Chapter 76

It's still Zhang Ye!

The award hasn't changed!

In an instant, Zhang Ye's face turned as grim as it could be. The expressions of the station director and Deputy Director Jia were similar, both feeling a fire burning inside them that they couldn't vent! It was clearly Zhang Ye who was being evaluated! It was clearly a pre-determined matter! Why did it suddenly become Zhang Ye's award?

What's going on!

What kind of situation is this!

How can such an absurd situation even happen??

On the other side, the reaction was completely different!

Only to hear Xiao Fang scream, "Teacher Zhang! It really is you! This time it really is you!"

Wang Xiaomei congratulated, "Congratulations! Even if it was a mix-up earlier, the jury hasn't changed the result, so it's settled. With the Silver Microphone Award, your future path will definitely be much smoother. This is a branch award of the national Golden Microphone Award, the highest honor and qualification for newcomers!"

"You did a great job!" Zhou Dajie suddenly pounded Zhang Ye's back, "Even the heavens are helping you!"

Only Zhang Ye knew that it wasn't the heavens being fair, but rather he had used the game ring to turn the tide!

The station director immediately got up from his seat, his eyes fixed on the jury members. He didn't say a word, but this was his way of expressing his dissatisfaction!

Deputy Director Jia also slammed the armrest, making a loud noise!

The jury members didn't pay any attention; they had already made their decision!

Zhang Ye noticed the actions of the two leaders. At this point, the station leadership still had the same attitude towards him, not even willing to give him a bit of face, clearly not recognizing Zhang Ye. He realized that no matter how hard he worked, no matter what records he broke at the Central Radio Station, no matter how high his ratings were, no matter what awards he won, the station director and Deputy Director Jia would never treat him, a small figure, with any kindness! Whatever achievements or contributions Zhang Ye made, they saw as a given. Zhang Ye created a listening miracle with his works and didn't even ask for any copyright fees from the station, yet they still thought it was deserved. They even tried to rob Zhang Ye of his copyright for free, threatening him if he didn't comply! Removing him from his position! Not giving him a nomination! Their faces were so ugly, they didn't even look human!

It seemed Zhang Ye owed them everything, and they wouldn't remember his good deeds or care about his achievements. That's all there was to it!

It was truly a sad situation! Zhang Ye's heart was already cold, and his anger, which had been building for a long time, suddenly burst out. He couldn't hold it back any longer!

"Please invite Teacher Zhang Ye to the stage to receive his award," Zhang Hu said with a smile.

Zhang Ye straightened his clothes and walked up confidently, "Thank you."

Zhang Yuanqi was wearing a purple evening gown today, with her back almost completely exposed, looking very alluring. She received the trophy from the staff, her lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes soft, completely different from the usual cold demeanor of a diva, "Teacher Zhang, congratulations."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhang." Zhang Ye took the trophy from the diva.

This award was hard-won, but was it over? No! It wasn't over!

Zhang Hu adjusted the atmosphere, "They say good things come with difficulties. Teacher Zhang is the person who has taken the longest to receive the Silver Microphone Award this year, hehe." To the audience, "Some of you may know Teacher Zhang, some may not be familiar, but I'll tell you something most of you will know. A few days ago, at the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, it was this very Teacher Zhang who outshone everyone and came out on top with a poem called 'Water Tune: Ode to the Moon'!"

"Oh!"

"I've heard of it!"

"It's him?"

Some people suddenly understood!

Zhang Hu, following the usual routine, continued to introduce Zhang Ye's programs. Other people's programs were easy to introduce, just a sentence, but Zhang Ye's had a lot more, "Teacher Zhang has hosted and broadcasted programs like 'Midnight Ghost Stories' and 'Old and Young Story Time,' creating excellent works such as 'Ghost Blows Out the Light,' 'Little Rabbit, Be Good,' 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' and 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' all of which were original works by Teacher Zhang!"

"Ah?"

"He wrote 'Ghost Blows Out the Light'?"

"'Little Rabbit, Be Good' was also his creation?"

"Damn, I didn't know until now, it's quite a shock!"

"Who is this guy? So amazing?"

"What are you talking about? You just figured it out? The most popular song right now, 'The Bird and the Fish,' was written by him, and it's said that this poem even saved lives."

"I know this guy, I like 'The Seagull,' it's even more impressive!"

"With this background, he could even compete for the Golden Microphone. Why was there so much controversy over the Silver Microphone? Who else should get it if not him? The judges must be blind!"

Some had heard of him, but more were hearing about him for the first time.

After hearing this, many were amazed by Zhang Ye's achievements!

Zhang Hu continued, "I wonder what Teacher Zhang Ye will say in his acceptance speech. I hosted the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, and Teacher Zhang's speech then was truly at a hall level, as good as his talent for writing poetry." Since they were colleagues, Zhang Hu knew him and said a few more words, also to ease his own tension. The scene today was too big, even the veteran Zhang Hu felt a bit overwhelmed.

Zhang Ye also smiled, "Since Teacher Zhang Hu mentioned poetry, I'll also say a poem for my speech."

Zhang Hu laughed, "Then we are in for a treat, to hear your new work first." After saying this, he stepped back and gave the stage to Zhang Ye.

