At this event, not only did a large number of media reporters attend, but the meeting was also streamed live through various websites. Even Matthew himself didn't expect so many online viewers to tune in via the major portals and witness him speaking fluent Chinese right from the start. Compared to other foreign celebrities who had come here for events, Matthew instantly sparked the enthusiasm of the online audience.
"This Hollywood star is really something!" someone commented in the live stream section on Penguin's website. "His Mandarin is better than mine."
Another person chimed in, "If you didn't see his appearance and just heard his voice, you'd think he was one of us."
"No, it's different, definitely different," more and more people began leaving comments. "Has anyone ever seen a foreign star who speaks Mandarin this well? Let's not count those who were born here and then moved abroad."
"Nope!"
"None!"
"This Matthew Horner is one of a kind!"
However, the surprises had only just begun. Matthew had prepared extensively to win over the local audience.
"You speak Mandarin so well," Chen Datou joked. "Did you practice specifically for this?"
Matthew smiled and replied, "Yes, I practiced a lot."
Chen Datou turned to face Matthew, "Can you also write it?"
"A little," Matthew deliberately sounded sincere. "When I got the notice that I'd be coming here for an event, I spent a few days practicing."
He looked at the audience beneath the stage. "I wanted to make sure everyone would accept me."
A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the crowd.
"Funny, approachable, and fluent in Mandarin," Nini murmured while nodding. "He seems so genuine..."
She realized something, "No wonder he's the biggest movie star in the world."
"What did you say?" Bai Xue couldn't hear her clearly.
Nini laughed, "I've decided to become a fan of Matthew Horner, just like you."
Hollywood... It was such a distant dream. She hadn't even made it big here yet, and breaking into Hollywood seemed impossible.
On the stage, Chen Datou tilted his head and looked at Matthew, "How about you write something now?"
"You're trying to embarrass me, aren't you?" Matthew paused for two seconds, pretending to be serious. "Well, let's give it a try."
He raised his voice, "Bring me a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone!"
The crowd below the stage was taken aback. He even knew the proper terms for these traditional tools? Was he really a Hollywood star? Could this be a trick?
The reporters were the first to react, their excitement evident. Especially the entertainment journalists, who looked like they'd hit the jackpot.
Reporting on a star like this would definitely be a hit!
Not to mention, their paychecks and bonuses for the next month were secured.
Soon, two staff members brought up a wooden table to the stage, and four hosts set out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
"Ready?" Chen Datou asked.
"No problem," Matthew flexed his wrist and selected a calligraphy brush, saying seriously, "I practiced this specifically."
This was part of his meticulous preparation. Before arriving, he'd found an expert to help him refine his skills. He wasn't aiming for perfection—just enough to not look bad.
No one was going to nitpick him anyway.
"Wow…"
When Matthew dipped the brush into the ink, the hall was filled with gasps of astonishment.
This Hollywood star had certainly surprised everyone.
Honestly, if he hadn't had a basic understanding before and hadn't recently practiced, he wouldn't have dared attempt this. After all, even locals found writing with a calligraphy brush challenging.
Chen Datou temporarily abandoned his role as host and stood by Matthew's side as his assistant.
Matthew worked quickly, completing the first piece under the gaze of thousands. The ceremonial attendants stepped forward, waiting for the ink to dry, and two of them held up a red horizontal scroll.
"Matthew!"
"Matthew, oh Matthew…"
The crowd murmured, and it wasn't hard to tell that the red paper displayed the characters for "Matthew."
Although the handwriting wasn't exactly elegant and was a bit crooked, the fact that a foreigner managed to write this well was quite an achievement.
Matthew didn't stop there. He quickly finished another one, and two more attendants came forward to display the new work: "Fast and Furious!"
Nini was speechless. What was this? A Hollywood star writing calligraphy better than she could?
"This is too demoralizing," a film academy student nearby groaned. "Is he even really a foreigner?"
Someone agreed, "I suspect he's an import-export product."
Bai Xue snorted and muttered to herself, "So easily impressed."
To her, as a fan, everything Matthew did was perfectly normal.
Chen Datou reviewed Matthew's writing and humorously remarked, "Better than my calligraphy."
