1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Before we knew it, it was Friday, June 5th.

The Ministry of Culture building, the office of the Children's Literature Research Association.

The office on a quiet, cool early summer morning is as peaceful as the stream behind the building.

The morning sunlight was thin, filtering through the lush foliage and slanting across the wooden floor, leaving behind a carpet of swaying shadows.

Behind the desk, there was a soft, rustling sound, like the wind, as a pen tip scratched across paper.

Chen Zijun was wearing a faded red short-sleeved shirt, and her sparse hair was neatly combed.

He sat upright in the armchair, holding a rusty enamel mug in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed, lost in thought.

Today is June 1st, the day of the election results.

In a little while, the ministry leaders and the personnel department will discuss with him and other heads of the academic societies to finalize the list.

The vice president candidate, whom he is most concerned about, will also be announced at the same time.

For this reason, Chen Zijun didn't even eat the breakfast his wife made, and came to work early to wait for the department's notification.

"So... is it Cheng Kaiyan who is more skilled, or is it Hu Jianwen's background that gives him the advantage?"

Chen Zijun gazed at the clear, green tea in the teacup, watching the wisps of steam rise with her breath, feeling both anticipation and trepidation.

If it's the former, everything will be fine; if it's the latter, then you must make the corresponding preparations.

After pondering a solution for a long time, Chen Zijun shook her head and put her thoughts aside.

Looking down at the black notebook in front of me, I turned the pages, which had been scattered by the wind, to the page where the pen was pressing down.

Smooth it out with your hand; it says:

Draft of the Development Strategy Plan for the Children's Literature Research Association:

First, cultivate a sufficient number of children's literature writers and invite well-known writers from academia to jointly run workshops.

Second, to establish academic journals...

This is based on the development plan mentioned by Cheng Kaiyan in his election speech, which Chen Zijun supplemented and expanded.

This plan is very inspiring and quite beneficial to the current development of children's literature and societies.

Therefore, he plans to refine the document and submit it to higher authorities, hoping to establish the development direction of the association as soon as possible.

It's worth noting that last year, they focused primarily on developing branches in various regions, but the results were less than satisfactory.

"Perhaps we took the wrong path and blindly expanded across the country. It's not too late to adjust now, and we can bring it up at the meeting later."

Chen Zijun organized her thoughts and thought to herself.

Good morning, President.

Good morning, Xiao Liu.

Time flew by, and one after another, several staff members from the association came into the office to start work.

Although the association is managed by the Ministry of Culture, it remains a loose, non-governmental organization.

The members are scattered all over the country, and the management is loose.

The secretariat, which handles the daily affairs of the association, is staffed by seven or eight people who take turns working.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Chen Zijun buried herself in refining the plan.

"Boom boom boom!"

At ten o'clock, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in."

A woman carrying documents walked in and announced, "Chairman Chen, the leadership has instructed us to hold a meeting in the conference room on the sixth floor."

Is it finally coming? Chen Zijun took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll be right there."

After the woman left, several members of the association immediately gathered around out of curiosity.

"Has the election results for the chairman been released? Do they want you to attend a meeting?"

A young woman wearing glasses asked curiously.

"It should be Xiao Liu."

Chen Zijun nodded.

"This election is basically a foregone conclusion, the only question is whether Comrade Cheng Kaiyan can become the vice president! He should be able to beat Secretary-General Hu, right?"

"It should be fine. This is Professor Cheng Kaiyan. It would be wonderful to work with such a talented man as him. Besides, he is really good-looking."

"Yes, yes! On the day of the election, Xiaohua and I were watching it intently!"

Upon hearing this, some of the female comrades excitedly echoed their agreement.

"Hehe! Being good-looking isn't everything. Isn't the most important thing the development plan that Teacher Cheng made that day? After discussing it with a few senior colleagues, we all felt it was very practical!"

"If we let Teacher Cheng lead our development, we'll definitely reach new heights!"

The comrades were chattering away, all concerned about whether Cheng Kaiyan could become the vice president. Some were concerned from a personal perspective, while others were concerned from the perspective of the association's development.

"It should be possible. The person who gets the most votes usually gets elected."

Chen Zijun sensed the comrades' high expectations and their longing to work with the great writer, and comforted them with a light laugh.

After instructing everyone to continue working, Chen Zijun took her teacup and notebook and headed to the conference room on the sixth floor.

Push the door and enter.

Chen Zijun saw a familiar, overweight figure.

Hu Jianwen looked exceptionally smart today, wearing a neat white shirt and black trousers, with his hair styled with oil and combed back neatly.

He does have a certain air of authority and composure befitting a leader.

"Hey! Old Chen, you're here. Please have a seat. The meeting is about to start."

Hu Jianwen sat motionless, merely nodding at him with his chin and greeting him with a smile.

His face was beaming with joy and smugness.

"Secretary-General Hu arrived quite early?"

