Chapter 45: What’s wrong with…that reward?

Countless lights, countless cameras, and countless gazes now turned to the panting Lu Yuan.

At this moment, Lu Yuan had already become the focal point of everyone here.

This was the first time he saw so many people looking at him. He naturally would feel very nervous in his heart. But once he thought about the $50,000 reward, he took a deep breath and pretended to be cultured as he slowly walked step by step toward the stage.

Life was like a drama, everything was dependent on acting skills!

“Earlier, why did you leave halfway?” Old Master Chen stared at Lu Yuan. There was a helpless look in his eyes.

He truly didn’t know what was in the brain of this little rascal.

“This place felt a little stuffy so I went out for some fresh air. Also, I had a stomach ache, so…”

“Do you think I will believe this?”

“But I really had a stomach ache…”

“Alright then. If I didn’t call you, would you leave and not come back?”

“This…not really… I just went out for some fresh air…”

“Then why did the driver Little Zhang say that you were preparing to leave?” The Old Master’s gaze surveyed Lu Yuan.

“How can that be possible? Did I say that? It’s impossible, he must have heard it wrongly!” Lu Yuan shook his head after seeing the Old Master’s gaze.

“Go and claim your reward then, don’t be so rascally in the future.”

“Oh.”

“Also, please practice your calligraphy more”

“I will definitely do so if I have time, definitely do so.”

“Go on then.”

“Oh.”

After Lu Yuan’s brief chat with Old Master Chen, he turned and walked toward Chen Xi.

Chen Xi’s tall figure stood at the center of the stage. She silently looked at the approaching Lu Yuan. A few ripples as well as a hint of curiosity flashed in her beautiful eyes.

This was the man her grandpa often brought up?

It could be considered that he truly did have some talent.

Mn, he also looked very honest.

Lu Yuan looked at Chen Xi and only felt that she was truly beautiful. Her entire person emitted a scholarly vibe and gracefulness. Her eyes were exceptionally warm and gentle, yet they also contained an aloof look with a trace of superiority.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Lu Yuan accepted the impressive-looking certificate and glanced at it.

“Do you have any speech?”

“Oh, that… Actually, I also don’t know how I got such high points. However, I want to thank…” Lu Yuan drew in a deep breath. He stared at everyone and followed what people receiving awards would usually say on TV.

In any case, these were words to thank the judges and peers.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, he also dipped into a humble bow.

After his bow, applause rang out. The face of the host was also filled with a smile. Just when the host was preparing to slowly get back up on the stage and wanted to take the mic to say some things, he suddenly saw that Lu Yuan was still standing at his original location, showing no signs that he would get off the stage.

Why didn’t he want to go down after receiving the prize?

Was something the matter?

Lu Yuan not only didn’t go down, but he also stood on the stage dazedly for tens of seconds. It was like he was waiting for something.

“Do you still have something you want to say?” Seeing that Lu Yuan wasn’t planning to get down, Chen Xi cast a strange look at Lu Yuan.

“Ah, nothing…” Lu Yuan shook his head, but he continued standing on the stage.

“Then you…”

“Eh, can I ask a question?”

“Please do.”

“Isn’t there supposed to be something else? For example, the monetary reward or something like that…? When will I receive it…?” Lu Yuan stared at Chen Xi. His gaze was filled with hints as he spoke in a low voice beside her.

“…”

“Don’t misunderstand, I didn’t write the poems for the monetary reward. I did it because of my mood and for all the toiling farmers out there…” Lu Yuan hurriedly explained in a low voice when he saw Chen Xi’s expression changing.

“We will give you the money. Just go down, report your card number, and that will do.” Chen Xi took a deep breath. Her warm and gentle eyes were instantly filled with helplessness.

Lu Yuan’s image, which was originally overflowing with talent, collapsed and became an image that spoke of desperation for money.

“Oh, oh, oh…” After Lu Yuan heard this, it was a weight off his mind. He felt his steps quickened as he happily got down the stage. He completely ignored Chen Xi’s current look and emotions.

Money!

$50,000 wasn’t a small sum!

Pui!

(Am I a person who would bend my waist for $50,000? Am I so lacking in class? I’m naturally not such a person!)

