Chapter 28: An Interview with "Sprout" Magazine

Chapter 28: An Interview with "Tender Shoots" Magazine

"It depends on the equipment required and the number of people needed on-site," Li Jingkun said after a moment’s thought. "We only need to record two songs. If we get two cameras, two cameramen, and some help with post-production, I estimate the market price would be between 400 and 800."

The others considered this. The members of the "Aurora Band" felt it was acceptable, though Huang’s parents definitely found it a bit pricey. After all, it was only two songs, totaling about ten minutes of footage.

"Although it’s just two songs, we’ll need to do some preparation beforehand. The photographer’s daily fee is non-negotiable, then there’s the daily rental for the equipment, and the cost of post-production. That’s why it falls into that price range," Li Jingkun explained.

"That’s fair. So, is our budget two hundred per person?" Gao Shun asked.

"Let’s see. Don’t worry, we still have plenty of time; we can discuss it slowly," Li Jingkun replied. If they were to hire someone for the recording, he would still need to apply for permission from the school.

That evening, after returning from Huang Haotian’s place, Li Jingkun didn't study. Instead, he pulled out the latest issue of *Tender Shoots* magazine. Besides his newest serialized novel, it featured a short interview he had conducted with Editor Hu Yunying.

Editor Hu: "First of all, congratulations. The response to 'The Phantom River Map of Qingming' in *Tender Shoots* has been very enthusiastic. The editorial department has received many letters addressed to you, many of which I’ve already shown you. Meanwhile, your first book is going into its next printing—forty thousand copies this time. How are you feeling?"

Li Tangwang (Li Jingkun's pen name): "Haha, you sound so official now that you’ve switched to 'work mode.' I feel great! And I’m dying to know when I’ll receive the payment for the additional copies?"

Editor Hu: "The money has actually been released, but our editorial department is holding onto it. Do you know why?"

Li Tangwang: "No idea."

Editor Hu: "Because we’ve received many complaints again. It’s been over a year since your first book, and we still haven't published a single photograph of you. So, the editorial department decided that we won't transfer the money until we get a candid photo of you."

Li Tangwang: "You’re joking, right? Is that even allowed?"

Editor Hu: "What do you think? It’s a good deal, isn’t it? One photo for all that money."

Li Tangwang: "That money is already mine to begin with, isn't it?"

Editor Hu: "I don't think you'd want us to publish the photo on your ID card, would you?"

Li Tangwang: "Haha, what do you mean? My ID photo is actually quite handsome!"

After a few more jokes, Hu Yunying steered the conversation elsewhere.

Editor Hu: "Some say that writers born in the 80s have such varied personalities. There are those who are high-profile, like Han Han and Guo Jingming, and those who are low-profile, like you and Anni Baby. Needless to say, everyone knows Han Han and Guo Jingming. Anni Baby, like you, never appears in public and rarely does interviews; it’s hard for people to find photos of her. In that, you are very similar. Some even say this represents the complexity of the 80s generation—some are high-profile and want to be big stars, while others are incredibly introverted and just want to be pure writers. What is your take on this?"

Li Jingkun: "That’s a long question. Let me think... First, I think this question is just trying to ride on their coattails. I’m not in the same league as those three—neither in terms of the number of works nor fame—so this connection feels forced. Second, I don’t know if Han Han and Guo Jingming like being high-profile; perhaps they are just famous because they have many fans, so everyone knows them. Third, to say we 'represent the complexity of the 80s'—we don't. We can't represent that many people; we only represent ourselves. Fourth, to say that Anni Baby and I are low-profile because we want to be 'pure writers' doesn't feel right to me either. A high-profile person can be a pure writer, too. You can be a race car driver and still be a pure writer, or a businessman and a writer at the same time. Fifth, Anni Baby is truly low-profile; I’m only pretending to be. I actually want to be high-profile, but my studies are demanding, and I have to read and write, so I don't have time for anything else. Plus, I’m afraid of being overly disturbed and losing my focus."

Editor Hu: "Are you a self-disciplined person?"

Li Tangwang: "I suppose. Actually, my willpower is average, which is why I force myself to be disciplined. I'm afraid that if I slack off, I won't be able to get back on track."

Editor Hu: "You mentioned being busy with studies and reading. What kind of books do you usually like to read? Many readers are curious about this."

Li Jingkun: "I think when many writers are asked this, they’ll say, 'I read a bit of everything.' Most people who love books are like that, and I’m no exception. I’ve noticed that most writers do the bulk of their reading during middle and high school. At this stage, everyone is open-minded, has plenty of time, a strong thirst for knowledge, and is very inclusive. You can accept any kind of book. When you get older, you lose that passion and time, and your taste becomes pickier—you start to be selective about what you read. So, I cherish this stage of my life. I’m prioritizing quantity over quality right now. I hope to flip through as many books as I can, and when I no longer have this kind of passion later on, I’ll go back and read them carefully."

Editor Hu: "‘Read well, without seeking to understand everything.’"

Li Tangwang: "Exactly."

Editor Hu: "Can you be more specific? Which writers' works do you like the most?"

Li Tangwang: "There are many, and they change over time. Which writer you like best sometimes depends on whose book you happen to have in your hand."

Editor Hu: "‘Seeing the new person laugh, who hears the old person cry?’"

Li Tangwang: "Haha, well put. For example, lately, I really like Tolstoy—I suspect I’ll continue to like him for a long time. His writing is truly incredible. It looks so simple, but almost every sentence strikes a chord. Each sentence is like a sharp blade, piercing you again and again. The first time I read *Resurrection*, it truly made my scalp tingle."

...

This interview was longer than the last. After all, Li Jingkun was now a reasonably well-known young writer, so there was more to talk about. However, as he himself said, he wasn't that famous yet. At least among young writers or the so-called "80s generation," he wasn't exactly a household name. There were only a few as famous as Han Han, and a whole crowd with the same level of recognition as Li Jingkun. He wasn't particularly unique yet.

The only thing worth noting was that he was relatively young. And, of course, compared to the genius girl surnamed Jiang who was the same age as him, his fame was still a notch lower.