The National Calligraphy and Painting Competition will be held on the 28th for three days, attracting participants from all over the country. After all, this is a truly large-scale national competition. There will be a large number of media outlets present, and the winner will not only receive a substantial prize but also be interviewed by television stations and newspapers, ultimately becoming nationally famous. Therefore, many participants are eager for fame and fortune.

The competition was divided into three categories: the middle school student calligraphy and painting competition, the university student calligraphy and painting competition, and the adult calligraphy and painting competition. The participants in this last category were mostly calligraphers and painters, though there were also some amateur enthusiasts who participated. Even if they didn't win, it was still a good opportunity to show off their skills. While the middle school and university student groups required advance registration, the adult group required on-site registration. Therefore, many participants arrived early, fearing they would miss the designated registration deadline.

Originally, Luo Yu should have gone with the others in the school, but because Mo Han had something to do and also had to go to the competition venue, Luo Yu did not follow Zhang Wenchuan and the others, but got into Mo Han's car and went with Mo Han.

When he arrived at the calligraphy and painting competition venue, he was met with a sea of ​​people. Luo Yu, who had no idea where to go, had to ask for directions. Following the instructions of passersby, he finally arrived at a competition venue, but the staff stopped him and told him to sign and confirm at the registration desk and get his entry certificate before he could enter. After all, there were too many people at the scene. Except for one-third of the people who came to participate in the competition, the rest were there to watch the competition. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, the participants were allowed to enter in advance.

This was someone else's rule, and Luo Yu had no choice but to walk towards the place that seemed to be the registration office not far away.

The busy staff saw someone coming and asked without even looking up: "What's your name? How old are you? Are you here for a calligraphy or Chinese painting competition?"

Luo Yu replied, "Luo Yu, 18 years old, here to participate..." Luo Yu thought for a moment, and it seemed that Zhang Wenchuan had not told him whether he was going to participate in the calligraphy or traditional Chinese painting competition. However, he remembered that the task issued by the system was to become the champion of the calligraphy and painting competition, so he had to participate in both. "I will participate in both the calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting competitions."

"Pa pa pa" the staff entered the information quickly. When they heard that the visitor wanted to participate in both events, they paused typing, then looked up in surprise. What caught their eyes was a cool and handsome young man, which made people's eyes light up.

"Well, calligraphy and Chinese painting are held at the same time. If you want to participate in both, you have to finish the calligraphy and painting at the same time." The staff kindly reminded that there are actually not many people who come to participate in both, and it does not take too much time to write a word in the competition. After finishing the painting, you only need to pick up the pen and write the calligraphy words for the competition.

"Okay, I understand." Luo Yu nodded.

Seeing that Luo Yu had no objection, the staff checked Luo Yu's ID card. After verifying that it was correct, they handed Luo Yu the competition number of the calligraphy and Chinese painting contestants, and then asked Luo Yu to go to competition venue No. 3.

Number 3? Isn't it number 2? Did he go to the wrong place? Never mind. Since the staff said it was number 3, then let's go to number 3.

As soon as he entered the competition venue, Zhang Wenchuan called.

"Luo Yu, where are you now? The game is about to start." Zhang Wenchuan's voice was anxious.

"I'm at the gate of the competition venue."

"At the gate? I'm here too, but why can't I see you?" Zhang Wenchuan looked up and saw a few staff members standing at the gate checking the contestants' badges, but he didn't see Luo Yu.

"It's the main entrance to the competition venue." Luo Yu glanced at the side and then said, "There are two stone lions at the main entrance."

Zhang Wenchuan screamed, "Stone lions? Where did the stone lions come from at the competition venue? Luo Yu, did you come to the wrong place? Oh no, the competition is about to start, how can I catch up?"

"I'll be there now." When Luo Yu heard that he had gone to the wrong place, he frowned. This was indeed very troublesome.

"No thanks..." Zhang Wenchuan stared at the closed gates, as if watching the calligraphy and painting champion pass right by. Once the gates were closed, latecomers were barred from entering the competition venue. The next fifteen minutes were used to count participants and allow spectators to enter.

Now that the gates were closed, even if Luo Yu arrived, he would have lost his qualification to compete. Zhang Wenchuan was filled with regret. He knew Luo Yu didn't know the way, so he should have waited for Luo Yu outside. That way, Luo Yu wouldn't have gotten lost and missed the competition. Without Luo Yu, the most promising player, Zhang Wenchuan was extremely disappointed, but he could only force himself to cheer up. Luo Yu wasn't the only one participating in the competition. There were other students who wanted to compete, and now he could only pin his hopes on them.

Luo Yu also discovered that the gate of the competition venue was closed. The staff asked all participants to wait in the rest area and would notify them again when the competition officially started.

The rest area and the competition area were only about ten meters apart. The competition venue was quite large. The calligraphy competition area was on the left, and the Chinese painting competition area was on the right. Because there were over a thousand people competing, the participants were divided into several groups.

