After closing Msn, Wang Mo blinked, with an intriguing look on his face.

Of course, what he just said was not just words.

"Why don't you try a double track too?"

Wang Mo quickly made up his mind.

Double track, only insurance.

Although he was confident in the short stories he had purchased in the System Store, this time the competition was too strong. He can't be taken lightly.

Just like in May, although he won in the end with "A Bowl of Soba in Clear Soup", he read the works of Nolan and Andrew, and found that the other party's new work did not pull his hips at all, and even was extremely good.

Otherwise, although the sales of "Shuge" in May crushed "Mohai" and "Literary Elegance", readers did not belittle Nolan and them, saying that their godhead collapsed. Because the quality of their works is really good, they just bumped into Wang Mo's BUG.

Especially after Wang Mo read the representative works of the troika these days, he was even more impressed by the other party's works. The rhetoric is sharp, the sarcasm is in place, and the reversal is unexpected.

Even if these short works are put on earth, they are top-notch.

Therefore, Wang Meng thought that if he only participated in the open track this time and submitted a manuscript, he really had no certainty of winning.

"In that case, let's participate in the double track!"

Wang Mo no longer hesitated.

He quickly sank into the system mall.

Last time, when I was choosing a short story, I already knew about the relevant short stories.

So this time, in less than half an hour, he picked out his favorite short story.

It's three stories.

The first: "The Gift of the Magi".

The plot of this story is also relatively warm, and to a certain extent, it is similar to "A Bowl of Soba in Clear Soup".

Wang Mo chose it because he took a fancy to this.

"Well, submit this short story to Melvin, perfect."

He had a smile on his face.

Since both stories take a warm route, Melvin will definitely feel that it fits his usual style after seeing this story, and it will not be too abrupt.

It's just that the story takes a more unexpected turn at the end.

The second: "The Death of a Petty Civil Servant".

If Wang Mo took a fancy to warmth and kindness in the first two stories, then this story is completely different. It is extremely sharp and satirical, and portrays officialdom vividly.

With such a short story to submit to the anonymous track, he believes that no one can guess his identity.

The third: "Chameleon".

In fact, this short story has many similarities with "The Death of a Little Civil Servant". It is also a criticism of society and a satire of officialdom. It's just that the entry point is different.

It is no exaggeration to say that Chameleon almost elevates irony to an extreme level. It's not at all like "A Bowl of Soba in Clear Soup", which is warm and slow-burning, and it can make almost every reader who reads it for the first time feel a spicy irony rushing towards them.

"That's it!"

Wang Mo quickly wrote down the three short stories.

"The Gift of the Magi" went to Shuge, and "The Death of a Little Civil Servant" and "Chameleon" went on the anonymous track.

Wang Mo said secretly.

Three short stories, three insurances, how can it be enough.

……

This matter has just been confirmed.

Fu Hong found him: "Amer, Brother Xiong is back." ”

"Oh?"

Before Wang Mo could respond, he saw Yuan Xiong, who was in the dust outside, walking in.

After Wang Mo left, Yuan Xiong still stayed in the beautiful country for more than a month, and did not return to China until this moment.

Wang Mo was surprised and delighted: "Brother Xiong, why didn't you tell me in advance?" so that I can pick you up. ”

Yuan Xiong snorted: "You kid is hundreds of thousands of dollars a minute, how dare I let you pick it up?" ”

There was a pause.

Yuan Xiongcai continued: "Actually, I haven't finished dealing with the business in North America, but I've just left it to my deputy for the time being. After all, the new Huaxia Department also needs me to be at the helm here. Also, there was one more thing, I had to come back first. ”

"Oh?"

Wang Mo asked, "What's the matter?" ”

Yuan Xiong said: "It's June soon." In mid-June, the Cannes Film Festival will open, and last year, we reported Kung Fu to the organizers. A few days ago, the Cannes organizers sent us an invitation to come and attend the opening ceremony. ”

"Huh?"

Wang Mo raised his eyebrows: "I was actually invited by the organizers of Cannes?" Really? ”

He knew in his heart that although the Cannes Film Festival was the most relaxed of the three major film festivals, anyone could go over and rub the red carpet. But to let the organizer take the initiative to invite, this amount is a bit large.

It stands to reason that although "Kung Fu" has a considerable box office, it is still not enough to meet the favor of Cannes film organizers.

But now they were invited.

