Chapter 98: A Stunning Debut

Titled "Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms" and published in the Poetry Periodical

At this moment, the system gave its answer: "Your adapted work 'Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms' has officially been published in Poetry Periodical. The reputation value began to rise slightly last night, and today it is about to welcome a new round of peak growth. Please be prepared."

"Be prepared? What do I need to prepare for?" Zhang Chu wanted to complain. This isn't flood control—if the reputation value is coming, it's coming. How exactly am I supposed to prepare?

...

Poetry Periodical is one of the rare semi-monthly literary journals. The first half of each month focuses on publishing fine works by renowned poetry masters and mature poets, while the second half focuses on poems by young poets. It not only showcases the current state of Chinese poetry but also discovers new talent, earning it great attention and respect in the Chinese poetry world.

Now, the August second-half issue of Poetry Periodical had been officially released, and Zhang Chu's work smoothly made it into this edition, occupying a prominent position among the many pieces.

In this issue, there is "Sunny Splendor" by the established young poet Gong Zhulin, as well as prize-winning works like "Binjiang Residences," "Only Time Remains Forever Young," and "A Kind of Happiness."

Among all the young poets, only Zhang Chu's work "Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms" received a personal review from chief editor Ma Qiwei!

Even Chen Xiang, who won the "Guanghua Poetry Award" at the beginning of August, didn't get a review from Ma Qiwei. The difference in status was clear.

In the 1980s and 1990s, literary figures considered it an honor to have their poems published in Poetry Periodical. A single issue would often be passed around and read by many, and at its peak, the magazine had a print run of three million copies.

But after the mid-1990s, circulation began to decline. Today, the Poetry Periodical that once sold millions of copies has only about five hundred thousand.

Even that figure was somewhat inflated—the first-half issues featuring famous poets sold far more than the second-half issues featuring young poets.

Poetry is a hobby that requires a quiet mind, and the periodical has always been known for its avant-garde style. But this time, it was truly a bit too avant-garde!

...

Yang Zhi is a newspaper reporter. Before he graduated from university, Poetry Periodical was one of the publications he bought every issue without fail. But in recent years, he only picked up a copy whenever it happened to cross his mind.

Holding the not-too-thick magazine in his hands, Yang Zhi flipped through it casually. Modern poetry had walked into a narrow alley—unlike the famous works of the modern era, the language was obscure and convoluted, the talent not genuine, the philosophical depth shallow. Most literary enthusiasts couldn't understand it at all.

This was the era of novels, films, and TV dramas. "Sigh, what is the current Poetry Periodical even publishing? Crying without tears, all fragments, no character, nothing of real value."

His tone of frustration at its underperformance revealed his disappointment. But as he flipped casually through the pages, he suddenly spotted a review by chief editor Ma Qiwei!

"Didn't Teacher Ma personally review a poem last time earlier this year?" Yang Zhi said uncertainly. "I have to see what work this is."

The name Ma Qiwei was synonymous with quality. If he thought something was good, it probably was.

"Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms. That title sounds pretty nice. But is this Zhang Chu the same Zhang Chu?"

Yang Zhi was a journalist after all, with sharp news instincts. The two most famous Zhang Chus right now were one who sang and one who wrote novels.

There was no way a rock star wrote this kind of prose, right?

After various thoughts swirled through his mind, Yang Zhi looked more seriously at the text below.

"From today on, be a happy monkey.
Ride horses, chop wood, travel the world..."

What on earth was this? Isn't this the thing that parodies Journey to the West? This can make it into Poetry Periodical?

Countless questions arose in his mind. This was way too unprofessional!

After finishing Zhang Chu's little poem, Yang Zhi felt sure he must have bought a fake magazine. This poem could appear on the internet, in a story collection, in a humor joke book—but of all places, it appeared in Poetry Periodical, complete with a chief editor's review.

At the end of this page was Ma Qiwei's handwritten commentary: "When people see this 'Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms,' they should feel the same thing—very humorous, very witty, very warm. The poem centers on Sun Wukong, that household-name monkey, using many words full of hope. But within the warm spring, there lies a hint of winter. It is a hidden pain, a danger and desolation. Everything starts from tomorrow—so where is the monkey tomorrow? The mundane happiness of this world has nothing to do with it. The spring blossoms are just the monkey's longing for a better life."

"Is it really that good? Let me take another look."

Yang Zhi, half-believing and half-doubting, turned his gaze back to the beginning of the poem and began to appreciate it carefully line by line.