I am Really a Superstar

On the day of the awards ceremony.

In the afternoon, at home.

Wu Zeqing was helping Zhang Ye style his hair and put on makeup.

“Don’t move around.”

“Aiya, there’s no need for the makeup.”

“I’ll just put on some light foundation.”

“It’s good enough to just style my hair.”

“That won’t do. It’s a formal occasion today.”

“It’s not like I’ve never attended an awards ceremony before.”

“Hur hur, but today’s event is different.”

Zhang Ye had never liked putting on makeup, being the type who didn’t pay much attention to his appearance. If it weren’t for Old Wu buying him clothes or nagging at him to get a haircut, he probably wouldn’t even have had a full set of clothes in a year.

His parents were also here.

And so were Old Wu’s parents. All of them had come to visit their child today.

His father said with a stern look, “Listen to Zeqing.”

His mother curled her lips and said, “What kinds of awards ceremonies were those that you attended in the past? They were just the entertainment circle’s awards ceremonies. And where is the awards ceremony today held at? The! Great! Hall! Of! The! People!”

Li Qinqin smiled and said, “That’s right, you ought to put on makeup if you’re going there.”

“He won’t win an award anyway, so why the fuss?” Wu Changhe said unbothered by their concerns.

Li Qinqin didn’t like hearing that. “He still has to be more serious. Although there isn’t going to be a live broadcast today, the TV stations will still broadcast the recording. When Central TV’s News Channel shows it later, and with our Little Ye so popular, the reporters and the media will surely have their focus on him even if he doesn’t win an award. It won’t be good if he is dressed too casually.”

His clothing was prepared.

His makeup was done as well.

Zhang Ye shrugged as he looked at himself in the mirror. He turned to look at Sisi, who was staring at him, then said with a smile, “My dear, is Daddy handsome?”

Sisi immediately nodded. “Daddy is handsome!”

Zhang Ye said in amusement, “How handsome is Daddy?”

How old was Sisi? How could she possibly describe it? After stuttering forever without being able to express herself, she blushed.

“Don’t get cocky.” His mother gave him a look. “It’s time for you to go.”

Honk.

Honk.

A car was sounding its horn outside the villa.

Wu Zeqing smiled and opened the door. She said to Xin Ya, who was in the car, “He’ll be coming out soon.”

Zhang Ye then said, “Alright, my chauffeur is here. I’ll be leaving now. Wait for the news of my victory!”

Outside, Xin Ya seemed to have heard him. She couldn’t help shouting, “Who’s your chauffeur?”

…

In the car.

Xin Ya looked at him and said, “Why are you so overdressed?”

Zhang Ye said, “Old Wu insisted that I dress well. I couldn’t get her to stop.”

“It’s not like you’re going there to receive an award.” Xin Ya couldn’t help laughing as she spoke.

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I’m still a nominee.”

Xin Ya rolled her eyes. “Goodbye.”

…

Online.

The citizens couldn’t wait any longer.

“Has it started yet?”

“Not yet.”

“I don’t think they’re gonna have a live broadcast of the event.”

“There will probably be updates from the awards ceremony very quickly though.”

“How many awards will be given out this time?”

“I think there will be at least seven or eight?”

“Yeah, things like honorary awards or contribution awards. It seems like there will be quite a few awards given out. But the most important award that everyone has their attention on is still the Highest Science and Technology Award. The other awards are merely consolation prizes that the relevant technologies’ leaders will be presenting. Only the Highest Science and Technology Award will be presented by the President of the Academy!”

“Will it remain unawarded this year?”

“We’ll find out soon.”

…

At 10 AM.

Tiananmen.

The Great Hall of the People.

This was also Zhang Ye and Xin Ya’s first time attending such a formal event. The moment their car arrived, the event staff immediately came over to check their invitations. Then they went through two rounds of security checks before they were allowed in.

Up ahead, more and more people had gathered.

A lot of people were here to attend the awards ceremony.

Xin Ya was a little nervous. In the field of mathematics, she was at most considered a well-known, young mathematician in China. In terms of qualifications, she couldn’t even be considered one of the top mathematicians in China. As such, she couldn’t be blamed for not feeling confident. Practically all of the awards ceremony’s attendees were older than her, and were considered the elites of the scientific and technological community. Together with the pressure of being in the Great Hall of the People, Xin Ya became somewhat restrained in the way she walked.

