Xiao Fei arrived at the magic capital at 8 o'clock in the evening of the same day.

Editor Cheng came to pick up the plane, and when he saw Xiao Fei, he said: "Xiao Fei, I'm afraid you have to work hard tonight, let's take the train to Hangzhou now." ”

"Ba Lao is recuperating in Hangzhou now?" Xiao Fei asked.

He remembered that in the materials he had read in his previous life, Ba Lao had been getting frail and sickly since the early 80s. In 83, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and he was well controlled after many years of treatment, but in the early 90s, the old man suffered from a compression fracture due to severe osteoporosis.

Since 93 years, from March to October every year, the elderly have been recuperating in Hangzhou, and basically rarely participate in social activities.

Because of this, Xiao Fei was very flattered by Ba Lao's initiative to ask to see him.

At this time, there were not many people who could see Ba Lao.

"That's right, it's in Hangzhou, so let's take a car." Cheng editor said.

The two took a taxi from the airport and went straight to the train station.

The magic capital is not too far from Hangzhou, it is only one hundred and fifty or sixty kilometers, if the whole journey is high-speed, it can be reached by car in just over an hour.

But at this time, taking the train is much slower, and even if the railway has increased several times now, the fastest speed of the train is only sixty or seventy kilometers per hour.

It's a little bit like that, and it takes three or four hours to walk by train.

Cheng Editor had already bought a ticket, and it was a train at 9:10 p.m.

By the time we arrived in Hangzhou, it was already one or two o'clock in the morning.

Fortunately, Cheng Editor bought a sleeper, and he could lie down and rest, so the trip was not too hard.

Xiao Fei remembers that Ba Lao had a health crisis in 99. Before that, the old man's physical condition was quite stable.

Every winter, when Ba Lao returns to the magic capital from Hangzhou, he can still gain a little weight.

Got in the car. Xiao Fei asked Editor Cheng: "Teacher Cheng, how is Ba Lao's physical condition now?" ”

Editor Cheng said: "Old Ba's body is okay. It's just that I'm old, I am riddled with a variety of chronic diseases, and my energy is not good. ”

In 98 years, Ba Lao was already 94 years old.

Because of his illness and torture in his later years, after entering the 90s, he spent almost all of his time in a hospital bed or wheelchair.

"Oh, how could Ba Lao suddenly think of seeing me?" Xiao Fei asked again.

"He values you a lot, after all. In every issue of our magazine, he will read a lot of important articles, or let people read them to him. Ba Lao said, you are the most outstanding writer in the younger generation, in your generation, there are very few good seedlings emerging in China, and it is even more rare that you can write serious literature so well, and the old man said that he wanted to talk to you very early. Cheng said.

Last time the Lu Prize was awarded. Ba Lao made a stunning appearance and personally presented the award.

At that time, he also said two words to Xiao Fei.

He said to Xiao Fei: "You write very well, I like it very much." Write well, the banner of domestic literature in the future needs to be carried by you young people. ”

In just one sentence, Xiao Fei was deeply moved.

Ba Lao really values himself very much.

Trains are speeding across the southern land. Across the river, through the mountains. Drive through plains and criss-crossed lake systems.

The night was dark.

However, the land of Jiangnan. This area is the most elite hot land in China, with dense population, developed economy and rows of cities.

The sporadic lights were as dense as the stars outside the window, and although there was no moon, the night could still be faintly seen.

Xiao Fei also said something to Editor Cheng when he first got in the car.

Afterwards, Editor Cheng took out some food and drink, and Quan made dinner and coaxed Xiao Fei to his belly. Then, the two of them went about their own business while lying on their sleepers.

Editor Cheng is taking the time to read the manuscript, and the manuscript he has received is too much, if he doesn't read it closely, it will be difficult to finish it.

And Xiao Fei was thinking about things.

Unconsciously, he squinted, and when he opened his eyes, Hangcheng was already coming.

After getting off the train, the two checked into a hotel.

The next morning, after getting up, Editor Cheng made a phone call to ask about Ba Lao's situation today.

After hanging up the phone, he said to Xiao Fei that Ba Lao was in good spirits today, and the meeting could be carried out as scheduled. However, considering that Ba Lao needs to recuperate a lot, this time he saw Xiao Fei, and it was only half an hour at most.

To be able to have half an hour to meet and talk with the master, Xiao Fei was already very satisfied.

After breakfast, Editor Cheng took Xiao Fei and set off.

In a sanatorium by the West Lake, Xiao Fei met Ba Lao.

The sun is broken and bright, like chaotic gold flying, the wind blows gently, the flowers and trees are shaded, in a gazebo, Ba Lao sits in a special wheelchair, smiling shallowly, kind and peaceful.

His daughter, Ms. Kobayashi, stood at her father's wheelchair and waited for the arrival of the guests.

