The interview question was out.
Everyone looked at Zhang Ye. They wanted to see how he would answer the question. It was a difficult question that had been in the language textbooks before, Wang Shuixin's most famous poem, "Everything".
Zhang Ye did not speak for a long time.
"Everything"? Why did it sound so familiar!?
He was very sure that he had heard this poem somewhere before, but he could not remember it clearly. Hence, he said, "Can I drink some water?"
"Sure." Wang Shuixin turned his head.
An interviewer beside him threw a bottle of mineral water to Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye used the time he took to drink the water to open the game ring and bought a "Memory Search Capsule". He closed his eyes and pretended to be deep in thought, but in fact, he had quietly swallowed the capsule while drinking the water. He searched through his memories and finally, Zhang Ye opened his eyes. He saw his memories and finally remembered why this poem sounded so familiar to him!
What the heck!
Wasn't this the "Everything" written by Bei Dao!?
However, there were some areas that were quite different!
For example, Bei Dao from his world wrote that "Everything is fate. Everything is smoke and clouds. Everything is an ending without a beginning. Everything is a fleeting pursuit." As for Wang Shuixin's poem, "Everything is fate. Everything is an illusion. Everything has no end. Everything has no home to return to." It looked different, but the format and meaning were similar. The core idea was the same. There was even a line, "All beliefs are accompanied by moans". The two poems were exactly the same. Not a single word was different!
This world also had a similar poem, "Everything"?
But without Bei Dao, it was written by Wang Shuixin?
This was not strange. The cultural backgrounds of the two worlds were similar. For example, the Four Great Classical Novels, the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin still existed. Maybe the influence of the Four Great Classical Novels on the people was too deep and ingrained. There was no way to change it, so it was not changed by the game ring. Then, it was normal for the two worlds to have similar cultural works. Of course, it was only similar. Bei Dao from Zhang Ye's world was a famous poet. In terms of words and depth, Zhang Ye clearly felt that Bei Dao's "Everything" was better than Wang Shuixin's "Everything"!
This was the question?
Zhang Ye smiled. He could not help but smile.
Bei Dao's "Everything" was actually quite famous, but the reason why Zhang Ye could not remember it clearly, and why he needed to use the Memory Search Capsule to search his memories, was because there was another poem that was even more famous. It was written in response to Bei Dao's "Everything", completely negating Bei Dao's work. Hence, Zhang Ye and the people of his world had a deep impression of that poem, and subsequently forgot about Bei Dao's "Everything". Even if some people from his world mentioned "Everything", they would only treat it as an interlude or an allusion. It was as though "Everything" only existed to serve as a foil to that poem. No matter how well it was written, no matter how much it was written to the fullest, in front of that poem, "Everything" was just a supporting role. It could only be used as a foil, hiding under the shade of a tree!
"Everything is done?" A woman urged.
"Can we begin?" A young interviewer was also getting impatient.
Hu Fei noticed that Zhang Ye did not speak for a long time. He guessed that Zhang Ye really could not answer. He sighed in his heart. Zhang Ye's chances were slim, and it was impossible for him to be accepted by the Leaders. Wang Shuixin's attitude was very obvious. Now that he could not even answer the question, the chances of him being accepted was close to zero. However, Hu Fei's love for talent was very strong. He was still using all means to fight for Zhang Ye, "Director Wang, Little Zhang is still young. No matter how talented he is, he can't be compared to you. This question is indeed a bit difficult. Why don't we not give a question, and let Little Zhang freely express a poem."
"Brother Hu." The female interviewer said, "Then what's the point of the interview? Anyone can write something freely. It's not considered a skill. "
Wang Shuixin smiled lightly, "Old Hu, to be honest, I just wanted to test Little Zhang's ability to compose on the spot. In the past, his poems were also composed on the spot, but from the poem's quality and logic, I still have my reservations. I don't believe that those few good works were written by Little Zhang on the spot. That doesn't make sense. Even if he was composing on the spot, he couldn't have stuttered a little, right? His poems were so logical? Parallelism was used so well? However, since you admire this young man so much, I decided to test him this time. Hence, I purposely brought a poem of mine for him to recite. Firstly, I want to see if he can write it on the spot. Secondly, I want to see if Little Zhang is as literary as people say he is. "
Hu Fei said, "But this is a classic poem that has been in the language textbooks. Little Zhang, he …"
Wang Shuixin waved his hand to stop Hu Fei from continuing. He looked at Zhang Ye and said, "It's alright, Little Zhang. Take your time to think about it. There's no rush. Hur Hur. At your age, you might not have heard this poem. The language textbooks you used in high school might not have included 'Everything'. If you didn't hear it clearly, can I recite it to you again?"
A youth volunteered, "You have already recited it once. Why don't I do it, Director Wang?"
