1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 400 CCTV Interview!

People's Hall.

The once bustling awards hall is now deserted.

Cheng Kaiyan had assumed the symposium would be held here, but during lunch she learned that it would be held in a smaller conference room.

After all, the Great Hall of the People is a nationally important place where leaders often hold important meetings or receive foreign dignitaries.

Moreover, far fewer people attended the symposium, and most of the other unrelated bystanders left after watching the awards ceremony.

Most of those who remained were editors and writers.

"Aunt Minghua, are you also going to be interviewed?"

Cheng Kaiyan followed behind Tang Minghua and asked curiously.

"I was invited by the leaders of CCTV, and I originally planned to go back to handle official business."

Tang Minghua gracefully crossed her arms, glanced at him gently, and said calmly, "However, I'm still a little worried about you going to the interview alone... It wouldn't be good if the host asked some sensitive questions and you said something inappropriate."

"Oh, I see. Thank you, Aunt Minghua."

Cheng Kaiyan was surprised by her thoughtfulness and felt a warmth in her heart. She sincerely thanked her.

He knew that Aunt Minghua was mostly doing this because of his aunt and Ning Wanjia, but he was still quite touched.

He knew that Aunt Minghua was now a high-ranking leader in the Ministry of Culture, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was extremely busy. Yet she was still willing to take the time to accompany him on this interview and to take care of him.

"fine."

Tang Minghua shook her head calmly, said no more, and turned to lead Cheng Kaiyan into the awards hall.

……

The awards hall, after being cleaned and tidied, was now clean and tidy again.

Only a few lights were turned on on the podium.

on the sofa.

Wearing a women's shirt and sporting short, ear-length hair, the female host Xing Zhibin sat opposite Cheng Kaiyan and Tang Minghua.

He appeared to be in his thirties, with proper manners and a dignified and composed demeanor.

This is the current anchor of "Xinwen Lianbo" (the nightly news program on CCTV).

Cheng Kaiyan only realized the seriousness of this brief personal interview when she arrived.

He and Tang Minghua, the writer being interviewed and the Ministry of Culture leader assisting with the interview, sat side by side.

Diagonally opposite the three, a cameraman was holding a foreign camera that emitted a red light and pointing it at them.

In addition, there were TV station officials behind the cameras, responsible for supervision and censorship.

This interview is going to be broadcast on CCTV News, so there's no room for error.

"let's start!"

The director gestured, and the interview began.

"Comrades watching on television, this is Xing Zhibin..."

Xing Zhibin held the microphone, looked at the camera, and softly greeted the audience.

The camera then shifts to Cheng Kaiyan and Tang Minghua.

"I am Cheng Kaiyan, and I am Tang Minghua from the Ministry of Culture..."

The two exchanged warm smiles and greetings.

The camera pans back to include all three individuals, and the interview officially begins.

"I had long heard of Teacher Cheng Kaiyan's great name, and it was very well-known."

With a dignified smile, Xing Zhibin offered his congratulations in a clear and resonant voice: "First of all, congratulations to Professor Cheng on winning five major literary awards at today's ceremony. This achievement is worthy of being recorded in the history of Chinese literature; it is truly admirable!"

"Thank you."

Cheng Kaiyan maintained a calm expression, as Aunt Minghua had reminded her before she arrived.

Do not show any sudden emotions; remain calm.

"Having achieved such great success, and at such a young age, could you please tell us how you embarked on your literary career? I think many of you are curious about your experience."

Xing Zhibin asked with a smile, a well-concealed curiosity flashing in his eyes.

The first interview question is usually quite simple, used to shorten the distance between the interviewers and get them into the interview atmosphere.

"It should be considered a coincidence. In the winter of 1979, I was discharged from the front line in southern Xinjiang due to injuries and returned to the city."

Like many young people, he had no education, no job, and no skills.

Most of the time when I returned to the city, I would lie in the yard, basking in the sun, with nothing to do..."

Cheng Kaiyan raised her head slightly, a look of reminiscence on her face, and began to speak slowly and deliberately.

Hearing these words, which carried a leisurely and decadent tone, Tang Minghua, who was standing to the side, frowned slightly.

"call……"

Tang Minghua took a deep breath and did not interrupt Cheng Kaiyan, but instead gave him a look that suggested he should adjust his mind later.

