The literary era since 1979

The sky gradually darkened and the evening breeze blew, causing the lanterns on both sides of the road leading to the auditorium to sway gently.

Strings of bright red lanterns are hung high, and from a distance it looks like a huge red ribbon floating in the air.

The Hugo Awards have not officially begun yet. At this moment, science fiction fans, science fiction association members, science fiction writers, and major magazines and publishing companies from all over the world are entering the award ceremony one after another.

Fangyan was wearing a black Zhongshan suit and walking side by side with Gong Xing, who was wearing a plain and elegant cheongsam.

Fang Yan, Su Ya and others who were accompanying them were also dressed in their own unique styles, especially Zhu Lin, who wore a blue and white Shu embroidered cheongsam.

As soon as everyone appeared on the red carpet, the media swarmed in from all directions like sharks smelling blood.

The reporter from Sichuan Daily was the first to introduce himself and then quickly asked the following questions:

"Teacher Fang, this is your second time being nominated for the Hugo Award. Do you have the confidence to win this time?"

"At least I'm more confident than the first time."

Fangyan half-jokingly said, "Of course, the other science fiction novels nominated for the Best Novel Award along with The Three-Body Problem are also excellent and very competitive. It is no exaggeration to say that this year is one of the most competitive years in history. Being nominated is a winner, and winning is worth congratulating. Whether it is me or other science fiction writers who have been shortlisted for the award, we can talk about it with pride for the rest of our lives."

"As for who wins the Hugo Award, that's secondary. We are all working together to promote the high-level development of world science fiction literature!"

"........."

He spoke one polite remark after another, responding to each question thrown by the media with ease and skill.

The answer was both appropriate and generous, fully demonstrating Fangyan's vision and courage as the host of this year's Hugo Awards.

The reporters who got the answers they wanted were very satisfied, while those who failed to add fuel to the fire, set traps and dig holes were very helpless and regretful. But no matter what the result of the questions was, at the moment of parting, they all offered their blessings to Fang Yan one by one, wishing him to win the Hugo Award this year.

"Thank you."

Fangyan walked into the auditorium with Gong Xing, Zhu Lin and others with a smile on his face.

Since Asimov, Heinlein, Wang Meng and others were invited as award presenters, they were all arranged to sit in the backstage lounge.

At this moment, in the vast crowd, the only familiar faces were Mike, Jason Epstein, and Orson Card.

"square!"

When Osonkad saw him, he opened his arms.

Fang Yan gave him a tight hug, then introduced himself to Xiao Mei, Zhu Lin and others.

Osonkad greeted everyone one by one, then grinned and said:
“I’m glad we’re not the opponent this time.”

"Haha, I thought so too."

Fangyan smiled in response. He was nominated for the Best Novel this time, while his "Eyes in the Eyes" was nominated for the Best Novella.

"To be honest, luckily my Ender's Game series was published a few years ago. Otherwise, facing the Three-Body series, I'm afraid it would be impossible for me to win the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award consecutively. Your Dark Forest is really great!"

Ossencard sat down.

"Don't say that."

Fang Yan said that "Ender's Game" and "The Three-Body Problem" are undisputed masterpieces in their respective science fiction fields.

"Yes, and of course The Matrix!"

Osoncard took out the special issue of Science Fiction World and said, "I got a lot of settings and inspirations from it that I had never thought of before, such as the name and design of computer programs, firewalls, anti-virus software, recycling bins, search engines, backdoor viruses..."

Fang Yan said: "Really? I'm very happy to be able to help you with your creation."

"It's not only helpful to me, I think the IT people in Silicon Valley will fall in love with your book as soon as they see it!"

Orson Card even boasted that as soon as "The Matrix" was published, it would be possible to win next year's Hugo Award and Nebula Award.

Gong Xing, Zhu Lin and others listened to Fang Yan's real-time translation, blinked their watery eyes, and their eyes were filled with excitement that could not be concealed.

Under the gaze of everyone, Yang Xiao, as the host, walked onto the stage and announced the official start of the Hugo Awards ceremony.

