1979: My fiancée is a goddess

October 10, 1981, Saturday.

Two months ago, our "Ark" magazine was established with the care of our leaders, the support of our colleagues, and the expectations of the children's literature community.

In August, we finalized our organizational structure and quickly completed the layout design and distribution plan for "Ark"...

In September, we tirelessly solicited papers from children's literature scholars across the country. Initially, no one paid any attention, but later we gradually received one or two papers from all over the country every day.

From the very beginning, we established a rigorous review standard of "quality over quantity," selecting only the ten most valuable, highest-quality academic papers that are most conducive to the development of Chinese children's literature for publication in each issue...

Finally, thanks to our unremitting efforts, our first issue was successfully printed on September 26th.

At this time, Ark had just over 400 subscriptions, only one-fifth of the initial print run.

So, the three of us—Chairman Chen Zijun, Chairman Pu Manting, and I—went around Beijing promoting it, begging and pleading, but we only managed to sell a little over a hundred copies.

This was undoubtedly like being doused with a bucket of cold water in the dead of winter.

Fortunately, we did not give up. Once published in Ark on October 1st, it caused a sensation in academic circles within just a few days...

According to statistics, as of October 10th, our "Ark" subscriptions have jumped from the initial 600 to over 4,000, and are still climbing.

It is projected that the number of issues will exceed 15,000 by the end of the year! This achievement ranks among the top in the national humanities journals!

10:00 AM, conference room in the Ministry of Culture building.

Cheng Kaiyan stood on the podium, facing the packed audience of leaders, colleagues, and subordinates.

At a glance, there were two or three hundred people stretching as far as the eye could see.

He held a summary report in his hand, speaking clearly and methodically as he recounted the work and achievements made during this period.

"Finally, I would like to thank the leaders for their trust and care, as well as the colleagues in the journal and the society for their unremitting efforts."

It is because of you all that *Ark* has been able to reach this point, possessing the potential to expand nationwide, across Asia, and even globally!

"Thank you all for listening patiently. That concludes my presentation."

After speaking, Cheng Kaiyan took a deep breath, let her hands hang naturally at her sides, and bowed slightly to the audience.

This report covers the initial establishment of "Ark", the hardships and obstacles encountered along the way, and its eventual success.

The leaders and staff in the audience found it somewhat long-winded and tedious, like chatting about everyday things.

But it is precisely this ability to immerse people that allows them to see, through Cheng Kaiyan’s narration, the scenes of the staff working, reviewing and revising, and to feel their sincere emotions and passion.

They didn't have high expectations for "Ark" at first, after all, there are countless magazines and publications across the country.

But it has achieved such outstanding results in just ten days since its release, which is quite surprising.

Although Cheng Kaiyan did not take credit for it in his report, everyone knew that without his paper, "Ark" would never have achieved such results.

But he insisted that the greatest credit belonged to everyone, and that it was the result of everyone's unremitting efforts.

For a moment, everyone below the stage looked up at the young man on the stage, some lost in thought and emotion.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the warm sunlight of late summer streamed into the conference room.

The sunlight fell obliquely on the young man's tall and straight figure, his loose, light-colored shirt gleaming with a delicate, pearly luster in the sunlight, giving him a gentle and understated scholarly air.

"Clap clap clap!"

"Clap clap clap!"

The next moment, the audience snapped back to reality.

The applause in the conference room was thunderous and continued like a tidal wave.

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyan has managed to pull 'Ark' out of nothing to this extent; this is something only an ordinary person could do. This young man is truly outstanding..."

Minister Lin sat in the audience, clapping and watching the young man slowly walk down the stage with admiration in his eyes.

"Indeed excellent, but being too excellent isn't necessarily a good thing..."

Tang Minghua nodded in agreement and said casually.

"I'm not afraid of you being too outstanding, I'm afraid of you not being outstanding enough. Sometimes it's precisely because you're not outstanding enough that things go wrong."

Minister Lin smiled, stood up, went up on stage, and delivered a speech.

"Hello comrades, I would like to give special commendation to all the members of the Ark Children's Literature Association, and I would especially like to commend Comrade Cheng Kaiyan. It is under his leadership that Ark has been able to get to where it is today..."

