1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 300 Visit and Contempt

Monday, October 27th.

Early morning, Beijing Normal University.

The college students were wearing bulky clothes for the winter in the north, their necks tucked into their collars, carrying breakfast such as steamed buns and soy milk in their hands, and walking in big-toed cotton shoes along the campus paths covered with golden fallen leaves.

A few good friends walked together and talked about the latest news.

"Have you heard about it? My aunt's daughter is studying at Peking University. I heard she said that a university in the United States wants to visit Peking University for exchange recently. I heard it's from some university in the United States."

"The Americans are coming to Peking University for a visit and exchange?"

"You mean Stanford? It's been spreading around these days. I have to go check it out if I get a chance. It's a pity that Peking University is closed today and outsiders are not allowed to enter or leave."

"You really want to go?!"

"That's Stanford, the top school in the world. This is the first time in history. Don't you want to know about the living standards of Americans?"

"What's so good about that? How good can the people who are oppressed by capitalism live? They are just waiting for us to liberate them in the future!"

Among the young men, a rustic young man with slightly dark skin and a crew cut clenched his fists and spoke with a righteous look on his face.

"Haha."

The others looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

Not far behind.

"Is Stanford visiting Peking University? It turns out that the meeting my aunt attended on Saturday was because of this matter."

Cheng Kaiyan stood next to the plum tree, listening to the conversation between the few people, and thought to himself.

but……

The American people, who are suffering from capitalist oppression, do not need you to liberate them.

But these days, there are many young people like that student who want to overthrow capitalism and liberate the world.

Ultimately, it is caused by decades of ideological education, but we are unable to see the real situation abroad.

As a result, after the reform and opening up, countless people were stunned by the advanced productivity and people's living standards in foreign countries, especially in the old developed countries.

What happened to the dire straits and oppression you promised us?
As a result, they live ten times better than us?
That’s a fart of liberation!
This feeling of collapse of world views is enough to change anyone, let alone a group of knowledgeable and cultured pillars of the country?

So by the end of the 1980s, many intellectuals chose to study abroad.

In order to go abroad, university professors are even willing to work illegally as dishwashers...

It can be described as a dance of demons.

"This is an inevitable trend of the times... But visiting Stanford University is a new thing, so I'll go and join in the fun when the time comes."

Cheng Kaiyan thought about it in her heart, then turned and left.

It was just past seven when I arrived at the classroom. There were only a few people in the classroom, and everyone was sleeping on the desks.

Probably because it was too early and the weather was cold many people couldn't get up.

Cheng Kaiyan found a seat by the window where he could get some sun, and sat down to read.

Time passed quietly.

"What is Cheng Kaiyan looking at?"

Suddenly someone patted my shoulder and a familiar voice was heard.

Cheng Kaiyan looked back and saw Jiang Zilong, Ye Xin, Wang Anyi and others.

He raised the Chinese literature magazine in his hand and said, "I'm reading."

Wang Anyi walked closer and took a look. "Wow! It's all in English. What kind of book is this?"

Nowadays, few people read English originals, but it does exist, so I'm not particularly curious about it.

"Just take a look."

Cheng Kaiyan thought about it and decided not to tell others that her work would soon be published abroad.

It’s not that he intended to hide it, but there were so many people in the classroom, so he gave up the idea.

Sometimes it's better to keep a low profile.

However, as a great writer in the literary world, Jiang Zilon was knowledgeable and experienced. After taking a closer look at the cover, he understood what was going on.

He smiled and explained to Wang Anyi and Ye Xin: "Cheng Kaiyan is reading Chinese Literature, a magazine published by a subsidiary of the Foreign Language Bureau, which specializes in translating the works of domestic writers into foreign languages."

"It turned out to be Chinese Literature. I was wondering why it looked familiar. My mother's works had been published there before."

Wang Anyi clapped her hands in sudden realization. Her mother is Ru Zhijuan, a famous female writer in the domestic literary world. She visited abroad this year and came to BJ to visit her last month.

"Published abroad! That's really an honorable event. If I can see my work published abroad and conquer foreign readers in my lifetime, I will die without regrets."

Ye Xin couldn't help but sigh about this.

Jiang Zilong looked at the magazine in Cheng Kaiyan's hand thoughtfully. "Chinese Literature" magazine is sold overseas and is almost impossible to buy in China.

Or when a magazine publishes a writer's work, it will send two sample copies to the writer.

How did this guy Cheng Kaiyan get it?
It must have been given by someone else.

After all, a magazine like Chinese Literature, which is aimed at foreign countries and is a selected publication, requires a long time to translate, and has incredibly strict publication standards.

What is published on it are all classic masterpieces, or masterpieces that have been verified by practice, such as Dream of the Red Chamber, Journey to the West, or the collected works of Mr. Lu Xun and the works of Mr. Mao Dun.

Although Cheng Kaiyan's works are very good, they probably cannot reach that level.

Jiang Zilong shook his head and stopped worrying. He smiled and said to Ye Xin, "There will be opportunities in the future... But for now, let's focus on the second issue of the "Military Writers Special Issue" on November 1st."