The staff at the competition venue are making preparations, and many media have also arrived, with multiple cameras filming. Outside the venue, in order to prevent the spectators from disturbing the players and to maintain order at the competition venue, the spectators are not allowed to enter the competition venue and can only watch from outside through the railings of the competition venue.

The seating area was limited, and most of the people sitting there were elderly. Luo Yu knew he'd arrived at the so-called adult competition area the moment he saw them. Although it was an adult competition, the young people participating were few and far between. This was because the participants in this area were all renowned masters of calligraphy and painting. Young people weren't learning calligraphy and painting much these days, and even fewer were talented, skilled in writing and painting. Therefore, most of the people present were over 30, either professionals or amateurs.

These calligraphy and painting masters come to participate every year, almost treating this as their arena, so most of the people know each other. There are few young people participating, and Luo Yu's outstanding appearance and outstanding temperament make him even more attractive.

Two elderly men sitting in the back were chatting. One of them said to the other, who was wearing a Tang suit, "Look, there are actually quite a few young people participating this year. It seems that the essence of our Chinese nation will have successors."

"Young people nowadays are impetuous. It's better not to speak so early. Let's wait and see during the competition." The old man in the Tang suit looked around and suddenly stopped at a cool and elegant figure. "Eh... isn't that..."

"Old Xie, what's wrong? Did you meet someone you know?" The old man beside him followed Old Xie's gaze and exclaimed, "Wow, that kid is so handsome. Old Xie, which of your juniors is that?"

"He's not my junior. Let's go and take a look." As he said that, Mr. Xie stood up and walked towards the young man, and the old man quickly followed behind him.

Because Luo Yu didn't know anyone present, he just stood in a corner, waiting for the game to start. He caught a glimpse of two old men walking towards him. At first he didn't pay much attention, but after taking a closer look, he found that they were people he knew.

"Uncle Xie?" The person who came turned out to be Xie Minna's grandfather, Old Man Xie.

"Boy Luo, are you also here to participate in the calligraphy and painting competition?" Mr. Xie asked in surprise.

"Yes, I didn't expect to meet you here by chance." Luo Yu nodded and smiled faintly.

"Uncle Xie? Old man Xie, how come I didn't know that you had such a young nephew?" asked the old man next to him.

"This is Old Man Mo's daughter-in-law, Luo Yu. You didn't go to the engagement ceremony, so of course you don't know her." Old Man Xie introduced Luo Yu, "Come here, Luo, let me introduce you. This is Old Man Zhou, the grandfather of Zhou and his family. According to seniority, you can just call him Uncle Zhou."

"What, you are Luo Yu?" Old Master Zhou looked at Luo Yu in surprise.

Luo Yu nodded, "I am, Uncle Zhou, hello."

"Those two boys of ours often mention you. Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, it would have been our Jiahao who got hurt." Zhou Jiazhi and Zhou Jiahao told Old Man Zhou everything about how dangerous the kidnapping was. However, because Old Man Zhou had just undergone surgery, the Zhou family waited until he was discharged from the hospital to avoid upsetting him.

Mr. Zhou had only just been discharged from the hospital yesterday, so he hadn't been able to attend Luo Yu and Mo Han's engagement party. However, he did know that Mo Han, a promising young man from the Mo family, was engaged to a young man. At the time, he'd been impressed by Mr. Mo's generosity, but he hadn't expected to meet him today. Now, he realized the young man was quite good; at least he had made a good first impression on Mr. Zhou. Many young people these days are impetuous, and it's rare to see someone so calm and composed.

Old Master Xie asked curiously, "I didn't expect to see you here. Strange, I remember you were still studying at Kyoto University. Why didn't you participate in the university group's calligraphy and painting competition instead of coming here?"

The calligraphy and painting competitions for middle school and university groups are strictly team events, requiring advance registration through the school. The adult competition, on the other hand, is a solo event, with all awards earned belonging to the individual. This is why on-site registration is used, which is why so many people participate in the adult competition.

Facing Mr. Xie's question, Luo Yu answered directly, "I was originally going to participate in the university group competition, but when I went to register, I got the wrong place and signed up for the adult group instead, so I ended up here."

"Nonsense! What's wrong with your teacher? He knew that the students didn't know the way, but he didn't even wait at the door and then personally took the students to register. How irresponsible." Old Master Xie looked displeased.

"Yeah, Luo boy, the college group competition and the adult group competition are two different concepts, you know?" Grandpa Zhou thought that Luo Yu came here specially to participate in the competition, but he didn't expect that he was wrong.

"I know. Since we are all here, I might as well give it a try." With so many calligraphers and painters gathered together, Luo Yu also wanted to know how his intermediate calligraphy and painting skills compared with those of real calligraphers and painters.

Luo Yu practiced for several nights in the virtual space for this competition. After all, it was a matter of attribute points, so Luo Yu certainly couldn't be careless. He had been confident in the university student group, but now that it had switched to the adult group—more accurately, the professional group, as two-thirds of the participants were professional calligraphy and painting masters—the difficulty of Luo Yu's task had increased several times.