The expert judging panel returned to the stage. After taking their seats in the newly arranged space, the host, Bai Xue, walked to the center of the stage with a microphone and said with a smile:
"Everyone must be incredibly curious about the two students who are about to come up, and also filled with envy and jealousy!"
Bai Xue's words drew laughter from the audience. Everyone wholeheartedly agreed; these two were indeed incredibly lucky!
Bai Xue continued:
"Let me reveal the answers! The two students who will be participating in the tiebreaker are... Chen Yang from Rongcheng University and Yan Huiming from Southeast Normal University! Let's give them a warm round of applause!"
The audience clapped and looked around, eager to see who these two lucky winners were.
Yan Huiming stood up from his seat in the fifth row of the guest section, straightened his already impeccably tailored Versace suit, and with an elegant smile, strode towards the stage. Many female students from Southeast Normal University immediately let out screams, as if Yan Huiming were a big star. Yan Huiming was actually quite surprised. He was highly confident in his work, and last night his father had personally taken him to visit Liu Guangya, one of the judges for today's competition. Although the words were somewhat veiled, Liu Guangya must have understood. Furthermore, he had accepted the J-grade bloodstone seal. Logically, the gold medal should have been a sure thing. How could a last-minute tie-breaker have been introduced? And his opponent was Chen Yang…
However, Yan Huiming was only slightly surprised. He remained confident, and winning the competition would allow him to become a disciple of Master Baiyan—a truly wonderful surprise! Therefore, Yan Huiming took this tie-breaker extremely seriously.
Compared to Yan Huiming, Chen Yang was practically unknown; most people were hearing his name for the first time. Even when Chen Yang stood up, the students around him exclaimed in surprise:
"Ah! So that's Chen Yang!"
"I remember him! He's the boy who took Su He away from the calligraphy and painting club that day!"
"It really is him! I didn't expect his calligraphy and painting skills to be so high! It's strange, why didn't he join our calligraphy and painting club?"
As Chen Yang walked down the steps, Su He gave him a thumbs-up, and Chen Yang returned her a faint smile.
The two walked onto the stage one after the other, standing on either side of the host, Bai Xue. Bai Xue smiled and said:
"Standing between two handsome guys, I'm suddenly so nervous... But I think these two are probably even more nervous than me, because the upcoming tiebreaker will determine who becomes Master Bai Yan's disciple! Before the competition begins, please share your feelings with everyone!"
After speaking, she first handed the microphone to Yan Huiming.
Yan Huiming cleared his throat and said,
"I am Yan Huiming from the School of Arts at Southeast Normal University. I am very honored to receive the judges' recognition. I will give it my all in the tiebreaker and prove with my strength that I am the best candidate to be Master Baiyan's disciple!"
After speaking, Yan Huiming stared intently at Chen Yang.
Bai Xue took the microphone and smiled,
"The competition hasn't even started yet, and it's already so intense! Chen Yang, what's your response?"
Chen Yang glanced at Yan Huiming indifferently and said,
"Is that so? I thought the competition was over! This student has already given his acceptance speech. What else can I say? Let's see who's the best!"
Chen Yang's words drew laughter from the audience. Apart from the hundred or so students from Southeast Normal University, those who didn't know Yan Huiming thought he was being arrogant; Chen Yang's words expressed their thoughts. Yan Huiming gritted his teeth, trying his best to maintain his "composure" on the live broadcast, but the hatred in his heart was clearly conveyed through his eyes.
Two desks were placed side by side in the center of the stage, complete with the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper). The ink was already ground, and fine Xuan paper was neatly laid out on the desks. Chen Yang and Yan Huiming both went behind the desks, facing the audience.
Master Bai Yan, sitting in the center of the judges' panel, said:
"The two children can begin! There are no restrictions on the subject matter or the style of expression, as long as it is a calligraphy or painting!"
After speaking, Master Bai Yan put down the microphone and looked at the two on stage with interest, but his gaze lingered more on Chen Yang. Master Bai Yan was very interested in Chen Yang. From the painting of a lady, Master Bai Yan saw many things, especially in the few words of the signature. Master Bai Yan seemed to see a reflection of his younger self.
Yan Huiming hesitated for a moment, then picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and confidently began to write. His forte was landscape painting, and he chose it again for the tiebreaker, demonstrating his mastery of the art.
Chen Yang, however, hesitated to move. He took several deep breaths and gently closed his eyes. This was something Master Baiyan had repeatedly taught him in his previous life: before putting brush to paper, one must first adjust one's mindset, so that once creation begins, it can be completed in one go.
