1979: My fiancée is a goddess

"Such young and outstanding comrades certainly exist. Don't underestimate our young people today."

Chen Zijun replied with a smile.

To be honest, after our last encounter, Cheng Kaiyan felt even more strongly that he had made the right move.

Perhaps this Cheng Kaiyan can actually compete with Hu Jianwen.

"Young people these days are indeed outstanding. For example, we recently had several new interns from Peking University and Tsinghua University in our office, and their knowledge is truly exceptional."

However, despite his abilities, he doesn't do things as meticulously as our veteran colleagues who have worked for many years, and he's also a bit clumsy and indecisive.

The female leader smiled faintly, somewhat undeniably, and then advised, "Old Chen, you should really think carefully about the matter of becoming the vice president of your association."

"Hehe, Director Luo is right."

No matter how outstanding or excellent these young people are, they can't do without the guidance and direction from us seniors; otherwise, they might easily make a huge mess!

Hu Jianwen chuckled and echoed.

"That is a wise and mature opinion."

Tang Minghua nodded slightly.

That's true, but there are always some people who defy conventional wisdom.

Chen Zijun could tell that these leaders were expressing doubt and incomprehension about Cheng Kaiyan's candidacy for vice president.

But he remained unmoved and as steady as Mount Tai.

"Oh?"

The female leader raised an eyebrow. It seemed this young man was quite capable; otherwise, Chen Zijun wouldn't be so confident. "He seems interesting. Who is he?"

"Hehe, you'll see when you see it. Don't be surprised when you do."

Chen Zijun kept everyone in suspense.

"You can rest assured about our president's judgment. He is an absolutely outstanding comrade in terms of character and ability. It would be a tremendous blessing to have him join our association."

Hu Jianwen smiled and praised her, but remained silent about Cheng Kaiyan's identity.

He knew very well that if these leaders knew that Cheng Kaiyan, this talented writer and scholar of children's literature, wanted to join the association as vice president, they might not be so opposed, and some might even support him.

This is not a good thing.

These words were spoken immediately.

Everyone became increasingly curious about the young man they were talking about, and at the same time, they wondered who he really was.

"Could it be..."

Suddenly, a figure she had just seen popped into Tang Minghua's mind. Judging from their description, it was most likely that it was that young man.

But wasn't he the laziest and most leisurely one? Tang Minghua remembered that he hadn't even joined the Writers' Association or the Federation of Literary and Art Circles.

Why the sudden urge to join the association? And become its vice president?

However, even if it were him, it would be difficult to be elected as the vice president because he lacks popular support.

If we lose, wouldn't we be giving someone else a reputation?

The mature and dignified woman shook her head, no longer thinking about it.

"In that case, I'll go find him and let all the leaders meet him. Then everyone will know who he is."

Hu Jianwen wore a friendly smile, but his eyes, looking into the distance, were filled with coldness.

"Alright, let's see what kind of young man he is."

The leaders nodded in agreement, not even glancing at Hu Jianwen's departing figure, and casually put the little incident aside, continuing to discuss today's arrangements.

In their view, the vice president is nothing special.

"What is he up to?"

Only President Chen Zijun stared intently at the departing Hu Jianwen with a furrowed brow.

……

……

Since the performance had not yet started, the stage speakers played soft music at a low volume to keep the audience from getting bored.

Most of the people who came to watch the performance were from the children's literature field, such as children's literature editors, authors, scholars, and of course, primary school teachers and students.

Therefore, the audience seats were very lively.

The sixth row from the middle.

Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting sat back in soft chairs, their expressions relaxed and leisurely.

The two chatted and ate snacks as they went.

On the table was a bag of sunflower seeds, along with some chocolates, fruit candies, and dried fruit.

Although sunflower seeds are plain and don't have much flavor, they're perfect for killing time.

Of course, it was mainly Cheng Kaiyan who was eating it; Jiang Ting didn't like to eat this stuff.

Moreover, in Cheng Kaiyan's opinion, it was somewhat distasteful for an elegant, noble, mature, and intellectual woman like her aunt to be eating sunflower seeds.

"Click..."

However, Cheng Kaiyan is always thoughtful and considerate, so she patiently peeled a large handful of sunflower seeds, put them in the tissues she carried with her, and gave them to her aunt.

The elegant, icy beauty in her black dress looked at the sunflower seeds that Cheng Kaiyan had spent more than ten minutes peeling, and felt both happy and warm inside.

Deep down, a love that she had suppressed so intensely was beginning to stir within her.

The beautiful woman's usually cold and aloof face revealed a faint, gentle smile, leaving several men who were stealing glances around in awe.

