23: Spiritual Opium and Literary Benchmark

Monday.

The latest issue of jiangcheng literature and art was delivered to the school reading room.

This official periodical, which usually went ignored, became the center of attention today.

"Look, look! This is the one!"

"firefly! It really got published!"

Several well-informed students gathered around the bookshelves in the reading room, flipping through it excitedly with lowered voices.

The news quickly spread throughout the school.

"For real? Lin Que's essay made it into a magazine?"

"Holy crap, I just went to see it. It's in the last column called 'New Voices'!"

There's even an editor's note before it. It looks like the Editor-in-Chief wrote it personally, and the praise is incredibly high!"

Hearing this, Wu Di's back straightened instantly.

He nudged the drowsy Lin Que beside him hard with his elbow.

"Brother Que! Brother Que! Did you hear that? You're on TV! No, wait, you're in a magazine!"

Lin Que didn't even lift his eyelids, merely giving a vague "Mhm."

Wu Di grew anxious:

"Man! This is jiangcheng literature and art! Official certification!"

Can't you give some kind of reaction? This is way more badass than winning that crappy competition!"

"Oh."

Lin Que finally looked up and let out a yawn.

"Then I guess I'll have to add a chicken leg to dinner to celebrate."

Looking at his nonchalant attitude, Wu Di felt a breath catch in his chest, almost unable to let it out.

The phrase 'the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is' probably described him perfectly.

In the front row, Zhang Ya's face looked incredibly grim.

She had finally come to school today, but she looked somewhat haggard.

When she heard that Lin Que's essay had actually been published, her fingers gripping her pen tightened involuntarily.

She didn't believe it; she didn't accept it.

The short-haired girl beside her whispered:

"It's just getting into a magazine, what's the big deal? Maybe that Professor Li pulled some strings through the back door."

"Exactly."

Another girl chimed in.

"And look, it's placed in the very last column. It's obviously just filler."

Unlike our Ya Ya, who won a legitimate third-place prize!"

Hearing these consolations, Zhang Ya's expression softened slightly.

She cleared her throat and said to the surrounding students in a tone that tried to sound objective and fair:

"I went to the reading room to see it too. How should I put this..."

The story's concept is indeed a bit clever, but the execution is too forced, having twists just for the sake of twists."

Furthermore, the whole piece has this affected, deep gloominess."

The scope is too narrow; it lacks true humanistic concern."

This kind of article can grab attention, but as for literary value, it really doesn't hold up under scrutiny."

Her words drew a chorus of agreement from her group of friends.

However, more students in the class looked at her as if she were a fool.

At that moment, Shen Qingqiu walked in, her high heels clicking.

The entire class fell silent in unison.

She held a brand-new copy of jiangcheng literature and art and a kraft paper envelope.

Her expression was as cool as ever, but her eyes held a complex, unreadable look.

She scanned the class, her gaze pausing on Lin Que for a second.

Only then did she place the magazine and the envelope onto the podium with moderate force.

"I presume everyone knows about Lin Que's essay being published."

She picked up the copy of jiangcheng literature and art and flipped to the last page.

She addressed the whole class, though it also felt like she was speaking to someone specific.

"Some students believe that this article was published through the back door and that its placement in the final column makes it filler."

Her gaze swept over Zhang Ya's pale face.

"But the Editor-in-Chief of jiangcheng literature and art personally wrote an editor's note for this column and this article."

I believe this carries more weight than any award."

She paused and picked up the envelope.

"Lin Que, come out for a moment."

Lin Que stood up lazily and walked to the classroom door under the gaze of the entire class.

Shen Qingqiu handed him the envelope and lowered her voice:

"Professor Li asked me to pass this to you. It's the payment for your article, five thousand yuan. Spend it wisely."

Lin Que took the kraft envelope with both hands.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Then he turned to go back.

"Wait!"

Shen Qingqiu called him back. Her tone softened slightly, but remained serious.

"Don't get happy too soon."

The fact that this article could be published is the result of Professor Li standing his ground against all opposition; it doesn't mean you are right."

Did you read that copy of New Tide I gave you yesterday?"

I still hope you'll read more of Jian Shen's works."

