Su He was somewhat distracted at work tonight. Although she had walked quite freely with Chen Yang earlier, once things calmed down, she couldn't help but worry—more about Chen Yang than herself.
Su He knew Chen Yang had thoroughly offended Shen Tu Liang. Who was Shen Tu Liang? He was the deputy director of the art department, a mid-level leader in the school. Chen Yang, a poor student, couldn't possibly compete with him, no matter how capable he was!
Thinking about this, Su He couldn't help but feel anxious. Even though she was usually diligent at work, she had inadvertently made two small mistakes.
Chen Yang, on the other hand, was rather bored.
Ning Qiaoqian had returned to Xiamen, and bartender Ahua was temporarily filling in. Without Ning Qiaoqian's flirtatious banter, Chen Yang wandered around the bar, feeling something was missing.
The romantic moment in the car on Gushan Mountain that day still lingered in Chen Yang's mind.
Thinking of Ning Qiaoqian's sexy, soft body, Chen Yang felt a surge of heat.
The uneventful night seemed particularly long. Finally, at 11:30, Chen Yang couldn't wait to go back to the changing room to change.
Chen Yang and Su He both chose to walk back to school. As for Ning Qiaoqian's flashy sports car, Chen Yang parked it in the parking space in front of the bar.
The midnight breeze carried a slight chill. Su He frowned slightly, walking silently with her head down. Chen Yang told jokes beside her. Sometimes Su He would smile at Chen Yang's jokes, but she still couldn't hide the worry on her face.
After the two entered the Rongda campus, Chen Yang suddenly stopped and asked,
"By the way, Su He, do you have a key to the calligraphy and painting club's activity room this afternoon?"
Su He paused for a moment, then nodded slightly and said,
"Shen Tu Fan gave me one last time, saying it was for my practice…"
"That kid really knows how to be generous with public funds!" Chen Yang's words were full of sarcasm.
Seeing Chen Yang's jealous expression, Su He felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and a faint, shy smile appeared on her lips. Her steps seemed to lighten considerably. After walking for a while, Su He realized something was wrong and asked,
"Chen Yang, we've gone the wrong way! This isn't the way back to the dorm!"
"Silly girl, when did I say we were going back to the dorm?" Chen Yang gently stroked Su He's cute little nose with his index finger, saying affectionately, "We're going to the calligraphy and painting club; you still have a piece to finish!"
"Huh?" Su He was taken aback. "Now? It's almost midnight! Besides, the quality requirements for the competition are very high. I'm not even a student of this; I'm just an enthusiast. It's not something I can just do on a whim!"
Chen Yang looked at Su He with a smile and said,
"Don't worry! I'm here. I dared to bring you out of the calligraphy and painting club like that; I'm confident you can submit a satisfactory piece!"
"Let's go, destination: the calligraphy and painting club! Forward!" Chen Yang finished speaking, raised his right hand, and waved it forcefully forward, much like a People's Liberation Army commander in a revolutionary film. Su He, unconsciously influenced by Chen Yang, strode after him and took his arm, saying with a hint of shyness,
"I'm a little afraid of the dark..."
The two fumbled for the activity room light and turned it on. Under the dim light, the empty room seemed even more tranquil. Chen Yang called out with great enthusiasm,
"Someone! Bring me brush and ink!"
"Yes!" Su He responded crisply, then opened her cabinet and neatly arranged the brush, ink stick, Xuan paper, inkstone, and paperweight on the table.
After carefully pouring water into the inkstone, Su He extended two slender fingers, gently picked up the ink stick, and began to grind ink carefully.
Chen Yang leaned back comfortably in his chair, observing Su He.
Su He's elegant eyes were as pure and focused as water, and her cute, side-swept bangs trembled slightly with her grinding motion, radiating a captivating glow in the lamplight. Seemingly sensing Chen Yang's gaze, a blush gradually rose on Su He's fair cheeks. She looked up and gave Chen Yang a playful glare, a faint smile playing on her lips, before continuing to grind ink.
Gradually, fine beads of sweat appeared on Su He's forehead. Chen Yang stood up, walked to Su He's side, and carefully wiped away her sweat with a tissue. Su He looked up at Chen Yang and smiled brightly, her captivating smile seemingly brightening the dim lights of the activity room.
Everything was ready. Su He wiped her hands and said playfully, "Young Master Fang! The brush and ink are ready!"
Chen Yang nodded seriously and said, "Hmm! Well done! Xiao He truly is my virtuous wife!"
Su He blushed instantly and retorted, "You rascal! Virtuous my foot! Get to work!"
Chen Yang laughed and walked to the table. He carefully smoothed and pressed the Xuan paper with a paperweight, picked up the brush, filled it with ink, hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and made his first stroke.
Su He watched with great curiosity.
