Chapter Fifty-Three: Seizing the Title

  Dong Changyun's words fell, but the surrounding discussions became more and more intense.

  After a while, Dong Changyun finally said loudly: "In addition to Lu Lang's poetry, there are also several poems that are not bad. For example, this poem 'Autumn River Moon' written by Li Linxiu is good. The clouds have dispersed and the cold air is overflowing, the Milky Way is silently turning the jade plate. This life and this night will not be long, where can we see the bright moon next year? To be honest, after reading this poem, I also felt a lot of emotion. There are also several poems that are excellent works, such as Zhou Wenti's 'Clear Moon Chant' and Yang Huaiyan's 'Mid-Autumn Tribute'. I won't recite them one by one, let everyone pass around and read them."

  As soon as the words stopped, the surroundings became even more turbulent. It was tolerable that a Lu Botao had emerged, but how did another Li Linxiu appear? Who is Li Linxiu? Why had no one in Suzhou City ever heard of such a person?

  Song Kai couldn't help but laugh, he of course understood that this poem was given to Li Menghuan by himself, it's just that he didn't expect Li Menghuan to actually attend the poetry gathering and even changed his own name to "Li Linxi". Linxi, isn't that just "Meng" (dream)?

  Lu Bo waved his hand and laughed loudly.

  Song Kai said, "It will be your turn to judge soon. Currently, Autumn Moon is one point behind Yang Liu. When it's your turn to judge, just make Autumn Moon the first and Yang Liu the third, that's all."

  "Definitely, definitely," Lu Botao chuckled and said: "As it happens, I was just thinking of doing something for Miss Qiuyue too. That little maid Niu Niu, I've had my eye on her for a long time."

  As expected, Lu Botao was soon invited onto the central ship to give his final comments on this year's Huakui competition.

  Although Lu Bo Tao didn't ask many questions, he had also seen a lot of things in his life and casually commented on them. As a result, Qiu Yue became the champion of this competition, while Yang Liu was ranked third.

  Although this result is somewhat unexpected, everyone can still accept it. After all, Qiū Yuè's vocal cords and piano skills are both top-notch, and her singing method is beautiful and moving, enough to deserve the title of Huā Kuí.

  The old procuress of Chun Yulou was over the moon, she thought that getting second place would be a blessing, so during the flower basket presentation segment, she didn't cheat. But unexpectedly, Qiu Yue took first prize in one fell swoop, and from now on, Chun Yulou will definitely be in high demand.

  Next is the flower queen's performance.

  Qiu Yue walked onto the stage, first saying a few words of gratitude, solemnly mentioning Hong Chen Ke Zhan and Song Kai, also mentioning the tea leaves of Hong Chen Ke Zhan and new card game gameplay, then she performed a song and dance, and left the stage.

  The poem will proceed from here, and what's left is just mutual relationship and chatting.

  Song Kai and Nie Lingdang naturally wouldn't stay behind.

  Lu Bo Tao was surrounded by a group of people, looking rather pleased with himself. When he saw Song Kai about to leave, he hastily pushed through the crowd and chased after him, his over 200 pounds of flesh jiggling as he went.

  "Song Daxia, Song Daxia, wait for me," Lu Botao chased after him, hehe laughing, "This time back home, I'm afraid my father will heavily reward me again."

  Song Kai nodded and said, "Alright, come to my inn for a meal when you have time."

  "That's for sure, I just didn't expect that Song Daxia would be a recluse and also run an inn," said Lu Botao with a hint of flattery.

  Song Kai just smiled.

  Just as they were talking, a young man in a green shirt ran over quickly and when he got closer, it turned out that this was also a woman dressed as a man.

  "Song Kai!" The young master called out in a clear and crisp voice, which was indeed Li Menghan.

  Song Kai turned his head, clasped his hands together and smiled: "Congratulations to Li Linxiu, although this poetry gathering didn't select you as the top or runner-up, in my opinion, you are indeed the top. Mr. Dong didn't say it explicitly, but he introduced your poem second, which shows how much he values your poetry."

  "Still congratulating? I'm here to find you and ask for your crimes!" Li Menghuan didn't care about Song Kai's words, directly opening her mouth to coquettishly say.

