Restart life

Chapter 64 0062 [You're sitting at the same table as the writers]

After the awards ceremony, various speeches were given.

Wang Meng, as the chairperson of the semi-final judging panel, took the stage first to speak: "The New Concept Writing Competition has been running for six years since its inception. The young people who won awards in the first and second competitions have all grown up..."

"Over the past six years, we have discovered many outstanding young people. Some have become writers, and some..."

"I am very honored to serve as the chairman of the judging panel again this year. I have read many excellent articles. The innovative ideas and fresh writing style of the young people have benefited me, an older person, greatly..."

"What's most remarkable is that another outstanding essay emerged this year... Writing a good essay on a given topic within three hours is extremely difficult. Chen Guiliang's essay not only has a lofty theme and a unique perspective, but it is also written entirely in classical Chinese poetry and prose. He not only wrote it, but it is also full of beautiful lines that are truly inspiring..."

"Our judging panel of renowned professors and writers all praised this article highly. However, there are still some disagreements regarding its interpretation. I think it would be worthwhile to hold another seminar, inviting the author to discuss it further, so that we can appreciate this magnificent piece more directly..."

"This competition was a great success. I hope we can continue our efforts next year, with more outstanding young people participating and more refreshing and excellent articles emerging..."

Following that, the admissions leaders from Peking University took the stage to deliver speeches.

Why not Tsinghua University?

Because the person from Peking University holds a higher position, being the Dean of the Faculty, while Tsinghua University only sent a Department Head.

The same applies to the organizing committee of the New Concept Writing Competition; the vice president of Peking University personally intervened, while Tsinghua University sent its dean of academic affairs.

Then, Zhao Changtian, editor-in-chief of "Mengya" magazine, delivered a speech.

In previous competitions, the speeches ended here, and the winners didn't get a chance to speak.

But then Li Qigang, the chief secretary of the competition, said, "Now, please welcome Chen Guiliang to give a speech on behalf of this year's winners!"

The first-prize winners from groups A, B, and C are all sitting below.

Milan asked in surprise, "There's a speech segment by the players?"

“It doesn’t seem like this has ever happened before,” Luo Jin shook her head. “I heard from a senior at school that he left right after listening to the leader’s speech and even ate lunch on the train.”

Chen Guiliang was prepared, because Hu Weishi had asked him to write a speech this morning.

"Respected leaders, teachers, seniors, and fellow students: I am honored to deliver this speech on behalf of the contestants. I am very excited, but also a little apprehensive. All the contestants are exceptionally talented, and I am just an ordinary member among them..."

Chen Guiliang has already garnered enough attention; there's no need for him to make any startling remarks in his speech.

He adopted a very humble attitude, spouting empty platitudes. He thanked the competition organizers for giving him the opportunity, the judges for their recognition, the admissions officers for their favor, his parents and teachers... and so on.

Finally, I wish the New Concept Writing Competition continued success.

"Clap clap clap..."

Chen Guiliang stepped down from the stage amidst applause.

Aside from some contestants who found his speech insincere, rambling, and tedious, the adults present were quite satisfied with his performance.

How high can you expect from a high school student?

Just be confident and natural, and don't get stage fright.

Moreover, Chen Guiliang appeared calm and composed, speaking with measured intonation and humility, and was neither pretentious nor boastful.

That concludes this morning's activities.

Contestants who win second prize or below can go home directly. They can stay if they wish, but they will have to cover their own food and accommodation expenses.

The first-prize winner can stay or leave. Lunch will be provided by the organizers, and they can also attend a seminar in the afternoon.

As for the media reporters, they naturally get free food and drinks, and incidentally... they also get their travel expenses.

Do you think the reporters came all this way for nothing?
You have to pay!
The more remote the location and the lower the level of the organization, the more travel expenses they have to pay the reporters to invite them.

For example, if Chen Guiliang returns to school, and the school wants to invite the media for publicity, it will have to pay the reporters sufficient travel expenses. In the current market, a reporter would need to be paid at least several thousand yuan, and some major newspapers might even have to pay tens of thousands of yuan.

Of course, the New Concept Writing Competition this time only invited local media outlets, as well as reporters from out-of-town media stationed in Shanghai. Since the journey was short and didn't take much time, and since *Mengya* is a large publishing house, each reporter only needed to be paid one or two thousand yuan.

Chen Guiliang headed straight for the table of the first-prize winners, but was stopped halfway by Hu Weishi: "Chen Guiliang, the writers are calling you over!"

"Wait a moment."

After saying that, Chen Guiliang ran downstairs to his hotel room and retrieved two books.

Hu Weishi was waiting in the hallway. When he saw him come out, he asked, "What are you doing?"

Chen Guiliang held up the book and said with a smile, "I'm getting an autograph for my cousin."

In fact, Tao Xue only chose Yu Hua and Su Tong to get autographs, but Chen Guiliang took it upon himself to buy another copy of Wang Meng's representative work.

Hu Weishi led him upstairs and instructed him, "When you dine with renowned professors, be careful what you say, lest you offend someone unintentionally."

"Understood," Chen Guiliang replied.

He wasn't foolish enough to directly confront Fang Fang.

What kind of result can we expect from this confrontation?
"Great talent, come here quickly!" Tie Yi waved enthusiastically.

Wang Meng and Tie Yi left a seat for Chen Guiliang.

Chen Guiliang quickened his pace, shook hands with Tie Yi, and said, "Hello, Teacher Tie."

Tie Yi laughed and said, "You recognize me?"

“I’ve read your work and seen your photos in the book,” Chen Guiliang said. “I didn’t expect you to be even more beautiful in person than in the photos.”

Tie Yi was extremely pleased and burst into laughter.

