Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 318 Grand Closing Speech

(Sorry, it was actually posted on time, but was blocked by the review, so I changed it to now)
Ivanka's blonde, blue-eyed, fair-skinned and beautiful appearance often makes people overlook her scheming and methods, and simply think that she is a rich second-generation who relies on her father's wealth.

In fact, she is also very ambitious and has inherited her father's "realistic" spirit. Whether it is social or marriage, she always considers maximizing benefits.

In her eyes, Zhang Chao is a chess piece worth winning over and even investing in - he is young, influential, and has a positive image, and these qualities can even be doubled in China; his wealth and status are both in a period of steady growth.

Especially since he has just launched a product that is very likely to change the landscape of Internet social platforms, what if he becomes the next Zuckerberg?

The so-called "upper society" gatherings are essentially both a show of strength and a trading ground for resources, so most of the people who come here have clear goals and focuses.

Zhang Chao is one of Ivanka's focus tonight, so his every move is always in her sight - even if she can't see him, there is a special concierge to report the whereabouts of key figures to her.

As soon as the auction was over, she turned around to look for Zhang Chao. She saw him shaking hands with the other two male writers at the same table with a look of relief, and preparing to leave the crowd to go to the bathroom. How could she not know that Zhang Chao wanted to slip away early?
So Ivanka immediately stepped forward and stopped Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao had no choice but to stop and told Ivanka honestly: "I am already satisfied to be able to come and meet you and your father this time."

Ivanka quickly said, "There are many people here who want to meet you! If you leave, they may be very disappointed."

Zhang Chao knew that this was just an excuse, but since the other party was so polite, he couldn't just walk away, otherwise he would be looking for trouble and making enemies for nothing.

But the initiative can't be handed over to the other party so easily - so Zhang Chao reached out and pulled Junot Diaz and Joshua Felice, who were watching nearby, to his side, and said with a smile: "I actually want to find a place to have a drink with them.

This is Junot Díaz, professor of writing at NYU, and this is Joshua Ferris, a columnist for the Boston Daily News. Their writing and insights into literature are both fantastic!"

Ivanka could only greet the two politely. Her impression of Dias and Phyllis was limited to a cursory memory of them when she glanced at the guest list, and she could not remember any details at all.

Diaz was okay, he was relatively calm; Phyllis was a little flattered, she even stuttered when she spoke.

At this time, in order to continue to "dilute" Ivanka's attention to him, Zhang Chao quickly pointed at the two female painters who were watching the excitement and said, "Dana Schutz and Sarah Fox, their paintings are the focus of tonight's auction.

We just had a friendly exchange off the stage."

The two people who were called were a little caught off guard, but Ivanka was one of the core figures of tonight's event, so they naturally did not dare to offend her, so they stepped forward and greeted Ivanka.

Ivanka was obviously more familiar with the two female painters. She said, "Dana, I wanted to take a picture of your painting just now, but Sir Jonathan was more generous than me... Sarah, I also like your style. I have seen your works at the David Zwirner Gallery..."

Zhang Chao breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to stand out in the spotlight in such an occasion. Now that Ivanka's attention was distracted, he naturally wanted to slip away again.

Unexpectedly, Ivanka did not want to let him go, and soon focused the topic on him: "Dana, Sarah, Phyllis, Dias, you are all the best young artists in the United States; Zhang, is the best young artist in China.

This opportunity is so rare, shall we take a photo together?"

As they were talking, a photographer for the event came over and took a group photo of them. Ivanka was naturally in the center, Zhang Chao was also pulled to the center by her, and then Susan and others were on both sides.

After all the operations, Zhang Chao could only sigh that she was indeed a time-tested socialite who could see through his little thoughts.

After the group photo was taken, their small "group" naturally attracted attention. People and other small groups kept moving closer to them, and now Zhang Chao had no way to escape.

Ivanka naturally began to introduce everyone:

"Michael Aston is a well-known investor with a keen insight into emerging technology sectors. His investment portfolio includes many impressive start-ups."

Michael Aston smiled slightly, his sharp eyes swept across the crowd, and finally stopped at Zhang Chao, and said: "I am very interested in your Weibo. If possible, we should find a time to talk about it in detail."

Zhang Chao could only smile, nod, and agree vaguely.

"Lily Green is a darling of the fashion world and has her own high-end fashion brand. Her designs always attract much attention at New York Fashion Week. This year she will also appear in Europe, in Milan. ..."

"Henry Thompson is an architect whose works are all over the world, from skyscrapers to private villas. If you need a unique house, he is the best person to find!"

"This is Emma Clare, an outstanding philanthropist who is committed to promoting education and environmental protection. Her charitable projects have a great impact around the world. ..."

……

After all the socializing, Zhang Chao felt exhausted. The others were very excited, especially Susan, who soon collected a small stack of business cards and arranged two interviews.

The other two male writers and two female painters also gained something, and their eyes turned to Zhang Chao differently. Dias and Phyllis were full of gratitude and envy. After all, without Zhang Chao, they would not have had the opportunity to interact with these people too much.

