“This…..” Zhang Huo looked towards the station’s Leader.
Sun Mengjie could not make a call either. Although there was still a lot of time, but to let their colleague come up onto the stage to be treated as a negative example? To be slapped in the face by Meng Dongguo and company right in front of everyone? They couldn’t bear with the thought of it!
Big Thunder agreed, “Is this not the poetry appreciation segment? It’s for everyone to learn more about the traditions of poetry.”
They were both singing each other’s tunes. Zhang Ye’s reputation was decided before he could say anything — Zhang Ye was an amateur; they had wanted to show the differences between a professional and an amateur!
Deputy Station Head Jia looked at Zhang Huo, and pondered for a moment before he nodded slightly.
Zhang Huo then said, “Alright, then. But we need to know first if Teacher Zhang Ye has any new works. Because Teacher Zhang Ye was not informed beforehand of this poetry meet. This was impromptu, so…..” The Writers’ Association was informed much earlier to give them some time to make preparations. But Zhang Ye was not given this advantage. With Meng Dongguo and Big Thunder yelling for Zhang Ye to come onto the stage, Zhang Huo felt they had really overstepped their boundaries, not even allowing for a minute of preparation! They really wanted to pick on Zhang Ye’s flaws, to strike him a fatal blow! What feud is there between all of you? That it had to come to this, to step over our colleague? The critical issue was that even Deputy Station Head Jia had agreed to this impudent proposal?
Many eyes were focused on them!
Zhang Ye let out a furious laughter. You want me to go up? You want to slap my face? You guys are courting death!
Wang Xiaomei’s eyes had already gone dark upon hearing what was said. She said to Zhang Ye, “Let them see, Teacher Little Zhang!” “Show them whether we hosts from the Literature Channel understand art and literature!” said a furious Wang Xiaomei!
In front, Big Sis Zhou turned back, “Teacher Little Zhang! Attack!”
Auntie Sun, who did not really acknowledge Zhang Ye’s poems, could no longer bear with this. She shouted across two rows of seats, “Little Zhang! Go get them! This is pushing it too far!”
Tian Bin, putting on a damper, said, “Forget it; don’t go!”
Wu Datao shook his head, “Little Zhang, listen to me and don’t go. An amateur like you wants to put on a fake act in front of the professionals? Just say that you aren’t prepared; otherwise, when they criticize and point out your flaws, not only will you be embarrassed, even our Literature Channel will be embarrassed!”
All around, colleagues from the channel softly advised, “Teacher Zhang, ignore them.”
Some colleagues who wanted justice for Zhang Ye said, “If they are capable, let’s see them challenge Teacher Zhang in ghost stories! If they are capable, let’s see them challenge Teacher Zhang in fairy tales! Story writing is the true profession of Zhang Ye! Competing with poetry won’t determine anything! You all have been in this for so many years! Isn’t it a shameful for you to compete with a rookie? Eh?”
It was a little messy in the audience.
The auditorium’s mood was slowly losing control!
But under the spotlight, Zhang Ye stood up without any resistance. He smiled coldly, looked towards Zhang Huo, and signaled a ‘1’ determinedly. This was a signal everyone in the station knew. When hosting a radio live broadcast, ‘1’ would be signaled to the assistants to convey readiness.
“Zhang Ye!”
“Teacher Zhang! Think carefully!”
“Aiyo! Don’t go! Don’t you see that they are purposely making it difficult for you?”
Zhang Ye didn’t listen; he was already making his way out past the row of seats.
Zhang Huo understood, “Teacher Zhang has said that he is okay. Everyone, please give some applause.”
Meng Dongguo was waiting for Zhang Ye to recite before he passed his judgment on Zhang Ye’s flaws for everyone listening.
Zheng Anbang and Little Red Mushroom were also waiting for Zhang Ye to make a joke of himself. The others also knew that this time Zhang Ye would embarrass himself, but yet he willingly stepped up to be embarrassed!
In the applause that was either disturbing, helpless or gloating, Zhang Ye followed his determination up towards the stage. In the spotlight, and on the red carpet, this was his first time standing in front of so many people, unlike the sealed-up space of the recording studios. It was a meaningful face-to-face experience with so many people. But Zhang Ye did not have stage fright. This psychological strength of his had always been very good. Instead, he seemed to enjoy this moment!
Since you have forced me out, I will respectfully obey!
My poems have no literary value?
I am biting off more than I can chew by displaying my incompetence in front of an expert?
I am an amateur while you are a professional?
Alright, then! Today, I’ll let you bunch of Beijing Wr