I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 479 Melissa's Request (Seeking monthly tickets, recommendations, and subscriptions on Monday)
"Congratulations, Lao Liu!"

Inside the Zhongzhou Cadre Sanatorium, Liu Dasheng strolled around with his hands behind his back.

Walking towards him was his old colleague, Lao Dong, the former director of the retirement home.

From a distance, he waved to Liu Dasheng, then said with a bright smile, "Xiao Jin is in the news again! This time he won some French award, I think it's a national-level award. Congratulations! Xiao Jin is becoming more and more successful!"

Full of confidence and about to speak, Liu Dasheng was silenced by Lao Dong's congratulations.

"You flatter me. It's not the Goncourt Prize, so it's still a bit lacking."

If Director Dong hadn't spoken first, Liu Dasheng would never have been so modest.

But since they've already offered their congratulations, it seems a bit much to keep showing off...

Liu Dasheng could only grit his teeth and be humble.

What award?

"The Goncourt Prize!"

Liu Dasheng could finally show off, "Xiao Jin said that of the five major French literary prizes, the Goncourt Prize is the most prestigious."

This French Academy Novel Prize can only rank behind the Goncourt Prize, and is about the same as the Renaudot Prize he won last year. It's only slightly better than the Katz Prize, but still not as good as the Pulitzer Prize.

Alas, it's far inferior to the Nobel Prize.

Old Dong's face turned black!
I've already praised Liu Dasheng to you, but you still ended up being completely overwhelmed by his ostentatious displays.

However, this was the first time he had heard of these awards, and he was a little curious.

"This fiction prize, named after France, is it not as good as the Goncourt Prize?"

"Xiao Jin said it was a little short."

As Liu Dasheng spoke, he took out a cigar and handed one to Director Dong.

"Oh, a cigar!"

The retired cadres in this sanatorium are all people who have seen it all.

Director Xing also came over, smiling as he took a cigar.

"Xiao Jin is getting better and better; he makes the news every few days."

"He's still not happy."

"what is wrong?"

"They say they were let down by bad luck this year, otherwise they would definitely have won the Goncourt Prize."

After all, this year is the Sino-French Cultural Year… You tell me, this country is clearly a defeated nation, so how come it's acting like a victor? Damn it, Chairman, if they had allowed us to station troops here back then, would they be so arrogant?”

Liu Dasheng couldn't help but get angry whenever this was mentioned.

A group of elderly men and women also gathered around.

Hearing that the young man had done something bad, everyone was filled with righteous indignation.

Director Dong patted Liu Dasheng on the shoulder and said, "Old Liu, be mindful of the impact."

These kinds of words are fine to say within the institute, but once outside… after all, the country still relies on small-scale investment to develop its economy.”

"Does economic development mean disregarding right and wrong?"

"Why are you taking your anger out on me?"

Director Xing quickly stopped the two hot-tempered old men.

"Say less, Xiao Jin brings honor to our institute. You two old folks should keep quiet."

By the way, what did Xiao Jin say?

"He didn't say anything, only that he must write another good book and try to win the Goncourt Prize."

However, he's done quite well... that novel prize, supposedly, is a one-of-a-kind award, making him the first Chinese person to win it.

"That's good, that's amazing!"

A group of elderly men and women began praising it all at once.

However, Liu Dasheng still felt a little uncomfortable!

……

A week has passed since the Goncourt Prize was awarded.

But the discussion has only just begun.

The members of the Academy of Fine Arts, led by Michel Ranke, expressed their dissatisfaction with this year's Goncourt Prize.

The Sun of Skota is not bad, but it is far from reaching the level of the Goncourt Prize.

It's puzzling that a work like *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* was rejected. I feel that the jury this year was clearly influenced by external factors. Otherwise, Amos wouldn't have been rejected; it's an absolute disgrace to French literature. —Michel Ranke
I was surprised that Notre Dame de Paris didn't win any awards last year.

This year……

This makes me somewhat angry. In France, a country renowned for its literature, I simply cannot understand how a work like *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* could be rejected. I think we should increase the level of confidentiality regarding the jury list.

These words were directed at the judging panel.

And the person who said these words carries considerable weight.

It was Milan Kundera, who lived in seclusion in Grenoble.

