After taking out the seal and placing it on the desk, Chen Yang hurried to the bathroom to fetch a basin of hot water and brought it to the study. Master Baiyan always took every creative process seriously, washing his hands and burning incense. Chen Yang knew this habit well; sandalwood incense was hard to find at the provincial government guesthouse, but he still wanted to prepare hot water for his teacher.
Master Baiyan smiled slightly when he saw Chen Yang bring the water:
"Little Chen Yang, you really understand this old man's habits!"
Chen Yang just chuckled and didn't reply. But a deep sense of filial piety welled up inside him. In his previous life, Master Baiyan had often affectionately called him "Little Chen Yang," showing him great care.
Master Baiyan carefully washed his hands, and Chen Yang promptly handed him a towel, providing impeccable service.
With everything prepared, Master Baiyan picked up his brush, slowly dipping it in ink while closing his eyes in deep thought. After a long pause, Master Baiyan opened his eyes. Though over seventy years old, he seemed suddenly brimming with vitality. His right hand, holding the brush, moved steadily down, his entire being exuding a profound and dignified presence.
The instant the master's brush touched the paper, Chen Yang felt his imposing aura suddenly subside. He seemed to merge with the brush in his hand, giving off a sense of harmonious tranquility.
Chen Yang was filled with awe. In his previous life, he had followed the master for many years, yet he could never reach Master Baiyan's state of effortless control and return to simplicity.
Just like when Chen Yang competed on television, once Master Baiyan put pen to paper, it was always a single, fluid stroke. Even the movement of dipping the brush in ink seemed to possess an invisible rhythm, an organic whole with the entire creative process.
Soon, with masterful strokes, the large character "难得糊涂" (Rarely Confused) appeared on the clean Xuan paper, as powerful as silver hooks and iron strokes. Chen Yang gazed intently; the master calligrapher was using running script, reminiscent of Yan Zhenqing's style. Each character was bold and vigorous, simple yet ancient, revealing a profound and upright spirit that commanded respect.
After the master finished writing his inscription, Chen Yang immediately stepped forward. He first picked up the seal "Baiyan Shanren," soaked it in ink, and then firmly stamped it onto the end of the inscription. He pressed down firmly twice with both hands to seal it. Next came the seal for "Yiran Zide" (怡然自得), its placement carefully chosen—in the blank space between the upper two characters of the calligraphy.
Many great calligraphers had their disciples handle the seal-applying process. Chen Yang had assisted Master Baiyan in his previous life, so he was familiar with this task and performed it with ease.
Master Baiyan gave Chen Yang an approving look. Although they hadn't known each other long, this newly accepted disciple suited his temperament perfectly. He was very perceptive and understood Chen Yang's intentions without him even needing to speak, as if they had known each other for years. Master Baiyan was very satisfied.
Professor Yan paced back and forth at his desk as if he had found a priceless treasure. He couldn't wait to carefully preserve the calligraphy, but the ink was still wet, so he dared not move it rashly, fearing he might damage this precious work. Seeing Professor Yan's eagerness, so different from his usual serious demeanor, Chen Yang secretly chuckled. He said,
"Professor Yan, why don't you accompany your teacher to the living room to rest and chat for a while? I'll help you put it away after the ink dries!"
Professor Yan snapped out of his reverie and quickly replied,
"Yes! Yes! Yes! Master Bai, you've worked hard. Please sit in the living room for a while!"
Master Baiyan nodded with a smile and led the way out of the study, with Professor Yan quickly following behind. Chen Yang waited in his study until the ink on the calligraphy had naturally dried before carefully rolling it up. He then found a special paper tube for storing calligraphy and paintings in a cabinet, placed the work inside, and carried it out of the study.
Professor Yan immediately stood up upon seeing Chen Yang, his eyes fixed on the paper tube in Chen Yang's hand. Chen Yang smiled and handed the tube to Professor Yan.
Master Bai Yan, seeing this, smiled and said:
"Young Yan! Young Chen Yang is still studying at Rongcheng University. You, as an old professor, must take good care of him!"
Professor Yan was also in his sixties or seventies, but Master Bai Yan was superior in both age and prestige. Being called "Young Yan" didn't seem inappropriate to him. He respectfully replied:
"Professor Bai, Chen Yang is also very excellent in his studies. His research on the recent hot topic of the Du Island issue is very in-depth and insightful!"
"Oh, is that so?" Master Bai Yan was also very interested upon hearing this.
Professor Yan then recounted Chen Yang's performance in class that day, as well as the paper topics he had assigned to Chen Yang and Liu Xinyao for the Boao International Law Forum.
Master Bai Yan was very pleased. Accepting Chen Yang as a disciple had been a spur-of-the-moment decision; in truth, his understanding of Chen Yang was far less than Chen Yang's understanding of him. Professor Yan's words had revealed certain aspects of Chen Yang to Master Bai Yan, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of his disciple.
After chatting for a while longer, seeing that it was getting late, Professor Yan got up to take his leave. Chen Yang saw Professor Yan to the door and then returned to Master Bai Yan's room.
Master Baiyan stood at the door of his study, glanced at the unpacked brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and then said meaningfully:
"Young Chen Yang, is there something else?"
Chen Yang smiled and gently helped Master Baiyan sit down on the sofa before speaking:
"Teacher, there are indeed two things. The first is about Su He's painting 'Dian Jiang Chun'..."
