Chapter 333 Congratulations from space (seeking monthly ticket)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Bunka Kaikan and the World Science Fiction Convention are about to open.
Media from all over the world gathered here to shoot and report news.
At the same time, relevant TV stations in Japan from various countries also turned on their signal transmitters and began to obtain network connections with domestic media to conduct live broadcasts of the conference.
Wang Lei, a reporter from my country's CCTV media, was among them. He arrived at the club an hour in advance, got in touch with the CCTV news channel, and was always waiting for Zheng Qian's arrival.
For Wang Lei, Zheng Qian's invitation to participate in the World Science Fiction Convention was indeed beyond his imagination.
Of course he knew about Zheng Qian, a top domestic artist and superstar, but few people seemed to know about the science fiction novelist, especially the novel called "The Three-Body Problem". Before Wang Lei received the interview assignment today, he didn't know much about it.
Never heard of this novel.
Wang Lei even thought that Zheng Qian was just here to show his face and run with him, so the probability of winning the prize was not high.
Because since the birth of the Hugo Award, no Chinese writer has won the award at all.
In other words, there are no Hugo Award winners in the entire Asia.
After all, American science fiction is the most developed in the world. The imagination of East Asian countries is not enough to compete with American science fiction literature. Moreover, China does not pay much attention to science fiction. More than ten years ago, there was not even a single science fiction book.
If you can’t even sow seeds, how can you harvest?
Fortunately, with the reform and opening up, the awakening of various ideologies, and the introduction of foreign reading materials, people have gradually enriched the phenomenon of science fiction. And with the rise of various aerospace industries, people are also full of many concerns about outer space.
Imagine that science fiction literature has gradually gained popularity in China. In recent years, many excellent science fiction works have been produced.
Among them, "The Three-Body Problem" naturally attracted attention, but because it was a small-circle reading, it did not cause much repercussions in society.
For example, Wang Lei doesn't pay much attention to science fiction literature.
He had heard of the Hugo Award. This is the highest award in the field of science fiction art. Strictly speaking, it is an award more difficult to win than the Nobel Prize for Literature. Many people in Asian countries have won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
But there is no Hugo Award so far.
Therefore, when he learned that Zheng Qian was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Wang Lei was actually very happy despite being surprised.
This shows that our science fiction literature and art field has taken another big step forward, and the level of creation has been in line with the international society.
But if he really can win the prize, Wang Lei thinks there is little hope.
But as time passed, Wang Lei gradually became a little surprised when his ears were full of voices discussing the novel "The Three-Body Problem".
Especially when he saw Zheng Qian arriving at the scene, all the writers, readers and related staff rushed forward. When everyone shook hands with Zheng Qian with radiant faces, Wang Lei felt a little dull.
The style of painting is wrong.
Completely different from the low-key entrance you imagined!
He even saw Ms. Susanna, Ms. Kelly and Mr. Charles, the most popular nominees for this year's Hugo Award, top science fiction writers, all holding the novel "The Three-Body Problem" in their hands and sincerely requesting Zheng Qian's autograph and taking a group photo.
This subverted Wang Lei's imagination.
"Brother Lei, it's begun." the photographer reminded.
Wang Lei came back to his senses, quickly picked up the microphone, and showed a professional smile to the camera: "Our reporter Wang Lei is bringing real-time reports to you in Tokyo, Japan. You can see that not far away, our writer from China
Zheng Qian has arrived at the scene, and it is obvious that he has received a warm welcome, even beyond my imagination. It seems that the science fiction literary works created by our Chinese writers are very popular around the world."
"Now, everyone, follow the camera and come with me to interview Zheng Qian, the author of the work "The Three-Body Problem" nominated for this year's Hugo Award for Best Feature."
Wang Lei did not mention Zheng Qian's identity and status in the domestic entertainment industry. After all, on such a solemn occasion and under the CCTV camera, it was more safe to mention Zheng Qian's identity at this moment.
When the camera slowly walked in, Zheng Qian and Stephen were preparing to follow the staff into the club and take their seats. Only when they heard Wang Lei's shout did Zheng Qian come back to his senses. When he saw the CCTV logo, he stopped and smiled.
