Chapter 122 120. Whispers fall into my house! (It's the beginning of the month, ask for a monthly pass!)

  Yanjing, somewhere.

  In the meeting room.

  The most eye-catching thing in the entire conference room may be the three torches placed in the middle of the conference table.

  First of all, they have a highly similar part, that is, red can be seen on each torch.

  Golden red, silver red, bright red.

  Red, as a necessary color, was designed by the designers of these three torches into their works with unprecedented consistency.

  The second is the difference in style.

  Some torches are designed with a sense of technology, and the bright red has a crystal-like texture. And some are full of thickness, as the most noble color of gold in the Chinese culture, when paired with the red, it seems to complement each other so well.

  But I don’t know if it’s an illusion. Under the light at this moment, no matter whether it’s golden red or bright red, it seems that they have become the foil of the silver-red torch with slight curls.

  Red and silver, paired with the auspicious cloud pattern full of traditional symbols, no matter how you look at it, it looks so harmonious.

  At this moment, the three torches are shining brightly in the light.

  But the people sitting in front of this conference table looked very cautious, all of them looked serious, and their eyes revealed the meaning of thinking.

   Some people even have hesitation in their eyes, looking at the three torches, look left, look right...

   Some people even let out a sigh.

   And it was this sigh that directly opened up the originally silent atmosphere in this meeting room:

   "Then let me make a statement first."

  The man said:

"I still like the No. 237 design of Zhang Yimou's team. I think it can highlight the history and culture of our country more than the other two. Its meaning is scrolls, paper, and scrolls. And the bamboo slips from the pre-Qin period , to rice paper, imperial decrees... things like scrolls themselves have a meaning of inheritance of destiny. And... maybe it's my personal prejudice. Torch No. 17, which is made of gold craftsmanship, I think is missing A virtue of thrift and frugality. And the No. 237 plan is very in line with our humble spirit. So...my opinion is still it, No. 237. I think it has the romantic spirit in our bones and can be combined with traditional culture. It is the most suitable."

  After he finished speaking, he lit a cigarette on his own.

  In the smoke slowly, another person spoke:

"But won't it be too old? Through the performance of the closing ceremony in Athens, we can see that what everyone needs is something new. This is a grand event that attracts the attention of people all over the world, and what everyone looks forward to is to express our ever-changing spirit." Change, rather than sticking to the old. Scrolls, paper, and auspicious clouds are indeed part of our culture. But everyone’s most urgent wish is to express our new ideas. Therefore, I insist on plan 17. Although It’s more expensive to build, but it’s full of technology.”

  “Plans 237 and 17 actually have their own advantages and disadvantages in my opinion. What about plan 41?… This bright red is obviously more in line with our mainstream culture…”

"No. 41 is in line, but its distinctiveness is really not enough. Our important thing is to show our sincerity, isn't it? I think the No. 17 plan is very good. We are thriving forward, and we will inherit history, but If people want to see our future, we should show them our future."

"No, no, culture should be a link between the past and the future. We should not choose to completely discard the past. It is not old, but our tradition. The treasure preserved after the evolution of our civilization. In terms of revealing culture, it is obvious that only No. 237 was given this unique mission."

"I also agree that our torch should start from Athens and spread all over the world. We don't just want to satisfy the people, this torch is more like a business card passed on to the world through the Olympic Games. There are many similar torches, but this is the first time we hold the Olympic Games. Everyone is focusing on us, and we must show our differences at this time. To put it mildly, this is the cultural difference between the East and the West. It’s too big... Isn’t this a kind of propaganda that belongs to us? So I insist on No. 237. In my opinion, we don’t need to benchmark against the West. We have to go our own way!”

  “I object. No. 17 is not without traditional symbols. On the contrary, from gold to design concepts...it is more in line with the pure spirit of the Olympics...”

   Discussions are endless.

   But people who attended these meetings also knew it in their hearts.

  This meeting is no different from the previous ones.

  The main point of contention seems to be the torch, but it is actually a difference in consciousness.

   Is it new, or a combination of old and new.

  If this matter is put forward, it is really a good choice.

   It is a matter of course for us to inherit the tradition and build on the past.

  But after eight minutes in Athens, when I felt everyone's urgent need to be thrown away by the world and re-understand our mentality, it was difficult to choose.

   But today's meeting was actually a little bit different.

   That's... it's the last focused meeting of the review team.

  The higher authorities require that, as of today, they be elected and reported with the results of the election, which will be directly approved by the leaders.

   So, while everyone is still discussing.

