“Of course,” Qiu Xuezheng came back to his senses. He looked at Bailian and explained seriously: “As long as you are shortlisted, people will look for you. If you win the third prize, the China Calligraphers Association will definitely invite you to become a member. By then, if you want to apply to join the local calligraphers association, you will definitely not be rejected. As for the ranking…of course the higher the better. If you win the first prize, there will be even more possibilities…The senior members of the China Calligraphers Association…”
Speaking to this point, Qiu Xuezheng did not continue.
He realized Bailian was more concerned about Xiangcheng, so he moved on to talk about resources there instead.
Many children in Xiangcheng like learning calligraphy, but because the place is remote and lacks teachers, very few have the means like the Ren family to invite famous teachers from Beicheng. Therefore, most people do self-study without much guidance.
“That’s right,” Qiu Xuezheng suddenly recalled something. He stared at Bailian intently and asked, “How old are you this year?”
“Twe…” Bailian was thinking about the Lanting Calligraphy Competition1. Hearing his question, she reflexively started to answer, then stopped. She lowered her eyes and was silent for a while, “Um, nineteen.”
“Nineteen,” the Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau’s eyes lit up.
At this age, she would still be young the next time she participates in the Lanting Competition.
Having confirmed with Bailian that she would participate, Qiu Xuezheng and the school principal were both relieved. He solemnly urged Bailian, “Practice your brushwork these days. It’s still a little unsteady. Hand in your work next week.”
The deadline for submitting works to the Lanting Competition was coming up soon.
After Bailian left, the principal looked at the two of them and asked, “Teacher Qiu, Director, shall we go have a meal first?”
“Alright,” the Director finally had a smile on his face. As he walked out the door, he looked in Bailian’s direction, “She will definitely make the shortlist. I wonder if she and Teacher Qiu can win third place this time.”
“She’s only nineteen, still too young,” said Qiu Xuezheng as he stepped out. He knew more insider news than the other two. With a sigh he said, “And there are many strong contenders at this Lanting Competition, just those two, Xie Jinyun and Xu Yajun, are too eye-catching already. But it doesn’t matter much. She still has time. I’m sure she will make a stunning debut at the next Lanting Competition.”
The principal did not understand these things, he just listened quietly.
“What if Miss Bai produces an even more brilliant work during this time and wins a prize? It would be great if she could. A nineteen-year-old third prize winner, and then in three years she goes on to win first prize,” said the Director, unable to hold back an excited laugh, “By then Xiangcheng would also gain some visibility. The China Calligraphers Association will definitely allocate more resources to us.”
His hopes seemed a little too grand.
Qiu Xuezheng speechlessly glanced at the Director.
It was already a stretch for him to dream day after day that Qiu Bohui could win a prize. And now the Director even dared to dream about a first prize.
**
Bailian returned to Class 15.
Lu Xiaohan was talking to other people about Qiu Xuezheng’s lecture that morning: “Teacher Qiu really is my idol. He talked about why we study – to study for ourselves…”
Zhang Shize was sleeping with his head down at his desk behind her. Ning Xiao and Yang Lin were both doing problem sets.
Bailian sat back down in her seat and slowly pulled out her physics workbook from a pile of books.
Seeing Bailian return, Lu Xiaohan immediately abandoned the others and turned around to softly ask Bailian, “Did the principal call you for something again? To shoot another promo video?”
“No,” Bailian casually flipped her pen open with one hand, languidly leaning against the back of her chair. Then she suddenly looked up with a smile at Lu Xiaohan and asked, “How come you didn’t learn calligraphy well at the time?”
Lu Xiaohan rubbed her nose and shrugged. “Just in elementary school when we had those big character writing classes, I learned a little from the teacher. Afterwards I found some online videos and taught myself.”
By the end, she sounded rather proud of herself.
Those who have studied calligraphy know – having a teacher’s guidance allows you not just to avoid many detours, but also to establish a solid foundation more quickly, making writing with the brush smoother.
Calligraphy is profound and extensive. It is very difficult to improve without a teacher.
But Xiangcheng doesn’t even have a calligraphy association. Anyone with a bit of accomplishment would settle down in the Beicheng Calligraphers Association.
Most people in Xiangcheng are just average migrant workers without the means to invite a calligraphy teacher from Beicheng to specially teach their child.
Lu Xiaohan was the same. Most of what she learned was self-taught.
Rarely were there opportunities like today to even listen to a lecture by someone like Qiu Xuezheng.
“Mm…” Bailian lowered her head, pressing her fingertips on the workbook as she softly closed her long eyelashes, casually writing in her physics notebook.
Lu Xiaohan had wanted to boast to Bailian a bit more about finding many online videos to teach herself.
But seeing Bailian’s lowered head, she strangely sensed an air of sadness coming from her.