At 11 o'clock, just before the meeting ended, Minister Lin announced with a smile:
"Finally, to commend and reward the outstanding achievements made by the staff of the Ark Journal and the Society through their unremitting efforts and hard work."

I announce that starting this weekend, everyone will have two extra days off, meaning a four-day holiday. I will also be giving out a bonus of five yuan and a number of tickets…”

After he finished speaking, the conference room erupted in commotion.

"Wow! Teacher Cheng is telling the truth! They really gave us two days off, not even counting the weekend, so it's a total of four days off, and they even gave us bonuses!"

"That's generous! They actually gave us five yuan! Our salary is only thirty-something yuan, that's one-sixth of ours!"

"It wasn't all for nothing that we worked day and night! We still have a lot to do with the editor-in-chief."

The group from the academic society and the journal all looked at Cheng Kaiyan with delighted expressions, and immediately began to discuss excitedly in hushed tones.

As for the comrades in other departments of the Ministry of Culture, their faces were full of envy.

"Let's adjourn the meeting!"

With Minister Lin's order, the meeting adjourned.

As everyone engaged in lively discussion, they rose and left the meeting room in an orderly fashion.

"call……"

Cheng Kaiyan watched the crowd leaving in line, slowly let out a sigh of relief, leaned back in her chair, picked up the teacup beside her, and took a big gulp. "Finally, things can calm down here with 'Ark'..."

With the momentum of its first issue, Ark has essentially established itself as the premier academic journal of children's literature in China.

As long as there are no major problems in the future, there shouldn't be any issues.

And he can then become a hands-off manager and hand things over to others.

The extra time he has allows him to spend time with his mother and Xiaoli, and focus his energy on family and studies.

After sitting for a while, he tidied up his belongings and was about to leave.

At that moment, several figures walked towards him.

Chen Zijun called out to him, "Kaiyan, want to have lunch together? Minister Lin is treating us to a meal at a restaurant."

Cheng Kaiyan looked up and saw Minister Lin, Tang Minghua, and several other leaders smiling at her.

He frowned, hesitantly saying, "Dinner? My wife should bring the food over in a bit..."

"Oh? Your partner brought food over? Hehe..."

Chen Zijun chuckled. He had met Cheng Kaiyan's fiancée, who was a very nice girl. She was said to be studying at the Beijing Dance Academy, and the couple seemed very much in love.

"Home-cooked food can't compare to food from outside, Comrade Cheng. Today, Minister Lin is treating us. It's a rare treat! Why don't you invite your wife to join us for dinner later?"

A middle-aged leader raised an eyebrow and made the arrangements in a very assertive manner.

"Hey! Old Liu, it's not that I'm saying you're old."

The way young people date these days is different from before. You might think this lunch is just an ordinary meal, but it's actually a token of the girl's affection!

Besides, how can we compare to young girls? Haven't you heard of "beauty is food for the eyes"?

Minister Lin stopped him in time, and then jokingly teased him with a smile.

"Haha, that makes sense!"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

"Comrade Kaiyan, let's go, let's talk as we walk. I'd like to ask you about your paper."

Minister Lin waved and smiled gently.

"Okay, what would you like to know?"

"I heard your paper was published simultaneously in China and the US, and it was also published in the US on October 1st? What's the current situation?"

"The United States... I have already received the news from there."

The paper did indeed generate a significant response after its publication, and the American academic community, which had initially been extremely resistant and skeptical when the brief was first published, gradually began to accept the theory.

Professor Ansel mentioned that some American universities have already taken "The Impossibility of Children's Literature" as a research topic and begun to conduct in-depth research in this area..."

After leaving the office, everyone walked and chatted in the corridor. Cheng Kaiyan followed Minister Lin and talked attentively, while Minister Lin listened intently.

Tang Minghua and her group followed half a step behind on the flank.

The beautiful woman looked at the two figures standing side by side in front of her and couldn't help but sigh, thinking to herself, "It's so obvious who the protagonist is and who the supporting character is."

The charity gala that took the nation by storm a while ago is now being published in academic papers simultaneously in China and the United States, gaining international acclaim.

