Has Big Shot Fallen in Love Today?
Chapter 67 - 067 Nearly Full Marks

Chapter 67: Chapter 067 Nearly Full Marks

Sheng Tang had seen much larger stages; she had experienced even more fans and even more enthusiastic atmospheres.

A theater with over a thousand people was a small scene for her.

She didn’t even feel a ripple in her heart.

Many times, she also wished she could feel a bit nervous, like a normal young girl, able to be happy for a small achievement.

The lights came on, and the host announced, reminding her to take the stage.

She held the microphone, standing under the spotlight in the grand theater, and smoothly spoke in English: "Today I am doing a poem, titled ’Ode to the West Wind.’"

After she finished speaking, she began her recitation.

O wild west wind, thou breath of autumn’s being,

Thou, from whose unseen presence

....

She used archaic English, which might sound a bit obscure to the audience, but the judges were experts in English language.

From the first line, they were struck, their hearts impacted by the beauty and power of the poem.

"Ode to the West Wind" was a masterpiece from Shelley, a famous poet from the United Kingdom in Sheng Tang’s previous world, passed down for many years.

When she was learning English, she specially studied it, and had recited it in front of others, receiving much praise.

This poem has a total of five stanzas, grand in momentum and magnificent in conception. It appears to be about the west wind, but in reality, it uses the west wind to praise revolution, and is complemented by clouds, rain, and hail.

Especially the last line:

If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

This line, in Sheng Tang’s previous world, was known even by those who hadn’t studied English or those who were very poor at it: If winter comes, can spring be far behind?

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" is a well-known saying, originating from Shelley’s "Ode to the West Wind."

Sheng Tang finished speaking, and the entire grand theater fell silent.

The beauty of poetry is unmatched by other speeches; it is powerful from start to finish, touching hearts. Even if one does not understand what she said, it is still perceived as very good, and formally perfect.

She ended, bowed slightly, and the entire grand theater erupted in applause.

Two language teachers from the United States in the front row stood up excitedly, clapping vigorously; under their lead, others stood up as well.

The applause lasted for a full half-minute.

Mr. Bai’s eyes were slightly moist; he knew Sheng Tang had won.

Today’s first place belonged to Sheng Tang without a doubt.

Her poem, in terms of literary art, had reached a master level; none of the students participating in the speech competition could surpass her, not even most of the judges.

She had won over all the judges and had already defeated the contestants who had not yet performed.

After the applause, the judges gave their scores.

There were a total of seven judges, each scoring out of ten. Sheng Tang received 69.5 points – one judge gave her 9.8, one gave her 9.7, and the remaining five all gave her 10 points, very generously.

Sheng Tang’s parents were also stunned by their daughter.

Their Sheng Tang, that chubby, sensitive, suspicious, and taciturn Sheng Tang, was dazzling on such a stage.

Her every smile and gesture were very elegant, like a superstar who had practiced a thousand times, showing no stage fright. Even if she wasn’t very slender, her posture and demeanor were still very beautiful.

She had scored almost full marks.

Her English was incredibly fluent.

"Tangtang was always very hardworking," said her grandmother. "This is the result of day after day’s accumulation. I always knew our Tangtang had great potential."

No one was happier than her grandmother.

Having seen so much of the world, her grandmother understood everything thoroughly.

The little bit of unease in Sheng Tang’s parents’ hearts dispersed, leaving only joy.

Her younger brother was so excited that his face was flushed red, "Sister is amazing!"

Jiang Baocu laughed beside him: "Sheng Tang is truly amazing! I was just worried earlier, turned out to be a false alarm!"