Chapter 408: A "Teammate" Appears for No Reason
The next day, on Sunday afternoon, March 3, the annual "Yingchun Cup" calligraphy and painting competition for college students in East Guangdong Province was held at the Provincial Gymnasium.
Why can cultural activities borrow the settings of sports?
First, the provincial gymnasium is relatively large and can accommodate the number of people participating in this event.
The second is that "culture and sports are inseparable". More than ten years later, many local cultural bureaus and sports bureaus were merged into "Cultural and Sports Bureaus".
Of course, at present, the "Yingchun Cup" is still an event hosted by the Provincial Department of Culture and co-organized by the Provincial Communist Youth League.
Led by two provincial-level units, it not only has high standards, but also has high recognition and value within the province.
The Department of Culture even sent a deputy inspector named Zhang to give a leadership speech. When Director Zhang was speaking, Chen was also listening below.
Of course, Chen Zhe is not a contestant, but came here as a family member to cheer.
Because Yu Xian's work successfully passed the audition, he is currently waiting in the venue for the final.
The venue was a slightly decorated basketball court. The calligraphy competition was held in the morning and the painting competition was held in the afternoon.
All contestants had a wooden drawing board in front of them, with sheets of white rice paper spread out on it.
Yu Xian also sat on a small square stool, but facing the podium, leaving only her honey-brown hair to her family.
It was burgundy in high school, but it gradually faded to a less eye-catching honey brown.
The hair is curly, like the crest of waves wrinkled by the sea breeze. With the occasional sway of the body, it bounces and scatters on the shoulders, or falls on the graceful waist.
Chen Zhuo didn't know why Yu Xian's waist was so beautiful, thin and light, like a silk ribbon tied on a red wine bottle, silky and resilient.
"... Dear students, calligraphy and painting are an important part of our traditional culture. They carry the wisdom and spirit of the Chinese nation..."
"…This year, the Olympic Games are being held in our country. In order to carry forward the Olympic spirit and pursue the dream of a better future…"
"…The theme of this painting competition is [the fragrance of ink overflowing, the charm of Austrian style], which is both a sport and a charm…"
Director Zhang's remarks were within Chen's expectations.
In 2008, no matter what official activities you attend, if you don't mention the word "Olympics", it means you have no political stance and sensitivity, and don't know how to respond to the central government's deployment and call.
Even the questions in the national and provincial examinations are related to the Olympics. After all, this is a grand event in which all human beings on the planet participate.
"...I will now make the announcement."
After Director Zhang finished talking a bunch of nonsense, he finally said, "The competition officially begins!"
Yu Xian's personality is cheerful and lively. Apart from Chen Zhuo, she simply can't stand this kind of cumbersome and lengthy official language.
So when Director Zhang was speaking, she often turned her head and covered her mouth to whisper to Wu Yu sitting next to her.
That’s right, Comrade Wu Yu also passed the audition and entered the finals.
She was originally just "accompanying the prince in his studies", but through the subtle accompaniment, her skills and proficiency were significantly improved under the guidance of the famous teacher, Guan Yongyi.
Anyway, Wu Yu herself was surprised to make it to the finals.
"It's not enough to accompany the prince to study, you have to accompany him until he ascends the throne, right?"
Wu Yu thought gloomily.
I heard from Big Fool Wang Changhua that the opening of Huang Baihan’s milk tea shop is very interesting, but it was delayed by this competition, so it will probably take until night time.
"Ah! Ahh!"
Wang Changhua, who was standing next to Chen Zhuo, sneezed several times for no apparent reason.
"Damn it, I went back to the dormitory very late last night after drinking."
Wang Changhua's voice was a little nasal: "I think I have a cold."
"Then just go back and lie down."
Chen said: "Anyway, we are still here."
"you?"
Wang Changhua pursed her lips, thinking that you are all cos sister’s relatives and friends.
Yu Xian’s family and friends are rather “weird” today.
First of all, Professor Guan was not present.
The old lady's status is so high, especially in Lingnan. Whenever she stands in the venue, the event organizers, including the deputy inspector who just spoke, will come over to say hello.
If they knew that Yu Xian was her last disciple, believe it or not, even if Sister Cos handed in a blank paper, those officials would consider all aspects and let Yu Xian get the first place.
This is the result that Professor Guan wanted, but it is not the process she wanted.
I, Guan Yongyi’s disciple, must get first place, but I can’t get first place in this way!
So Professor Guan simply didn't come, and even didn't allow Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts President Tong Lan to accompany him.
In the end, the only teacher who accompanied Yu Xian and Wu Yu to the competition was their class teacher Xiao Yongzhi, who looked quite pitiful.
You should know that there are more than just these two students from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts participating in the competition. The former "prodigy" He Yuanchang and his instructor Professor Xia Rucai are accepting compliments from some media reporters in the venue.
Secondly, Chen Zhuo’s parents actually came.
In fact, this was agreed upon before. They would also come to cheer Yu Xian on the day of his competition.
The couple both thought that Chen Zhuo and Song Shiwei had nothing to do with each other anymore, so they naturally devoted themselves to this "daughter-in-law from Sichuan and Chongqing."
