"Is it difficult?"
Wan Yunting looked at Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi with some confusion about their reactions. He turned to Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao and said innocently, "I find writing this Shoujin style calligraphy quite easy."
...His words only served to annoy them further.
Qi Miaomiao rolled her eyes at him, "Dr. Wan, my senior sister has been practicing Shoujin style for over six years, and she still doesn't write as well as you. Do you think it's easy?"
"Is that so..."
Wan Yunting, realizing he had unintentionally shown off, smiled awkwardly at Gu Luotang.
Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi beside them could only offer wry smiles of shame. They had been practicing Shoujin style for even longer than Gu Luotang...
"Mr. Wan, could you give me that piece of calligraphy?" Hu Tianchi asked, holding the calligraphy with great excitement.
"Hey, Old Hu, why did you grab it first?"
Fang Guowen, standing next to him, was annoyed. Gu Luotang was even more anxious, as she loved Su Shi's poetry the most. That was why she had recited it for Wan Yunting to write in Shoujin style, intending to ask for it and keep it as a treasured possession. Now, President Hu was the first to ask Wan Yunting for it...
However, in front of so many people, Gu Luotang felt too embarrassed to ask for it herself.
Perhaps it was the urgency in her eyes, but Wan Yunting sensed Gu Luotang's thoughts. He smiled apologetically at Hu Tianchi and Fang Guowen, "My apologies, Uncle Fang. This piece is for Luotang."
Upon hearing this, Gu Luotang's heart pounded with excitement, almost leaping for joy.
"I see..."
Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi's expressions instantly fell. They reluctantly handed the calligraphy back to Wan Yunting, who then turned and passed it to Gu Luotang beside him. She eagerly took the calligraphy, her face no longer able to hide her inner joy and excitement. She smiled sweetly at Wan Yunting, "Thank you."
"I'm glad you like it."
Wan Yunting smiled, then turned back to Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, saying, "Uncle Fang, how about I write another one for you both?"
"Yes, yes..."
This reignited Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi's spirits, and they eagerly vied to be the first to have one written, which Wan Yunting found amusing.
Yet, he himself was unaware that his Shoujin calligraphy had reached a divine, top-tier level in the calligraphy world.
"Alright..."
After writing two more poems, one for Fang Guowen and one for Hu Tianchi, the two presidents were satisfied and held their calligraphy with great fondness, praising it repeatedly, "I must take this back and treasure it."
"Indeed, with such excellent calligraphy, if it were to participate in this year's National Calligraphy Lanting Competition, it would definitely win a gold medal..." Hu Tianchi remarked.
"Yes!"
Fang Guowen's eyes lit up, and he smiled at Wan Yunting, "Little Wan, are you interested in participating? I can submit your work for registration."
"Calligraphy competition?"
Wan Yunting showed a bewildered expression. Gu Luotang explained, "The Lanting Award is the highest calligraphy award in the country, held only once every three years."
"I heard this year's competition will be held in Shaoxing."
Huangfu Hongfang chimed in, "Uncle Fang, President Hu, do you know when the competition starts?"
"It will be held next month, the specific date has not yet been announced," Fang Guowen replied.
After all, they were from the Cultural Association, and they generally received advance notice of national competitions in calligraphy and painting.
"Brother Yunting, let's participate together," Gu Luotang said to Wan Yunting, eager to attend the competition with him.
"If Sister Luotang is going, then I'll go and see as well," Huangfu Hongfang nodded and smiled.
However, Wan Yunting was not interested in these calligraphy competitions. But seeing Fang Guowen and Gu Luotang strongly urging him to go, Wan Yunting merely nodded in agreement, "Let's see for now. If I have time then, I'll go and have a look."
"Alright, alright. Then I'll take this piece and register you." Fang Guowen nodded and smiled.
After all, the triennial Lanting Award Calligraphy Competition was a rare opportunity. He believed that Wan Yunting's participation would solidify his reputation as a master calligrapher in the art world!
The group chatted for a long time on the pavilion, discussing calligraphy. Upon learning that Wan Yunting only knew Shoujin style and was ignorant of other scripts or Chinese painting, the proud Huangfu Hongfang felt much more balanced.
