Chapter 342 Everyone Wants to Fight for Their Proud
When Meng Dezhi heard Cheng Xuyuan ask this question, he immediately understood his concerns.
He smiled and said, "Don't worry about this kind of thing."
“It’s your freedom to work with whomever you want.”
At this point, Meng Dezhi glanced at Cheng Xuyuan and said, "Is this why you came to me?"
Cheng Xuyuan said: "This is one thing, but I still want to ask, when will my divorce application be approved?"
Hearing this question, Meng Dezhi just glared.
He slapped the table and said, "Didn't I tell you to wait a little longer?"
"I'm telling you, this guy should never be the first to do anything."
"Once others have paved the way, your business will naturally come to fruition."
"If you have nothing else to do, please go back."
Looking at the angry Meng Dezhi, Cheng Xuyuan thought to himself that you are not in a hurry about this matter, but your sister and brother-in-law are guarding against me like a thief, isn't it because I haven't divorced! He smiled and said, "Uncle, then you take a rest first, I'm going back."
Meng Dezhi looked at Cheng Xuyuan who was about to leave, and suddenly waved his hand and said, "Wait for me for a moment. At the award ceremony in a few days, you must accept the award honestly."
"No matter what others say, don't say anything, remember?"
Hearing this, Cheng Xuyuan suddenly understood something.
He said to Meng Dezhi: "Uncle, if it's like what you said, I'd rather not go to receive the award, so that I don't have to hold back when the time comes."
"You have to bear it even if you can't help it!"
Meng Dezhi felt more and more that this boy was more obedient than before.
He said with a serious look: "I am an old senior, and I was slapped in the face by your three short stories. Now it is because you want to quit completely."
"This is his last appearance, can't you let him be happy?"
"I'll tell you, just listen to what they say."
Seeing Meng Dezhi's stern expression, Cheng Xuyuan said, "Wouldn't it be better if I didn't participate?"
"Maybe if I'm not paying attention, I might end up arguing with this old senior and make you uncomfortable again."
Meng Dezhi looked at Cheng Xuyuan, who looked like he really didn't want to participate, and couldn't help but ask, "Do you think I want you to participate?"
"But what if you don't participate?"
"Not only are you the winner of this year's Outstanding Short Story Award, but you are also the winner of the O. Henry Short Story Award."
"With your reputation, how will people view this award if you don't participate?"
“This is the first time we are judging the Outstanding Short Story Award, so we have to do it well.”
"So, you must go."
Cheng Xuyuan smiled and said, "Old Meng, although we have a good relationship, you shouldn't force me."
"I'm telling you, instead of telling these to me, you might as well tell them to that old senior."
"I have a bad temper. If he doesn't want to get slapped in the face, he'd better not provoke me."
"Otherwise, it's not like I don't know how to curse."
After saying that, without waiting for Meng Dezhi to speak, Cheng Xuyuan said to Mo Yunqi: "Aunt, I'm leaving first."
Mo Yunqi said: "Xiao Cheng, bring Yuqing home to play more often when you have nothing to do."
As Cheng Xu walked away, Mo Yunqi said to Meng Dezhi, "Old Meng, can't you talk to Little Cheng calmly?"
"This little Cheng is very successful at a young age, so he rarely suffers any grievances."
"You're asking him to accept the award like this, and you're also asking him to suffer injustice. Do you think he can do it?"
"If it were you, you should talk to that guy and tell him to stop talking."
Hearing his wife's complaints, Meng Dezhi smiled bitterly and said, "Do you think I am willing to do this?"
"But there is no other way!"
"You know Lao Qin's temper. He's very stubborn."
"Even if he wants to retreat, he has to let out the anger that is stuck in his chest."
"In fact, given Lao Qin's age, he's old enough to be Cheng Xuyuan's grandfather. What's the big deal if someone says a few words to him?"
"snort!"
"It's not like there's any skin or flesh coming off. It's nothing serious. It's just that my ears feel a little uncomfortable!"
Mo Yunqi said: "At your age, you naturally don't care what others say, but Xiao Cheng is a young man after all."
"Young people, who isn't full of youthful vigor?"
"Well, how about this? Just don't bother with this matter. It's their business how they make trouble."
Meng Dezhi spread his hands and said, "How can I not care? Although everyone knows that Lao Qin is a bit overbearing in this matter."
“But they are all going to withdraw.”
"Besides, I'm already over 70 years old. If I get choked back by Cheng Xuyuan, how will others view Xuyuan?"
"If nothing else, you will be judged as someone who doesn't respect the elderly. You can't escape that."
At this point, Meng Dezhi sighed and said, "This is not a good reputation. After all, this kid still has to make a living in the literary circle in the future."
Mo Yunqi nodded. She had experienced a lot and knew very well what the consequences would be if a young person was labeled as arrogant and conceited.
No matter how popular your work is, you may still miss out on some honors.
Not to mention, those positions are very valuable.
"It's not worth it for a person who is about to retire to ruin his own reputation, but it makes Cheng Xuyuan swallow his pride, which is also..." Mo Yunqi shook his head, feeling a headache.
Meng Dezhi snorted and said, "This kid's temper needs to be tempered."
"I'll go back and find Fang Gengsheng and ask him to talk to this guy."