Yuan Xiong smiled: "Just with the movie "Kung Fu", it is definitely not qualified. But when the other party called to invite, he deliberately said: I hope you can also go to the ceremony. ”

At this time, Wang Mo understood: "The Cannes Film Festival issued an invitation for the sake of my face?" ”

Yuan Xiong nodded: "That's right." Obviously, you single-handedly made Huaxia the honor of 'Hometown of Music' a while ago, and became a world-renowned piano master. That's why they made this choice. I suspect they would like to invite you to play a piece of music at the live opening ceremony. You said that when the time comes, they will make such a request, do you want to say yes? ”

Wang Mo smiled and said, "Promise, why don't you agree?" ”

Playing music at the opening ceremony of the world's three major film festivals is another good opportunity for Wang Mo to earn prestige, don't do it in vain.

And he can also take this opportunity to make friends with the official Cannes Film Festival and think about the future.

"Good!"

Yuan Xiong nodded: "Then I will reply to the other party, saying that you will lead the crew of "Kung Fu" and participate in the film festival on time." ”

After all that's said.

He continued: "There is a second thing, the filming of "The Wandering Earth" is already halfway through, and due to your precise guidance and supervision, it is estimated that the filming will end in about a month. However, post-production special effects take time. But the special effects company we are looking for has the experience of making "Magic City Fortress" before, so as long as you give enough detailed requirements, it is estimated that the post-production special effects will be completed soon. If it's fast, it will be released next year. ”

"Good!"

Wang Mo knows that the most important thing in science fiction movies is special effects production.

Under the premise that the plot cannot be modified, the special effects can best reflect the shock of science fiction movies, and they are also the places that can attract fans the most after the movie is released.

So there's no hurry.

In the previous life, "The Wandering Earth" was released for several years.

Now, because he can give accurate special effects requirements and can give the best modeling advice at any time, the production time can be greatly shortened, but a year has already reached the limit, and no matter how fast it is, the level will be lowered.

It's just that......

After Yuan Xiong left, Wang Mo frowned.

One movie a year, it's still too inefficient for him.

In this way, even if he makes movies non-stop in his life, he can only make twenty or thirty films.

This number of movies is not enough to watch at all.

"It seems that after the Cannes Film Festival, I want to ask Xiong Ge to expand the company's film department, preferably buy a film company in Hollywood, and then start shooting multiple films at the same time."

Wang Mo said in his heart.

……

The next day, Wang Mo sent Melvin a message to Msn, telling him that he had sent the short story to his mailbox.

Far away London.

Melvin subconsciously rubbed his eyes after seeing the news.

"This ...... Isn't it too fast? ”

He only called the West Building in the morning, and now less than a day has passed, and the West Building has sent a short story?

Of course, he knew that if it was a family inspiration, it was normal to finish a story in an hour or two.

But even if the story is written, the family has to revise it countless times, and only after it has been kept improving, will it be good to submit it?

Unless the story was written by the West Building.

"It should have been written a long time ago, right?"

Melvin guessed.

Otherwise, it would be too scary to write a short story in half a day.

Taking a deep breath, he couldn't wait to board the mailbox and open the email from the West Building.

"I wonder if this work can still be as good as "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba"?"

Melvin muttered to himself.

Soon!

He had already seen the title of the work in the West Building.

"Maggie's Gift ......"

Judging from the title, I can't see anything at all.

Melvin took a sip of coffee and looked at the text:

[A piece of eight cents and seven cents. It's all here. Six cents of it were made up of copper. One or two at a time these coppers were detained from grocers, greengrocers, and butcher owners; Although people didn't say it explicitly, they always felt that this kind of transaction was too stingy, and their faces were red at that time. Della counted it three times. It was still eight cents and seven cents a piece, and the next day it was Christmas. 】

Just watched the first paragraph.

Melvin smiled knowingly.

Familiar taste.

Although the background of the story has shifted to the West, the content is still about the lives of the middle and lower classes.

"It seems that Xilou likes to write this genre very much."

He continued to look down.

I looked at it a few more times.

Melvin is even more sure: it's the style of the West Building!

It's still the emotional story of ordinary people.

Sincerity.

Delicate.

At the same time, it also reveals kindness and warmth.

"Well, now it seems that this "Magi's Gift" is a short story in the same vein as "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba". The two have similar story backgrounds and similar social classes. The only difference is that "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba" mainly reveals the kindness of the boss and the proprietress of the boss, while this time it is written about the emotions between husband and wife. ”

What follows confirms Melvin's guess.

