Chapter 69: The Circle You Can't Get Out of
Chapter 69: The Circle You Can't Get Out of
“Involution… and Ponzi schemes?”
When Lu Wenjie heard these two words, he was confused for a moment.
Facing Lu Wenjie's doubts, Bai Yinhua smiled and talked about something seemingly unrelated:
"Vice Chairman Lu, I remember many people in the circle said that people who are good at playing Go are very smart. Do you agree with this?"
At this time, Lu Wenjie still didn't know what Bai Yinhua wanted to say.
But when the soldiers come, they will block it, and when the water comes, the earth will cover it up.
When faced with this question, he answered as he expected:
"Of course. In my opinion, Go is the ultimate brain exercise. It is very difficult for an unintelligent person to play Go well.
"When dojos in places like Dajing, Dongjiang, and Qiantang accept children to learn chess, they pay great attention to the children's talents. If they think the children are not talented enough, they will consider directly persuading them to quit."
Bai Yinhua nodded slightly and said:
"Then... do you think that we chess players can be called diligent?"
"diligent?"
Lu Wenjie was stunned and continued to answer in a deep voice.
"Of course I'm diligent! All the chess players who can get into the professional ranks have practiced hard since childhood. The difficulty of the whole process is even more difficult than the college entrance examination.
"Even if you succeed in getting promoted, it's just the beginning. To become a mid-level or even top player, you still need a lot of high-level games and training."
"Really? I think so too."
Bai Yinhua still had a somewhat bitter smile on his face.
"But since we chess players are smart and work hard, why don't we get enough rewards?"
Lu Wenjie finally realized what Bai Yinhua meant and was about to say something to comfort him, but he saw Bai Yinhua making a one-hand pressing gesture towards him, indicating that he should finish speaking first.
"Vice Chairman Lu, I may not have told you before... I actually have a childhood friend, and we grew up together.
"We started learning chess together when we were five years old and went to the same elementary and middle schools. Maybe because I was smarter, I improved much faster than him, and I also had better grades in school.
“Even after he felt that learning chess was hopeless and focused all his attention on his studies, I still did better than him in school.
"Hey, Vice Chairman Lu, if I had chosen to study at that time, do you think I could be better than him?"
Lu Wenjie did not answer directly.
Because he could already roughly guess the subsequent direction of the story, there was no need to give the other party this lead.
Seeing that Lu Wenjie didn't say anything, Bai Yinhua didn't have to wait for an answer, so he continued talking.
"Unfortunately, there is no if... When I was thirteen, I successfully qualified for the professional Go game and embarked on the path of professional Go.
"Like most of his peers, he went to high school, took the college entrance exam, and entered university..."
"So how is he doing now?"
Lu Wenjie narrowed his eyes and asked directly.
Bai Yinhua seemed to be prepared for this question and answered directly.
"He did well in the college entrance examination and was admitted to a 985 engineering university at the bottom of the list to study computer science. He was then admitted to graduate school at the same university. After graduating with a master's degree, he found a job in Pengcheng, a city in the Bay Area.
"Now he has also found a girlfriend who works in a big factory. The two families are getting together and planning to buy a small house in Pengcheng, get married and settle down.
"With an income of nearly one million per year, it's barely enough even in Pengcheng - at least it's much better than mine."
Lu Wenjie pursed his lips and asked:
"So... you regret it, right?"
"of course."
Bai Yinhua's reply was firm.
“When I chose to learn chess, it was not just about hard work.
"I was born in a small county town in Guanzhong. My parents were ordinary people and didn't have much savings.
"When I was ten years old, I went to Dajing City to learn chess in order to get a professional title. I had to spend nearly 200,000 yuan every year on renting a house and hiring a teacher.
“I studied for three years in total, which was short, but it cost my family half a million dollars.
"My parents borrowed money from all relatives for my chess training, and finally waited until I successfully qualified as a professional chess player.
"But not everyone who tries to get a dan is as lucky as I am. Some people even fall back into poverty because of learning chess... Vice Chairman Lu, you should know this."
Lu Wenjie listened silently without saying anything.
Bai Yinhua continued:
“After I got promoted to professional professional, I thought I had finally made it. But I soon realized I was overthinking.
"There are many talented people in this profession, and there are many who are better than me. I am hardworking, but I have reached my limit.
"People who aspire to become professional Go players should be the smartest and hardworking people in China in every way.
"But in the end, the efforts of most of these people are in vain, and even the very few who have managed to stand at the top of the pyramid, the income and treatment they receive are far inferior to those at the top of other industries..." "What do you think... is professional Go considered involution?"
Lu Wenjie was speechless for a moment, and then he said:
"In fact, people who are willing to play professional Go are those who have passion and love for the game..."
