201: Chapter 21 Poetry Gathering on the Su Causeway

Netizens rushed to Plum Lake's Qingbo, only to find the comments section disabled.

The "jade fate" program team did the same.

With nowhere to vent, netizens began frantically posting videos and articles online.

They even went to the comments section of the Dragon Country Film Bureau, hoping to have all of Plum Lake's movies pulled.

Naturally, a significant portion of netizens also commented under Director Lin's Qingbo.

"You're the first director to come out and support us viewers, regardless of whether you have other motives.

I'm heading to the cinema right now to support your movie 'crazy stone'. Even if it's a pile of crap, I'll take it."

"To the person above, please enjoy with peace of mind. I guarantee you'll laugh until your stomach hurts."

"The movie is in the Shancheng dialect. I didn't understand some of the words and had to ask Baidu, but that doesn't affect my love for this movie."

"Tongxing Entertainment's songs are top-notch, and the movies are good too. I hope you can stay true to your original intentions."

...

Overall, it was peaceful; there was no being scolded for clout-chasing, and many netizens actually gave some sincere suggestions.

After seeing their strategy succeed, Chen Shaoping and Li Qian also shared a knowing smile, their faces full of happiness.

Soon, the group arrived at the Spring Dawn on Su Causeway scenic spot.

Spring Dawn on Su Causeway is hailed as the foremost of the "Ten Scenes of West Lake"; it is not just an ordinary causeway.

Instead, it is a three-dimensional scroll that blends natural scenery, history, culture, and poetic charm.

Coincidentally, today several students from the School of Liberal Arts at Hang City University, dressed in ancient-style clothing, had set up a stage here.

"Hello, tourists!"

"We have set up this writing desk with a simple goal: to emulate ancient literati and make friends through poetry here."

"No matter what you write, as long as it follows the format of ancient poetry, you can receive a prize—a fluffy little bunny plush toy."

"If you can beat one of the three poems we've displayed, you can win a big bunny plush toy."

"Furthermore, the poem will be published in the next issue of the Hang City University campus magazine."

A man dressed as an ancient scholar, holding a folding fan and wearing a Guanjin, spoke loudly.

However, his glasses and mobile phone gave away the fact that he was a modern person.

Many people stopped to watch, especially young men and women, but very few actually tried.

Wang Bo stepped forward, eager to try, but was shot down by Li Qian: "You can't even write a clear essay, and you want to write ancient poetry?"

"Darling, you don't understand. Just watch." Wang Bo was full of confidence as he strode forward.

"Let me try," he said loudly.

The scholar was delighted to hear this. He sized Wang Bo up and thought to himself: Finally, someone decent-looking has come along.

He handed a microphone to Wang Bo and then asked, "Hello, may I ask what your name is? Where are you visiting from?"

Wang Bo replied, "Why ask so much? I'm here to write ancient poetry. Listen closely."

His voice was very loud, and the surrounding tourists could hear him clearly.

Most were drawn in by him.

The scholar didn't press further and made a "please" gesture.

Wang Bo cleared his throat and moistened his voice.

He recited loudly: "The pink lotuses have faded, their fragrance gone, the jade mat feels the autumn chill. Lightly I unfasten my silk robe... yet it settles upon my heart."

After finishing the entire poem, he asked loudly, "How was it? How was it?"

The scholar's mouth twitched, not knowing what to say.

Among the tourists, those who knew the poem had already begun to chuckle softly.

Chen Shaoping was also amused by Wang Bo's confident appearance.

Li Qian's face was dark, wearing an "I don't know this person" expression.

The scholar pondered for a moment: This poem... sounds familiar. Isn't it the recently popular song 'the moon fills the west tower'?

He spoke up, "If I remember correctly, this poem was written by Teacher Young Master Ping, right?"

"That's right, he wrote it. I'm reciting it for him. Can I get a participation prize?"

Wang Bo admitted it openly, feeling nothing was wrong.

Instead, his heart was full of pride, thinking: This was written by my brother. By extension, it's basically like I wrote it!

The scholar saw through it; this guy was just here to scrounge a gift. However, with Wang Bo's antics, it indeed drew more eyes to the spot.

Some people even started live-streaming.

He smiled. "If you had written this poem, it would be more than enough to take our biggest prize. But since you only recited it, I can only give you a consolation prize."

Wang Bo didn't mind. He happily walked down and smilingly gave the little bunny plush toy he received to Li Qian.

Li Qian looked disgusted, feeling it was too embarrassing, and repeatedly dodged him.

Finally, unable to avoid it, Li Qian took it and immediately stuffed it into Zhang Ying's hands.

Zhang Ying smiled and rubbed it in her hands. "Qian, it's quite cute. If you don't want it, I'll keep it."

"Sister Ying, hold onto it for me for now," Li Qian replied, her face slightly flushed.

After Wang Bo's antics, Chen Shaoping's interest was piqued. Seeing that Zhang Ying liked the plushie, his interest grew even stronger.

"Sister Ying, I'll go win the biggest toy back for you."

"Okay, okay!" Zhang Ying was very happy and added, "When you go up, you can't recite 'The pink lotuses' again."

"Of course," Chen Shaoping promised.

Wang Bo was even more excited than Chen Shaoping. "Da Ping, go for it! Let them see how amazing my brother is!"

Chen Shaoping was in a good mood, but it was ruined by that one sentence. "If you don't know how to speak, then shut up."

He even gave Wang Bo a kick in the butt before walking onto the stage.

Han Minde chuckled.

The three ladies also stared curiously at Chen Shaoping, full of expectation.

"Brother, I see you're with the guy who just came up. You're not here to recite someone else's poem too, are you?"

"If that's the case, we won't be giving out prizes this time."

The scholar spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.

"My skin isn't as thick as his; I couldn't do something so shameless."

"Just watch."

The people around were amused by his words and laughed, their eyes instinctively glancing at Wang Bo.

Wang Bo didn't care at all; he didn't know the meaning of blushing and instead wore a smug smile.

After Chen Shaoping finished speaking, his expression was natural and his face calm as he began to recite an ancient poem.

"'Drinking on the Lake: First Sunny, Then Rainy'"

"The water's shimmer is delightful on a sunny day, the mountain's misty hue is also wondrous in the rain."

"If one were to compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, light makeup or heavy, she is always beautiful."

From the moment he began to recite, the originally bustling scene fell silent. Everyone was carefully savoring the poetic charm.

This included the scholar as well.

Only the rustling of the lake breeze brushing against the willow leaves blended with the lingering charm of the poem.

A moment later.

"My brother is amazing, right? Awesome, isn't he?"

"Can he take away your biggest plush toy now?"

Wang Bo stepped up again. His words were like a drop of water falling into a pan of hot oil, instantly causing an explosion of noise.

"Who is this guy? Could he be some big shot? He's wrapped up so tightly."

"It's over. I have a feeling I'm going to have to memorize this poem too," a primary school student said gloomily.

Even the live-stream's bullet comments were filled with them.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! I truly believe now that the real masters are among the common folk."

The scholar also snapped out of it, and his attitude immediately became respectful. He bowed.

"'If one were to compare the West Lake to Xi Shi'! Once this line is out, all the poems on our stage today pale in comparison!"

"Hello, sir. May I be so bold as to ask your name? It would make it easier for us to include the author's name when we publish it."