In terms of social status, Cheng Kaiyan probably surpasses me; even Minister Lin has to treat her with respect.

This young man has been constantly challenging her perceptions ever since she first met him.

Great writer, great philanthropist, international scholar...

He's so young, who knows how far he'll grow in the future?
Tang Minghua gradually lost her focus.

The group went down to the third floor.

Looking up, I saw a slender, tall girl in a light blue knee-length dress, carrying a white canvas bag, standing at the entrance of the editorial department, chatting with two or three female colleagues from the journal.

"Comrade Xiaoli, Teacher Cheng and the leaders have all come down."

Fang Yuan pointed behind Liu Xiaoli and reminded her.

"Okay, then Yuanyuan, you're busy, I won't bother you anymore."

Liu Xiaoli subconsciously turned around and looked back. When she saw that familiar figure, a gentle smile appeared in her beautiful eyes, and then she spoke to Fang Yuan.

Liu Xiaoli and Fang Yuan met when Cheng Kaiyan started working here. Fang Yuan was a good person, hardworking, and a graduate of Beijing Normal University. Over time, they became friends.

"Okay, I'm going to eat now. Goodbye."

Fang Yuan smiled, waved, and turned to leave.

Cheng Kaiyan and the others also came over.

Minister Lin seemed to look at the girl in front of him and couldn't help but be impressed. This girl's appearance and temperament were even slightly better than Jiajia's. No wonder Cheng Kaiyan chose her.

He then smiled kindly and said, "This must be Comrade Cheng's girlfriend, right?"

"Hello, leader, my name is Liu Xiaoli."

Liu Xiaoli gently raised her hand and greeted them with a smile.

Her demeanor was poised and graceful, natural and elegant.

"Comrade Liu, now that I see you, I understand why Comrade Cheng didn't want to have lunch with us."

Minister Lin joked with a smile.

"You're joking, sir. It's just a simple meal, something Kaiyan is used to."

Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. So Comrade Xiao Cheng had canceled all the leaders' dinner invitations just to wait for her?

This guy, really!
Immediately, Liu Xiaoli looked at Cheng Kaiyan and suggested, "How about we go out to eat with the leaders?"

"What about the lunch you brought?"

"Eat it, there's no conflict."

"oh oh."

Cheng Kaiyan understood. "Alright, let's go."

The group went to the street, found a small restaurant serving Sichuan cuisine, and ordered a bunch of hearty dishes.

Hot pot, spicy stew, cold beef salad, Mapo tofu...

While waiting for the food, Liu Xiaoli took the lunchbox out of the canvas bag and gave it to Cheng Kaiyan.

There are three in total: two boxes of vegetables and one box of rice.

"Boom..."

The aluminum lunchbox lid rubbed against the edge of the lunchbox, making a soft sound, revealing four dishes packed full inside.

"Oh! It smells so good! Braised chicken with potatoes, what a wonderful dish!"

"Judging by the color, aroma, and taste, it must be delicious!"

Everyone glanced at it and was taken aback.

"Then everyone please wait patiently. I'm not a picky eater, so I'll eat first."

Cheng Kaiyan said with a smile.

"Eat up, eat up, young people get hungry quickly."

"You eat first. Watching you eat will make us more hungry."

The others didn't seem to care much. While Cheng Kaiyan ate, they chatted leisurely while drinking tea.

"Kaiyan, a letter arrived at home this morning. It seems to be from overseas. I brought it to you."

At this moment, Liu Xiaoli nudged Cheng Kaiyan's arm and whispered in her ear.

"Sent from overseas? What's written inside?"

Cheng Kaiyan put down her chopsticks. Could it be Professor Ansel again?
"I can't understand it, it's all in English, you can read it yourself."

Liu Xiaoli said somewhat embarrassedly, and handed over the letter.

"Haha, I see you studied English for a while before, didn't you?"

Cheng Kaiyan joked with a smile.

"I forgot!"

Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. That happened back in March or April of last year.

Cheng Kaiyan nodded with a smile, glanced at the address on the envelope, and read softly, "From Germany? Professor Klaus, President of the International Children's Literature Association."

