93: A family should be all together.

Returning to his seat, Wu Di hurried over.

"Brother Que, what did Old Fei want with you? Is he asking you to recite again?"

Wu Di leaned in, full of gossip.

"Let me tell you, that 'coco' of yours has such a lingering effect. Last night I went home and looked at my grandma's photo, and I cried until I nearly passed out."

"No recitation."

Lin Que turned a page of his history book.

"It's just an ordinary, all-expenses-paid trip."

"Damn! An all-expenses-paid trip? To Jinling?"

Wu Di was so envious his eyes nearly popped out.

"Brother Que, do you need someone to carry your bags? I'm not demanding; I only need three bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup per hundred kilometers!"

Lin Que glanced at him.

"You should focus on your review. You're still thinking about playing? If you don't rank in the top five hundred in the final exams, your mom will skin you alive."

Wu Di wailed and slumped onto the desk, continuing to play dead.

Lin Que ignored him, took a notebook out of his schoolbag, and opened a new page.

He drew two small circles and one large circle in the blank space.

They represented three identities, but there was only one person.

If Jian Shen and Dream Weaver were both absent, and only the Student Lin Que went, then Editor-in-Chief Fang would definitely make a big deal out of it.

But if he went... that was even more impossible!

He couldn't exactly play face-changing at the venue, could he? Wearing glasses to act profound one moment, and a cloak to act like a pervert the next?

Lin Que twirled his pen, the tip tapping a few black dots onto the paper.

Since his physical body couldn't be in multiple places, he would just have to play with 'spirit.'

After school, at the SOHO Future City studio.

Lin Que opened the computer. He didn't rush to reply to the emails, but logged into his Penguin account first.

The avatar for Green Luo from Hong Guo Net kept flickering; she was clearly anxious.

Lin Que typed a line.

【Hell Dream Weaver: I can't go to the forum.】

Green Luo replied almost instantly:

【Ah? Great Master, why? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It's an official event of the Provincial Writers Association; going there is like gilding your reputation!】

【Hell Dream Weaver: Working on a new book, busy. I don't have time to listen to those old fogies sitting around a table blowing smoke up each other's asses.】

【Green Luo: ...Great Master, your reason is too blunt. Editor-in-Chief Fang will definitely use this as an excuse to make trouble; he might even say you're acting like a diva.】

【Hell Dream Weaver: Let him talk. However, if I'm not there in person, the gift must be there.】

【Green Luo: Gift? What gift?】

【Hell Dream Weaver: I will record an audio clip, and I'll trouble you to play it at the venue. Since it's a discussion on cutting-edge literature, I'll have a good chat with them about what 'truly' cutting-edge means.】

Green Luo sent a shivering emoji:

【Great Master, you aren't going to scold people, are you?】

【Hell Dream Weaver: A civilized person, how could I scold anyone? I'm just reasoning with them.】

Having handled this, Lin Que switched to the email for 'Jian Shen.'

The reply to Wang De'an appeared much gentler, exuding a sense of a scholar's aloofness and helplessness.

【Editor-in-Chief Wang: Thank you for your kind offer. However, I am unwell and dislike noise, so I am afraid I cannot make the trip. The matter of literature lies in the tip of the pen, not on the tip of the tongue. If one must compete for superiority, it is better to write a few more chapters. However, since it is highly recommended by 'New Tide,' I cannot completely ignore your face. I will handwrite a letter and trouble you to bring it to the venue. The calligraphy reflects the person; seeing the characters is like seeing the person.】

Sent successfully.

Lin Que leaned back in his chair and stretched.

An audio clip, a letter, plus a living, breathing Lin Que.

This 'trinity' lineup should be enough to give Editor-in-Chief Fang enough face, right?

Returning home, Lin Que told his parents about going to Jinling.

Wang Xiulian was picking vegetables; hearing this, her hand stopped, and her face showed both pride and worry:

"Going to Jinling? That's a big provincial capital city. Can you go by yourself? Should I have your dad go with you?"

