After 10 years, 5,000 words will be free and another 500 words will be given away
"Passengers, our plane is about to land at Xihai Airport. Please fasten your seat belts..." The sweet voice of the stewardess came from the radio.
In the first class cabin, Guan Shouheng secretly grasped the armrest of the seat.
About to arrive.
How many things can be changed in ten years? Things change and people change.
At this moment, only these seven words flashed through his mind.
Ten years ago, he went abroad with the help of Mr. Jin. He first went to Germany and spent two years completing all German courses. Then he went to France, where he majored in the famous Paris III University.
Majoring in French and minoring in Spanish and Arabic.
Later, he went to the United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Russia... He visited many countries and traveled all over the five continents, but he did not go to Canada.
On the day he left ten years ago, he told himself to forget everything about Xihai, but there were always some people and things that were originally just passers-by in life, but later became regular guests in his memory.
Returning to Xihai, everything here is both familiar and strange.
He is back!
It's just that he is no longer the poor boy he was back then. Now, wherever he goes, he will be respectfully called "Mr. Guan" or "Guan Yi". Translation refers to simultaneous interpretation, the highest level of translation in the world today.
level.
That kind of respect comes from the bottom of my heart, not just because of money. Of course, money is also very important.
In the field of simultaneous interpretation, it has always been "if there is no shortage of money, there is a shortage of people."
Simultaneous interpretation is a rare talent in the world. There are only more than 2,000 professional simultaneous interpreters in the world. There is an even greater shortage of simultaneous interpreters in China. According to incomplete statistics, there are only about 30 professional simultaneous interpreters in China.
Things are rare and expensive, and the income of simultaneous interpretation is not calculated in "months", but in "days", more strictly speaking, in "hours" or even "minutes".
Generally speaking, the income of simultaneous interpretation ranges from several thousand to tens of thousands per hour. A certain translation center's quotation for English simultaneous translation is: 2,500 yuan/hour for manuscripts, and 4,000 yuan/hour if the client does not provide manuscripts.
hour, if a senior translator is employed, the rate is 8,000 yuan/hour.
A day's salary of a simultaneous interpreter is even equivalent to a month's income of a white-collar worker, which can be said to be "making money every day".
In addition, the client will also pay for the simultaneous interpretation's board and lodging, air tickets, ground transportation and other related expenses.
Generally speaking, the income is very considerable, so simultaneous interpreters are also called "language gold collars" by the outside world.
It took him ten years to climb to the top of his life, and he had everything he had ever desired. Logically speaking, he should feel satisfied and happy, but in the dead of night, he was still tossing and turning.
I recall the scene from that year over and over again in my mind, and my ex-wife’s words echo in my ears——
"Guan Shouheng, you don't have to apologize. This was not an accident."
"When I was sent to the hospital, the child could still be saved. It was me who told the doctor that I didn't want it anymore."
"Guan Shouheng, do you hate me?"
"How can I have a future with people like you? I was young and ignorant before, and marrying you was a mistake. I want to correct this mistake now."
"I will not give birth to a child for you. I am going to Canada to start a new life."
"Guan Shouheng, let's get a divorce!"
…
He clearly remembered every word she said. Those hurtful words seemed to be engraved into his bones, accompanying his breathing and sleeping all the time.
She was once the princess he held in his hands and cherished, but every word she said to him that day was like a witch's spell, engulfing his heart.
His heart was riddled with holes.
In the past ten years, he has suffered a lot, and it was really difficult to live alone abroad. He has washed dishes, delivered newspapers, worked as a porter, helped people deliver express delivery, and helped people take care of pet dogs... He did
He has worked in so many jobs that he can’t even count them.
But those are not the most uncomfortable things. The most unbearable thing is facing racial discrimination.
So even though he later became more fluent in spoken English than the locals, he was still looked down upon.
But he had tasted the warmth and coldness of the world, but never gave up, because his heart was full of resentment and anxiety. Whenever he was about to be unable to hold on any longer, he would close his eyes and recall the painful memories, using the heart-piercing pain to
, to remind yourself that you must never give up!
He swore that if he saw her again, he would repay the pain twice as much!
As his academic qualifications get higher and higher, when it becomes easier for him to make money, and when he is given more and more respect by others, he feels that he is getting closer and closer to that day, but his soul is getting closer and closer to that day.
emptiness.
He suddenly didn't know what he had been fighting for for so many years. What was the meaning? His youth had been buried long ago, and his lost feelings could never be replaced. And the child would never come back.
.
child……
The pupils of his clear eyes shrank painfully.
