Lin Que rolled his eyes.
Okay, whatever makes you happy.
The team was led by Shen Qingqiu.
She wasn't wearing business attire today, but rather light makeup.
She was holding three high-speed rail tickets and checking the train numbers.
"Please check if everyone has their ID cards with them."
Shen Qingqiu gave instructions.
"Once we arrive in Jinling, we'll head straight to Zijin Villa to register."
Although you were invited to participate, you two represent the image of Jiangcheng, so don't embarrass me.
"Don't worry, teacher."
Lin Que lazily gave an OK sign.
"As long as I don't speak, I'm a quiet and handsome man."
Zhao Zichen snorted softly:
"As long as you don't snore while you sleep, it's fine."
I boarded the high-speed train and got a business class seat.
This treatment surprised Lin Que a little.
It seems the provincial writers' association really went to great lengths to save face this time.
The carriage was quiet. Lin Que adjusted his seat, preparing to catch up on some sleep.
Zhao Zichen then took out his notebook and began writing furiously, presumably preparing his speech for the forum.
"Lin Que".
Shen Qingqiu, sitting opposite him, suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
Lin Que opened his eyes groggily.
"The organizer of this forum is the October magazine, edited by Fang Zhenyun..."
Shen Qingqiu paused, seemingly considering her words.
"Although this person is famous in the industry, his reputation is... rather complicated."
If you encounter any difficulties later, don't resist; leave it to me to handle.
Lin Que's heart stirred.
It seems that Teacher Shen also knew that this was a trap.
"Teacher, do you know him?"
"We've dealt with each other before."
Shen Qingqiu's gaze turned colder.
"A person who treats literature as a business."
He made such a big fuss this time not just to discuss literature.
More importantly, it was to establish his voice in the literary world of Jiangsu Province.
"You two, one a grand prize winner and the other a first prize winner, are both pawns in his eyes."
"Chess pieces..."
Lin Que smiled and closed his eyes again.
"That depends on whether the chess piece is hot to the touch."
Two hours later, the high-speed train arrived at Jinling South Station.
The organizers sent a special car to pick us up; it was a black Buick minivan.
The driver was a man of few words; he didn't utter a single word the entire way.
They were taken directly to Zijin Villa.
Zijin Villa is located at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain, nestled against the mountain and beside the water, in a tranquil environment.
Although it was winter, the plum blossoms in the manor had already bloomed, their subtle fragrance filling the air.
As soon as I got off the bus, I saw a huge red banner:
[A warm welcome to all the guests attending the inaugural "Emerging Literature" Summit Forum].
The hotel lobby was bustling with people.
Many of them were wearing Zhongshan suits or Tang suits, and they looked like senior figures in the cultural circle.
Lin Que and his group collected their room keys and meeting materials at the registration desk.
"Oh dear, Teacher Shen!"
A voice came from the side.
Lin Que turned his head and saw a middle-aged man in a gray suit walking towards him.
His hair was neatly combed, and he wore that standard, albeit insipid, social smile.
It was Fang Zhenyun.
Behind him followed several reporters carrying cameras and recorders.
"Editor-in-Chief Fang."
Shen Qingqiu stepped forward and greeted them respectfully.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
"Teacher Shen, you're still as charming as ever."
Fang Zhenyun shook hands with Shen Qingqiu, but his gaze went past her.
It landed on Lin Que and Zhao Zichen behind them.
"This must be the famous grand prize winner, right?"
Fang Zhenyun walked up to Lin Que and looked him up and down.
"Lin Que, I have long admired your name."
Your essay, "The One Waiting to Die," even made an exception for the usually stern and unyielding Teacher Yan.
His tone was polite, but his eyes held a sharp edge.
"Editor-in-Chief Fang, you flatter me."
Lin Que looked obedient.
"Just wrote it randomly, I got lucky."
"Luck is a humble way of saying that one is successful."
Fang Zhenyun smiled, then suddenly changed the subject.
"By the way, I heard that Teacher Jian Shen and the Hell Dream Weaver will also be coming this time?"
"As student representatives, you have a rare learning opportunity to share the stage with these two popular authors."
Lin Que sneered inwardly.
That old fox is waiting here.
"Really?"
Lin Que feigned surprise.
"I'm a fan of their books too! If I could meet them in person, I would definitely want their autograph."
"Hehe, there will be an opportunity."
Fang Zhenyun patted Lin Que on the shoulder and looked at the guest seats on the stage.
"However, both of them are quite protective of their reputations and have not yet shown up."
Hopefully, they won't disappoint the eagerly awaiting readers.
After saying that, he turned to the reporters behind him and said:
"Come on, let's take some pictures of our genius boy."
"This is the hope for the future of literature in Jiangsu Province!"
The flashbulbs went off everywhere.
After signing in, the group headed towards the elevator.
As Lin Que passed by the entrance of the main venue, he glanced inside.
The venue was decorated in a grand manner, with a row of flowers on the stage.
In the first row of the guest seating area, in the most conspicuous position, there were two huge nameplates.
The left side reads: [Special Guest: Jian Shen]
The right side reads: [Special Guest: The Dream Weaver of Hell]
These two positions are like two targets, waiting to be scrutinized by everyone.
Not far from these two locations is [Student Representative: Lin Que].
The seating arrangement looks like a complete family reunion dinner.
Lin Que withdrew his gaze, a fleeting smile playing on his lips.
The show is about to begin.
...
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