"Mom, how old do you think I am?"

Lin Que helplessly took an orange from the fruit plate.

"Besides, the school has a teacher leading the team, and that classmate is going too, so I won't get lost."

"Still, you must pay attention to safety."

Lin Jianguo put down his newspaper and took off his reading glasses.

"There are many people and cars in Jinling. Don't run around when you get there; stick with the teacher. Also, that forum thing—those occasions are full of big shots; you must be cautious with your interactions, you know?"

Lin Que peeled the orange and nodded obediently:

"Got it, Dad. I'm just going to be a mascot, responsible for clapping and nodding."

"Right! Is the money enough?"

Wang Xiulian wiped her hands and was about to go to the bedroom to get her wallet, but was stopped by Lin Jianguo.

"That's enough. Our son can earn money now; you don't need to worry so much!"

"What do you know? When you're away from home, you should be prepared."

"It's enough, it's enough. I haven't even spent the last prize money yet."

Lin Que hurried to stop her.

"Besides, this is an all-expenses-paid trip; food, housing, and travel are all covered, so I don't need to spend money."

Watching his parents bustling around him, Lin Que felt a warmth in his heart.

He thought of Fang Zhenyun, and thought of the upcoming forum.

Those people were high and mighty, holding the power of discourse, thinking they could define literature at will and judge others at will.

But he, Lin Que, simply didn't believe in that nonsense.

He was going to stir up this stagnant water.

Friday morning, Jiangcheng High-Speed Railway Station.

The winter wind scraped against his face like a knife. Lin Que was wrapped in a black down jacket, with the gray scarf Wang Xiulian had knitted by hand wrapped around his neck, the whole person hunched up like a quail.

Standing beside him was Zhao Zichen.

This straight-A student still maintained his composure, wearing a dark gray wool coat with a crisp shirt underneath, and holding a full English version of 'Ulysses' in his hand. In the noisy environment of the waiting hall, he managed to create the visual impression of being in a library.

"Hey, I say, Old Zhao, aren't you cold?"

Lin Que sniffled, looking at Zhao Zichen's exposed ankles.

Zhao Zichen closed his book, pushed up his glasses, brushed off non-existent dust from his coat with his fingertips, and said indifferently:

"Clothing is an expression of one's thoughts. Moreover, true focus can isolate most physical discomfort."

Lin Que rolled his eyes.

Fine, whatever makes you happy.

The team leader was Shen Qingqiu.

She wasn't wearing her professional attire today either, and had light makeup on.

She held three high-speed rail tickets in her hand and was checking the train schedule.

"Everyone check if you have your ID cards."

Shen Qingqiu instructed.

"When we arrive in Jinling, we will go directly to Zijin Mountain Villa to check in. Although this is an invitation, you two represent the image of Jiangcheng, so don't embarrass me."

"Don't worry, Teacher."

Lin Que lazily made an OK gesture.

"As long as I don't open my mouth, I'm a quiet, handsome man."

Zhao Zichen snorted lightly:

"As long as you don't sleep and snore, that's fine."

They boarded the high-speed train, business class.

This treatment surprised Lin Que a bit; it seemed that the Provincial Writers Association had really spent a fortune this time to save face.

The carriage was very quiet. Lin Que adjusted his seat, preparing to catch up on sleep.

Zhao Zichen took out a notebook and started writing furiously, probably preparing his speech for the forum.

"Lin Que."

Shen Qingqiu, sitting opposite him, suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

Lin Que opened his eyes groggily.

"The organizer of this forum is 'October' Magazine Agency, and that Editor-in-Chief Fang Zhenyun..."

Shen Qingqiu paused, seemingly weighing her words.

"Although this person is famous in the circle, his reputation... is quite complicated. If you encounter any trouble, don't push back hard; leave it to me to handle."

Lin Que's heart stirred.

It seemed Teacher Shen also knew this time was a trap.

