Back to 80: My Literary Life

Sun Lizhe signaled that he would wait here until he finished his work.

Finally signed the last book.

Fang Minghua told Evans, who had been accompanying him, that his friend was coming to pick me up and I would go with him. Thank you for your help during this time.

After speaking, he pointed at Sun Lizhe.

Evans knew what was going on, and wished Fang Minghua a few more days of fun in the United States. He could just send the bills and air tickets for these days, and the company would reimburse him.

"Mr. Minghua, don't forget the novel "The Love between Humans and Ghosts"!" Evans warned before leaving.

Peat.

Ask for your life.

Fang Minghua waved his hands and followed Sun Lizhe out of the bookstore.

"Congratulations, Minghua, for winning the National Book Critics Circle Award, and being accompanied by a beautiful writer. You are so lucky." Sun Lizhe joked.

"Yeah, I sign every day, and my hands are almost swollen when I sign." Fang Minghua said, rubbing his sore wrists.

"It shows that you are popular. Look, there are so many unsigned ones, so you are disappointed." Fang Minghua saw some readers leaving with books.

In other cities a few days ago, Fang Minghua often reached the end of the prescribed time, but when he saw the long queue, he still signed for a while to try his best to meet the readers' requirements.

But I don’t have that intention today.

He followed Su Lizhe into a Ford car and drove out of the city.

"Let's go to my house. Beiling (Sun Lizhe's wife) has made dumplings and is waiting for you." Sun Lizhe said.

"Dumplings? That's great! I've been eating Western food every day for more than ten days in the United States. I feel like vomiting after eating it!" Fang Minghua said happily.

"Originally, Bei Ling said that she would go to a restaurant to help you catch the wind and wash away the dust. I said forget it, don't go to so much trouble, and just give Minghua a dumpling meal. It will be more enjoyable than any French meal!"

"Haha, you still understand me! Of course, it would be even more perfect if I have another bowl of mutton dip." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"Hey, we don't know how to do that stuff. We'll eat dumplings today and pour oil on your noodles tomorrow!"

"Can you make fried noodles?"

"Forgot? I was in the queue in Qinbei! I love noodles the most, but I can't find buckwheat noodles in Chicago, so I make them with wheat noodles. It doesn't taste authentic."

The two chatted and laughed, and the car quickly left the city.

Sun Lizhe does not live in Chicago now, but in a town called Skokie in the northern suburbs. After half an hour's drive, the vehicle finally stopped in front of a building.

Very typical American suburban style - a two-story building with a small garden in front, a large car parked in the garage, and a basketball on the garage door.

"Not bad, we live in a villa." Fang Minghua praised.

"You also know that the company has achieved good results in the past few years, so we can't wrong ourselves, right?" Sun Lizhe said and took Fang Minghua into the house.

Different from the typical American-style houses outside, the inside has a typical Chinese living room layout, with a large sofa, a large TV, and various furniture. In the backyard, Fang Minghua actually found a barbecue grill!

"In Chicago, we have a lot of people from China, many of whom come to study with their families, so sometimes they come to my place on the weekends and we have a barbecue." Sun Lizhe explained.

"Tomorrow I won't eat fried noodles, I will eat barbecue!" Fang Minghua joked.

"No problem! I'll go to the city to do shopping tomorrow morning!" Sun Lizhe said and shouted towards the kitchen: "Beiling, come out, Minghua is here!"

Soon a middle-aged woman with short hair came out, her hands still stained with flour. It was Sun Lizhe's wife Wu Beiling.

Wu Beiling graduated with a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Northwestern University in the United States, but now she is not engaged in literary research but runs their company with Sun Lizhe.

"Sister-in-law." Fang Minghua greeted with a smile.

"Minghua, you're here. Let's talk to Lizhe first. The dumplings haven't been finished yet." Wu Beiling said.

"Do you want my help?"

"No, it'll be quick." After saying that, Wu Beiling entered the kitchen again.

Just at this moment, a boy ran in pulling a smaller girl.

"Call uncle." Sun Lizhe ordered.

The little boy glanced at Fang Minghua, who had the same skin color as himself, and seemed not to be surprised. He called out "Uncle." Then he pulled the little girl and ran out of the door. There was a quarrel.

"The two children are so naughty, it's almost unbearable." Sun Lizhe shook his head and said.

"Don't you want a nanny?"

"There are very few white people who work as nannies. I don't trust black nannies. I plan to bring my parents from China to take care of their two children." Sun Lizhe said.

"That's a good idea."

Wu Beiling made the dumplings and after they were cooked, the family began to eat.

"Oops, it's not dipping dumplings, it's sour soup dumplings!"

Fang Minghua watched the other party bring a large bowl with red spicy soup and green coriander floating in it. He was surprised and happy.

"I know you Xijing people love to eat sour soup dumplings. Try them. Are they authentic?" Wu Beiling said with a smile.

"Then I won't be polite."

Fang Minghua is really welcome.

I ate two big bowls in one go and was sweating profusely.

"Comfortable." Fang Minghua rubbed his swollen belly.

After dinner, it was getting late and Wu Beiling had to take care of the children. Fang Minghua and Sun Lizhe sat in the backyard and chatted.

The sky is full of stars, the surroundings are quiet, and the evening breeze is particularly pleasant.

"What a great place," Fang Minghua couldn't help but sigh.

"Envy? Why don't you come to the United States with your children and wife? Come to Chicago and let's be neighbors." Sun Lizhe said with a smile.

Fang Minghua shook his head.

"I think it's better to stay in China, but it would be nice to buy a house here and live here occasionally to experience the exotic customs."

"Haha, you will also enjoy it. Then go to Los Angeles or Seattle. The scenery there is beautiful and the climate is not bad. Chicago is still a bit cold. I almost forgot. How is Tiesheng doing now? I received an email from him during the Chinese New Year this year. Letter, saying that with your help, he was admitted to the 301 Hospital and cured of his kidney disease." Sun Lizhe asked.

"I went to Yanjing for a meeting last month and saw him. His complexion was much better than before. You also know that his disease is impossible to cure and can only be controlled."

"Yes." Sun Lizhe sighed. "Tie Sheng's half life has been full of disasters. Only people like him can withstand it. Others would have collapsed a long time ago."

"So, I admire that about him."

"Hey, by the way, I almost forgot to let you see the company's financial statements. I'll get them for you." Sun Lizhe was about to stand up, but was stopped by Fang Minghua.

"No need. Didn't you already send me the financial statement during the Spring Festival? No need to read it again."

In the past three years, the Wanguo Graphic Typesetting Company run by Sun Lizhe has developed rapidly. According to the financial statements sent to Fang Minghua during the Spring Festival this year, the company's assets have reached US$5 million. Last year, it made a profit of US$900,000. It also opened a branch in Los Angeles.

"Lizhe, do you plan to return to China to develop your career? Computer typesetting technology for graphics and text is still a new industry in our country," Fang Minghua said.

Sun Lizhe pondered for a moment; "My focus now is still in the United States. The momentum here is also good. After all, my children and my wife have come here. As for returning to China for development, I will wait a few years to discuss it."

In this case, Fang Minghua didn't say much.

For Sun Lizhe's company, he only made financial investments and did not interfere with the other party's planning and operations.

"Hey, by the way, I want to go to the stock exchange tomorrow and buy some stocks. There's not much point in keeping the money in the banking industry." Fang Minghua said his plan.

"You want to buy stocks?!" Sun Lizhe was shocked when he heard this: "Don't you know that the United States just experienced a stock market crash?"