The private room was small, so even the softest sounds could be heard clearly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zijun's pupils contracted, and she immediately realized something, asking in a deep voice, "Quickly, what's going on?!"

Minister Lin, Tang Minghua, and others looked over curiously when they saw Chen Zijun's expression.

International Society for Children's Literature?

"Hold on……"

Cheng Kaiyan carefully read through the letter, finishing in about a minute or two, and explained:
"Professor Klaus is a friend of Professor Ansel. He wrote this letter mainly to get to know me. In addition, the professor also wants to recommend me to join the International Society for Children's Literature."

"what!"

Chen Zijun's eyes widened, and she excitedly asked, "They want to recommend you to join? That's wonderful!"

"Old Chen, why are you so agitated? What's the purpose of this association?"

"Isn't it amazing?"

Minister Lin and his entourage immediately asked curiously.

The International Society for the Study of Children's Literature was founded in Germany in 1972.

It is the most authoritative and influential non-profit global academic organization in the field of children's literature research.

Its aim is to support and promote academic research in children's literature worldwide, to help children's literature research transcend national, linguistic, and cultural barriers, and to foster dialogue and collaboration among scholars globally.

Every two years, the Society holds an international children's literature conference in different locations around the world, making it highly international.

Its members are located on every continent, but are few in number, and it only invites the world's top children's literature scholars to join.

Without a doubt, it is the highest hall of learning for children's literature scholars worldwide!

Chen Zijun began to explain excitedly, while looking at Cheng Kaiyan with an extremely complicated and indescribable expression.

There was even a hint of envy and jealousy in everyone's eyes.

This is the International Society for Children's Literature!
This was exactly the international organization he had always dreamed of joining.

It was precisely because of the existence of this organization that he was driven to take the lead in establishing the Chinese Children's Literature Association in China!
Chen Zijun took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "And as far as I know, the International Society for Children's Literature has only recruited one member in the entire Asia region, Professor Shin Torigoe of Waseda University in Japan."

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Comrade Cheng Kaiyan will be the second member to join from across Asia!

"Such a prestigious academic organization?"

"Doesn't that mean Comrade Cheng Kaiyan ranks second in the entire field of children's literature in Asia?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed from curiosity to seriousness and solemnity.

This amount is too heavy.

Achieving second place in Asia in any field is something that should not be underestimated.

Everyone subconsciously turned to look at Cheng Kaiyan, observing the young man's reaction and expression.

"So this is ah."

Cheng Kaiyan understood. Although she had heard the name of this organization many times, this was the first time she had heard such a detailed explanation.

He then asked, "By the way, Professor Chen, Professor Klaus also mentioned in his letter that he recommended me for this year's IRSCL Honors Award, saying that I have a pretty good chance of winning. What kind of award is that?"

"What?! The IRSCL Honorary Award!"

Chen Zijun jumped up from her seat and exclaimed in disbelief.

"Old Chen is getting more and more impatient. Why is he so agitated?"

Minister Lin chuckled upon seeing this and joked.

"I almost jumped up! By the way, Teacher Chen, what is this honorary award?"

Tang Minghua joked.

"This is the highest honor of the society, which is designed to recognize senior scholars who have made significant and sustained contributions to international children's literature research."

If I had to describe its prestige, it would be the Nobel Prize of children's literature!

Chen Zijun clenched her fists, her face flushed with excitement, and explained word by word.

With a hum, everyone present froze in place.

What? Did you hear that right?

The Nobel Prize of children's literature?!

"hiss!"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, then gasped in shock, looking at Cheng Kaiyan with renewed astonishment.

"Why are you all looking at me? It's just a nomination, not an award."

But Cheng Kaiyan just smiled calmly and gently, and then continued to eat her food.

"..."

Upon hearing this and seeing his smile, everyone felt their restless and excited hearts calm down and become peaceful.

"You're really calm, Comrade Cheng. You have the composure to remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapses before you."

Liu Xiaoli sat to the side, her arms tightly wrapped around her boyfriend. Her pretty face, flushed with excitement, was tilted up, her bright, dark almond-shaped eyes filled with adoration and admiration as she quietly gazed at Cheng Kaiyan, murmuring involuntarily. (End of Chapter)