1979: My fiancée is a goddess

The meeting room at four o'clock in the afternoon fell silent instantly because someone suddenly slammed their hand on the table.

Only the sounds of everyone breathing and the rustling of clothes remained.

The dozen or so association members attending the meeting all instinctively looked up, staring at the conference table with surprise and uncertainty.
A middle-aged man with a large belly, sparse hair, wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit, and a pen pinned to his chest, held a list of candidates that had just been handed to him.

His oily face was full of confusion and surprise, and his small eyes even showed a strange anger in everyone's eyes as he questioned Chairman Chen Zijun.

This is Comrade Hu Xiuwen, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Children's Literature Research Association.

The list of candidates refers to the candidates for vice president this year.

It remains unclear who the young people he was referring to on the candidate list are.

"Who is Comrade Hu referring to? Are there any young people in our association?"

"No way, I remember the youngest one was Cao Wenxuan from Peking University, right? Are you talking about him? Goodness."

"How could it be him? He doesn't have any outstanding academic achievements."

"Why did Lao Hu get so angry this time? This isn't like him. He usually seems quite calm."

"This is a competition for the vice president position, so how could they not be anxious? I guess it's also because of that young man on the list."

This sparked much discussion among the crowd.

The Children's Literature Research Association is a national-level social organization registered and approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and supervised by the Ministry of Culture. It is also the first national academic organization for children's literature in China.

Although its coverage is not as extensive as that of the China Writers Association, and its level is not as high.

However, as a national organization focused on academic research, exchange, and promotion of children's literature, its importance is evident.

Naturally, the position of vice president of such a national association is highly sought after, with people scrambling to get it.

Hu Jianwen is a candidate for vice president and a strong contender.

No wonder he lost his composure.

At the very front of the conference table, a middle-aged man with a gentle face and slightly balding hair swept his gaze across the noisy crowd.

"Comrade Hu Jianwen! Please observe meeting discipline! Is this the place for you to slam your fist on the table and throw a tantrum?!"

Then, with a serious expression, he looked at Hu Jianwen, exhaled a long puff of smoke, and said in a cold, sharp voice.

"I'm sorry, Chairman Chen, I was just being emotional."

Hu Jianwen took a few deep breaths to suppress his dissatisfaction and offered a perfunctory apology, but then questioned him further:

"Regarding the inclusion of Comrade Cheng Kaiyan, a young person who does not belong to our Children's Literature Research Association, in the candidate list, does Chairman Chen not intend to explain this to everyone?"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the conference room.

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan? Could it be the Comrade Cheng Kaiyan who was praised as a master of Chinese children's literature by Mr. Ye Shengtao and Ms. Bing Xin?"

A young woman exclaimed in surprise.

"So it was him! No wonder Chairman Chen took a liking to him!"

Everyone was astonished and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

In the domestic children's literature circle, there is practically no one who doesn't know the name of this great talent.

This is because Comrade Cheng Kaiyan has made outstanding, even pioneering, achievements in the fields of literature, children's literature, and theory.

Just like the research paper on children's literature theory published in the Journal of Peking University last year, "The Three Major Themes of Children's Literature," which quickly attracted great attention and popularity in the children's literature community and even the literary theory community as soon as it was published last year.

Professor Jiang Feng, a renowned domestic expert and scholar and vice president of the Chinese Society for the Study of Children's Literature, also had an exchange and dialogue with him at Beijing Normal University.

Even some prestigious universities, such as Zhejiang Normal University, Beijing Normal University, and Peking University, have included it in their children's literature majors and required reading for literature majors.

Of course, what he is most famous for is winning five major awards in March, appearing in the People's Daily, and even being interviewed on CCTV's News Broadcast.

After this incident, he became a household name overnight, and some people even called him a "future literary giant" and a "young literary leader"!
"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is coming to our association as vice president?! That's wonderful!"

Some young women cheered quietly.

These words immediately caused Comrade Hu Jianwen's face to darken, and he was secretly annoyed.

In his view, he has a high level of education, has published several papers in the Peking University Journal, and his academic achievements are not bad. Moreover, he is the deputy secretary-general. Most of the candidates on the list are not as good as him, so he can easily become the vice president.

But to everyone's surprise, a Cheng Yaojin appeared out of nowhere.

Then look at the expressions of amazement and anticipation on the faces of the people in the academy as they looked at the young man they had never met before.

It strongly suggests that they are welcoming Cheng Kaiyan "into the pass".