Therefore, Wang Changhua was right to think that way, as everyone here was indeed Yu Xian’s people.
Wu Yu seemed to be taking the exam for free. She had no hope of winning and didn't even tell her family about the competition.
Of course, Wang Changhua didn’t think this female Tyrannosaurus could be that powerful.
What he wanted to do was to watch her from a distance, accompany her, and then make fun of her.
However, Wang Changhua couldn't say these words. Not only could she not say them, she even had to reply stubbornly:
"Yu Xian is in such an important match, how can I leave now that I'm here? What if she needs to borrow energy from everyone at the critical moment? She can't do without me!"
"This isn't Dragon Ball, what energy do you need to borrow?"
Chen Zhuo did not persuade him any further: "If you feel that your body can hold on, then let's wait together."
The afternoon finals are live painting, from 2:30 to 5:30.
The first is to test the contestants’ ability to write quickly, and the second is to completely eliminate “Mr. Dongguo” who uses other people’s works to pass the audition.
In fact, for students with good basic skills, three hours is enough.
When the contestants began to paint, their relatives and friends gradually quieted down, and all they could hear was the "swish" sound of the brush tips moving across the rice paper.
Occasionally, some parents’ phones were not set to vibrate mode, and the Phoenix Legend’s ringtone suddenly rang in the venue, startling everyone, and then they hung up the phone in a hurry.
Chen was observing the contestants. Most of them were girls, but there were also quite a few boys. Most of them should come from well-off families.
Not to mention high street fashion clothes, even luxury brands such as Dior, LV, and Prada are not rare.
Chen Zhuo gave Yu Xian a small Chanel purse during the Chinese New Year, but he said it was an A-grade product and only cost a few dozen dollars.
The cos sister believed it and casually placed it at the foot of the easel during the competition.
There was a female judge who was patrolling everywhere. She had stayed beside Yu Xian for a long time, looking at the paintings, the bags, and then the people from time to time.
Finally, she also wrote down the candidate's name.
"Are you going to wait until the end too?"
Chen asked his parents, he was worried that something might happen at Old Chen's unit or at Empress Dowager Mao's emergency department.
"Just wait."
Empress Dowager Mao said indifferently: "Today is Sunday and I am not on duty. We can still have dinner together in the evening. What do you think, Lao Chen?"
Chen Peisong was sending messages, probably because he was busy with work. He had been summoned by district leaders more often recently.
This is a good thing.
Leaders generally do not chat with their subordinates casually unless the subordinates inadvertently reveal some valuable foresight.
Hearing his wife's voice, Lao Chen raised his head and said easily, "I can do anything. Just arrange it."
"But we can't."
Chen said with a smile: "We are going to help out at Huang Bohan's milk tea shop tonight."
"What do you mean?"
Mao Xiaoqin was a little puzzled: "Bai Han opened a milk tea shop?"
"Yes!" Before Chen Zhuo could answer, Wang Changhua turned her head and said, "Uncle and aunt, you may not know, but the milk tea shop just opened yesterday, and the business is booming. Now we all call him Mr. Huang."
"Bai Han is so powerful now."
Mao Xiaoqin said in surprise.
"I'm still a little bit behind..."
While Wang Changhua was bragging about himself, Chen Zhuo suddenly stood up.
Chen Peisong was also a leader within the system who was always aware of what was happening, so he noticed it immediately.
"what happened?"
Old Chen asked.
"Go to the bathroom."
Chen calmly pointed outside the venue.
In fact, after Chen left his seat, he did not really walk out. Instead, he walked around to a corner and patted a middle-aged man on the shoulder.
Middle-aged men are usually tall and straight, but perhaps due to his personality, he seems not to be used to looking straight ahead with his head held high and his chest out, so he has a "hunched" feeling.
But I have to say that his facial features are very handsome, and he even has a bit of the flavor of Hong Kong male stars from the 7080s and s.
"Uncle Yu."
Chen said hello.
The "Hong Kong male star" turned around and found that it was Chen Zhuo. His face was filled with an eager and awkward smile: "Chen Zhuo, um... you are here too."
This is cos sister’s father Yu Xiaoliang.
He was captured by Chen when he squeezed into the gymnasium just now.
Chen was not surprised that Lao Yu was paying attention to his daughter's game. What was surprising was that Tang Xiangyue was also following behind.
Just now, Tang Xiangyue was still chattering about something, and pretended to accidentally take Lao Yu's arm, revealing a delusion of "reuniting".
Although Lao Yu had been ignoring him, when he suddenly ran into Chen Zhe, he felt like he was caught in bed with someone, which was also the main reason for his embarrassment.
"Aunt Tang, good afternoon."
Chen was very hypocritical, as if he had forgotten what happened in the past. He didn't question "Why are you together again?", but just greeted him politely.
"Ah... ah, hello."
Although this greeting frightened Tang Xiangyue quite a bit, he even used a respectful title.
Tang Xiangyue was not afraid of others quarreling with her, but she was afraid of people like Chen who smiled on the surface but were cruel and murderous behind her back.
Her brother Tang Quan will be in prison for two years, and the two families have completely fallen out.