Learn how others use words to warm people's hearts, instead of blindly using extremism to grab attention."

Your talent shouldn't only be used to create controversy."

"Got it, Teacher. I'm heading back now!"

Shen Qingqiu watched his retreating figure as he vanished in a flash, shaking her head helplessly.

...

Wang Shouyi's efficiency was astonishing.

Three days later,

A review article personally penned by him was published on the Writers Association's official website and in their internal publication.

In the article, Wang Shouyi opened fire with full force.

He first used the most flowery language to praise The Miracles of the Namiya General Store and its author, Jian Shen, to the heavens.

Immediately after, his tone shifted.

He launched a devastating attack on firefly and the human world is like a prison.

"...In stark contrast to this are certain so-called avant-garde works."

"They take pride in deconstructing the sublime and find depth in depicting despair."

Take that piece firefly; it appears cleverly conceived,

But in reality, it is hollow inside, filled with the most malicious mockery of light and hope."

This isn't depth; it is shallow cynicism!"

"Worse still are works like the human world is like a prison, which is widely circulated online."

It treats blood, violence, and horror as its creed,

Using the cheapest sensory stimulation to numb the readers' nerves and spread panic and anxiety."

How are such works any different from spiritual opium? If this continues, the country will not be a country, and people will not be people!"

At the end of the article, he issued a deafening appeal:

"The temple of literature does not allow demons and monsters to run rampant!"

Our generation should follow Teacher Jian Shen's example, using the pen as a sword to clear the source, and defend the final dignity of literature!"

Once this article was released, the entire field of public opinion was completely ignited.

Online, various literary forums and social media platforms instantly split into two distinct camps.

The "Guardians of Morality" faction, led by Wang Shouyi, cheered and rallied.

[Chairman Wang is the GOAT! Finally, a big shot has come out to fix this toxic trend! That the human world is like a prison gave my son nightmares in the middle of the night; it should be banned!]

[Chairman Wang is absolutely right! Literature should be beautiful and uplifting! I read firefly; it's so cynical and weird, it made me feel miserable after reading it!]

[Support Chairman Wang! The Miracles of the Namiya General Store is true literature—warm and deep! That 'Jian Shen' teacher is leagues ahead of that author named Lin Que!]

[And that the human world is like a prison, my son has been reading it lately. He's paranoid every night and can't sleep well! Books like this should be banned!]

Meanwhile, the "Reformist" faction, consisting mainly of Professor Li Yuanchao and a large number of young readers, launched a fierce counterattack.

[LMAO, what era are the people upstairs living in? Do you even understand the depth of firefly? It's deconstructing, it's reflecting! This is called avant-garde art! Don't talk trash if you don't get it!]

[Is that old man Wang living in the last century? Still trying to define literature? Drop the 'father knows best' act, okay? Your ways are long outdated!]

[You guys can't even begin to understand the depth of firefly! It's exploring the nihilism of hope; this is philosophical thinking! It's much higher level than those clichéd songs of praise!]

[Wang Shouyi doesn't know jack about web novels. Comparing the human world is like a prison to The Miracles of the Namiya General Store is like comparing apples to oranges. Why doesn't he compare himself to a pig to see who's better at climbing trees?]

The two factions argued incessantly online.

From literary philosophies to personal attacks, the flames of war grew more intense.

And at the center of the storm,

Lin Que was currently sitting in his luxurious studio, leisurely scrolling through these comments.

Before him were two screens.

On one screen was the massive flame war regarding firefly and the human world is like a prison.

On the other screen, major literary forums were filled with voices of praise, calling his work warm, healing, and a masterpiece.

He looked at Wang Shouyi's review article, which had reached the top of the hot searches.

Seeing those comments that praised one of his personas to the heavens while dragging his other persona through the mud, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He picked up his coffee and drained it in one gulp.

The porcelain cup hit the desk with a soft clink.

Lin Que's finger clicked lightly on the mouse.

The page filled with bickering comments was instantly closed.

In its place was the familiar writer's backend of the Hongguo Novel Website.

The cursor blinked quietly in the title bar of a new chapter.

It was time to let this storm rage even more fiercely.