Chapter 187

In the afternoon, sunlight shone into the money tree in the room from the tall glass windows. Because of its auspicious name, potted plants like this could be seen everywhere in the school. At this moment, Ke Yinhua's expression was even greener and more embarrassed than the leaves of the money tree shined on by the sunshine.

Although Vice President Han Wei hurriedly came to the rescue and picked up the Diamond Sutra on the table again, it was still very embarrassing. The staff member who had deliberately placed the guest's calligraphy on the table to curry favor also secretly shrank back to minimize his presence.

Originally, if it hadn't been for his unnecessary move, it could have been said that the wrong piece was picked up, and everyone would have thought the piece on the table was written by the guest. But after his extra move, the Chairman actually drew another piece from the bottom.

This further showed that the two people's calligraphy was different, and it was obvious whose was better.

Ke Yinhua also regretted that he should have stamped his seal right after finishing writing. But he liked making a scene, and would usually stamp his seal only after everyone had invited him.

These literary folk had an unspoken rule that a work was truly acknowledged as their own only after stamping their seal. Without a seal, it could also be just a practice work to be used as a draft, even if by a master calligrapher, a work with or without a seal would be valued very differently.

If he had stamped his own seal, such an embarrassing situation would not have occurred.

Social Chairman Li Luanliang was also very embarrassed. Although he had won the national second-class youth group calligraphy award, that was when he was young. His calligraphy was quite good, but the Diamond Sutra in front of him was obviously written better than his. His grandfather was a master Chinese painter, and as the saying goes, calligraphy and painting are intimately connected. He understood appreciation, but who would have thought that the better Diamond Sutra was not written by the guest Ke?

When he realized his mistake, that this Diamond Sutra was written by a computer science freshman who had just joined the association this year, he could understand Ke Yinhua's embarrassment.

It was simply utterly offensive. Xiao Qi: I don't know, it wasn't me...

She also didn't know such a mistake could happen, because she saw someone put the calligraphy she wrote underneath, and she thought that was pretty good.

She didn't expect the Chairman to actually take out her piece again, slapping her face twice...

She didn't even know how to explain.

And Chu Yu, who was present at the scene, still felt quite good about her own painting of Yellow Crane Tower. The handwriting was neat and beautiful. She felt that she would not attract attention like Xiao Qi. If she had written the Diamond Sutra, she should also have been able to write it well.

But at this moment, hearing what the Chairman of the Painting and Calligraphy Society said, Chu Yu only felt her face burning hot. Fortunately, she had maintained her composure and humility in front of Li Weijin earlier.

She thought her calligraphy was pretty good, but of course it couldn't compare with the guest, Mr. Ke, who was a director of the Calligraphy and Painting Association. His calligraphy must have been very good.

But now, the Chairman had actually confused Xiao Qi’s calligraphy with Mr. Ke’s, what did this mean?

Xiao Qi's calligraphy was actually better than the guest Mr. Ke’s?

Chu Yu was extremely unwilling to admit this in her heart, but this sentence kept popping up.

Li Weijin, who had been upset earlier about not being able to strike up a conversation with Xiao Qi, couldn't help but chuckle.

Ke Yinhua's face turned black when he heard someone laugh, feeling it was mocking him.

The Calligraphy and Painting Association's first high-standard freshmen welcome event ended so awkwardly. Originally, the backbone members were going to treat the guest to dinner afterwards as the vice president had arranged, but Ke Yinhua refused due to something urgent and hurriedly left in his car.

Naturally he did not stamp his seal, otherwise it would have been even more embarrassing.

Xiao Qi didn't know whether she should slip away or do something else, feeling somewhat like she had caused trouble.

But before she could slip away, she was called back by Chairman Li Luanliang. Li Luanliang took out Xiao Qi's application and found that she was not a Chinese major, but a computer science major. He had been thinking that he would have to resign from his role next year, and wanted to find someone with good calligraphy skills to take over. Han Wei was quite capable, but she herself was not really interested in calligraphy and painting. Li Luanliang felt that the core of the Painting and Calligraphy Society still needed to have a passion for calligraphy and painting, and at least be able to produce presentable works. Therefore, he was more interested in the junior girl in front of him.

"How many years have you been practicing calligraphy?"

Xiao Qi thought back to when her father had her copy model calligraphy in first grade of elementary school, that should count as the start right. After calculating the time, she answered modestly, "Twelve years."

"Very good. As mobile phones and computers become more and more popular, fewer and fewer people persist in practicing calligraphy. You’re great." Li Luanliang felt some relief, having practiced for so many years with talent and diligence, it’s no wonder her calligraphy was so good.

"I have a form here, please fill it out and send it back to me later. Your calligraphy is very good, I’ll apply and see if I can get you into the Meng City Calligraphy and Painting Association." On the one hand, Li Luanliang had discovered a talent, on the other hand, if he wanted the girl in front of him to take over the Painting and Calligraphy Society in the future, her current qualifications were definitely not enough, as seniority was very important in China even if one had ability.

Xiao Qi did not expect that there would be such a thing as the Calligraphy Association, which was too far removed from her.

But hearing the Chairman say this, she was still very grateful and said, "Thank you, Chairman."

In fact, recommendation to the Calligraphy Association was not that easy. Even if your ability met the criteria, you still needed a nominator - two or more members of the Calligraphy Association, or well-known public figures in society.

For Xiao Qi, it was like drawing a circle without lifting the pen. But for Li Luanliang it was quite easy. He himself was already in the Meng City Calligraphy Association, not to mention his old father who was the vice chairman of the National Calligraphy Association! Having a national level member and a municipal level member recommend someone was a breeze.

Xiao Qi added the Chairman on WeChat, received the form, and the Chairman also asked if he could keep that piece of Diamond Sutra calligraphy she did. Xiao Qi readily agreed.

"I produce a lot of draft calligraphy every day when I practice. But I did outperform myself today. Mr. Ke's brush was very good, and the xuan paper provided by the association was better than what I usually use."

Li Luanliang smiled when he heard this.

He sent Xiao Qi the address of a store selling brushes and xuan paper in the old town district of Meng City. Xiao Qi decided to go check it out next time she was free.

After finishing her conversation with the Chairman, Xiao Qi got ready to leave, not knowing what else to say.

On the other side, Li Weijin had waited for a long time wanting to exchange a few words with Xiao Qi, but Chu Yu had kept standing in front of him the whole time, making small talk. On a normal day, Li Weijin would have just left without saying a word, but at that moment, seeing Xiao Qi chatting happily with the Chairman of the Painting and Calligraphy Society, he couldn’t bear to leave.

As a result, when Xiao Qi was about to leave, she saw Li Weijin and Chu Yu at the door, chattering intimately. Xiao Qi shuddered with disgust and briskly exited through another door.