, and gestured, "Good, good, come, come, sit here."

After everyone was seated, he was about to get a cup to pour tea, but Chen Fan helped him to sit on the sofa, "Just leave this little thing to me."

Old Ba laughed and didn't refuse. He turned to look at Zhao Wanru, "Ms. Zhao, right? What can I do for you?"

Zhao Wanru immediately took out a check for two thousand US dollars from her bag, put it on the coffee table with both hands, and gently pushed it in front of Old Ba.

Then, meeting Elder Ba's questioning gaze, she said with a hint of apology, "Elder Ba, hello. It's like this..."

She explained the whole story, and Elder Ba couldn't help but laugh loudly, "Hahaha, I didn't expect that someone would be sending me money today."

Just as Chen Fan came over with tea, he smiled at him and said, "Wouldn't you call this a windfall?"

Chen Fan clicked his tongue and deliberately turned his head away, "This is nothing!"

He pointed at Zhao Wanru, "I heard from my aunt that there are many publishing houses overseas that have published your works without your authorization. If you really want to recover all of that, it would be more than ten times this amount."

Elder Ba adjusted his glasses and looked at him amusedly, "But I don't know which publishing houses they are, and I can't go abroad, so I can't collect the money."

Chen Fan immediately patted his chest, "It doesn't matter, my uncle is a lawyer in the United States. You write an authorization to him, and then let him give you a big discount, only charging you 10% handling fee, which is very cost-effective!"

When Zhao Wanru heard this, her eyes lit up immediately, and she quickly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, I almost forgot."

She smiled at Elder Ba and said, "You only need to write an authorization letter to entrust the overseas copyright to my husband for agency, and we guarantee that we can recover all the royalties you deserve."

Speaking of this, she glared at Chen Fan again, "Forget about the handling fee, don't take it seriously. Just consider it a little compensation for publishing your work without obtaining your consent in advance."

Elder Ba leaned back in his chair, raised his hand and waved, and said with a smile, "There is no problem in entrusting it to you, but on the one hand, I need to obtain the consent of the organization to allow my books to be published overseas before I can issue this authorization letter.

On the other hand..."

He raised his hand and pointed at Chen Fan, "Your nephew still understands me. I don't want to do things that don't involve money. Just follow your industry rules, how much it should be is how much it should be, fair and just, good for you and for me."

"This?"

Zhao Wanru looked at Chen Fan, and when she saw him nod slightly, she said with a smile, "Okay, then we'll do it according to your wishes."

At this time, Chen Fan suddenly interjected, "Aunt, when you return to China, please make a list of those that are very few in number, and see which other domestic writers' works besides Elder Ba's have also been published overseas without authorization, and give me the list."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Elder Ba and said with a smile, "Elder Ba, when the list is sent over, you should also say hello to Mr. Mao Dun and try to get authorization for those that can be authorized, so that it can be regarded as indirect foreign exchange earnings."

When Elder Ba heard this, he couldn't help but nod, "I haven't thought of this. Well, your idea is good, even a mosquito's leg is still meat, it's good to earn a little."

He laughed again, "I just want to buy a batch of foreign literary works for the organization, and I'm worried about where to ask for foreign exchange funds. With this money, I don't have to ask anyone, it can be regarded as self-reliance."

After he finished speaking, he picked up the check on the coffee table, stood up and walked to his desk, and made a phone call.

After a while, a clerk came in, and Elder Ba handed over the money, "This is the manuscript fee sent to me by overseas Chinese in the United States. You hand it over to the finance department first, and then decide how to deal with it after I report it to the General Assembly."

The clerk took the check with both hands, smiled at Chen Fan when he turned around, and couldn't help but glance at the two overseas Chinese ladies before walking out quickly.

After the door was closed, Elder Ba returned to the sofa and sat down, smiling at Chen Fan and said, "Aren't you studying with Mr. Xu at Jiangda University? Why are you here in Shanghai?"

Chen Fan was a little surprised, "You also know Teacher Xu?"

Elder Ba gave him a look, "That's a fresh question. He is an authority in the field of Sinology, a master of Sinology who has a very deep understanding of classical literature and the Confucian and Taoist classics. I think you lack a very good understanding of your own teacher."

Chen Fan swallowed and chuckled dryly, "Respect is enough, understanding can come slowly."

Zhao Wanru and the others next to him looked surprised. Is Chen Fan's current teacher so powerful? Even Mr. Ba Jin admires him so much?

Elder Ba stared at Chen Fan and said sternly, "Although Mr. Xu doesn't have novels that are famous all over the world, his literary cultivation is very profound. His works are well-known in the industry. For us, he is equivalent to serious literature relative to popular novels, and even the difference is even greater.

You are fortunate enough to study with Mr. Xu, you must work hard, and one day you may become a leading figure."

Chen Fan nodded lightly, "Yes, I remember, I will."

Leading figure or something, forget it, but now that I am studying and doing research with Professor Xu, after delving into it, I really found the fun in it.

Now that Elder Ba said this, it seems that this golden body is even thicker than the national membership of the Writers Association. Since this is the case, he will certainly not treat it lightly. It would be nice to get the title of National Studies Expert at that time.

At least I can speak louder, and not many people dare to argue with me.

Elder Ba nodded slightly with satisfaction, and then asked, "Then you came to Shanghai this time to accompany your relatives?"

Chen Fan nodded with a smile, and looked at Zhao Wanru and the other, "My uncle and aunt came back to China specifically to find me this time,"

As he spoke, he gestured, "We lost contact before and were out of touch for many years."

Elder Ba said "Oh" and nodded gently.

Since the end of last year, such things have become more and more common, and he has heard people say a lot about them, but he didn't expect this kind of thing to happen to Chen Fan.

According to the information here, Chen Fan is still a young man from a production team in the inland area. In comparison, most of the overseas Chinese are looking for relatives in the coastal areas, and there are far fewer in the inland.

Of course, it's just relatively few, not none. It was so chaotic back then, not to mention the Jiangnan area, even if you found someone in Sichuan and Chongqing, it would be understandable.

Chen Fan continued, "After I accompanied my uncle and aunt back to my hometown, I accompanied them to several other places to deal with other things. Shanghai is the last stop. After my uncle visits his old friends, they will return to China at noon tomorrow."

He smiled again, "I wanted to come to Shanghai, so I couldn't not visit you. Then my aunt heard me say I was coming over, and she immediately remembered that she hadn't given you the royalties yet, so she came with me to send you the money."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Wanru immediately added, "At the same time, I also wanted to see you. After all, your reputation in the overseas Chinese community is outstanding. You are a great writer praised by everyone. Now that I have returned to China, since I have the opportunity, I naturally want to pay my respects."

Elder Ba laughed and waved his hands, "You are very kind."

Then he smiled at Chen Fan and said, "It's not easy to come here, and it happens that 'Shanghai Spy Shadow' is about to be published and listed, why not hold a simple symposium."

Chen Fan's face stiffened slightly, "There's no problem with holding a symposium, but please excuse me from writing, my hand hurts."