   But the actual appeal is to be able to clearly explain the pros and cons of each torch, and the staff on the side will record it. After the final vote, the final choice will be given to the leader to decide.

  So, the meeting held a discussion for nearly 30 minutes.

  Finally, in the words: "Everyone, let's start the last vote", the voting began.

  Everyone has a sticky note in their hands, it’s not that complicated, you just need to make your own choice. Whether it is No. 17, No. 237, or No. 41, write it on, fold it, and hand it over to the staff.

   Soon, voting ends.

  Holding a small box full of voting papers, the leader nodded:

   "Okay, the final result will be produced here. If it is confirmed that there is a vote, then we will add another round. If not, then this result is the final result of the review team, and I will report it directly in the afternoon. Do you have any comments?"

   "..."

   "..."

   "..."

   Of course no one has an opinion.

  So, the leader handed the box directly to the secretary next to him:

   "Let's start counting the tickets."

"yes."

  The secretary took it over, glanced at the staff standing in front of the blackboard, nodded, unfolded the first ticket, glanced at it, and said:

   "Number 237."

  …

  The safety clearance of "Golden Armor" has been approved, which means that the crew can go to Wulong again.

   This is the news given a day ago.

   A day later, Zhang Yimou's filming team was ready to set off.

  Including Yang Mi, several actors and film crews in Yanjing are going to go.

   But Xu Xin was not brought along.

because…

  Zhang Yimou got the news that the results of the torch vote have come out.

  When Xu Xin thought it was the final result and wanted to know if he had been selected, Zhang Yimou shook his head and told him:

   "This is the final vote, but whether it is adopted or not, it still needs to be reported to the higher authorities, and it can only be announced after getting an approval. So... don't worry."

  As soon as the news came out, Xu Xin spent the past few days without thinking about food and drink.

  Because the results have not yet come out, it is not clear whether there will be any convening news from the organizing committee, so Xu Xin was left in Yanjing this time.

   On the night before parting, the girl did not come either.

  She has to go home and pack her bags.

  But they rushed over early in the morning.

   When I came, it was not yet 5:30.

  She lied to her father that she was on the plane at 6:50, so she came here early.

   Not for anything else, just to comfort my boyfriend who has been feeling very anxious these days.

   Hiding in her boyfriend's arms, her eyes were like water:

   "Brother, no matter what the result is... wait for me to come back, okay?"

   Just like that, Xu Xin personally sent her to the airport with the suitcase, paving the way for her boyfriend whether he deserved the ecstasy or the comfort after the loss.

   After Zhang Yimou and others left, he continued to study the subject of "Water from the Yellow River Comes from the Sky".

   It's just... anyone with a discerning eye can tell that he's not thinking about it.

  Everyone is actually hanging in their hearts...

   They are just members of the team for this kind of thing, and they are all in a panic. Then one can imagine what kind of ultimate torture Xu Xin endured as the designer of the torch.

   Did you choose or not?

   Can you give me a quick word...

   Stretch out the head and slash, shrink the head or slash... Shall we hurry up?

   It is not necessary to be so "unexamined" every day.

  The filming cycle of the crew over there is expected to be 20 days, but not everyone will come back after 20 days.

   Director Zhang also needs to cooperate with the local department to carry out tourism promotion, and at the same time leave some people responsible for dismantling the hooks and locks built by the crew during filming, restoring the turf, etc., to convey the concept of environmental protection.

   In the blink of an eye, the crew had been away for four or five days.

  During these four or five days, Xu Xin could almost be said to be more anxious than the days when the results of the college entrance examination were announced.

  In order to comfort her disciple, Yu Zhen called him to go home and made dumplings for him...

   Dumplings are delicious, but the problem is...these aren't torch dumplings...

  Long Xu Xin now looks at everything as if he is looking at a torch.

  Although Yu Zhen repeatedly comforted her disciples, saying:

   "You take it as the first experience in your life."

  It means such a big matter, as long as you can handle it, then there may be few things in the future that are worthy of your excitement.

   This kind of mental training is hard to come by.

  Xu Xin was so confused that the teacher was going to teach him some peerless martial arts...

  Although he also admitted that what Teacher Yu said is reasonable, the problem is...the concubine really can't do it! !

  Why is it so slow?

  It is said that it is a week, and it will be the 20th soon.

  Why is there no news yet?

  Why is it so difficult for me this month...

  …

  May 22nd.

on Monday.

morning.

  Qinglan Building The first conference room of the director base for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

  Monday regular meeting.