Lu Xiaohan swallowed the latter half of what she wanted to say, only watching as Bailian slowly wrote out physics problems.
In reality, over the past two weeks Bailian had spent most of her time practicing biology compositions. Occasionally Ning Xiao would discuss a difficult physics problem with her, and those were the only times.
Just then, the entire Class 15 suddenly quieted down.
Lu Xiaohan felt a chill down her back. Her sixth sense made her swiftly turn around and sit up straight, quickly pulling out a 10-year compilation of past entrance exam papers and starting to go through problems.
Glancing sideways, she caught sight of the elusive Lu Lingxi standing right outside their window.
The rest of the class earnestly focused on their assignments, only Zhang Shize still sleeping with head down.
Lu Lingxi gently walked over to stand beside him and lifted a hand—
“Ahhh!” Zhang Shize was pulled up by the ear to stand. Catching sight of Lu Lingxi, he pleaded, “Principal Lu…have mercy…let this handsome guy keep his life!”
“What time did you get off your games last night?” asked Lu Lingxi coldly.
Zhang Shize: “Twelve…one…two, two fifty-nine!!”
He stubbornly drew the line before 3 AM.
“Sleeping during the day and staying up gaming at night, huh?” Lu Lingxi loosened her hand, earnestly advising in the end as she pointed behind her, “Go stand in the back.”
A dejected Zhang Shize brought his books to stand in the back.
After finishing speaking, Lu Lingxi glanced down at Bailian finishing another physics problem before gently saying, “Bailian, come out for a moment.”
Such a quick change of face left Zhang Shize sighing in admiration.
“The principal said Teacher Qiu wanted your contact info,” Lu Lingxi explained why she came, “I’ll give him your number. Is that alright?”
This was nothing major.
Bailian nodded.
**
Saturday.
Chen Ju came to see Ming Donghan. Neither Jiang Fuli nor Jiang He were present, so he sat quite casually and relaxed: “There is another one of Mr. Bai’s matches next Tuesday. If he wins that match, his ranking score will reach 3rd place.”
“Tickets,” was all Ming Donghan said as he poured himself some tea, brief and cold.
“Already prepared.” Chen Ju took out some freshly printed tickets and handed them to Ming Donghan.
He had been elated these past couple days. With guidance from Bailian, he had handled Xiangcheng’s two matters beautifully. Even the old master Chen had praised him profusely.
As the two were speaking, a servant from outside brought in a woman, “Young Master Ming, someone is here from the China Calligraphers Association.”
Ming Donghan glanced up for a second and gave a slight “Mm” in acknowledgement.
He was a cold person to begin with. After following Jiang Fuli around, his imposing manner had become even more daunting.
Chen Ju did not recognize this Ms. Xu and looked curiously towards the door.
A tall woman walked in from outside. She wore a white dress, without even a coat despite Xiangcheng’s weather not being terribly hot.
Upon entering, she also lowered her head slightly, not daring to freely look around.
“Young Master Ming,” she stood to the side. Seeing only two people sitting on the couch, she paused briefly before acknowledging, “Master Chen.”
Chen Ju clearly recognized the woman before them. He poured himself some water and asked, “Little Xu, what brings you here?”
“My teacher asked me to fetch something,” replied Xu Yajun standing to the side, extremely prudent.
Ming Donghan knew she would come.
He glanced at Xu Yajun, did not recognize her, and just flatly said, “Have a seat, I’ll go grab it from upstairs.”
Xu Yajun quickly nodded.
Only after Ming Donghan left did she finally relax a little and took a seat off to the side.
“Oh right,” the Head of the China Calligraphers Association was well-versed in calligraphy and painting, also wrote in the Liangti style, and often went to appreciate art and drink tea with the old master. Chen Ju was quite familiar with her and asked, “How is Chairman Xue’s health lately?”
A servant came by and poured Xu Yajun a cup of tea.
She took it with thanks before slowly answering, “Teacher is doing well. Just went to admire some calligraphy and paintings over tea at Master Chen’s place a couple days ago.”
At the mention of the old master, Chen Ju also smiled.
Seeing Xu Yajun’s expression lighten, he felt better as well.
Ming Donghan came back downstairs carrying a long rectangular wooden box and handed it to Xu Yajun, “Here, take this back to Chairman Xue. Do not open it.”
Ever cold and aloof, Xu Yajun promptly stood and accepted it with both hands solemnly grasping the box.
“Oh,” at sight of this box, Chen Ju suddenly recalled that Chairman Xue used to often harass Jiang Fuli in the past, and had been driven away multiple times by Ming Donghan, “This is to put on exhibit?”
Just as he spoke, his cell phone in his pocket rang.
Seeing the name on the call display, Chen Ju’s eyes lit up. He bolted up from his seat, “Hello, Uncle Ji! Fishing? Great, fishing is my favorite! Wait for me!”
