Chapter 242 The Man in the Condom

Chapter 242 The Man in the Condom

Chapter 242 The Man in the Condom

Gu Zao's words shocked everyone present, and everyone grasped different key points of the information.

"What? Wang Zixu went to attend the Ancient Xuan Salon?"

"What do you mean by a quarrel? Did he quarrel with someone?"

"Who did he quarrel with? Why?"

Gu Zao looks like a handsome guy when he doesn't speak, but when he speaks, he makes people hate him to the core.

Wang Zhongxing was getting annoyed. He had finally managed to divert the topic away from Wang Zixu, but when he showed up, the topic was brought back to the topic.

What's even more hateful is that he left a few words and stopped talking. He found a seat next to Lu Chaoyuan and sat down and asked:
"Is there any water? I'm very thirsty, let me drink some water first."

The tea master poured him tea, but he complained it was too hot and hesitated for a long time. There was no further news, just like an online writer who had stopped updating. Everyone was getting anxious.

"Teacher Gu Zao, you are not kidding us, are you? How did Wang Zixu get into the Gu Xuan Salon venue? How did he get the qualification?"

Liu Yinghe sounded a little aggrieved.

She has worked in the literary world for many years and was finally nominated for the Red Pepper Reading Competition; Wang Zixu is a newly-debuted author who has only written one book - even she is not qualified to go to the Ancient Xuan Salon, so how could he be qualified?
How strange it is.

The other authors all had the same idea and nodded in agreement. Lu Chaoyuan pondered for a moment and said:

"I did see Wang Zixu at the entrance of the Guxuan Salon just now. I was wondering why he was there."

Qi Jian asked, "Could he have followed you in?"

Before Lu Chaoyuan could answer, Zhou Siwei spoke first: "What kind of place is Guxuan Salon? Do you think you can just walk over there and get in?"

"Then, then Wang Zixu also received an invitation?" Qi Jian asked stutteringly.

No one answered him.

This news really makes people feel a little unbalanced.

Shi Tonghe looked at Gu Zao with a serious expression: "Are you sure Wang Zixu received the invitation? Did Mr. Gu Xuan invite him personally?"

At this moment, Shi Tonghe thought a lot.

He and Gu Xuan were somewhat friendly. Based on his understanding of Gu Xuan, Gu Xuan should not invite someone who had a conflict with him at this time.

Did Gu Xuan deliberately hype this up? Or was he providing him with a platform to perform? Or was he here just for Shi Tonghe?
He had to figure this out.

Gu Zao slowly put down his teacup and said, "I don't know who invited him, but he is in the venue anyway."

After saying that, he became excited again: "This is not the point. The point is that this quarrel shocked the whole place. Authors like Zhuang Die and Meng Xin were all upset by his scolding. The reporters at the scene were all rushing to finish their manuscripts. This matter will definitely be a hit in the near future..."

"What?" Lu Chaoyuan was shocked.

"What?!" Shi Shuqiu was even more shocked.

"What?!!!" Ning Chunyan was shocked.

What shocked Lu Chaoyuan was how Zhuang Die and Meng Xin could be against Wang Zixu?

They were the training targets of the Cultural Association, and there should be no negative news during this critical period. So he specifically asked them not to pay attention to Wang Zixu.

Did Wang Zixu want to take revenge on the Literary Association and deliberately set a trap for them both?

But even so, how could they break through the defense?

Damn it, what on earth happened at the Guxuan Salon? !

What surprised Shi Shuqiu was that Gu Zao said that Wang Zixu was going to become popular on the Internet again.

He has little interest in the path of literature, but he is very passionate about the path of internet celebrity.

He has always operated his account by himself, and he has used various methods to attract and retain fans very professionally. He has always thought that he has a good sense of the Internet.

The life goals he has planned for himself are: to make a breakthrough at the age of 20, to have millions of fans at the age of 22, to have tens of millions of fans at the age of 24, and to be able to perform in variety shows with celebrities.