  "What? Why?" Song Kai was really confused.

  "You said it! This Lu Bo Tao's lyrics, aren't they the ones you gave him?" Li Meng Huan asked indignantly, "And that Qiu Yue girl's song, she thanked you like this, definitely also because of your reminder!"

  Song Kai nodded, "That's right."

  "Alright, you!" Li Menghan stood with her hands on her hips, her slightly puffed out chest rising and falling, looking quite adorable. "You gave Lu Botao a poem, then he became the number one talented scholar. You gave Qiu Yue a song, and she became the flower queen. But, this poem you bribed me with only got me second place...you're bullying me!"

  "I bullied... someone?" Song Kai was taken aback, then turned his head to look at Nie Lingdang.

  "What are you looking at me for?" Nie Lingdang turned his head and said disdainfully: "You're just bullying people!"

  Song Kai let out a sigh.

  Li Menghan walked up to Song Kai and said, "You didn't give me the best poem as a bribe, so you're naturally bullying me. I've done so many things for you and spoken highly of you in front of my father. Hmph! I don't care, but you have to compensate me."

  "I...alright, how much compensation?" Song Kai sighed, indeed good people are hard to come by.

  "Give me a set of mahjong," Li Menghan suddenly chuckled mischievously.

  Song Kai was speechless.

  Four people chatted and laughed as they walked along the small bridge towards the lake.

  Later, Yang Huaiyan heard the laughter of the people in front and became angry. He finally understood that everything was done by Song Kai. The flower crown should have been his beloved Yang Liu's, but it turned out to be Autumn Moon. The title of genius should have been his, but now it belonged to Lu Botao. Liu Yuyan should have been his wife, but now she was nowhere to be found.

  What can be tolerated and what cannot be tolerated!

  Yang Huaiyan was originally a person with no heart, must report for every grievance, and had no tolerance. At this moment, he couldn't bear it, put the folding fan in his arms into his bosom, and took big strides towards Song Kai in front of him.

  "Song Kai! I've had enough of you!" Yang Huaiyan said, grabbing Song Kai's collar from behind and pushing him into the lake with a sudden force.

  Yang Huaiyan, although he had never practiced martial arts before, was still quite robust. He thought that Song Kai would absolutely not be his match. In fact, if it were the old Song Kai, of course, he wouldn't be his match. But now, things are different.

  Song Kai heard the sound and was about to turn around, but felt that his collar was grabbed by someone, then his whole body leaned towards the lake surface.

  Knowing that Yang Huaiyan was going to push himself into the lake, Song Kai didn't panic and quickly crouched down, then swept his leg back in a swift motion.

  With a "thud", Song Kai kicked out one leg and sent Yang Huaiyan crashing neatly to the ground.

  Yang Huaiyan couldn't believe that in just two months, Song Kai had become so agile. He fell backwards onto the ground, his strength almost depleted. Yang Huaiyan rolled over once and then with a "splash" sound, he fell into the water.

  Although this is not the center of the lake, the water is very deep, and Yang Huaiyan fell into the water, splashing up and down.

  Someone behind shouted: "Young Master Yang has fallen into the water!"

  Then large numbers of people rushed over here.

  Then someone took out a bamboo pole, and some people even stripped off their clothes and jumped into the water.

  Song Kai saw this scene, frowned, and then said in a low voice: "Let's go."

  Lu Bo Tao glanced at Song Kai's face, seeing that his expression was as usual, and sighed in his heart. The great hero is indeed a great hero, even Yang Huaiyan dares to provoke him.

  But little did he know that Song Kai was also on his guard, and since hearing about the gang forces in Suzhou from Lu Bo Tao, he had a clearer understanding of Yang Rong Guang's power. Now that the conflict with Yang Huai Yan has completely escalated, it seems that something must be done.

  Yang Huaiyan was later rescued ashore in a sorry state, spat out two mouthfuls of water and covered his face before running away, which was also too embarrassing.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, before long, news of Yang Huaiyan's poem and his despairing leap into the water to take his own life spread throughout half of Suzhou City...