Chen Guiliang did indeed read this female writer's books; her early works were quite good.

Tie Yi offered an introduction: "I suppose this one doesn't need an introduction?"

Chen Guiliang extended both hands: "Hello, Teacher Wang."

“Hello,” Wang Meng said with emotion, “I read your article yesterday and have been wanting to talk to you ever since. You have a bright future ahead of you, young man.” Chen Guiliang replied, “This is a clumsy and unsatisfactory piece of work, and I’m sure it will make a fool of myself.”

Wang Meng said, "Young people shouldn't be too modest. Bring out that 'I am the only one who can do it' spiritedly displayed in your writing."

Yu Hua chimed in from the side: "I've seen this kind of momentum before. The day before yesterday, when I returned to the hotel, I heard someone shout 'Yu Hua, stop!' It startled me. I thought someone had read 'To Live' and was angry and wanted to beat me up. I didn't expect that they were just there to ask for my autograph."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone laughed.

The judging panel members sat at two tables: one for writers and the other for professors.

The authors include Wang Meng, Tie Yi, Yu Hua, Su Tong, Ma Yuan, Cheng Cun, Ye Xin, Fang Fang, Ye Zhaoyan, and Sun Ganlu.

The professors came from ten different universities.

Tie Yi pulled Chen Guiliang aside to introduce them one by one, while Fang Fang seemed somewhat unhappy.

This has nothing to do with Chen Guiliang; it's purely a rivalry between two female writers.

Of all the writers present, only the two of them were women. Tie Yi immediately pulled Chen Guiliang aside, acting like a female boss, which made Fang Fang feel very embarrassed.

What are you talking about?
After recognizing the people, Chen Guiliang finally sat down.

Yu Hua asked, "Want to drink?"

"I can drink a little bit," Chen Guiliang said.

"Then pour it in!"

Ma Yuan pushed the wine bottle over.

The writers started to tease Chen Guiliang, saying that since he was late, he should be punished with a drink first.

Chen Guiliang had no choice but to drink it.

"Damn, that article of yours is truly amazing. How did you write it?" Yu Hua took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and casually tossed cigarettes to the other male writers.

Chen Guiliang said, "I originally wrote in vernacular Chinese, but it wasn't very moving, so I simply changed it to classical Chinese poetry."

Yu Hua laughed and said, "When I read your preliminary essay, I thought you had someone else write it for you."

"It's just an unconventional approach; classical Chinese is more eye-catching," Chen Guiliang said.

Cheng Cun picked up a piece of food, chewed it, and said, "Come write articles under the banyan tree when you have time. Young people should make good use of the internet."

Chen Guiliang asked, "Does Teacher Cheng still hold a position under the banyan tree?"

“I’m the art director of Rongshuxia. The website pays me a salary, so I have to help recruit people,” Cheng Cun said.

Chen Guiliang said, "Since Teacher Cheng has spoken, I will submit my work to Rongshuxia whenever I have the chance."

Ma Yuan puffed out a cloud of smoke and said, "Tongji University has no cooperation with the New Concept Writing Competition. But if you want to come to Tongji, I can help you get a spot, and I can supervise you in your master's and doctoral studies."

"Hey, Lao Ma, you're already trying to poach someone?" Su Tong said. "Chen Guiliang, why don't you come to Beijing Normal University? The Chinese Department at Beijing Normal University is much better than Tongji University."

Ma Yuan laughed and scolded, "Damn it, I'm a professor at Tongji University, it's only natural for me to help the school recruit people. You're not a professor at Beijing Normal University, what are you doing getting involved?"

“I’m an alumnus of Beijing Normal University,” Su Tong said.

Wang Meng spoke up: "Alright, the admissions staff are at that table, let's not talk about this anymore."

These writers are somewhat mindful of their image in public, but most of them are quite unruly at the dinner table.

After a few drinks, all sorts of nonsense started being said, and even the female writer began swearing.

At first, they chatted about Chen Guiliang, but gradually they started talking about their own things.

In March, two people were going to France to attend a French book fair. They discussed where to meet up and then fly there together. Others asked them to act as personal shoppers, bringing back some luxury goods for their wives.

As we chatted, the conversation continued, eventually leading to discussions about French films, art, and literature.

Some writers go to great lengths to praise France, as if even French female mosquitoes are sexy and romantic.

Chen Guiliang ate his food silently, as if listening to his political teacher bragging. These things are essentially the same; they all stem from a lack of confidence in one's own country's economy and culture.

In the current context, this is perfectly understandable.

Because most people have gone through this process, their mindset needs to change gradually with the times.

If you can't keep changing, you'll inevitably be left behind by the times!
Seeing that he had drunk enough, Chen Guiliang finally took out the two books and ran to ask Wang Meng and Su Tong for their autographs.

Moreover, he emphasized that it was for his cousin, so as not to embarrass other writers.

"Let's go, let's go, to the seminar." Yu Hua had drunk a bit too much, carrying his down jacket in one hand and putting his arm around Chen Guiliang's shoulder with the other.

A smell of smoke and alcohol wafted over, and Chen Guiliang wanted to push him away.

The first-prize winners were all incredibly envious of Chen Guiliang and Yu Hua's close relationship.

The seminar was being held in a large hall and wouldn't start for a while.

Thirty or forty media reporters took the opportunity to interview well-known writers and professors, but very few interviewed Chen Guiliang.

Because you can also ask Chen Guiliang questions at the seminar.

"Hello, Chen Guiliang." A female reporter in her thirties approached.

"Hello."

"I'm Zhang Xinping, a reporter from the Shanghai Youth Daily. May I interview you?"

"my pleasure."

(End of this chapter)