Chapter 66: Your Award!

Accompanying Mao Dun, Wang Chaoyin saw Xu Yuexin behind the crowd and waved at him: "Xiao Xu, Mao Lao wants to say a few words to you."

Following Wang Chaoyin's line of sight, Mao Dun also saw Xu Yuexin hastening toward them.

"There's Xiao Xu."

"What a young, energetic fellow."

Mao Dun gave a slight smile to Li Ji beside him and stepped toward him.

The crowd hurriedly cleared a path for Mao Dun.

Under the envious gazes of Chen Jiangong and others, the two clasped hands tightly.

"Hello, comrade Xiao Xu."

Mao Dun's expression was amiable, his tone gentle, "This is your first time attending an award ceremony, right?"

Xu Yuexin restrained his excitement and tried to look at the elder before him with a calm gaze.

"Yes, Mao Lao, I'm honored to see you here."

Xu Yuexin said, feeling a warm and resilient strength from the handshake with this century‑old elder.

"It's also my first award ceremony in over a decade. A few years ago, various literary award events were halted."

Mao Dun looked around, speaking with some depth, then turned back to Xu Yuexin, "How many people are in your family? Are they happy that you're here for the award?"

"There are seven of us in my family, and my eldest brother has already set up his own household."

"I haven't had a chance to tell my parents yet, but my spouse is very pleased upon hearing it."

"Seeing someone so young already have a family, huh."

Mao Dun smiled, "Good. Shouldering family responsibilities will give you more motivation in your writing."

"As long as young writers like you work diligently and devote yourselves to writing, our nation's literary world will have successors."

Saying this, Mao Dun's tone grew earnest: "We must cherish the unprecedentedly good creative environment the Communist Party and government have created for our literary community after last year's conference."

"Strive to produce more good works to repay the expectations of the Communist Party and the People."

"Thank you, Mao Lao, I will certainly not disappoint your earnest entrustment."

"Alright, the time is almost up; let's continue our chat after the ceremony ends."

Mao Dun patted Xu Yuexin's arm, his eyes showing appreciation, and, accompanied by Li Ji and others, proceeded to sit in the front row.

Behind him, many looked at Xu Yuexin with envy, while others examined him curiously, speculating about the young writer's background that earned him such courtesy from Mao Lao.

Under the many gazes, Xu Yuexin turned to return to his original seat, when someone patted his shoulder from behind.

He turned his head and saw Wang Meng.

"Come sit here."

Wang Meng enthusiastically pulled him to the front row of the hall and sat down next to him.

"Jiangong, Zhenyun."

After sitting, Xu Yuexin called out to his two companions behind him.

Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun, who had been admiring Xu Yuexin, hesitated before walking up after hearing him call them.

"May we sit?"

Liu Zhenyun asked weakly.

"No problem, sit wherever you like."

Wang Meng said generously, "There's no name written on the seat."

Only then did Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun slowly sit down.

They saw clearly that the front row wasn't for anyone to sit; those who could sit here were the renowned writers of the literary world.

This time they truly basked in Xu Yuexin's glow.

On the stage at the front of the hall, Wang Chaoyin, holding a microphone with its cable, was announcing the start of the award ceremony.

"Good morning, writers present, distinguished guests and friends!"

"We welcome everyone to attend our society today for the inaugural Outstanding Literary Works Award ceremony since the reform and opening up."

"Frozen for over ten years, now finally thawed in a single day. Today's award ceremony is like a green sprout emerging from the mud as the spring breeze blows. There is a saying that one leaf knows autumn; likewise, one leaf can know spring. I believe all of you friends in the literary world feel as excited as I do right now!"

Wang Chaoyin said with a grand, fervent tone, "Now I announce that the award ceremony begins, and Mao Dun, Mao Lao, will deliver the opening address to everyone!"

The venue erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Wang Chaoyin's opening remarks struck a chord in many present.

As he said, with the spring wind blowing, authors can finally pick up their pens again and live by their words!

