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Chapter 163 - 163 163 Show Us What Youve Got
Chapter 163 - 163 163 Show Us What Youve Got
?Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Show Us What You’ve Got Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Show Us What You’ve Got The guests and students soon took a car to the mountain.
An hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of a grand and imposing courtyard.
This was the first layer of the Art and Calligraphy Academy on National Treasure Mountain.
Above the courtyard’s main gate was a plaque, with “Art and Calligraphy Academy” written in a dragon-and-phoenix dance style that exuded a sense of grandeur and magnificence.
The production team’s members also followed all the way, and after the guests got out of the car, the director got out as well.
“Go ahead and knock on the door,” the director called out from behind.
The guests: “…What was the point of you following us.”
Bo Xiangxiang was not good at this, so there was nothing for her to show off here.
But she didn’t want Luo Ning’s team to show off either, so she said with a smile, “Teacher Wei, it’s up to you now whether or not we can get in.”
Wei Yao had tried this before but failed to pass with his calligraphy and painting and was therefore turned away at the gate.
He had thought that the program team had already arranged with National Treasure Mountain to let them in, and then he would compete in calligraphy and painting with a group, which made him quite confident.
Now, hearing Bo Xiangxiang’s words, he was somewhat unhappy; she was essentially putting him on the spot like a fish on a chopping board.
Even though he had practiced calligraphy and painting whenever he had time over the past two years, he was not very confident about passing.
If he could knock on the main door and bring everyone inside, that would still be fine.
But if he were to be turned away like before, it would be hugely embarrassing.
He could only muster a smile and said, “I’ll give it a try.”
He stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Soon, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy opened the door.
The boy greeted them with a smile, politely asking, “Are you here for a variety show live broadcast?”
“Yes, we are,” Wei Yao replied with a smile.
The boy said with a smile, “I believe you all know about National Treasure Mountain’s rules. If you want to enter our Art and Calligraphy Academy to visit and exchange ideas, you must pass a test.”
“We’re aware, so we’re ready to give it a try now,” Wei Yao said.
The boy then opened the door and said, “You can come in.”
The group followed the boy inside.
The inside of the main gate was a yard with several wooden tables and the four treasures of the study.
Beyond the yard was the academy’s main entrance, which was obviously closed and would only open after they passed the test.
Wei Yao had been here before and knew what the entrance test entailed.
But since this was a live broadcast and many viewers were not familiar with it, he asked with a smile, “What do we need to do to enter?”
The boy pointed to the wooden tables and said, “We will pose a question, and then you’ll need to write a piece of calligraphy and paint a picture, or you can combine them. As long as it satisfies the teachers sitting outside, you can enter.”
He glanced at the many people who had come in and added, “I heard that the theme of your variety show this time is to promote traditional national culture and skills, so we’ll give you more chances.”
“It’s not necessary for the same person to complete both the calligraphy and the painting; different people can try, as long as together you pass with one piece of writing and one painting.”
Wei Yao was ready and said, “I’ll give it a first go then.”
The boy gestured invitingly and said, “Both the calligraphy and painting should feature the peony as the theme.”
“Alright!”
Wei Yao stepped forward, picked up the brush, and began to write, looking quite skilled.
After finishing the writing, he went to another table and started to paint.
In the garden were several pots of blooming peonies, which he looked at as he painted.
The others crowded around the calligraphy Wei Yao had written to take a look.
“Teacher Wei’s calligraphy is really good.”
The guests and students started complimenting him.
Luo Ning glanced at the calligraphy Wei Yao had written, which, although not at a master level, had a bit of his own character and backbone; it was quite good.
When Wei Yao had finished his painting, an elder dressed in traditional Tang attire emerged from a room to the side.
With due reverence, the youth called out, “Vice Dean.”
Then he introduced the elder to everyone, “This is Vice Dean Qin from our Art and Calligraphy Academy.”
The crowd greeted him politely, “Good to meet you, Vice Dean Qin!”
Vice Dean Qin smiled and responded, “Hello everyone, welcome to the Art and Calligraphy Academy.”
The youth placed the calligraphy and painting Wei Yao had completed onto a table.
“This teacher has finished his calligraphy and painting, please, Vice Dean, judge them.”
Vice Dean Qin nodded, “Alright, let me have a look.”
He walked over and examined Wei Yao’s calligraphy closely.
“The calligraphy is quite good; it has your own style and vigor.”
His tone then shifted, “However, the last two characters lack real strength…”
He critiqued Wei Yao’s calligraphy, pointing out both its strengths and weaknesses. Even those who were unfamiliar with or didn’t understand calligraphy could tell he was very professional.
Wei Yao was visibly excited, humbly accepting the critique, “Master Qin is right, indeed listening to your words is better than studying for ten years.”
He knew Vice Dean Qin, a towering figure in the world of calligraphy, a master whom he had always admired.
The pointers from Master Qin truly enlightened him.
Vice Dean Qin chuckled, “Teacher Wei is too modest.”
He then proceeded to critique Wei Yao’s painting.
“Your painting is somewhat conventional, a notch below your calligraphy. Over here…”
In comparison to his calligraphy, Wei Yao’s painting was quite ordinary.
Wei Yao was aware of his own level in painting. Today, being able to receive critique and guidance from Master Qin already filled him with great satisfaction.
“Thank you, Master Qin!”
At that moment, the director asked with a smile, “Vice Dean Qin, does Teacher Wei’s calligraphy and painting qualify for entrance?”
Vice Dean Qin appeared a bit troubled as he replied, “To be honest, Teacher Wei’s calligraphy has indeed reached the threshold of entry, but the painting is not up to par.”
Wei Yao chuckled, “I did my best, but being able to reach the threshold for calligraphy is enough for me.”
He truly was content; after all, previously his calligraphy had been rejected too, showing that his recent efforts had not been in vain.
He then turned to the others with a helpless expression, “Someone else try, or else we won’t be able to get into the Art and Calligraphy Academy. Rules are rules; they must not be broken.”
Vice Dean Qin too smiled and said, “The rules of National Treasure Mountain are the same for everyone. There are no exceptions made for status or relationships. If you wish to enter, everyone, please try again.”
Allowing a group to accompany and live broadcast was already an exception within the rules.
Then his eyes caught sight of Lu Xun standing not far away.
A gentle smile appeared on his face, “Young Friend Lu, you’ve come as well.”
“How about you give it a try? Your calligraphy has even been praised by the Dean,” he clearly recognized Lu Xun.
And by calling him Young Friend Lu, he was extending a friendly term of endearment.
This surprised everyone present; they hadn’t expected that Lu, still so young, had received such praise from the Dean for his calligraphy.
Wei Yao was even more startled before chuckling and exclaiming, “No wonder Mr. Lu had us come without worry; turns out you were waiting here for us.”
“Hurry, show us what you’ve got.” He was genuinely curious about Lu Xun’s skills in calligraphy and painting.
Lu Xun laughed softly, “Seeing that Teacher Wei’s calligraphy has passed, I was hoping to be lazy.”
Walking over, he said, “Since Vice Dean Qin and Teacher Wei have requested, it seems I must embarrass myself.”
He hadn’t planned on participating, as he didn’t have the inclination to steal the limelight.
Yet now that both had asked, his refusal would seem discourteous and pretentious.
“Haha, Mr. Lu is straightforward, come on!”
Wei Yao wasn’t afraid that Lu Xun might outperform him; after all, art has no borders, and there’s always a higher mountain.
Instead, he was pleased that Lu Xun was willing to step forward and participate.