She noticed that from the moment Chen Yang put pen to paper, his entire demeanor seemed to change. His playful attitude vanished, replaced by a steady and dignified presence, like a mountain. His brushstrokes flowed like dragons and snakes, emanating an indescribable comfortable aura, as if he had become one with the environment. Su He's gaze lingered on Chen Yang, unable to look away. A look of rapture appeared in her eyes, as if Chen Yang himself were a work of art.
Soon, Chen Yang completed a calligraphy piece in one go, and Su He hadn't even had a chance to glance at the paper.
Chen Yang carefully picked up the still-wet ink and gently blew on it. Su He then snapped out of her reverie. Just now, she realized that Chen Yang had seemed to possess a magical aura that subtly influenced those around him. She stared at Chen Yang in astonishment, utterly bewildered as to why this young man had displayed the air of a master calligrapher and painter in that brief moment.
"Take a look!" Chen Yang said to Su He with a smile, setting down the work.
"Oh! Okay!" Su He's tone was slightly flustered. She had been staring intently at Chen Yang; had he noticed?
When Su He's gaze fell on the Xuan paper, her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, revealing an expression of utter shock. After a long pause, she turned to Chen Yang and murmured, "If I hadn't witnessed you creating this on the spot, I wouldn't have believed this calligraphy was done by a boy..."
Although Su He wasn't formally trained, she had been a member of the calligraphy and painting club for quite some time. Moreover, Su He was extremely meticulous, so while her basic skills in calligraphy and painting might not be the strongest, her eye for detail was unmatched.
Chen Yang had written a poem by Li Qingzhao, "Dian Jiang Chun." When Su He first glanced at it, she had a feeling of déjà vu. After careful recollection, Su He was astonished to discover that Chen Yang's calligraphy subtly possessed the spirit of Cai Wenji.
The calligraphy was elegant yet grand, but upon closer inspection, a hint of sorrow emanated from the paper. Although Cai Wenji's original calligraphy had long been lost to history, and Su He had no chance to see it, she had noticed descriptions of Cai Wenji's calligraphy in many ancient texts, all of which were only abstract fragments. Upon seeing Chen Yang's calligraphy, Su He instinctively thought of Cai Wenji's work—it was simply astonishing.
Chen Yang had anticipated Su He's reaction, so he simply smiled, switched to a smaller brush, and began to sign his name without a word.
Chen Yang was going to sign Su He's name.
"Wait!" Su He interrupted.
Su He had initially thought Chen Yang was merely providing her with a satisfactory piece, and given their relationship, it didn't matter. Unexpectedly, this calligraphy far exceeded the standard of "just getting it done." Judging from Su He's not-so-professional eye, if this calligraphy were submitted to a competition, it would have a very high chance of winning an award. Therefore, Su He couldn't feel at ease signing her own name on it.
Chen Yang put down his brush again upon hearing this, looking at Su He with a questioning gaze.
"Chen Yang, the level of your work is truly beyond my imagination. If you submitted it to a competition, it would definitely win an award!" Su He said. "So… you should still sign your own name!"
Chen Yang couldn't help but chuckle and reached out to stroke Su He's smooth, black hair, saying affectionately:
"Silly girl! Do you need to distinguish between mine and yours so clearly? Why are you being so formal with me?"
Su He immediately blushed deeply, but her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
Chen Yang continued,
"Besides, I never said I wouldn't participate! Tonight, the night is as beautiful as water, and with a beautiful woman by my side, this young master suddenly felt inspired and decided to paint another picture!"
With that, without waiting for Su He's objection, Chen Yang quickly signed Su He's name on the calligraphy work, then took a new sheet of Xuan paper.
This time, Chen Yang didn't rush to put pen to paper. He slowly dipped the brush in his ink, glancing at Su He from time to time. Su He felt a little uncomfortable under Chen Yang's gaze and shifted slightly.
"Don't move! Hold on a little longer!" Chen Yang called out, startling Su He, but she obediently remained in her previous posture.
"Done!" Chen Yang said, then decisively put down his brush. Su He breathed a slight sigh of relief, gently stretched her slightly stiff neck, then leaned back in her chair, looking at Chen Yang with a smile.
Perhaps men are all very charming when they are focused on something. Su He thought to herself.
At least that's how Chen Yang was right now. He was completely focused, his brush moving swiftly and powerfully. The simple studio couldn't conceal the radiant aura he exuded while painting.
Sitting directly opposite Chen Yang, Su He's gaze was slightly mesmerized. She felt that Chen Yang suddenly possessed a profound aura, exactly the same as when he was creating his calligraphy earlier. His focused expression seemed to radiate light.
Although Chen Yang's forehead quickly became covered in fine beads of sweat, Su He didn't dare go over to wipe them away, afraid of disturbing Chen Yang, who was lost in his own world.
In one go, he finished.
Chen Yang completed his painting.
"Ah!" When Su He leaned closer to admire Chen Yang's work, she couldn't help but let out a shy exclamation.