The winners of the Yanhong Literary Prize were about to be announced.
The Qilu Literature Prize would soon be announced.
As the two highest awards in the literary world that were given out once every four years, be it people from the literary world or the media circles, they all paid close attention to it. Many people even made their own predictions.
"Old Tao has a high chance of winning."
"He missed out on winning the Yanhong Prize last year."
"I hope Teacher Sheng can win the award. He's already 78 years old. Among the earliest batch of people in the literary world, Teacher Sheng is the only one who hasn't won the highest honor in the literary world."
"Sun Fang is not bad either."
"Sun Fang is too young, and his works are few."
"It will definitely be lively this time."
"Why?"
"Didn't you see the list? Zhang Ye is one of the candidates. "
"Haha, Lord Zhang has finally made it to the literary world's most prestigious award selection."
"Yeah, the year when Zhang Ye debuted, the Yanhong Literary Prize had just been awarded. This is the first time he's been nominated for the highest literary award, so it all depends on whether the literary world is willing to give it to him."
"Yes, the suspense is too great."
"If he can win this award, then Zhang Ye will be awesome!"
"That's right, the most prestigious award for hosting, mathematics, documentary, variety show, and if we add the most prestigious award for the literary world, it would really be heaven-defying! But come to think of it, this guy was already heaven-defying! There are many people who have won the highest awards before. For example, Director Li Ke, he has won more than ten of the highest domestic awards for directing and the Best Film awards. But for someone to cross over and win an award like Zhang Ye, it's unprecedented. The value of one of his awards is equivalent to that of five other people's awards! "
"According to his works, Zhang Ye is fully deserving of it. Who in the literary world has been in the limelight for the past four years? In the field of poetry and prose, Zhang Ye had no match. The "When You're Old" from two days ago had been flooded on Weibo again. But the problem now is whether the judges of the Yanhong Literary Prize will give it to him, or if they dare to give it to him. After all, no matter how much the people approve of Zhang Ye's work, the people who ultimately vote for it are still the people from the literary world. And the history of the literary world's highest awards has proven this point countless times — there are too many uncertainties involved in this kind of award. "
"Zhang Ye to compete for the Yanhong Literary Prize!"
"Can Zhang Ye win another of the highest literary awards in the country?"
"The Yanhong Literary Prize Ceremony Draws Attention!"
"The Writers' Association extends another invitation to Zhang Ye! Zhang Ye will be recruited? "
"The Yanhong Literary Prize will be announced tonight!"
A large portion of the media's focus was also on Zhang Ye. This was because he was the most famous of the candidates, so if they did not pay attention to him, who else would they pay attention to?
On Weibo …
Zhang Ye's friends also sent their blessings.
Songstress Zhang Xia: "I wish Little Zhang good luck."
Singer Li Xiaoxian: "In the field of literature, I'm a hardcore fan of Teacher Zhang Ye. As a little fan, I wish for my idol to succeed and reach the top of the literary world!"
…
The outside world was in a heated discussion.
However, Zhang Ye's Studio was currently in a mess. The reason for this was that the Writers' Association had sent him an invitation to become a member of the Writers' Association yesterday. After that, one of the main judges of the Yanhong Literary Prize also called to urge them to hurry up.
Ha Qiqi said anxiously, "Director Zhang!"
Zhang Ye was doing his makeup and did not say a word.
Zhang Zuo said from behind, "You should join us."
"Yeah, it's not like we can't lose a piece of meat." Ha Qiqi kept checking her watch. "We have to go to the award ceremony venue tonight. If we don't reply to them now, it'll be too late!"
But Zhang Ye said to the makeup artist, "Don't put on too much makeup. Just do it right."
Beside him, Wu Yi also advised, "Have you forgotten about the 'Reach the Summit' plan? This award is too important to us and we must win it. If they want to recruit you, that means they're raising their conditions. This is a good thing. It means that they've relented. If you agree to join the Writers' Association, it would mean that the literary world will officially recognize you. The Yanhong Literary Prize will definitely be yours! "
Zhang Ye still ignored them.
At this moment, Little Wang pulled Zhang Ye's agent, Rao Aimin, over.
"What?" Rao Aimin said impatiently, "I'm still cooking."
Little Wang said with a long face, "Big Sis Rao, Director Zhang's temper is acting up again. It doesn't matter who says it. Please help us persuade him. He's about to lose the most prestigious award that he's about to get."
Rao Aimin nodded.
Zhang Ye looked over. "Old Rao, why don't you come with me to the award ceremony tonight?"
Rao Aimin sneered. "It's not easy for me to get some peace and quiet for a few days. Don't give me any more trouble, kid."
"Alright, I'll go by myself then." Zhang Ye shrugged.
Ha Qiqi looked at Rao Aimin.
