1979: Literary Master, Starting from the Return of Educated Youth

Chapter 65 Where is Comrade Xu Yuexin?

With excitement, Xu Yuexin read every word on the letter over and over again until Chen Qiaoqiao came over.

"What's in the letter?"

Chen Qiaoqiao glanced at the letter and her eyes widened immediately.

"You won a prize!"

“It was published by People’s Literature!”

Chen Qiaoqiao was very excited and said very quickly, "Of all the publication awards, this one has the highest gold content!"

“I just don’t know whether it was The Wrangler or The Mountain that won the award.”

Xu Yuexin also said with great interest.

"I guess it's The Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain? It was published earlier, so maybe The Horse Wrangler didn't catch up?"

Chen Qiaoqiao guessed, "But it doesn't matter. If you can't catch up with this year's, you can still catch up with next year's."

“That’s a long way to go.”

While chatting and laughing, Xu Yuexin touched Chen Qiaoqiao's hair and helped her tidy up the hair that had fallen in front of her eyes due to excitement.

……

A few days later, at No. 166 Chaonei, the compound was bustling with activity.

"Mr. Mao, welcome to come here to present the award. I believe that after seeing you, all the writers will definitely feel the significance of this award and feel more excited."

"Haha, that's too much. The most important thing is not who gives out the prize, but that you be fair and just in the judging process."

"Don't worry, Mr. Mao. During the award evaluation process, our editorial team members treated each of the awards with a high sense of responsibility and mission."

"Well, I believe in your work style."

In front of the small building, editor-in-chief Li Ji helped Mao Dun, who was in charge of presenting the awards, up the stairs.

Both of them were in high spirits and full of interest in today's grand literary event.

After entering the building, Li Ji helped Mao Dun into the reception room, and the waiter came forward to pour tea for both of them.

While the two were exchanging pleasantries, Wang Chaoyin came in with a list of award winners and handed it to Mao Dun respectfully: "Mr. Mao, these are the winners and their works."

"Would you like to take a look?"

"I've seen it before."

Mao Dun took the list, smiled and looked at Wang Chaoyin, then turned to Li Ji, "What's the situation with the author named Xu Yuexin above? I have never seen his name before."

"Where is he from, how old is he, has he published any work before?"

"This Xiao Xu is from Beijing, he is 20 years old, and has no published experience before."

“The Garland Under the Mountain is his first work.”

Li Ji hurriedly introduced, his tone full of pride.

Xu Yuexin is a native author of People's Literature!

"Oh? A newcomer in the literary world."

Mao Dun said with great interest, "Not bad, a big hit."

"He's so young, and he won first prizes for both short story and novella right from the start."

Li Ji nodded in agreement and pointed at Wang Chaoyin: "This is our editor Xiao Wang. Xiao Xu submitted the article to him."

"Xiao Wang told me that when he first received the submissions to Gao Shan, he couldn't believe that the author was so young."

"Hello, Mr. Mao, my name is Wang Chaoyin."

"Come, sit down and talk. As the editor-in-charge, you must have dealt with Xiao Xu the most. Come and introduce him to me."

Wang Chaoyin saw Mao Dun looking at him, and he quickly introduced himself and sat down next to him after being invited. "I think Xiao Xu is a talented writer with a keen sense of subject matter. His works can accurately hit the hot spots of today's society."

Wang Chaoyin introduced Mao Dun with admiration in his tone, "At the same time, he is very good at grasping the emotions of the general public and can combine personal expression with social trends in his creations."

"When I read his books, I felt that my emotions were fully mobilized and I had a strong sense of involvement."

Mao Dun listened carefully to Wang Chaoyin's introduction and formed a preliminary impression of Xu Yuexin in his mind.

“That’s called a natural sensitivity to literature.”

After Wang Chaoyin finished speaking, Mao Dun nodded slightly and said in approval, "We should pay enough attention to young writers like this."

"The central government has proposed that the training of the cadre team should focus on the combination of the old, middle-aged and young generations. I think the literary world is also like this."

"I am the old one, and you are the middle one."

Mao Dun said to Li Ji, "Comrades like Xiao Xu are the youth. Only when young writers grow up can there be hope for the motherland's literary cause."

"Thank you for your instructions, Mr. Mao. You have pointed out the direction for our magazine's work."

Li Ji said hurriedly, taking out a notebook from his pocket and writing it down carefully.

Not long after, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Liu Jianqing knocked on the door and walked in after getting permission: "Mr. Mao, Editor-in-Chief Li, all the authors who are going to receive the awards are here."

"Let's go and check on the guys."

Mao Dun stood up from the sofa and said, this time he didn't ask Li Ji to support him.

Being able to witness the rise of new forces in the literary world in his later years, Mao Dun was in a very good mood at this time, and his physical strength and energy were much stronger than before.

At this moment, the small auditorium at No. 166 Chaonei was filled with writers who had won the award and people from the literary and art circles who were participating in the ceremony.

At a table in the corner of the auditorium, Xu Yuexin, Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun were eating melon seeds together.

"It is said that the magazine has invited a leading figure in the literary world to present the award to you."

Chen Jiangong held the melon seed shell in his hand and asked Xu Yuexin with a little excitement, "Is it true?"

"I don't know. I only found out about the award when I received the letter, so I came here."

Xu Yuexin shook his head blankly.

"Hello, Mr. Mao!"

At this time, a greeting came from the front of the auditorium, and many writers and guests present stood up.

Xu Yuexin, Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun looked forward in the direction of the shouting, and saw an energetic old man with white hair and beard, wearing black tortoise-shell-framed glasses, walking into the auditorium and waving to the people who came up to greet him.

"Mr. Mao is here!"

Chen Jiangong threw down the melon seed shells, his eyes shining as he said, "Let's go and say hello to him."

Liu Zhenyun also excitedly threw down the melon seeds and ran forward with him.

Mouton is here.

Xu Yuexin's heartbeat paused and he stood up from his chair.

"Come here quickly."

In front, Chen Jiangong had already greeted Mao Dun and waved to Xu Yuexin at the edge of the crowd.

"Excuse me, there is a comrade named Xu Yuexin, where is he now?"

In the middle of the crowd, after smiling and greeting the people who welcomed him warmly, Mao Dun asked a question.

Xu Yuexin?
Most of the guests present had never heard of this name and looked at each other in bewilderment, because until this moment, the list of winners was still kept secret.

Did Mr. Mao take the initiative to find Xu Yuexin?
Chen Jiangong couldn't believe his ears. He confirmed it twice in his mind before calling him, "Lao Xu, Mr. Mao is looking for you!"

(End of this chapter)