He had no more regard for anyone else in the hall. Hastily saying to Ming Donghan, “Mr. Ming, I need to go fishing with Uncle Ji. Hold on to the tickets for me.”
Then Chen Ju strode out towards the exit.
Ming Donghan overheard Chen Ju ordering his subordinate: “Go prepare my fishing gear for me…”
Ming Donghan: “…”
Uncle Ji?
Who the hell was Chen Yongkun calling??
Ming Donghan’s face darkened even more, eyes flashing as he watched Chen Ju’s receding figure.
A hand unconsciously clenched.
Still standing to the side, Xu Yajun was also extremely astonished internally. Ji?
She had searched all of Jiangjing City but never heard of anyone surnamed Ji who could make Chen Ju react so strongly. Just who was this “Uncle Ji”?
Ming Donghan glanced coldly at Xu Yajun, “Does Ms. Xu need anything else?”
He had politely addressed her as Ms. Xu.
But Xu Yajun did not dare to reply. She swiftly stood straighter, subconsciously casting a look upstairs, before answering, “I will not disturb Young Master Ming any further.”
Stepping outside the front gates, Xu Yajun’s complexion already lightened considerably.
A white sedan was parked along the smaller side road opposite.
Ji Mulan sat in the passenger seat, gaze looking ahead. Only when she caught sight of the white figure did the driver, Xu Enlian, hastily open the door to exit the vehicle.
With Xu Enlian alighting, Ji Mulan naturally did not arrogantly remain seated. She also stepped out.
“Ms. Xu.” Xu Enlian smiled and greeted Xu Yajun.
He was old friends with Xu Yajun’s father. Xu Yajun nodded at him and politely returned, “Uncle Xu, I will be staying here for two days. Thank you for your trouble this time.”
Xu Enlian knew Xu Yajun was only addressing him as Uncle Xu out of consideration for her father’s face. She was courteous and well-mannered. Xu Enlian did not actually dare to think of himself as her uncle.
“This is my future wife, Ji Mulan,” he introduced to Xu Yajun.
Xu Yajun held no interest regarding whom Xu Enlian was marrying. Only upon hearing she was “Surnamed Ji” did she look at Ji Mulan.
Subconsciously recalling Young Master Chen’s earlier line “Uncle Ji”.
“Which part of Jiangjing are you from?” Xu Yajun regarded Ji Mulan more strictly.
Surprised by Xu Yajun’s attitude, Xu Enlian just smiled, “She’s not from Jiangjing, but Xiangcheng. She just happens to be here for a project this time, so I brought her along to see her father.”
Listening to Xu Enlian’s words, Ji Mulan’s smile was flawless.
But she felt extremely upset inside.
She had tried very hard to escape from Xiangcheng, only to be unable to outrun its shadow no matter where she went.
Sure enough, after Xu Enlian mentioned Xiangcheng, Ms. Xu’s smile faded quite a bit.
Xu Yajun pursued this line of questioning no further and simply got into the car.
In the car,
Xu Enlian looked at the rearview mirror. Xu Yajun was still hugging that wooden box without setting it down on the seat. Based on its length it should contain a scroll.
“Is this the calligraphy of some great master?” Xu Enlian had done his homework the past couple days in order to find common topics to chat with Xu Yajun.
At his words, Xu Yajun froze for a second before shaking her head, “I got this from Young Master Ming…as for whose work it is, you’d better not know.”
Hearing Xu Yajun mention Young Master Ming, Xu Enlian knew exactly which “Ming” she referred to.
Only Ji Mulan in the passenger seat remained very silent, unclear about most of their conversation.
“The Lanting Calligraphy Competition is about to start. I thought Ms. Xu would be staying at the Association7,” Xu Enlian smoothly changed topics, “Let me congratulate you early on your first-place and first grade prize2.”
Xu Yajun had performed brilliantly in the 9th level CCPT exam3 at age 18, and was invited to join the China Calligraphers Association. At age 20 she participated for the first time in the Lanting Calligraphy Competition and won third prize.
This year was her second time participating.
Flattery is something everyone enjoys hearing. Xu Yajun was not surprised. She lightly laughed and gazed out the window, “First grade prize is possible, but first place should be Xie Jinyun’s. His wrist strength is greater than mine. I can safely aim for second place at best.”
- Lanting Calligraphy Competition (???): One of the most prestigious calligraphy competitions in China, named after the renowned Lanting Xu manuscript and held since 1988. ↩︎
- First-place and first grade prize (??????): The top award at the competition. First grade is the highest level prize. ↩︎
- 9th level CCPT exam: The Level 9 (highest level) test for the China Calligrapher Proficiency Test (CCPT), a standardized measurement of calligraphy skill level administered by the China Calligraphers Association. ↩︎
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