The microphone was readied as Cao Mengmeng stood there silently. She suddenly closed her eyes. This was a reciting technique taught to her by Zhang Ye. If one could not use one’s emotion to read the poem, then one should put one’s actions into the recital. This would at least make people feel like you were bringing your emotions out into it. It was considered a trick.
One second…
Three seconds…
Five seconds…
Cao Mengmeng did not say a word.
“Ai, what’s going on?”
“Why isn’t she reciting?”
“Did she forget her lines?”
The students and parents looked at each other in wonder.
The principal of 15th Junior High also frowned. The female host was even more vexed. Just as she was about to remind Cao Mengmeng, and just as Teacher Leng and her classmates were having their hearts in their mouth…
Cao Mengmeng slowly opened her eyes.
“If I love you—I’ll never be a clinging campsis flower.
Resplendent in borrowed glory on your high boughs;
If I love you—I’ll never mimic the silly infatuated bird.
Repeating the same monotonous song for green shade;
Or be like a spring. Offering cool comfort all year long;
Or a lofty peak.
Enhancing your stature, your eminence.
Even the sunlight, even spring rain, none of these suffice!
I must be a kapok, the image of a tree standing together with you.
Our roots closely intertwined beneath the earth, our leaves touching in the clouds.
With every whiff of wind, we greet each other, but no one can understand our words. Y
ou have your bronze limbs and iron trunk, like knives, swords and halberds;
I’ll have my crimson flowers, like signs, heavy and deep, like heroic torches.”
Upon her reciting to here!
The principal was stunned! He nearly shouted ‘f**k’!
Teacher Leng and the middle-aged newspaper editor were also dumbfounded!
Then, more and more parents and 15th Junior High’s teachers began to stare stunned with their mouths agape. It was as if they had seen a ghost!
Cao Mengmeng recited,
“Together we’ll share, the cold tidal waves, storms, and thunderbolts.”
“Together we’ll share the light mist, the colored rainbows.”
“We shall always depend on each other.”
“Only this can be called great love, wherein lies the faith, true and deep!”
“Love—”
“I love not only your stateliness.”
“But also your firm stand.”
“The earth beneath you.”