Chapter 1024: "Happy Every Day" Game: Handwriting Expert
On stage, the observers were all seated, and opposite them were the guests in charge of the performance.
Each performer had a writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on their table. The team members in front of the table looked solemn, their faces revealing not a single flaw.
After their private conversation, Qiu Hua now has the Xuan paper with the true owner of the calligraphy in his hands.
"Alright everyone, we are now officially entering the game identification phase of our 'Handwriting Identification Expert' game."
Qiu Hua held a microphone in one hand and a sheet of Xuan paper in the other, while his longtime co-host, a female host, came over and helped him hold the other side of the Xuan paper and unfold it towards the camera.
As the camera zoomed in, everyone could clearly see the four large characters "安定天下" (meaning "Peace and stability under heaven") written on the rice paper.
This character lacks the brushstrokes expected of calligraphy. The direction and style of the writing are more like formal regular script, and it is written somewhat crookedly. While it doesn't look bad, it's definitely not beautiful either. It's probably at the level of an average person's first attempt at calligraphy.
"These are the handwritings that the observers need to observe and authenticate."
As Qiu Hua spoke, she walked up and handed the Xuan paper that had been shown to the camera to the observation group's table.
The observation group consisted of the regular host of "Happy Everyday" and several other variety show personalities who frequently appeared on screen. They were all witty and expressive people, and they all gathered around to watch as soon as they received the words.
Just looking at the words, it's hard to tell anything.
One of the girls on the observation team said with difficulty, "Just looking at it now, you can't tell anything at all."
"But don't you guys think this character looks a bit like a girl's handwriting?"
Some people have expressed their opinions.
"Why?"
"I just feel that the characters are a bit small and not grand enough. Also, you can tell that although she is not good at calligraphy, she has tried her best to write neatly. I think girls are probably more careful and particular."
However, this idea was immediately refuted by others.
"But that's not necessarily true. Maybe it's their first time writing calligraphy and they're not confident enough, so they write their characters smaller. And some boys write their characters smaller too! When I was little, my teacher even said my characters looked like mosquito legs."
"...That's a bit hard to say."
The observers couldn't help but groan.
Although the rules sound very simple, looking at the handwriting now, it feels completely different from what I imagined.
"No rush, the game has only just begun—"
Qiu Hua turned to the side, showing the main cast and crew of "The Imperial Empire" behind him: "Now you can make your requests to the performance group in front. In addition to 'Peace and stability under heaven' which has already been shown, you can have them write the other characters in turn."
Upon hearing this rule, the members of the observation team immediately began to discuss it.
"What should we have them write for the first round? Or should we just have them write the name of our program?"
“We can’t write ‘sky’, that would be too similar to the character we’re using.”
"Oh right."
"In that case, I think we can start by arranging a character with the 'roof' radical, since the first two characters of '安定' both have the 'roof' radical. Although it's not very useful for reference, we can observe it first. Then there's the 'woman' character inside '安'. I think everyone might write it differently, which could easily lead to flaws..."
Fortunately, there were also seasoned gamers in the observation group.
After a period of chaos, someone quickly found the right approach.
"Well, how about this, you all write a poem together first, and we'll judge it."
Representatives from among them gave speeches.
So everyone in the performance group started writing.
The cast and crew of "The Imperial Empire" are mostly veteran actors, and males are the majority. Many of them are unwilling to appear on this kind of program. Therefore, the actors who came on the program to participate in the promotion are the younger generation of actors who were in contact with the young general in the early stages. They are the kind of actors who have some popularity but only become popular because of a specific drama.
Most of these people were not very familiar with Xiao He.
Fortunately, they also knew that this was an opportunity to showcase themselves, and if they wanted to get more screen time, they had to put in their best effort to perform well and win this round.
So basically, Xiao He didn't need to say much; they all cooperated with the game and subtly centered their attention around him.
—Especially after discovering Xiao He's incredible skills.
Others:...What else is there to say, bro? We'll stick with you.
So, under the expectant gazes of the observation group and other audience members, each member of the performance group displayed their calligraphy—
In general, it's basically a strategy: play dumb!
Some people's hands start to tremble when they pick up a calligraphy brush.
The characters were no longer legible; all that could be seen were traces of his trembling hands as he tried to write them.
Others start by drawing scribbles, creating a series of incomprehensible "talismans" that even ghosts wouldn't understand. Then they stick the brush into the ink, and after finishing, the brush blossoms and becomes unusable.
Of course, there are some people in this group who have relatively nice handwriting.
For example, the actor who played the early Prime Minister Zhang had a refined appearance and looked like he had studied calligraphy. His posture when he started writing was very steady, and the whole poem flowed smoothly and was very beautiful.
Xiao He, who was in the very center, was a familiar face who had appeared on several variety shows. He looked left and right, and finally started writing the same kind of scribbling.
"Alright, alright, we've already identified one incorrect answer. Xiao He, you can proceed!"
"Xiao He, this is none of your business anymore. Take a rest, don't overwork yourself!"
The moment he uttered the first word, he became everyone's target.
The host, who knew him very well, rolled his eyes and immediately questioned, "Xiao He, if you're going to write, then write properly! We don't need you interfering with everyone's attention, okay? Do you know that you're essentially eliminating the answer from the opposite direction?"
Qiu Hua couldn't help but suppress a laugh: "Xiao He, your previous works for Emperor Chen seem to be on display at the Beijing Art Center right now. I think you shouldn't be hiding them here anymore?"
Everyone present knew that Xiao He's calligraphy was actually very good. In fact, the works of Emperor Chen that he copied during the filming of "The Imperial Empire" were temporarily transferred to the art center in Beijing for exhibition.
Therefore, Xiao He's actions now are truly blatant deception.
Xiao He hadn't expected to be called on so quickly, and said innocently, "Would you believe me if I said I actually can't write calligraphy?"
"Okay, let's eliminate one correct answer first."
The other host calmly gave a summary.
Xiao He:?
"No, you can't play like that!"
Xiao He was speechless and choked with emotion, looking at the guests opposite him with great resentment.
Because he often comes to this variety show to promote his work, he actually has a better relationship with the host of "Happy Everyday" and several other variety show guests who frequently appear on the show.
Therefore, Xiao He's attitude was very casual, and he could joke around with the guests opposite him in a very familiar way.
"You've just kicked me out, how am I supposed to complete the mission?"
"And who knows? Maybe we're actually doing the opposite of what you're supposed to do."
Xiao He raised an eyebrow and said mysteriously, "How can you be sure that I didn't deliberately write those characters badly?"
"Oh, I don't believe it."
The host on the other side gave a cold retort.
Xiao He: "..."
Amidst the laughter of the crowd, he shrugged and put down his calligraphy brush.