Chapter 253 Twelve Monkeys
Wang Zixu asked: "Why does it have anything to do with you...your mother again?"
He wanted to say "your mother", but when the words came to his mouth, he suddenly realized that it was also "my mother"; he wanted to change to "our mother", but felt that it was too intimate and weird, so in the end he only came up with a nondescript "your mother".
He is such a person. He looks dull on the surface, but in his heart, countless thoughts pass through his fingers, and he lives a life of great internal friction. Fortunately, An Younan didn't care about the details of the title.
"Do you think she really doesn't know that I came to you during the Chinese New Year?" An Younan fiddled with the water, "I was able to come to you because I talked about you in her ears every day, which made her ears tingle, so she let me continue to help you."
A warm current quietly filled the prince's heart, and he He whispered: "Thank you."
"Don't thank me in advance," An Younan said without any joy on his face, "Think about it, if you can't even make it to the final election, guess what her reaction will be?"
Wang Zixu has long been separated from his mother's life trajectory, and it is difficult to guess her thoughts. But judging from her eagerness to cut off the relationship, if he loses this time, she will probably hope that their father and son will completely disappear from her world.
An Younan clasped his hands together, half joking and half serious: "Please, I must be on the short list! If I lose, I will be humiliated!"
Wang Zixu solemnly said: "Don't worry, even for my father, I will do my best."
He paused and added: "But I I just immerse myself in writing books and know nothing about other things. After I finish writing, I don’t know what to do next.” Ning Chunyan suddenly interjected, his eyes shining: “By the way! Do you think it is possible for “Fire in the Stone” to win the Mao Dun Literature Award?”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on her face.
There was silence.
Ning Chunyan immediately realized that this idea was a bit unreasonable, and said with a blushing face:
"My dad and teacher Li Tingfang both said that "Fire in the Stone" is completely worthy of the first prize. I was thinking, if it can win the first prize, wouldn't it be more important than the Jade Award?"
An Younan raised his eyebrows: "Come on, even Fei Shi is on the line, unless the Mao Prize is more fair than Fei Shi."
"Yes! That's the 'unless'!" Ning Chunyan's eyes burned, "The evaluation process of the Mao Prize is the most stringent in the country, and it will definitely allow "Fire in the Stone" to compete fairly."
Her implication is that as long as they stand on the same starting line, she is confident that "Fire in the Stone" can defeat any opponent. This unconditional trust made Wang Zixu feel excited.
"Speaking of the top prize, that's Qingluo's home field," Ning Chunyan turned to Chen Qingluo, "Do you think "Fire in the Stone" has hope?"
Chen Qingluo's jade-like face showed no ripples. Wu Lan, after a moment of silence, shook his head slightly:
“I have deduced various possibilities, but unfortunately, the probability of "Fire in the Stone" winning the top prize is zero."
The atmosphere suddenly froze.
An Younan was dissatisfied: "Hey! Don't talk too much. Humans were able to land on the moon fifty years ago. How can there be an 'absolute zero' thing?"
"The probability of "Fire in the Stone" winning the first prize is zero." Chen Qingluo's tone was calm but decisive.
“What’s the reason?”
Chen Qingluo paused for a moment and analyzed it step by step: “First, the Mao Prize does not accept individual submissions. It needs to be recommended by the unit or collective. ”
An Younan immediately answered: “Isn’t it just a matter of letting the Xihe Literary Association recommend it?”
"Second, the evaluation cycle for the top prize is four years, and all works published within four years can participate in the evaluation, which means that it will compete with about two to three hundred works."
An Younan was slightly weaker: "Well...then what?"
"Third, Because of the fierce competition, no truly new writer has ever won the award in the history of the Mao Prize. The only exception is a writer who has revised his debut for more than ten years. By then, he is no longer considered a newcomer. "She is still a newcomer and it is difficult to be taken seriously."
An Younan was silent.
Chen Qingluo’s tone remained unchanged and continued: “Fourth…”
"There are still 'four's?!"
"Fourth," Chen Qingluo's tone was unquestionable, "This year's top prize winner will be me. Although "Fire in the Stone" is good, it is not my opponent."
"Uh..." An Younan and Ning Chunyan were both at a loss for words.
After a long time, Ning Chunyan said helplessly: "Qingluo, your words are very demoralizing and can easily offend people. Do you understand?"
"Really?"
“Yes.”
Chen Qingluo thought about it seriously and tried to adjust: ""Fire in the Stone" may be able to enter the selection of the top prize, and then lose to me."
"Okay, okay, thank you. I can see that you tried to be tactful, but it's really unnecessary. Let's end this topic here." Ning Chunyan raised his forehead.
Although he was a bit hit, Wang Zixu felt that this was the Chen Qingluo he was familiar with: frank, powerful, and almost cruel in the field of literature.
What he likes is this purity and power that is not stained by dust.
Chen Qingluo suddenly spoke again: "However, there is no need to worry too much about "Fire in the Stone". If you are really uneasy, you can pay attention to the records of the public review meeting of the Jade Award to see the judges' specific views on the work."
