Back to 80: My Literary Life

The two of them didn't pay attention to Fang Minghua's expression and continued their conversation.

The young man named Jack replied: "It is well written, but it is not comparable to "Blood Child" and "Killer from Mars". Is it because your father used to be a teacher?"

After Jack finished speaking, he laughed and continued: "Also, Emily, have you ever thought about it, no science fiction written by a Chinese has ever won the Nebula Award, not to mention the Chinese, not even Asians!"

"There is a first time for everything. Look, didn't India's Tagore win the Nobel Prize for Literature? He was the first Asian! And Japan's Kawabata Yasunari was the first East Asian!" Emily defended.

"I know, but as for the collection of science fiction novels published by this Chinese writer named Minghua, I prefer the one he wrote, "Catastrophe of the Sun." Of course, it would be better if the protagonist is white." Jack changed the subject. , said.

"You are a typical white superiority complex!" Emily refuted her companion, and then said: "My favorite is "WALL-E", the writing is so romantic!"

"Remy, what about you? Why don't you speak?" Emily looked at a very quiet girl sitting next to her.

This girl named Remy has a flaxen ponytail, a high nose, and a pair of black eyes. She is a typical mixed race.

"I like "Shiyun"." The girl replied.

"Your father is Chinese and likes Chinese poetry." Emily said.

Ruimi didn't answer. She just secretly looked at Fang Minghua, who was sitting opposite and admiring the scenery outside.

Fang Minghua also noticed that the girl of Chinese descent was looking at her and smiled politely.

The girl seemed to be encouraged by something and asked tentatively:

"Hello. Are you from mainland China?"

He spoke Chinese, although not very standard.

When Fang Minghua heard someone greeting him, he turned his head and looked at the girl, slightly surprised: "How do you know that I am from mainland China?"

"Because you are dressed like this." The girl said with a smile.

Fang Minghua lowered his head and looked at the white shirt and blue pants he was wearing, feeling a little speechless.

It's the same uniform made in China.

It was actually uncomfortable to wear, but he had to wear it.

We are going to attend the award ceremony tonight, so we have to dress a little more solemnly, right?

He didn't buy any clothes last night, so he had to wash the white Queliang shirt he brought, dry it in the dryer, and put it on again this morning.

Just no tie.

As a result, the girl recognized him.

When the young couple next to them saw their companion talking in Chinese with the young Oriental man sitting opposite, they stopped talking and looked at them curiously.

Fang Minghua told them in not particularly fluent English: "I am indeed from mainland China and participating in a cultural exchange activity, but I have some personal matters and am going to Chicago."

"Are you going to Chicago? Do you have any relatives there?" the Chinese girl asked curiously, also switching to English.

"I have friends, but this time I mainly attended the Nebula Awards ceremony." Fang Minghua told the truth.

"Are you also a fan of science fiction?!" the girl with flaming red lips exclaimed.

"Yes."

Common hobbies quickly brought them closer together.

After introducing each other, Emily asked curiously: "Have you read the article "Rural Teacher" written by you Chinese? Do you think he can win the prize this time?"

Fang Minghua laughed after hearing this: "I have seen it. As a Chinese, of course I hope he can win the award."

"Impossible." At this time, Jack interjected: "There is no way that novel will win the award. It cannot be compared with "Blood Child" and "The Killer from Mars."

Fang Minghua had already heard the conversation between the young man and his companion, and knew that this argument was meaningless, so he smiled and said nothing.

Emily glared at her companion and continued chatting with Fang Minghua. She seemed to be very interested in "Country Teacher".

"I would like to ask, is your country really as backward and ignorant as described in the book?"

"Yes." Fang Minghua looked at the other party honestly.

"However, we are working hard to change all this and improve the status and treatment of teachers. Like your country, our country has also established Teachers' Day from this year. In the future, we will also establish a "Hope Project" to assist out-of-school children in poor areas. In short, we are working hard to make our country a better place and will definitely be like your country in the future."

Emily was silent for a moment and then said suddenly.

"Fang Minghua, you are different from other Chinese people I have met."

"Really? What are the other Chinese people like?"

"I've seen international students from your country come to us. When it comes to China, some of them are secretive and don't want to mention it; some say it's useless. Is it Ruimi?" Emily looked beside her. female classmate asked.

Remy and Emily seemed to have different personalities. They seemed very quiet and nodded slightly after listening to their companion's words.

Fang Minghua laughed after hearing this.

"We have an old saying in China that a family's ugliness should not be publicized. Maybe some people adhere to this mentality, but I prefer another old saying, an ugly bitch is not too ugly and a poor family is not too bad. There is nothing to be ashamed of, because we are working hard to change it."

Unfortunately, Fang Minghua's English level was not proficient enough, so the other party was a little confused, and finally relied on Ruimi to translate again.

A few people chatted animatedly, and the train finally arrived in Chicago. Fang Minghua also got off the train with everyone.

"Fang Minghua, come with us. We are familiar with each other here often." The enthusiastic Emily invited.

Fang Minghua accepted the invitation, took a taxi to the Lake Theater in Lincoln Park, Chicago, where tonight's awards ceremony will be held, and booked a room at a nearby Express Hotel.

Fang Minghua also enthusiastically treated the three of them to hamburgers and Cokes.

Today, Chicago has become a holy place for science fiction fans. The organizing committee has organized a series of activities, lectures and science fiction movies. Of course, tonight's awards ceremony is the highlight.

Fang Minghua followed Emily and the three of them entered the theater with invitation letters. There were already many people inside. The science fiction award ceremony did not have as many fancy gimmicks as Hollywood awards, and there were no movie stars wearing all kinds of fancy clothes to compete for beauty.

Everyone was dressed very casually, most of them wearing T-shirts and jeans. Of course, a few people were more formally dressed in suits and leather shoes - like Fang Minghua, these are the ones whose works are nominated and may win awards.

The four of them found a place to sit down.

Emily looked around and suddenly exclaimed: "Oh my God. I saw Arthur C. Clark!"

"And Isaac Asimov! They're presenting the awards!"

Two heavyweight science fiction masters appeared at the Nebula Awards at the same time, which naturally added a lot of color to the ceremony.

At 8 o'clock local time, the annual Nebula Awards ceremony officially began.