Cheng Kaiyan saw the look in Aunt Minghua's eyes and sighed, "That year I was nineteen years old, in the golden age of my life, in this golden age of reform and opening up."

I have many desires. I want to strive, I want to contribute, and I even want to become a half-bright, half-dark cloud in the sky in an instant.

And so literature became my salvation…

The tone suddenly shifted, becoming more positive and uplifting.

Upon hearing this, Tang Minghua finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"This is indeed a golden age. I hope everyone can find their own path like Teacher Cheng Kaiyan."

Xing Zhibin nodded, looked at the teleprompter in his hand, and continued to the next question: "In 'Fragrant Grass,' we see many descriptions of that era, the passion and hardship of educated youth, the difficulties of life and the tenacity of the people."

How do you view suffering? What educational value do you think suffering offers to young people?

"Suffering is meaningless and not worth praising; this is a wrong value system."

Cheng Kaiyan answered without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, everyone present, including Xing Zhibin, Tang Minghua, and the director, paused in surprise.

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's understanding..."

Xing Zhibin was about to speak when Cheng Kaiyan interrupted him.

But Cheng Kaiyan spoke calmly to herself, her eyes filled with compassion and gentleness, as if she were lecturing everyone:
"The ancients said that Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to those who are destined for them, and this is the sacred origin of suffering."

It originates from China's five-thousand-year-old Confucian culture and is the target of criticism.

In fact, suffering only brings traumatic memories and health problems.

According to foreign scientific research, traumatic memories can permanently alter the structure of the hippocampus in the brain, increasing the probability of mental illness by three times compared to the average person.

Suffering should be remembered, not praised.

Suffering should be confronted, not glorified.

What truly deserves praise are the people who persevere through hardship, and whose backbone stands tall amidst suffering.

It is not suffering that blossoms from the depths of wounds, but the untamed light of life.

This is also the theme that contemporary "scar literature" has truly strayed from.

"call……"

After hearing these words, everyone present fell silent.

Everyone felt as if they had been struck by a great bell, with no desire to refute it. Instead, they felt as if a blindfold had been lifted from their eyes, and everything became clear.

"Teacher Cheng Kaiyan's words are truly thought-provoking and make one ponder deeply. I think the reason why the martyrs sacrificed for the people and fought for the country under such difficult circumstances is that..."

The fundamental reason is to ensure that future generations can live a prosperous and happy life with a strong nation.

Tang Minghua suddenly smiled and tried to make amends.

"Yes!"

The host nodded repeatedly and moved on to the next question.

Do you think there is a contradiction between the collective and the individual?

My opinion is...

"What is your view on the future of the market economy? Are you pessimistic or optimistic?"

"Good! Excellent! The people now have the opportunity to become wealthy! We should let those who get rich first help those who are still poor..."

What are your thoughts...?

After being asked a series of rather sensitive questions, Cheng Kaiyan couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. What the hell was the bastard who wrote these questions?!
They're rushing to dig a hole for him!
No wonder Aunt Minghua reminded him to be careful with his words so early on.

Fortunately, Aunt Minghua chimed in to smooth things over, and Cheng Kaiyan obediently sided with Guang Weizheng's words.

They frequently invoke the grand vision of revitalizing China and building a new era of modernization, or they insist on upholding...

"At the end of the interview, is there anything else you would like to say, Ms. Cheng Kaiyan?"

"In closing, I would like to thank my family, friends and loved ones who have been by my side. Without their encouragement and support, I don't think I would have achieved what I have today."

……

"Thank you for your cooperation. If all goes well, the interview will be broadcast on the evening news tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The cameras were turned off at 2:30 PM.

Host Xing Zhibin and director shook hands with Cheng Kaiyan and Tang Minghua to say goodbye.

"Phew...it's finally over."

Cheng Kaiyan wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and let out a long sigh of relief.

This seemingly glorious, but actually frightening, CCTV interview has finally come to a successful conclusion.

"You're not allowed to say anything carelessly from now on, understand? You're a public figure, after all."

Tang Minghua glared at him irritably, but when she saw that he was covered in sweat from fright, she couldn't help but smile and chuckle.

With her intelligent and beautiful eyes gently turning, Tang Minghua took out a small white silk handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over, saying lightly, "Wipe yourself properly, you have an interview with the People's Daily later!"

"……Thanks."