Ning Chunyan patted the water and said: "That's right! How could I forget this!"
"What? What is that?" An Younan asked quickly.
Ning Chunyan explained: "In order to ensure transparency in Feishi's award process, three review meetings will be held before the final selection, and the content of the reviews will be announced. The judges will comment on each shortlisted work."
An Younan thought for a while and said: "Is this to ensure transparency? It's for topicality!"< /p>
Ning Chunyan nodded: "I have to admit that although you are mean, you are very sharp. Their reviews often deliberately lead to confrontation and controversy, and hype up the topic. But aside from these, you can indeed get a glimpse of the judges' preferences."
An Younan asked: "When will the review meeting be held?"
“Usually it’s the first working week after the list of judges is announced...” Ning Chunyan counted his fingers and said in surprise, “Isn’t that the first week after the Spring Festival?”
Wang Zixu suddenly felt a stomach cramp unique to post-exam results.
Ning Chunyan suddenly turned to An Younan: "Didn't you say before that you were helping to prepare for the publication of "Fire in the Stone"? How is the progress? Isn't it just letting it go?"
An Younan raised his voice Ba: "How is that possible? Do you think I'm the kind of person who puts things off when his feelings are frustrated?"
Ning Chunyan keenly caught the word "frustrated feelings" and raised his eyebrows slightly - it seems that An Younan's understanding of the "brother and sister" relationship is still wrong.
But before she could say anything, An Younan said immediately:
"My original strategy was to use the finalists as a marketing point. But when you said it, if If you can’t even make it to the final election, you will have to adjust your plan.”
Ning Chunyan tried to comfort him: “It’s not completely hopeless, it still depends on the review...”
“Can’t wait,” An Younan interrupted decisively, “Only by publishing first, we can keep up with the follow-up publicity and momentum. As the popularity increases, the hope of winning the award will be greater. Wang Zixu now has traffic, and we can negotiate a good contract. Editing, review, and publication take time, so we must hurry up.”
Ning Chunyan sincerely praised: “That makes sense. You really have a good operational mind.”
"Basic operations." An Younan turned to Wang Zixu, "Don't be stubborn next, you must cooperate with the publicity."
Wang Zixu was confused: "What should we do specifically?"
"I will arrange everything, you just sign. If there are book signings, interviews, or interviews, just sit there and answer whatever is asked."
An Younan spoke in an understatement, but Wang Zixu listened blankly. Ning Chunyan looked at it, feeling an indescribable jealousy in her heart.
“Miss An, I have a question,” Ning Chunyan couldn’t help but ask, “You obviously don’t know Wang Zixu well, why do you feel that you have more confidence in him than we all do?”
An Younan rolled his eyes: "How do you know that I don't know him as well as you?"
Ning Chunyan clasped his hands and counted them: "Look, even though you have this relationship, you know each other. It’s only a few months ago that you are not interested in literature...to be honest. Why do you believe that his works can win awards?”
Her focus was very biased, but An Younan really couldn’t answer.
She can’t say it, because she knows that Wang Zixu is a little prince, right?
"Humph, I'm still surprised," An Younan counter-general Yijun, "How well do you know him? Why are you so confident in him?"
Ning Chunyan immediately straightened his back, put his hands on his hips, and said confidently:
"You don't know this! I discovered him! When I met him, he had never published a single manuscript. It was me who encouraged him to submit manuscripts, and he was able to become famous at the Xihe Literary Society. His career as a writer can be said to have grown up while watching me! Of course I understand! "
After hearing this, An Younan sneered: "That's it? Then you don't know much about it. Do you know what he is doing in private?"
Wang Zixu's heart tightened and his body froze.
An Younan’s character is too difficult to figure out. He suspected that she could expose his little prince's vest in a rage just to be competitive. She could definitely do such a thing.
Ning Chunyan asked curiously: "What to do?"
"Hmph..."
Just when An Younan was about to give it a try, his calf was suddenly lightly touched. She glanced at Wang Zixu's warning eyes and turned her words: "Maybe... he is secretly a master of Internet writing?"
Although he tried to cover it up with his mouth, An Younan used his eyes to look back at Wang Zixu, and at the same time kicked him under the water in retaliation - you can just use your identity as your underpants all day long! Sooner or later you will be tortured to death by yourself!
What is thrilling is that because she was underwater, An Younan’s weak body function could not control her strength well, and she accidentally rubbed against Chen Qingluo when she retracted her legs.
Chen Qingluo immediately turned her head and looked at her quietly with her dark eyes, which made An Younan's heart tremble.
Then, Chen Qingluo floated over quietly, as if to protect Wang Zixu from An Younan. Under her blank gaze, she stopped firmly between her and Wang Zixu.
Ning Chunyan did not pay attention to the undercurrent under the water, and frowned and muttered: "Writing an online article by Wang Zixu? Can he write an online article with his bitter and hateful style? Isn't he trying to penetrate the center of the earth? Wang Zixu, are you really writing online articles? Wen? "
She looked at Wang Zixu, who tactfully pushed the situation: "An Younan is talking a lot, and he will say anything to squeeze you. Do you really believe it? "
"That's right!" Ning Chunyan immediately glared at An Younan with hatred.