Chen Zijun walked over and sat down indifferently, scoffing inwardly. He finally understood why Hu Jianwen was acting this way.

He probably felt that he was about to become the vice president, and from then on he would be on par with the president and be able to compete with him.

"hehe."

Hu Jianwen chuckled softly.

Neither of them wanted to speak to the other, and they silently waited for the meeting to begin.

People came in one after another, including Secretary-General Hong Xuntao, Vice President Pu Manting, and the four heads of the association in Beijing.

Then came Hu Fanzhou, director of the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Culture, and several staff members.

Finally, there's Luo Ying, the department head in charge of the association, but he's quite busy and only oversees the general direction of the association.

The election list was determined by the Personnel Department and then reviewed and signed by Luo Ying.

"Ahem, everyone's here, let's begin the meeting."

Luo Ying took the seat of honor without hesitation, announced the start of the meeting, and said in a deep voice while tapping the table:
"The main reasons for this meeting today are twofold: first, the election results for No. 1, and second, the development plan for the second half of the year."

Election results and development path?
Upon hearing this, Chen Zijun and Pu Manting had a vague sense of unease.

"Comrade Hu Fanzhou, please send the election results determined by your personnel department to everyone for a look. If there are no problems, we will announce them in a short while."

Luo Ying gave the order in a deep voice.

"Yes, leader."

Hu Fanzhou got up and handed out the printed list to each person.

"Vice President, Hu Jianwen..."

Hu Jianwen picked up the list, which still smelled of ink, and immediately saw his own name prominently displayed at the top of the list as the candidate for vice president.

Although he had known for a long time, the immense joy of getting his wish almost overwhelmed him. His excitement and happiness were palpable, and his big face turned red and swollen!

"Cough cough..."

He also coughed lightly several times, covering his mouth, because of a stitch.

Chen Zijun and Professor Pu Manting also saw Hu Jianwen's name, as well as Cheng Kaiyan, who had been transferred to the position of deputy secretary-general.

The two men felt a sinking feeling in their hearts, their faces filled with indignation as they stared at Hu Jianwen and his nephew Hu Fanzhou.

Professor Pu Manting, being a woman, couldn't hold her temper any longer and slammed her hand on the table, loudly questioning, "Director Hu! Your personnel department must have made a mistake, right? Comrade Cheng Kaiyan was elected first, so why did Hu Jianwen become the vice president!"

"I'm afraid it's not that someone made a mistake, but that someone is practicing nepotism and using connections to get in through back channels!"

Moreover, I remember that Comrade Cheng Kaiyan didn't even participate in the election for deputy secretary-general. How did she become deputy secretary-general? Could it be that someone deliberately switched her position?

Chen Zijun sneered.

"Old Chen, Professor Pu Manting, this is an arrangement from above, with the leaders' own reasons. How can you be disobeying orders from higher up?"

Hu Jianwen spoke calmly and leisurely.

"Alright, stop making noise!"

Luo Ying frowned and looked at Hu Fanzhou: "Comrade Hu, what do you have to say?"

Hu Fanzhou stood up with a smile on his old face and said softly, "Old Chen, the position of vice president is of great importance."

The Personnel Department took into full consideration Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's age, experience, family background, and other factors.

The final selection of the more suitable Comrade Hu Jianwen was entirely in accordance with regulations, and there is nothing to the contrary as you have alleged.

Hu Fanzhou softened his tone and continued, "As for the position of deputy secretary-general, we also considered Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's reputation and status in the field of children's literature, and we did not want to bury such a talent."

We immediately reported this to our superiors, and only through our persistent efforts was he exceptionally allowed to take the position. Otherwise, given the election failure, he wouldn't have been able to hold any office.

After speaking, he smiled and glanced at everyone in the conference room.

"Huff huff huff...you!"

These words made Chen Zijun and Pu Manting so angry that their chests heaved violently, and they were speechless.

You shouldn't be so twisted and distorted.

It means that even though I took your vice president position, you should still be grateful to me for becoming the deputy secretary-general!
That's so shameless!
Even Professor Pu Manting, who is usually good-tempered, felt like cursing.

"Let's move on to the next item. Comrade Hu Jianwen, didn't you make a development plan for the second half of the year? Now, tell us about it."

Luo Ying gave the order in a calm tone, his eyesight allowing him to see the intricacies between the two groups.

However, no rules or regulations stipulate that the first place winner must be elected.

Moreover, Hu Fanzhou's reasons for favoring his nephew were very valid, and in the end, he even gave Cheng Kaiyan the position of deputy secretary-general as compensation, which no one could find fault with.

Cheng Kaiyan is quite famous, but he wouldn't risk offending Hu Fanzhou by signing a document for a young man he doesn't know well and has no background.

Upon hearing Luo Ying's words, Chen Zijun and Pu Manting's expectant gazes were dashed, and their hearts sank, knowing that there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

"Ahem, hello leaders, I am Hu Jianwen."

