novelraw Chapter 79 Step onto the stage and let the world hear your name!
Chapter 79 Step onto the stage and let the world hear your name!
March 15, 1994, 7:3 p.m.
The studio of CCTV was brightly lit!
The 3rd Annual Consumer Friend Gala is about to begin.
Lin Yu spent the whole day at the factory, and now the city's blood lead testing sites are completely full.
He didn't have much of a choice; if he helped the person who came to him, he wouldn't be able to get others tested.
He spent the whole morning reassuring the villagers who had come, telling them that their location was relatively far from the oil refineries and that not many cars usually passed by.
Even if there is some exhaust fumes, it will only result in mild poisoning, which can be resolved through proper care.
There's still a waiting list for testing.
He spent the afternoon being interviewed by CCTV reporters.
At the end of the interview, he shamelessly asked if there was any possibility that this matter would be reported on tomorrow's 315 Gala.
He knew that for such large-scale galas, all the rules and regulations were usually rehearsed and finalized in advance.
They wouldn't cut in line at all.
But Lin Yu knew that this was the best channel in this era to directly reach a national audience.
He also has a plan…
He wanted an opportunity to make his name known to the public.
These days, if there's anything that can truly reach the whole country...
This consumer-facing conference is truly the best opportunity yet.
The reporter who came to interview him shook his head helplessly, but only said that he would ask him when he got back.
Lin Yu then stopped mentioning it.
He has troubled many people many times.
He was already quite satisfied with the fact that the news was spreading through the newspapers.
But this incident alone made him worry about the safety of Song Shu's teacher, Professor Zhou.
If he were to change the already established structure of the entire gala, it would likely cause trouble for even more people and more issues.
More importantly, no one knows how wide the scope of those ruthless villains' retaliation will be.
Retribution will surely come. The fewer people who are targeted by those evil people, the fewer people will be spared from taking on dangers that they shouldn't have to bear.
He sought socialism, he sought communism.
He sought to achieve true public ownership.
Pursuing these things is his freedom, but he also knows that protecting oneself is someone else's freedom.
He already wields considerable power.
Under the oppressive power of his authority, many people will go against their own will, bow down to him, and change their minds.
But that would go against his own wishes.
However, Zhang Guoqiang, who was standing nearby, took it to heart.
He secretly contacted Chief Hou.
He felt that Lin Yu always underestimated their awareness. His willingness to follow Lin Yu was not just a soldier's natural instinct to obey.
Rather, they are true comrades.
Subsequently, on March 15th, Lin Yu sat backstage at the 315 Gala.
The production team received a special request at the last minute.
Some people requested to speak publicly at the party as technical experts about the dangers of gasoline additives.
They did initially refuse.
The program flow was already set, and adding a segment at the last minute would be too risky.
But this application was followed by a list of names they couldn't refuse.
The Ministry of Health, the Environmental Protection Bureau, Sinopec, the Ministry of Aerospace Industry, petitions signed by public organizations, and numerous phone calls from industry workers... and so on.
The largest petition, which was organized by an unknown organization, had more than three thousand signatures on it. The thick stack of papers was filled with signatures from people from all walks of life.
The messenger told him that this was only the first batch.
Even the working group that organized the entire 315 Gala felt that this was very necessary.
They organized this 315 Consumer Conference for the health and consumer rights of people across the country.
They all had this on their minds.
Now, such a major issue as gasoline additives has been exposed.
How could we possibly let them give up so easily?
Finally, just when the directing team was wavering...
Another handwritten comment arrived, containing only four characters.
"Let him go up."
And so, in the end, everyone united as one!
One person initiates, and the whole world follows!
This matter is no longer just about Lin Yu.
They all wanted to make the fire burn even brighter.
Make everything hidden in the shadows have nowhere to hide.
May all evil be cleansed by this firelight.
The production team immediately made the decision to scrap everything and start over.
After spending the entire night, they managed to squeeze out a full half hour for Lin Yu.
The control room is now a flurry of activity, with staff moving back and forth, adjusting camera positions, and checking procedures.
The director sat in front of the monitor, clutching the script that had been added at the last minute, his palms sweating.
In the backstage dressing room, Lin Yu sat on a chair in the corner.
He was still wearing the work clothes that the factory had given him when they came over.
The collar was a little wrinkled, and there was a bit of white titanium dioxide powder stuck to the cuffs.
Song Shu squatted down in front of him, carefully wiping away the powder with a wet tissue.
"Wouldn't wearing this outfit on stage seem a bit too informal?"
"This is my junior brother's first appearance in front of the entire nation."
"He looks quite handsome when he dresses up, it's a real shame he had to rush like this."
Lin Yu glanced down at the work clothes he was wearing, but didn't seem to care much.
He smiled and rolled up his sleeves, indicating that Song Shu didn't need to help him wipe off the powder.
"This is good. It shows the audience that this is how tech people should dress."
Just then, the door to the dressing room was pushed open, and Chen Guoliang, the general director of the gala, strode in, clutching a stack of manuscript papers in his hand.
He was panting heavily after running a few steps, and his forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.
The high-intensity work that kept him from getting enough rest left him somewhat unrested.
"Comrade Lin Yu, please double-check the manuscript!"
Even his panting couldn't stop him from speaking at lightning speed.
"For the first half hour after 10 o'clock, we will show a 5-minute special feature, which is an edited version of the video that we reshot according to the route you previously investigated."
"Then you go on stage and talk about the symptoms and dangers of lead poisoning."
"Let's talk about the issue of excessive levels of ethyl lead in gasoline."
"Finally... should we discuss the ethanol gasoline proposal?"
"What is this? Neither of the manuscripts I received mentioned it in detail."
"Is it clear enough? Do you need a teleprompter?"
"If you have any needs, just let us know now, and we can get it done quickly."
Lin Yu stood up and took the manuscript paper.
After glancing at it and confirming that everything was alright, I handed it back.
"No need, I remember everything."
Lin Yu then bowed.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity."
Director Chen repeatedly said he dared not, and then rushed off to other places.
At 8 p.m. sharp, the party started on time.
The host, Na Wei, had a steady and powerful voice, the most composed baritone broadcasting style.
"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the 1994 March 15th International Consumer Rights Day Gala."
"Tonight, we will expose a number of typical cases of infringement on consumer rights."
The program proceeded as scheduled.
Cases involving counterfeit liquor, substandard electrical appliances, and fake pharmaceutical products... one shocking case after another was brought to the screen.
As time went on, the atmosphere backstage became increasingly tense.
Everyone knew that the real highlight of the night was yet to come.
At 9:55 p.m., after the last case was broadcast, Na Wei returned to the stage, this time with an unusually solemn expression.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special segment for tonight."
"Recently, an article about gasoline quality issues has caused a huge stir across the country."
"Many people have written to and called our program team to inquire about the truth of this matter."
"Today, we have invited the author of this article—!!"
"Let him himself interpret this for all of us!"
"Please welcome them—!!"
"Researcher at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Director of Hongxing Steel Plant No. 2, author of articles on invasive alien species theories, and the primary whistleblower for lead-containing gasoline!"
"Comrade Lin Yu!!!"