In the noisy studio, under the gaze of thousands, Chen Yang remained oblivious to his surroundings, his eyes closed, his entire being immersed in his inner world. He felt as if the whole world had quieted down, and scenes of learning calligraphy and painting from Master Baiyan in his previous life surfaced in his mind. In his past life, Chen Yang often frequented Master Baiyan's courtyard house, a place that seemed like another world, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, a place of tranquility and contentment. Now, facing his most respected teacher from his previous life, Chen Yang couldn't help but recall those moments, a surge of filial piety welling up within him.
Master Bai Yan's eyes gleamed, a barely perceptible look of surprise appearing on his face. His interest in Chen Yang grew even stronger. Nowadays, most people practicing calligraphy and painting prioritize technique over mindfulness, taking shortcuts for quick success. Yet Chen Yang, in such a crucial competition, remained calm and composed, first adjusting his mental state—this was truly remarkable, especially considering his young age.
Chen Yang stood motionless for a full three minutes. The audience, watching Yan Huiming's furious writing on stage and Chen Yang's quiet stillness, felt a strange unease; the contrast between stillness and movement created a striking visual effect.
Just then, Chen Yang abruptly opened his eyes. His emotions had reached their peak, his mind as still as a deep well. On the vast stage, it felt as if he were alone, with only the vividly remembered scene in his mind.
Chen Yang reached for the brush, dipped it in ink, and began to paint in one fluid motion, without the slightest hesitation. His movements were as graceful as flowing water, full of beauty.
Outlining, texturing, dotting, and dyeing—Chen Yang mastered various techniques effortlessly, without a second thought. At this moment, Chen Yang wasn't consciously controlling his emotions; instead, he infused them into the painting. In a short while, a secluded courtyard, untouched by the world, appeared on the paper.
Through a close-up shot from the camera lens, everyone could see Chen Yang's focused expression. He had entered a state of complete absorption, his eyes fixed only on the rice paper before him, his mind filled only with the warm image of his teacher taking a nap in the afternoon.
"Excellent! This young man is truly remarkable!" Master Bai Yan silently praised in his heart. Although he couldn't see the content of Chen Yang's painting, an expert could see the skill. Chen Yang's very brushstrokes already surpassed Yan Huiming's by a significant margin, displaying the demeanor of a master. "Being carried away by success" is the highest realm of traditional Chinese painting, and judging from Chen Yang's state, he had at least begun to grasp the basics. Later, yet faster!
Although Chen Yang started later, he finished his painting first. He began with a fluid, uninterrupted stroke, while Yan Huiming became increasingly cautious as the painting progressed, fearing a single mistake would ruin everything. In the final stages, Yan Huiming would sometimes pause to ponder for a long time before continuing.
Chen Yang, on the other hand, painted with unrestrained ease. After finishing, he didn't even look at it before tossing the brush aside, displaying a style reminiscent of the Wei-Jin dynasty scholars.
Yan Huiming, seeing out of the corner of his eye that Chen Yang had finished, felt a surge of anxiety, but his hand moved even more cautiously, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Five minutes later, Yan Huiming let out a long sigh, put down his brush, and stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, saying:
"Esteemed teachers, I am finished!"
Master Baiyan rose to his feet. Although he had developed a strong interest in Chen Yang, the master first approached Yan Huiming's desk.
Perhaps the best food is always saved for last! Many people think the same way.
The other experts followed Master Bai Yan to Yan Huiming's painting. Most of the judges decided to listen quietly for a while, because although this was nominally an additional competition, it was essentially Master Bai Yan choosing his apprentice. It was best to let Master Bai decide on this matter; their own reckless comments would only annoy others.
Yan Huiming was still painting a landscape. On the surging Minjiang River, a small boat drifted with the current, a shepherd boy led his cattle on the bank, and in the distance, the villas of foreigners on Guling Mountain were faintly visible. This was the urban landscape of Fuzhou in the 1920s and 30s. Yan Huiming's painting was excellent; the composition was meticulous, the lines were beautiful and simple, and the variations in ink density and dryness were just right.
Liu Guangya, who had been feeling quite anxious, felt much relieved upon seeing Yan Huiming's painting. This landscape was even better than his previous entries, almost flawless, with a beautiful and evocative atmosphere—truly a masterpiece.
Sure enough, Master Baiyan examined it carefully for two or three minutes, his eyes revealing admiration as he said:
"Excellent! Excellent! The brushwork is vigorous and powerful, the ink application is just right, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the blank spaces leave endless room for imagination! What's rare is that this painting vividly recreates the life of the people of Rongcheng in the 1920s and 30s; it is indeed a masterpiece!"
Yan Huiming was overjoyed upon hearing this, but his face remained impassive, and he humbly replied:
"Master, you flatter me! I am unworthy of such praise!"
Master Baiyan laughed heartily and walked towards Chen Yang's desk, the other experts naturally following closely behind. No one noticed that Master Baiyan's pace was slightly quicker than usual, and a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
"This is..." Master Baiyan was so shocked when he first saw Chen Yang's painting that he exclaimed in disbelief.