Cheng Kaiyan was stunned for a moment, then took it and wiped it, only to find a faint fragrance that she couldn't quite describe.

It seems to be the aroma of some kind of tea.

After a while.

Yang Zhenwu, an old acquaintance of the People's Daily, came in after receiving the news and said with a loud laugh, "Long time no see, Comrade Cheng Kaiyan!"

"Long time no see, Comrade Yang Zhenwu!"

"Congratulations, this is some big news today."

Yang Zhenwu's tone was full of amazement and emotion. He had witnessed the young man's excellence when he first met him last year.

At the time, he believed that Cheng Kaiyan would become a famous writer in the future. He encouraged Cheng Kaiyan to keep going, saying that he hoped to see him on the stage of the National Short Story Award in the future and then personally conduct a solo interview with him.

He was startled when he learned from the editor-in-chief that Cheng Kaiyan had won five major awards in a row.

I won five major awards! I almost swore in front of the editor-in-chief at the time.

This is not something that any ordinary famous writer could describe.

It's not impossible that he could become a future literary leader!

"Hello Director Tang, I'm Yang from People's Daily..."

After a moment of deep emotion, Yang Zhenwu turned his gaze to the beautiful woman beside him and said in a respectful tone.

"Yes, Comrade Xiao Yang."

Tang Minghua nodded slightly and said indifferently, her tone neither warm nor cold.

After exchanging pleasantries, the interview began.

This interview was much more relaxed than the one on CCTV.

The discussion did not cover sensitive topics, but rather focused on literary matters and Cheng Kaiyan's works.

At 3:30 p.m., everything came to an end.

The main entrance of the Great Hall of the People.

Cheng Kaiyan and Tang Minghua each came out carrying a cloth bag full of lunchboxes. After learning that Cheng Kaiyan was taking them back to her family to eat.

At noon, Tang Minghua asked the chefs at the People's Hall to prepare extra dishes, pack them up, and keep them warm.

It's still warm.

Cheng Kaiyan brought one portion, and Tang Minghua thought for a moment and also took one to take home as dinner for herself and her daughter.

"Then I'll be going now. Aunt Minghua, how did you get here? Should I take you back?"

Cheng Kaiyan lowered her eyes to look at the beautiful woman in front of her and said gently.

This aunt has helped him a lot since he met her.

Aunt Minghua may have initially done so out of consideration for her aunt or Ning Wanjia, but regardless, Cheng Kaiyan was still quite grateful to her and treated her as a respected elder.

If it weren't for Xiaoli, he might have really given in.

"Thank you, but no need. The driver will come to take me back in a bit."

Tang Minghua shook her head, looked at the lunchbox in Cheng Kaiyan's hand, thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Yan, let me switch with you."

"box lunch?"

Cheng Kaiyan picked up the lunchbox in her hand and asked in confusion.

"Ah."

Tang Minghua nodded gently.

"Give."

Cheng Kaiyan exchanged the items with her without any hesitation, and Tang Minghua didn't ask any further questions either.

"I'm leaving."

"Slow down on the road."

Tang Minghua held the bag in both hands, letting it hang down in front of her, and quietly watched the young man walk away into the distance against the wind.

He spread his arms and let go of the handlebars, the bicycle wheels swaying freely on the street, his dashing and unrestrained silhouette stretched long in the slanting sunlight.

A faint, almost imperceptible laugh could be heard in the wind.

"The unrestrained and carefree spirit of youth..."

Tang Minghua raised her delicate pinky finger and tucked her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind or laughter, behind her ear.

Rouyu twisted her waist and turned away cleanly and decisively.

……

"Boom boom..."

The entrance to the garden villas in the Air Force compound.

A black sedan stopped at the entrance, and the door opened.

A shapely leg stretched the fitted trousers tightly before falling down.

Tang Minghua got out of the car, informed the driver, and went inside.

The sound of a television could be heard coming from the classically styled living room.

A slender, tall girl with a delicate and flawless face was curled up on the sofa, covered with a blanket, holding a doll in her arms, watching TV listlessly.

Her slender, jade-like legs leaned together at an angle, the hems of her cotton trousers rolled up to expose the girl's soft, pinkish-white flesh, which shimmered with a porcelain-like sheen in the light from the window.

Her delicate, porcelain-like feet dangled in mid-air above the sofa, swaying unconsciously, hinting at the girl's current mood.

