Upon hearing that Wu Yuekai would personally assign the topic, Li Ying was overjoyed. It must be because of Grandpa Sun’s reputation that this veteran military chief would so graciously favor her.
She had to perform well!
With Wu Yuekai personally giving out the topic, Li Ying’s blood was boiling. Even if she won against Guzheng, so what? She’d still be stuck in this division level unit for life, serving as a doctor in the dical team. What great achievents could she possibly have!
Thinking of this, Li Ying felt much more balanced. She was ant to represent soldiers on the national New Year’s Gala, so how could she get discouraged by such a minor setback!
Li Ying took a deep breath, suppressing the extre discomfort and frustration in her heart, and her face once again displayed a flawless smile as she waited for Wu Yuekai to present the topic.
Wu Yuekai cleared his throat, picked up the microphone, and said, "Today, it’s a pleasure to attend this event at the 119th Division. The old man is also happy and happened to encounter such an interesting interaction session, so let provide the topic."
After he spoke, there was a round of applause from below.
"I just wrote a short poem, you all should write this poem." Wu Yuekai handed a slip of paper to Li Xuejun.
Li Xuejun then handed it to the mbers of the performance troupe who were already waiting nearby.
The performing arts soldier quickly passed the slip to the Host, who unfolded it and gently recited it before handing it to Li Ying and Beisitian.
"Just use your preferred style to write it," Wu Yuekai said.
Li Ying nodded with a smile, glancing at Beisitian, with a determined look in her eyes. She had previously copied famous works of this poem’s style, both running script and regular script. Compared to the running script, her regular script was slightly better.
After thinking about it, she decided to write in small regular script.
The props team quickly brought up two square tables with all the necessary tools: paperweight, Xuan paper, brush, and ink, clearly well-prepared.
Beisitian looked at the short poem, twitched the corner of her mouth, couldn’t help but glance at the old gentleman on stage, then remained silent.
Li Ying glanced at Beisitian, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and as the brush touched the paper, neat and elegant small regular script appeared. anwhile, Beisitian also picked up the brush, with a calm expression, and started writing.
A short poem, with little over ten characters, both of them finished quickly. Li Ying was the first to hand over her finished work to the two mbers of the prop team standing beside the Host.
So opportunities must be seized, especially when the skill levels of two individuals are similar. This advantage becos even more critical; her writing being shown first will leave the initial impression on everyone.
She beca wary when she saw the confident expression in Beisitian’s eyes as she began to write. In case she was skilled in calligraphy as well, Li Ying capturing this opportunity would leave the first impression.
If Beisitian’s writing wasn’t as good, it wouldn’t matter, but if they were equally matched, certainly the one seen first would leave a stronger impression.
Li Ying’s small regular script was delicate and graceful, neat and elegant, giving a sense of refined beauty that was pleasing to the eye.
The audience, mostly rough soldiers, found the writing attractive, srized even without recognizing the characters.
Those with so education, seeing this writing and comparing it to their own chicken scratch, suddenly viewed it with great admiration. Their perception of Li Ying changed; she was no longer just the performing arts soldier who played the instrunt beautifully. Now they realized she could write with such skill that even ordinary teachers couldn’t match.
Many family mbers shared the sa sentint. Li Ying was just a performing arts soldier in their eyes, and though performing arts soldiers seed more distinguished than typical family mbers, it was ultimately for entertainnt regardless of her status in the troupe.
Now it was different. Not only was she beautiful, talented in singing and dancing, but she also possessed cultural knowledge. Her ability to write such beautiful script left a different impression than before.
Once the writing was shown to everyone, it was taken to the judges’ table on the high stage.
Zhao Zhongqi looked at the small regular script and nodded with a smile, "Good writing! For a young girl, the writing is quite impressive. Keep practicing, and in due ti, there’s certainly room for growth!"
Upon hearing Zhao Zhongqi’s praise, Sun Guicai was beaming with smiles. Nannan was talented in both literature and the arts, and among her peers, she was a rare find.
Although Zhao Zhongqi’s status in the literary world was far below Wu Yuekai, he was still a renowned calligrapher. For Xiao Ying to receive his praise at such a young age would substantially boost her value!
Sun Guicai looked expectantly at Wu Yuekai. If she were to get recognition from this esteed literary calligraphy master, and catch Wu Yuekai’s eye, Nannan would be truly fortunate!
Wu Yuekai looked at the writing and nodded, "Not bad."
Sun Guicai rejoiced. For Wu Yuekai to utter these words was a huge affirmation of Li Ying. He had heard that at various exchange etings, there weren’t many writings that could earn Wu Yuekai’s praise. It was truly comndable that Nannan got his approval!
As Wu Yuekai spoke, soone beside him held a microphone, and his words were heard loud and clear throughout the venue. Even the various units began to whisper amongst themselves, a low murmur spread beneath.
Zhao Zhongqi glanced at him, for those in the circle knew what Wu Yuekai’s words ant. It was an indication of unwillingness to comnt!
Among most literati in the circle, Wu Yuekai was known for being gentle and not wanting to embarrass others. For work that wasn’t too bad but failed to impress, he gave those three words.
On stage, Li Ying’s face was flushed with joy. It was not the complint from Wu Yuekai that made her happiest; it was the hope that if she could leave an impression on the old military chief, even if she didn’t pass the selection, she could still move on to a higher unit!
Li Ying slightly turned her head to glance at Beisitian, a flash of pride in her eyes. Then she showed a humble smile, stood there, and bowed to thank Wu Yuekai and Zhao Zhongqi for their comnts, her attitude sincere and earnest, which added to Zhao Zhongqi’s goodwill.
Next on stage was the display of Beisitian’s writing. She wrote in running script, as if a dragon road the seas, with an ancient charm that was ethereal and light, carrying feminine grace but not lacking strength, showing craftsmanship and elegance!
On the high stage, Zhao Zhongqi squinted and uttered a light "Huh" because from the distance, he couldn’t see clearly, and mumbled, "Seems like a fine piece of writing... Bring it over for a closer look!"
Without a microphone, only those on the high stage could hear him. Sun Guicai heard it plainly and couldn’t help but let out a cold snort in his heart. This little girl had character issues, so what use was good writing!
He had heard about Beisitian’s affairs from others in the performance troupe. When he asked Li Ying, she was evasive, only ntioning that the wife was exceptionally talented and having admirers was normal.
That statent clearly indicated there was an issue. Silly Nannan was still covering for the girl, but would she ever appreciate that sentint!
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