CHAPTER 504: CHAPTER 504: TEN-DAY TALENT PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE

The next day, Lin Wan went to work full of spirit, and Lu Zheng was just about to travel to ancient times when he received a call from his roommate, Tong Muxuan.

"Wow, not busy anymore? You actually have time to call me?" Lu Zheng asked with a smile.

In the modern world, Lu Zheng mainly kept in touch with his parents and Lin Wan, and he rarely contacted classmates and some friends he met socially.

Of course, "rarely" doesn’t mean never. After all, his three roommates were all in Hai City, and they still gathered from time to time. However, with everyone’s schedules being uncertain, they usually kept in touch online, and offline gatherings were somewhat infrequent—the last meeting was back in April.

Additionally, there were Liu Zhenming, Du Lin, Zhao Wenyu, and others. Since the Full Armor Combat, he became a celebrity in their club and was pulled into a group. Although they didn’t meet often, they occasionally chatted, so they weren’t estranged.

"Our team has been rushing a project and working overtime for two months now. We’re trying to get it launched by Mid-Autumn Festival. Just finished." Tong Muxuan said.

"So, are you planning a get-together? Calling Zhao Si and Leizi?" Lu Zheng said with a smile.

"One thing is about that; the other is that I’m going to marry Meng Meng. We’ll have one ceremony back home in early October and another one in Hai City at the end of September." Tong Muxuan said, "The ceremony in Hai City is not big, just inviting some familiar colleagues and classmates. If you’re free, come and show some support?"

"Of course, I’ll be there!"

Lu Zheng responded immediately, "I didn’t expect you and Su Mengmeng are already planning to get married. Aren’t you planning to enjoy a few more years before settling down?"

"You have issues with your thinking, young man." Tong Muxuan immediately criticized, "Does getting married mean you can’t enjoy life? Or does your idea of enjoying a few more years have another meaning? Be careful, I’ll inform Officer Lin in the group."

The script-killing group was still around; aside from Su Mengmeng constantly showing off her love with Tong Muxuan, Lu Zheng also knew that Luo Yun had changed boyfriends twice.

"Go ahead, anyway, Lin Wan is no longer a criminal police officer, so she can’t control me." Lu Zheng said confidently.

"You’re impressive!" Tong Muxuan said, "Okay, you’ve been notified by phone. I’ll send the time and location to the group later. Bring Lin Wan; I won’t notify her separately. Meng Meng will notify Huang Xiumin and Luo Yun separately."

"Alright." Lu Zheng nodded, "How about gathering this weekend?"

"I’ll ask in the group." Tong Muxuan said.

After hanging up, Tong Muxuan asked in the group. Zhao Wei, who worked at another major factory, and Lei Zhiyun, who went straight to a doctoral program after graduate studies and now seems to be working at an information research institute, both said it was fine.

Everyone was busy with their own things normally, and since they kept in touch online, there was no need for offline gatherings. However, with Tong Muxuan about to get married and no chance to talk at the ceremony, they naturally needed to get together earlier to congratulate and banter privately.

But there were still three days until the weekend, still some time away. Lu Zheng chatted a bit with his three roommates in the group, then they all tacitly stopped talking and went about their business.

...

Travel to ancient times, just opened the door, and heard the laughter coming from the alley outside.

He looked at the sky; it was almost noon. Ao Qian and Liu Qingquan had finished their morning lessons and went out to play.

"Uncle Li!"

"Young Master!" Uncle Li heard the call and ran to the backyard.

"Anything happening these days?"

"Nothing, everything’s fine. It’s just that Miss Li keeps asking about you, saying it’s almost time for the ten-day break. What’s the plan this time?"

Lu Zheng’s eyebrow twitched, feeling a bit speechless.

Last time, he organized a sports meet, mainly because he had just seen a public account article about a college sports meet before traveling, and ended up impulsively holding an event. It was also to welcome Ao Qian and help her get familiar with people and integrate into Tonglin County.

How can there be a big event every ten days?

Usually, during the ten-day break, it’s just going to the Peach Grove to play Mahjong, play chess, eat barbecue, and hotpot.

"Brother-in-law has returned!"

"Brother-in-law, the ten-day break is the day after tomorrow. What are we going to play? I need to prepare!"

Ao Qian’s current identity is Liu Qingyan’s distant cousin, so upon hearing Liu Qingquan calling Lu Zheng brother-in-law, she followed suit.

Lu Zheng patted his forehead, "What do you want to play?"

Liu Qingquan shook his head, Ao Qian’s eyes shone brightly, "Another sports meet?"

"You can’t have sports meets all the time; it gets boring if done too much." Lu Zheng shook his head.

Undeterred, Ao Qian’s eyes glittered as she continued, "Then maybe a checkers competition? Go competition? Or maybe a shuttlecock kicking competition?"

Lu Zheng, "..."

He was just thinking about whether to bring the game Werewolf over from modern times, as it’s a classic that has remained popular for many years.

However, looking at Liu Qingquan and then at Ao Qian, he felt it wasn’t quite suitable.

It’s so challenging; he really wanted to bring a portable projector to show them a movie!

While thinking, Lu Zheng said, "How about holding a talent show?"

"What’s that?"

"It’s where everyone performs a program—singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, drawing, swordplay, reciting—all are possible, and then people vote. Finally, we determine first, second, and third place, with rewards..."

"Cake reward!" Ao Qian raised her hand.

"Cake reward!" Lu Zheng agreed.

...

Ten-day break, Peach Blossom Forest.

Not just Ao Qian, even the Peach Blossom Celestial Maiden and the women from Five Beauties Manor who participated in the last sports meet found it very interesting.

Upon hearing that this time involved performing talents and voting, they gained a little competitive spirit.

"Talents are solo performances, lasting no longer than one incense stick. Exceeding this disqualifies you from participating, and each person only has five votes. Be sure to select your favorites."

Lu Zheng said, patting the gourd, and took out a stack of paper. This was the form he made in modern times and printed to bring back.

"Come, come, come, everyone gets one. You can mark five checks when the time comes, then put them in the voting box. I’ll be the one counting votes, ensuring fairness and impartiality."

Liu Qingyan took the form, rubbed the rare paper, and then focused her attention on the form.

One column had everyone’s names, and another column was left blank for checks.

"Is this printed? There’s no printing workshop in the county, did Lu Lang specially go to Yizhou?" Liu Qingyan said, "Actually, it’s just 20 or 30 sheets; copying them is not difficult."

"It’s convenient this way." Lu Zheng said with a smile.

"Alright!"

Lu Zheng clapped his hands, seeing everyone looking his way, "The talent show is officially open. Anyone who wants to perform can do so now."

It was just their group having fun, so Lu Zheng didn’t specify an order for performing; everyone discussed and decided amongst themselves.

The venue became quiet for a moment, with everyone looking at each other, stealing glances but not speaking or going first.

"Since everyone is being modest, let me lead by example." Hua Yixing stood up.

"Sister Hua is impressive!"

"Sister Hua is awesome!"

"Sister Hua’s performance will definitely be great!"

"Master, I’ve come to see you!"

A voice suddenly interrupted, and everyone turned to see a whirlwind sweep in, landing in the Peach Grove and revealing two figures.

It was Hu Zhou and Gao Junyu.