“You might have misunderstood what I meant,”Zhang Heng said. “I didn’t ask for advice to become a second person. I just wanted to use these skills to write my own story.”
Hemingway was surprised. “From what you said, other than me, you plan to ask a lot of people for advice?”
“Why? Are there any taboos?”
“Not really. In fact, most of the people in this manor hope that their writing style can be accepted by their peers, especially the younger generation of writers. Literature itself is passed down from generation to generation. For us, each generation is actually standing on the shoulders of our predecessors, tiptoeing and touching upwards, but…”
Hemingway changed the topic, “However, the people who can come to this manor are all authors who have formed their own style. In other words, everyone has found their own path. “Generally speaking, unless there are any major changes in the process, everyone will follow the same path to the end. This is also why I said that I don’t want to teach you. After all, discussing and communicating is one thing, learning is another.
Hemingway paused, “Furthermore, my personal style is too strong. I’m worried that it will affect your path, not to mention that you’re planning to ask someone else for advice. I can understand how you felt when you first came here. In fact, you’re not the first person to have such a plan. After all, it’s rare to have a place that can gather all the best writers in the world. There might even be people who have a deep influence on you, or even lead you on the path of literature. However, if you’re confused by these things and give up on your own path, it will only be a loss.”
Hemingway was not a busybody. In fact, if it weren’t for Zhang Heng’s good marksmanship, he would have gone out hunting with him without a second thought. Furthermore, the time they spent together was quite good for his temper, he couldn’t be bothered to say so much to give him advice.
However, what he didn’t expect was that his advice was only exchanged for a simple sentence from Zhang Heng. “I haven’t figured out the path that belongs to me yet.”
“…”
Hemingway choked on his words for half a minute before saying, “Haven’t you already published a novel and achieved good results? “Even though you do look young, there is no shortage of young geniuses in this industry. No, it should be said that it is precisely because you are young enough that you were invited into this manor, which proves your talent even more.”
“Actually, it was a complete accident that I was able to come in,”Zhang Heng said truthfully. “If the college entrance examination essay doesn’t count, I haven’t written any stories.”
“A blank piece of paper.”A strange expression appeared on Hemingway’s face. “If you’re not lying, Kid, then what happens next will be very interesting.”
“How is it interesting?”
This time, Hemingway did not answer Zhang Heng’s question. Instead, he said, “From today onwards, you will accompany me on Wednesdays and Saturdays to hunt. Teach me how to shoot as accurately as you.”
“Uh, I’m not sure if I have enough time. And like I said before, I can’t get too much fun out of hunting,”Zhang Heng said.
“You have to have enough time, because this is the tuition you have to pay to learn to write with me. And it’s not just me. I’ll bring my friends over to teach you as well. When I was at the party in Paris, most of the people I met were idiots, but there was no denying that there were a few of them who had real talent, and some of them came to this villa. Other than that, I’ve been here for a long time. Even though I don’t really participate in group activities, and I’ve made a few new friends, the rest of the people in the villa will have to depend on you.”
“Thank you.”Zhang Heng had only wanted to give it a try, but not only did Hemingway agree to it, he had also gained something from it. Not to mention the author that Hemingway knew at the villa.., if Zhang Heng remembered correctly, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was one of his good friends in Paris.
This man’s life was very miserable. He was trapped in love all his life and died in Los Angeles at the age of 44. However, no one could deny his unparalleled talent. Haruki Murakami especially admired him, “The Great Gatsby”was mentioned several times in “Norwegian Wood”as the best novel to read.
Unlike his good friend Hemingway, whose words were concise and straightforward, Fitzgerald’s novel was elegant. Every sentence was as elegant as a poem, with a profound charm. If one were to learn rhetoric.., there was no better teacher than Fitzgerald.
..
When Zhang Heng returned to the mansion, it was already late at night. The dutiful hobbit housekeeper was still waiting for him at the door with an oil lamp in her hand.
Seeing that he had returned, she handed him a key with the room number printed on it and then led him to the room.
Zhang Heng inserted the key into the keyhole and opened the door. He found that it was a suite. There was a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Other than that, there was a study room that faced the garden and could be used for writing and reading.
What surprised Zhang Heng even more was that the interior was decorated and designed in the 21st century style. Other than the computer that he had asked Gaime for, there was also a game console and a projector, the socket on the wall also had electricity.
As if she knew what he was thinking, The Hobbit housekeeper spoke again, “Every guest room here is different. The manor has always been committed to creating a perfect environment for every writer. If you have any other needs, feel free to let me know. As long as you don’t leave the manor, you can be satisfied.”
With that, she bowed again and left the room. She even closed the door behind her.
Zhang Heng didn’t think much of it. He walked straight into the bathroom to wash off the dirt and sweat on his body. He opened the closet, picked out a set of pajamas, turned off the lights, and went to bed.
The next morning, Zhang Heng first went to the fantasy best-selling female author’s room and had breakfast with the latter. Then, according to the agreement, the fantasy best-selling female author introduced Zhang Heng to a big shot.
Shakespeare, as the most well-known author in human history, had always been riddled with too many mysteries.
The 16th century was too far away from the present, after all. Later generations could only try to reconstruct the author’s legendary life from bits and pieces of history. However, even the most accepted version of Shakespeare today.., there were still many people who questioned its authenticity.
However, in this dungeon, Shakespeare was sitting in front of Zhang Heng. He was eating fruit while watching two girls playing in the water not far away.