Seeing that Zheng Qian was very cooperative, Wang Lei immediately said: "Hello, Zheng Qian, I am CCTV reporter Wang Lei. Thank you for accepting our interview. First of all, congratulations on being nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Feature. How are you feeling now?"
"
"I'm very excited." Zheng Qian said with a smile, and then waved his hand, telling Stephen not to worry about him and take a seat first.
Stephen naturally knew the CCTV logo, but he was not interested in showing his face. After hearing this, he nodded and turned to the VIP table.
"But you look very calm, as if you feel that you have a chance to win?"
"Not really, I just think it's great to be here. After all, the Hugo Award is still very important in the field of science fiction literature."
"I actually learned today that the presenter of the Best Feature Award this time may come from outer space..."
Zheng Qian was a little surprised when he heard this sentence: "Outer space?"
"Yes, this is some speculation after we communicated with the organizers of the conference. The specific method of awarding the awards is still confidential. It may be announced later."
Wang Lei looked at the time and said sincerely: "I wish Zheng Qian that you will eventually win the Hugo Award. Can we have a chat after the award ceremony?"
Zheng Qian did not refuse and readily agreed.
At present, the news related to the Hugo Awards must be disseminated by CCTV. Zheng Qian is actually very confident about whether he can win the award. Before coming, he had learned about several other works that were nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Feature.
Although each of them is a top science fiction writer in Europe and the United States, in terms of popularity and depth, there is still some gap between them and "The Three-Body Problem".
This shows that "The Three-Body Problem" has a great chance of winning this year's Best Feature Award.
Moreover, in its previous life, "The Three-Body Problem" had already received various honors and won a Hugo Award, so Zheng Qian didn't think it was a big problem.
Wang Lei asked Zheng Qian a few more simple questions and ended the conversation.
Before the Hugo Award is officially announced, all talk is a bit premature. If "The Three-Body Problem" really wins the Hugo Award, Wang Lei feels that the domestic science fiction literature market may usher in a sea-shaking change.
For China, this is also a zero breakthrough.
The Hugo Award Ceremony was held in Tokyo, and was naturally warmly received by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Japan's top symphony orchestras and singers came on stage one by one to add luster to the award ceremony and prevent it from being too boring.
After the various programs ended, the awards ceremony officially began.
The first is the announcement of the short story winner of the Hugo Award, which was won by American writer Federee Resnick for his work "Along with the Gods". The award was presented by the director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bunka Kaikan.
The venue for this award ceremony is completely free of charge, and all costs are borne solely by the Cultural Center and the local government.
Although the conference only lasted two or three hours, in order to have this Hugo Awards Ceremony settled in Tokyo, the Japanese government spent a lot of effort and scrambled from the whirlpool of countries around the world. There is no doubt that it can
Hosting the Hugo Awards is a huge honor for Tokyo.
All science fiction fans in the world will focus their attention here.
This has a huge role in improving the image of Japanese culture.
Zheng Qian saw the award-winning writer Fei Di holding the trophy with an excited expression on his face, and he felt a bit of envy and expectation in his heart.
He also attaches great importance to this award, otherwise he would not come in person. This award is the highest honor in the heart of every science fiction fan. In his previous life, Liu missed the award ceremony and regretted it. At that time, the staff at the conference had a somewhat cold attitude, which resulted in
Da Liu thought that there was little hope of winning the prize, but who knew that he would win the prize later, and the translator would receive the award on his behalf. At that time, all the glory was occupied by one translator, which led to Da Liu often feeling regretful many years later.
Zheng Qian didn't want to keep this regret on himself, so he had to come.
He felt that he would definitely win the award.
This is not a mysterious confidence, this is absolute belief!
Of course, he also saw the lonely and depressed expressions on the faces of several short story nominees around him after they were unsuccessful...
No one pays attention.
This is a loser.
Zheng Qian squeezed his hands and felt a little nervous.
The calmness from beginning to end was somewhat shaken at this moment.
Soon, amid applause and congratulations, the short story winner Fei Di came off the stage excitedly holding the trophy and hugged some friends excitedly.
Next are the short and novella winners. The winner is British beauty writer Kelly Tina's work "Handbag". The awardee is Tokyo Governor Ishihara Hayashibe, the highest chief executive of Tokyo.
Ishihara Linbu is also one of the important participants in promoting the holding of this conference.