"Alright, Little Xu, you do it. Hur Hur." Wang Shuixin was in a good mood. He had been in administration for so many years. Now, he had a rare opportunity to showcase his literary works. Seeing Zhang Ye not say a word and his subordinates looking at him with admiration and respect, Wang Shuixin enjoyed it very much.
The other interviewers and youth did not think much of Zhang Ye. They knew that Zhang Ye could not match it. The reason why they were still here to continue interviewing Zhang Ye was to suck up to the Leader. They wanted to see with their own eyes how the Leader could defeat a newcomer like Zhang Ye, who had been praised too much by others, in a literary battle. Besides the factor of sucking up, Director Wang indeed had the absolute ability!
Zhang Ye? A newcomer!
Compared to Director Wang, he was nothing!
And he wanted to compete with Wang Shuixin in literary poetry? Wasn't this overestimating himself!?
Director Wang's "Everything" used all his senses to maximize their contact with the pulse of life. He used his critical eyes to examine the morals and ethics between people, as well as the sparks that were produced when people collided with each other. At the same time, he unconsciously thought about love, freedom, joy, suffering, hope and death. He was considered one of the best modern poems. It could even be said that he had written such poems to the extreme. Did Zhang Ye want to use the literary thoughts displayed in "Everything" to surpass "Everything"? That was impossible!
Yes, but this poem was not without flaws. If one really wanted to nitpick the flaws, it was probably the reason why it was later removed from the language textbooks. This poem was too gloomy, too depressing and too hopeless. This was also the reason why "Everything" was criticized by a small number of people. But the flaws did not obscure the beauty. This poem had a rather high status in the current poetry world. It was considered a representative work of "pessimistic" obscure poems.
"I'll recite it. Listen well." The youth said to Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye ignored him. He already had a plan in mind.
The youth frowned. You're putting on airs? You've been praised to the skies by too many people who don't know literature. Don't you know what your surname is? Look, now you've revealed your true colors! I don't know what Teacher Hu sees in you. You can only show off in front of Big Thunder and those little poets who only have a little bit of fame in Beijing. See? Once you meet a real literary master, you can't do anything, right?
The youth grunted and cleared his throat. He said, "Everything is fate. Everything is an illusion. Everything has no result. Everything has no home."
Wang Shuixin squinted his eyes as he listened to his poem.
The other interviewers also looked at him with reverence. Their mouths moved slightly, as if they were savoring the poem, and also reciting it with the youth in their hearts.
The youth carried on, "There is no smile in all joy. All suffering …"
But suddenly, a scene that no one expected happened. Zhang Ye actually opened his mouth. As the youth was reciting excitedly, Zhang Ye rudely interrupted him!
Zhang Ye shook his head. "Not all trees will be snapped by the storm. Not all seeds will not be able to find the soil to take root. Not all true feelings will be lost in the desert of the human heart. Not all dreams will be willing to have their wings broken. No, not everything … is as you said! "
Hu Fei gasped. This … this poem …
Wang Shuixin and the other 6-7 interviewers were also stunned!
Zhang Ye looked at Director Wang and also looked at the interviewers. He enunciated each word with emphasis, "Not all flames only burn themselves, and not light up others. Not all stars only point to darkness, and not light up the dawn. Not all songs only pass by the ears, and not stay in the heart. No, not everything … is as you said! "
The second stanza was out!
It was another long stanza! The tone was even heavier!
Wang Shuixin's expression immediately turned ugly, but he did not say a word!
Hu Fei was having a great time listening to it. His fists were already clenched. He was so excited that he wanted to stand up and cheer for Zhang Ye. For the first time today, he revealed a brilliant smile. He was happy for Zhang Ye, and also happy for himself. He, Hu Fei, had not misjudged Zhang Ye! This was really a rare talent!
Zhang Ye's gaze swept across everyone present. He purposely paused for a moment and recited the last stanza. This stanza's expression was no longer solemn and serious shaking of his head. Instead, it was replaced with a smile. The smile might even have a hint of mockery and sarcasm, "Not all appeals go unanswered. Not all losses are irreparable. Not all abysses lead to destruction. Not all deaths fall upon the heads of the weak. Not all souls can be trampled underfoot, rotting in the mud. Not all consequences are tears and blood, and not showing joy!"
"Everything in the present is pregnant with the future!"
"Everything in the future is born from its yesterday."
"Hope, and fight for it. Please place all of this on your shoulders!"
The last word was said to Wang Shuixin, but it could also be said to himself!
Everything is gloomy? Everything is only suffering? Every success is accompanied by tears and pain?
Be it Bei Dao's "Everything" or Wang Shuixin's "Everything", Zhang Ye did not dare to agree with them!
He knew that many people hated him, hated him, hated him, and did not like him. He also knew that he did not have much hope in this interview, but Zhang Ye had never felt that his life was gloomy. He had never thought that he was born to feel indecisive. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would not give up!
That is everything?
Everything is like what you said?
No! Not everyone is like what you said!
At least I am not! I, Zhang Ye, am not!
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