From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 374 - 349: Passing By

Yue Qianshan had just lost face, having been exposed by Xu Chunliang for flattering Ye Qingya, and he was a bit exasperated, eager to regain the situation in front of everyone. He chuckled and said, "This young man is quite confident. Mr. Qingya, why don’t we appreciate his calligraphy?"

Yue Qianshan was even reluctant to use the word calligraphy and thought that Xu Chunliang should at least be able to write neatly first.

Inwardly, Ye Qingya sighed. Yue Qianshan, despite his age, still allowed his mindset to be influenced by outsiders. No wonder his calligraphy had shown no progress in the past decade or so. Take a step back and everything will be fine; why bother with someone irrelevant? Everyone’s level is different. From the moment you fuss with others, you’ve already lost.

Since Yue Qianshan had spoken, Ye Qingya couldn’t simply deny him face. There were writing materials prepared at the exhibition site, specifically for famous artists like Yue Qianshan to create works and inscribe words. Who would have thought someone like Cheng Yaojin would appear out of nowhere?

Xu Chunliang came to the long table, unceremoniously selecting a wolf-hair brush. He didn’t rush to write, but continued to comment. That piece of "Slow Sound" was good, but it was still somewhat lacking compared to Zhao Ji. The Slim Gold style, originally Slim Muscle style, replaced "muscle" with "gold" as a mark of respect for the imperial script.

The Slim Gold style features slender and vigorous strokes, slim yet not lacking substance. Due to its relatively slim and hard strokes, the technique is exposed, with visible signs of lifting and pressing the brush, making it a unique style of calligraphy.

Although Xu Chunliang did not explicitly say it, everyone could hear that he was hinting Ye Qingya’s calligraphy had bones but lacked flesh.

Among those present were renowned figures in the calligraphy world. Listening to this young man speak eloquently, they found what he said made some sense. Ye Qingya’s calligraphy might not be perfect, but saying it’s only sixty percent seems slightly derogatory.

Yue Qianshan asked, "Young man, what do you plan to write?" He didn’t even bother to ask for his name, thinking him just an unknown nobody.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Once I write it, everyone will understand."

He lifted the brush and began to write. His strokes were nimble and quick. With just one character, a graceful elegance, thin yet not devoid of charm, came through vividly.

Bountiful fragrance snuggled by lush calyxes, resplendent in the courtyard,

Touched by dew, as if intoxicated, reflecting the remnants of the glowing sunset,

Difficult for painters to emulate, these are the exclusive efforts of creation,

Butterflies dance, charmed by the fragrant path, gracefully pursuing the evening breeze.

From the first character, Ye Qingya guessed he was writing the "Nong Fang Poetry Scroll," large calligraphic regular script, two characters per line, spanning twenty lines in total. The structure of the calligraphy was elegant, the strokes vigorous, representing a masterpiece by Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, originally preserved at the Taiwan Island’s Palace Museum. Ye Qingya had seen the original, and was astounded by its divine creation. For this piece, she had visited the museum for three consecutive days and secretly copied it countless times.

Even so, Ye Qingya was still reluctant to display her imitation in public. Comparisons are fearful when jewels and jade are present.

Xu Chunliang completed only one line, and everyone fell into silence.

Originally, Yue Qianshan wanted to make a fool of this young man in public, but unexpectedly, he had real skill. Just with one character, he amazed the crowd.

After seeing Xu Chunliang’s calligraphy, Ye Qingya realized that his writing speed was much faster than hers, and his brush strokes were extremely precise, like cutting through iron and gold. Truly, natural talent and delightful elegance. No wonder he said her "Slow Sound" was only sixty percent. Ye Qingya now sincerely admired him. If his "Nong Fang Poetry Scroll" was seventy percent, then she certainly could not reach sixty percent.

Yue Qianshan had completely put away his initial disdain. This young man had substance. Just based on Slim Gold style, his work certainly displayed more skill than Ye Qingya’s.

Ye Qingya was secretly impressed. The Southern Ming anti-Qing hero Chen Bangyan once praised Zhao Ji’s Slim Gold script "Nong Fang Poetry Scroll": a transcendent masterpiece of the ages. This scroll, as if painted, sheds conventional brush strokes, resembling exquisite orchids and bamboo amid the lines, with the faint sound of wind and rain. Truly divine work. Using this to praise this person’s calligraphy would not be an exaggeration.

Xu Chunliang finished the "Nong Fang Poetry Scroll" without inscribing his name.

Ye Qingya praised, "Such great calligraphy. Sir, why not inscribe your name?"

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "It’s an imitation, not worthy of being placed in high regards, so I won’t write my name to avoid being a laughingstock."

Yue Qianshan thought to himself, if even such writing is deemed a laughingstock, what about Ye Qingya? He also admitted that Xu Chunliang’s Slim Gold style was superior to Ye Qingya’s.

Ye Qingya responded gracefully, with a faint smile, "So, Slim Gold is not your specialty?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I specialize in running script. If my Slim Gold can attain seventy percent, then my running script might achieve ninety percent."

Yue Qianshan asked, "Young man, are you part of the calligraphy association?" Based on instinct, he assumed with such a level of calligraphy, this young man must have joined a local calligraphy association, or even the national one. With so many members, he couldn’t know them all. He hadn’t attended local association activities recently and didn’t expect such a young calligrapher to emerge.