Therefore, Tang Xiangyue was very afraid of Chen Zhe. Once this kind of person was afraid, he would start to become cautious, and even the sharpness of his high cheekbones was diluted.
"Well...I met her on the road."
Lao Yu is still trying his best to distance himself from the matter and prove that he has not "repeated the same mistakes."
Chen thought to himself, what does this have to do with me? As long as it doesn't affect Sister Cos, it's fine. He read the random reply and said, "We just arrived not long ago. My parents are still there."
"Are your parents here too?"
It is true that Lao Yu is cowardly, but he still understands the basic customs and procedures.
Everyone can see how deeply Yu Xian loves Chen Zhue. Whenever she goes home for dinner, she always says "Chen Zhue, Chen Zhue".
Even the grandmother lamented that the girl was extroverted and often scolded her in Sichuan and Chongqing dialect - after raising a granddaughter of such a big age, she had to go to Old Chen's house to do laundry and cooking.
Of course, “washing clothes and cooking” is a joke, but “taking care of the husband and children” is probably true.
Now that he has the opportunity to meet Chen Zhuo's parents, Yu Xiaoliang also wants to get to know his future "in-laws".
"Yes, I do."
Chen Zhuo nodded.
In fact, as soon as Lao Yu asked this question, Chen Zhuo immediately guessed what he was thinking.
“The timing doesn’t seem right.”
Chen was a little hesitant, thinking that the first meeting should be more formal.
Of course there is another reason. Father Yu’s personality makes it impossible for him to be the head of the family. At least Grandma Yu should be invited to join the effort.
"Tsk!"
Chen smacked his lips, but how to explain it?
If I didn't explain it well, would Mr. Yu think that I was objecting to the two parents meeting, causing unnecessary misunderstandings?
Just as Chen Zhuo was thinking of an appropriate reason, Tang Xiangyue, who was standing next to him, noticed that Chen Zhuo frowned inadvertently.
No wonder she was able to control Lao Yu so tightly; their ability to observe and sensitivity to the environment were not on the same level.
"Why do you ask people's parents what they do?"
Tang Xiangyue suddenly said loudly: "Do you still want to see me now? Lao Yu, is this an excuse you deliberately made up to get rid of me?"
"no way!"
Tang Xiangyue lowered her voice, but put her hands on her hips and said aggressively: "There are still some things between us that have not been clarified. If you go to meet them, then I will follow you!"
"you……"
How could Yu Xiaoliang let Tang Xiangyue act like that? This would only embarrass Yu Xian.
"Chen Zhe."
Yu Xiaoliang immediately put away his thoughts, turned around and said, "I originally wanted to meet your parents, but the situation today is a bit special..."
"It's okay. Next time we can make an appointment and pick up Grandma Yu as well."
As Chen spoke, he cast a grateful glance at Tang Xiangyue.
Tang Xiangyue seemed a little flattered and nodded quickly in response as if to please him.
Chen smiled slightly. He originally thought that this person's role was about to be "finished", but he didn't expect that she changed her mind and completely let go of her brother Tang Quan, and actually got another chance to show her face.
After exchanging a few words of greeting and leaving, Yu Xiaoliang and Tang Xiangyue couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Tang Xiangyue felt pressured facing Chen Zhe, but she didn't know Yu Xiaoliang's reason.
"how?"
Tang Xiangyue glanced at Lao Yu and asked, "You're not going to see Chen's parents today, what are you still worried about?"
"It's not because of that."
Yu Xiaoliang was a little annoyed. He stared at Yu Xian who was concentrating on the competition and said, "I was thinking that if Xian Mei'er won the prize, she might not be able to go back to her hometown to erect a monument, but I always feel that it goes against custom..."
"Why not?"
Tang Xiangyue said disapprovingly: "Is there anyone who would argue with you about your deceased wife?"
"I'm not trying to argue."
Yu Xiaoliang sighed: "Chen Zhuo said that going back would be too much trouble, and now is a critical moment. Going back and forth for a month will affect Xian Mei'er's development. He suggested that we erect a monument in Guangzhou."
Old Yu is an indecisive person. The more decisive he needs to be, the more likely he is to regret.
This kind of person seems to need a stronger partner to help him keep his mind calm at all times.
"Chenzhe?"
Tang Xiangyue's eyes moved, and she suddenly changed her tone: "Actually, I think it's really troublesome to go back to my hometown. I think Guangzhou is more suitable. Regardless of whether Yu Xian can win the award, it will be convenient for you to pay tribute to him during the Qingming Festival in the future."
"Do you also think that a monument should be erected in Guangzhou?"
Yu Xiaoliang unconsciously sought other people's opinions.
"Of course!"
In order to show her position, Tang Xiangyue even used herself as an example: "If I die in the future, I will let Xiaoye bury me in Guangzhou. It will be convenient for the children. The idea of returning to one's roots is an old-fashioned idea."
"Well……"
The weight in Lao Yu's heart began to lean towards this decision again.
Watching Yu Xiaoliang's troubled expression slowly relax, Tang Xiangyue planned to find time to tell Chen Zhe that she had contributed to this matter.
······
(End of this chapter)
