Chapter 65: Where is Comrade Xu Yuexin?

Xu Yuexin, feeling excited and surging, repeatedly read every character on the Letter until Chen Qiaoqiao came up beside him.

"What does the Letter say?"

Chen Qiaoqiao glanced at the Letter and instantly widened their eyes.

"You won an Award!"

"And it's from People's Literature!"

Chen Qiaoqiao's face lit up with joy, speaking at a rapid pace, "Among all publication Awards, this one has the highest prestige!"

"I just don't know whether The Horse Herder or High Mountain got the Award."

Xu Yuexin, equally enthusiastic, said.

"I guess it's The Flower Wreath Under the High Mountain? It was published earlier; The Horse Herder might have missed the deadline?"

Chen Qiaoqiao guessed, "But that's okay. If it missed this year, it can still make it next year."

"Thinking too far ahead."

Xu Yuexin, while chatting, brushed Chen Qiaoqiao's sleek hair, helping her tidy the strands that had fallen over her eyes from excitement.

……

A few days later, at Chaonei 166, a lively scene unfolded in the courtyard.

"Mao Lao, welcome to present the Award in person. I believe that once all the writer comrades see you, they will feel the significance of this Award even more and be greatly uplifted."

"Hehe, you flatter me. The crucial point isn't who presents the Award, but that you ensure fairness and impartiality in the judging process."

"Mao Lao, rest assured, during this judging process, our editorial team comrades approach every slot with a strong sense of responsibility."

"Hmm, I trust your work style."

In front of the small building, Chief Editor Li Ji supported Mao Dun, who came to present the Award, as they ascended the steps.

Both wore bright smiles, full of enthusiasm for today's literary celebration.

After entering the building, Li Ji ushered Mao Dun into the reception room, and a server came forward to pour tea for the two.

While they were exchanging pleasantries, Wang Chaoyin entered from outside holding the list of Awardees, and respectfully handed it to Mao Dun: "Mao Lao, this is the list of this time's Awardees and their works."

"Would you like to take a look?"

"I've already looked at it before."

Mao Dun took the list, smiled at Wang Chaoyin and said, then turned to Li Ji, "The author named Xu Yuexin above—what's his situation? I haven't seen his name before."

"Where is he from, how old, and whether he has published before."

"This Xiao Xu is a Jingcheng native, twenty this year, and has no prior publishing experience."

"The Flower Wreath Under the High Mountain is his first work."

Li Ji hurriedly introduced him, his tone full of pride.

Xu Yuexin is, after all, a homegrown author of People's Literature!

"Oh? A newcomer to the literary world."

Mao Dun, sounding quite interested, said, "Not bad, a sudden brilliance."

"So young, and already won First Prizes for both a short story and a novella."

Li Ji nodded in agreement, pointing at Wang Chaoyin: "This is our editor Xiao Wang; Xiao Xu submitted his work to him."

"Xiao Wang told me that when he first received submissions for High Mountain, he couldn't believe the author was so young."

"Hello Mao Lao, I am Wang Chaoyin."

"Come, sit down and speak. As the responsible editor, you must interact most with Xiao Xu; please introduce him to me."

Wang Chaoyin, seeing Mao Dun's gaze on him, quickly stated his name, and after the invitation sat beside him. "I think Xiao Xu is a talented writer with a keen sense for subjects. His works hit today's social hot topics precisely."

Wang Chaoyin, with admiration in his tone, told Mao Dun, "He also grasps the public's mood well, blending personal expression with societal trends in his writing."

"When I read his books, I feel my emotions fully stirred, with strong immersion."

Mao Dun listened attentively to Wang Chaoyin's introduction, forming an initial impression of Xu Yuexin in his mind.

"That's what we call a natural literary sensitivity."

After Wang Chaoyin finished, Mao Dun gave a slight nod, acknowledging, "Such young writers should be given sufficient attention."

"The central authority says cadre development should combine the old, middle, and young generations; I think the literary world is the same."

"I am the old, you are the middle."

Mao Dun told Li Ji, "Comrades like Xiao Xu are the youth. When young writers grow, the nation's literary cause has hope."

"Thank you, Mao Lao, for your guidance; you have shown the Magazine Office the direction for our work."

Li Ji quickly said, pulling a notebook from his pocket to note it down earnestly.

Soon after, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Liu Jianqing knocked on the door, and after receiving permission entered: "Mao Lao, Chief Editor Li, all the authors receiving the Award have arrived."

"Let's go, go see everyone."

Mao Dun rose from the sofa, saying, and this time he didn't ask Li Ji for support.

Being able to witness the rise of new literary forces in his old age, Mao Dun felt very good at this moment, his stamina and energy far stronger than before.

At this moment, the small auditorium of Chaonei 166 was filled with the authors who received the Award and the cultural figures attending the ceremony.

In a corner of the auditorium, Xu Yuexin was sitting with Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun, three of them cracking sunflower seeds together.

"They say the Magazine Office this time invited a literary figure of Tai Shan Bei Dou caliber to present the Award to you."

Chen Jiangong, holding sunflower‑seed shells in his hand, asked Xu Yuexin with a hint of excitement, "Is it true?"

"I'm not sure. I only learned about the Award from the Letter, so I came over."

Xu Yuexin shook his head in bewilderment and said.

"Hello, Mao Lao!"

At that moment, a greeting rang out from the front of the auditorium, and many of the present writers and guests stood up.

Xu Yuexin, Chen Jiangong, and Liu Zhenyun followed the shouts and looked forward, only to see an elderly man with black tortoiseshell‑framed glasses, all‑white beard and hair, vigorous and spry, stepping into the hall and waving to the crowd that surged forward to greet him.

"Mao Lao is here!"

Chen Jiangong tossed aside his sunflower seed shells, his eyes sparkling, and said, "Let's go greet him."

Liu Zhenyun, also excited, threw his seeds aside and ran forward with him.

Mao Dun has arrived.

Xu Yuexin's heart skipped a beat; he rose from his seat, saying.

"Come quickly."

Ahead, Chen Jiangong had already greeted Mao Dun, and at the edge of the crowd he waved to Xu Yuexin.

"May I ask where comrade Xu Yuexin is now?"

In the center of the crowd, after Mao Dun finished smiling and acknowledging the warmly welcoming people, he asked a question.

Xu Yuexin? Most of the guests present had never heard the name and looked at each other in surprise, because up to this point the award list was still confidential.

Mao Lao actively looking for Xu Yuexin? Chen Jiangong couldn't believe his ears; he checked it twice in his mind before shouting, "Old Xu, Mao Lao is looking for you!"

(End of Chapter)