Chapter 37 Thirty-six

8:00 a.m.: I opened the daily newspaper and read a few yellow texts in the supplement. 9:15 am: I want to drink, but the bottle is empty.I leaned on the desk and finished writing the serial novels of the two newspapers. 10:30 in the morning: Mrs. Lei came back from the street and said that there was a book stuffed in the mailbox. When she opened it, it turned out to be the second issue of "Avant-Garde Literature".I seemed to see an old friend who had been reunited for a long time, and my mood suddenly became tense.However, after I read the text briefly, I was greatly disappointed.Mehman was unable to find a work of a higher standard; at the same time, in translation, he mistakenly selected some old things; one discussed the realism of Dickens; the other studied Shakespeare's comedies.Dickens and Shakespeare are undoubtedly two giants in the history of world literature; but a literary magazine titled avant-garde should introduce more recent works and trends of thought within its limited space.In fact, there are countless special books on Dickens and Shakespeare, and "Avant-garde Literature" occasionally publishes one or two reviews, which will never have any effect.Such an approach is obviously contrary to the purpose of creating this magazine.But I have become a person who earns a living by writing yellow texts, so of course I am not qualified to give Holmen any advice.With a sigh, I threw this "Avant-Garde Literature" into the wastebasket.

12:30 noon: I eat a borscht meal in the golden carriage. While eating, I think of my younger brothers Si and Kafkas in Shanghai Joffre Road in the old days.How those Belarusians who have no motherland use ancient cooking methods to earn the curiosity of the Chinese. 2:30 p.m.: I'm watching a movie in a luxury theater.An old film, still without losing its original luster. 4:30pm: I meet an old classmate on Yee Wo Street.He asked me in surprise when I came to Hong Kong, and I said it was more than ten years.He said that he has lived here for more than ten years, so why has he never met me.So we walked into the beautiful Shochiku restaurant together.He ordered coffee; I ordered tea.He offered me a cigarette, but it was a cheap cigarette, very hot in the mouth.When asked about his current situation, he said that he worked as a handyman in an import and export firm.After I heard it, I was in a daze for a long time, and I tasted a kind of desolation (a college graduate, in order to make a living, actually worked as a handyman in an import and export firm. What kind of world is this? What era is this?) But he was still laughing; so peaceful.He said he understood what I meant; and explained in an optimistic tone.According to him: It is not a shameful thing for college graduates to be handymen; even if they pull rickshaws, it is by no means shameful.The important thing is: Can I be content with poverty?Can you reduce your desires?Can you accept the reality calmly?

5:30 p.m.: I broke up with this old classmate at the intersection, looking at his back, I saw an ordinary giant. 5:35 p.m.: Walking into a bookstore, someone made photocopies of the 120 chapters of "Dream of Red Mansions", the second wood typesetting edition of Qianlong's son Cheng Weiyuan, who had marked and corrected it in detail.This is a major event in the publishing industry in recent years, and it is worthy of praise. If the general profit-seeking pirates are willing to do some good things like this, it will definitely have an extremely good influence on the next generation.

6:00 pm: Sitting on a bench in Victoria, watching the setting sun dye the clouds 6:40pm: Walk along King's Road towards North Point.Ten years ago, Beijiao looked like a country girl without makeup; today's Beijiao is a lady with heavy makeup and gorgeous clothes. 7:15 p.m.: Drink Huadiao at the 456 restaurant.The guy especially recommends the new razor clams.I want a plate.It has been fourteen years since I left Shanghai.Haven't tasted razor clams for fourteen years.Thinking of the past like smoke, I can't tell the umami taste of razor clams at all. 8:10 p.m.: Standing in front of a toy store, looking at the toys in the window.Childlike innocence?Or is it too boring?

9 p.m.: Catch the tram to Wanchai and shop for cheap love at a finger club.I knew that I wanted to find Yang Lu; but I kept deceiving myself.After walking into the ballroom, I wanted to ask Yang Lu to sit on the stage, but another dancer's name came out of my mouth.The dancing girl came over with a smile, sat down, and told me softly that Yang Lu had quit dancing.My heart was pierced, and I hugged her tightly, treating her like Yang Lu.Yang Lu is a poor and lovely girl; she accepted my sympathy; but rejected my love.For me, this was an unforgettable lesson. 11:30 p.m.: I had a midnight snack at Dongxing Building with an old dancer who claimed to be only 20 years old.I'm not hungry, but I asked my mate for some food and drink.I didn't like the old dancing girl, but I bought five clocks to bring her out.When I dance with her, I feel alone.The band tries to use sound to make people forget the time.Human emotions are surrounded by smoke.Suddenly someone tapped me on the shoulder, and when I turned around, it turned out to be Sima Li with a Nestle hairstyle.Long time no see, this precocious girl still wears too dark eye circles.She said her parents went to a friend's house to play mahjong.She said she had dropped out of school.She said she decided to get married next month.She said she was very happy.She said she wanted me to be at her wedding.Regarding this point, I told her frankly: I will not participate.She smiled, very slyly.She referred to me as a coward in a teasing tone.I don't think it's an insult because she's still young.