Carnation Club

Author: Hongying
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Hongying's novels have always been diverse in themes and full of mysterious plots, shining with dazzling and captivating brilliance. Love and sexuality are themes that cannot be avoided in her novels. From this perspective, some critics have said that Starving Daughters is a "Chinese version of The Lover by Marguerite Duras," and K touches upon a shocking and tragic love story across borders. Hongying should earn the title of "Queen of Chinese Love Novels." However, in recent years, the Chinese literary world has recognized that no matter how extraordinary her works may be, they all share a poetic quality. Her stories are vivid and engaging, yet they are infused with a spiritual pursuit at their core. Thus, this "word witch who stirs up the Chinese literary scene" and the contemporary master of storytelling novels continues to remind us of the poetic tragedy of life itself. Hongying is a remarkably legendary writer. In the 1980s, she gained attention in China for her avant-garde poetry. After drifting abroad, she devoted herself to writing novels, refining her craft, and eventually forging her own path. The trilogy The Carnation Club, published in 1994, had a unique concept and stood out from the crowd, leaving readers astonished. This tower resembles the Bank of China building in Hong Kong's Victoria Bay, completed in the 1980s, with sharp angles cutting through space and a pure steel crane standing gracefully. The difference is that this tower stands at the center of the island, surrounded by rugged volcanic rock and cold, unweathered granite, like a hell that has never seen the wind. The island is encircled by blue silk-like seawater, stretching until it meets the horizon's curved end. The T-84 special aircraft rests steadily on the pointed top platform of the tower, as if a eagle has landed on a tree, folding its wings like one. Flying at three times the speed of sound is exhausting. Only a few busy people in this era can travel this way, taking two hours to fly from Beijing to the Atlantic. Busy people must be physically strong to bear the great responsibilities the world places upon them. The vast majority of the population, 97% of the world, has been declared "leisure people" by the United Nations. They do not need to work, nor are they allowed to work anymore. They can roam at will, receiving monthly allowances twice as much as the wages of former strong laborers. The countries that strictly enforce this UN resolution see their gross national product increase by 20% annually, prompting even the hesitant nations to quickly undergo this major social surgery. Indeed, economists specializing in economic and social issues have long pointed out that advanced technology only requires 3% of the population to work, otherwise, they will drag each other down. Tell the "leisure people" that they are liberated, blessed, and free to do as they please, on the condition that they do not pollute the environment. This is a beautiful world where human potential is fully realized. The winged aircraft closes its wings, and the engine sound gradually fades, now resembling a bass singer testing his voice in a dressing room. The interface extending from the top of the tower directly into the body of the aircraft. The East Asian representatives attending the meeting tighten their neckties and dust off their neat attire as they enter the interface. Flight attendants serve each person a pack of Great Wall brand anti-virus chewing gum, a special souvenir for passengers arriving at the island, prepared by the airline. "Miss, thank you," the tall Beijing man, holding his black suitcase, says with a smile. "But the Lamur virus isn't airborne." The flight attendant bows in a Japanese style, her English as impeccable as his BBC accent: "Of course, sir, this is merely a gesture of respect from our company." He takes the gum, remembering the flight attendant's lively banter along the way, and shakes his head with a self-deprecating smile: it seems fear spreads faster than the virus. The interface elevator descends at a speed of 100 meters per second. When the doors open, they see a tall, straight-ranking senior officer waiting to greet them. They had already met over the phone; he is the third-ranking figure in the emergency forces, General Montebello. "Dr. Yunyi," he salutes, "I have been ordered to take you on a tour of the joint defense base and explain the relevant situation. The meeting will begin in two hours." He shakes the general's hand. "Thank you, thank you," he says. "I have already conducted a three-dimensional virtual tour of the base online." He mutters to himself, What era is this? They still need on-site inspections! These officers can never forget the protocols they learned at military school in the late 20th century. "Is Dr. Rowling available?" General Montebello asks. "Dr. Rowling Gustavson is preparing materials for the meeting in two hours." "Could you ask her," he says as humbly as possible, "if we could prepare the materials together?" The officer stands at attention and opens the intercom. After speaking for a moment, he hands it to him. Rowling smiles as she does on the screen. "Yunyi," she says. "It's a pleasure to meet you—is that the Chinese way of saying it? My Chinese is getting worse." "Rowling, we should talk right away," he says. "Oh, so you miss me?" Rowling teases him. She is a famous "red demon beauty" in their field, but also a practicing feminist—actually, all the busy men and women take marriage as a joke, leaving the leisure people to deal with their marriages and divorces. "The meeting at four o'clock will review all the reports you've submitted and decide whether to activate the SS22 antibody developed in China, a message the world has waited for for many years." He takes a breath and says, "You must be ready, but I'm not. I've never been as calm as you are, you know." "What I have to tell you now is more important than the documents," he says, becoming slightly impatient and raising his voice. Rowling is surprised. This man never gets impatient, always calm and composed, and has always been gentle with her, gentleness mixed with politeness. "Then please come immediately." Hearing her agreement, he hands the phone to the general and stands a few steps away, watching the closed elevator. The general responds with a series of "yes, yes, yes," then respectfully says to him: "Dr. Yunyi, please, I'll lead the way."