Chapter 91 - Television Station Interview – Literature Contest! (1/2)

That afternoon.

Beijing Television Station.

In an office at a certain floor, Zhang Ye was led by a staff member from the front desk. He did not even see which floor the elevator had stopped at. This was because he was feeling a bit worried. He knew this was the last chance for him to enter a television station. So he treated it with highest regard, hoping that he could grab this opportunity.

The office was empty.

“Teacher Zhang, please wait a minute.” the staff member said.

“Alright.” Zhang Ye sat on a chair by the side.

The staff said, “The Leader should be coming soon.”

Zhang Ye said, “Sure, do what you need to do. Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome. Then I’ll go first.” The staff left after closing the door.

After a few minutes, a plump, middle-aged man pushed open the door and saw Zhang Ye immediately. He said with a sigh, “Teacher Little Zhang, you’ve come?”

“You are?” Zhang Ye found the voice familiar.

The middle-aged fatty said, “I’m Hu Fei. We’ve spoken on the phone twice.”

Zhang Ye immediately came forward to shake hands with him, “Oh, so it’s Teacher Hu. It’s nice to meet you.”

Hu Fei had previously seen Zhang Ye at the Silver Microphone Awards, but Zhang Ye had not seen him. This was the first time they had actually interacted, so they exchanged pleasantries.

Finally, Hu Fei got round to business, “Teacher Little Zhang, you have to be mentally prepared for today’s interview. There might not be too much hope.”

Zhang Ye was stunned, “…I got it.”

Hu Fei explained, “I have already repeatedly communicated with the management. In the morning, when I spoke with you, I still thought that I could convince them. But after all I said, they still felt you were not up to the task. The incident of you saying ‘Dead Water’ back then gave them concerns, and they were not… I have tried my very best. In a while, I will also try my best to help you win the job, but I can tell that they do not wish to let you come to the Beijing Television Station. Even if you were to pa.s.s the interview perfectly, they might not hire you. So, I’m informing you beforehand. You can only blame me for not doing my job in advance.”

Zhang Ye immediately said, “I can’t blame you. You have already helped me so much. It was my fault. Since I said ‘Dead Water’, scolding the unit and the management, then I already had the preparations to bear the consequences. So it’s alright.”

Suddenly, footsteps from outside could be heard.

Hu Fei stopped talking with Zhang Ye and sat on an interview seat behind the desk.

Zhang Ye was feeling bitter. This was like a roller coaster ride. A few hours ago, Hu Fei’s words had given him hope. But in a blink of an eye, the situation had changed. He went from having hope to not having hope. He had not even gone through the interview, but he already knew he was sure to fail the interview? It was meaningless, no matter how well he answered? Zhang Ye felt his heart go cold to the freezing point, but he did not complain. As he said, since he had done certain things, he had to bear the consequences. Life had always been fair, so he had nothing to complain about!

Getting something is because I’m lucky!

Losing something is because of my fate!

Zhang Ye remained silent for a moment. His mental state also calmed down. Of course, he did not completely give up. Even if he knew the chances were slim or even zero, he still wanted to try!

The interviewers came in, one after another.

There were around 8-9 people. They were probably the channel or station’s junior heads or staff.

“Old Hu, you’ve already come?” A 40+-year-old middle-aged man said.

“I also just came in,” Hu Fei answered.

The middle-aged man looked at Zhang Ye, “This is Zhang Ye? Let’s begin then.”

“Alright, then let’s allow Little Zhang to prepare?” Hu Fei suggested.

Zhang Ye said calmly, “I’m fine. I can have my interview any moment.”

Everyone sat down. The middle-aged man that had spoken previously then sat in the middle. His name was w.a.n.g Shuixin. His name sounded slightly feminine, and he looked gentle, with his golden wire-rimmed gla.s.ses. Zhang Ye had checked the television station’s official website’s information before he came. He knew this person was the Beijing Television Station’s Arts Channel’s Director. He was probably the Leader of all the people present, and head of the Arts Channel.

There was not much public information one could find on the internet, but there was plenty of information about w.a.n.g Shuixin. Before he left, Zhang Ye had happened to find it online. Director w.a.n.g happened to be a poet in the past. A few years ago, he had published a few works and anthologies. He was best at modern poems. Although he did not have many works in recent times, he was still famous. Most people in the industry still knew him.

It was quite obvious after giving it some thought. As the head of the television’s Arts Channel, he would not be able to have the role without some ability. He definitely had to have some literary quality to him.

“First introduce yourself?” Director w.a.n.g Shuixin said.

“My name is Zhang Ye. I’m 23 years old this year. I graduated from…” Zhang Ye began his self-introduction.

During this, a few interviewers were whispering to each other. Some frowned, while others shook their heads. It was as if they did not wish for Zhang Ye to enter their Arts Channel.

w.a.n.g Shuixin was also one of them. Back at the Silver Microphone Awards, he and Hu Fei were present. He had heard with his own ears Zhang Ye’s angry recitation of “Dead Water”. The atmosphere seemed to have exploded, but w.a.n.g Shuixin had secretly shook his head. He knew that Zhang Ye was a problematic person. It was not easy to handle him. His literary standards were pa.s.sable, but his temper was too terrible. No Leader would want such a person. Leaders tended to want obedient subordinates, so by getting such a different kind of guy in, he would not be as gregarious and he had to worry that he would stir up something daily! So even though he treated Teacher Hu’s recommendations seriously, w.a.n.g Shuixin was unimpressed!

Of course, there was another reason.

w.a.n.g Shuixin actually felt that Hu Fei was blowing Zhang Ye’s so-called literary level out of proportions. And it was this matter. He never believed that Zhang Ye could compete on the same level as him. He felt that Zhang Ye was still far inferior! “Dead Water”? “A Generation”? w.a.n.g Shuixin believed that he could write such poems, too. He even felt that his previous works were much better than Zhang Ye’s.

Cultured people tended to scorn each other!