The scope and scale of creation have finally been liberated! Amid the applause, Mao Dun rose from his seat and walked to the stage unassisted.

On stage, Liu Jianqing emerged from backstage, carefully pulling the microphone cable aside to prevent Mao Dun from tripping when he stepped up.

These days material conditions are limited; there is only one microphone in the hall. After Mao Dun took the stage, Wang Chaoyin stepped forward and handed the microphone to him.

"Hello, friends. It is a great pleasure to see you all here today."

"As comrade Wang Chaoyin said, today's award ceremony symbolizes the winter‑to‑spring transition of our literary world."

"What I want to say is that the arrival of spring not only means the melting of ice and snow, but also the sprouting of new branches."

Holding the microphone, Mao Dun spoke slowly; all the writers and guests listened intently to her words, "Just like today's award list. The list is still confidential, but I can reveal that it includes not only our familiar old friends but also many new faces."

"New faces are good; with new faces, our literary world can continue thriving."

"Having gone through the special period of recent years, the country can still produce so many outstanding new writers and works. This shows that our nation's literary lineage has not broken, nor can it be broken!"

"I believe that under the care and protection of the Communist Party and the state, our literary cause will keep advancing, continuously bringing forth new excellent works."

By the end, Mao Dun's tone grew even more resolute.

And below the stage, thunderous applause rose again like a tide.

Amid the applause, Mao Dun handed the microphone to Wang Chaoyin, who continued the award ceremony.

"Thank you, Mao Lao, for just now delivering a speech for us; it was a speech that gave people confidence and gave people strength!"

Wang Chaoyin said in a resonant, powerful voice, "Just like the works we will present to everyone today to receive the award."

"Down below, let us begin the award ceremony."

"Report Literature First Prize: 'Goldbach Conjecture', winning author: Comrade Xu Chi!"

After Wang Chaoyin's voice fell, a tall, broad‑shouldered elderly man with graying hair stood up from the front row, walked forward amid applause, and ascended the stage step by step.

Mao Dun took the golden Award Certificate and the red‑satin Certificate from a staff member, handed them together with a bouquet of fresh flowers to Xu Chi, and offered him some encouragement.

"Thank you, Mao Lao."

Xu Chi, eyes brimming with hot tears, bowed slightly and said.

"Congratulations, Comrade Xu Chi."

Wang Chaoyin, holding a microphone, congratulated, "Your article 'Goldbach Conjecture' has swept across the nation, using outstanding literary talent and emotionally rich prose, establishing a lofty image of scientific researchers in the hearts of the broad masses of People."

"Therefore, People's Literature has decided to award you and your work the Report Literature First Prize. May I ask what sentiments you have in your heart at this moment?"

Xu Chi took the microphone, first wiped the tears from the corner of his eye, then narrated his personal journey to the audience: "Thank you, People's Literature, and also thank those readers who are willing to take time to read my works."

"I was inspired to create this work after hearing about the deeds of the great mathematician Mr. Chen Jingrun."

……

When Xu Chi finished his speech and left the stage amid enthusiastic applause, Wang Chaoyin gave a brief summary and announced the commencement of the Report Literature Second Prize and Third Prize award ceremonies.

Next came the Long Novel First, Second, and Third Prize award ceremonies, all presented by Mao Dun.

Reporters from the People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Guangming Daily and other major newspapers continuously filmed below, capturing footage, and the crisp "click click" sound occasionally rang out on the spot.

After the Long Novel Third Prize ceremony concluded, it was time for the Mid‑length Novel awards.

"The fires of war in the Southern Frontier have not yet been quelled; the soldiers brandish their spears to protect the People."

Wang Chaoyin, holding a microphone, spoke with unusually rich emotion, "Among today's award‑winning works, there is one such piece; with its emotionally charged prose, it sketches the majestic image of frontline soldiers for us."

"Mid‑length Literature First Prize: 'Wreath Under the High Mountain', winning author: Comrade Xu Yuexin!"

(End of chapter)