1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 132: Awards Eve and Roll Call

On March 24, the results of the National Short Story Award were announced, with a total of 25 novels winning the award.

The award ceremony will be held at the People's Hall in two days.

People's Literature Editorial Department, Editor-in-Chief's Office.

"Everything checked yesterday was fine, right? Have all the award-winning writers arrived in Beijing?"

Four or five people sat on the sofa in the office, drinking tea and reporting their work to Zhang Guangnian in turn.

Tired Zhang Guangnian raised his hand and rubbed his eyes, and asked in a hoarse voice.

Ever since the China Writers Association handed over the hosting rights of the National Excellent Short Story Award to the People's Literature Magazine, Zhang Guangnian, Wang Meng and others have been focusing on the second award ceremony in 1979-1980.

After all, it is the most authoritative, valuable and important literary award in the country.

Moreover, it will be held in the People's Hall, where government leaders, cultural officials, experts and scholars, literary authors, and critics will all be present, not to mention that reporters from major mainstream newspapers will also conduct special interviews.

There is no room for error.

So in the last few days before the award ceremony, Zhang Guangnian ordered everyone to recheck it three times and then report back.

"We have made good preparations for the award ceremony process and the arrangement of venue personnel, so there will be no problem."

Wang Meng said in a deep voice.

"The reporters have also made contact in advance. The writers have already arrived in Beijing and are staying in the guesthouse. There is nothing wrong at the moment."

"Mr. Mao Dun has already invited everyone in advance. He will personally present the award when the time comes."

……

After listening to everyone's reports, Zhang Guangnian's brows relaxed and the big stone in his heart finally fell.

The China Writers Association has entrusted the hosting of the National Excellent Short Story Award to People's Literature, which is indeed something worth mentioning. People's Literature has also risen along with this literary award and has a very high prestige in the country.

However, the preparation work is too tiring and busy, and it seems a bit of a stretch and stressful to rely solely on the People's Literature Magazine to host it.

During this period, we were busy with the award ceremony and People's Literature had assigned many editors to help out, so we even neglected our original job of editing and publishing.

Fortunately, it is about to end.

"That's great. How's the April publication going?"

Zhang Guangnian continued to ask.

"Don't worry, we have been prepared by working overtime during this period, so it won't be affected."

Cui Daoyi answered confidently that he was in charge of the work in the society.

"That's good."

Zhang Guangnian breathed a sigh of relief and took a deep drag on his Peony brand cigarette, sparks lit up, although he seemed to suddenly remember something: "How is Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's new work "Love Letter"? Speaking of which, I was too busy after the last review and almost forgot about it."

"The three reviews and three proofreadings of Love Letter have all been completed. It will be published next month along with the fourth issue of People's Literature. The editorial department has unanimously decided to put Comrade Xiao Cheng's Love Letter on the front page."

"Yeah, that's no problem."

"Also, regarding the payment standard for Love Letter, you still need to decide and sign. The payment list has not been finalized yet."

Cui Daoyi took out a simple document and handed it to Zhang Guangnian and said.

"It's still 10 yuan per thousand words. This guy is not a new author. What do you think?"

Zhang Guangnian looked at the document for a while, took a pen and wrote down the fee standard and his name on it, then looked up at everyone and asked.

"No, Love Letter fully lives up to that standard."

Everyone laughed without any objection.

Since Cheng Kaiyan visited with the manuscript last time, almost everyone has read the novel and was moved by this beautiful love story.

Editors, especially women, were looking forward to the impact this novel would have after it was published.

I believe that countless young people must be moved and shed tears for it.

"The quality is beyond doubt. Every article written by Comrade Xiao Cheng is a masterpiece and worth the price. The question now is whether Love Letter, which is placed at the top of People's Literature, will be unpopular and suffer a Waterloo..."

Zhang Guangnian was a little worried.

"Don't worry, Editor-in-Chief, you may not know this.

Comrade Xiao Cheng gave an open lecture at Beijing Normal University some time ago, and the topic was love.

It attracted 500 to 600 teachers and students from top universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China and Normal University to attend the lecture, which was about how to shape and cultivate correct values ​​in love. Many people praised it highly after listening to it and even took it as the truth to guide their dating. "

Wang Meng explained with a smile.

In fact, Wang Meng also heard it from his wife Cui Ruifang, who taught in high school. When he heard the news, he was stunned.

what's the situation?
He gave open lectures at universities on the value of love, which aroused great response among young people.

Especially college youths who have knowledge, culture, ideals and a future.

Now many college students are dating because of him.

In this case, how could his third work "Love Letter" not be popular?
"Ah? What's going on?"

A group of people in the office looked at each other, not quite understanding what Wang Meng said.

So Wang Meng explained it, and everyone was surprised and silently digested this unrealistic news.

Is he really a genius?

