Chapter 240 Encounter on the train
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". Could it be because your father once worked as a teacher? Right?”
After speaking, Jack laughed and continued: “Also, Emily, have you ever thought about it, no science fiction written by a Chinese has ever won the Nebula Award, let alone the Chinese, all Asians None!”
“There is a first time for everything. Look, isn’t India’s Tagore the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature? And Japan’s Kawabata Yasunari is 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.
The girl named Remy has a flaxen ponytail, a high nose and a pair of black eyes. She is a typical mixed race.
"I like "Poetry Cloud"." 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 the girl of Chinese descent 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." 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 still 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, dried it in the dryer, and put it on again this morning.
Only without a tie.
The girl finally 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 I am going to Chicago."
"You go to Chicago. ? Are there any relatives there?" the Chinese girl asked curiously, also switching to English.
"I have friends, but I mainly attended the Nebula Awards ceremony this time." Fang Minghua told the truth.
“Are you a science fiction fan too?!” the girl with flaming red lips exclaimed next to her.
"Yes."
The common hobbies quickly shortened the distance between each other.
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: "It is impossible for that novel to win the award. It can't be compared with "Blood Child" and "Slayer 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 starting from this year. And in the future, the “Hope Project” will be established. Help out-of-school children in poor areas. In short, we are working hard to make our country a better place, and it 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 other Chinese people like?"
"I I have seen international students from your country come to us. When it comes to China, some of them are secretive and unwilling to mention it; classmate, asked.
Remy and Emily seemed to have different personalities. They seemed very quiet and nodded slightly after listening to their companions.
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, it is not too ugly for a bitch and not too poor for a dog. There is nothing to be ashamed of, because We are working hard to change.”
Unfortunately, Fang Minghua’s English was not proficient enough, which made the other party feel a little confused, and finally relied on Ruimi to translate again.
A few people chatted animatedly. The train finally arrived in Chicago, and 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, the city of 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 and Emily entered the theater with invitations. There were already many people inside. The science fiction awards ceremony did not have as many fancy gimmicks as the Hollywood awards, and there were no movie stars wearing all kinds of fancy clothes to compete for beauty.
Everyone dressed very casually, most of them wearing T-shirts and jeans. Of course, a few people wore more formal suits and leather shoes - like Fang Minghua, these are the works that 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 They are the presenters!”
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 8:00 local time, the annual Nebula Awards Ceremony officially begins.
(End of this chapter)