Hu Jianwen's heart sank. Although he was proud, he did not believe that the young man's achievements and fame were comparable to his own.

damn it!
But why him of all people?
Why did they have to interfere at this crucial moment?
Why can't a great writer and talented scholar like you just write novels?
The Children's Literature Research Association is not a place where you can make easy money!

They insisted on coming all the way here to grab a spot!

The more he thought about it, the angrier and more agitated he became. His dissatisfaction and a hint of jealousy spread like wildfire, becoming uncontrollable.

"I'm sure everyone is very curious about Comrade Hu's question."

Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is indeed not a member of our association, but vice president candidates do not necessarily have to be selected from within the association.

We must broaden our horizons and open our minds to comrades like Cheng Kaiyan, who are capable, prestigious, and honorable, so that we can learn to absorb outstanding talents like him.

Only in this way can we make a greater contribution to children, teenagers, and the development of Chinese children's literature.

President Chen Zijun addressed the crowd with a solemn expression.

"The president is right. He understands the greater good and everything he does is for the better development."

"I think it would be better to select from within. The position of vice president is such an important one."

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is excellent and capable, but ultimately she is too young, only in her twenties, and has no work experience. How can she be the vice president?"

"I think it's okay to let him join our association, but let's think about the vice president position again."

Some people spoke out in rebuttal, while others supported the argument, and both sides had their reasons and evidence.

In short, both sides had their own reasons, and the situation remained deadlocked for a time.

“I have heard everyone’s opinions. Comrade Cheng Kaiyan has only been added to the list of candidates, not directly elected. The specific situation will depend on everyone’s democratic vote.”

Chen Zijun called on a few comrades to speak, and after listening to their thoughts, she smiled and explained, then looked at Hu Jianwen: "What do you think, Comrade Hu? What do the other candidates think?"

"That's true, they're just candidates."

Someone reacted.

"What Chairman Chen said is true; they were all expressing their condolences for a better future."

Hu Jianwen gradually calmed down. It was indeed because of Cheng Kaiyan's sudden appearance that the position of vice president became uncertain, which caused him to lose his composure.

However, Cheng Kaiyan is too young to be convincing.

More importantly, he has connections above him; he's determined to become the vice president.

What good are great writers and talented individuals? In the face of power, they are nothing.

"Okay, then, the specific list of candidates will be adjusted. We'll arrange the cultural activities for next month later, then everyone can adjourn the meeting."

Upon hearing Hu Jianwen's concession, Chairman Chen nodded in satisfaction, which eased the atmosphere of the meeting slightly, and he continued to make arrangements according to the plan.

I also decided to go see Comrade Cheng Kaiyan tomorrow and hear his wishes.

He hasn't asked anyone about this yet, but there's nothing he can do about it.

It's because Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is too famous, especially in the field of children's literature.

It is their research institute that needs this young man, not the other way around.

There are many reasons why Cheng Kaiyan was included on the candidate list.

Firstly, he didn't want the vice president position to fall into Hu Jianwen's hands.

Secondly, the addition of Cheng Kaiyan, a master of children's literature praised by renowned figures such as Ye Shengtao and Bing Xin, will greatly benefit the development and growth of the association.

But it's impossible to just make Comrade Cheng Kaiyan an ordinary member; that would be embarrassing for him. Besides, if word got out, it would only make outsiders think they've learned to be stingy.

So even a master of children's literature can only be an ordinary member?
Does that mean we ordinary researchers have even less hope?

……

Even after the meeting ended, people were still discussing it enthusiastically as they left the meeting room.

In the corridor, Chen Zijun called out to a woman in her fifties in front of her, "Comrade Pu Manting, wait a minute!"

"Old Chen, what's up?"

Pu Manting turned her head and looked over, pushing up her glasses in confusion.

"Aren't you a professor in the Chinese Department at Beijing Normal University? Are you acquainted with Comrade Cheng Kaiyan?"

Chen Zijun quickly asked.

"We're not very close because he often doesn't come to school."

But I was the one who reviewed those two papers for him, and I'm close to his aunt. What brings you to him for something?

Upon hearing this, Pu Manting immediately laughed, knowing what Old Chen was up to.

She worked as a teaching assistant at Northeast Normal University in 1953, and transferred to Beijing Normal University in 1979. She is now a professor in the Chinese Department and the deputy director of the teaching and research office.

I began serving as vice president on June 1st last year, after the association was established.

"Isn't this a request for you to act as an intermediary and invite him to join our association? You and he are from the same school and have a good relationship."