"makes sense."

Ye Xin and Wang Anyi nodded.

"Your work will be published so soon? Congratulations!"

When Cheng Kaiyan heard this, she immediately congratulated him.

"Yes, it will be published on the first of next month. Unfortunately, I don't know what prize it will win yet, otherwise I would have asked you to treat me to a meal."

Ye Xin felt that there was at least a second prize, and first prize was not impossible.

"No need to wait. I'll treat you to a meal outside at noon today to celebrate the publication of your work."

Cheng Kaiyan waved her hand.

"Really?"

"That's great! Let's go to Dongfeng Hotel!"

The three of them were overjoyed. Thank goodness they finally got the meal.

"It's up to you to choose."

Cheng Kaiyan lowered her head and continued reading, thinking that she was celebrating for herself.

After all, it is the first time that it is published abroad.

Worth celebrating.

It would be even better if it could be noticed by foreign publishers, after all, the money earned would be US dollars.

Soon the school bell rang.

Director Fang, with a bald head, walked in wearing a military coat and started the class.

As November is approaching, there are fewer and fewer writers' classes.

The content of Director Fang’s course mainly deals with graduation thesis.

After writing the thesis and submitting it for review, you can graduate.

"How do you write a graduation thesis?"

"I remember Comrade Cheng Kaiyan wrote about it, didn't he? He will definitely do it!"

"But we don't know each other well, do we?"

……

The writers in the classroom were discussing a lot, and the topic focused on Cheng Kaiyan, who had once written a paper.

Wang Anyi turned her head silently, looked at Cheng Kaiyan, and asked tentatively: "How about we invite Cheng Kaiyan to dinner at noon? Let him teach us how to write a paper?"

"..."

Jiang Zilong and Ye Xin looked at each other.

So the meal is about to arrive and it has to be sent away right away?
"Okay."

Cheng Kaiyan felt very happy. It was great that she didn't have to pay for the meal.

……

Class is over.

Cheng Kaiyan made an appointment with them for dinner and then returned to her aunt's office.

As soon as he entered the house, he said, "Aunt, let's go out for lunch later."

"Ah."

Jiang Ting, who was sitting behind her desk processing documents, responded subconsciously and then asked, "Aren't you going to buy a house?"

Cheng Kaiyan said simply, "Others are treating us."

"According to your."

Jiang Ting nodded silently and continued to work.

Originally, Cheng Kaiyan was going to tell her the news that her work had been published abroad, but seeing that she was busy, Cheng Kaiyan quietly returned to her seat without disturbing her.

At noon, the two of them went out with Jiang Zilong and the other two to have a meal at a small state-owned restaurant outside the school.

After coming back, the two went back to the office to rest.

It's five o'clock in the afternoon and school is about to end.

Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting were packing up in the office, preparing to go home. At this time, there was a knock on the door, and Director Fang pushed the door open, with a slightly excited blush on his face, and said happily:

"Professor Jiang, I've received a notification from above that the Stanford University team will arrive at Beijing International Airport on a special plane at 7pm on the 29th. The official exchange will probably begin on the 31st. This exchange is not going to be simple!"

Director Fang spoke in a very serious tone.

This academic visit to Stanford University is actually a follow-up impact of the designer’s visit to Stanford University in the United States last year.

On the surface it is an academic exchange, but in fact it is the introduction and transfer of advanced technology.

“Although it’s not a visit to our Beijing Normal University, it’s a big event after all. We will all go and see it. When we meet people from Stanford, we can also try to invite them to visit Beijing Normal University. If we can invite them to exchange ideas, it would be great for our teachers and students to see the outside world.”

Director Fang said in a deep voice.

It is undoubtedly a great thing for domestic universities to be visited by the world's top universities.

It can not only broaden the horizons of students and teachers, but also enable academic exchanges and cooperation.

It can also increase domestic visibility and influence, and even international visibility.

At present, apart from Peking University and Tsinghua University, the international reputation and influence of other domestic universities can only be said to be negligible.

It is no exaggeration to say that it can even be described as non-existent.

Even Peking University attached great importance to Stanford's visit.

Even the schools were temporarily closed, and outsiders were not allowed to enter or leave at will, with the reason being that the safety of foreign guests was important.

"That's what you said."

Jiang Ting and Cheng Kaiyan looked at each other and did not want to disrupt Director Fang's expectations and hopes, so they could only nod silently.

Intellectually speaking, the possibility of inviting scholars from Stanford to visit and exchange with Beijing Normal University is very slim.

But try it, it won't hurt.

If it succeeds, it will be a huge profit.

……

Time flies and it is October 31st.

Peking University is particularly lively today.

The campus was decorated with lights and colorful banners. On the trees on both sides of the road hung red lanterns and festive banners with the following words written in both Chinese and English:

“Welcome the Stanford University exchange group to visit Peking University!”

Students in Zhongshan suits served as volunteers, with red armbands on their arms and red star hats on their heads, and with happy faces they maintained order and arranged the venue on campus.

Because today is the first day of exchange, there are a lot of people on campus.