Little Wang also kept nudging Rao Aimin's arm.
Suddenly, a call came in. It was a staff member from the Yanhong Literary Prize's judging committee. This was already the umpteenth call. He was urging Zhang Ye to fill in the application to join the Writers' Association again.
Little Wang did not know what to say. "We —"
Rao Aimin took two steps forward and said unhurriedly, "Give it to me."
Little Wang quickly handed the phone over.
Then they heard Rao Aimin say to the staff member on the other end, "Are you crazy? Aren't you annoyed by these three calls a day? It's fine if you're the judging committee, but why are you giving me all this nonsense … Who am I? I'm Zhang Ye's agent! If there's anything you need, just tell me! "
With just a single sentence, she managed to get rid of the staff member!
Everyone in the studio was dumbfounded!
"Sister Rao!"
"Aiyo!"
We wanted you to persuade Director Zhang, so why are you doing it instead!
They finally understood why Rao Aimin, who was not even a part of this industry, would be Zhang Ye's agent. Their tempers were too similar, and one was worse than the other!
Zhang Zuo gave a wry smile and said, "Director Zhang, this is the Yanhong Literary Prize!"
Little Wang stomped her feet anxiously. "Why, Director Zhang?"
Zhang Ye smiled and stood up. He looked at them and said, "Because it's too ugly!"
Because it wasn't beautiful?
Because it was too ugly?
What kind of reason was that!
Perhaps in this room, only Zhang Ye and Rao Aimin could understand what he meant by "too ugly." Zhang Ye wanted to reach the top. He wanted to reach the top. He really, really wanted to win this highest award in the literary world, but he could not use it as a bargaining chip against Zhang Ye.
…
On the same night.
At the venue of the Yanhong Literary Prize.
In the audience were various reporters, media outlets, the nominees, and many authoritative figures in the industry.
When Zhang Ye arrived, he was immediately surrounded by reporters.
It was Elder Qian who came over to help him out. "Little Zhang, come, come, sit here!"
Elder Qian was a leading figure in the literary world. A long time ago, Elder Qian was a judge and guest at the Couplet Competition. Zhang Ye had known him for many years, and he was also one of Zhang Ye's few friends in the literary world. Back then, Elder Qian had also invited Zhang Ye to join the Writers' Association, but was tactfully rejected by Zhang Ye's "Facing the Sea, Spring Blossoms."
Zhang Ye smiled and said, "How's your health?"
"What do you think?" Money Boss laughed.
Zhang Ye said, "Let me see? I think running ten thousand meters is not a problem. "
Elder Qian exclaimed, "You're trying to kill me!"
"Haha, by the way, are you one of the judges for the Yanhong Literary Prize?"
Elder Qian shook his head. "No, I'm the main judge for the upcoming Qilu Literature Prize. I was invited here as a guest, so hurry up and take a seat."
Not long after, the award ceremony began!
The list of winners was revealed!
A leader of the literary world announced, "Next, I will announce that the final five winners of the seventh Yanhong Literary Prize are: Tao Chihao!"
There was a round of applause below!
Everyone in the author's section looked towards Teacher Tao.
"Prime of life!"
Applause rang out again!
"Xue Li!
Xue Li was so excited that her mouth fell open, as if she couldn't believe it!
"Qiao Huayi!"
Old Qiao slapped his thigh and laughed.
The last name!
There was only one left!
The leader deliberately paused for a moment before shouting, "Chen Bang!"
The five winners were all announced, and they stepped onto the stage to receive their awards!
The media and many writers looked at each other. Some even took a deep breath!
There was no Zhang Ye!
The Yanhong Literary Prize was really not given to Zhang Ye!
Zhang Ye had a calm look on his face, and there was no change in his expression.
But Elder Qian stared at him in surprise. "Little Zhang, you didn't join the Writers' Association?"
Zhang Ye smiled and said, "No, I didn't."
Elder Qian facepalmed. "Aiyo, you're really something. I thought you had already joined. I heard that they've already given you the application form. All you needed to do was sign it!"
Zhang Ye said, "I didn't sign it."
"The quadrennial Yanhong Literary Prize." Elder Qian said, "You threw it away just like that?"
But Zhang Ye corrected him, "Elder Qian, it's not that I don't want this prize, nor did I throw it away. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here today. This is the greatest respect I can give to the Yanhong Literary Prize. Regardless of whether I can win it or not, I'm still here today. Moreover, I've even dressed up to attend the ceremony, right?" He pointed at his clothes and said with a smile, "I've already tried my best. I've already done everything that I should have done. It's just that this award was not given to me."
Elder Qian fell silent.
Some of the young writers around him also fell silent.
Yes, Zhang Ye had already done everything that he should have done. What was a writer supposed to do?
