Huayu 1992: Starting with the CCTV Young Singers Competition

She was a young woman, probably in her early twenties.

She was wearing a simple white short-sleeved shirt and a navy blue knee-length suit skirt.

She has a very pretty and well-proportioned face, fair skin, and curved eyebrows and eyes, and naturally exudes a kind and generous temperament.

Her hair was shoulder-length, a common style at the time, with the ends slightly curled inwards and meticulously combed.

She was carrying a thick stack of documents, the top of which appeared to be a program schedule and some manuscripts. She was walking hurriedly, as if she was in a hurry.

A name flashed through Lin Hanjiang's mind.

Zhou Tao.

Yes, it's her.

The future CCTV top host is known for his dignified demeanor, approachable personality, and exceptional ability to control the flow of the show.

However, she still looks youthful, as if she had just arrived in Taiwan.

And isn't she from Kyoto TV?

Why are you on CCTV?

Lin Hanjiang frowned slightly. "Did I go to the wrong place?"

After looking around, I found nothing amiss.

At this moment, the two of them walked quickly forward, and in the middle of the not-so-wide corridor, they were about to pass each other.

Perhaps the numerous documents were obstructing her view, or perhaps Zhou Tao was preoccupied with something, but her elbow inadvertently bumped into Lin Hanjiang.

"oops!"

Zhou Tao let out a soft cry, and the stack of documents in his hand immediately lost its balance, scattering like snowflakes all over the ground.

Several manuscripts slid far away due to inertia.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

Zhou Tao's face flushed red, and she quickly squatted down to pick it up, not caring about her demeanor, appearing somewhat flustered.

I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped into you. I'm so sorry.

Lin Hanjiang immediately squatted down to help her pick up the trash. "It's alright, it's okay. I was in a hurry too."

"Thank you, thank you so much." Zhou Tao took the documents from Lin Hanjiang, hugged them to her chest, and then looked up to carefully examine the young man who had helped her.

He had a handsome face and calm eyes, unlike a staff member at the station.

He asked with a mix of apology and curiosity, "Are you... here at the station on business? Did I hurt you?"

Lin Hanjiang stood up and smiled, "No, it's alright. I'm here to deliver some materials; I'm a contestant in the Young Singers Competition. I wasn't watching where I was going either, so it's not your fault."

"A contestant from the CCTV Young Singers Competition?"

Zhou Tao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up with the documents in his arms. His gaze swept over Zhou Tao's face, and then, as if remembering something, his tone carried a hint of surprise and confirmation.

"Lin Hanjiang? You're the Lin Hanjiang who sang 'The Story of Spring' last night?"

"Yes, it's me." Lin Hanjiang was somewhat surprised. "You know me?"

"It really is you!"

The apology on Zhou Tao's face was replaced by surprise. She subconsciously wanted to reach out, but found that both her hands were occupied by documents, so she could only smile a little embarrassedly.

"My name is Zhou Tao, and I'm an announcer at Kyoto TV." She then explained, "I came here today with the station's leaders to exchange ideas and learn from the teachers in CCTV's Arts and Entertainment Department, and to deliver some materials."

She spoke frankly, making no attempt to conceal her identity as a local TV station employee, yet her excellent manners were evident in her words and actions.

"I see." Lin Hanjiang nodded.

The future pillars of CCTV are currently accumulating strength at local stations, but they have clearly begun to reach out to broader platforms.

"that……"

Zhou Tao seemed to remember something, and a slightly helpless smile appeared on his face.

"One of our teachers from the Arts and Literature Department came to interview you around noon today, and he came back to the office sighing, saying he was rebuffed."

As she spoke, she looked at Lin Hanjiang with curiosity, as if trying to find the qualities in this seemingly gentle and composed young man that had caused even veteran reporters to fail.

"I didn't expect to run into the person in question here."

The news spread really fast.

Lin Hanjiang smiled and explained calmly, "It's not really a 'nail.' I just feel that it's better for everyone to clarify things and follow the rules. I did sign an exclusive interview agreement with Guangdong TV, so it's not convenient for me to accept other interviews at the moment."

Zhou Tao nodded thoughtfully.

Being in the media industry, she naturally understands the meaning of exclusive agreements better than the average person.

Guangdong TV really went all out.

The boy in front of her, who was a little younger than her, handled these matters with a clarity and decisiveness beyond his years, which impressed her greatly.

"I understand. Your song 'The Story of Spring' is well-written and well-sung. Many teachers at our station have praised it."

She spoke sincerely, then her tone turned encouraging.

"The finals are almost here, right? Good luck! I look forward to seeing an even more amazing performance from you."

"Thank you, I will do my best," Lin Hanjiang replied politely.