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "Calligraphy association? What’s that?"

A group of well-known figures from the calligraphy association immediately showed sour expressions. This young man’s arrogance! Later, they would check his name. Did he still want to join the organization in the future?

Ye Qingya proactively replaced the rice paper for Xu Chunliang: "Then, may we invite sir to bestow another ink art?" From the moment she addressed Xu Chunliang as sir, she acknowledged his talent.

Xu Chunliang naturally had no intention of stopping halfway. Ye Qingya had already taken the bait. As long as he had this connection, he wouldn’t worry about finding Mei Ru Xue. The more highly someone regards themselves, the more they despise flattery. One must demonstrate exceptional skill for them to respect you and view you as an equal.

Xu Chunliang switched to a brush made of wool, his strokes like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes, presenting a stanza of "Qing Ping Le" to the audience.

Since spring began, sights that touch the heart break the soul. Fallen plum blossoms scattered like snow beneath the steps, dusted off only to cover me again.

The wild geese bring no reliable news, and dreams of returning are hard to realize due to the long journey. Parting sorrow is just like the spring grass, the farther you go, the more it grows.

Ye Qingya was initially amazed, and when Xu Chunliang wrote "fallen plum blossoms scattered like snow beneath the steps," she seemed to understand something, a subtle and profound smile appearing on her lips. This time, Xu Chunliang left his name, and seeing the name, Ye Qingya got her answer.

The famous calligraphers surrounding the scene all fell silent, even Yue Qianshan refrained from commenting; he had the self-awareness to know that Xu Chunliang’s writing was superior to his own. He had come today prepared to write on the spot but never expected this situation to unfold, so he decided to refrain from embarrassing himself.

After Xu Chunliang finished writing, he said he was sorry to disturb and then went to see the art exhibition, leaving behind a group of secretly sighing celebrities.

Ye Qingya accompanied Yue Qianshan and others to continue viewing the exhibition, but everyone had lost their mood, merely going through the motions. Yue Kaishan and the others then took their leave, believing the young man was there to embarrass Ye Qingya. They felt they shouldn’t have come today and got entangled with Ye Qingya, unsuspectingly being put on the spot by a young man, losing face in the process!

Ye Qingya saw off the group and returned to the exhibition hall, noticing that Xu Chunliang hadn’t left. She slowed her pace and approached him: "Mr. Xu hasn’t left yet!"

Xu Chunliang smiled: "Admiring Miss Ye’s artwork."

Ye Qingya said, "I fear my paintings and calligraphy aren’t to Mr. Xu’s liking. That ’Qing Ping Le’ was excellently written, especially the line about fallen plum blossoms scattered like snow beneath the steps."

Xu Chunliang turned to Ye Qingya, knowing from her meaningful gaze that she had guessed the purpose of his visit.

Xu Chunliang reached out his hand: "Let’s start with an introduction, I am Xu Chunliang, from Dongzhou Changxing Hospital."

Ye Qingya shook hands with him and invited him to the lounge for tea.

The lounge had a beautiful view; sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, the art gallery’s garden scenery was fully visible.

Xu Chunliang said, "My visit today might be presumptuous, I hope Miss Ye can forgive me."

Ye Qingya said, "You’re not here because of me."

Xu Chunliang smiled: "To be honest, I wanted to ask you about something."

Ye Qingya said: "About Xiaoxue?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Ye Qingya said: "You have her contact info, why not reach out to her directly?"

Xu Chunliang candidly explained that he had called and messaged Mei Ru Xue, but she didn’t respond, and he was worried she might be in trouble.

Ye Qingya said: "Xiaoxue has her reasons for not returning your calls, and I can’t get involved in this matter between you two. I can tell you one thing: she is perfectly fine with no issues."

Xu Chunliang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, at least knowing Mei Ru Xue was safe, which made the trip not in vain. He earnestly asked, "Could Miss Ye tell me how I can contact her?"

Ye Qingya shook her head and said: "I can’t. I think you are looking for the wrong person, and regarding this meeting between you and me, I will keep it confidential. I advise you not to try other ways to find Xiaoxue; if she wants to see you, she will reach out herself."

Xu Chunliang realized that making progress through Ye Qingya was difficult, and he wasn’t the type to persist stubbornly. He smiled and said: "Sorry for the disturbance." Then he stood up to leave.

Ye Qingya stood up to escort him to the door.

As Xu Chunliang was about to leave, he heard Ye Qingya say: "Some established conventions are best not to breach; why create trouble for each other?"

Xu Chunliang paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.

As Xu Chunliang exited the art gallery, he brushed past a tall man dressed in a black coat. Both glanced at each other from the corners of their eyes, but neither said anything. The man proceeded to the lounge and saw Ye Qingya tidying up the tea set. A quick glance was enough for him to deduce that she had just entertained a guest.

Ye Qingya saw him and smiled: "Rulong, it’s rare for you to come and support me." He was Ye Qingya’s husband, Qiao Rulong.

Qiao Rulong smiled calmly: "Are you saying I am an unqualified husband?" He approached Ye Qingya, placing his hands on her shoulders: "I haven’t seen you in a few days, and you’re even more beautiful."

Ye Qingya sighed and said: "There’s no need to force yourself to say such insincere things, have a seat, what tea would you like?"

On the second of January, the double vote event continues, if anyone still has guaranteed votes, please cast them for Octopus!