The program "Poetry Across the Globe" has always been dedicated to promoting traditional culture.
This time, the theme was the heroic figure Chen Lie.
Due to the immense popularity of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," Chen Lie, whose historical prototype on this planet bears a strong resemblance to Yue Fei, has garnered more attention.
Because Gong Ju Ren applied to the program for a new song, and the show's chief director happened to be Liu Qing Feng, who has a connection with Su Yu.
Therefore, he decided to try and see if Listening Rain could be invited to participate in the program.
This would also help to boost the show's popularity.
Su Yu naturally did not refuse Liu Qing Feng's invitation.
Setting aside the respect due to the most formidable director of this variety show, Su Yu felt obligated to accept given the past favors of securing spots for "National Treasures" and the Spring Festival Gala.
Moreover, he was also good friends with his father-in-law.
These favors were meant to be repaid.
After Su Yu accepted the invitation, the program team immediately began promoting the news that Listening Rain would be participating in "Poetry Across the Globe" and would be performing a new song.
As soon as this news was released, the popularity of "Poetry Across the Globe" skyrocketed!
When the show began, countless viewers flooded the live stream.
"Welcome everyone to a special episode of 'Poetry Across the Globe.' This episode will take you on a journey to understand a different kind of national hero!"
The host was a refined middle-aged man, considered a well-known figure on Hua Shi.
"Poetry Across the Globe" was holding this special episode, inviting people from the literary circle to join the program and gain a deeper understanding of Chen Lie's life.
The program featured master storyteller Wu Ning Xue, who narrated Chen Lie's story in the traditional storytelling style.
From his youth to his middle age, his heart was filled with patriotism.
The audience listened with immense fervor!
The camera swept across the seats of the literary guests.
The older generation pondered with furrowed brows, occasionally jotting down key points.
The younger, well-known figures Shen Chun and Wu Xiao Meng, however, appeared preoccupied. As the most famous talented young man and woman of their generation, they had achieved considerable success in other areas, apart from losing to Listening Rain at the previous cultural exchange event.
Their fame even surpassed that of the older generation.
"I'm going to steal the spotlight today!" Wu Xiao Meng whispered into Shen Chun's ear with determination.
"It doesn't matter," Shen Chun replied, shaking his head. His gaze shifted towards the audience, where Zhou Si Si, representing the media, was present. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Heh, it's been a while since I returned to the country, Xiao Meng's confidence has really grown, hasn't it?" a refined young man with an elegant demeanor said from beside them.
"Don't even think about it, I'm the one who's going to steal the spotlight this time," another young man, wearing a baseball cap and dressed fashionably, chimed in.
"Hmph, with just the two of you?" Wu Xiao Meng shot them a glance. "When it comes to poetry, I, Wu Xiao Meng, fear no one."
The young man in the baseball cap scoffed, "Really? Then why did you lose to Listening Rain, an outsider, before?"
Another person chimed in, "Xiao Meng, do you know that after you lost to Listening Rain, the reputation of us Four Great Talents was also greatly tarnished by you two?"
Hearing this, Wu Xiao Meng's face flushed.
She wanted to retort but couldn't find a reason.
"When I lost to Listening Rain, I accepted it wholeheartedly. If you think it was due to my lack of skill, then try it yourselves," she could only retort stubbornly with a hmph.
These two were the other two of the Four Great Talents who had not attended the previous cultural exchange event.
The refined young man was named Duan Yan Sheng. He was born into an artistic family and was proficient in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He was currently pursuing advanced studies at a top overseas university.
The fashionably dressed young man was named Qi Hao. His father was the vice president of the Writers Association. He had a deep foundation in literature from a young age, but his ambitions lay elsewhere. He preferred dancing to literature and had even participated in trainee programs, enjoying considerable fame in the entertainment industry.
The four of them were known as the Four Great Talents of Kyoto.
In terms of poetry, Wu Xiao Meng and Qi Hao were of similar caliber, while Duan Yan Sheng and Shen Chun had deeper attainments in calligraphy and painting.
Wu Xiao Meng ignored the other two and looked at the absent-minded Shen Chun.
"Don't even think about it. She's already with Gong Ju Ren."
"It doesn't matter," Shen Chun continued to shake his head.
"Are you stupid, or do you still think you're very devoted?" Wu Xiao Meng was beside herself.
"As long as she's happy, I can wait," Shen Chun's lips curved slightly, his tone tinged with bitterness.
Wu Xiao Meng slapped her forehead. "Hopeless..."
She wanted to ask Shen Chun if he couldn't consider her, but felt that doing so would make her just as pathetic as him, so she could only wait for him to figure it out himself.
In Wu Xiao Meng's opinion, even if Zhou Si Si wasn't with Gong Ju Ren, Shen Chun still stood no chance. After all, they were childhood sweethearts, and if there were any possibility, they would have gotten together long ago.
...
On the stage.
The storytelling had concluded.
The host stepped onto the stage.
"After listening to the life story of the hero Chen Lie, I believe everyone has gained a deep understanding of him. Now, let us invite Teacher Listening Rain to the stage to say a few words."
After speaking, he looked towards Su Yu in the guest seats.
Su Yu was slightly taken aback.
Hadn't he been told he was just here to slack off? Why was he being asked to speak?
Despite his inner confusion, Su Yu still walked towards the stage.
"Hello everyone, I am Listening Rain."
He took the microphone from the host and greeted the audience.
Wow!!
Thunderous cheers erupted from the audience!
The barrage of comments in the live stream also went wild!
"Finally, seeing Listening Rain on a domestic entertainment program!"
"I heard that Listening Rain was only invited to support the show because Gong Ju Ren was invited to sing."
"Is that true? That's too much favoritism!"
"Looking forward to the new song. But next is the poetry segment, right? I actually hope Listening Rain will write another poem for Chen Lie."
"That's probably unlikely. After all, it's already rare for Listening Rain to participate in this program, and the program team wouldn't demand anything of him."
While the audience was speculating.
Su Yu shared his understanding of Chen Lie.
After a few brief remarks, seeing his low spirits, the host proceeded with the rest of the program.
"Next, let's move on to today's poetry competition. There are no restrictions on topics or themes, and the four talents can freely express themselves. Since Teacher Listening Rain is a guest, could you predict who will receive the highest votes today?"
After the storytelling segment, the program moved on to the poetry creation segment.
Normally, they would invite some university students from the literature department to the program. This not only helped those outstanding students gain recognition but also added to the program's entertainment value.
Today, they had directly invited the Four Great Talents of Kyoto, and even many elder figures from the literary circle were present.
It was worth noting that it was difficult to invite even one of these individuals on a normal occasion. The fact that they were all gathered this time was precisely because of Listening Rain's presence.
Such a massive draw could not be resisted even by those who were dedicated to literature.
After the poems were written, they would be voted on by the audience, and the one with the most votes would receive the prize prepared by the program team.
For those involved in culture, prizes were secondary; fame ranked first.
"I'm not too familiar with the talented individuals..." Su Yu looked at Shen Chun and the others. "Wu Xiao Meng, I witnessed her talent last time, she's very impressive."
Since he didn't know the other two, he casually picked the familiar Wu Xiao Meng.