First, the song "Xiao Fang" ignited "Fang Cao", and now the open class is talking about the values ​​of love.

It is predictable how excited these young people will be after seeing "Love Letter".

A romance novel!
"This kid really has a lot of ideas. This way, there is no need to worry about the poor response to Love Letter. I'm afraid it will be very popular."

Zhang Guangnian stroked his beard and said with a helpless smile.

This was something he had never expected. After just a few weeks of not seeing him, this kid had already caused quite a stir.

He is really a man who can't sit still!
"If you can't stay idle, let this guy come and help. This year, Mr. Contradiction will be presenting the awards to the writers, so let this guy be the one to call out the names."

Zhang Guangnian frowned and pondered for a moment, then thought carefully and made a suggestion.

"Let him do the roll call?"

When everyone in the editorial department heard this arrangement, they felt a little sad.

Cui Daoyi exchanged glances with Wang Meng and others.

"Editor-in-Chief Zhang is really biased. He is only 20 years old and he was called out for Mr. Mao at the award ceremony for the literary award."

"Isn't it? Besides, Comrade Kaiyan has someone behind him."

Wang Meng deeply agreed with this.

Although roll call was nothing to them, it was still a rare opportunity for a young man in his twenties.

Since the founding of New China, literary masters have emerged in large numbers, but the only ones who can truly be called such are: Lu Xun, Guo Xun, Mao Xun, Ba Shikai, Lao Tzu and Cao Xueqin.

It represents the highest honor and the highest standard in the literary world.

When calling out the names of the writers at the award ceremony, it was Mr. Mao Dun who was being called out.

If it were outside, some people would fight for this opportunity.

It can only be said that this opportunity was given to Cheng Kaiyan, firstly because Cheng Kaiyan wrote well, and secondly because he was valued by Mr. Ye Shengtao.

"Okay, I'll go to his house tomorrow, bring the manuscript fee receipt, and mention it to him."

In the end, Wang Meng nodded and agreed to the matter.
-
March twenty-fifth.

Xiaowei Hutong, Wutong Courtyard in the capital.

It was seven in the morning and it was already bright.

Early in the morning, after Xu Yuxiu got dressed and washed up, she discovered that there was no movement in her son's room.

In the past, Cheng Kaiyan would have gotten up at this time, but today, for some reason, Cheng Kaiyan was still not up.

Xu Yuxiu was a little confused and shouted at the door: "Kaiyan! Aren't you going to work today?"

Since there was no movement, Xu Yuxiu pushed the door open and walked in.

The curtains of the bedroom in front of me were drawn, and the room was a little dim.

Xu Yuxiu saw the figure still sleeping soundly in bed and laughed helplessly. "You are so old and you are still staying in bed. There is nothing I can do about you!"

Putting the briefcase on the cabinet beside the bed, Xu Yuxiu sat down sideways.

The cold jade hand pressed on Cheng Kaiyan's face and shook her head from side to side, saying with a look of reproach: "Wake up! Kaiyan, it's already seven fifteen."

Cheng Kaiyan woke up slowly, opened her eyes, looked at her mother and said, "Mom, I won't go to work today. I'll rest at home. I don't have classes anyway, and I have something else to do tomorrow."

"Something's going on tomorrow? What's going on that I don't know about?"

Xu Yuxiu's icy hands felt very warm on his face. When she heard her son's words, she couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Didn't I write a novel and submit it to the Children's Literature Awards before the New Year? Recently, the article has been shortlisted for the National Excellent Children's Literature Award. Tomorrow is the award ceremony day, I have to go and take a look."

Cheng Kaiyan felt the coolness coming from her face and became much more sober. She explained slowly and calmly.

Xu Yuxiu blinked her eyes. She particularly liked the article "Submarine at Night". Seeing the childlike fantasies of the protagonist in the article always reminded her of Cheng Kaiyan's childhood, who was particularly lovable.

At school, she always recommends this article to her students.

When the teachers in the office praised her, Xu Yuxiu always proudly put her hands on her hips and said, "This is our child's work."

Regardless of outside opinions, in the eyes of primary school teachers, this article is really suitable for children to read.

It is simple and easy to understand, full of childlike fun and has excellent literary quality.

Many teachers in the school particularly like this novel and even put it on the Chinese test papers.

The National Excellent Children's Literature Award is a new literary award launched by the China Writers Association in recent times.

It seems to be on par with the National Outstanding Short Story Award.

But now her own child suddenly told her, "Mom, my work has been shortlisted for a national literary award!"

At this moment, Xu Yuxiu felt confused. What?
My good-for-nothing son has been shortlisted for a national literary award?

"Gulu~"

"Kaiyan, stop teasing mom. Say it again?"

Xu Yuxiu's cold hands changed from holding to twisting, and her white fingers pinched Cheng Kaiyan's face and asked seriously.

"it is true."

Cheng Kaiyan met his eyes.

