1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 398: Full of vigor and confidence, he overwhelmed the entire audience!
People's Hall, banquet hall.

Cheng Kaiyan followed the surging crowd, stepping onto the expensive red carpet as she slowly entered the venue.

Upon entering, the view suddenly opened up.

A huge banquet hall appeared before us, the venue being circular in shape.

The surrounding walls are covered with elegant and exquisite pearl white wallpaper.

A huge golden five-pointed star hangs on the circular dome at the top of the banquet hall.

The surrounding area is decorated with rice ears, sickles, red flags and other ornaments.

Bright crystal chandeliers surrounded the dome, illuminating the entire venue.

The huge stage was decorated with many items, as well as sofas and chairs; a literary symposium might be held soon.

Below the stage was a large hall that could hold a thousand people, and it was packed to capacity.

Writers from all over the country, magazine editors, leaders of local writers' associations, and leaders of various organizations took their seats.

Cheng Kaiyan, Ye Xin, and the other nominated writers sat in the third row so they could easily go on stage to receive their awards or give speeches.

My father was sitting in the fourth row with teachers Zhang Guangnian and Wang Meng.

"This year's schedule is also relatively simple: opening ceremony speech, roll call and awards ceremony, then a state banquet at 1:30 pm, and a symposium in the afternoon."

The China Writers Association combined the awarding of the three major literary awards into one event, which saved a lot of trouble.

Cheng Kaiyan looked at the schedule of the awards ceremony with a relaxed expression.

I was worried about having to run around between several award ceremony venues, but it seems I don't need to now.

"Here, have a cup of tea."

At this moment, Wang Anyi and Chen Shanshan went to the side to pour tea and brought over several cups of water.

"Thank you."

Cheng Kaiyan thanked her softly, took the drink, sipped it, and casually asked, "Brother Jiang Zilong didn't come this year?"

"Here it comes, his 'Diary of a Factory Secretary' has also been selected, it's next in line."

Zhang Kangkang's "Summer" was also shortlisted; several people from our class were shortlisted as well.

Ye Xin shook his head and explained.

He then asked, "So? Are you confident today?"

This is something many people are curious about: how many awards will Cheng Kaiyan ultimately receive after being nominated for so many awards?

"One is fine, two are acceptable, and three would be even better."

Cheng Kaiyan joked.

"Get lost, whoever wins the award later will treat everyone to dinner."

Ye Xin laughed and playfully punched him. Most people would be overjoyed with just one nomination, let alone two or three.

You think this is wholesale?
He simply couldn't believe that the judging committees of the three major awards would do something so blatant.

It should be noted that the love letter, which should have been nominated for the novella award, was given to the short story award because it was feared to be too eye-catching.

"Okay."

The group chatted idly.

As the loudspeaker blared softly, the entire venue fell silent, and the atmosphere became exceptionally serious and solemn.

"Whoosh..."

The classic microphone-blowing sound rang out.

A tall, beautiful woman in a women's suit walked gracefully onto the stage, her mature and melodious voice resonating throughout the venue through the microphone.

"Fellow comrades! I hereby announce the awards ceremony for this year's National Short Story Award, National Outstanding Novella Award, and National Outstanding Children's Literature Award—"

"Let's begin!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers and thunderous applause.

"Clap clap clap!"

"Clap clap clap!"

Cheng Kaiyan clapped along, her gaze fixed on the mature woman hosting the awards ceremony above.

Isn't this Ning Wanjia's mother, Aunt Tang Minghua?

How did he go from being an audience member sitting below clapping to becoming a leader hosting the entire awards ceremony in just one year?

So you've become a leader in the Ministry of Culture, right?

Cheng Kaiyan clicked her tongue in amazement, thinking that it was indeed true that one needed a background to become an official.

One year in the army, two years in service, three years as a deputy minister – that's no joke.

"Ok?"

The beautiful woman stood on the stage, looking down at the nearly one thousand audience members below. She easily spotted Cheng Kaiyan sitting in the middle of the hall, in the third row, and found him looking at her strangely.

This guy……

Tang Minghua blinked, a faint smile appearing on her face.

I understand he was wondering why he was hosting the show this year.

The applause quickly faded away.

Tang Minghua composed herself, gripped the microphone, and said in a deep voice, "Next, please welcome Mr. Ba Jin to the stage to deliver a speech for this awards ceremony..."

After a round of applause.

"Comrades, good morning! I am..."

An elderly man with a kind face and a round face, dressed in a black Zhongshan suit and wearing thick black glasses, walked onto the stage, took the microphone, and began to speak directly.

Cheng Kaiyan listened for a while, mainly talking about the outstanding writers and achievements in the literary world last year.

Cheng Kaiyan also heard her own name mentioned, as she was highly praised by Ba Jin for her military fieldwork and her title as a pioneer of battlefield literature and art.

During his speech, many of his comrades frequently looked in his direction.

Cheng Kaiyan kept a straight face and remained calm. "It seems that Ba Jin will take over the China Writers Association this year, right?"

