Chapter 113: Obstacles to Joining the Association

The debut of "Nian Nu Jiao: Remembering the Past at Red Cliff" sent shockwaves through the traditional literary world. Among poets, it left many feeling utterly outclassed.

"A work of sudden, earth-shattering brilliance—unparalleled throughout the ages."

"A masterpiece of the bold and unconstrained school of poetry; even in the Song Dynasty, where new forms of verse flourished, this would shine as a dazzling gem."

"The author's focus on history and his reflections on life reveal a breadth of spirit rarely seen in history."

"The entire poem uses the past to express deep sentiment; it is majestic, desolate, and grand. With forceful brushwork and a vast horizon, it blends scenery, history, and emotion into an artistic whole that strikes the soul. The author is immensely talented; his future is boundless."

Many venerable seniors in the traditional literary circles were filled with awe. This poem stood like a mountain, blocking the path of history; no one dared to write about the Three Kingdoms again.

When they learned that the author was merely an eighteen-year-old sophomore, many literary giants scrambled to offer themselves as his mentors. However, once they discovered that Su Tong’s background lay in web literature, these giants collectively chose to remain silent.

Web literature had begun to erode the foundations of traditional literature. The literary world was like a finite cake, and the emergence of web literature felt to the traditionalists like the arrival of cheap, "nutritionally void" Western fast food—like KFC or McDonald's—invading the domestic dining industry. Naturally, they were displeased. Having a portion of their "cake" carved away by web literature left them feeling as if their treasures had been snatched by ruffians, a lingering bitterness they could not shake.

That such a timeless masterpiece had come from the hands of a web writer left these traditionalist elders deeply unsettled. Consequently, Principal Song’s strong recommendation for Su Tong to join the National Writers Association was promptly shelved. Many members wanted to reject him but didn't know how to voice it openly, yet accepting him was even more unthinkable.

"We cannot accept him for the time being. His representative works are too few—just two or three. As for his other works, those bizarre things are simply not fit for public display," a vice chairman of the Association stood up to object first.

"I also object. Web literature poisons the physical and mental health of the youth. He lacks social responsibility and is not suitable for membership."

"I object as well. Unless he quits the web literature industry and stops writing online, we might consider letting him join."

"I think we should wait and see. He lacks sufficient accumulation of work."

One objection sparked a chorus of dissent. These individuals were either vice chairmen or members of the presidium. Seeing such widespread opposition, Principal Song felt a tinge of disappointment; she was merely one of forty-five members of the National Writers Association, and her influence was minimal.

Forcing Su Tong to quit the world of web literature was out of the question. Furthermore, although Principal Song hadn't read his work, her daughter, Shi Jiaqin, had mentioned that there were no suggestive or inappropriate plots, so how could it possibly be labeled as poisoning the youth?

Su Tong, of course, was unaware of the drama surrounding his membership. He spent the entire next morning at home, playing with Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao, guiding Xiaoxiao in her painting and Xiaoyu in her piano practice. It wasn't until the afternoon that he ventured out to take Wen Peiyan and the others to the beach for a swim. Li Wen, naturally, didn't miss out, continuing to tag along with Su Tong.

Yang Feifei was furious. Out of their seven-day break, Su Tong had been missing for four full days. It was bad enough that he wasn't spending time with them, but he hadn't even mentioned writing a song for Lin Yin.

After returning from the beach that afternoon, Su Tong called Ya-Ya to tell her about the invitation from Gao Litong’s mother to visit their home.

"Ya-Ya, should I go? This is all so absurd—it’s as if I actually did something to her daughter," Su Tong said, clearly annoyed. He was quite disgruntled with Yang Feifei for gossiping; women were always so talkative.

Upon learning that Xu Jing wanted to host Su Tong, Ya-Ya was also quite surprised. Knowing Xu Jing’s personality, she told Su Tong not to go to avoid ruining his mood, and instead invited him to come over to their villa in Jinbi Garden for dinner that night.

"Hehe," Su Tong replied, seizing the chance to butter her up. "Ya-Ya, you're the best! Is it alright if I bring Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao along?"

"Bring them over. Feifei quite likes those two little girls as well," Ya-Ya agreed without hesitation. In truth, she had another motive: with Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao around, Feifei’s attention would be diverted, and she wouldn't be able to bully Su Tong or take her anger out on him.

No sooner had Su Tong returned home from the beach than Gao Litong called, saying she was on her way to pick him up. Su Tong agreed, then hurried Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao to bathe, telling them to put on their prettiest clothes as they were going out for dinner. The two sisters cheered and dashed into the bathroom together.

Su Tong had spent the afternoon swimming, so he skipped the bath and went to change. By the time he was dressed, the sisters had emerged. He helped them into their rose-princess dresses just as Gao Litong’s car arrived.

Seeing Su Tong walk out with Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao, who looked like little fairies descended from the heavens, Gao Litong froze. When Su Tong shoved the two sisters into her Ferrari, she was even more bewildered, standing there in a daze. She knew Su Tong didn't play by the rules, but this was too much—bringing his two little sisters on his first visit to her parents' house? It was like a divorced man dragging two children to a blind date; it was enough to drive anyone crazy.

Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao hopped into the car happily. Su Tong closed the door and turned to look at the stunned Gao Litong.

"Tong-Tong, you don't really want me to meet your parents either, right?" Su Tong asked in a low voice.

Gao Litong nodded. She knew her mother; if Su Tong went, he would surely return in a state of utter humiliation. Her mother had laid down the law yesterday: four criteria for a boyfriend—must be from a family of equal standing, must be a local, must be reasonably attractive, and must have good character and filial piety. Su Tong failed the first criterion by a country mile, yet it was the most important one.

People don't just build a life together because one is handsome and the other pretty, or because one has talent and the other has virtues. To live together, one needs a common language. If the families are not of equal standing, they belong to different worlds and have too little in common.

"Then that works out perfectly," Su Tong laughed and took her hand. "I don't want to go either. We really are of one mind. Don't worry, once I’ve made my fortune, I’ll come to your house to formally propose. Right now, I’m too poor—I can’t even afford a tire for this Ferrari. I won't go tonight; I mostly wanted you to come over because I haven't seen you in days and I’ve missed you. After all, you’re so beautiful, aren't you?"

Gao Litong felt a bit dizzy, her heart nearly melting under the barrage of Su Tong’s sweet talk. Even though she knew he was spouting nonsense, she couldn't help but want to hear it. Love is blind, after all—otherwise, how could people forgive their partners for cheating time and again?

"So... where should we go to have fun now?" she asked, dazed.