In fact, this is indeed the case. It was his first time to set foot in the United States to attend the Newstat International Literary Award Ceremony.

Whether it is for these readers or for him, such a meeting is precious.

He said: "Cherish every meeting."

After the introduction was the main text of the interview. Lin Chaoyang did not read any further. He still remembered the questions and answers, so there was really no need to read them.

"The final evaluation of this article is not low!" Luann Walter said while flipping through the magazine.

Then he asked Lin Chaoyang, "Where do you plan to go today? Or maybe I will take you to some interesting places to learn about the scenery?"

The event organized by Random House for Lin Chaoyang is in two days, and these two days are free time.

"Let's go to the library." Lin Chaoyang said.

Hearing this, Luan Walter knew that Lin Chaoyang must be preparing for a new book. He happily pulled Lin Chaoyang into the car and went straight to the New York Public Library.

Walking into the library, Lin Chaoyang plunged into the journal room.

"Lin, do you need my help?" Luan Walter asked.

"No, just go about your business."

Luan Walter was happy and relaxed when he saw Lin Chaoyang buried in a pile of old newspapers and magazines.

After such a relaxing day, Luan Walter felt a little bored and ran back to the company to go to work.

The next morning, Lin Chaoyang appeared on the campus of Columbia University. Today he will give a lecture at Columbia's Lowe Memorial Library.

The lecture event was communicated in advance between Random House and Columbia University's East Asia. After Lin Chaoyang arrived at the school, he first met Hans Bellingston, chairman of the East Asia Department.

Hans Bellingston is a well-known expert in Chinese history and Chinese classical language and literature in the United States. He expressed a warm welcome to Lin Chaoyang's arrival and personally led Lin Chaoyang and Luan Walter to the Lowe Memorial Library.

The Lowe Memorial Library is a relatively large library among the many libraries on the Columbia campus. Because it is located in the center of the Columbia campus, Columbia often holds some important activities here.

In front of the Lowe Memorial Library, a goddess named "Alma Mater" stands there. The statue of the goddess is wearing a academic robe and a laurel crown, sitting on a throne, looking forward.

There are two bright lamps in front of its armrests, symbolizing wisdom and creed.

Behind the statue of the goddess is the staircase of the Lowe Memorial Library. Climbing up the stairs, you will see ten tall Roman columns. Its circular dome is also one of the symbols of the Columbia University campus.

Walk into the library and come to the activity hall.

Lin Chaoyang was a little surprised. A few days ago at the University of Oklahoma, it could be said that the students cheered because there were awards. Today's scene really surprised him.

I saw that the huge event hall was already overcrowded at this time, and there were many people standing in the aisles. There was an atmosphere of tension in the air that I didn't know why.

"We have been warming up for this event with Columbia since you stepped on the plane to the United States.

You don't know, but your "The Death of Van Gogh" is quite popular among the Columbia student community."

Lin Chaoyang was a little curious after listening to Luan Walter's words, "Why?"

Luanne Walter thought for a while and said: "Probably because every idle college student has dreamed of becoming an artist.'

What a venomous tongue!

If college students hear this, they might beat you to death!

"Don't underestimate your influence. Before you won the Neustadt International Literature Prize, you appeared in many newspapers in the United States.

This time receiving the award was reported in the New York Times and The New Yorker, so among ordinary readers, it may not be a big deal.

But in colleges and universities, students are most willing to chase "less popular stars" like you!'

Luan Walter's statement can be said to accurately analyze the mentality of college students. What they pursue is to be different and unique. Foreign writers like Lin Chaoyang, who are somewhat famous in the United States, just satisfy their aesthetic pursuit.

.

So when he walked to the podium, like sparks falling on a pile of straw, a burst of warm applause and cheers erupted, making Lin Chaoyang a little confused.

Isn't this reaction too exaggerated? I feel like I would be sorry for the students' reaction if I didn't talk about something practical today.

The activity hall occupies a large area, and even during the day, lights must be relied upon to provide sufficient light.

Under the light, Lin Chaoyang saw a pair of eyes as clear as stars in the night sky, bright and full of expectation. He couldn't help but think of the time when he gave a speech at Yanda, and it seemed like this at that time.

"I am very happy to come to Columbia, a top university, to communicate with you. Although my speech has just begun, I already have a feeling that this will be an unforgettable experience.

Just yesterday, I was still worrying about what should be said in today’s speech.”