“Heh.” An Younan rolled her eyes in her heart - this silly woman might happily help count the money when she is sold.
This hot spring conversation has lasted long enough, especially for Wang Zixu, who was the first to enter the pool. Any further soaking will cause irreversible damage to his ball.
Unscrupulous scientists conducted an experiment on monkeys. They soaked rhesus monkeys in hot water and took them out after a period of time. They found that their fertility was affected. (Rhesus monkeys are often used for experiments, not because they are evil, but because their genetic sequences are too similar to humans.)
Therefore, this experiment tells us two things. One is not to soak in hot baths for too long, especially men; the other is that it is extremely dangerous to be too similar to a strong person.
After listening to Ning Chunyan and their analysis, Wang Zixucai belatedly discovered that he was in a dangerous situation: "Fire in the Stone" was on a track to "go to the gods", and this road was already crowded with true gods.
When people look at this book, they will subconsciously compare it with those masterpieces that have been immortalized. From this perspective, it is always inevitable to find flaws. In terms of the judges' personal preferences, it is by no means a "pleasant" work.
Of course, there is nothing Wangzixu can do about it. The original intention of this work was not to please anyone.
……
After changing into a soft nightgown, Wang Zixu sat in the rest area for a while. He bought a can of sports drink from the vending machine and sipped it slowly to replenish the lost electrolytes. He sat down on the bench next to the billiard table, picked up the cue next to him, and took aim for a long time, but in the end he still failed to hit the shot.
After an unknown amount of time, a figure came to him softly. Wang Zixu didn't look back, and there was a familiar smell of shampoo with a fresh floral and fruity scent floating in the air - it was the one commonly used in Ning Chunyan.
“Where are Chen Qingluo and An Younan?” He asked without looking back, “Aren’t you together?”
"Qingluo is sulking." Ning Chunyan's voice sounded beside her, "I don't know what kind of trick An Younan had, and went to 'socialize' with the people from the Cultural Association."
"Qingluo...what is she sulking about?"
"You don't care about your sister's 'socializing'?" Ning Chunyan pointed out his shift in focus.
Wang Zixu was speechless for a moment. Then he realized that he had only captured the part about Chen Qingluo in her words subconsciously, and he felt a little embarrassed.
“She didn’t look angry when I left.” He tried to explain.
Ning Chunyan snorted: "She is angry with you."
"Huh?" Wang Zixu turned around in shock.
Beauty after taking a bath, for some unknown reason, is always more beautiful. Ning Chunyan stood tall and graceful beside her, her skin showing a healthy pink glow just after taking a bath.
She put on a white cotton bathrobe provided by the villa, and the belt was tied loosely, outlining her waist. The slightly damp long hair is spread casually on the shoulders, and the tips of the hair are still slightly damp. Under the bathrobe, a pair of straight and well-proportioned calves were exposed, with smooth and graceful lines.
At this moment, she stared straight at Wang Zixu, with a faint but meaningful smile on her lips:
"Did you send Qingluo a particularly perfunctory New Year's greeting message on the first day of the new year? She was sulking because of this."
Wang Zixu hurriedly defended: "I swear! It's definitely not perfunctory! She sent me a 'Happy New Year', and I replied with a 'Happy New Year' as is. This... is there any problem with this? ?"
"Oh - that's it." Ning Chunyan said in a long tone, with a clear look, "But you have to know that Qing Luo has no habit of actively sending holiday greetings to others. She said that it was an ineffective social interaction and a waste of time. "
"Ah..." Wang Zixu was stunned.
"So," Ning Chunyan leaned forward slightly, "The 'Happy New Year' she sent unsolicitedly only had four words on the surface, but the weight hidden underneath may be very heavy. You only replied to her four dry words, and she said you were perfunctory, but it is not unfair at all."
The prince had nothing to say in reply.
How is this unfair? It’s really unfair to grandma’s house.
"By the way," he suddenly remembered something, "How do you know that she is angry with me because of this? It's not like she would take the initiative to tell you."
Ning Chunyan said: "Because I read her the essay you sent me during the New Year, and she became angry after reading it."
It turns out that the crux of the problem lies here.
Ning Chunyan put her hands behind her back and said: "Girls are often emotional creatures. If you feel that the amount of effort you give is not equal to the reward you receive, you will always feel uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong, this does not mean that she will like you or anything, it is just natural."
She paused and glanced at his face. : "Qing Luo is very fond of you, and An Younan is very considerate to you. Think about it, how are you going to repay so many favors? Be careful, if a girl starts to care about you, her revenge is very scary."
Wang Zixu was a little confused by her words: "Are you kindly reminding me, or... are you just joking?"
"Neither," Ning Chunyan denied. Her gaze suddenly became sharp, shining straight at him like a searchlight, "I just want to ask you, are you really hiding something from me?"
Wang Zixu was caught off guard by the question: "What can I hide? "
"For example..." Ning Chunyan took a step closer, her voice was low, but her words were clear, "What about your relationship with the 'little prince'? "
(End of this chapter)