CHAPTER 500: CHAPTER 499: UNPRECEDENTED MOVE

Although it’s Mid-Autumn Festival on Monday, school is not on holiday so students still need to attend classes.

However, while Zhen Yu just finished the flag-raising broadcast during the big break and was organizing equipment in the broadcasting room, Director Feng suddenly came with a man and a woman whom she did not know!

"Zhen Yu, these are Mr. Li KeGuo and Ms. Yi Lu from the Qi City Calligraphers Association."

"Hello." Zhen Yu felt delighted when she heard that the visitors were from the Calligrapher Association!

Yet, her facial expression didn’t change at all, and she remained composed and calm.

Both commissioners came with a mission, and their association had already investigated Zhen Yu before coming to First High School.

Yi Lu thought that Zhen Yu would understand their intention once she heard ’Calligrapher Association’. So she cut straight to the point, "Here’s the thing, the Chinese Hard Pen Calligraphy Association is initiating the first ’Calligraphy Impression’ Cup National Calligraphy Competition across the country, and they are currently collecting submissions! All the national calligraphy experts are eagerly participating! Since you are the champion in both categories of this year’s Qi City Youth Calligraphy Competition, we specifically came here today hoping you would represent our Qi City Calligraphers Association in the children’s group competition! Of course, you need to join the association first if you’re willing. What do you say? This is a great opportunity for you!"

"Represent you in the competition?" Zhen Yu perceptive of their underlying intention, asked, "Does that mean I can also participate in the competition in my own name?"

Mr. Li KeGuo’s eyebrows twitched unexpectedly; he didn’t anticipate that Zhen Yu would immediately grasp the hidden meaning in Yi Lu’s words! Hence, he quickly added, "If you represent us, it’ll be a win-win situation!"

"Oh?" Zhen Yu chuckled nonchalantly, "Then explain to me, what do you win and what do I win?"

Yi Lu frowned, obviously displeased, but she still explained: "If you can win one of the top three placements in the children’s group of this competition, you can apply to become a junior member of the Chinese Hard Pen Calligraphy Association! Moreover, there are teacher award and group award in the competition. If obtained, the mentoring teachers can apply for the membership of the Chinese Hard Pen Calligraphy Association, and for the Qi City Calligraphers Association, the group award is one of the conditions to apply as a member unit of the Chinese Hard Pen Calligraphy Association."

"You still haven’t clarified what I gain from this? It seems I get the same benefits whether I participate on my own or not," Zhen Yu calmly responded to Yi Lu.

This kid really holds one foot off the ground until she sees a clear path! Mr. Li sighed and took over the conversation.

"Our association can provide you with a dedicated coaching teacher, and you can attend all calligraphy and hard pen calligraphy classes from our training programs for free! You can also participate in the association’s regular seminars to exchange and learn with calligraphers and calligraphy enthusiasts! Most importantly, our association has never before accepted a student like you as a member, so this would be an exception if we include you!"

"So, what you’re saying is it would be very honorable for me to join the association, right?" Zhen Yu bluntly translated Mr. Li’s underlying message, causing the expressions on the faces of the three adults to almost crack.

Then her next statement literally made their jaws drop!

"Fame and honor aren’t worth money, can they be eaten? If I am to represent the association, you’ll have to cover all expenses related to the competition! This includes but is not limited to travel expenses as well as accommodations and meals!"

"This," Yi Lu turned to Mr. Li speechlessly, no one had mentioned this to her before coming to First High School!

Mr. Li sighed again at Yi Lu’s look but still stared directly at Zhen Yu and said, "Okay! Then it’s settled,"

"That’s settled then!" Zhen Yu quickly interjected. "Just tell me what I need to do!"

Mr. Li finally showed a hint of a smile and signaled Yi Lu with a look to explain the submission requirements for the competition to Zhen Yu.

Director Feng, who had been standing by like a wallflower, finally spoke again, "Mr. Li, since both parties have agreed on the collaboration, I’ll go get busy then! You guys keep talking!"

Mr. Li quickly thanked Director Feng while seeing him out of the broadcasting room.

——

At the same time, Bai Xue, who had just dispersed from the playground, was stopped on her way back to class 10.

"Bai Xue!"

"Ah!" Seeing the music teacher who had facilitated opportunities for her, Bai Xue hastily saluted and said, "Hello, Teacher Wei!"

"Good, good! Do you have time right now? Let’s go to the music classroom!"

Teacher Wei seemed anxious, and Bai Xue nodded quickly, "Yes!"

"Then let’s go!"

Two minutes later, Bai Xue was seated in front of her guqin by Teacher Wei, "Come on! Play it again for the teacher to hear!"

"Have you heard me playing before? I didn’t know that." Bai Xue was puzzled.

"I’ve heard a bit when I passed by occasionally!" Teacher Wei’s expression was a bit awkward, she briefly answered and urged again. "Quickly, play another piece for the teacher!"

Bai Xue didn’t want to decline out of respect, so she nodded, "Oh... okay!"

"Extremely talented! You are indeed extremely talented! Is this really just one month of learning guqin?"

"Yes..."

"Have you learned any other instrument before?"

"No before, but afterward, I learned flute and erhu." Bai Xue truthfully answered.

"What? You weren’t just focused on guqin this month?" Teacher Wei was even more surprised!

Bai Xue couldn’t understand her surprise but still explained, "On weekends, I find time to practice the other two instruments, but on weekdays, I primarily focus on guqin."

"Such a rare talent! It would be a pity if you didn’t pursue music! Fortunately, your teacher discovered it in time! Haha..." Teacher Wei burst out laughing.

Under her breath, Bai Xue muttered, "Actually, Xiao Yu discovered me first!"

But that was not important.

Next, Teacher Wei began to use the limited time of the big break to discuss with Bai Xue how to help her transition from an ordinary high school student to a music-talented student eligible for art-track college entrance exams!

Bai Xue had always been worried about this, but since she saw Zhen Yu was busy and it was still a long way to her own college entrance exams, she hadn’t found the right moment to ask.

And at this moment... she was unexpectedly accepted by the music teacher for special training! She was so excited she almost wanted to scream!