Chapter 91 of 100
Chapter 91
15 min read3,852 words
The interview question was out.
Everyone looked at Zhang Ye, wanting to see how he would respond to the question, a difficult one that had once been included in a Chinese literature textbook, Wang Shuixin’s most famous work, "Everything."
Zhang Ye, however, remained silent for a long time.
"Everything"? Why does it sound so familiar!
He was certain that he had heard this poem somewhere before, but his memory was not very clear. So he said, "Can I have a drink of water?"
"Sure." Wang Shuixin turned his head.
An interviewer next to him threw a bottle of mineral water to Zhang Ye.
While drinking the water, Zhang Ye opened the game ring and purchased a "Memory Search Capsule." He closed his eyes, pretending to be in deep thought, but in reality, he swallowed the capsule discreetly while drinking the water, searching his memory. Finally, Zhang Ye opened his eyes. He saw his memory and finally remembered why this poem sounded so familiar to him!
What the heck!
Isn't this Bei Dao's "Everything"?
However, there were some significant differences!
For example, in his world, Bei Dao wrote, "Everything is fate, everything is mist, everything is an ending without a beginning, everything is a fleeting pursuit." But in Wang Shuixin’s poem, it was, "Everything is destiny, everything is illusion, everything has no result, everything has no home." They looked different, but the format and meaning were similar, with the same central idea. There was also a line, "All faith carries a groan," which was identical in both poems, not a single word different!
Is there also a
2000
similar "Everything" in this world?
Just without Bei Dao, but written by Wang Shuixin?
This wasn't strange. The cultural backgrounds of the two worlds were not very different. The Four Great Classical Novels, such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin," still existed. Perhaps the Four Great Classical Novels had such a profound impact on the Chinese people that they couldn't be changed, so the game ring didn't modify them. Therefore, it was quite normal for the two worlds to have some similar cultural works. Of course, they were just similar. Bei Dao was a very famous poet in Zhang Ye's world. In terms of language and depth, Zhang Ye clearly believed that Bei Dao's "Everything" was superior to Wang Shuixin's "Everything"!
Is this the question?
Zhang Ye smiled, unable to stop himself from smiling.
Bei Dao's "Everything" was actually quite famous, but the reason Zhang Ye couldn't remember it clearly and needed the memory search capsule was that there was another poem that was even more famous, one that completely negated Bei Dao's "Everything." As a result, Zhang Ye and the people in his world were more impressed by that poem and forgot about Bei Dao's "Everything." Even when people in his world mentioned "Everything," they often treated it as a side note or a reference, as if "Everything" existed only to highlight that other poem. No matter how well it was written, no matter how passionately it expressed the cries of life, "Everything" could only be a supporting role, a mere accompaniment, hiding in the shade!
"Are you done yet?" a woman urged.
"Can we start now?" a young interviewer also became impatient.
Hu Fei, seeing that Zhang Ye hadn't spoken for a long time, guessed that he might really be unable to answer. He sighed inwardly. Zhang Ye was already in a difficult position and had little chance of being accepted by the leadership. Wang Shuixin's attitude was very clear. Now, even failing to answer the interview question made the possibility of Zhang Ye being accepted almost zero. But Hu Fei, who had a great appreciation for talent, still tried to help Zhang Ye in every way he could. "Director Wang, Zhang is still young. No matter how talented he is, he can't compare to you. This question is indeed quite difficult. Why don't you let him write a poem freely instead of giving him a specific topic?"
"Brother Hu," the female interviewer said, "What's the point of the interview then? Anyone can write freely, that doesn't count as a skill."
Wang Shuixin smiled faintly. "Old Hu, to be honest, I wanted to test Zhang's on-the-spot creation ability today. His previous poems seemed to be created on the spot, but from the quality and logic of the poems, I still have my doubts. I don't believe those few good poems were really created on the spot by Zhang. That doesn't make sense. Even if he created them on the spot, he couldn't have done it without any hesitation. Could those poems really be so logical and use parallelism so well? But since you appreciate this young man so much, I'll test him this time. I deliberately chose one of my poems for him to respond to. First, to see if he can really create on the spot, and second, to see if he really has the literary talent people say he does."
Hu Fei said, "But this is a classic poem that has been included in the Chinese literature textbook. Zhang..."
Wang Shuixin waved his hand to stop Hu Fei from speaking. He looked at Zhang Ye and said, "It's okay, Zhang. Take your time, no rush. Hehe, you might not have heard this poem at your age. The version of the Chinese literature textbook you used in high school might not have included 'Everything.' If you didn't hear it clearly, I can read it to you again?"