Not sure if it was an auditory hallucination, but he actually heard the child's cry.
"Wow..." On the seat next to him, a baby brought by a young father suddenly cried loudly.
The plane was already in a descending state. It may be due to the change in air pressure that the baby became uncomfortable and cried loudly.
"Baby, be good, don't cry, don't cry, daddy is here... Be good, don't be afraid, daddy loves you..." The young father was in a hurry.
"Wow wow wow..." The baby cried even harder.
People on the plane looked sideways. The young father was very embarrassed and apologized quickly, "Sorry, this child is usually taken care of by her mother and doesn't follow me very much. I'm sorry for disturbing everyone."
"It's okay, it's okay, it's a little kid, please calm her down." The passengers understood very well.
The young father quickly coaxed his baby again, but the more he coaxed him, the harder the baby cried. After a while, his head started to sweat.
"Baby, daddy, please, please? Stop crying. If you cry again, daddy will want to cry too!" the young dad said pleadingly.
Guan Shouheng stared blankly for a moment, feeling that this father was really pitiful, but the distressed and happy expression on his face was really enviable.
He quickly looked away and closed his eyes, feeling a little dizzy.
What's wrong? Is it airsickness?
The plane was almost landing before I started to get airsick. Is it too late?
He smiled bitterly, truly admiring his ability to deceive himself and others.
He is obviously jealous! Moreover, he is too stupid to laugh at himself.
Yes, it was really silly. In fact, when he first got on the plane, he noticed the father and daughter. The father was very young and the little girl was very cute. The passengers next to him couldn't help but come up to tease and tease them.
He held her little hand and touched her little face, but he was the only one who didn't go over, even though he was sitting closest.
He thought he could just not look at it or think about it, but in fact, there was some pain that he would never forget no matter how long it took.
In the past ten years, he has traveled to many countries and met many children, but no matter how beautiful or cute the child was, he would never take a second look.
And the younger the child, the less he can bear it.
Just like the little girl next to him, she is like a little meat dumpling. Her father said that the little girl is 6 months old.
6 months!
This is what he can't stand the most!
This number reminded him of his own child back then. His child was also 6 months old, but it was just in his mother's belly.
On the day he went abroad, he took nothing with him except the ultrasound photo he took back from the hospital when he accompanied her for her last prenatal check-up.
He later shrunk the photo, put it in his wallet, and carried it with him wherever he went.
As his money grows more and more, and as the cards and business cards in his wallet become thicker and thicker, the hatred in his heart becomes stronger and stronger.
He traveled far and wide and experienced many vicissitudes of life. It was that photo that supported him and made him indestructible. It was also that photo that made him know that his heart was still soft.
The gender of that little child at that time was not yet known, but his facial features were clearly visible, and he looked like him and her.
Although he has not fully grown up yet, he can see from the photos what a beautiful and lovely person that child will be after he is born and grows up.
He still remembered that when he accompanied her for a prenatal check-up for the first time, there was only a small peanut in the photo. He felt that it was magical at that time. How could it be so small?
And the last time, it was shocking, how could it be so great?
He watched that little life change little by little and grow up little by little, but when it was about to mature and die, it suddenly disappeared... The pain was heartbreaking.
Having gained and then losing, nothing in the world is more cruel than this.
He couldn't imagine how the already-formed child was strangled and turned into a bloody mass. The moment he learned that the child was gone, he felt sick and wanted to vomit. Later, he even fell into the root of the disease.
, I feel nauseated frequently when I see meat.
Since then, he has only been vegetarian.
"Sir, it's time to get off the plane." The beautiful stewardess came over and reminded him.
Guan Shouheng suddenly came to his senses and realized that the plane had already stopped, the other passengers had also left, and he was the only one left in the cabin.
He unbuckled his seat belt, his expression did not change, but he was extremely embarrassed inside.
Is it really a case of cowardice? He could lose control like this!
He took off his suitcase and left the cabin in silence.
At the airport pick-up port outside, the crowd had already dispersed, leaving only two men in suits and leather shoes waiting. One was holding a sign with his name in his hand, and the other was looking at his watch frequently.
It's them!
He carried the suitcase and approached slowly. The two men were stunned at the same time.
"Guan Shouheng." He took the initiative and stretched out his hand.
"Hello, Mr. Guan!" The two men looked a little panicked and explained awkwardly, "Sorry, Mr. Guan, we didn't expect you to be so young."
Didn’t the leader say that Mr. Guan is a popular figure at international conferences? Why is he so young?
When meetings are busy, such as March-July and September-December, the schedule is often very full, and some meetings need to be booked more than a month in advance.
