Chapter 90

That afternoon.

At the Beijing TV Station.

In an office on a certain floor, Zhang Ye was led up by a front desk staff member. He didn’t even look at which floor the elevator stopped on because he was somewhat anxious and uncertain. He knew this was his last chance to enter the TV station, so he valued it greatly and wanted to seize it firmly.

The office was empty.

"Teacher Zhang, please wait a moment," the staff member said.

"Sure," Zhang Ye sat down on a chair nearby.

The staff member said, "The leader should be here soon."

Zhang Ye replied, "Alright, you go about your business. Thank you."

"You're welcome, I'll leave then," the staff member closed the door and left.

A few minutes later, a chubby middle-aged man pushed the door open and, upon seeing Zhang Ye, sighed, "Teacher Zhang is here?"

"Who are you?" Zhang Ye felt the voice was familiar.

The middle-aged man said, "I'm Hu Fei, we've spoken on the phone twice."

Zhang Ye hurriedly went up to shake his hand, "Oh, Teacher Hu, nice to meet you."

Hu Fei had already met Zhang Ye at the Silver Microphone Award Ceremony, but Zhang Ye had not met him yet. This was their first formal meeting, and they exchanged many pleasantries.

Finally, Hu Fei got to the point, "Teacher Zhang, you should be mentally prepared for today's interview. There might not be much hope."

Zhang Ye was taken aback, "I understand."

Hu Fei revealed the truth, "I've already communicated with the leadership multiple times. When I called you this morning, I thought I could persuade them, but after much discussion, they still believe you are not suitable. The incident with 'Dead Water' has made them cautious. I've done my best, and I will try my hardest to help you, but I can see they don't want you at the Beijing TV Station. Even if you pass the interview questions perfectly, they probably won't hire you. So I'm letting you know in advance, and I apologize for not doing a better job earlier."

Zhang Ye immediately said, "It's not your fault. You've already helped me a lot. It's my own problem. Since I said 'Dead Water' and criticized the unit and the leadership, I was prepared to face the consequences. It's fine."

Suddenly, there were footsteps outside.

Hu Fei didn't communicate much more with Zhang Ye and sat behind the desk in the interview seat.

Zhang Ye felt disheartened. It was like a roller coaster. A few hours ago, Hu Fei's words had given him hope, but now the situation had changed. From having hope to having no hope at all, he knew he wouldn't pass the interview even before it started. No matter how well he answered, it wouldn't matter. Zhang Ye's spirits plummeted to rock bottom, but he couldn't complain. As he said, he had to bear the consequences of his actions. Life is always fair, and he had nothing to complain about!

If I gain it, it is my fortune!

If I lose it, it is my fate!

Zhang Ye paused for a moment, and his mindset quickly became more balanced. However, he didn't completely give up. Even though he knew the hope was slim to none, he still wanted to try!

The interviewers gradually entered.

There were many people, about eight or nine, mostly small leaders and staff members of the channel or the station.

"Old Hu is here?" a middle-aged man in his forties said.

"I just came in," Hu Fei replied.

The middle-aged man looked at Zhang Ye, "This is Zhang Ye? Let's start then."

"Alright, let Teacher Zhang prepare a bit first?" Hu Fei suggested.

Zhang Ye calmly said, "I'm ready. I can take the interview at any time."

Everyone sat down. The middle-aged man who spoke earlier, Wang Shuixin, sat in the center. He had a slightly feminine name and was a rather refined middle-aged man with wire-rimmed glasses. Before coming, Zhang Ye had checked the public information on the TV station's website and knew that this man was the director of the Beijing TV Station's Cultural Channel, the leader of everyone present, and the head of the Cultural Channel. There wasn't much public information available, but Wang Shuixin had a lot of information. Before coming, Zhang Ye had accidentally searched and found out that Director Wang was once a poet. In the past, he had published several works and collections, specializing in modern poetry. Although he hadn't produced any new works recently, he was still well-known in the industry, and people in the circle should know him.

It made sense. The head of a cultural TV channel couldn't have taken the position without some talent. He must have had considerable literary素养.

"Please introduce yourself," Director Wang Shuixin said.

"My name is Zhang Ye. I am 23 years old and graduated from..." Zhang Ye began his self-introduction.

During this time, several interviewers were whispering to each other. Some frowned, and some shook their heads, seemingly not wanting Zhang Ye to join their cultural channel.

Director Wang Shuixin was one of them. At the Silver Microphone Award Ceremony, he and Hu Fei were both present and had heard Zhang Ye's passionate recitation of 'Dead Water.' The atmosphere was electrified, but Wang Shuixin secretly shook his head. He knew Zhang Ye was a troublemaker, very difficult to manage. His literary素养 was barely acceptable, but his temper was terrible. No leader would want such a person. Leaders wanted their subordinates to be obedient. Bringing in such an unconventional person would be too disruptive, and they would have to worry about when he might cause trouble! So even though Teacher Hu, whom he respected, strongly recommended Zhang Ye, Wang Shuixin was unmoved!