Dana and Sarah were initially angry about Zhang Chao's previous "devaluation" of modern painting art, but now they have a complex emotion because Zhang Chao attracts the target consumers of their paintings.

For young painters who are not yet famous, it is a rare opportunity for their works to be sold at auction for several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Most of the time, they still have to rely on galleries to sell their works for a few hundred to one or two thousand dollars.

At this time, it is very important to get to know these financial sponsors who have strong financial strength and are willing to pay for "taste".

Only Zhang Chao was the most annoyed because he "had nothing to ask for" and could not gain any satisfaction from this kind of social interaction.

In order to get rid of this situation as soon as possible, Zhang Chao suddenly said to Ivanka: "Ms. Ivanka, you just said that you want me to talk to everyone?"

Ivanka was stunned. This was just a polite remark she made to keep Zhang Chao. She didn't really want Zhang Chao to say anything. However, as an experienced person, she certainly wouldn't deny it. Instead, she said calmly, "Yes, there will be a guest speech soon.

Ms. Hillary will be the first to give a speech. She is the guest of honor invited by my father. And you, Zhang, are also one of the guests of honor. You must not leave. "

After that, he winked at a woman who was accompanying him. The woman immediately understood and left to do something. She came back a little while later and nodded to Ivanka with a smile.

Ivanka turned around happily and said, "Zhang, have you thought about what you are going to talk about?"

In fact, it is not so impromptu to invite guests to speak. What if the guests are not prepared and make a fool of themselves? However, Zhang Chao just smiled and watched, and he and Ivanka completed this "cooperation" in tacit understanding.

Since there is no way to escape it, he might as well do the opposite and end his trip to the United States with a "few words". This charity dinner will not be a wasted trip.

Sure enough, a few moments later, a man's exaggerated voice was heard on the main stage: "Next, we would like to invite New York's senator, first lady, the greatest woman in contemporary America, and my closest friend, Ms. Hillary, to give a speech for our dinner."

Hillary Clinton, who is now in her sixties and in her prime, took the stage amid applause, picked up the microphone and said: "Thank you all, thank you to the hosts here, you are a great family who have served our country for hundreds of years.

Tonight, we gather here not only for charity, but also to discuss how to promote social progress and fairness in today's complex and changing world. ..."

Of course, Zhang Chao had no interest in listening to the old talk of these old foxes in American politics. Instead, he began to think about what he should say. By the way, while everyone was paying attention to Hillary on the stage, he left the small group surrounding Ivanka and went to find something to eat.

The menu of this kind of buffet is usually very fixed, with pancakes with caviar, sour cream and lemon, smoked salmon and black bread, various grilled lamb chops and grilled steaks, and a lot of salads, and then fruits and drinks. Zhang Chao originally wanted to leave early and go to Chinatown to eat some shaved noodles, but he was really hungry after staying here for so long. He took a plate, picked up two slices of salmon and a few pieces of watermelon, and started eating.

At this time, Junot Diaz came over and took some food, but did not eat it. Instead, he asked Zhang Chao with a smile: "What are you going to talk about later?"

Zhang Chao swallowed a mouthful of salmon, thought for a moment and said, "... Just talk about what I saw and heard in the United States, praise the charity auction tonight, and call on everyone to pay attention to the disadvantaged groups... That's about it."

After Junot Diaz heard this, a look of disappointment flashed across his eyes, and he immediately agreed, "Yeah, in an occasion like this, there really isn't much else to talk about."

Zhang Chao put down the plate and asked, "You seem to want me to talk about something else?"

Junot Diaz was silent for a while before saying, "I am a Dominican. There is a problem there, just like all Caribbean countries..."

Zhang Chao laughed and said, "Too far from heaven, too close to America?"

Junot Díaz remained silent, as if to acquiesce, and continued: “For me, writing is an act of faith. There is only one story in my life, and that is the story of the Dominican Republic, Dominicans, the United States, immigrants… everything.

I am a firm believer that each writer has only one story to tell, and that he must find a way to tell it until its meaning becomes clearer and clearer, until the story becomes smaller and larger, more precise, more resonant.

I always dream about the 80s again and again. For me, it was a time of turmoil and terror. We had US-backed tyranny, civil war, guerrilla riots, right-wing counterinsurgency and various political conflicts...

There was hope for our country to be reborn, but the aftermath of the last colonial massacre still messed everything up in the 80s..."

Zhang Chao was confused - what did this have to do with him? He was not familiar with the history of the Dominican Republic, and his understanding of the political ecology of the Caribbean region came mainly from O. Henry's short story collection Cabbages and Kings.

The fictional "banana republic" illustrates the relationship between the United States and these small island nations. Otherwise, Zhang Chao's knowledge of the region does not go beyond the introduction to geography and history in Chinese high schools.

Junot Diaz suddenly stared at Zhang Chao and said, "I read your novel The Great Doctor last year and noticed that period of Chinese history for the first time. You have also experienced an era of being divided and controlled by those powerful countries, but in the end you have escaped the tragic cycle of fate.