Someone who can reach Mr. Guan's level in the field of simultaneous interpretation must be in his forties, but he looks less than thirty!
Such a famous figure in the industry is only in his twenties? He is really too young!
"Young?" Guan Shouheng laughed at himself. Yes, at 27 years old, he is really still very young. Whether it is life or career, it is the best golden period for a man, especially in this industry. From the outside world, he
, you would think that he is the kind of person at the top of the pyramid. He goes to luxury hotels, attends international conferences, and the people he comes into contact with are usually high-end people like the president, and they are in close contact, and his income in one day is as much as others in a month, or even more.
, he should be so proud! But why does he feel that his heart is getting old?
"Let's go." He said lightly, his voice low and full of emotion.
The two men were respectful. The car had already been prepared outside. It was a black high-end business car, low-key but high-end. It was specially used to pick up important people. The entire car had been specially treated. The windows and body were all bulletproof.
of.
"Mr. Guan, please."
Guan Shouheng nodded slightly, bent down and sat in, and politely thanked him, "Thank you."
The man who put the suitcase for him and closed the car door for him was startled again. He was so polite!
Being in Gaofan Bureau, of course they understand the people in this industry. Most of the people here are proud and indifferent. Unless necessary, they are basically "hard to talk".
However, this is understandable. Translators, especially those who do simultaneous interpretation, are under pressure that ordinary people cannot imagine. They are required to be highly nervous and extremely focused when working. Their standard is "only success.
Can’t make a mistake”.
Over time, almost all translators will develop the habit of silence and calmness. In addition, they are really, really tired, and they speak very little. Every word in their mouths is valuable.
But this Mr. Guan...
Well, even though it was just a thank you, they still felt very weird.
Because Mr. Guan gave people the impression that he was very silent and unwilling to deal with others, but he did not hesitate to thank them for their small service, which really made them feel flattered!
"Mr. Guan, you're welcome!" The two men suddenly became nervous.
Guan Shouheng slightly raised his lips, what's the point? This is a kind of basic respect, isn't it?
Regardless of status, regardless of ability, everyone has his own dignity. Between people, no one owes anyone. No one should serve you or treat you well, so you must learn to respect.
The driver quickly started the engine, but because they came out late, there were already many cars in front of them and there was some congestion in the lane. For a while, they were unable to leave the airport.
Time is everything. Guan Shouheng opened the briefcase he carried with him, took out the documents inside and looked through it. The most important task when he returned to China this time was to prepare for the "Wanshi Expo".
As the name suggests, the "Ten Thousand City Expo" is an expo jointly created by 10,000 cities around the world, just like the "World Expo".
It is the first time for the "Wanshi Expo" to be held in China, and it is also the first time for Xihai to host it. It goes without saying that all parties attach great importance to it.
Glory to glory, the pressure is also great. The first difficulty is the language barrier.
There are 10,000 cities, from more than 200 countries and regions around the world, and all major language families in the world. Regardless of the content of the expo, just the preliminary communication is already a heavyweight problem.
He came back this time at the special invitation of Gaofan Bureau. After all, he is a native of Xihai. He has lived here for 17 years and is so familiar with everything here. He was requested by the director by name and was approved by the superior department.
, said he was the most suitable candidate.
He didn't know whether it was suitable or not. He only knew that he was filled with emotion when he came back this time.
Ten years, how many decades are there in life? In the blink of an eye, feelings, youth, flesh and blood are all wiped out.
While he was silent, the cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated. It was the director of the Gaofan Bureau calling in person, "Guan Yi, I'm really sorry. I just attended a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I really can't get away. Otherwise, I
I will pick you up personally."
"You're welcome."
"Hey, I'm so sorry! Guan Yi, I arranged a dinner here at the Haidu Building, specially to welcome you."
"Fang Ju, you are really too polite. There is no need for this."
"You're not being polite, I know you don't like socializing, so you didn't find too many people."
Guan Shouheng knew this was inevitable, but...
"It's just me, a few translators, and our city's biggest entrepreneur, Director Zhang. There are no outsiders, so you don't have to worry."
Director Zhang? It turns out that the city’s largest entrepreneur has been replaced by someone else.
That's right, ten years ago, his ex-mother-in-law may have gone overseas to develop.
This is really the best thing to do to avoid the awkwardness of the meeting.
"Then it's settled, Guan Yi, you go to the hotel to rest first, and then ask the driver to take you over. You can do whatever you want with the two people who pick you up, and don't see anyone outside!"
Guan Shouheng slightly raised his lips and said, "Thank you very much."