  Because Director Zhang is not around, the team here adopts the overall integration and centralized reporting work form, and the contribution of everyone's brainstorming is sent to Wulong. At the same time, there are still some issues that need to be instructed. For example, after the overall concrete pouring of the bird's nest is completed, the outer steel structure will start in June.

  But now the construction party of the Bird's Nest is still waiting for some detailed requirements for the venue from the opening ceremony.

   I have to see if the director has any fixed ideas.

   While Jiang Haoyang, the chief designer of large-scale props, was still explaining work issues, Wei Lanfang's phone rang suddenly.

  The sound of the phone interrupted the meeting.

   also called back Xu Xin who was thinking astray.

   "It's Director Zhang."

   Wei Lanfang said quickly, and then connected the phone.

  She didn't turn on the speakerphone.

  If Director Zhang wants to hold a conference call, he can directly connect to the landline of Qinglan Building.

   Call her alone, there must be something wrong.

   "Hello, Director Zhang?"

  After Wei Lanfang responded, under the gaze of everyone, suddenly, her eyes widened:

   "Ah~?????"

   This sound was abrupt and sudden.

  Everyone was shocked.

  But Wei Lanfang's gaze fell on Xu Xin immediately.

   "...?????"

  Xu Xin's eyes straightened.

  Look...look at me! ?

  You...Miss Wei...what do you see me doing?

  Could it be...

  Let's not talk about him, even the others have become so breathless that they dare not breathe.

   No, no, no?

   Is it really about the torch?

   Otherwise, why look at Xiao Xu?

  And Zhang Qing, the most anxious director of the coordinating office, simply asked:

   "What's the matter? What's the matter?"

   Wei Lanfang didn't respond, but squeezed the phone tightly, and asked in a trembling voice:

   "Really...really!?"

  Really what?

no.

  What the **** is going on.

   You really said it!

  Xu Xin only felt his heart start beating wildly.

   It was as if there was an executioner standing behind him, holding a ghost knife in his hand.

  Knowing that it may fall at any time, and I will be "decapitated" at any time, but I hope it will fall quickly and end this pain as soon as possible.

   Then... I heard Wei Lanfang say:

   "Then... let me talk to him first."

  Boom boom boom boom boom...

  Xu Xin's heart felt like it was in his throat.

  Seeing Sister Wei holding up the phone, staring straight at him, she said:

   "Xiao Xu, Director Zhang was notified by the organizing committee just now. The leader has given instructions and officially selected the No. 237 torch design as the Yanjing Olympic torch."

   "..."

   "..."

   "..."

  The audience was quiet.

   Subconsciously, everyone's eyes were on Xu Xin.

  But Xu Xin was a little dazed...

2…

  2 How much?

  237?

   Subconsciously, he asked:

   "Who...whose?"

   "Your. Number 237 is yours."

   "Uh...my..."

  Suddenly, another loud ringing sounded in Xu Xin's ears.

   Let him be isolated from the sound of the whole world at once.

It's Mine…

   It turned out that I was number 237.

  It turned out that the final result was number 237...

  He blinked, and then felt his legs go weak.

  But there is always a sense of slowness in my mind, I don't want... dare... I can't even think about what this passage represents.

Then…

In the midst of this sound, he saw everyone in the meeting room stand up at the same time, Liu Mingsheng, Xu Jin and the others even raised their arms high, shouting silently at him. …

  Then... I felt hugged from behind.

   Someone was shaking his body violently, and used a lot of strength when hugging himself.

   Even, he was directly hugged by the people behind.

   But he couldn't think.

   There was even an indescribable calm on his face.

  Calm to almost numb.

   Staring straight at Wei Lanfang...

   There is a sense of fear in my heart.

   I'm really afraid... I'm especially afraid that this sister will say "to tease you" or something...

  He didn't dare to look at Wei Lanfang, but he was also afraid that he didn't hear the other party calling out to tease you.

   And just like that...

   A little bit overwhelmed by the crowd.

  Everyone surrounded him, talking to himself silently.

you…

  Say what?

  Why... I can't hear?

   Xu Xin, who only had a loud noise in his mind, suddenly felt a little hot on his face while thinking.

  When the heat flowed across the cheeks, it was a little itchy.

  He wiped it subconsciously, only to realize...

   It turned out to be tears.

  My own tears.

  He has already…

   Tears flowed into rivers.

  I...why am I crying?

   Before he had time to think, he saw Wei Lanfang smiling and saying something to the phone, and then hung up the phone.