How enviable this is... I don't know how you view the United States. This country gives you a lot of money and praises... But I wonder, as a Chinese, how do you view this?
Sorry, my expression was a bit confused. You are a brilliant young man, not Yurio in my novel who only cares about when he can 'turn white'..."

At the end, Junot Diaz's voice even trembled, and his eyes became sad and envious.

Zhang Chao suddenly understood what he meant. Diaz, the bald old man, had deep feelings and great expectations for his motherland, the Dominican Republic, but reality forced them to come to the United States, the country that caused most of the suffering in the Dominican Republic, to make a living.

This kind of torment had actually been lingering in the heart of this Dominican elite intellectual for a long time. Suddenly, he read a Chinese novel that described how three young doctors, also elite grassroots doctors, went through fire and water and searched high and low to change the fate of the country, and he was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness.

But he was not sure whether Zhang Chao was like many other writers from third world countries around the world who felt that "the air was especially sweet" when they came to the United States, so he could not help but come and communicate with Zhang Chao.

If even this young writer from China has to bow down, then his disappointment with this world will probably deepen.

Zhang Chao patted Diaz on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you can come to China if you have the chance."

At this time, Hillary's speech had ended. Ivanka's female assistant and Susan came to Zhang Chao and asked him to get ready quickly because it would be his turn to go on stage soon.

That voice sounded again on the stage: "For tonight's banquet, we have invited a special guest, a writer from the East, from China - Zhang Chao.

I believe everyone knows what happened at Union Station in Chicago and at the New York Public Library a few days ago. He is a very special young man. Now, we invite Zhang Chao to tell us about his experiences and feelings while traveling in this great country! "

Zhang Chao quickly tidied his clothes, then quickly stepped forward to the stage, took the microphone under everyone's gaze, and began his final speech of this trip to the United States. After a brief greeting, Zhang Chao went straight to the point:

"The theme of this charity auction is to raise funds for the Immunodeficiency Care Foundation. I just listened to Ms. Hillary's speech. She mentioned social progress and fairness. These are all very beautiful..."

"Almost all of you here believe that the United States is the greatest country in the world, right?"

Zhang Chao's words quickly sparked a response among the audience, and many people raised their champagnes and shouted, "YES!"

Zhang Chao smiled and said: "This strong confidence in the country has formed a distinct national cultural image, or it can be said that this is a common memory of the United States in the past 100 years - confident and strong.

Of course, whether it is because of self-confidence that one becomes strong, or because of strength that one becomes confident, I am afraid everyone has their own different opinions. "

"But there is no doubt that this kind of 'common memory' constitutes the main part of a country's history. ..."

"There is a saying that among the world's major countries, China has the longest history, while the United States has the shortest. In fact, after the Industrial Revolution began and the world entered the era of globalization, this saying is no longer accurate."

"The circulation of knowledge is becoming more and more convenient. China's 'common memory' can be easily found on American bookshelves. Any American who wants can have historical knowledge that is far longer than 200 years."

"The 'common memories' of different countries have been intertwined as never before. But when you all shouted 'YES' just now, I'm afraid some people here also shouted 'NO' in their hearts - it's just that it's too inappropriate, so no one really shouted it out."

“When a country’s ‘greatness’ becomes an ‘unquestionable’ concept, it also contains the seeds of its decline. This was the case with the Roman Empire, so what about the ‘New Roman Empire’?”

When Zhang Chao said this, there was a buzz of discussion at the scene - almost everyone was puzzled as to why this young man from China wanted to spoil everyone's fun at this time.

Zhang Chao ignored all this and continued, "Along the way, I saw not only the splendor of Hollywood, the skyscrapers of New York, and the street art of Chicago, but I also saw the pain buried under all of this..."

“The history of a country is not just about ‘greatness’. It must also contain a lot of suffering, a lot of sin, a lot of madness, a lot of cruelty, and of course a lot of kindness, a lot of wisdom, a lot of reflection, and even a lot of repentance.”

"As a Chinese, I will calmly view and accept all this. This is what thousands of years of civilization history has taught me."

“But can everyone here accept all of this? Accept the insignificance and paleness beneath the ‘greatness’, and find the meaning of history in it?”

"There will always be people who look down on this, as if all of this is just an acceptable 'cost' as long as the United States is still at the forefront of the world - especially when these 'costs' are not themselves, or even other Americans."

……

"But I still believe that one day, this 'greatest country' under your feet will have people who truly understand history."

"Because although people are looking for excuses for justice or evil in history, history is created by people with various motives. The reason why history still gives people hope is that no matter what the initial motives are, in the end, various complex cost accounting and the ultimate understanding of faith make people more and more believe in a simple truth, which was once summarized by a Central Asian scholar in the Middle Ages - the more wisdom a person has, the kinder he is.

I have finished speaking and it is time to leave. Thank you everyone!"

After Zhang Chao finished speaking, he put down the microphone and leisurely left the venue amid the complicated gazes of the crowd.

Only Junot Díaz was almost overwhelmed with tears.

(End of this chapter)