"Ahem... Yeah, not bad, not bad."

Xu Yuxiu coughed lightly, pretending to be calm as she praised him, and then suddenly raised her voice and shouted:
"The awards ceremony will be held tomorrow! Why didn't you tell me earlier, you little bastard? Hurry up, hurry up. I won't be working today. Let's go out and buy some formal clothes. This is a big deal!"

"It's just a nomination, whether or not we can win the award is still a question!"

Cheng Kaiyan said speechlessly.

"Who said that? You will definitely win the prize!"

Xu Yuxiu stood up, put her hands on her hips, and firmly believed that her son would win the award.

"Go, go, go!"

So at Xu Yuxiu's urging, Cheng Kaiyan got up, dressed, washed up, and pushed his bicycle out.

Xu Yuxiu asked for leave first. Cheng Kaiyan could go or not. After all, his immediate superior was his aunt Jiang Ting, so it didn't matter if he didn't go.

So both mother and son skipped work!
After taking leave, the two had a good meal and then went straight to Wangfujing Department Store.

"Comrade, how much are the suits?"

Xu Yuxiu, who was in charge of the financial power of a huge sum of 7,000 yuan, took Cheng Kaiyan to a clothing store that sold suits and asked to buy suits.

He dotes on his son too much, most people would not be willing to let him go.

But this girl was once a rich lady, she was well-informed and had seen everything. She didn't care about a mere suit at all.

"Mom, why wear a suit? It's too conspicuous. Besides, your son is a well-known young man in the area. It's too conspicuous to wear this. Buy him a thicker Zhongshan suit."

Cheng Kaiyan quickly refused.

"That's true...but you are so shameless."

Xu Yuxiu stroked her chin and thought about it. This was the truth, and then she rolled her eyes at Cheng Kaiyan.

"Comrade clerk, please try a thicker Mao suit, the navy blue one."

So the mother and son spent the whole morning shopping in the mall.

I bought a Zhongshan suit, a pair of straight-leg pants similar to western trousers, and a pair of "Badaling" brand leather shoes.

The thickened Zhongshan suit cost 45 yuan, the straight-leg pants cost 6 yuan, and the leather shoes cost 25 yuan.

The whole outfit cost me seventy-six dollars.

"Tsk tsk, this outfit looks really good on you. Now take it off and go home. Don't get it dirty. It costs 70 or 80 yuan! You'll have something to wear tomorrow."

Xu Yuxiu was very satisfied as she looked at her son, who was wearing a neat Zhongshan suit, shiny leather shoes, and a BJ watch.

He is handsome and has a good temperament.

He looks more like a cadre than those cadres.

"Ok."

I don’t know if all mothers are like this. They ask you to take off the clothes you just bought for them after you put them on.

After buying clothes, the mother and son rode home with the bags.

As soon as he entered the yard, Cheng Kaiyan found a man sitting under the eaves of his house.

"Teacher Wang? Why are you here?"

"Finally I've waited for you, kid!"

Wang Meng looked up and stood up, seeing Cheng Kaiyan, and immediately spoke loudly.

"What wind has brought you here!"

Cheng Kaiyan went to greet them with a smile, while her mother Xu Yuxiu was watching the two of them with a bag in her hand.

"Your royalties have arrived!"

Wang Meng handed over a bulging letter.

When Cheng Kaiyan and her mother heard the word "royalty", their eyes suddenly lit up.

But Cheng Kaiyan knew that if it was just the royalties, Wang Meng would not come to deliver them in person. There must be something else going on.

Then he handed the envelope to Xu Yuxiu and said, "Keep it for you. I'll talk to Teacher Wang about it."

Xu Yuxiu took it and turned to go into the house.

"Teacher Wang, is there anything else?"

Cheng Kaiyan asked straight to the point.

"Haha! You are really quick-witted. Editor-in-Chief Zhang invites you to attend the roll call at the National Excellent Short Story Award Ceremony."

Wang Meng raised his eyebrows. This kid is indeed a smart guy.

"Roll call?"

"Yes! To call out Mr. Mao's name, in simple terms, is to hold up the microphone and read out the names of the winning writers during the award ceremony."

"That's great, but it won't be too late, right? I have to attend the Outstanding Children's Literature Award ceremony tomorrow." Cheng Kaiyan agreed and then asked.

"Children's Literature Award? You're shortlisted!?"

Wang Meng opened his eyes wide, and only then did he suddenly remember that Cheng Kaiyan's debut work seemed to be children's literature, and the quality was not low.

“Can he be elected?”

“I think so!”

Cheng Kaiyan's eyes were bright and she was very confident.

Wang Meng swallowed his saliva, remained silent for a while, and finally burst out with a curse:
"Fuck! You lost something in one place, but you gained something in another!"

Thanks to Qingshishuilaizhu for the 100-point reward

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(End of this chapter)