Yesterday, Ning Wanjia already knew that today was the award ceremony for three major literary awards, and she even begged her mother to let her go and broaden her horizons.

Tang Minghua could easily see through her daughter's little scheme: to broaden her horizons.

Is she going to see a certain man?

Despite this, Tang Minghua couldn't resist her daughter's insistence and reluctantly agreed.

Unfortunately, Ning Wanjia looked through the timetable and discovered that there was an engine design class tomorrow morning.

Ning Wanjia, who hated going to class more than ever before in her life, had no choice but to abandon her plans.

I went to class obediently, and after returning home at noon, I watched TV the whole time, waiting for my mother to bring back the news.

"Click..."

Her delicate pink ears trembled slightly at the sound of starting the engine outside the door, like a startled little rabbit.

"Mom is back?"

Ning Wanjia immediately sat up straight and focused on watching TV.

"Jiajia...I'm back."

Tang Minghua bent over at the door, changing her shoes, and called out. Soon, she heard her daughter's clear, cold voice.

"understood."

Huh? So cold?

Tang Minghua had some doubts in her heart. She changed her shoes and went into the house. She first went to the kitchen to wash her hands, and then carried the boxed lunch to the sofa.

Seeing that Ning Wanjia was focused on watching TV, she didn't even look at him when he came back.

"Ha ha……"

The beautiful woman shook her head helplessly. Having raised her daughter single-handedly, she knew perfectly well that this was just her feigning modesty.

But she is not in a hurry.

I simply sat down next to my daughter and started watching TV, occasionally eating some fruit from the coffee table.

Seeing that her mother had no intention of saying anything, Ning Wanjia gritted her teeth and continued watching TV.

The mother and daughter remained locked in a stalemate for a long time, and Ning Wanjia almost ground her teeth to powder.

"Ugh... I'm exhausted today."

Tang Minghua finally let out a long sigh, leaned back on the sofa, and rubbed her shoulders wearily.

"Mom, let me massage you!"

Ning Wanjia's eyes lit up, and she couldn't wait to speak.

"alright."

Tang Minghua reluctantly agreed, then began to nitpick without any politeness, "Can't you use a little more force? Didn't you eat? Move to the left a bit..."

"call……"

If her teeth weren't so strong and healthy, the girl would have almost bitten them to pieces; her little face turned bright red with anger.

But she still succumbed to her mother's tyranny and weakly said, "I didn't eat..."

"That's perfect, you can have these boxed meals."

Tang Minghua pointed to the boxed lunches on the coffee table.

"Forget it, I won't..."

"Cheng Kaiyan packed up the leftovers at the awards ceremony banquet."

Tang Minghua said leisurely.

"Don't eat!"

Ning Wanjia resolutely refused to eat, changing the subject: "At the awards ceremony? Mom, did Cheng Kaiyan win an award today?"

"He won an award! He was nominated for five works, and all five won awards. CCTV and People's Daily interviewed him, and the interview will be broadcast on tomorrow's news program."

Tang Minghua said calmly.

"..."

But Ning Wanjia didn't show the expected joy and surprise. Instead, she remained silent and murmured, "This guy is really amazing! He's much better than the outstanding scions of those big families."

"If I had known this, why would I do it in the first place?"

"You should trust your third aunt's judgment. Of course, your judgment isn't bad either... but you're lacking in personality, luck, and timing."

Tang Minghua said coldly.

……

Wutong Courtyard.

The courtyard on a spring afternoon was as quiet as a calm lake.

The beautiful and gentle woman rested her chin on her hand, idly watching the leaves swaying in the wind and the cat chasing butterflies in the courtyard.

"Ding ding..."

A tall, handsome figure pushed a bicycle in.

"Kaiyan! She's back!"

"came back."

Cheng Kaiyan looked at her mother sitting under the eaves, a light smile on her face.

At this moment, Xu Yuxiu had already walked over quickly, helping him push the cart and carrying the bags from the basket.

Although she didn't ask a question, the woman's concerned eyes said it all.

"Five nominations, and all five won awards, Mom! All thanks to the five fried eggs you made this morning!"

"real!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuxiu's beautiful eyes widened, and she gasped in surprise, covering her mouth slightly.

All won awards!

My morning wish came true!

The woman's surprise quickly passed, replaced by an overwhelming sense of pride and joy!

(End of this chapter)