A short while after Mr. Ba finished speaking, Tang Minghua took the microphone again and announced: "The award ceremony will now officially begin. Please welcome Mr. Ba to announce the winners of the National Excellent Short Story Award!"

Upon hearing this, the thousands of people in the audience held their breath and stared intently at the stage.

"I hereby announce that the winner of the National Excellent Short Story Award is—"

Mr. Ba held the thin piece of paper in his hand, looked at the name on it, and spoke in a voice that was both old and loud.

Many comrades subconsciously swallowed, staring at the list in the elderly man's hand on the stage with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

The thin, translucent paper seemed as heavy as Mount Tai at this moment, as if it determined their fate.

"The first place goes to... Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's work, 'Love Letter'!"

"A letter from heaven is like a key to a treasure, unlocking a piece of the past."

That unrequited love, like the warm winter sun, was both sweet and bittersweet.

The writing is fresh and simple, turning past stories into letters that can irresistibly draw readers into their own youthful memories.

Love Letters deeply moves its readers with its beautiful, poignant, and meaningful story.

"Let's congratulate Comrade Cheng Kaiyan! Please come up to the stage to receive your award!"

Mr. Ba Jin's gentle voice seemed to possess a magical power, leading everyone in the audience to recall that touching story buried deep in the snow.

"Clap clap clap."

Everyone present was awakened from the bittersweet memories of unrequited love and regretful youth, and they applauded thunderously.

No one had any objections.

This is the power of the sincere emotions and regretful youth depicted in "Love Letter" to move and persuade readers.

Congratulations! You're beaming!

Wang Anyi was the first to offer her congratulations with a beaming smile, and the others around her echoed her sentiments.

"Happy together."

Cheng Kaiyan responded with a happy smile, then stood up and walked calmly towards the stage under the gaze of thousands of people.

The clear, water-like light slanted down onto his slender body, illuminating the metal buttons of his dark blue Zhongshan suit until they shone brightly, reflecting a dazzling light.

A dashing young man, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, full of vigor and charm!
"Wow, she's so young! Is she really only twenty-one?"

Some people looked at Cheng Kaiyan in amazement.

"so hot!"

Many female comrades raised their blushing faces, their eyes sparkling as they looked at the tall and elegant figure of the young man on the stage.

"Kacha kacha~"

As everyone watched Cheng Kaiyan's retreating figure, many newspaper reporters quickly snapped out of their daze, aimed, and pressed the shutter to capture the moment.

"Old Hu! Old Li, you two look! Cheng Kaiyan really won an award, and she's in first place! Come and see!"

At this moment, the back row of the audience seats on the east side, near the window.

The thin, white-skinned writer nudged Old Hu, who was writing something nearby, and Editor Li, while curiously glancing at the legendary young man.

This is Cheng Kaiyan, who had five works nominated for the grand prize and won first place.

They've been interested for a while now.

"Uh uh..."

But when that figure came out of sight, the writer Bai froze on the spot, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.

"What's wrong, Lao Bai?" Lao Hu looked up and was about to look when he caught a glimpse of Lao Bai's strange expression and quickly asked.

"Gulu..."

Editor Li swallowed subconsciously and said in a hoarse voice, "This Cheng Kaiyan looks so familiar... How come he looks so much like that young man we just met?"

"That Xiao Cheng?"

"Don't be ridiculous, it really is him!"

Old Hu looked up immediately, then froze on the spot as if he had been electrocuted, and couldn't help but utter a curse in his southern Hunan accent.

The three of them exchanged glances and saw the shock and astonishment in each other's eyes.

……

"Congratulations, Comrade Cheng Kaiyan."

On the stage, Mr. Ba Jin looked at Cheng Kaiyan with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

Two days ago, he visited his old friend Mao Dun and heard the young man's name from him many times. Although he had heard of the young man's fame before, and even his granddaughter was a fan of his books.

Seeing it today, it is indeed extraordinary.

"Thank you, Professor Ba Jin!"

Cheng Kaiyan smiled slightly, remaining calm but still quite happy when it came time to receive the award.

"You're welcome, you truly deserve it."

Mr. Ba Jin smiled, put the medal on Cheng Kaiyan's head, and gave her a prize of one hundred yuan.

After receiving the award, he stepped off the stage.

"Second place! Comrade Xu Huaizhong's 'Anecdotes from the Western Front'!"

"Fifth place... 'The Foolish Old Master Wang'!"

……

"Eighth place! Zhang Xianliang, author of 'Spirit and Flesh'!"

One after another, many people went up on stage to receive their awards.

Cheng Kaiyan also heard a very familiar name: Zhang Xianliang, author of "Spirit and Flesh".

If you get a Jeep Wrangler at the start of the game, how would you respond?

He turned and nudged Ye Xin's arm, saying with a grin, "Old Ye! Do you want a wife? Just say the word, and I'll send her over!"

"What wife stuff?!"

Ye Xin was completely bewildered, and said with a wry smile, "Let me tell you, I have a boyfriend too!"

"Haha, you have a boyfriend now? When are you going to let us meet him?!"

Cheng Kaiyan chuckled softly.

"Brother Ye, Cheng Kaiyan is talking about Comrade Zhang Xianliang's book 'Spirit and Flesh,' and these words are from the book!"