Zhang Yuanqi also went down and sat in the first row to listen.

Zhang Ye touched the microphone stand, "Today, I actually don't want to say anything. I just want to use this time and this occasion to thank the station leadership, the director of our Beijing Radio Station, and Deputy Director Jia. Without the strong support of my leaders, there would be no Zhang Ye today!"

...

Below.

Deputy Director Jia thought, "At least you know your place!"

The station director didn't even look at Zhang Ye, never taking him seriously from the start!

Jia Yan snorted, looking down on Zhang Ye. "Help from the director and deputy director? You really know how to flatter! Now you realize the importance of maintaining good relations with your superiors? Too late! You took an award you shouldn't have! Even if it was an accident, the leadership won't let it go. They'll still hold a grudge. Zhang Ye is the director's protégé! How dare you snatch this award? Flattery won't help now!"

...

Zhou Dajie exclaimed, "What is Little Zhang saying?"

"This doesn't sound like something Little Zhang would say," Aunt Sun was also puzzled.

Tian Bin interjected, "Adapting to the situation, from a certain perspective, Little Zhang has matured."

The old editor sighed, "That's true. This is a good opportunity to ease the relationship. Little Zhang is quite smart, knowing that personal emotions shouldn't be shown in such a setting."

...

Below, the famous former CCTV program producer Hu Fei was also present. He had transferred to the Beijing TV Station and was naturally invited to this Golden Microphone event.

"Old Hu, is this the new talent you recommended?"

"Yes, he's Zhang Ye, a very talented young man."

"He doesn't look like much. Do you want him to be the host or guest of your program? I don't think it's appropriate."

"I rarely misjudge people. This talent is a once-in-a-century find. He's about to recite a poem. You can listen and see if my evaluation is correct."

Hu Fei started promoting Zhang Ye.

...

"Zhang Sister, do you know this Zhang Ye?" A young judge in the first row whispered.

Zhang Yuanqi smiled, "No, I don't."

"Then why did you give him an extra nomination?" The young man was puzzled.

Zhang Yuanqi replied, "I read his poem 'To See or Not to See' and thought it was very good."

The young judge suddenly understood, "I see, this guy is indeed a master of poetry. I haven't read 'To See or Not to See,' but 'Water Tune: Ode to the Moon' was a real treasure."

Another older judge said, "Let's see what poem he recites today. I also heard his 'A Generation,' and it seems he had a conflict with the Beijing Writers Association?"

...

Apart from these industry insiders, others were not particularly looking forward to it.

"Thanking the leadership?"

"What's so interesting about that kind of speech?"

"Right, reciting a poem to thank the leadership? So sappy! Too much flattery!"

"What can you do? We're all part of the system. Who else would you thank if not the leadership?"

Many colleagues from other provincial and city radio and TV stations sneered and dismissed it, with some even muttering that Zhang Ye was a flatterer!

...

Various discussions.

Zhang Ye, however, was focused. In this not-so-quiet atmosphere, on this stage filled with industry elites, leaders, and veterans, Zhang Ye recited a poem, "This poem, I want to dedicate to my station leadership and to the Beijing People's Radio Station that has nurtured and taught me!"

Everyone listened intently.

Zhang Ye closed his eyes to gather his emotions. The first few lines of the poem stunned everyone. His opening expression was a smile, "This is a ditch of despairing stagnant water, where no breeze can stir even a ripple. Better to throw in some broken copper and iron, and pour in your leftover food and dregs!"

Stagnant water?

Despairing stagnant water?

What kind of modern poem is this? Are you sure this is to thank the leadership and the station?

Many people started whispering, and many were still in shock!

Zhang Ye continued, his voice growing colder and angrier, "Perhaps the copper will turn green like jade, and the iron cans will rust with a few petals of peach. Let the grease weave a layer of silk, and the mold steam out some clouds. Let the stagnant water ferment into a ditch of green wine, floating with white foam like pearls; the small pearls laugh and turn into large pearls, and are then bitten by the mosquitoes that steal the wine. So this ditch of despairing stagnant water can boast of some brightness. If the frogs can't bear the loneliness, they will sing to the stagnant water."

At this point, Zhang Ye suddenly changed to a cold and angry expression, his voice growing louder, "This is a ditch of despairing stagnant water! This is not a place of beauty!" He emphasized the last part even more, "Better to let the ugliness cultivate it! See what world it creates!!!"

Everyone was completely stunned!

Facing the silent, shocked crowd, Zhang Ye finished the last line of the poem, threw down the microphone, and left with his trophy!

The poem is called "Stagnant Water," written by Wen Yiduo. It doesn't exist in this world.

In Zhang Ye's world, this poem is arguably the most famous "insulting poem" and "cursing poem" in China. It is a characteristic of Wen Yiduo's poetry to focus on one central idea and theme—insulting! This poem is even included in the high school Chinese textbook of the People's Education Press! In the second year of high school, the teacher specifically required them to memorize it, and many schools likely do the same, so Zhang Ye didn't need to buy a "memory search capsule" to recite it clearly. The poem is too famous, and he is too familiar with it!

The insults were satisfying!

The curses were exhilarating!

After holding it in for so long, Zhang Ye finally felt a great sense of relief, from the inside out!