[Tomorrow is Christmas, and she only has a penny to buy Jim a present.] For months, she had saved everything she could, but that was all she could. Twenty dollars a week is unused. Spending was always more than she budgeted. It's always like this. There was only one piece of eight cents and seven cents to buy a gift for Jim. 】

Melvin nodded secretly.

He has read too many short stories in his life, and he can almost guess the story that will happen next.

"With the characteristics of the West Building, the next thing should be that the hostess bought a cheap but meaningful gift for the man with all the money, and the man felt the affection of his wife. Although the days are hard, they are warm. ”

Well, it must be so.

Melvin felt like he had seen through the style of the West Building.

But now he frowned again.

Although the story is written like this, with the example of "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba" in front, can readers continue to accept this kind of warm story? Do you feel that the West Building is taking the old road and frying cold rice? ”

For short story writers, the immutable routine is scary.

Because it represents a writer's exhaustion of inspiration.

Although Melvin knew that "A Bowl of Soba in Clear Soup" had caused a great sensation in the short story world, and even after it became popular, many short story writers imitated it one after another, resulting in the recent period of short stories that take the emotional route springing up like mushrooms after a rain.

But the more this happens, the more aesthetically fatigued readers become.

At least.

That's what Melvin thinks now.

He had read several paragraphs, but it was still bland, and he didn't have the refreshing feeling he had when he first read "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba".

But fortunately, the next story progression made his eyes light up slightly.

For the hostess was not prepared to buy a cheap gift, but was ready to cut off her own hair and raise money for the man to buy a strap worthy of the only luxury gold watch on his body.

"It would be strange if Jim didn't kill me when he saw me," she said to herself, "and he'd say I'd be like a singer in the playground of Cornell Island."] What can I do?—— alas! It's only eight cents and seven cents a piece, what can I do?" 】

Although the hostess was extremely reluctant.

But in the end, she sold her most beautiful long hair in exchange for a white strap.

It's just that she is still very worried.

was even worried that her husband would scold her.

Read here.

Melvin sighed in his heart: "Sure enough, I have always taken the emotional route, and the West Building has always handled it perfectly in this regard." Use her hair to trade her husband's missing strap. This kind of affection between husband and wife is really touching. ”

It seems that the level of the West Building is still there.

Next.

He even looked forward to the man's reaction when he saw the hostess cut off her hair.

Is it pain?

Is it disgust?

Or is it touching or something else?

After all, according to the previous description, the male host's favorite is her hair, so the hostess's doing this will definitely cause a strong emotional reaction from the male host.

Now it's up to the man to be happy or angry.

In Melvin's view, any expression of emotion is reasonable.

Soon, the man returned.

[The door opens...... Jim stood still inside the door, motionless like a hound, smelling quail. His eyes were fixed on Della, with a look she couldn't understand, which alarmed her. It was neither anger, nor surprise, nor dissatisfaction, nor disgust, nor any look of expression she had expected. He only stared at Della with that peculiar look. 】

See here.

Melvin's heart actually hanged.

How could it be such an expression?

He had guessed all of them wrong.

It left him completely at a loss.

Until he saw the man's question:

["Did you cut your hair off?" Jim asked with difficulty, as if he hadn't made sense of the obvious after racking his brains. 】

Hearing Jim's question, Melvin's heart skipped a beat.

There is no emotional superposition.

Could it be the calmness after being angry to the extreme?

Calm before a rainstorm?

"Not only did they cut it, but they sold it. Della said. Anyway, do you still like me the same? I'm still me without my hair, am I?" 】

Although there is no expression description.

But Melvin could still sense that Della was cautious and uneasy when she asked this.

Really.

The man is about to explode, because next it is written:

["Did you say your hair is gone?" He asked, with an almost idiotic look. 】

Hey!

Melvin raised an eyebrow, falling into cliché.

It seems that what follows is the plot where the man blames the hostess for cutting her hair, and the hostess begins to be aggrieved.

He guessed right.

The hostess's voice became a little humble and timid: "You don't have to look for it," said Della. "I'm telling you, it's been sold—sold, it's gone. Today is Christmas Eve, dear. Treat me well, I cut my hair for you. My hairs may be countable," she continued, suddenly and very gently, "but I can't count the love I have for you. Shall I fry the steak, Jim?" 】

And so it was.