Chen Zijun explained with a smile that he actually wanted to find Mr. Zhang Guangnian, but the man was too busy and he was too embarrassed to bother him. He only asked a few more questions and then gave up.

"Okay."

Pu Manting nodded in agreement, "Today is Thursday the 21st, let's arrange to meet Cheng Kaiyan on Saturday to talk."

"The timing is perfect. I have a major conference to be held at the Ministry of Culture on the 25th."

"What conference? I don't know anything about it."

"It should be related to arts and literature for children and teenagers."

"That's it..."

She asked no more questions.

……

The next day, Friday, school finally let out for the holidays.

Cheng Kaiyan and Liu Xiaoli also enjoyed some leisure time together.

That afternoon, he prepared dinner and went to the Beijing Dance Academy to pick up Sister Xiaoli.

Just as I was planning to finish dinner, take a hot shower, and then start my wonderful nightlife...

"Kaiyan, I'm going to take a shower first. After we finish eating, we'll go to the faculty compound at Beijing Normal University to visit Auntie."

Liu Xiaoli took a change of clothes from the bedroom, walked to the sofa, and said to Cheng Kaiyan.

"what?"

Cheng Kaiyan looked up at his wife and found that her expression was serious.

"What do you mean? We haven't visited Auntie for almost half a month!"
You know exactly what kind of life your auntie had when she lived alone. I bet she hasn't had a proper meal since I moved out.

Liu Xiaoli patted Cheng Kaiyan, her face full of worry and self-blame: "We shouldn't have forgotten about Auntie after we got engaged."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Kaiyan realized the problem.

For the past two weeks, he and Xiaoli have been inseparable, deeply in love.

Leaving my aunt alone at home, and not going to school to work with her, I imagine it would be very lonely and desolate.

In addition, she...

Cheng Kaiyan sighed inwardly, "We should go see her later and bring her some food. If we're quick, she probably hasn't eaten yet."

"Okay, let's speed things up."

Knowing the problem, the two immediately sped up their work.

Half an hour later, the two finished showering and eating, then took their keys and went out.

……

On the other side, Beijing Normal University.

Chinese Department Office.

"Um--"

After finishing processing the last work document, Jiang Ting stretched her slender arms and yawned.

Beneath the white silk printed shirt, her full, soft breasts were stretched taut, almost as if the shirt would burst.

Her beautiful, aloof face turned to look out the window.

School had already let out by then, and it was almost the weekend.

After finishing their meals, the college students strolled leisurely on campus and the playground. Members of the recitation club recited poems from a book, their voices clear and melodious, carrying far and wide.

"It seems to be the poem that Kaiyan wrote in 79..."

Jiang Ting recognized what it was and subconsciously turned to look at the empty seat next to the desk that had been sitting there for a long time.

Even her usually indifferent and emotionless phoenix eyes were momentarily lost in thought for a few seconds.

She remembered that at that time, she was indifferent to Cheng Kaiyan, only thinking that he was an excellent and filial junior.

Not like now...

The icy beauty seemed lost in thought, unusually tired and silent.

She leaned back in the wooden chair, closing her eyes to rest.

Fifteen minutes later, she stood up, tidied her clothes and hair, maintaining the poise and elegance of a mature and beautiful woman.

He then stuffed a recent academic journal into his briefcase, got up, and left.

At six o'clock in the afternoon at the end of May, the sky was still bright.

The westward-sloping red sunlight shone down the corridor. As I passed the open teaching and research office, someone suddenly called out to me.

"Professor Jiang, you haven't gone back yet?"

"Ah."

It was a female professor in her fifties named Pu Manting, whose research field was the same as Xiao Yan's. Therefore, Jiang Ting stopped and gave a faint nod in response.

"Perfect timing, I'm done too, let's go back together."

"it is good."

"Professor Jiang, why hasn't your Cheng Kaiyan come to work lately?"

"I just got engaged, I'm busy."

"Engaged? No wonder. By the way, aren't I the vice president of the Children's Literature Research Association? Our association is planning to invite Comrade Cheng Kaiyan to join us. Professor Jiang, what do you think..."

"Children's Literature Research Society?"

Jiang Ting stopped and turned around, revealing a very calm surprise. After a thought flashed through her mind, she said in a cool and indifferent tone, "If they are ordinary members of the association, then there is no need."

"Of course not. Our president wants to put him on the list of candidates for vice president this year."

"Vice President?" (End of Chapter)