In addition to Peking University’s teachers, students and staff, many professors and scholars from other schools, as well as government officials and leaders, came to Peking University to participate in this academic exchange.

At the entrance of Peking University Auditorium.

At this time, Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting walked up the stairs side by side and entered the auditorium.

Once inside, it was brightly lit and packed with people.

The auditorium, which could accommodate a thousand people, was packed with people.

Fortunately, Peking University had made plans in advance and prepared areas for leaders and professors from various universities to attend.

"Let's go sit there."

Jiang Ting pointed to the window seat in the fifth row and pulled Cheng Kaiyan towards that direction.

When we got to our seats, we saw that Director Fang, some leaders and several senior professors had already taken their seats.

"It seems like today is just a lecture? It doesn't look that formal?"

Cheng Kaiyan asked curiously.

"Well, it's just a lecture. It's the first day after all."

Jiang Ting nodded.

As expected, after the exchange began, a professor from Stanford University's business school began his speech.

First, he introduced the long history and academic achievements of Stanford University, and then talked about the economic situation of American society, people's living standards and so on.

Things like skyscrapers, urbanization, people’s income levels, high social welfare, education, etc.

To the Chinese people in 1980, it seemed particularly fresh and magical, especially when they heard about their average salary and working hours.

After the lecture, it was almost noon.

It was a long speech, but many people listened to it with great interest and remembered it fondly.

So much so that the seeds of yearning were quietly planted in the hearts of some people.

"Tsk tsk... I can't refute it at all."

Cheng Kaiyan originally wanted to use the memories of later generations to refute a few points and scold those who yearn for America.

But if you think about it carefully, this business school professor is not exaggerating.

The United States in 1980 was undoubtedly in its true golden age.

The whole country is full of vitality and vigor, and is thriving.

In terms of hard power and soft power, it crushes us in all aspects.

So Cheng Kaiyan had to give up.

At this time, the lecture ended and the crowd in the auditorium gradually dispersed.

In front of the auditorium, professors from many schools were surrounding the Stanford scholars.

The scholars who surrounded him all had blond hair and blue eyes, and wore suits and ties.

"Let's go and get to know each other."

Director Fang and Vice President Xiao Jianshan stood up, spoke to everyone at BNU, and then walked forward.

Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting also followed along to join in the fun.

But there were too many people, so they waited for a long time before they could barely talk to a female professor in her forties.

Due to language barriers, the professors at Beijing Normal University are not very good at English.

The two sides had to communicate through an interpreter.

Director Fang smiled and extended his hand: "Professor Pamela McKinney, nice to meet you..."

The female professor was wearing a well-fitting women's suit. She was tall and thin with a pointed chin.

She looked at the people in front of her with scrutiny.

Zhongshan suit, red star hat, and even a pen in the chest pocket. What era is this?

It seems that this place is indeed very poor and backward, exactly as reported in the news.

"Thank you. Me too."

Thinking of this, the female professor crossed her arms and did not shake hands with Director Fang, but just nodded indifferently.

"Ha ha……"

Director Fang's hands hung in the air awkwardly, his face flushed for a moment.

Fortunately, the old man is very magnanimous and does not argue with this woman.

Director Fang took back his hand and sincerely invited: "We are scholars from Beijing Normal University. Professor McKinney, can you invite us to visit our school for an exchange?"

"Exchange visit?"

Although she didn't understand the name of the school said by the translator, Professor McKinney still heard clearly that the old man in front of her was planning to invite her to their school for academic exchanges.

Professor McKinney sneered in his heart.

She even looked down on Peking University, thinking that coming here was a waste of time, let alone Beijing Normal University?
She glanced at everyone with disdain and said condescendingly, "Excuse me, everyone. What kind of school is Beijing Normal University? I've never heard of it... We at Stanford don't visit every school. I have something else to do, so I won't talk about it anymore."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back.

The translator opened his mouth in surprise when he heard this, and hurriedly explained that Professor McKinney suddenly had an urgent matter and could not accept the invitation from Beijing Normal University for the time being.

"Isn't that right? Is this woman saying that she has never heard of our Beijing Normal University? She doesn't visit every school..."

Cheng Kaiyan has learned English very well recently and retorted with a frown.

"Comrade translator, is what he said true?"

Director Fang asked seriously.

The translator looked at the angry crowd and nodded silently.

Suddenly, everyone in Beijing Normal University looked gloomy.

"Fuck, foreign woman!"

"How could you look down on our Beijing Normal University so much!"

Vice Principal Xiao Jianshan was so angry that his face turned red and he started cursing.

"Let's go, let's go... I, Fang, took it for granted. They are from one of the world's top universities... How could they agree to come to our school?"

"Hey……"

Director Fang waved his hands tiredly. He had to invite them to give it a try this time, but the result was not as expected.

The female professor's contemptuous look was deeply engraved in my heart.

This blow seemed to have aged him several years.

After Director Fang finished speaking, he turned around and left the auditorium without looking back.

Cheng Kaiyan also sighed and followed silently.

There is no way around it. If you lag behind, you will be beaten and people will look down on you.

Only when you have real hard power will others look at you with respect.

(End of this chapter)