Chapter Seventeen: Lin Ze’s Ingenious Plan Brings Peace to the Realm
“Come, let’s practice ‘The Little Pony on the Grassland’ again today.”
Inside Riverside Park, besides the folk music ensemble, Old Wang’s rivals were here as well. About two or three hundred meters away sat a group of elderly men and women, all dressed in formal suits, holding Western instruments. Just their attire alone was far superior to the folk music group.
Both sides’ music began to play at once.
Lin Ze and Su Zitan were hidden away, conspiring with Xiao Qian.
“Xiao Qian, I’m entrusting you with a tough mission,” Lin Ze said, seriously, with one arm around Xiao Qian’s shoulders.
“You go and tell those old men in the Western music group…”
Xiao Qian’s eyes widened as he listened. “Lin, I’m just a cameraman…”
“What’s wrong with that? The more you participate in our activities, the more likely it is you’ll replace Director Zhang and become Director Qian in the future,” Su Zitan said softly, counting on her fingers. “Think about your age, and his. He’s just starting his comeback, but if you learn all this, you can start your transformation now.”
As a boss, Su Zitan was quite skilled at painting a rosy picture.
Listening to their persuasion, Xiao Qian nodded vigorously as if making a big decision. “Alright!”
Clutching his camera bag, Xiao Qian headed toward the folk music group’s old men.
At the Western ensemble’s front, a slender woman in formal attire, her white hair curled, was singing an English ballad with deep feeling. Her elegant bearing spoke of a rich inner life.
Xiao Qian wandered around, gestured toward the folk music ensemble, then moved over to the Western group, waiting for the lady to finish her song.
“Auntie, Auntie,” he waved.
“What is it, young man?” she smiled.
Mustering his courage, Xiao Qian said, “Auntie, my uncle over there is wondering—are we too close and disturbing you? If so, they can relocate.”
The lady blinked, looking toward Old Wang’s group.
Old Wang, unsure what the young man was saying, was watching.
“There is a bit of interference,” she smiled gently. “If possible, a little more distance would be nice.”
“Alright!” Xiao Qian nodded quickly. His conscience pricked him a bit, but he still strode over to Old Wang.
Old Wang stared blankly as Xiao Qian approached, taking a sip from his thermos.
Hands on his hips, Xiao Qian declared, “My aunt says you have to sing farther away!”
“Pfft—”
Old Wang spat out his goji berries.
“My aunt said your folk music is really noisy and ruins their appreciation of refined art.”
“Huh?”
Before Old Wang could respond, an auntie in the crowd stood up, rolling up her sleeves and putting her hands on her hips. “This Tian Hui! Isn’t that a bit much?!”
“Just because you lived abroad for a few years, now you look down on us?”
Others chimed in, several aunties rising at once.
Several angry aunties marched over, Old Wang hurriedly stuffing his thermos in his pocket to stop them.
Xiao Qian seized the moment to slip away.
“Tian Hui! What’s not refined about our folk music?”
“Exactly!”
“Why should we leave?”
Tian Hui was clearly stunned.
“Ah?”
Old Wang couldn’t hold back the whole group himself and grew furious. Where had that brat gone?!
The scene turned chaotic, with elderly onlookers gathering to watch the commotion.
In the livestream, viewers spotted a man with a microphone and a speaker.
“Our folk music is second to none!”
Lin Ze’s voice boomed from the speaker, silencing the crowd.
Su Zitan rubbed her ears beside him.
What kind of speaker is that—so loud…
“Today, Phoenix Park wants to vindicate folk music for everyone!”
Lin Ze and Su Zitan exchanged glances.
“What’s national is universal!”
“Bravo!”
The folk music aunties vented their frustration and cheered loudly.
Lin Ze pulled hand-drawn scores from his bag and shoved them into Old Wang’s hand, whose face darkened.
“In that case, let’s settle it at the competition!”
“Let’s go!”
Lin Ze waved dramatically and strode off.
The aunties immediately followed, leaving Old Wang standing alone.
The elderly folk ensemble has a new leader!
“Song in hand! Follow me!”
“Old Wang: ???”
Old Wang watched Lin Ze and Su Zitan’s retreating figures, hesitating to speak.
“Um... Sorry, I don’t really know…”
Old Wang stammered a few words to Tian Hui, then turned and hurried after Lin Ze.
The folk ensemble followed Lin Ze for quite a while.
Old Wang grabbed Lin Ze’s arm. “Young man, what are you up to?”
“What do you think of this song?” Lin Ze switched off the speaker.
Old Wang glanced at the score—he could tell it was excellent! It would showcase their ensemble’s talents much better than ‘The Little Pony.’
“Want to join forces?” Lin Ze tapped the score. “I have several songs, all for folk music—enough for the finals.”
Old Wang looked around and spotted Xiao Qian, sneaking along.
“You rascal…”
“Don’t take it to heart,” Su Zitan said. “You know your members aren’t confident in folk music, right?”
Old Wang sighed. “That’s true…”
He’d told them many times, but facing the Western ensemble in their suits, his members always felt inferior.
“That’s why we’re here—to help everyone build confidence.”
The old man’s been completely bamboozled by Lin Ze!
“Sichuan Anti-Fraud Office has entered the livestream.”
“Quick, spread the word, Lin Ze’s about to be arrested!”
The Anti-Fraud Office staff saw the comment and made a note.
“Spreading rumors? According to public security…”
“Sorry!”
But Old Wang wasn’t foolish—he wouldn’t be taken in so easily.
He took out his old cell phone and held it tight.
“Don’t fool me. What are your names? What’s your real purpose? If you don’t explain, I’ll call the police.”
Lin Ze leaned in and whispered, “Have you watched variety shows? I’m Lin Ze, a singer. We’re filming a variety show.”
He called Xiao Qian over to show the camera in the bag.
“If you…”
Before Lin Ze finished, Old Wang’s phone rang.
“Hello? Dad!”
“You’re on TV! Son! Quick! Get me an autograph!”