As a well-known beautiful science fiction writer, Kelly has a curvy figure and a variety of charms. She is a rare writer in the circle who has both good looks and strength. When she walked up to the front stage excitedly and received the trophy from Ishihara Hayashibe, the whole person was filled with excitement.
Everyone exudes a strange temptation, which makes many old otakus in the audience blush.
Kelly thanked the publishing house, readers, parents, etc. who had always supported her. Finally, she changed the subject and looked at Zheng Qian in the audience: "Qin, there were too many people just now, and I couldn't communicate with you, but
Now, on behalf of my good sister, Miss Fanny, the author of the famous fantasy novel "Gulliver's Fantasy Journey", I would like to say to you, come on! You will get your favorite award!"
Then, he blew a kiss to Zheng Qian, smiled, and then jumped off the podium.
The whole place was in an uproar instantly.
""Gulliver's Fantastic Journey"? I have read this book. It is wonderful. Fanny is also one of my favorite authors!"
"Ah, strong youth, strong hormonal smell!"
"Miss Fannie and Mr. Zheng may have an unusual relationship!"
"Kelly and Fannie have a better relationship, and they were actually willing to cheer for Mr. Cheng at the award ceremony!"
"Fanny is also said to be a beautiful writer. Mr. Zheng is so beautiful and blessed. I'm so envious!"
"It's hard to imagine that European and American women can have such high regard for an Asian man. I guess that's where the charm of science fiction writers lies!"
"If you can write "The Three-Body Problem", I will also be willing to wander in your imagination and become your loyal fan!"
"I feel that Mr. Zheng is gentle and polite. His temperament and calmness seem to have the blood of our Japanese people."
The whole hall was very lively at this time, with intensive discussions.
Zheng Qian was stared at from all directions and felt a little embarrassed.
Stephen next to him smiled and said: "I didn't expect you to know Fanny. She is a popular beauty writer in the United States and is very influential among the younger generation."
"We know each other."
Zheng Qian recalled the image of Fanny running to Europe to watch his concert, and shook his head and said, "We are not very close."
Stephen looked unbelieving.
If we are not familiar with each other, how can we drag our friends thousands of miles to say hello on our behalf? Or on such a grand and solemn occasion?
Not only Stephen didn't believe it, but other guests at the meeting didn't believe it either.
It is probably at this time that gossip begins.
But Zheng Qian didn't take it seriously. He and Fanny were indeed innocent, and Fanny only had a slight liking for Zheng Qian because of "The Three-Body Problem", plus her performance during the European tour.
, to Fanny's surprise, from beginning to end, Zheng Qian was just a member of the opposite sex whom Fanny admired very much.
Subsequently, the conference awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel.
It was won by American writer Charles Scott for his work "The Jungle Book" and the award was presented by Adam Benson, secretary-general of the Science Fiction Convention.
So far, the Hugo Awards for short story, short novella, and long novella have been awarded.
The most important award, the Hugo Award for Best Feature, will be announced at the end.
At this moment, the entire hall could hear the drop of a pin, and everyone's eyes were focused on the podium and the four nominated science fiction writers.
Cameras from all over the world were focused on this scene.
The first one is Suzanne Jeange from France, a science fiction writer about forty years old, whose nominated work is "Mr. Jonas".
The second person is Dylan Grantham, a science fiction writer from the United States. He is in his early fifties and his nominated work is "Weird Magazine".
The third person is also from the United States, but he may have missed the award ceremony because he felt that he had little hope of winning and was busy with work.
The last one is Zheng Qian from China, a new generation of science fiction writer, 24 years old, with the nominated work "The Three-Body Problem".
Under the attention of everyone, the host of the conference stood on the stage, took the microphone and said: "I'm sorry, the presenter of this year's Hugo Award for Best Long Story is not here..."
Under the surprised eyes, the host paused and said: "Where is the presenter? I think you can't imagine it, because he is about 350 kilometers away from the earth at the moment. Yes, he is in space.
…”
The scene was filled with astonishment.
Some people even couldn't help but stand up, feeling inexplicably excited.
"He is, on the International Space Station, astronaut Laurie Robinson from NASA!"
The host came back to his senses, pointed to the big screen in the center of the hall, and said with a smile in the midst of shocked eyes: "Please look up and see the congratulations from the award presenter from space!"