However, seeing Gu Luotang's eyes constantly fixed on Wan Yunting still made Huangfu Hongfang feel disheartened.
"Brother Yunting, let's go release Kongming lanterns," Gu Luotang ignored Huangfu Hongfang beside her, as her eyes were solely on Wan Yunting.
"Okay."
Wan Yunting nodded. After bidding farewell to Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, he was pulled by the wrists by Qi Miaomiao and Gu Luotang as they left the pavilion. However, as he turned, Wan Yunting could feel the glint of sinister eyes from Huangfu Hongfang beside him!
This made Wan Yunting smile, knowing that Huangfu Hongfang was fond of Gu Luotang!
"Brother Yunting, write a wish."
Holding a Kongming lantern, Gu Luotang handed Wan Yunting a brush, asking him to write a wish.
"Peace and prosperity for the country and its people," Wan Yunting said with a smile, as he truly didn't know what wish to write.
Gu Luotang smiled and nodded, then took the brush and wrote, "Wishing all people in the world freedom from illness and suffering."
"I say, can't you two write some practical wishes?" Qi Miaomiao rolled her eyes at their wishes on the Kongming lanterns, feeling speechless. "Like them, writing about eternal love, the seas drying up and rocks crumbling, never parting!"
...These words left Wan Yunting speechless, and Gu Luotang's pretty face flushed with shyness. She playfully chided, "Miaomiao, what nonsense are you talking about..."
"Hehe, why don't you two just get married on the spot?"
Qi Miaomiao, getting into the spirit, teased them with a mischievous grin, making Wan Yunting laugh and Gu Luotang blush with embarrassment, too shy to even look at him.
After playfully teasing each other, they released two Kongming lanterns together. Watching the lanterns drift into the night sky, carrying everyone's wishes, like scattered stars, Wan Yunting couldn't help but sigh faintly...
"Yunting!"
Suddenly, a voice called out. Wan Yunting turned to see Fang Yanxi, dressed in a dress, tall and graceful. Her captivating beauty and powerful aura drew the attention of countless young men and women around them, as Fang Yanxi was not dressed in ancient Hanfu.
"Yanxi, why are you here too?"
Wan Yunting looked at her in surprise. Fang Yanxi, walking over, nodded, "My dad told me you were attending the Mid-Autumn Festival gala, so I came to see, and also to talk to you about something!"
Wan Yunting nodded, but Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao beside him curiously sized up Fang Yanxi, not knowing who she was.
After all, Fang Yanxi had spent her years abroad and was not interested in these gatherings of literati. If her father hadn't mentioned that Wan Yunting was invited to the Mid-Autumn Festival gala hosted by their Cultural Association at the Fengyuan Teahouse tonight, Fang Yanxi wouldn't have come.
"Let me introduce you, this is your President Fang's daughter, Fang Yanxi." Wan Yunting introduced her to Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, and also introduced to Fang Yanxi, "This is Principal Gu Yuanbai's granddaughter, Gu Luotang, and her junior sister, Qi Miaomiao. They are now both teaching traditional Chinese medicine at Xingyao Elementary School."
"Hello..." Fang Yanxi's expression was very calm. She greeted Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao proactively, and the sisterly pair nodded, "Hello..."
So, she was Brother Yunting's first love!
Wan Yunting sensed that Fang Yanxi had something to discuss with him. "Luotang, Miaomiao, it's getting late, I need to go back."
"Oh, okay..." Gu Luotang, coming to her senses, nodded, feeling a little disappointed.
"Yanxi, let's go together." Wan Yunting turned to Fang Yanxi and said. She nodded to Gu Luotang before following him outside...
"Senior Sister, don't overthink it." Qi Miaomiao, noticing Gu Luotang's dejection, said, "Didn't President Fang say that they were just first loves, and they broke up? Besides, Brother Yunting has a girlfriend now, so he definitely won't get back together with this Fang Yanxi."
Gu Luotang's pretty face showed a smile, and she shook her head slightly at Qi Miaomiao to indicate she was fine, "We still have classes tomorrow, let's go back too."
"Okay..."
The two sisters then left directly...