Chapter 363 - Calligraphy contest? (1/2)
In the backyard, the smell of ink was in the air.
The sweet smell of Xuan paper also lingered in the air.
”Teacher w.a.n.g.”
”Yo, Mr Liu.”
”Master Chen is here too, where did you come from?”
”I came over from Shanghai. It's Old Master Wei's birthday, so I can't not come.”
They were all people from the same circle, so they were familiar with each other. The old friends began chatting heartily, looking like they had not seen each other in a long time.
In the corner, only Zhang Ye was standing there alone. Many people saw him, but did not know who he was. Because he looked rather young and was strangely wearing shades, no one bothered about him. As Su Na was ushered by her father to greet his friends, Wu Zeqing was still chatting with her friends, Zhang Ye found a chair and sat down. Since he had not had his breakfast, he tried out some of the refreshments on the table. It was actually quite tasty, so he poured himself a cup of hot tea and crossed his legs back relaxingly. He started munching on some sunflower seeds, fully making himself feel at home.
”Who is this person?”
”Don't seem to know him.”
”Whose family member is he? Is he that hungry?”
”I think I saw him come in with Teacher Su's daughter.”
”Old Su's son-in-law? No way, I am old friends with Old Su, so how can I not have seen this kid? Little Na Na isn't married either. so it can't be.”
A few people looked at Zhang Ye with askance.
Zhang Ye felt like he was too flamboyant, so with a cough, he stopped eating.
It was unknown when Wu Zeqing walked over. Today, she was dressed in a beige qipao. The red flowers that adorned her dress were very eye-catching. She had been wearing a qipao with a sweater of coat draped over her. Her high heels were beige in color to match her qipao, making her look extremely alluring.
”You were eating?” Wu Zeqing gave a faint smile.
Zhang Ye beamed and stood up. ”I didn't eat this morning, so I was hungry.”
Wu Zeqing lowered her hands, ”Just carry on eating. It's alright.”
Zhang Ye said, ”If I knew today was the Calligraphy a.s.sociation's anniversary, I wouldn't have come. I'm not someone from this circle. I don't really know much about calligraphy. If I knew this early, I would have given you a birthday present privately. Unfortunately, I didn't have time this morning, so I didn't bring anything.”
Wu Zeqing gently smiled. ”There's no need for presents. It's alright if you do not know calligraphy. Inviting you here was to let you enter this circle. You are a person of literature, so knowing more people won't hurt. Hur Hur. Alright, carry on eating. I'll go greet a few old friends.”
”Sis Wu.”
”Teacher Wu.”
More people came from outside.
Wu Zeqing walked over with a smile.
After a short while, almost everyone had arrived.
”Everyone, may I have your attention please. Hur Hur.” At this moment, a very famous calligrapher spoke. He gathered the people over and said, ”Today is the 31st anniversary of the Calligraphy a.s.sociation. I would like to thank everyone for their partic.i.p.ation and well-wishes. I've been writing all my life, so I'm not good with words, so I'll keep it short. I think it's best we go by the old rules. Let's have a short compet.i.tion to kick off auspiciously before having our meal. How about that?”
”Alright!”
”As you wish.”
”Haha, another compet.i.tion?”
”Master Zhou, what's the auspicious item about this year?”
Everyone had expected this and asked with smiles.
There was no lack of this segment in every year's Calligraphy a.s.sociation gathering.
The old calligrapher, Master Zhou, curved his mouth and waved to his two disciples by his side. He got them to open up a piece of calligraphy. ”I'll incur ridicule first. This is the calligraphy piece I wrote last year. Now it shall be used as an auspicious item. Same old rules, whoever wins gains this auspicious item!”
Master Zhou's work?
This year's item sure cost an arm and a leg!
Everyone knew the most ordinary piece of calligraphy produced by Master Zhou could be auctioned off for tens of thousands. If it was a good piece of calligraphy, such as this long calligraphy piece, it could be auctioned off for at least a hundred thousand. There was no upper limit, for if someone really liked it, they would be willing to pay hundreds of thousands for it!
”Nice work!”
”Elder Zhou sure is generous!”
”Then we won't stand on ceremony!”
Everyone were eager to try as they coveted it.
Su Na left her father's side and walked over to Zhang Ye.
”Teacher Su.” Zhang Ye was also surprised to see that calligraphy piece. ”Who is that?”