Xiao Fei walked forward quickly, bowed deeply to Ba Lao with the editor of Tongcheng, and greeted with a respectful smile: "Ba Lao, I am very happy to see you again!" ”

"Good, good! Xiao Fei and Xiao Cheng, you sit! Kobayashi, pour tea for the guests. Ba Lao spoke softly, and raised his hand to make a gesture of please.

Xiao Fei and Cheng sat down on the stone bench in the pavilion.

"Xiao Fei, your "Brothers" and "Fatigue of Life and Death" are both very well written, especially the latter, which has a high literary value and is a rare masterpiece in recent years."

Ba Lao opened the conversation.

"Ba Lao, you have won the award, I don't deserve such a high praise from you, ashamed, ashamed." Xiao Fei hurriedly said modestly.

Ba Lao smiled slightly: "Speaking of which, I would like to thank you very much, your work has promoted the subscription and sales of "Harvest", and the benefits of the harvest are much better than in previous years." ”

"Ba Lao, without the support and help of the harvest, I would not be where I am today, speaking of which, it is more meaningful to me to gain more." Xiao Fei said.

Hearing Xiao Fei's words, Ba Lao's still wise eyes flashed.

This kid is very affectionate and righteous.

His favorability towards Xiao Fei increased a few points.

"That's also because the quality of your work is good enough, and the harvest will put so much effort into recommending you! Some time ago, I heard that you donated hundreds of thousands of yuan to Harvest Magazine for the manuscript fee of your long novel, and I wanted to say thank you in person, Chinese literature needs the support of talented and enthusiastic young people like you to continue to develop, Xiao Fei, you are the young person I admire the most, there is no one, write well, I believe you will grow into a world-class writer! ”

Ba Lao said.

Editor Cheng on the side listened to it and was very moved.

Ba Lao rarely gives people such a high evaluation, it seems that the old man really likes Xiao Fei.

"Thank you, Ba Lao, I will write with my heart and try my best to write better works." Xiao Fei hurriedly said.

"Okay, that's good! I haven't written for many years, and I'm not in good health, so I can't hold a pen, but I always have a belief in my heart, and I always feel that one day, I will pick up the pen again and start writing, and if a writer can't write, it's very sad. ”

Ba Lao said emotionally.

"Ba Lao, I also believe that you will definitely write better works in the near future, come on!" Xiao Fei said.

He said this, but he knew in his heart that the physical health of the old man would only get worse and worse in the future, and the old man's wish to hold the pen and write again would not be realized.

Thinking of this, his nose was sour.

"Well, thank you! Encourage me like that! Ba Lao laughed, and smiled as sincere as a child.

His face showed a little tiredness.

At this time, Ms. Xiaolin gave Xiao Fei an apologetic look, meaning that it was time to say goodbye.

Xiao Fei said to Ba Lao: "Ba Lao, you can take a rest, I'll come to visit you another day, okay?" ”

"Yes, Ba Lao, take a rest, when you want to see Xiao Fei again, he will come over again." Editor Cheng also spoke.

Ba Lao shook his head and said, "Okay, then I won't keep you." ”

He paused, and then said: "Next year, it's time to evaluate the Mao Award again, Xiao Fei, I'm very optimistic about you, you have the strength to win this award, if a work like "Life and Death Fatigue" can't win the award, it's unfair." I always hear people say to me, you are too young and you still need to be trained, I am very angry, is literary creation a matter of seniority? If you write well, you should get an award, right? Go ahead, don't think too much, it's yours, no one can take it away. ”

Ba Lao took the initiative to talk to himself about the Mao Award.

This surprised Xiao Fei.

Anyway, he is also the director of the nominal Mao Award Committee, and it is said that although he is no longer involved too much due to health reasons, he still has to understand and provide advice on important works and matters.

Ba Lao said this to himself, it is very informative.

Xiao Fei was excited in his heart.

"Thank you, Ba Lao." Xiao Fei bowed deeply to the old man again.

"Okay, you're welcome, you guys go over." Ba Lao nodded slightly.

Say goodbye to Pa Lao.

Coming out of the sanatorium, Editor Cheng said to Xiao Fei with a smile: "Xiao Fei, it seems that your chances of winning this year's Mao Award have greatly increased." ”

Out of the sanatorium is the West Lake, and the two of them walked in the shade of the West Lake.

"I hope so, thank you for the importance that Ba Lao values me." Xiao Fei said.

"Actually, according to the creative achievements you have come up with, within this award period, there are few domestic writers who can compare with you, if you don't judge you, it will make public opinion uproar." Cheng editor said.

"Does Teacher Cheng really think so?" Xiao Fei asked.

Editor Cheng nodded decisively: "I basically know the creation of domestic writers at a glance, good works generally come out, they will arouse a great response, and in this award cycle, as of now, in addition to your two important works, there is also a "Dust Settled" that is a bit interesting, and other influential books, I think the probability of winning awards is about the same." ”

The dust settled?

It seems to have been published in '98.

Xiao Fei had to admire Editor Cheng's torch-like eyes, which was really transparent. (To be continued.) )