A young man volunteered, "You've already read it once, Director Wang. Let me do it."
"Sure, Xiao Xu, go ahead, hehe." Wang Shuixin was in a good mood. He had been in administration for so many years, and it was rare to have the opportunity to showcase his literary works again. Seeing Zhang Ye silent and his subordinates looking at him with admiration and respect, Wang Shuixin felt very satisfied.
The other interviewers and the young man didn't take Zhang Ye seriously at all. They all knew that Zhang Ye couldn't possibly answer the question. The reason they were still here for the interview was to flatter the leadership, to see how the leadership would put down this overly praised newcomer in the poetry world. Besides, Director Wang had the absolute strength to do so!
Zhang Ye? A newcomer!
Compared to Director Wang, what
1000
97 did he have?
To compete with Wang Shuixin in poetry? Isn't that overestimating his own abilities!
Wang Shuixin's "Everything" used all his senses to the fullest extent to touch the pulse of life, using his discerning eyes to examine the moral ethics between people and the sparks generated by their interactions. It also unconsciously pondered themes of love, freedom, joy, suffering, hope, and death, making it a standout in this genre of modern poetry, even considered the pinnacle of this type of poetry. Could Zhang Ye use "Everything" to surpass "Everything"? That was impossible!
However, this poem wasn't without its flaws. If one were to nitpick, the reason it was removed from the Chinese literature textbook might be that the poem was too dark, too oppressive, and too devoid of hope. This was also a point of criticism for some. But the flaws didn't overshadow the merits, and the poem still held a high status in the contemporary poetry world, considered a representative work of "pessimistic" obscure poetry.
"I'll read it, listen carefully," the young man said to Zhang Ye.
Zhang Ye ignored him, having already made up his mind.
The young man frowned. Are you putting on airs now? Encountering too many people who don't understand literature, you've forgotten your own name, haven't you? Look, your true colors are showing now! I wonder what Teacher Hu sees in you. You only show off in front of those little poets in Beijing who have a bit of fame. See, you're helpless when you meet a true literary master, aren't you?
The young man hummed, cleared his throat, and said, "Everything is destiny, everything is illusion, everything has no result, everything has no home."
Wang Shuixin listened to his own poem with narrowed eyes.
The other interviewers also looked at him with admiration, their mouths moving slightly as if savoring the poem or reciting it in their minds along with the young man.
The young man continued, "All joy has no smile, all suffering..."
Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Zhang Ye spoke up, rudely interrupting the young man in the middle of his recitation!
Zhang Ye shook his head, "Not all great trees are broken by the storm; not all seeds fail to find soil to take root; not all true feelings are lost in the desert of the human heart; not all dreams are willing to have their wings clipped. No, not everything... is as you say!"
Hu Fei drew a sharp breath. This... this poem...
Wang Shuixin and the other six or seven interviewers were also stunned!
Zhang Ye looked at Director Wang and the other interviewers, emphasizing each word, "Not all flames only burn themselves without illuminating others; not all stars only indicate darkness without heralding dawn; not all songs only pass by the ear without leaving a trace in the heart. No, not everything... is as you say!"
The second stanza was out!
Another long parallelism! The tone was even heavier!
Wang Shuixin's face turned sour, but he didn't say anything!
Hu Fei, however, was thoroughly enjoying it. His fists were clenched, and he was so excited that he almost stood up to cheer for Zhang Ye. He smiled brightly for the first time today, happy for Zhang Ye and for himself. He really hadn't misjudged this person! This was truly a genius of the world!
Zhang Ye's gaze swept over everyone present, deliberately pausing before reciting the last stanza. His expression changed from the previous solemn and serious one to a smile, a smile that perhaps carried a hint of mocking sarcasm, "Not all calls go unanswered; not all losses are irreparable; not all abysses lead to destruction; not all destruction falls on the weak; not all hearts can be trampled underfoot and rot in the mud; not all consequences are tears and blood, without showing a smile!"
"Everything in the present nurtures the future!"
"The future grows from its yesterday."
"Hope, and struggle for it, put all this on your shoulders!"
The last line was directed at Wang Shuixin, perhaps also at himself!
Everything is dark? Everything is only suffering? Every success is accompanied by tears and pain?
Zhang Ye couldn't agree with either Bei Dao's "Everything" or Wang Shuixin's "Everything"!
He knew that many people hated him, disliked him, despised him, and didn't like him. He also knew that his chances in this interview were slim. But Zhang Ye never felt that his life was dark. He never thought that he was born to wander aimlessly. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he wouldn't give up!
Is that everything?
Is everything as you say?
No! Not everyone is as you say!
At least not me! Not me, Zhang Ye!
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