Mr. Chung:

Hello!

First of all, I would like to express my high respect and heartfelt thanks to you! At the same time, I would like to express my sincerest apologies!

Your letter was sent in March, when the spring was cold, but I received it in September, when the autumn wind was bleak. You and I are only a few dozen miles apart, and this letter was delayed for six months! It's really inexplicable, and it's actually a mistake on the part of the messenger of the letter. I can imagine how much you're in anticipation of the echo! I may have become a heartless and unrighteous person! However, Ms. Li Yingjie can testify for me, please understand!

You and I have never known each other, and we can also say that we live in two different realms. Just because of an immature novel, it makes us feel like old friends, and it makes me feel your personality and character.

I am just an amateur lover of literature, an outsider who can't even be called an amateur writer, and only occasionally writes a limited number of manuscripts on a whim. At that time, I had a whim after reading the call for papers for "Black Earth Stars" in the newspaper, and it was only under the encouragement and guidance of Mr. Li Yingjie that I sent the novel to the Federation of Literary and Art Circles. But I was unexpectedly taken care of by you and Chairman Xu, and I am already very grateful for your kindness, not to mention that this novel is ridiculously naïve. I was also shocked by the rights and wrongs in reality, so I picked up the pen and sang a tragic symphony of life for it. The content of the novel appeals to you, and the technique of the novel is simply unsightly. I can fully comprehend the painstaking efforts and energy that you have put into shape from you, especially you, to make it take shape.

In your letter, with your broad mind, frank language, and outstanding talent, you have given valuable advice and incisive guidance to my frustrating work, which has moved me and benefited me a lot. You want me to go to Nehe for an interview, which shows how sincere and caring you are to people. At that time, I was in the third year of high school, so it was inconvenient for me to leave, so I had to entrust my nephew to do it. When my nephew returned to school, he conveyed your sincerity and words to me, and even he was very moved, and I was even more excited. At that time, I didn't know that you were reviewing and revising my manuscript, I only knew that Chairman Xu, because he called me, so it was impossible for me to let my nephew come to you, so please understand. From a broad background, you are not limited to my personal care, but to many literary lovers, and your love and enthusiasm are based on loyalty to the whole cultural enterprise. It can be seen that with such a literary champion like you, and such enthusiastic work, our cultural cause will be more prosperous!

Although I have never met you, I have realized your character and literary talents, which makes me very respectful and grateful, and humbly learn from you as a teacher!

Finally, allow me to express my heartfelt thanks once again! Say a word: You have worked hard!

Salute!

Your student: Chang Hong

30 September 2003