Chapter 657 - 384: The Meaning of Literature (3)

The three of them had discussed this issue before, but Li Peifeng and Yu Hua didn’t expect Zhao Qingge to ask so directly, with no room for evasion.

Li Peifeng glanced at Shen Liao in the audience, who looked excited, and thought to himself, you’ve got someone to ask my question for me. Old Zhao’s words might as well have said "contemporary literature is dead," because that’s what they meant.

The other audience members were also invigorated by Zhao Qingge’s remarks, whispering among themselves, while a few professors from the School of Arts and Sciences frowned slightly.

Zhao Qingge’s words spoke the truth for many, but they also uncovered some uncomfortable truths for others.

"Dean Chen, didn’t Professor Zhao let you review the lecture script beforehand?"

An elderly professor from the School of Arts and Sciences sounded slightly dissatisfied.

Chen Shucheng shook his head: "What script for this kind of lecture? Once the theme is set, you just speak your mind."

Another professor suggested politely, "Considering it’s a lecture for the entire school, maybe Professor Zhao should be more cautious. Should we have someone remind her on stage?"

"It’s all normal literary discussion and criticism, no inappropriate topics. What’s there to remind her about?"

Some professors who, like Zhao Qingge, focused on online literature, spoke up, while others remained neutral, advising, "Let’s listen more; it’s an in-school academic lecture. As long as it’s about literature, anything can be discussed."

At this point, the professors in the front row fell silent, and Chen Shucheng focused on the three on stage, thinking that Zhao Qingge was trying to pave the way and build momentum not just for her student... no, her boyfriend.

Ha, the fusion of traditional and online literature—she’s found a model to establish... planning to use Yu Hua to push Li Peifeng and online literature forward, the bond between the teacher and student is indeed extraordinary!

"This issue is actually an old one."

After his initial surprise, Yu Hua quickly responded with a smile, "The imagination of writers can’t keep up with the current magical realism—that’s a universal issue. It’s not just domestic; it’s the same abroad. Reality is too absurd; you can never catch up with it. I envy reality! We always say literature is above reality, but that’s a lie; it’s impossible."

"As for web novels like ’Sword and Law,’ which imagine a bizarre world, even though the setting isn’t the real world, I see that its core isn’t different from realistic novels. Realistic novels take the main road, while bizarre novels take side paths. Whether it’s bizarre or absurd novels, there’s no hierarchy; the purpose is to reach reality. Of course, the main road is safe, fast, and has security guards along the way."

"Taking side paths might get you lost, take you further, or be more indirect, but it seems more interesting, more thought-provoking, though you must be discreet..."

Yu Hua looked at Li Peifeng and smiled, "As the saying goes, don’t flaunt your wealth. If you’re taking side paths, do it discreetly, or you’ll easily encounter robbers. In this regard, I think you’re doing well—quite restrained."

Then, Yu Hua elaborated on avant-garde literature, and switched topics to his age: "A long time ago, I was an avant-garde writer, but that was a long time ago. Now I’m sixty-two. It’s a bit inappropriate for people like us to be avant-garde again. You do things according to your age. Now I’ll be a bit more sentimental, a bit more realistic... As for the future, it’s up to you young people here."

"Clap clap clap~"

Thunderous applause erupted, with Zhao Qingge and Li Peifeng joining the clapping from the stage. After six or seven seconds, the applause gradually waned.

The topics of the lecture shifted and changed, oscillating between heavy and light, intense and soothing.

More than an hour flew by, with Zhao Qingge controlling the pace throughout. Seeing the time, she opened up the Q&A session.

Having learned from Li Peifeng’s previous lecture, Zhao Qingge, as the host, decided who would answer. For those good-looking girls who stood up with their hands raised high, Old Zhao chose to ignore them, opting to let more boys answer.

Most of the questions were innocuous, apart from those concerning their works. Some asked if Yu Hua was writing a new book, others asked how to pursue a PhD under his supervision. Some asked if Li Peifeng encountered any setbacks in his online literature career—where should one start if they wanted to write online novels.

The two responded fluently. Seeing the time approaching nine o’clock, Zhao Qingge chose the last questioner, a glasses-wearing male student.

"My question is directed at both Teacher Yu and Feng Liang Er. It’s very simple: what are your respective annual manuscript fees?"

"Wow~~"

There was a chorus of exclamations from the audience, followed by a wave of laughter. Clearly, everyone was curious.

This was a bit tricky!

Yu Hua and Li Peifeng exchanged a silent glance, mutually agreeing this was probably the toughest question of the lecture. Zhao Qingge’s was nothing in comparison...

Why?

Yu Hua had already said: don’t flaunt your wealth!

One was a teacher and the other a student at the university. Revealing their manuscript fees truthfully in this setting could cause unnecessary trouble on campus.

Yu Hua had faced the same question from friends before, opting for a roundabout answer: I live off ’To Live.’

This phrase became a popular catchphrase...

"You first," Yu Hua graciously urged with a smile.

Li Peifeng also demurred, "You are the elder, you should answer first."

Yu Hua laughed heartily, "I’m the elder, so I’ll let you answer first."

Agh, damn it! Playing the seniority card?

Li Peifeng took the microphone, feeling a bit troubled. But after hesitating for two seconds, the student with the microphone laughed and said, "I hope you both answer honestly, especially Senior Li Peifeng. Just this morning, I saw you driving a Mercedes G-Class out of the neighborhood!"

"Ah~~"

"Boo~~~~"

"Scumbag!!"

Now everyone in the audience shouted all sorts of things, and Li Peifeng calmly explained, "I need to clarify, that car was lent to me by someone else, I didn’t buy it, and it hasn’t been registered under my name... As for my manuscript fees, after taxes, last year’s was about two to three million. This year isn’t over yet, so I don’t know."

After speaking, he looked at Yu Hua. The audience accused him of evading the important points, being severely cunning, but Li Peifeng pretended not to hear.

"You might not believe this, but I really don’t know my manuscript fees either," Yu Hua said, comfortably telling a white lie. "I have two cards, one for my salary, and one for my manuscript fees. The salary card is with me, but the manuscript fee card is with my wife... Hey, this reminds me, when I get home, I should ask her what my annual manuscript fee is."

...