He had already reached the age of 20, full of ambition, but before he could take the first step, a middle-aged man who appeared out of nowhere stepped on his face and broke his circle.

If it was just once, he could tell himself that he was using his father's black traffic. He didn't like or need black-red marketing.

But now, after a few days, if he becomes popular again, he will not be able to convince himself not to be jealous.

Everyone present had their own thoughts, especially those who had just been denouncing Wang Zixu; Lu Qingxuan seemed to be thinking about something, while Diao Yiwen had mixed feelings.

All Ning Chunyan was thinking at this moment was: Such a big thing, but Wang Zixu didn't tell me anything at all, how hateful this person is!

Lu Chaoyuan pulled him aside and asked, "What happened to Zhuang Die and Meng Xin? Why did they clash with Wang Zixu? Was it Wang Zixu who provoked them? Or did Wang Zixu criticize the Literary Association again?"

Ning Chunyan glanced at him and said, "Wang Zixu is not the kind of person who would look for trouble. He will definitely not take the initiative to provoke others."

Lu Chaoyuan always had a poker face, but now he finally showed a humane expression, which made Gu Zao very satisfied. He finally spoke:
"Editor-in-Chief Ning is right. It wasn't Wang Zixu who provoked others. It was Zhuang Die and Meng Xin who provoked him first."

Lu Chaoyuan widened his eyes: "How is that possible?"

"That's the truth," Gu Zao spread his hands. "They all attended the same discussion meeting. When Zhuang Die was speaking, he said, "I was careless. He said that Wang Zixu was not worthy of sitting at the same table with him."

Lu Chaoyuan subconsciously wanted to say that Zhuang Die would not say that, but when the words came to his lips, he just couldn't say them. Because of Zhuang Die's personality, she would really say that.

But he couldn't understand why: Why would you, Zhuang Die, go and provoke that Wang Zixu when you are fine?
Ning Chunyan frowned slightly: "Isn't this too rude? You said it in front of me?"

"Yes, I told the whole audience in front of the camera and on the big screen." Gu Zao drank tea with half of his face behind the tea bowl. "Don't blame Wang Zixu, I would be angry too."

Shi Shuqiu leaned over and asked, "So, he got mad right there and overturned the table?"

He thought of Wang Zixu's performance at the seminar, and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind: This might not be a bad thing.

Perhaps, he can set the pace and portray Wang Zixu as a hot-tempered, resentful person who refuses to submit to anyone... It would be better to just say that he is a madman.

Doesn't it seem like no one cares about his criticism of Shi Tonghe?

Gu Zao shook his head and said, "Let me correct you on your choice of words. He didn't lose his temper nor did he overturn the table. He was very reasonable and well-founded, and he scolded those who criticized him one by one."

Everyone looked at each other.

Training? How?
What level of writers are participating in the Ancient Xuan Salon? Is it the turn of Wang Zixu, a new debutant, to scold others?

Gu Zao didn't keep the secret any longer and said, "Their live video is already online, so I might as well show you the video. This small phone can't see it clearly, do you have a TV here? I'll project a screen."

The waiter next to him walked up and said, "We don't have a TV here, but we have a rear projection TV. Can you watch it?"

Gu Zao said, "Okay, rear projection is better."

When Gu Zao was in college, he had worked in the student union and played with rear projection every day. He was very familiar with this thing. After a few operations, the curtain on the wall lowered and Wang Zixu's face soon appeared.

Qi Jian beside him stammered, "Is this Wang Zixu?"

"Yes, that's him."

"I've been seeing him online a lot lately."

Ning Chunyan never expected to see Wang Zixu's unlucky face in this situation. But she saw it. She wanted to laugh, but she didn't dare to laugh, for fear of being misunderstood by others.

When Wang Zixu's name was mentioned just now, Shi Tonghe's face looked very ugly. Now he had to watch Wang Zixu's high-definition face on the rear projection, which made him feel even more uncomfortable.