  Then he also opened his arms, bouncing towards Xu Xin.

   And when I saw that Wei Jie really hung up the phone, and then celebrated with the big guys...

  The noise in Xu Xin's ears suddenly faded away like a tide.

   Immediately afterwards, a wave of ecstasy emanating from the bottom of his heart, blood, bones, and cells made him shout out unconsciously:

   "Whoa!!!"

   roared with anger.

  …

   "Hahaha, is this a good start for us?"

   "It definitely counts!"

   "Xiao Xu! Awesome! Too awesome!!"

   "Hey, what's for lunch today? It's such a big deal, Xiao Xu won't treat you?"

   "Exactly! Why don't you celebrate it!?"

   "Don't eat it at noon? It's not good to eat. In the evening, let's celebrate well, I think it's okay!"

   "That's right, let's do it at night. Today's such a good thing, don't get drunk!"

   "It's a pity that Director Zhang and the others have to feed mosquitoes in Wulong."

   "Hahahahaha..."

  In the conference room, amidst the lively discussions.

  Xu Xin, who was slumped on the chair, stared straight at his notepad in front of him.

  My mind was in a mess, I didn't know what I was thinking.

  For a while, it was a picture of worshiping the ancestors, and for a while, it was the ecstasy of the old man and Xu Miao after knowing about it. For a while it was the joy of my girlfriend, and for a while it was the picture of myself flying in the sky with a torch in hand.

   It's messy.

  But in the same way, every minute, every second, gave him a sense of...a sense of honor and mission from his bones, forcing him to straighten his back and raise his head...

  But...

   I really can’t lift it up.

   Once the breath is relaxed, I really can't lift it up.

   At this moment, Wei Lanfang walked in from outside the house again, and went straight to Xu Xin:

   "Xiao Xu."

  The audience returned to the quiet silence in an instant, and she walked quickly to Xu Xin:

   "Director Zhang asked you, are you sure you don't want to sign?"

   "Not authorized."

  Xu Xin instinctively responded:

   “Just write the design of the Olympic creative team first.”

  He didn't have any time to think about his answer. After Wei Lanfang asked, he gave the answer.

  Everyone was taken aback...

   Wei Lanfang took a deep look at Xu Xin, then nodded:

"okay, I get it."

  After speaking, she stood up and said to everyone:

   "Director Zhang said that this matter should be kept absolutely secret, just to let everyone know the truth, and we have to wait for the announcement of the details."

  Everyone nodded in unison, and then, Wei Lanfang walked out again.

  Called Zhang Yimou again:

   "Director Zhang, we're done with Xiao Xu. Don't sign for now."

   After finishing speaking, she paused and added another sentence:

   "He didn't hesitate when he said this, and he answered me directly after I asked."

   "Oh~"

   Zhang Yimou on the other end of the phone burst into laughter:

   "Okay, got it."

  The phone hangs up.

   Zhang Wu on the side said:

   "Let me just say it, this kid is absolutely unambiguous about right and wrong."

"Um."

  Zhang Yimou nodded:

"Then I will give feedback to the leader. For the time being, use team creativity first, and then when the torch is announced, the heat will pass. When submitting to the International Olympic Committee, I will add Xiao Xu's designer identity. What do you think? How about it?"

   "Okay, the heat will pass by then, there will be no unwarranted and messy attention, and no one will use Xiaoxu's age or other things as an afterthought. These are serious qualifications."

   "Also something that actually works, right?"

"Um."

  Hearing Zhang Yimou's words, as a person in the system, Zhang Wu nodded heavily, and then suddenly sighed:

   "Ah... In the end, it's still too young. If we get to our age and calm down completely, we don't have to worry about it, right?"

   "Ha~"

  Zhang Yimou smiled and nodded:

   "But at least from this point, it can be seen that this child's temper can be calmed down."

   "Yes, that's fine."

  Zhang Wu responded, and lit a cigarette on his own.

   After taking a puff of smoke, he muttered to himself:

   "This kid... has a promising future."

  Zhang Yimou thinks so.

  …

   Yes, Xu Xin didn't continue driving.

   Didn't explain to everyone why he didn't sign directly.

   Just after calming down, he took a leave of absence.

  Ten minutes off.

   All the way to an empty office, closed the door, in the empty office, he took out the phone.

   After dialing Xu Daqiang's number, he lit another cigarette for himself.

   "Hoo..."

  The cigarette calmed him down a bit, and then, some noisy voices rang out from the phone.