"Then I won't keep you from delivering the materials." Zhou Tao stepped aside, gesturing for him to go first. "The third room on your right is the office of the CCTV Young Singers Competition Organizing Committee."

"Okay, thank you. I wish you all the best in your work."

Lin Hanjiang nodded goodbye and turned to go to the office of the CCTV Young Singers Competition Organizing Committee.

I didn't expect to run into Zhou Tao here. She's really beautiful and has a tall figure.

I hope we can meet again in the future.

She was originally supposed to be assigned to work in her original place of residence, but she went to great lengths to settle in Kyoto.

It seems everyone is working hard for their own lives.

I came out of the CCTV building a short while later; all I had to do was deliver the song and get a signature.

There's no need to rush back to school, so I chose to take the bus, saving money where I could and spending money where I could.

The money he saved was enough for several meals.

The evening rush hour has begun on Chang'an Avenue.

The sounds of car horns, bus engines, and bicycle bells ringing incessantly.

The most spectacular sight was the endless stream of bicycles, with men, women, and children dressed in white shirts, blue pants, and floral skirts pedaling hard, forming a continuous line.

The journey, which usually takes less than an hour, took a full hour and a half this time.

When Lin Hanjiang squeezed off the bus at the China Conservatory of Music station, the afterglow of the setting sun had already dyed the sky golden red.

Starving, he headed straight for the cafeteria.

The school cafeteria is an old two-story building, brightly lit and bustling with people.

Even on weekends, there are still many students.

The cafeteria has two floors, and most of the food on the first floor is eaten by students.

The second floor is mostly frequented by teachers and some relatively wealthy students.

Lin Hanjiang used to go to the second floor at least three or four days a week to eat stir-fried dishes, with prices ranging from 2 to 10 yuan.

Now, the only place to go is the large kitchen on the first floor, since the prices are affordable.

This place is a completely different world from the stir-fry stalls on the second floor.

The space was spacious but felt crowded, with more than a dozen long wooden tables and chairs almost all occupied.

Several long, crooked lines stretched out in front of the food windows, students craning their necks to look at the steaming dishes in the display case, clutching crumpled meal tickets and change in their hands.

Lin Hanjiang walked to the end of the line, his gaze habitually falling on the small blackboard on the wall.

The chalk writing was dense, but today's vegetable prices were still legible:

[Vegetarian Dishes]

Stir-fried shredded potatoes: 0.15 yuan | Stir-fried cabbage with vinegar: 0.15 yuan | Stir-fried bean sprouts: 0.15 yuan

Braised eggplant 0.18 yuan | Home-style tofu 0.18 yuan | Hot and sour shredded potatoes 0.18 yuan

Semi-meat dishes

Pan-fried tofu 0.20 yuan | Scrambled eggs with tomatoes 0.20 yuan | Scrambled eggs with chili peppers 0.20 yuan

Mu Shu Pork 0.25 yuan | Minced Pork with Vermicelli 0.22 yuan | Stir-fried Pork Slices with Scallions 0.25 yuan

[Small Meat Dishes]

Shredded pork with garlic sauce 0.40 yuan | Kung Pao chicken 0.40 yuan | Shredded pork with sweet bean sauce 0.42 yuan

Braised pork slices 0.45 yuan | Spicy diced chicken 0.40 yuan | Braised pork with potatoes 0.38 yuan

[Heavy Meat Dishes]

Braised pork belly 0.60 yuan | Four-happiness meatballs 0.60 yuan | Twice-cooked pork 0.60 yuan

Braised pork ribs 0.65 yuan | Braised pork knuckle 0.70 yuan | Whole braised chicken leg 0.55 yuan

Staple food, soup

Rice (two servings) 0.10 yuan | Steamed bun (each) 0.05 yuan | Twisted roll (each) 0.05 yuan

Meat buns (each): 0.15 yuan | Vegetarian buns (each): 0.08 yuan

Free soup | Seaweed and egg drop soup 0.05 yuan | Hot and sour soup 0.08 yuan

Lin Hanjiang's gaze lingered on the "pan-fried tofu" for a moment.

This northern home-style dish inexplicably reminded him of the writer Liu Zhenyun's almost luxurious longing for a plate of braised tofu in the Peking University cafeteria, as expressed in his early essays.

Times have changed, but for many people, being able to eat a delicious meal they love is still a real comfort in ordinary days.

He felt the few coins and some meal tickets he had left in his pocket.

The two thousand yuan from Guangdong TV is nowhere to be seen, so I have to be careful with the money Teacher Jin and my senior sister gave me.

The father's debts were like a sword hanging over their heads.

Life is tough, so I'm reborn to make a living by performing.