Chen Yang knew Master Baiyan would recognize the calligraphy as his own. Sure enough, Master Baiyan's interest was piqued upon hearing this, and he straightened up slightly to look at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang continued, "I wrote that calligraphy. It's a bit complicated..."
Then, Chen Yang recounted in detail the events of that day when Shen Tu Liang presented the task with an administrative order, and how he later helped Su He complete the work. He also told Su He's tragic background and her indomitable spirit. After listening to Chen Yang's explanation, Master Baiyan pondered for a long while before speaking:
"It's not entirely your fault. The problem lies in the mindset of some people these days. They place too much importance on competition results, which defeats the purpose of holding calligraphy and painting competitions!"
Chen Yang wholeheartedly agreed: "Yes, teacher! I heard some schools are offering huge prizes—direct admission to graduate school if you win the gold medal in this competition!"
"Hmph! That's absurd! Let's not talk about that!" Master Baiyan snorted coldly, waved his hand, and said with a half-smile, "By the way, young Chen Yang, you just said you had two things to say, right? Is the second thing that you think my old bones are still in good shape and want me to get some exercise?"
Chen Yang, his thoughts read by Master Baiyan, scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. Master Baiyan stood up and walked towards his study, saying,
"I haven't even given you a gift yet after accepting you as my disciple! Your request must be fulfilled. Tell me, what calligraphy do you want?"
Chen Yang quickly followed, saying,
"Master, it's not that I want calligraphy, it's an elder of mine…"
So, Chen Yang frankly recounted the whole story of Ning Kuncheng's request for calligraphy to Master Baiyan. He especially embellished Ning Kuncheng's endless longing for his deceased wife and his aunt's persistent study of Master Baiyan's works, making it seem as if he had witnessed it himself. After hearing Chen Yang's words, Master Baiyan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"Your elder is truly kind and righteous! Alright, I'll help you with this!"
Seeing his teacher agree so readily, Chen Yang hesitated. He said,
"Teacher, wouldn't it be a bit unlucky to write 'Presented to the deceased' in the inscription?"
Master Baiyan chuckled, "Little Chen Yang! How can you be more old-fashioned than this old man at such a young age? This lady likes my work. Although we've never met, we can be considered kindred spirits. What's wrong with me writing a piece for her? Enough talk, bring out the brush and ink!"
"Alright!" Since Master Baiyan had put it that way, it would be hypocritical for Chen Yang to refuse again, so he readily agreed and busied himself in the study.
...
In the lobby reception area of the Shangri-La Hotel, Chen Yang leisurely sipped his tea. After saying goodbye to Master Bai Yan's residence, Chen Yang took a taxi directly to the Shangri-La Hotel where Leng Junfei was staying. It was already past 10 PM. Chen Yang had initially planned to discuss it the next day, but then decided to deliver the calligraphy that very night, sparing Leng Junfei a sleepless night.
Upon receiving Chen Yang's call, Leng Junfei practically ran out of the elevator and strode quickly towards the reception area. Chen Yang stood up to greet him.
"Mr. Leng, I have not failed you!" Chen Yang said with a smile, handing over the paper tube containing Master Bai Yan's calligraphy.
Leng Junfei took the paper tube, excitedly saying,
"Thank you so much, Chen Yang! By the way... Master Baiyan won't have any objections to you, will he?"
Chen Yang waved his hand, saying casually,
"It's nothing! I mentioned Chairman Ning's matter to my teacher, and he agreed without hesitation. Moreover, the inscription reads 'Respectfully presented to my dear friend Cheng Susu, by Baiyan Shanren on the 20th day of the fourth month of the Gengyin year in Rongcheng.' You can rest assured and report back to Chairman Ning!"
Cheng Susu was Ning Qiaoqian's mother's name. Master Baiyan's inscription essentially meant the work was a gift to Cheng Susu herself. Generally, works explicitly addressed to a specific person have a lower market value. Ning Kuncheng, of course, didn't care about that. He requested the calligraphy to comfort his deceased wife, so Master Baiyan's inscription was exactly what Ning Kuncheng wanted. Leng Junfei was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly, saying,
"Come on, Chen Yang! I'll treat you to a late-night snack!"
Chen Yang quickly waved his hand and said,
"I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Leng, but I drank quite a bit tonight. I need to find somewhere to sober up quickly! Mr. Leng, now that the task is complete, I'll take my leave. Please give my regards to Chairman Ning!"
Actually, Chen Yang saw that it was almost time. He could go to the bar to pick up Su He from get off work. They had attended an event together today, but he had left her behind to attend a banquet, and Chen Yang felt somewhat guilty.
Chen Yang started walking towards the hotel exit, but Leng Junfei quickly caught up and grabbed him, saying,
"Hey! Chen Yang, don't rush off! Chairman Ning specifically instructed me to prepare a small fee for Master Bai Yan's writing. Could you give it to him for me?"
With that, Leng Junfei reached into his pocket to take out the cash check he had prepared beforehand. Chen Yang grabbed his hand, hurriedly saying,
"No! Mr. Leng, please don't get me into trouble! If the teacher finds out I took your money, he'll skin me alive! And he'll definitely make me get the calligraphy back! The teacher only helped because of Chairman Ning's deep affection and loyalty to Auntie, understand? Paying him is an insult!"
With that, Chen Yang released his hand and fled the hotel as if escaping. His mind was already on the Blazing Flame Bar…