"Everywhere, everything should be done." Director Fang is actually not being polite, but he values talents from the bottom of his heart. He has seen many translators, but after almost a lifetime, this is the first time he has seen such an outstanding person as Guan Shouheng.
translator.
It was an important meeting. The newly appointed president of cda company is a Parisian. Like that city, he is romantic and unique. The new official has taken office and has a distinctive personality. The translators in the "box" are not used to his speaking style, regardless of
Whether it's the speed of speech or the choice of words, people can't get used to it.
Simultaneous interpretation is not as simple as translating one language into another. It is also very demanding in terms of time, and even requires a "lead time". The interpreter is about two seconds faster than the speaker's thinking.
That is to say, when the speaker says a sentence, the interpreter must immediately predict in advance what he will roughly say next, and then translate it immediately within two seconds.
At that meeting, the newly appointed Paris president frightened many people. His unique way of thinking and a word he picked at his fingertips made the translators miserable. However, in front of the world's media and dozens of people around the world watching the live broadcast,
In front of an audience of hundreds of millions, and in the face of the interests of both parties whose transaction volume is measured in billions, no mistakes are allowed or allowed!
He had been working in this industry for decades, and he broke into a cold sweat at that time, but he turned on the French channel on his headphones and suddenly heard a young, clean, and steady voice.
Generally speaking, at international conferences, there will be two or three people in a "box" to form a group. The members of the group perform their duties and complete the translation task together. But that day, he heard only one person from beginning to end.
the sound of.
That person is Guan Shouheng.
That day, he acted as the translator for both the Chinese and French parties. It was a very difficult task. Not only did the translator need to be quick-thinking and responsive, but he also had to follow the speaker's thinking rhythm when translating.
”.
Not only must you be careful, but you must also be bold and dare to open your mouth to translate. Don't get stuck. If you pause and cannot translate, the situation will be very embarrassing.
But Guan Conservation did it, and did it very well.
An excellent simultaneous interpreter is by no means a simple microphone, he is also the host who controls the rhythm of the meeting.
When should it be fast, when should it be slow, when should it be stated, when should it be lyrical, every detail must be the best and perfect.
Simultaneous interpretation is not just a technology, it is an art!
Excellent simultaneous interpreters are like magicians on the stage, performing unparalleled wonderful performances in ways that others cannot see.
After the meeting that day, he went to the "box" specifically. After the meeting, he was even more surprised. What he saw was such a young translator!
Wearing simple black trousers and a white shirt, he has a slender figure, an indifferent expression, and speaks calmly and calmly.
If there is a spokesperson for the translator profession, then Guan Shouheng is undoubtedly the top candidate!
Moreover, he is still so young, his handsome appearance, and his absolute strength, all of which indicate that as long as he wants, he will definitely become China's chief translator!
How could he let such a talent drain? So after the meeting, he immediately made a report to his superiors, and thus the cooperation with the "Wanshi Expo" came into being.
After the simple call ended, Guan Shouheng silently put down his phone, lowered his head and continued to read the information, but he could no longer concentrate.
The city's largest entrepreneur has changed people, but what about her? After divorcing him, she probably went to Canada. I don't know if she settled there permanently, but even if she returns to China, she will definitely not return to Xihai.
Bar.
At this moment, he finally discovered that the person he once loved had disappeared from this world as early as the day he said goodbye.
Ridiculous, what is he expecting in his heart? Didn't he swear long ago that if he sees her again, he will retaliate against her severely?
So, it’s better not to meet him, otherwise he doesn’t know what he will do!
The cars in the lane ahead moved forward slowly, and their car also started to move forward. He raised his head inadvertently, and a slender figure burst into his view outside the side window.
The car drove quickly, and the figure flashed past.
He turned around subconsciously, but only saw the vehicle following him.
Was it a mistake?
It can't be her.
First, he had just thought about it, there was no way she would be in Xihai.
Second, the woman just now was dressed simply, with messy hair, a bag slung over her shoulder, a travel agency's colorful flag in her hand, and a microphone seemed to be pinned to her ear.
He had done that kind of job many times, as a foreign language translator with a tour group. In terms of income, he thought it was a lot back then, but now it seems that it is insignificant.
He still remembered that she didn't like him taking that kind of job. It turned out that she was right, the money was really not worth mentioning.
How could she, a proud girl like her, even look down on him going to work, do it herself?
She was a young lady who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The wedding ring he bought her back then was not as good as the diamond on her shoe. So, how could it be her?
No way!
Guan Shouheng silently withdrew his gaze to stop his random thoughts.
Perhaps it is the fear of being close to home that leads to such an illusion?