Unlike the Nebula Award, the Hugo Award is not only given to individual authors of science fiction works, but also to editors of science fiction magazines and publications. It even has special awards to encourage amateurs to create science fiction literature, such as amateur writers, amateur artists, amateur magazines... Best Short Story, Best Short and Novella, Best Novella and Best Novel are the four most popular awards in the Hugo Awards.

Precisely because of this, they will not be awarded together, like the Oscars and the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Awards, which will be inserted among a bunch of small awards. As the most anticipated Best Novel Award, it is naturally arranged to be the finale.

Watching Osoncard receive the Best Novella Award trophy from Wang Meng, Fangyan applauded.

When he finished his acceptance speech and returned to his seat, the first words out of his mouth were:

"It will soon be my turn to applaud you."

"I'll lend you some good words!"

Fangyan smiled knowingly. "The Three-Body Problem" is the most popular novel in this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel, and it is also the most talked-about work.

"I just talked to Jason. If you are willing, you can write a second part based on The Matrix. It will very likely break my record." Osonkad said, "Winning the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for three consecutive years!"

"Haha, Card, I've never thought about this. You know, there has never been such a precedent in the history of world science fiction."

Fangyan narrowed his eyes into slits.

"It's true that there has never been anyone like this before, but now, you may be the only writer who has a chance to achieve this record!"

Osoncard's face was filled with excitement, even more excited than when he won the Hugo Award and Nebula Award consecutively.

“It’s too early to tell.”

Fang Yan said: "The prerequisite for achieving this goal is that The Three-Body Problem wins this year's Hugo Award first."

The two chatted for a while, and before they knew it, it was time to present the Best Novel Award.

As expected, Asimov and Heinlein appeared on the stage as award presenters amid applause and respect from the audience.

"We are honored and happy to be able to come to China and set foot on Chinese land in our lifetime."

"Just like humans once landed on the moon for the first time, and just like humans will land on Mars sooner or later, before that, China is full of unknowns to us, and our understanding of Chinese science fiction literature is only limited to a series of science fiction works such as "Artificial Intelligence" published by Fang Suo."

"This time, Robert and I really witnessed and felt the true face of China and Chinese science fiction literature."

As soon as Asimov finished speaking, Heinlein took over very tacitly, as if the two had rehearsed it countless times.

"That's right!"

"This experience is truly wonderful! The rich atmosphere and vibrant energy of Chinese science fiction is just like the drugs and surgeries in science fiction that can make people rejuvenate. It made Isaac and I look decades younger in an instant."

"Especially the science and technology, science fiction literature, and the spirit of scientific exploration displayed at this World Science Fiction Convention!"

"I can say here with great satisfaction and confidence that in the foreseeable future, with the promotion of the booming science fiction literature in the East and the West, tomorrow's world science fiction literature will surely be full of infinite possibilities!"

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was thunderous applause.

After Asimov and Heinlein finished their heartfelt speeches, they opened the envelopes and announced the results without further ado:
"The winner of this year's Hugo Award for Best Novel is... The Three-Body Problem: The Dark Forest! Congratulations!"

Before Fangyan could react, Zhu Lin, Gong Xing and others were faster than him. They stood up suddenly and clapped their hands wildly in great excitement.

Wang Meng, Li Yaotang, Zhang Guangnian and the others all looked back, and their gazes fell on Fang Yan who was receiving congratulations from many parties.

This included Yang Xiao. She was overwhelmed with emotion and tears welled up in her eyes. She felt that all the efforts and hard work that she and all the staff of Science Fiction World Publishing House had put in at the World Science Fiction Convention seemed to be for this moment!

It's worth it! It's really worth it!

Although "The Three-Body Problem" is not the first work in the history of world science fiction literature to win the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award consecutively, it is the first in the history of Chinese science fiction literature. It is also the first science fiction masterpiece in the world to win the Nebula Award and the Hugo Award in the West, as well as the Galaxy Award in the East!

It proves to the world that the level of Chinese science fiction literature is world-class! It is never inferior to other countries, led by Europe and the United States!

From now on, Chinese science fiction literature will open a new chapter! (End of this chapter)