After the waiter clicked play, a roughly edited clip of the entire discussion appeared on the screen.

At the beginning, the speeches of other writers were edited very briefly, but when Zhuang Die spoke, things started to become interesting. The writers seemed to be ignited and began to besiege Wang Zixu.

All the people watching in the tea room had the same idea at this time: How did Wang Zixu fight back?
With everyone surrounding him, can he still turn the tables?

When Wang Zixu started speaking, Shi Shuqiu thought that Gu Zao was exaggerating at first, but as he listened to what he said later, he gradually became dumbfounded.

Chen Caomu listened for a long time, and finally found that there were more and more difficult nouns, and muttered:

"Wow, this Wang Zixu has read so many books?"

Hearing this, Shi Tonghe couldn't stand it anymore, so he stood up and said, "Excuse me for a moment."

Chen Caomu was startled and quickly shut his mouth.

What happened? What did I say wrong again?!

Why are you looking at me? Did I make Teacher Shi not want to stay here?

Gu Zao paused the video and turned to say, "Teacher Shi, the exciting part hasn't come yet." Shi Tonghe suppressed his anger and said, "Yes, I know. The speech was very good, but I'm really a little tired. I'll watch it next time."

Gu Zao watched Shi Tonghe leave with a half-smile.

Shi Shuqiu stood up, trotted along, caught up with Shi Tonghe, and whispered:
"dad."

Shi Tonghe turned around and said, "What's wrong? You don't have to come with me. I'm going to the next room to take a nap. You stay with them. You should build a good relationship with them."

Shi Shuqiu said, "Dad, why are you leaving? Others think you can't afford to lose."

Shi Tonghe asked: "Who thinks so?"

Shi Shuqiu was startled: "I just mean..."

"Who said that?"

"No...I guess..."

Shi Tonghe closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

After a while, he finally let out a breath, his voice surprisingly calm:

"I am indeed a little tired."

After that, he turned and left without further explanation.

He wasn't lying. He was tired.

When people reach this age, their metabolism can’t keep up. They feel bloated after eating a few bites and out of breath after walking a few steps. They just can’t keep up the energy.

But he wasn't entirely exhausted because of a lack of energy.

How he wishes he could be 30 years younger.

It's not that he can't afford to lose. When has Shi Tonghe ever been unable to afford to lose? 30 years ago, the scene in the video just now was not that scene.

It won't be Wang Zixu who is the only one to output. At least he can stand up and fight with him.

Russian literature was a subject he was more familiar with than his own home literature.

But now, he is timid and has to put himself in a cocoon. He cannot quarrel with others, nor can he take the initiative to fight, otherwise he will lose his identity or be disrespectful to his elders.

He was almost fed up with this kind of life.

Maybe he should just retire early, as his old rival suggested.

……

At the teahouse, Shi Tonghe left as the road was too long and he didn't want to stay any longer, so he found an excuse to slip away; Wang Zhongxing followed closely behind him.

After they left, the atmosphere became more lively. A heated discussion broke out among the writers.

Some people were blushing and stubborn, and had to find faults in everything, falsely accusing the prince of being a bad guy, knocking him to the ground and stepping on him ten thousand times to prove that they were on the right side;

There were also those who spoke in a gentle manner, with clear eyes, and whose evaluation of Wang Zixu was much softer than before, or in other words, much more cowardly;
There are also those who appear indifferent, secretly thanking themselves for not saying much and not making their stance clear, so that they don't feel slapped in the face.

Everyone was discussing lively. There was an autistic Chen Caomu on one side, and another autistic Shi Shuqiu on the other.

Chen Caomu turned to look at Shi Shuqiu, sympathizing with him and whispering, "In fact, fame is all false, just like his name, it's fictitious. Writing still depends on how much money you can make, right?"

Shi Shuqiu suddenly lost his temper: "Are you mocking me?"

Chen Caomu sweated: "I, I didn't mean that..."

Shi Shuqiu glared at him. Chen Caomu was puzzled.