"If you want to do something big but don't have this kind of endurance, then..."
After returning from Meng Dezhi's house, Cheng Xuyuan forgot what Meng Dezhi said.
This suggestion that he should remain silent even when being scolded is sheer nonsense.
Others want to fight for their reputation, but I can't! Time flies, and a week has passed in the blink of an eye. The award date for the Outstanding Short Story Award is getting closer and closer.
Even many award-winning authors have already started their journey.
During this week, Cheng Xuyuan sent Dong Cheng away and signed a publishing agreement for "Zhu Xian" with Ming Pao.
However, for this publication, Cheng Xuyuan slightly increased the share by two percentage points.
That’s 22 percent royalty!
Originally, Cheng Xuyuan proposed 25%, but in the end, after Dong Cheng's bargaining, it became 22%.
According to Dong Cheng, this is the greatest authorization he has ever received.
If it’s more, Mr. Cha won’t be happy about it.
Although he felt a little regretful, Cheng Xuyuan was still quite satisfied with the profit sharing ratio.
Before leaving, Dong Cheng hoped that Cheng Xuyuan could finish "Zhu Xian" as soon as possible.
Of course, after he returns, he will publish "Zhu Xian" as soon as possible.
It can be said that this has become a big business for Cheng Xuyuan.
Compared with the royalties, the serials in newspapers are a bit too little.
"Xuyuan." One day, Cheng Xuyuan had just finished class when he saw Zhang Dening calling him at the classroom door.
Seeing Zhang Dening, Cheng Xuyuan walked over and said with a smile: "Dening, how come you have time to come here today?"
Zhang Dening said, "Editor-in-Chief Li and Teacher Zou want to treat you to a meal, and as a soldier, I naturally have to serve them."
At this point, she glared at Cheng Xuyuan and said, "It's been almost a month since the Chinese New Year, and you haven't been to our editorial office since you returned to Yanjing."
"Maybe because you won the award from Mr. Mi, you look down on our small editorial department."
Looking at Zhang Dening who was accusing him, Cheng Xuyuan couldn't help but say, "De Ning, you are wrongly accusing me."
"You don't know what kind of person I am."
"I didn't go to your editorial office because I was too busy. As you know, as a good student, I have a lot of classes every day."
In response to Cheng Xuyuan's insincere defense, Zhang Dening waved his hand and said, "Alright, stop talking nonsense!"
"Let's go to Donglaishun Hotpot. Editor-in-Chief Li has already reserved a table. I will definitely treat you to a good meal this time."
Cheng Xuyuan said: "Yuqing and I have an appointment to have dinner together. If I go with you, I will talk to her first."
Zhang Dening waved his hand and said, "Since you have made an appointment with Fang Yuqing, why don't you just go together?"
"Don't worry, Yu Mo has something to do at home today and will not attend the dinner."
Looking at Zhang Dening with a smile on his face, Cheng Xuyuan said with a smile: "De Ning, what you just said successfully aroused my vigilance."
"Is this dinner a Hongmen Banquet?"
Zhang Dening glared and said, "Don't accuse me here."
"It's just a meal, no such thing as a Hongmen Feast or not."
"Let's go quickly."
While Cheng Xuyuan was thinking about it, he called Fang Yuqing, and the three of them rode their bicycles towards Donglaishun.
The weather is still a bit cold, so eating hot pot is a good choice at this time.
On the way there, Zhang Dening and Fang Yuqing talked about the New Year and burst into laughter from time to time.
In just over 20 minutes, the three of them arrived at Donglaishun. At this time, Li Qingquan and Zou Yanlai had already ordered hot pot.
The two of them were talking to a middle-aged woman who looked to be around 40 years old and had a somewhat haggard face.
Seeing Cheng Xuyuan coming over, Li Qingquan smiled and said, "Xuyuan, long time no see!"
Cheng Xuyuan and Li Qingquan shook hands and greeted each other for a few words. Then Li Qingquan introduced the middle-aged woman.
In fact, when Cheng Xuyuan saw this middle-aged woman, he felt that she was very similar to a photo in his memory from his previous life. When he heard Li Qingquan's introduction, he immediately understood.
He immediately extended his hand and said, "Hello, Teacher Zhang."
The woman was not unfamiliar with Cheng Xuyuan. After all, they were both authors and had published works in Yenching Literature and Art.
"Hello Xuyuan, I really like your novel When Happiness Knocks on the Door." Teacher Zhang said with a smile, "After buying that issue of Yanjing Literature and Art, I read your novel four or five times."
Cheng Xuyuan responded with a smile: "Teacher Zhang, I also like your novel very much, especially the characters you created, which are so unique..."
Teacher Zhang looked at Cheng Xuyuan who was talking eloquently and nodded slightly.
This young man actually watched his own work instead of just giving verbal compliments.
After getting to know each other, they started to eat. According to Li Qingquan, the reason for this meal was to celebrate in advance for the two people who won the short story award.
This reason sounds good, but Cheng Xuyuan feels that there is more to it.
But Li Qingquan didn't say anything, and he was happy to pretend to be confused.
"Xuyuan, I have a suggestion. I hope you can consider it carefully." Li Qingquan said as he picked up the wine glass after the dishes had tasted their best.
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(End of this chapter)
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