But it was different for Zhang Ye.

He was exactly the opposite of Xin Ya. This fellow was calm and serene.

In the industry, how many people could be more experienced than Zhang Ye? There really weren’t too many of such people. What awards had he not won before? What hadn’t he been through before? Just his status as a world-famous mathematician alone was enough to let him swagger around, not to mention his other titles.

The venue was up ahead.

The two floors of the auditorium that could seat close to 10,000 people.

Xin Ya walked in as though she was overwhelmed by the venue. She looked at Zhang Ye. “Don’t you feel nervous?”

Zhang Ye turned to face her. “Why would I be nervous?”

All of a sudden, Xin Ya saw an old man. She hissed, “That’s Fellow Liu!”

It was Fellow Liu!

Fellow Liu Qiwei!

He was a research fellow at the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was one of the most prestigious research fellows of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and an extremely famous scientist in China, as well as an idol of Xin Ya’s.

Then Xin Ya whispered, “It’s Fellow Chi!”

Chi Xue, the only female research fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences!

Following, Xin Ya spotted yet another idol of hers from her childhood.

It was Fellow Han, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His main research area focused on information technology and electronics engineering. He had taken part in several projects that contributed to key technological breakthroughs in China, so he could be considered a very famous senior figure in the scientific community. He was also the winner of the Highest Science and Technology Award ten years ago!

Xin Ya was bedazzled by this lineup of attendees.

There were so many scientists here she had heard about but never had the chance to meet!

When Zhang Ye saw her acting all excited and astonished, he couldn’t help but ask, “What’s with you?”

“I’ll talk to you in a bit!” Xin Ya hurried ran over to Fellow Liu and said, “Fellow Liu, good morning.”

Fellow Liu was startled by her greeting. “And you are?”

Xin Ya hurriedly said, “My name is Xin Ya, and I’m in the field of mathematical research, I’ve read your papers and found them extremely helpful. Because of your paper, I nearly transferred to the Physics Department when I was still attending university.”

Fellow Liu pointed at her. “Xin Ya? I’ve heard of you before and think that you’re quite capable. I heard from Little Chi that you’ve been part of several math projects that the country has undertaken? The world right now belongs to you youngsters.”

Xin Ya replied, “No, no, I’m nothing compared to you.”

Fellow Liu said, “Hur hur, you don’t have to be so humble, young lady.”

Xin Ya said, “Can I get your autograph?”

“Fellow Liu smiled and said, “Sure. Hmm? I don’t have a pen.”

Xin Ya felt around and realized she didn’t have a pen either. So she turned around and shouted to Zhang Ye, “Do you have a pen with you?”

Fellow Liu followed her gaze and saw Zhang Ye as well. He trembled as a wave of anger surged through him.

Zhang Ye laughed and said, “Why would I have a pen?” Then he saw Fellow Liu and waved to him. Under Xin Ya’s dumbfounded gaze, he said, “Old Liu, how have you been?”

Old Liu?

Who are you calling Old Liu?

Xin Ya was stunned!

Fellow Liu said in anger. “I would’ve been much better if I didn’t see you!” He then told Xin Ya, “Comrade Little Xin, come look for me later and I’ll sign an autograph for you.”

He turned and walked away.

Xin Ya was dumbfounded. “Old Liu!? What Old Liu?”

The commotion had attracted quite a bit of attention. Some people were looking at Zhang Ye with complex emotions.

Zhang Ye happened to meet the eyes of Fellow Han from the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He greeted, “Old Han, how about a drink tonight? At my place.”

Fellow Han pretended not to have seen him and rolled his eyes as he walked away.

Zhang Ye curled his lips and said, “You still hold a grudge against me?”

Fellow Han turned around and said, “Stay away from me.”

Zhang Ye laughed and said, “I’ve got some really good wine at my place. Don’t you want to try it?”

Fellow Han harrumphed, “Drink your wine? I don’t want you poisoning me!”

Zhang Ye spotted yet another familiar face. “Old Ma.”

Fellow Ma hadn’t seen him at the start. When he heard the voice calling him, he realized who it was without even having to look. Then he quickened his pace and rushed far away in an instant!

A lot of people were watching in surprise.

What was this?

Who was Zhang Ye greeting?