Lin Chaoyang came up and gave it a try, which aroused the curiosity of many people.

"The editor and I were drinking at McSorley's Bar on Seventh Street that day, and we happened to meet Robert Rauschenberg. Do you know him?" Lin Chaoyang asked.

Many students below nodded.

Lin Chaoyang said jokingly: "It seems that his popularity is not very good in the United States, so only so many people know about it. In China, if I ask college students, nine out of ten will know about it."

There was a burst of laughter and the atmosphere became relaxed.

"We had a good chat that day. He said he liked my "The Death of Van Gogh" very much, just like you."

Someone below showed a knowing smile.

"We also talked about some other topics, such as does art need to suffer in order to be sublimated?"

Having said this, Lin Chaoyang's tone gradually became serious. From relaxed to serious, he easily captured the hearts of all the students in the audience.

"Mr. Rauschenberg believes that art needs to be inspired by suffering in order to have dazzling brilliance and lasting vitality.

I don't completely agree with his point of view, but it makes sense.

Kafka's death suffering has indeed deepened the artistic charm of his works and his own legend to a certain extent.

Including "The Death of Van Gogh" that I wrote, I think why you like this novel so much must be closely related to Van Gogh's own experience.

We have an idiom in China to describe this situation, which is called "Heaven is jealous of Yingcai."

Behind these stories is actually the power of regret.

I have been reading newspapers at the New York Public Library these days, and I happened to see a short story that I wanted to share with you.

In Dallas, known as the city of cowboys, there was an electrician named Ron. He was a typical western cowboy who loved three things in his life: drinking, beautiful women and bullfighting.

All in all, he is a man with an extremely temperamental temperament. The people he looks down upon the most in his life are homosexuals.

Due to a maintenance accident, Ron was injured and went to the hospital. During the examination, he was told that he was infected with AIDS and only had 30 days left to live.

When Ron learned about his condition, he was furious.

Not only because he was dying soon, but also because he felt that he had been greatly insulted.

AIDS? That's a terminal disease that only disgusting homosexuals get. How did he get it?

He is angry, unwilling, and desperate——"

Lin Chaoyang told the story of cowboy Ron Woodroof in a calm tone. In 1991, this story had not yet been made into a movie, but it became a household name in the United States.

For now it's just a true story published in the Dallas Morning News that no one is paying attention to.

But through Lin Chaoyang's slow narration, the students present were slowly immersed in this tense story.

Until the end of the story, Lin Chaoyang said: "I'm sorry, this story has no end, because Mr. Ron's story continues and he is still alive."

Originally, the students were still worried about Ron's condition when they were listening to the lecture. When they heard Lin Chaoyang's words, their hearts immediately relaxed. No one would dislike a happy ending.

They continued to listen to Lin Chaoyang's voice and feel his sincerity.

"The reason I tell this story is to prove something to you.

Suppose a person is terminally ill. As a bystander, do you hope that he will lose his fighting spirit and die immediately after learning the news?

Or should you continue to fight against the disease like a fighter, even if you die of hatred in the end?"

Listening to Lin Chaoyang's question, someone present shouted: "I choose the latter!"

This choice of voice won the approval of most people.

Lin Chaoyang nodded and his expression became solemn.

"Instead of acting like a coward, it's better to live a vigorous life.

We like to hear stories of suffering, not because we like being tortured, but because we prefer human beings’ unyielding fighting spirit in the face of suffering and death.

That's true heroism!

Romain Rolland said: There is only one true heroism in the world, and that is to still love life after recognizing the truth of life.

This is what I want to say today - life is a train that goes and never returns. You can't predict what changes will happen in the coming days. The only thing you can do is to be your own hero!"

Lin Chaoyang's impassioned voice echoed in the event hall and reached the ears of hundreds of listeners.

It also blended into their hearts.

All the students were affected by his enthusiastic speech, their hearts were surging, and they could not conceal their excitement. Their hot eyes were focused on Lin Chaoyang, full of reverence.

The event hall was quiet, but the atmosphere was not calm, as if there were turbulent waves brewing under the deep sea.

"The above is the content of my speech, thank you all!" Lin Chaoyang finally said these words.

Like an order, the whole audience burst into thunderous applause. The applause surged like ocean waves and lasted for a long time.

Some students whistled excitedly, their deviant and sharp sound piercing the air, but it perfectly blended with the passionate division to form a unique harmony.
To be continued...