341: Chapter 341 Born to Stand at the Pinnacle of the Literary World

The autumn sunlight filtered through the glass windows of the teaching building, casting a sharp line between light and shadow on the terrazzo floor.

Lin Que followed behind Principal Jiang Changfeng and Fei Yuncheng, heading towards the administrative building's conference room.

Along the way, Principal Jiang Changfeng's pace was half a beat faster than usual, his leather shoes making a crisp clicking sound against the floor.

Walking ahead, he spoke in a low voice, filled with eager anticipation for his prize student:

"Lin Que, that book signing in Shanghai over the weekend really brought great honor to our Jiangcheng No. 1 High School."

Fei Yuncheng also shed his usual sternness:

"The guests who came to the school today are here specifically for you."

"Once we go in, you must show the poise of a top student from No. 1 High School."

Lin Que walked beside them with a steady pace.

He understood the workings of such official occasions all too well. To the advice from Principal Jiang Changfeng and Fei Yuncheng, he responded with the simplest and most appropriate words:

"Don't worry, Principal and Director Fei. I know what to do."

Principal Jiang Changfeng turned his head, his peripheral vision catching the calm profile of the seventeen-year-old boy half a step behind him, and he nodded inwardly.

On the third floor of the administrative building, Fei Yuncheng pushed open the heavy double wooden doors of the conference room.

The spacious room was filled with the fragrance of tea.

Seated around the oval mahogany table were several figures with extraordinary auras.

Hearing the door open, the people in the main seats stopped their conversation and turned their gaze toward the doorway in unison.

Principal Jiang Changfeng immediately put on a familiar smile and stepped forward, turning slightly to lead Lin Que before the group.

"Director Huo, Chairman Lv, Director Hu, Student Lin Que has arrived."

Principal Jiang Changfeng's tone was brimming with pride.

Seated in the middle, Chairman Lv Songran held a white porcelain teacup and nodded slightly.

He set down the teacup, his gaze landing on Lin Que with appreciation for a junior.

"Little Lin, we meet again."

Chairman Lv Songran leaned back in his chair, his tone carrying a bit of an official air, yet it didn't feel stiff.

"The video of you drawing your sword before Zui Gaofeng at that Shanghai book signing over the weekend—I've watched it several times."

"Being recruited by the Provincial Writers Association is a pride for all of Jiangcheng."

Lin Que bowed slightly, his tone composed:

"Chairman Lv, you flatter me."

"The Provincial Writers Association has indeed provided a lot of support, but I always remember that I came from Jiangcheng."

"I keep the attention from the Municipal Writers Association and all the seniors in my heart."

Chairman Lv Songran's hand holding the teacup paused for a moment, his eyes showing a deeper level of approval for Lin Que.

"The Provincial Writers Association naturally has its own arrangements, but you are a seedling grown from the soil of our Jiangcheng. The Municipal Writers Association can't just stand by and applaud."

"The support we should give must not be lacking."

At this point, Chairman Lv Songran turned to look at an accompanying staff member.

The staff member immediately understood, took a thick kraft paper envelope from his briefcase, and handed it to Lin Que with both hands.

Chairman Lv Songran encouraged him earnestly:

"You're about to go to Beijing for the Qinglan Project, where the country's most elite students will gather."

"This is the Youth Writer Support Fund, specially approved for you by the Municipal Writers Association."

"Consider it a farewell gift from Jiangcheng."

"When you get to Beijing, show them the caliber of someone from Jiangcheng."

Facing this generous official gift and high expectations,

Lin Que did not show the awkwardness common in high school students.

He took the envelope with both hands, maintaining a proper posture, and spoke sincerely and with dignity:

"Thank you, Chairman Lv and the Municipal Writers Association, for your nurturing."

"This support is a tremendous encouragement for my preparations in Beijing. I will do my best and not let down the expectations of the city's leaders."

This level of composure, showing a deep understanding of social graces, caused the leaders present to exchange approving glances.

Just as Chairman Lv Songran finished speaking, Director Huo Yan, the Director of the Education Bureau sitting next to him, set down her teacup.

This powerful woman had always been known for her vigorous and resolute way of doing things.

She first turned to Principal Jiang Changfeng, her tone full of affirmation:

"Principal Jiang, the teaching management at No. 1 High School over the past two years has indeed been very effective."

"The school leadership deserves great credit for cultivating a top seedling like Lin Que, who excels in both arts and sciences."

Principal Jiang Changfeng immediately replied with a beaming smile:

"Director Huo, you overpraise us. Lin Que is mainly successful because of his own hard work."

Director Huo Yan turned her gaze to Lin Que, her eyes showing undisguised admiration.

"Lin Que, I heard what you said in Shanghai. Not only did you show your personal flair, but you also promoted Jiangcheng's cultural brand."

Director Huo Yan announced in a professional yet friendly tone,

"After careful consideration, the Municipal Bureau has recommended you to the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department and the Propaganda Department as this year's Jiangcheng Outstanding Youth. This is the highest affirmation of your current achievements."

Beside her, Deputy Director Hu Wenbin adjusted his glasses and added:

"Lin Que, you might not be aware of the weight of this nomination."

"In previous years, 'Outstanding Youth' was given to entrepreneurs or researchers. Giving it to a high school student is a first since the establishment of our city."

"You've set a precedent for those of us in the education sector."

Facing the repeated praise and resource allocation from these two powerful Education Bureau leaders,

Lin Que did not look overwhelmed. Instead, he stood a little straighter,

and accepted with a steady tone:

"Thank you for your recognition, Director Huo and Director Hu."

"From the competition to the book signing, the school and the city have always had my back. This sense of security is more grounding than any award."

"Once I'm in Beijing, I won't forget where I started."

These words were neither overly flattering nor arrogant.

After hearing this, Director Huo Yan's smile deepened, and she nodded repeatedly.

She turned to Principal Jiang Changfeng and remarked with emotion:

"Principal Jiang, this student's manner of speech and breadth of vision—how is he only seventeen?"

"If I didn't know he was still in his senior year of high school, I'd think he was a young scholar cultivated by some university."

"The environment at No. 1 High School truly nurtures people."

This joke made everyone at the table laugh.

Principal Jiang Changfeng was so happy he couldn't stop smiling, and Fei Yuncheng nodded along beside him.

Just as the official commendations were proceeding according to plan and everyone was chatting happily,

there was a very slight rustle of fabric from the leather sofa in the corner of the conference room.

A middle-aged man, who had been silently drinking tea with his head down since Lin Que entered, stood up.

He placed his teacup steadily on the glass coffee table in front of him and stood up.

Lin Que's peripheral vision caught the movement.

The moment he saw the man's face clearly,

a very faint smile flickered in the depths of his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly before returning to normal.

The man wore a well-tailored dark gray suit, no tie, and his collar was slightly open.

Just by standing there, he exuded the seasoned maturity of someone long-experienced in the world of business.

He had been sitting in the corner observing.

As he watched this seventeen-year-old boy face several powerful figures from the city,

with such seamless composure and sophisticated social skills, his evaluation of the boy rose several levels higher.

This young man was born to stand at the peak of the literary world.

Wang De'an gave the highest-level evaluation of his career in his heart.

Principal Jiang Changfeng noticed their eyes meet and prepared to introduce them.

However, before Principal Jiang Changfeng could speak, Lin Que took the initiative to approach the man.

Lin Que's posture was natural, without any hint of being a stranger.

"Hello, President Wang."

...