Old Liu?

Old Han?

Old Ma?

Fuck! All of them were famous veteran scientists of China!

What kind of social relations did this guy have?

Why did those veteran scientists all run away to hide the moment they saw him?

Xin Ya was also stunned. Even a fool could see that he knew them from the way he addressed them and spoke to them!

What is happening?

When did this fellow’s network become so widespread?

Didn’t he get locked up in prison for four years? Why does he seem to know more people than me?

Zhang Ye was also left speechless. He thought about why they were all avoiding him!

At this moment, Chi Xue came walking over from afar. Even though Zhang Ye knew a lot of the people here at the venue, Chi Xue was probably the only one who was willing to talk to him.

Xin Ya was startled to see her. “Fellow Chi?”

Chi Xue smiled and said, “Professor Xin? Did the two of you come together?”

“Two of you” was clearly referring to her and Zhang Ye.

Xin Ya said, “Oh, yes.”

Chi Xue smiled and said, “I’ll give you some advice: Stay away from Professor Zhang in the future.”

Xin Ya said, “Ah?”

Chi Xue said, “His relations within the scientific community are terrible.”

Xin Ya knew that Zhang Ye’s social relations with others were bad, but she didn’t know that his reputation was so notorious in the scientific community as well!

Zhang Ye didn’t like hearing that. “What about me? What’s so bad about my relations?”

Chi Xue rolled her eyes. “What do you think?”

Those who didn’t understand the situation would probably have no idea of what Zhang Ye’s name meant to the scientific community. But those who were privy to the inside story, like Fellow Han, Fellow Liu, Fellow Ma, and the others who had dealings with Zhang Ye, probably couldn’t wish more than to direct a loud “damn you” at him from the bottom of their hearts!

In these four years, they had all suffered so much in the hands of Zhang Ye!

In these four years, they had finally realized why so many people called him a shit stirrer!

This fellow was too good at causing trouble!

It was so in show business!

It was so in the crosstalk world!

It was so in the comic world!

And it was so in the scientific community!

At the research institutes.

At the research bases.

In the laboratories.

In the test sites.

Due to work requirements, Zhang Ye had been to many of these places and worked with many of the scientists as well. But any scientist who worked with him only had swear words reserved for him. Before Zhang Ye came to them, their research institutes and laboratories were all peaceful and doing fine. But after Zhang Ye’s arrival, when he took over the relevant project, those scientists and the leaders finally learned what chaos really meant!

Requesting pay raises!

Requesting days off!

Requesting better food!

They would carry out demonstrations!

They would go on strikes!

—All of these were instigated by Zhang Ye!

This fellow was too eloquent at speaking. He had a tongue that was too wicked and too great at incitement, to the point that the researchers employed under them would only listen to Zhang Ye!

The people at Fellow Liu’s research institute went on strike for three days and caused all projects to be stalled!

Fellow Han’s office was blockaded during a demonstration that went on for a whole day and night, and he couldn’t even go to the bathroom!

Fellow Ma had it even worse. Zhang Ye led the researchers in singing “Tears Behind Prison Bars” every day below his office. They accused him of restricting the personal freedom of the researchers and asked for additional annual leave to go back home. Furthermore, all this happened while there was an inspection at the institute by the higher-ups, so it was needless to describe how chaotic the scenes were. Fellow Ma was so angry that his blood pressure shot up and he had to be hospitalized for more than two weeks. In the end, he had no choice but to approve the researchers’ applications for leave.

How hateful!

How exasperating!

Before Zhang Ye came into the picture, everyone was getting along fine. The political thoughts and collective honor of the researchers were impeccable. But after this fellow came over, everything changed. All that the researchers were talking about these days were human rights and the law. Their judicial awareness was even higher than that of fucking American lawyers!

It was at this point that the directors finally remembered who Zhang Ye was. He was a qualified lawyer, and someone who had passed the judicial examination¹ with a perfect score!

They had also taken measures against Zhang Ye!

Complain about him?

Report him?

Protest his actions?

But all of that was useless!

Zhang Ye was the deputy chief designer of the project!

His leadership authority alone was much higher than these scientists. To a certain extent, they even had to take instructions from Zhang Ye and listen to his commands!

So what could they do?

They could only endure it!

And as it went, they ended up tolerating him for more than three years!