"By the way," Gu Zao added, "before I left, they were handing out the annual awards for the Ancient Literature Salon. The author of the year award was actually given to me. I was afraid to go on stage to receive the award, so I ran away quickly."

Just before everyone thought he was showing off, he added:
"Mr. Shi, you won the Rising Star Writer of the Year award."

Shi Shuqiu was distracted. When he heard his own name, he was surprised at first, then happy: "Me?"

Gu Zao pointed at Qiu Moke and Li Yan and said, "You two have both been nominated."

Zhou Siwei beside him hurriedly bowed and said, "Congratulations, congratulations to Mr. Shi, congratulations to both of you."

Qiu and Li were stunned for a moment, then they both bowed and congratulated Shi Shuqiu.

Shi Shuqiu's mood finally improved a little, but Qiu and Li were still feeling unhappy.

It's like they found out that their lottery numbers were one digit short of the grand prize. They didn't expect to win the prize at first, but after the prize draw, they realized they were so close to winning, and they started to worry about losing.

When I thought that the winner was Shi Tonghe's son Shi Shuqiu, everything seemed natural.

Just like what he said just now, "He can't win the first prize because his opponent is me" - yes, his opponent is him, can he still expect to win the prize?

Thinking of this, he felt that there was a hint of irony in what Gu Zao said before he came.

Gu Zao continued, "Wang Zixu won the Most Charming Writer Award."

Upon hearing this, Ning Chunyan, like Chen Qingluo who was monitoring the voting on site, spat out a mouthful of tea.

Shi Shuqiu raised his eyebrows and turned his gaze: "Him? The most charming?"

"Ah."

"I remember this is a popular jury award," Zhou Siwei said. There was a hint of sourness in his tone, implying that this award was more entertainment-oriented.

But no matter what, Shi Shuqiu's mood, which had finally improved, became depressed again.

He realized what Zhuang Die said: "Sitting with you makes me feel ashamed." When he received the award in the same batch as Wang Zixu, he suddenly felt that winning awards was not so exciting.

Ning Chun watched the people around the banquet, not caring about anything and was very happy.

……

After the show, Ning Chunyan said goodbye to Diao Yiwen and Lu Qingxuan (the two had experienced a day of information bombardment and had different thoughts in their minds). She took out her cell phone and planned to confront the guy.

As soon as she got through the phone, she said, "Okay, Wang Zixu, I was worried about you these past two days. How did you get into the Gu Xuan Salon? Why didn't you tell me? You're really tight-lipped!"

The voice on the other end seemed uninterested, even a little weak: "Yeah."

This was beyond Ning Chunyan's expectations. She was planning to say "Let me describe Shi Shuqiu's face to you"... It was originally a happy topic, but Wang Zixu's lack of interest suddenly calmed her down.

Ning Chunyan's face changed: "Why, are you accompanying a rich woman? If you are accompanying a rich woman, then I won't bother you anymore."

Wang Zixu said, "Why do you think so?"

"Gu Zao told me everything," Ning Chunyan curled his lips, "When you left, you followed An Younan, right?"

Wang Zixu was a little surprised: "Gu Zao? Why didn't I see Gu Zao?"

"Don't change the subject."

Wang Zixu said: "Well, yes. But I'm not with An Younan now."

The person on the other end of the phone seemed to think for a long time before he finally said, "I met my mother today."

Ning Chunyan was a little surprised: "Your mother? As far as I remember, your mother is... gone, isn't she?"

The person on the other end of the line said, “Well, she ran away from home when I was 8.”

Ning Chunyan realized that she had made a big misunderstanding, blushed, and said, "Oh, okay, you two are reminiscing about the past together?"

Wang Zixu said: "No. I am alone now."

"What are you doing?"

"A person is walking on the road."

Ning Chunyan realized that he was in a bad mood, so he simply said, "Give me the address, and I'll drive over to pick you up."

"……That was not what I meant."

"But I asked you to give me the address."

(End of this chapter)