"After a whole year of work last year, I have gained a deep understanding of the association, and I have made a development plan for it."

In order to change the current slump in children's literature, I think we need to vigorously cultivate outstanding young professional children's literature writers..."

Hu Jianwen held the manuscript in his hand and spoke eloquently, but the contents of the manuscript infuriated Chen Zijun and the other two.

"How shameless!"

"This is clearly a plan that Comrade Cheng Kaiyan made in his speech! When did it become yours?"

Chen Zijun finally slammed her hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Hu Jianwen and shouting angrily.

"Although my plan is based on Comrade Cheng Kaiyan's speech, I wrote more than 90% of the content myself. I can't just say that I want to cultivate writers and run journals, but I don't allow others to do the same, can I?"

Hu Jianwen shook his head and said calmly, "But you two can rest assured, I will have Comrade Cheng Kaiyan participate in this plan."

"Utterly shameless! I'm ashamed to associate with a scoundrel like you!"

Chen Zijun and Professor Pu Manting stormed off.

……

At noon, a new poster with red background and black characters was pasted on the bulletin board downstairs in the Ministry of Culture building.

It was clearly the final list of candidates elected by the Children's Literature Association.

It immediately attracted a lot of people to stop and watch.

"Ah! How come Hu Jianwen became the vice president? Our teacher Cheng Kaiyan is number one!"

"That fatso must have pulled some strings! His uncle is a leader in the personnel department!"

"Making Professor Cheng the deputy secretary-general? Isn't that a slap in his face?!"

"This is unfair!! We're going to report this!"

When the members of the association saw the list, they were immediately in an uproar.

One or two people complained that it was unfair and threatened to report it.

However, when the report was submitted to the reporting department, they found no problems with the procedures.

There's simply nothing we can do about them.

But behind the scenes, the news had already spread throughout almost half of the Ministry of Culture.

……

Meanwhile, Chen Zijun and Professor Pu Manting didn't even have time for lunch and rushed to Beijing Normal University.

When they found Cheng Kaiyan, he was having lunch with his aunt in the cafeteria.

"Yes, I understand."

But when the two told Cheng Kaiyan what had happened, the young man was much calmer than they had imagined.

Upon learning this, Cheng Kaiyan simply nodded casually to indicate that she understood, and continued eating her lunch. She casually asked, "By the way, have you two eaten yet? Why don't you eat together? I'll just go and get another meat dish."

"..."

Chen Zijun and the other woman looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

"Alright, the matter is settled and can't be changed, so let's fill our stomachs first and then discuss it!"

Professor Pu Manting could actually see what kind of person Cheng Kaiyan was. Perhaps, as mentioned at the beginning, he didn't care about being the vice president. He only ran for election because Chen Zijun dragged him into this mess.

We ordered braised pork ribs and the four of us started eating.

"Then I still suggest you give this deputy secretary-general position a try. You get a monthly allowance of twenty-five yuan, and you don't have to do anything. You can just sit and collect the money."

Chen Zijun suggested.

"That's no need."

Cheng Kaiyan chuckled and politely declined, "I don't care about being the president or secretary-general, but the plan I proposed in my speech is definitely not going to be taken away by Hu Jianwen and his group. So, Mr. Chen, please take charge of this plan."

"Don't worry about that. More than two hundred people heard your speech clearly. Hu Jianwen is trying to substitute someone else for someone else, and I'll be the first to object!"

Chen Zijun said coldly.

"that is!"

Professor Pu Manting also patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Cheng Kaiyan smiled and nodded, then a thought struck her, and she suggested, "How about we talk about collaborating on research with our university, Beijing Normal University? How about establishing a children's literature research center?"

“That’s great! Beijing Normal University is now at the forefront of children’s literature research in China!” Chen Zijun said with a smile.

……

The next day, when the news came that Cheng Kaiyan had declined the position of deputy secretary-general, it was reported that...

The members of the association couldn't help but feel deep admiration and discussed it extensively.

"Teacher Cheng is truly proud and unyielding! So what if he's the deputy secretary-general? I don't care!"

"Of course, he's a nationally renowned writer! Hu Jianwen, whether in literature or theoretical research, is no match for him!"

"Exactly! He's shameless! I heard he even tried to steal someone else's development plan!"

……

And the leader's office.

"You think you can just quit like that?! What do you take the dignity of government departments for? You're really getting arrogant because you're so smug!"

Hu Jianwen had already heard the accusations and insults from the association. His little scheme to become Cheng Kaiyan's leader had also failed, and he was furious.

"Still too inexperienced, too impetuous."

Hu Fanzhou chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Don't worry, it's a good thing he doesn't want this position, but if word gets back to the leaders, it will definitely damage their impression of him."

Indeed, just as he said, when the news reached Luo Ying, who was in charge of the association, he also felt somewhat dissatisfied with Cheng Kaiyan.

However, given his rank, he wouldn't stoop to such petty arguments with a young man. (End of Chapter)