Seaweed Flower: Farewell to the Virgin Age

Author: Xiao Kan Yun Qi (Author)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: About the "QQ·Writer Cup" Writing Competition
The "QQ·Writer Cup" Writing Competition was jointly organized by Tencent and the Writer's Publishing House, leveraging their respective strengths and capabilities in the industry. It aimed to promote high-quality online literary works, discover and nurture new literary talents, and provide a platform for literature lovers and those interested in the internet to read, communicate, and showcase their potential. This competition specially invited legendary figures in the publishing industry, Mr. Zhang Shengyou, as well as renowned writers Wang Meng, Wang Anyi, A Lai, Zhang Ping, Huang Guorong, scholars Cao Wenxuan, critics Lei Da, Li Jingze, online writer Murong Xuexun, journalist Chen Yin, and Zhu Defu, to serve as the final judges. This fully reflects the high standards, seriousness, and authority of the competition.
The competition officially launched in May 2004 and concluded in April 2005, receiving a total of 117,000 entries. Through the sincere cooperation and joint efforts of Tencent and the Writer's Publishing House, after strict preliminary, secondary, and final reviews, 7 novels, 6 short stories, 25 short stories, 24 essays, and 37 poems emerged victorious, winning various awards, thus forming this series of winning works from the "QQ·Writer Cup" Writing Competition.
The novels contain a significant amount of documentary elements, with well-structured and layered narratives. The experiences of a group of diverse women—such as their loss of innocence, oppression, suffering, and self-deprecation—make one realize that even in a world of clear skies, pain remains hidden and unspoken. This work explores the hidden cruelty of a girl's coming-of-age. The characters' fates are tumultuous, and though the narration is straightforward, it still carries a strong impact and power of accusation.
—Renowned critic Lei Da
Behind the flowing and effortless prose, we hear the aria of a woman's soul. Beyond the ordinary seaweed flowers, we repeatedly hear a plea.
—Renowned publisher Zhang Shengyou
The starting point is excellent. Although it lacks depth, its subtlety and impact are undeniable, suggesting great market potential.
—Renowned journalist Zhu Defu
She was at the age of a lily bud just beginning to bloom. Xie Ran and her friends were violently assaulted, and pain, shame, despair, struggle, escape, and disillusionment became the colors of their lives. They were like white seaweed flowers on the lake, beautiful yet sorrowful, elegant yet fragile. Among the three girls, some sank deep into the lake, withering and rotting; others transformed themselves into butterflies through love, flying toward a brilliant flame.