Wang Anyi and Chen Shanshan explained in unison, and after they finished speaking, the two women looked at each other, not expecting to be so in sync.

……

An hour and a half later, the short story award ceremony was over.

Cheng Kaiyan, along with all the award-winning writers and literary veterans, went on stage for a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

"Kaiyan, come here and stand in the middle with me."

Tang Minghua, a dignified and mature beauty, waved her hand and called out to Cheng Kaiyan in a gentle and affectionate voice.

Then, amidst the surprised gazes of many, she pulled Cheng Kaiyan to the center of the crowd and made him stand shoulder to shoulder with her.

Then he affectionately took Cheng Kaiyan's arm.

"This can be considered a fulfillment of my wish... Now that the photos are taken, Jiajia can have a good look at them."

Tang Minghua noticed Cheng Kaiyan's surprised and strange expression and said with a half-smile.

"..."

Cheng Kaiyan remained silent.

Your wish? What wish? You want me to be your son-in-law, right?
"Smile!"

Under the photographer's direction, the awards ceremony came to an end.

Everyone returned to their seats; the next novella award ceremony would officially begin at 11:00 AM.

"Aren't you nervous? The novella prize is about to be awarded. If you win several big prizes today, it will really cause a sensation in the literary world!"

Jiang Zilong then came over from another spot and asked with a smile.

"Then let's try to win an award so that you can have the opportunity to witness it."

Cheng Kaiyan raised her chin, adopting an arrogant expression that drew everyone's attention.

Although it was said in a joking tone, the confidence he exuded made it impossible not to believe in this young man.

Just like he said he would return alone and blow up the bridge.

"Are you really that confident?"

Jiang Zilong, Wang Anyi, and the others exchanged glances. Regardless of whether it was true or not, they all hoped that Cheng Kaiyan could do it.

It is rare to have the opportunity to have five works nominated by the same author in one's lifetime.

"That's wishful thinking. You'd be lucky to get one award, let alone anything else."

Several writers in the second row pursed their lips upon hearing this.

"It was youthful arrogance all along."

Several established writers in the fourth row secretly shook their heads, thinking that young people are, after all, young people, too confident and arrogant.

"If I were Professor Ye's last student, would I be this arrogant?"

Someone muttered under their breath.

"We'll soon find out whether it's true or false, whether it's confidence or just boasting!"

Most people still didn't believe it, thinking that the leaders of the Writers' Association and the three magazines would never be so reckless.

The work is excellent and outstanding, but doing it this way is too eye-catching and could easily cause trouble.

Eleven o'clock arrived in the blink of an eye.

"Comrades, the award ceremony for the first National Outstanding Novella Award is now officially beginning!"

The ceremony officially began with Tang Minghua's mature and intellectual voice announcing the start.

Mr. Ba, who had just announced the list, was now sitting calmly in the audience, chatting and drinking tea with Mr. Ye Shengtao and others.

The person announcing the winners on stage was Ms. Bing Xin.

"Old Ye, do you think your son, Xiao Kaiyan, can win the novella prize?"

Mr. Ba Jin turned his head to look at Cheng Kaiyan, who was sitting in front of him chatting and laughing with her friends, and asked with great interest.

As one of only three major pure literature awards in China, the selection results are kept highly confidential. All members of the judging committee cannot leave the judging panel from the time they recommend works until the final ranking is completed. They can only leave after the awards ceremony.

Just like the teachers who set the college entrance exam questions.

Therefore, even Mr. Ba Jin, the current acting leader of the China Writers Association, was unaware of it.

"It depends on whether the judges on the judging committee adhere to the unspoken rules or insist on the quality of the work."

If it's the latter, I believe I'll smile.

You should know how much of a stir the nomination of "Fragrant Grass" caused among educated youth in China some time ago.

In my opinion, it's not Fangcao's loss if it doesn't win an award.

On the contrary, this inaugural novella prize will face enormous criticism and pressure.

Mr. Ye Shengtao explained calmly and confidently.

"Heh, you old codger, you've found such an outstanding student at your age, really!"

Mr. Ba Jin couldn't help but feel a little envious. What kind of luck was this!

Although he was not very familiar with the young man Cheng Kaiyan, Mr. Ba Jin had read all of his works.

They are definitely among the most outstanding people in the future of Chinese literature.

Some time ago, he heard that Cheng Kaiyan's work had even been picked up by an American publisher, earning her a large sum of US dollars.

Thinking of this, Ba Jin's eyes darted around: "When I visited Yan Bing the day before yesterday, did you know what he planned to do to your student?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Old Ye immediately sat up straight and asked calmly, "What does he want to do?"

"He's considering having your student take over the business, but there are conditions..."

Buffett smiled mysteriously.

"I won't interfere with that; let Kaiyan decide for himself."

Old Ye shook his head, offering no opinion.

"Let's see how many awards we can win today. At least we need to get some recognition and make a name for ourselves."

Mr. Buffett looked away, and the award ceremony began.

"Tear..."

"I hereby declare the first place winner to be..."

(End of this chapter)