Master Zhuang himself is indeed unaware of this matter.
After all, in his mind, it was no surprise that his work "Life's Bitter Journey" would be on the "Annual Masterpiece List".
The only suspense is whether it will have a chance to be included in the 'Decade Masterpieces List'.
So when the list of masterpieces was released, he wasn't nervous at all.
Master Zhuang, in order to show his composure, didn't even bother to look at the list, but simply waited for other people's formal congratulations.
However, what puzzled Master Zhuang was that time had flown by and it was already past ten in the morning, yet his cell phone and landline were both completely silent.
It's a world of difference compared to yesterday's bustling scene.
"What's going on? Did everyone sleep in?"
"That can't be right. Today is the day the annual list of masterpieces is released; people in the industry should be paying close attention. How come no one has come to congratulate me yet?"
Master Zhuang also sensed something was wrong.
However, since I decided to stay calm from the beginning, rushing to check the rankings now seems a bit anticlimactic.
Although no one else knows about this, a wise person is cautious even when alone!
Thinking this through, Zhuang Qiu decided to wait a little longer, at least until noon.
If no one has congratulated him by this time, then he will go and see what's going on!
"But could it be that those who were going to congratulate me did so yesterday, so now I'm actually free? That's quite possible!"
Out of boredom, Zhuang Qiu couldn't help but let his mind wander.
Time passed little by little.
As the clock on the wall approached noon, Master Zhuang, whose phone remained silent, began to grow anxious.
"What's going on? Could the release date for the annual list of masterpieces have been changed? Otherwise, why haven't we heard a thing? I have to go check it out!"
This time, Master Zhuang finally couldn't hold back any longer.
But before he could stand up, his phone rang.
He looked down and saw that it was a call from his friend Zhou Wenhao.
Zhuang Qiu took a deep breath and waited for her phone to ring for several seconds before pressing the answer button. Zhou Wenhao's voice came through quickly from the other end:
"Old Zhuang, it's a pity to hear this news, but it's alright. After all, the annual list of masterpieces only represents one aspect and cannot represent the whole."
Personally, I think your 'life's arduous journey' is much better than that kid's 'living'...
Master Zhuang was stunned by these words.
What is all this nonsense?
That kid? Alive?
Could it be...? A startling thought arose in Master Zhuang's mind, and his expression changed instantly.
He quickly asked:
"Old Zhou, what are you talking about? Has the list of best works of the year been released yet?"
Zhou Wenhao, sitting opposite, had clearly heard Zhuang Qiu's surprise and, somewhat regaining his composure, said:
"What? Lao Zhuang, you don't know? Sigh, how should I put it? You'd better go check the list of the year's best works right now, something big has happened!"
But before you watch, I'd like to remind you to prepare yourself mentally. By the way, are there other people around you? Hey, hey, Lao Zhuang, why did you hang up...?
Zhuang Qiu had a bad feeling and hung up the phone in a daze.
However, he soon started searching for information about the annual list of masterpieces on his phone.
The next moment, the detailed information of the list appeared in front of him:
'Historical...Economics...Contemporary...'
Looking at them one by one, until the very last one, Zhuang Qiu still couldn't see her 'bitter journey of life'.
In an instant, he felt his blood rush to his head.
"What happened? This can't be! Everyone said my 'Life's Journey' was a sure thing to make the list, so where did it go? Alive? Yes, Zhou Wenhao said I'm alive..."
Thinking back to the phone call, Zhuang Qiu's gaze fell on the realistic work 'Living'.
After a moment's thought, he realized that what had replaced his "bitter journey of life" was definitely "living".
"Whose work is this? What gives it the right to replace my 'life's arduous journey'?"
Zhuang Qiu's mind was filled with doubt and resentment.
Now he finally understood why no one had called to congratulate him on making the list all morning.
If you're not on the list, how can others offer their congratulations?
In other words, Zhou Wenhao's relationship with him was unusual, which is why he made a phone call to comfort him. And all of this stemmed from the fact that he was 'alive'.
Without any hesitation, Zhuang Qiu clicked on the 'Living' link.
He wanted to see exactly what made this work better than his own 'life's arduous journey,' so that it could so suddenly appear and replace him, and...
Which literary master in the circle is so despicable that someone secretly stole his home without his knowledge?
This behavior is practically an act of enmity. We're all in the literary circle, we'll run into each other all the time, is it really okay for you to do this?
The list of best works of the year is released every year, so why do people choose to participate at the same time every year?
Especially now that Zhuang Qiu has already made a big show of it, can't we discuss it privately first?
For example, if I make the list this year and you make the list next year, wouldn't that be a win-win situation for everyone?
It's really embarrassing to have things turned out like this!
Zhuang Qiu was feeling very depressed, but he still had to pull himself together and start reading the main text of 'Living'.
At first, he simply scoffed, thinking the other person's work was nothing special.
But as the plot unfolded, beads of sweat began to appear on Zhuang Qiu's forehead:
"Who in the industry has such ability? It's impossible. As far as I know, no one in the industry who writes realistic works has this level of skill, right?"
Where did this person using the pen name 'General Manager Xu' come from? Is he a renowned writer from the past? Or someone who returned from overseas? Or perhaps a rising genius?
Various speculations surfaced, leaving Zhuang Qiu's mind a complete mess.
But he also had to admit that the other party's "living" was indeed of a higher standard than his "life's arduous journey".
Especially since both are in the same category and have the same theme, it's understandable that 'Life's Journey' was squeezed out.
But the other party's silent behavior seems quite tasteless!
Zhuang Qiu is no nobody in the literary circle; he is considered a master. How can a literary master be so easily insulted?
"By the way, Old Zhou might know something. He mentioned 'that kid' back then. Let's ask him!"
Master Zhuang finally came to his senses, picked up his phone, and dialed Zhou Wenhao's number again.
However, the conversation that followed left him completely dumbfounded!
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