When Melvin saw this, he felt that he had a complete understanding of the whole storyline.

It's really homely.

I was also impressed.

The wife sells her most beautiful hair for a gift to her husband.

The husband's distress for his wife's behavior.

It's just that Melvin always feels that this kind of warmth and emotion is far less natural and touching than "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba".

"It's a pity...... The quality is okay, but it's not as good as the previous work. ”

Melvin glanced at the contents.

The story is coming to an end, and no matter how much you write, you can't write anything new.

So he made up his mind.

At the same time, he shook his head secretly: The story of the West Building, if it is in normal times, still has the qualification to sit in the first seat, but in the event in June, I am afraid it can only be reduced to ordinary.

June is the month when the gods fight.

Even troikas may appear, and short story masters are blooming everywhere.

This story in the West Building, there is a high probability that you will not even be able to enter the top ten.

That's fine.

Let's read the results first, and then judge. It's best to discuss with the West Building at that time to see if you can modify the content of the story a little more.

He continued to look down.

[Jim pulls a bag out of his coat pocket and tosses it on the table.]

"Don't get me wrong, Della." He said, "Whether it's cutting hair, trimming my face, or washing my hair, my love for my girl will never diminish." But just open that bag and you'll see why you made me choke. ”】

And then.

Melvin's face, which was still a little disappointed just now, suddenly looked slightly stunned.

[Bai Xi's fingers quickly tear open the rope and the wrapper.] Then came a cry of ecstasy; And then, oops! Suddenly turning into a woman's nervous tears and cries, the owner of the apartment immediately needs to do everything he can to comfort her. 】

[Because what is in front of me is the set of combs inserted in the hair - a full set of hair combs,! 】

Rao is Melvin's heart is strong enough.

At this moment, I couldn't help but exclaim with the hostess in the story.

Comb?

The man actually bought a set of hair combs for the hostess!

For the temples, for the back, you name it!

It was in a shop window on Broadway Road, something that Della had longed for for a long time. A beautiful hairbrush made of pure tortoiseshell with jewels on the side - to match the lost hair, there is really no better color.

The hostess knew that this set of hairbrushes was very valuable, and she had been fascinated for a long time, but she never had any hope of possessing it.

Now it was hers, but the hair that wore the longed-for ornaments was gone.

This sudden reversal made Melvin almost lose his soul.

？？？

！！！

What's the plot?

The heroine cut her hair and bought the man the strap he longed for the most.

But the male protagonist was so coincidental that he bought a hairbrush for the female protagonist's hair.

For a moment, Melvin's eyes widened, and his heart shook violently.

He got it!

He finally understood why the male protagonist had such a peculiar expression after seeing the female protagonist cut her hair just now.

Even at this moment, Melvin had a feeling of saying no in his heart, which made him suddenly elevate this story to a height far beyond just now.

I was wrong.

This story is definitely no worse than "A Bowl of Clear Soup Soba"!

Even the story is even more exciting.

But at this moment, Melvin still suppressed the tremor in his heart, ready to read the story in one go, and then look back and slowly appreciate how high the quality of this short story is.

Because he knows.

The man still doesn't know that the woman cut off her hair to prepare a strap for him.

Then.

["My hair grows fast, Jim!"] 】

The hostess said a word of comfort and spread her palms.

In the palm of your hand, it is a strap of beautiful precious metals.

"Is it pretty, Jim? I walked all over the city to find it. Now you have to look at your watch hundreds of times a day. Give me your watch, and I'll see what it looks like on it. ”】

See here.

Melvin smiled warmly.

Xin said: "Although there are regrets, at least ...... The man found out that the hostess had sold her hair in order to buy him a strap. The story is still very satisfying. In the end, the only remaining strap with a gold watch can be regarded as a little emotional compensation for the couple. ”

He let out a long sigh of relief, took another sip of his coffee, and looked at the last sentence of the story.

And then.

The next second.

"Poof!"

The coffee in Melvin's mouth squirted, and his whole scalp was numb.

[Jim didn't do as she said, but collapsed on the couch with his head on his hands and laughed.]

"Della," he said, "we'll put the Christmas presents aside and keep them for now." They're so good, it's a shame to use them now. I sold my gold watch and bought your hair comb for money. Now please fry the cutlet. ”】

End of full text.

Melvin stared at the computer screen, goosebumps popping up all over his body. (End of chapter)