Helping Each Other

王蒙

Wang Meng

L君跻身文坛，盖有年矣，但总是红不起来，颇感寂寞。于是，他找到了各种关系，以盛宴重礼把著名的评论家J君招待了一次。J君有感于其情之盛，慨然允诺说：“现在他们对你太冷落了，就是不公平!我一定要写一篇推荐你的作品的文章，登到大报上，你的作品的优点是……”

Mr. L. had been a member of the literary circles for years without attracting any publicattention. He felt rather deserted, and so he managed through various personal connections toinvite Mr. J., a famous literary critic, to an elaborate dinner besides presenting him withexpensive gifts. Mr. J. was quite moved by Mr. L.’s hospitality and promised right away, "It'snot fair that you have been so ignored! I must write an article for a key newspaper torecommend your works. The merits of your works are...

L君不等I君说完，慌忙摆手摇头，他说：“千万不必!千万不必!我只乞求您写一篇义正词严的文章把我批一个狗血淋头!积数十年之经验，我深知凡被您批了的，都可以风行全国，名震环球!而您也可以获得另一方面的美誉和利益，那才叫相反相成，相得益彰!”

Mr. L. hastily cut in, shaking his head and waving his hands," No! No! I only beg you to write avery severe criticism against me. From my years of experience, I have come to the conclusionthat all articles you criticize mill become popular not only in our country but also in the world.Meanwhile, you gain greater fame and interests through your criticism. Ibis is indeed `extremesmeet' and hill only end up with mutual help and benefit!"