"But these two things can't be eaten as food."
Bai Yinhua answered in seconds:
“Moreover, the so-called professional chess players in the professional circle all look decent to outsiders, but the bitterness behind their lives is not worth telling to outsiders!
"Let's take the Chinese Go League for example. It's the highest level league in China, but sometimes even the players can't get paid. But even if the Chinese Go League is so bad, the professional players who can play in it are already very, very outstanding...
"Oh, by the way, Vice Chairman Lu, do you know how most of those professional chess players who can't play in the professional league make a living?
"After all, they are the majority in this circle."
Lu Wenjie had no expression on his face, but he still answered truthfully:
"Some have basically given up their work related to Go, and have basically quit the circle and returned to ordinary life.
"And those who are still working in Go-related fields... most of them are teaching Go!"
"Yes, you are absolutely right...but do you feel that there is something wrong?"
Bai Yinhua still had that mocking smile on his face.
"In a circle, most people make a living by bringing new people into this circle. Even when the major domestic chess halls publicize the treatment of professional players, they always use the treatment of chess teachers as an example. So, do you think this is..."
"What are you talking about!"
Lu Wenjie, who had just been trying hard to control his emotions, couldn't help but pat the coffee table in front of him.
"You are defiling Go!"
But who would have thought that Bai Yinhua's smile would become even wider: "I haven't even said what it is yet... Why do you think I am defiling Go?
"It seems that you have the answer in your heart!"
Lu Wenjie's expression gradually became somewhat ferocious.
But he really didn't know how to refute the young man in front of him.
Because...what people say is true.
It is obvious that the various views expressed by Bai Yinhua now are the result of his own thinking and dialectics.
Sure enough, people who are good at playing Go are very smart...
If this young man had not chosen the path of professional Go, perhaps he would have achieved far more than he has now...
There was a hint of confusion in Lu Wenjie's expression, but with a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, he knew that now was definitely not the time for him to show weakness.
And we can't dwell on these topics anymore, we have to get back to the point.
He collected his facial expressions, regained his composure, and said slowly:
"Okay, I understand your idea! Although it seems ridiculous to me, it's your freedom to think whatever you want, and I can't control it!
“But as the saying goes, it’s better to part ways amicably.
"Even if you really don't want to continue playing professional Go, just leave your rank here and be inactive.
"You can try to find some other work. As a professional chess player, you might get some unexpected opportunities.
"As for the compensation we agreed on, Chairman Shang and I will do our best to satisfy you, and you won't have to travel all over the country just to earn such a small amount of amateur competition prize money.
"Isn't this great?"
Having said that, Lu Wenjie felt that he had paved the way for Bai Yinhua.
Logically, Bai Yinhua had no reason to refuse.
But... Bai Yinhua didn't intend to play by the rules.
He shook his head: “It’s very good.
"But I don't want more people to continue to follow my wrong path."
Hearing this, Lu Wenjie's tone turned cold again: "What do you mean?"
Bai Yinhua said calmly, "It's nothing. As long as I win a few more amateur championships, there will naturally be enough media to pay attention to this matter. When the time comes, I will tell you about my experience and situation. I believe it will be able to save some silly kids who want to play professional Go."
Lu Wenjie's eyes suddenly raised when he heard this, and he said angrily: "Then Chairman Shang and I will report this matter to the General Administration! Do you think we can really let you do whatever you want?"
Bai Yinhua was not moved at all:
"All my actions are in compliance with current regulations. If you really intend to forcefully tie my hands and feet, there are media outlets in China that would like to report such news. My experience can also be publicized."
"Xiaobai... do you really need to do that?" Lu Wenjie spoke these words with great emphasis.
"It's not necessary! I just think that there are things that someone should do."
Bai Yinhua met Lu Wenjie's gaze calmly, and then suddenly changed the subject.
“Do you know that there is a UP host named ‘Tumu Dagangzi’ on Bilibili?
"I like him very much."
Thanks to [book friend 20170605152758410] for the reward and monthly ticket! [PerfuncTory] for the reward and recommendation ticket!
Thanks to [leyo][Qinxue Elf][They all call me Dorothy][Xiaoyao Jueqing][Book Friend 150713180411805] for their monthly tickets and recommendation tickets!
Thanks to [Sitting in the Clouds Watching Planes] [Taishang Hongmeng Patriarch] [Dingding Goes on an Adventure] [Heartbeat is the Wind] [Emperor] [TwoDogsXu] [Qingfeng Xiulin] [NorthRin] and other big guys for their recommendations~
Finally, I would like to thank [Yin Feng Ting Xue] for his sincere suggestions on the details of the chapter yesterday. This book still needs more reasonable encouragement from the masters. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)