It was to create!
It was to write!
It was to pick up a pen!
Zhang Ye had already done it, so what else could he expect from him?
The award ceremony ended!
Before Zhang Ye could even leave his seat, he was surrounded by a swarm of reporters!
"Teacher Zhang, do you have anything to say about not winning the award this time?"
"I heard that you've offended the Yanhong Literary Prize's judging committee. Does this mean that you won't be a part of the Yanhong Literary Prize anymore? Have you been sentenced to death? "
"Have you joined the Writers' Association?"
"We've received some news that as long as you agree to join the Writers' Association and become a member, you'll definitely win the Yanhong Literary Prize this time!"
"Why didn't you join the Writers' Association?"
"Teacher Zhang, will you still be vying for the Yanhong Literary Prize four years from now?"
But Zhang Ye did not accept the interview and left quietly.
On the Internet, the news was also spreading.
"What?"
"They're really not going to give it to Zhang Ye?"
"Holy shit! The Yanhong Literary Prize is getting more and more unreliable! "
"Out of those five people, I've never even heard of three of them before!"
"The value of this year's Yanhong Literary Prize is too low!"
"There's no Zhang Ye? Are you guys kidding me? "
"Zhang Ye's poems aren't even qualified to win the award. Oh my god, just how high is the bar for the Yanhong Literary Prize? This is scaring me to death!"
"Do you even need to ask? They wanted to recruit Zhang Ye, but Zhang Ye ignored them! "
"It's over. If Zhang Ye wants to fight for the highest literary award again, he'll have to wait another four years."
"The Yanhong Literary Prize will be awarded to him in four years?"
"This isn't right!"
"Actually, Zhang Ye could have won it. As long as he lowered his head and joined the Writers' Association, they had already stated their conditions. It was Zhang Ye who didn't want it! Great, there's no chance now! "
Countless people expressed their doubts!
There were also a few experts and scholars who questioned the Yanhong Literary Prize. Some people even rebuked them, feeling that this year's Yanhong Literary Prize had tarnished the reputation of the highest literary award!
Scolding!
Criticism!
The Yanhong Literary Prize's judging committee was pushed into the teeth of the storm!
Then, when the officials saw how serious the situation was, they immediately issued a response to explain why Zhang Ye was not qualified to win the award. For example, they said that he was too young, that he had not joined any literary organizations, that some of his works were too radical, too aggressive, too murderous, etc. In short, they said that Zhang Ye was not qualified to win this year's Yanhong Literary Prize and that the judges were not biased against him.
Right at this moment.
Zhang Ye posted a poem on Weibo.
"I Died for Beauty"
"I died for beauty, to the grave
Almost, I couldn't adapt
A martyr for truth,
Then he became my neighbor.
He asked me softly, "Why did you fall?"
I answered him, "For beauty" —
He said, "I died for truth, truth and beauty —
We are one, we are brothers — "
Just like that, like family, we meet in the dark —
We, across the room, we talk —
Until the moss grows on our lips —
Overwrite, our names —
The appearance of this poem shocked the entire literary world. The controversy became even more intense!
A few writers and poets who had won the Yanhong Literary Prize in the past felt their hearts waver and sorrow when they saw this poem!
For beauty?
Died for beauty?
They all knew what Zhang Ye was trying to express. They all knew that as long as Zhang Ye was willing to be recruited, as long as he was willing to nod his head, his name would definitely appear in the Yanhong Literary Prize!
But he did not!
Was it because it was too ugly?
A poem like this, and a person like this, was he really not qualified to win the highest award in the literary world? What was the highest award established for? What were the judging criteria? Was it a selection of works? Or was it the judges? Or was it a product that was created based on the preferences of the judges?
On Weibo.
The netizens were all in favor of it.
"Zhang Ye is so cool!"
"What a good 'Died for Beauty'. My blood is boiling!"
"Just this poem alone, out of the five winners of the Yanhong Literary Prize, which one of them can compare to Zhang Ye? Ah? Let me ask which one? "
"Isn't it just the highest award in the literary world? It's not like the Yanhong Literary Prize is the only one! "
"Right, the Qilu Literature Prize that will be held in a few days is the highest award in the literary world! It's definitely more valuable than the Yanhong Literary Prize! Teacher Zhang, give us one! "
"Damn, the Qilu Literature Prize only awards full-length novels."
"In any case, I'm supporting Zhang Ye! There's no need to say anything! "
"Teacher Zhang, you can do it! Even if you don't win it this time, there will still be chances in the future. The highest award in the literary world will definitely be yours! Continue to fight for your beauty. We like you just the way you are! "
"Beauty — that's more important than anything else!"
"Praise Zhang Ye!"
"The Yanhong Literary Prize's judges must be blind!"
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