Chapter 57 - Zhang Ye’s Anger, “Shuidiao Getou“! (2/2)
Meng Dongguo chimed in, “Explaining this way would not be clear enough for everyone here. Since Zhang Ye is here today as well, why don’t we invite him onto the stage, so that he can compose a Mid-Autumn Festival poem. We will a.n.a.lyze the flaws in it for everyone, so that it will be clearer to understand.”
“This…..” Zhang Huo looked towards the station’s Leader.
Sun Mengjie could not make a call either. Although there was still a lot of time, but to let their colleague come up onto the stage to be treated as a negative example? To be slapped in the face by Meng Dongguo and company right in front of everyone? They couldn’t bear with the thought of it!
Big Thunder agreed, “Is this not the poetry appreciation segment? It’s for everyone to learn more about the traditions of poetry.”
They were both singing each other’s tunes. Zhang Ye’s reputation was decided before he could say anything — Zhang Ye was an amateur; they had wanted to show the differences between a professional and an amateur!
Deputy Station Head Jia looked at Zhang Huo, and pondered for a moment before he nodded slightly.
Zhang Huo then said, “Alright, then. But we need to know first if Teacher Zhang Ye has any new works. Because Teacher Zhang Ye was not informed beforehand of this poetry meet. This was impromptu, so…..” The Writers’ a.s.sociation was informed much earlier to give them some time to make preparations. But Zhang Ye was not given this advantage. With Meng Dongguo and Big Thunder yelling for Zhang Ye to come onto the stage, Zhang Huo felt they had really overstepped their boundaries, not even allowing for a minute of preparation! They really wanted to pick on Zhang Ye’s flaws, to strike him a fatal blow! What feud is there between all of you? That it had to come to this, to step over our colleague? The critical issue was that even Deputy Station Head Jia had agreed to this impudent proposal?
Many eyes were focused on them!
Zhang Ye let out a furious laughter. You want me to go up? You want to slap my face? You guys are courting death!
w.a.n.g Xiaomei’s eyes had already gone dark upon hearing what was said. She said to Zhang Ye, “Let them see, Teacher Little Zhang!” “Show them whether we hosts from the Literature Channel understand art and literature!” said a furious w.a.n.g Xiaomei!
In front, Big Sis Zhou turned back, “Teacher Little Zhang! Attack!”
Auntie Sun, who did not really acknowledge Zhang Ye’s poems, could no longer bear with this. She shouted across two rows of seats, “Little Zhang! Go get them! This is pus.h.i.+ng it too far!”
Tian Bin, putting on a damper, said, “Forget it; don’t go!”
Wu Datao shook his head, “Little Zhang, listen to me and don’t go. An amateur like you wants to put on a fake act in front of the professionals? Just say that you aren’t prepared; otherwise, when they criticize and point out your flaws, not only will you be embarra.s.sed, even our Literature Channel will be embarra.s.sed!”
All around, colleagues from the channel softly advised, “Teacher Zhang, ignore them.”
Some colleagues who wanted justice for Zhang Ye said, “If they are capable, let’s see them challenge Teacher Zhang in ghost stories! If they are capable, let’s see them challenge Teacher Zhang in fairy tales! Story writing is the true profession of Zhang Ye! Competing with poetry won’t determine anything! You all have been in this for so many years! Isn’t it a shameful for you to compete with a rookie? Eh?”
It was a little messy in the audience.
The auditorium’s mood was slowly losing control!
But under the spotlight, Zhang Ye stood up without any resistance. He smiled coldly, looked towards Zhang Huo, and signaled a ‘1’ determinedly. This was a signal everyone in the station knew. When hosting a radio live broadcast, ‘1’ would be signaled to the a.s.sistants to convey readiness.
“Zhang Ye!”
“Teacher Zhang! Think carefully!”
“Aiyo! Don’t go! Don’t you see that they are purposely making it difficult for you?”