Matthew modestly replied, "I'm flattered."
"I'm convinced," Chen Datou signaled for the staff to remove the brush and ink. "You've studied our culture, haven't you?"
Matthew nodded, "I was exposed to it when I was very young. The depth of it is captivating, so I've kept learning ever since."
Chen Datou continued with the event schedule, "Now I want to test you further."
"Don't make it too hard," Matthew said with a smile.
Chen Datou then turned to the audience, "I've prepared a few items. Let's bring them out, and no one give Matthew any hints, okay?"
"Okay!" The audience's excitement was at a peak.
Soon, three items were placed on the table in front of them.
The hall burst into laughter.
"Wow, Chen Datou!" Bai Xue couldn't help but exclaim. "Isn't this deliberately making things difficult?"
On the table, the first item on the left was clearly bamboo, with a curved claw at the end of a long strip. The second item was simpler: two long chopsticks. The third was a small glass bottle containing a green liquid.
"Place your bets, place your bets!"
The live stream chat exploded. "I bet Matthew Horner won't recognize any of these!"
Someone added, "If he recognizes just one, he's a true expert in local culture!"
"Did you forget?" another person reminded. "He knew what brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were. He might know these too."
At the front of the stage, the media reporters were laser-focused, putting in maximum effort. Frankly, these activities weren't anything special—if a local celebrity did them, they'd be unremarkable.
But for a top Hollywood star like Matthew Horner, this was explosive for local audiences.
Even a figure with Matthew's status, admired globally, had actively studied local culture. Didn't that just show the strength of the nation?
On stage, Chen Datou led Matthew to the table, "These three items are special to us. Can you tell us what they're for?"
Matthew glanced at the objects. These were ordinary things. Not to mention the first two, the third one was his go-to travel remedy!
He picked up the bamboo item first but didn't say a word. Instead, he immediately reached behind his back and mimicked scratching an itch.
"I'm done…"
One audience member couldn't hold back, "How does he even know this?"
"It's over, I lost."
The online comments were buzzing, and the people at the event were equally stunned. How could this Hollywood star know so much about local life?
Could he be a spy sent to Hollywood?
"This is nothing," Matthew casually said. "This is a back scratcher."
He waved it towards the audience, "Scratch that itch without help!"
His words left even Chen Datou surprised, as these items hadn't been pre-discussed. She glanced at Matthew. Was he really American?
Matthew picked up the two chopsticks, casually handling them, "These are chopsticks. I often use them when eating Chinese food."
Seeing him expertly manipulate the chopsticks, the entire hall was speechless. Recognizing the back scratcher was one thing, but chopsticks, a widely used utensil, were no challenge at all.
Finally, Matthew picked up the small glass bottle, "This is one of my favorite Chinese products."
Chen Datou was skeptical, "What is it?"
"Wind oil essence!" Matthew opened the bottle and took a sniff, "A very authentic wind oil essence."
Since wind oil essence, his lucky charm, had made an appearance, he took the opportunity to create a newsworthy moment.
With a serious tone, Matthew said, "In Africa, especially in the hot regions of East and North Africa, people love wind oil essence. During my visits to assess the living conditions of refugees, children, and women, I always brought wind oil essence and balm with me. They're excellent for repelling mosquitoes."
"Wow…"
Someone exclaimed, "Who knew this little product was a Hollywood star's favorite?"
"Oh, and by the way," Matthew added, "After I gave away wind oil essence and balm, some of my African friends discovered a new use for it beyond what the label says."
Chen Datou played along, "What new use?"
Matthew glanced at her, then looked at the audience, "Do you want to know?"
"Yes!"
"Hurry up and tell us!"
"Don't keep us waiting!"
The audience was clamoring.
Matthew put down the wind oil essence and jokingly said, "They told me that when cooking, you can use wind oil essence to disinfect, kill germs, and prevent food from sticking to the pan!"
Boom—
The hall erupted in laughter. Even the film academy professors and media reporters in the front row were laughing so hard they doubled over.
No one had ever imagined
wind oil essence could have such a use.
Matthew, of course, was just joking. Switching to a serious tone, he reminded everyone, "Medical products should be used as directed. Don't misuse them."
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]