Jiang Ting then raised her two slender, white fingers and picked up some melon seeds. She spread one hand under her to cover them and held the other hand out to Cheng Kaiyan. "Xiao Yan, eat first. You've worked hard."

"Huh? I can do it myself... okay."

Cheng Kaiyan subconsciously shrank back, but Jiang Ting was very determined, and with no way out, he had no choice but to accept it.

Cheng Kaiyan brought her slender, fair fingers to her lips, tilted her head slightly, opened her mouth, and gestured for Jiang Ting to put the finger in her mouth.

"what……"

Jiang Ting seemed not to understand, and turned around to feed him herself.

At such close range, they could clearly see their reflections in each other's eyes, while a faint, rich fragrance wafted over them, and delicate fingers inadvertently touched Cheng Kaiyan's lips.

A tingling, electric-like sensation flashed across the point where their skin touched.

Jiang Ting and Cheng Kaiyan were momentarily moved, but their expressions remained unchanged, and they parted ways quite naturally.

The fair, delicate ears, partially hidden by strands of hair, were subtly tinged with a few blushes.

"Do you still want to eat?"

Jiang Ting picked up a few grains and asked casually.

"Uh...no need, you eat it."

Cheng Kaiyan shook her head gently, but her eyes unconsciously drifted to the fingers she had just touched.

"Then I'll eat it myself."

Jiang Ting held the melon seeds between her fingers, pressed them against her soft lips, and gently rolled them with her tongue before putting them in her mouth.

In that instant, the wet traces flashing across her fingertips made Cheng Kaiyan's gaze momentarily blank.

"what happened?"

Jiang Ting asked, completely unaware of what was going on.

"nothing."

Cheng Kaiyan took a deep breath and calmly shook her head.

Next, perhaps Jiang Ting's newly ignited love and courage were completely wiped out by her actions and the prevailing ethical norms.

The two sat there quietly, their captivating gazes occasionally glancing at each other.

Jiang Ting reached out and picked up the delicate, milky-white thermos on the table. It was Cheng Kaiyan's thermos, which she had bought in Japan for drinking water.

I unscrewed the lid, turned the cup upside down, and poured a cup of water into the light blue metal lid. Steam rose out of the cup.

"Whoosh..."

Jiang Ting pursed her red lips, blew on the slightly hot tea, and took a small sip. The warm water flowed straight to her heart, making her feel exceptionally satisfied and at ease. Although she was only here to watch the performance, it was also a rare opportunity for the two of them to be alone together.

The last time they were alone together like this was last year in southern Xinjiang, Jiang Ting remembered.

That rainy night, in the cave, while caring for him in the hospital...

Thinking of the past hardships they had shared, the beautiful woman let out a soft sigh.

That's enough, that's enough...

The two sat quietly for a while, when suddenly a shout came from behind them.

"Cheng Kaiyan?"

Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting turned around and saw a fat middle-aged man walking over hurriedly.

"You must be Cheng Kaiyan, right?"

The middle-aged man stood in the aisle, looking down at Cheng Kaiyan and the other person sitting in their seats.

Especially when he saw Jiang Ting, a woman of unparalleled beauty, his small eyes immediately flashed with lustful desire.

However, he was quickly frightened by Jiang Ting's dark, icy gaze, which was so cold it could freeze one's soul.

How can there be such a woman?

Hu Jianwen felt like he was about to suffocate, unsure whether it was from the beauty or the cold.

"who are you?"

Seeing that the visitor was hostile, Cheng Kaiyan stood up, frowned, and asked in a cold voice.

"Several leaders from our Ministry of Culture want to see you. Please come with me!"

Hu Jianwen noticed that the young man in front of him was much taller than him when he stood up, so he had to look up and say expressionlessly.

His tone was rather condescending, like a high-ranking official issuing orders.

This was extremely unpleasant to hear, and Cheng Kaiyan's expression turned cold.

"Cheng Kaiyan, I advise you not to waste your time. Our leader is very busy and doesn't have time to chat with you. Are you going or not?"

Seeing that his expression had turned cold, Hu Jianwen immediately continued to fan the flames.

"Go back to where you came from."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Kaiyan waved her hand impatiently.

I was so angry I almost laughed. Where did this guy come from?

The beautiful woman standing to the side crossed her arms and calmly observed the fat man whose expression and speech were unusually strange, while a deep sense of unease arose in her heart.

There's something just off about this person.

"Xiao Yan, this person did this on purpose; there must be some kind of conspiracy..."

Jiang Ting tugged at Cheng Kaiyan's sleeve and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan, I know you are a great writer, with a temper and a strong sense of self, but our leader really has an urgent matter to discuss with you."

