1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 215 Even the senior fellow enjoys passing notes (Please subscribe!)

"Distinguished guests, fellow writers, comrades:
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather at the Great Hall of the People to witness a momentous moment in the history of Chinese literature—the solemn awarding of the first Mao Dun Literature Prize. This award, named after Mr. Mao Dun, was established in accordance with his will. With the royalties he donated, it opened a new chapter in Chinese literature by recognizing long-form novels. It is also the first literary award in my country named after an individual.

This selection focused on novels written between 1977 and 1981. After careful review and selection by the judging panel, six outstanding works, including "Xu Mao and His Daughters" and "The East," were ultimately chosen. These works are rooted in the soil of the times, recording profound historical changes and engraving the spiritual trajectory of the people, highlighting the precious qualities of literature in keeping with the times and walking alongside the people...

At this moment, let us, in the name of literature, congratulate the award-winning authors and pay tribute to all literary workers who have remained true to their original aspirations in creation.

At this point, Mr. Ba Jin shifted his gaze from his prepared remarks, glanced at the thousands of people in the audience, and continued, "Now, I declare the inaugural Mao Dun Literature Prize award ceremony officially open!"

The literary awards are announced in advance. Of the six works selected this time, in addition to the three that Ba Jin mentioned, the other three are "The General's Song", "Spring in Winter" and "Li Zicheng".

Chen Fusheng was selected as the award presenter for "Hibiscus Town," a novel by Gu Hua published in the magazine "Contemporary" last February.

The novel uses the fates of Hu Yuyin and Qin Shutian, who live in Furong Town, as its main thread, showcasing the social changes in rural China from 1963 to 1979. It is an important representative of a novel reflecting on this period.

Historically, this novel was adapted into a film by Xie Jing a few years later, with Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing playing the male and female leads.

Then they got together.

At the time, Liu Xiaoqing was still married. Her husband later found out about the affair, and not only did he beat Jiang Wen up, but he also forced him to write down what happened between him and Liu Xiaoqing.

Fortunately, the severe storm had already passed.

Otherwise, it's uncertain whether there would have been a director like Jiang Wen later on.

Of course, these are all things that happened in Chen Fusheng's previous life. This life is only in 1982, so it's hard to say what will happen later.

However, when he presented the award to Gu Hua, the latter tentatively asked, "Director Chen, do you think my novel is suitable for film and television adaptation?"

"To be honest, it suits me quite well."

Upon hearing this answer, Gu Hua's eyes lit up.

However, Chen Fusheng's next words immediately poured cold water on his burning enthusiasm.

"Unfortunately, my Oriental Company mainly produces foreign exchange films, while your novel is more suitable for film studios if it is to be adapted."

Would it be more suitable for a film studio?

Gu Hua muttered something to himself, then thanked Chen Fusheng.

Although this was an awards ceremony, the awards presentation segment only comprised a small part of the conference.

Most of the time was spent on lengthy speeches prepared by the leaders.

Chen Fusheng was listening attentively at first.

However, after the first leader spoke on stage for nearly thirty minutes without delivering any substantial content, he lost patience.

Sitting next to Chen Fusheng was Wang Meng, the editor-in-chief of Yanjing Literature and Art.

Seeing that he was daydreaming, the other person actually passed him a note?!
Chen Fusheng never expected that this was something an old comrade would do.

Although surprised, I still picked up the note and took a look.

The words on it, written in beautiful handwriting, read: "Comrade Fusheng, do you have any new works recently?"
Well, so they were after his novel. He said, "How could a senior literary figure do something as childish as passing notes?"

Chen Fusheng glanced back and saw Wang Meng smile at him in a friendly manner. So he picked up his pen and wrote a sentence on the blank space of the note: "This junior has just written a romance novel!"
After finishing writing it, he pushed it to Wang Meng.

Wang Meng's eyes lit up when she saw Chen Fusheng's reply, and she continued to ask on the note, "What romance novel is it?"
Chen Fusheng replied: "Under the Hawthorn Tree" tells the story of Jingqiu, a high school girl from a family with a bad background, who was sent to the countryside in 1974 to write textbooks. There she met Sun Jianxin, a member of an exploration team, and their love blossomed from naivety to pure innocence.

Wang Meng: It seems pretty good. Have you submitted your novel to a magazine?

Chen Fusheng: Not yet. Upon seeing these three words, Wang Meng's surprise grew stronger. He stopped passing notes and turned directly to Chen Fusheng, asking, "Comrade Fusheng, after the award ceremony, is there anything else you need? Could you perhaps take a look at your romance novel?"

Chen Fusheng's request for Wang Meng was not surprising.

Moreover, he hadn't yet decided which magazine to submit "Under the Hawthorn Tree" to.

Since Wang Meng brought up this topic with him by passing notes today, it must be a kind of fate.

Submitting the novel to Yanjing Literature and Art Publishing House is also a good option.

Moreover, it would also earn Wang Meng's favor, who would become the head of propaganda four years later, making it a win-win situation.

However, their conversation was overheard by those around them.

So when the awards ceremony ended, the news that Chen Fusheng had written a romance novel quickly spread among the crowd.

Many magazines present at the event were quite disappointed when they heard that Yenching Literature had managed to snag a bargain.

Even the late Mr. Ba Jin, after hearing the news, came over to express his regret.

As for Wang Meng, he naturally saw everyone as an enemy.

In particular, Yan Wenjin, the editor-in-chief of People's Literature, actually tried to steal the prize right in front of him, and Wang Meng almost got angry with him.

……

In the afternoon, at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, the Chen family's residence.

Wang Meng picked up the manuscript of the novel that Chen Fusheng handed her and began to read it.

……

Years later, Jingqiu became a teacher.

Every summer vacation, she would come to Xiping Village and stand under the hawthorn tree where Lao San had confessed his love to her.

She appeared on time again this year. The hawthorn trees were in full bloom, their white blossoms shimmering in the sunlight, pure as snow.

In a daze, she seemed to see the third brother standing under the tree, just like the boy from many years ago, smiling and waving at her.

She smiled and said softly, "I understand, Jianxin. Love is not an add-on to life, but the meaning of life itself."

Love is like this hawthorn tree; once planted, it will take root and sprout, transcending time and space, never ceasing.

And she will carry this love with her and move forward!

……

"Hey~"

After reading it, Wang Meng let out a heavy sigh.

As an editor who has read countless manuscripts, he finds it difficult to feel emotional resonance with a work due to aesthetic fatigue.

It's a romance novel, especially since it's a love story.

However, he still fell for this film, "Under the Hawthorn Tree".

After a long pause, Wang Meng finally looked up and forced a smile, saying, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Comrade Fusheng. As an editor, it's been a long time since I've been moved by a work."

(End of this chapter)