Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Universal Love
Sheng Tang logged onto the school’s forum, and this time, she didn’t use a dummy account; she directly used her main account.
Her title: "Whether You See Me or Not"
Whether you see me or not,
I am right here,
neither sad nor happy;
Whether you think of me or not,
the affection is right here,
neither coming nor going;
Whether you love me or not,
the love is right here,
neither increasing nor decreasing;
Whether you follow me or not,
my hand is in yours,
neither letting go nor giving up;
Come into my embrace,
or,
let me live in your heart,
in silence, we love,
in quietness, we rejoice.
This poem was from Sheng Tang’s previous world, a work by the poet Zashi Lam, Duoduo.
This is not a love poem, nor is it about romance; it speaks of "faith."
Its inspiration, according to the poet Zashi Lam, came from the words of Lotus Master: "I have never abandoned those who have faith in me, nor those who don’t even believe in me. Though they may not see me, my children will always be protected by my compassion."
Sheng Tang used it to make a grand statement.
She wanted to tell her classmates, whether you like me or dislike me, I am always here, never leaving nor abandoning.
My poems, my songs won’t change anything, and they certainly won’t become worthless just because of your dislike. They will always nourish your hearts.
She finished writing and logged off.
The forum boiled over again.
"Sheng Tang wrote another poem. This time it’s even more direct, without any literary flair. Where are those critics now, do you want to critique this one too?"
"What does it mean?"
Right after she posted it, someone started analyzing.
"Isn’t this Zen wisdom? I get it now, it’s about never leaving nor abandoning. Whether you like or disdain her, Sheng Tang loves you all."
"Whoa, does Sheng Tang think she’s a god? She dares to write a poem about universal love?"
"Is that what it means? Why do I feel it’s more like the humble love of a girl, different from her ’To the Oak Tree’?"
"What love? Do you guys not understand art? Neither sad nor happy, that’s Zen wisdom!"
People started arguing.
Many agreed with Sheng Tang’s new poem, thinking she was responding to the current situation.
—Respect her or admire her, slander her or disbelieve her, she gives great love to all.
"Senior Sheng Tang is so thoughtful, love it!"
"In the glorious light of the Party, I swear to the motherland, I will always love Senior Sheng Tang!"
Thirty percent of the ’slandering party’ was gradually drowned out.
Seeing this, Sheng Tang couldn’t help but laugh, feeling that the matter could end here.
Unexpectedly, another post popped up.
"Are you dogs being led by the nose?"
Sheng Tang’s heart skipped a beat. Was this person trying to stir up trouble again?
She clicked in to see, but it wasn’t what she thought.
The post said: "The cause of the incident was Sheng Tang’s slogan. Have you all forgotten how her slogan won first place? We stayed up all night rallying votes, voting one by one!
When democracy triumphed over power, someone came out to blacken Sheng Tang. Didn’t you notice something’s wrong? Are you okay with bashing her after all the hard work we did last night rallying votes?
You all loved Sheng Tang’s poems, you’ve listened to her songs repeatedly. Are your affections so worthless in the face of rumors and slander?"
Seeing this, Sheng Tang couldn’t help but praise.
What eloquence, how good at touching hearts.
Jiang Baocu nudged Sheng Tang: "How’s my writing?"
Sheng Tang: "...."
Alright, now she knew who two of the ’three factions’ were, one was Jiang Baocu, and the other must be Gu Shiting.