Zhang Ye didn’t listen; he was already making his way out past the row of seats.
Zhang Huo understood, “Teacher Zhang has said that he is okay. Everyone, please give some applause.”
Meng Dongguo was waiting for Zhang Ye to recite before he pa.s.sed his judgment on Zhang Ye’s flaws for everyone listening.
Zheng Anbang and Little Red Mushroom were also waiting for Zhang Ye to make a joke of himself. The others also knew that this time Zhang Ye would embarra.s.s himself, but yet he willingly stepped up to be embarra.s.sed!
In the applause that was either disturbing, helpless or gloating, Zhang Ye followed his determination up towards the stage. In the spotlight, and on the red carpet, this was his first time standing in front of so many people, unlike the sealed-up s.p.a.ce of the recording studios. It was a meaningful face-to-face experience with so many people. But Zhang Ye did not have stage fright. This psychological strength of his had always been very good. Instead, he seemed to enjoy this moment!
Since you have forced me out, I will respectfully obey!
My poems have no literary value?
I am biting off more than I can chew by displaying my incompetence in front of an expert?
I am an amateur while you are a professional?
Alright, then! Today, I’ll let you bunch of Beijing Writers’ a.s.sociation people know who is the amateur and who is the professional!
Sun Mengjie tried to stall for time for Zhang Ye, “Teacher Zhang, since you were unprepared, please don’t rush. You can take your time to think it through.”
“There’s no need,” Zhang Ye said.
Zhang Huo paused. There was no need to consider? Creating the work on the spot?
Big Thunder disdainfully looked on. On the fly composing? What’s more, a poem that has a theme? Even for him, he would need at least half an hour to seek inspiration! If I can’t do it, how could you?
Of course, Zhang Ye did not need any preparations, nor did he even feel a need for preparations. A poem had already appeared in his head!
When he knew about the Mid-Autumn Poetry Meet, Zhang Ye began thinking about which poem he should use. He had not decided on or even wanted to use this poem. Why? Because this poem was too cla.s.sic! A cla.s.sic that when someone mentions Mid-Autumn and poems, 9 out of 10 people would think of this! After this poem existed, there were no other poems for Mid-Autumn! It could be said that no other poems could measure up to the influence of this poem!
To compose for Mid-Autumn, this would be the top choice!
It deserves the spot!
Zhang Ye did not want to choose it; he had wanted to leave some leeway for them. But after seeing how Meng Dongguo, Big Thunder and the others played dirty to force him, Zhang Ye no longer wanted to hold back!
Some of the audience were anxious.
Big Sis Zhou urgently asked, “Is Little Zhang going to be alright?”
Auntie Sun replied, “Even if he cannot, he mustn’t lose his composure. That group of people have already s*** on our heads!”
Tian Bin purposely sighed, “Was that necessary? Isn’t he asking for it? This Zhang Ye is really..! An amateur is an amateur!”
Despite all the talk, Zhang Ye touched the microphone and took in a light breath, “When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the clear sky. In the heavens on this night, I wonder what season it would be?”
Everyone was stunned when he said those lines!
He wasn’t using the modern poems that he was good at? And he chose a melody poem? Zhang Ye could also write melody poems?
And why was this melody poem.. able to make people have goose b.u.mps? This…
Zhang Ye closed his eyes as he looked up at the ceiling. He was completely in a recitation mood, “I’d like to ride the wind to return home. Yet, I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me. Dancing with my moonlit shadow, it does not seem like the human world. The moon rounds the red mansion, stoops to silk-padded doors, s.h.i.+nes upon the sleepless. Bearing no grudge, why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart? People experience sorrow, joy, separation and reunion. The moon may be dim or bright, round or crescent shaped. This imperfection has been going on since the beginning of time.” After pausing for two seconds, Zhang Ye opened his eyes. With his gaze soft, he slowly read the last sentence, “May we all be blessed with longevity; though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share.. the beauty of the moon together.”
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