"Teacher, do you know him?"

"I've dealt with him before."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes grew colder.

"A person who treats literature as a business. He made such a big fuss this time not just to discuss literature, but more to establish his power of discourse in the Su Province literary scene. You two, one a first prize winner, one a first-place winner, are both chess pieces in his eyes."

"Chess pieces, huh..."

Lin Que smiled and closed his eyes again.

"That depends on whether the chess pieces are too hot to handle."

Two hours later, the high-speed train arrived at Jinling South Station.

The organizer sent a car to pick them up, a black Buick business van.

The driver was a quiet one, not saying a word the whole way, and drove them directly to Zijin Mountain Villa.

Zijin Mountain Villa was located at the foot of Zijin Mountain, leaning against the mountain and near the water, with a quiet and secluded environment.

Although it was winter, the plum blossoms in the villa were already blooming, with a subtle fragrance drifting about.

As soon as they got off, they saw a huge red banner: 【Warmly Welcome All Guests Attending the First 'New Tide Literature' Summit Forum】.

The hotel lobby was bustling with people; many were wearing zhongshan suits or Tang suits, looking like old seniors in the cultural circle.

Lin Que and the others received their room keys and conference materials at the registration desk.

"Oh, Teacher Shen!"

A voice came from the side.

Lin Que turned his head to see a middle-aged man in a gray suit walking towards them.

His hair was combed meticulously, and his face wore that standard, yet hollow, social smile.

It was precisely Fang Zhenyun.

Behind him followed several reporters with cameras and voice recorders.

"Editor-in-Chief Fang."

Shen Qingqiu stepped forward and greeted him neither servilely nor overbearingly.

"Long time no see."

"Teacher Shen, you are as elegant as ever."

Fang Zhenyun shook hands with Shen Qingqiu, but his gaze passed over her and landed on Lin Que and Zhao Zichen behind her.

"This must be the famous first prize winner, right?"

Fang Zhenyun walked up to Lin Que and looked him up and down.

"Student Lin Que, I've heard so much about you. That piece of yours, 'the person waiting to die,' actually made the notoriously iron-faced Teacher Yan make an exception."

His tone was very polite, but his eyes hid needles.

"Editor-in-Chief Fang, you're too kind."

Lin Que looked obedient.

"I just scribbled it down; I was lucky."

"Luck is the humble brag of the successful."

Fang Zhenyun smiled, then suddenly changed the subject.

"By the way, I heard that Teacher Jian Shen and Hell Dream Weaver will also be coming? As student representatives, being able to share the stage with these two popular writers is a rare learning opportunity."

Lin Que sneered inwardly.

This old fox was waiting here.

"Really?"

Lin Que feigned surprise.

"I'm a fan of theirs too! If I can see them in person, I must get an autograph."

"Hehe, there will be a chance."

Fang Zhenyun patted Lin Que's shoulder, looking at the guest seats on the stage.

"However, both of them are quite protective of their reputation and haven't appeared yet. I hope they won't disappoint the readers who are eagerly waiting for them in the end."

After speaking, he turned to the reporters behind him and said:

"Come, take a few photos of our genius youth. This is the future hope of our Su Province literature."

The camera flashes clicked and flashed continuously.

After signing in, the group walked towards the elevators.

Passing by the entrance of the main venue, Lin Que glanced inside.

The venue was decorated grandly, with a row of flowers on the podium.

And in the first row of the guest seats, in the most conspicuous position, were two huge name tags.

The one on the left read: 【Special Guest: Jian Shen】

The one on the right read: 【Special Guest: Hell Dream Weaver】

These two seats were like two targets, waiting to be scrutinized by everyone.

And not far from these two seats was 【Student Representative: Lin Que】.

This seating arrangement was practically a family reunion dinner where everyone was neat and tidy.

Lin Que withdrew his gaze, a hint of a smile flashing across his lips and vanishing.

The good show was about to begin.