After he got down the stage, Lu Yuan suddenly put on a dignified expression like some gifted scholars as he sat back down on his seat.

………

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the Poetry Exchange was coming to its end.

After Lu Yuan got down the stage, the classical poetry supporters began to applaud again. The applause sounded very loud and clear.

In fact, they even had a satisfied and complacent smile on their faces as they stared at the modern poetry supporters beside them.

The modern poetry supporters all had awful expressions on their faces. This feeling was like they were angry but had no way to vent their anger.

This type of feeling was extremely unbearable.

The classical poetry supporters were naturally incomparably happy in comparison.

After all, Lu Yuan achieved a very high point. This caused all the modern poetry supporters to feel so suppressed that they couldn’t breathe!

Lu Yuan undoubtedly became the hero of the classical poetry supporters. After Lu Yuan got down the stage, many people ran over and wanted to be friends with him.

For the upcoming rounds of the competition, all the classical poetry supporters were filled with anticipation toward Lu Yuan’s performance. They hoped Lu Yuan could once again suppress the modern poetry supporters. It would be best if all the modern poetry supporters felt unable to breathe from the crushing pressure.

But it was very regrettable. After that, all Lu Yuan handed up were blank pieces of paper. It was as though he had no intention to help the classical poetry supporters anymore…

Without the variable that was Lu Yuan, the whole Poetry Exchange reverted back to the earlier situation where both sides were roughly on par with each other…

“Brother, why don’t you write anything?”

“I can’t…”

“I don’t believe it. As someone who can write two such impressive poems earlier, how can you be unable to answer anything for the other test topics?”

“Naturally… Because I have used up all of my creative powers…” Lu Yuan honestly nodded.

“I understand, you are afraid that the conflict between the modern and classical poetry supporters would be too deep, so you intentionally want to leave some face for them, right? Brother, I couldn’t tell earlier, but you are indeed a gentleman. Such a character truly makes one impressed!” Xu Xiaonian had a look of admiration in his eyes as he looked at Lu Yuan calmly eating fruits. At the same time, Lu Yuan’s cheeks started to heat up.

There was even a hint of reverence in Xiaonian’s gaze.

“Cough, cough…this…” When Lu Yuan heard this, he instantly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

(I spoke the truth again, but no one believed. What’s going on?)

(Could it be that people would only believe me if I lie?)

(People would only believe me if I boast about my own talent?)

In truth, he only knew a few ancient poems, and those he knew could either barely match up to the test topics or completely weren’t a match at all. Hence, there was no mistake when he said he ‘used up all his creativity powers’…

Actually, he didn’t wish to pretend to be someone overflowing with talent, but…

No one gave him a chance not to!

………

The Poetry Exchange finally ended after the host gave a liberal conclusion that aroused the audience’s emotions.

The young students began to exit the scene with high emotions while boasting mutually.

Lu Yuan’s feats were naturally boasted to the high heavens by these people.

Naturally, Lu Yuan felt a little guilty. He was a little embarrassed when others spoke so highly of him. He kept saying that he had used up all his creativity, and he really wasn’t talented.

Naturally, no one believed in his words.

Everyone felt that Lu Yuan was being humble. Even Chen Xi who was following behind him felt that Lu Yuan was too overly humble to the extent of being a little hypocritical.

Old Master Chen originally prepared to bring Lu Yuan and Chen Xi out for evening tea to create a chance for them to know each other. When he saw the gaze Chen Xi looked at Lu Yuan with, he felt a little happy in his heart. He felt that there was a chance for both of them to get together. However, after Lu Yuan received a phone call, Old Master Chen could only shelve his plans temporarily.

Lu Yuan put down his phone. His expression was somewhat heavy.

“Old Master, I have to rush back…”

“Rush back? It’s already so late…”

“I just received a phone call. My movie seemed to have completed filming in advance. However, my assistant director drank a little and couldn’t control his emotions. I have to rush back and take a look…”

“Unable to control his emotions?”

“Yes, things seem a little serious.”

“Do you need me to send people over to help you?”

“No need, I will go over for a look first.”

“Alright then, I will get the driver to send you.”

“Mn, thank you, Old Master.”

“Don’t say it like that. In any case, if there’s trouble, you must definitely give me a call, alright?”

“Understood!”