Although he didn't say there was anything wrong with the judges, his proposal to increase the level of confidentiality regarding the judges' list said it all.

Following Milan Kundera's speech, many more literary giants stepped forward.

Edmund was also helpless.

He was certainly aware of the problems involved. But in order to protect the reputation of the Goncourt Prize, he had no choice but to stand up and refute it.

The selection process for the Goncourt Prize adheres to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency.

I'm not saying that *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* is bad, but no matter how good it is, it was published in 2003, and according to the rules, it doesn't meet the requirements for the Goncourt Prize. So we had no choice but to reluctantly exclude *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*.

However, I agree with Mr. Kundera's suggestion to strengthen the confidentiality of the list of judges.

He seems to have defended the Goncourt Prize.

The rules have been maintained.

But the judges...

He agreed with Milan Kundera's suggestion, which to some extent suggests that there are some problems with this year's judges.

This sparked heated debate throughout the French literary world.

……

However, it has nothing to do with Liu Jin.

While the authorities in the French literary world were arguing, he had already driven his Porsche Touring Car into the Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees Mountains are still lush and green in November.

This is also a characteristic of southern France; you rarely see the same scene as Paris, where the maple leaves turn red in autumn.

The temperature in the mountains was a bit low, but it was very lively.

Liu Jin, driving the car, said, "Melissa, aren't you suffering?"

"Taking a plane would be so much better; it only takes two or three hours to get to Madrid. But you insisted on taking a car…it will take at least two days."

"Two days is fine, what's the rush?"
Besides, I've been in Paris for too long and I'm getting a bit restless.

The scenery in these mountains is so beautiful, it's a good place to relax... What, you don't welcome me? I've been rambling on and on the whole way."

"I didn't say you weren't welcome, I was just afraid of interfering with your business."

"There's nothing urgent. I'm going to Madrid to attend an awards ceremony. The recording doesn't start until the 16th, so I'm not in a rush."

"Awards?"

"Yes, 'Forbidden Zone' won the award for the most popular foreign variety show in Spain. Hehe, I didn't really want to go, but I heard you were coming, so I decided to go on my way."

Paris is so boring, it's good to get out for a walk!

Liu Jin glanced at her.

Don't want to come?
But I feel like you're really excited!

However, it seems that Melissa has been very busy ever since winning the Pulitzer Prize last year.

The two rarely met, either because Liu Jin was traveling or Melissa was doing a TV show, so they didn't have much interaction.

Melissa today is no longer the naive young reporter who approached him for an interview at the Cannes Film Festival in 02.

First, he worked on "Silenced: The Truth" and then joined TF1 as a broadcaster.

He then switched jobs and, based on Liu Jin's suggestion, created the variety show "Forbidden Zone".

In France today, Melissa has become the star of M6, and "Forbidden Zone" has been very popular since its premiere.

She's already a top streamer!
"Stop giving me that nonsense. Just tell me what's wrong."

"Huh, you noticed?"

"Hmph, you know my strengths and weaknesses, and I know yours too..."

Liu Jin's words had a double meaning, and Melissa laughed as she slapped him.

"Then I'll just say it directly!"

"Is something really wrong?"

"M6 has a variety show this New Year, come and support me!"

"what?"

Liu Jin's hand trembled slightly. "I'm tone-deaf, what am I supposed to do to support this?"

"But this year's theme is the Sino-French Exchange Year, you know... all the TV stations are considering programs, and I've also been assigned tasks."

The problem is, I don't know many Chinese people.

But it seems like you're the only one I can truly call a friend... You're a big shot who wrote songs and choreographed dances for Alizee, and even performed with Shakira in a bar. Please, please, lend a hand, okay?

Liu Jin did not answer immediately.

Instead, they drove the vehicle very carefully.

As darkness fell, he dared not drive too fast.

"I'll think about it, but don't put all your hopes on me... With M6's big reputation, finding a few guests shouldn't be too difficult. I can only say that I'll consider it, but I can't give you a definite answer right now."

"I'll think about it, I'll think about it!"

Before Melissa could finish speaking, Liu Jin suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"Why don't you leave?"

"It's too dark, safety first... We'll probably have to spend the night at the foot of the mountain!"

After Liu Jin finished speaking, he pushed open the car door, jumped out, and looked around.

……

(End of this chapter)