Of course, there were other reasons.

Wang Shuixin actually thought that the so-called literary水平 that Hu Fei praised Zhang Ye for was nothing special. He never thought Zhang Ye could be compared to him, believing Zhang Ye was far inferior! 'Dead Water'? 'A Generation'? Wang Shuixin thought he could write such poems too, and he believed his past works were much better than Zhang Ye's.

Writers often look down on each other!

No one thinks they are inferior to others!

The other interviewers also thought the same. Although Zhang Ye was highly praised online, they didn't think he could be compared to a master like Wang Shuixin. In the literary world, Wang Shuixin might not be the most famous, but he was a seasoned veteran with many excellent works, and a few of his poems were well-known. Zhang Ye, a newcomer, no matter how talented, could he surpass Director Wang? This interview, in fact, no one took seriously because Director Wang's attitude was clear: he definitely wouldn't hire Zhang Ye!

Zhang Ye finished his introduction.

Hu Fei interjected, "Director, Teacher Zhang really has a high literary素养 among his generation. He is a standout among his peers, and..."

Director Wang Shuixin interrupted, "He is good among his peers, but compared to other senior artists, he is far inferior."

Hu Fei argued for Zhang Ye, "With Teacher Zhang's literary foundation, he might not be inferior to the seniors."

Director Wang Shuixin was amused, "You're being too absolute, Old Hu. I know you value Teacher Zhang, but it might just be that his literary style suits your taste and moved you. It doesn't mean others will be moved, and it doesn't mean his literary quality is flawless. I know about the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival. I also know Da Lei and Lao Zheng. You think Teacher Zhang outshone them, surpassing the previous generation? No, Da Lei and the others are only famous in the Beijing circle, not nationally. I've heard their Mid-Autumn poems, and they are quite ordinary. Teacher Zhang's performance doesn't prove much."

This director seemed to be a true literary figure at heart, very confident and strong-willed. He didn't avoid saying these things, even in front of Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye glanced at him but didn't comment, thinking to himself, "You're being too overconfident!"

"Let's try a question then," Director Wang Shuixin said confidently. "I can tell you, Old Hu, not only is he far inferior to other senior masters, but he is far inferior to me." He then looked at Zhang Ye, "Teacher Zhang, we're just chatting casually. We're not saying anything bad about you. Don't take it to heart. Actually, to write a poem like 'Dead Water' at your age is already quite good."

Just quite good?

Zhang Ye smiled inwardly, thinking, "You're being too overconfident!"

"Let's do this. We'll set aside your other qualifications for now. I'll give you one interview question. This is the only question for today's interview. I also want to see how capable and skilled this young man is that Teacher Hu has been recommending," Director Wang Shuixin said.

"Please go ahead," Zhang Ye said.

Director Wang Shuixin seemed determined to challenge Zhang Ye, "I have a poem. Have you heard of it? It's called 'Everything.'"

He began to recite:

"Everything is fate."

"Everything is illusion."

"Everything has no result."

"Everything has no destination."

"Every joy has no smile."

"Every sorrow has no tears."

"Every past is in dreams."

"Every faith is with groans."

"Every outburst has a moment of calm."

"Every death has a long echo!"

The other interviewers listened and praised.

"Great poem!" a middle-aged woman said.

A young man said, "This is Director Wang's most famous poem, right? Every time I hear it, it feels so profound!"

Hu Fei couldn't deny that the poem was excellent. It was probably written by Wang Shuixin during a low point in his life, about four or five years ago. It was very powerful, touching the heart and awakening people!

Director Wang Shuixin calmly said, "Teacher Zhang, this is the interview question. This is one of my more famous works and my most satisfying modern poem. Teacher Hu has always said you write excellent poetry and have a deep literary foundation. Can you create a poem on the spot to showcase your literary level?"

If it were a general poetry creation, it wouldn't be a big deal!

But Director Wang Shuixin had recited his own poem, clearly wanting to compare with Zhang Ye. This was a "poetry duel" or "poetry debate." If Zhang Ye were to create a poem, it would have to be targeted and surpass Director Wang's poem to pass the interview. Was that even possible?

Hu Fei knew it was impossible!

Not to mention the other interviewers!

What was 'Everything'? It was a poem that had been included in high school textbooks a few years ago! Although it was in the appendix and not very prominent, and was later removed due to its overly dark and despairing artistic nature, it had once been a model text in the curriculum!

What could Zhang Ye use to compare?

He had nothing to compare with!

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