   "Hello? Son, what's the matter?"

  Xu Daqiang seemed to be a little noisy.

  Xu Xin subconsciously asked:

   "Dad, where are you?"

   "The granddaughter of Ge Lao San's family got married, and dad came to drink, what's the matter? Are you short of money? Dad asked Xiao Li to call you some?"

"Well…"

  Hearing this, after Xu Xin made sure that his father wasn't busy with business, he finally couldn't hide what he had been holding back for a long time.

   "Dad, let me tell you something..."

"ah?"

   "Just... the Olympics, you know?"

"ah!"

   "Isn't there a torch in the Olympic Games? You know that?"

   "Ah, what happened to the torch?"

  Hearing Dad’s doubts, Xu Xin tried hard to suppress the joy that came out of his teeth, and said to Dad word by word:

"Dad, what I'm going to tell you next, don't tell anyone, it's a secret... I designed the torch of our Olympic Games! The design I submitted, design drawing No. 237, just now, I got the news! I His design has been selected as our Olympic torch!! My design!!! The Olympic torch!! Dad! In 2008! The torch you saw was designed by your son!"

  …

   "..."

  The lively wedding scene.

   Xu Daqiang, who was sitting in the VIP room, narrowed his eyes.

   itself, Xu Daqiang's complexion is darker, which is the trace left by dealing with the dirt and scorching sun all year round.

   At this moment, his dark face suddenly began to turn purple...

  But he didn't say a word, but stood up suddenly.

   His expression was extremely calm.

   Aside, the young girl looked at her boyfriend in surprise:

"What's wrong?"

  Xu Daqiang didn't say anything, but held up the phone and answered:

   "Well, wait a minute, I'll go downstairs and get back to you."

  Then the phone was hung up, and he walked out.

  Behind him, the young Aunt Xue shouted again:

   "Daqiang?"

   "Sit still and don't move, go make a phone call~"

  Xu Daqiang left a sentence without looking back, went out, and saw Xu Miao and Li Hao standing at the door.

  The two of them were chatting and socializing with several people around them.

  Xu Daqiang shouted directly:

   "Sanshui."

   "Hey...Dad, what's wrong?"

   "Xiao Li, give the key to Sanshui, and Sanshui will come down with you."

  The middle-aged man with a calm face finished speaking, and went directly downstairs to the hotel where the wedding was held.

  Xu Miao looked dazed, but quickly took the key from Li Hao, and followed her father downstairs.

  Father and son maintained a high degree of tacit understanding, not saying a word along the way.

   Walked to the door and met two acquaintances:

   "Strong~ What are you doing?"

   "Get something in the car, go in first, wow, I'll talk about it later."

  Xu Daqiang greeted with a smile as usual, and Xu Miao also shouted:

   "Woo Burr."

   "Well, okay, then you two go, come and drink later~"

   "Okay, I'll toast you later~"

  The father and son exchanged pleasantries all the way, and walked out. Xu Miao pressed the key of the Rolls-Royce, trotted to open the car door, and then asked:

   "Dad, where are you going?"

   "The air conditioner is on, you come to the back seat."

"good."

   Soon the father and son came to the back row in the hot car. After the heavy door of the Rolls-Royce was closed, Xu Miao asked solemnly:

   "Dad, what are you doing?"

  But Dad didn't speak.

  Xu Miao was stunned for a moment, feeling a little puzzled... What happened to make Dad stop talking.

  You can see it in the next second...

  Dad's hands were shaking.

   Trembling, he turned on his phone.

"…dad?"

   "Don't make noise!"

  Xu Daqiang reprimanded displeasedly, then called Xu Xin back tremblingly.

   "Beep beep beep~"

  The phone rang a few times, and Xu Xin's voice came from the other end of the phone:

   "Hey, Dad, is there no one next to you?"

"Sanjin…"

  Xu Daqiang's tone was extremely dry:

   "You...what did you say just now? Sanshui is also here...you...say it once..."

  Xu Miao was even more puzzled.

What did you say?

   Just thinking about it, suddenly, I heard a sentence from my brother:

   "I said, the torch relay of the 2008 Yanjing Olympic Games I designed has been selected by the country! It has become the torch of the Yanjing Olympic Games!"

   "!!"

  The moment Xu Miao heard this, Xu Miao's eyes straightened.

   "Scatter!???"

   Ask for a monthly pass! ! ! It's the beginning of the month! ! Ask for a monthly ticket! ! ! Ten thousand and four full of sincerity! !

  

  (end of this chapter)