Hu Jianwen's eyes narrowed, but he became amiable again.

"In that case, let's go and meet them."

Cheng Kaiyan calmed down and smiled faintly.

That fatso is definitely up to no good. What's wrong with going to see him? He wants to see what kind of schemes he's plotting.

"Come with me, the leaders are waiting for you."

Hu Jianwen glanced at the voluptuous, aloof woman and shook his head inwardly. If it weren't for this woman, this plan would probably have succeeded.

The three of them got up and walked to the back, with Hu Jianwen leading the way.

Several leaders were standing there, smoking and talking.

Among them were Tang Minghua, whom Cheng Kaiyan knew, and Chen Zijun, whom she had only met once.

Cheng Kaiyan quickly understood what was going on. He didn't know anyone in the Ministry of Culture or the Children's Literature Association, but there was only one person with whom he might have a grudge.

That's the person President Chen Zijun was talking about.

If we had chased this fat man away earlier, he might have become the one who falsely accused us.

That fat bastard, he's really up to no good!
"Thanks to my aunt, otherwise this vice president position would have been ruined."

Cheng Kaiyan leaned close to the beautiful woman's ear and said with a smile.

"You are too young to understand how many schemes and tricks these people have."

Jiang Ting chuckled softly, then turned and cautioned, "There is no hatred without a cause, and there is no love without a cause."

In the instant she turned her head, because the two were whispering and standing close together, two cool, soft lips, like jelly, brushed against Cheng Kaiyan's face, leaving behind a lingering coolness.

The two tensed up for a moment, then separated naturally.

"Don't get so close next time."

Jiang Ting said in a nonchalant tone, stepped over Cheng Kaiyan, and walked ahead of him.

Her movements were clean and efficient, but her fair palms were already clenched tightly, and her slender finger bones were somewhat white.

On the other side, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture also saw the two people slowly approaching and gradually made out their appearances.

She's even younger than I imagined.

Someone immediately frowned.

Some people vaguely recognized who it was.

"It really is him..."

Tang Minghua wondered to herself, "What were he and A-Ting doing just now?"
They're almost kissing!
"Distinguished leaders, this is Comrade Cheng Kaiyan, who is participating in this election."

He is a renowned literary figure in our literary world, a master of children's literature!

It is truly an honor for our Children's Literature Association to have persuaded this comrade to join us!
Under Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's leadership, our Children's Literature Association will surely achieve brilliance and reach new heights!

Hu Jianwen faced the leaders, turned to the side, raised his hand, and smiled with a look of amazed flattery.

Upon hearing this exaggerated introduction, everyone present frowned.

Some people said it was because of Hu Jianwen, while others said it was because of Cheng Kaiyan.

"Greetings, esteemed leaders. My name is Cheng Kaiyan."

Cheng Kaiyan didn't even glance at Hu Jianwen, walked straight over, and reintroduced herself.

"Hello, hello! We've heard a lot about Comrade Cheng Kaiyan!"

The female leader at the head of the group extended her hand first, greeting the leader with a smile.

"You're too kind, aren't you..."

Cheng Kaiyan responded with a smile, her attitude gentle and her face beaming.

"So the talented young man that Chairman Chen invited is a great talent from Beijing!"

"No wonder, no wonder. Two months ago, Comrade Cheng Kaiyan won five major awards and was even featured on the CCTV Evening News."

It is truly a great honor to have such a talented individual join our ranks of children's literature!

Upon hearing this, some people realized that this person was a children's literature master personally appointed by Bing Xin, Ye Lao, and others, which made him even more famous this year.

"Absolutely! Comrade Cheng Kaiyan is fully capable of running for vice president!"

Upon meeting, everyone greeted Cheng Kaiyan warmly and with smiles.

Contrary to Hu Jianwen's expectations, no one showed any indifference, doubt, or unwelcomeness towards Cheng Kaiyan, the twenty-year-old candidate.

In fact, officials and leaders nowadays are quite polite to cultural figures like Cheng Kaiyan, and generally do not show any displeasure.

This made Hu Jianwen's expression somewhat unnatural; he hadn't expected these department leaders to be so polite to Cheng Kaiyan.

However, his attempts to sow discord among these influential leaders, deliberately praising and even undermining Cheng Kaiyan, ultimately had no effect whatsoever.

They truly deserve it; what can you do about it?

Is this how great writers and scholars are treated?
Hu Jianwen suddenly felt somewhat insecure about the election.

Cheng Kaiyan and Jiang Ting, who were standing nearby, also noticed Hu Jianwen's dazed and unpleasant expression, and offered a faint smile. (End of this chapter)