The Tender Beauty is Sweetly Doted in the 20th Century Novel!-Chapter 252 - 250: Sweeping Across a Thousand Troops

Chapter 252: Chapter 250: Sweeping Across a Thousand Troops

Liu Gaoyuan slightly raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised by Liu Jitong’s performance.

This tall, skinny kid who was nervous before had such an amazing expression, not even realizing what he was saying, his eyes almost glued to his desk.

"Your calligraphy, like dragons and snakes dancing, iron strokes with silver hooks, free and unrestrained, all in one go, especially the first stroke of each character, sharp and fierce..."

Liu Jitong originally planned to enter the Chinese language major when he got into university, being profoundly interested in ancient literature and calligraphy.

Previously, due to family reasons, he wasn’t able to attend university, which was a lifelong regret for him. Now, unexpectedly seeing Liu Gaoyuan’s calligraphy, words cannot express his excitement.

Thus, speaking about his feelings, he went on and on, his face unconsciously showing admiration, and whenever he looked up from the calligraphy to Liu Gaoyuan, his eyes seemed to be glinting.

Liu Gaoyuan was even more amazed.

He had casually greeted him, assuming his business-like appearance would lead to the usual mediocre compliments.

Unexpectedly, he talked enthusiastically, deeply moved, his face originally tense now slightly flushed with excitement and delight.

"You understand calligraphy?"

He couldn’t resist asking.

Unexpectedly, this question directly calmed Liu Jitong’s excited expression.

"Sorry, I may have said too much. Your calligraphy is really good, but I don’t really understand calligraphy."

He shook his head, trying to keep his tone normal, but the keen Liu Gaoyuan could certainly sense his disappointment.

However, Liu Gaoyuan didn’t press the issue, just changed tactics.

He rolled up the paper he had written on and set it aside, then spread out a blank sheet, weighted it down, and prepared the ink, handing him the brush.

"It’s okay, even if you don’t understand, you can give it a try. I heard from Ye Manman that your handwriting is quite good."

"I..."

Liu Jitong rubbed his fingers, a bit hesitant to take the brush he had long dreamed of.

But Liu Gaoyuan’s encouraging words echoed in his ears, his gaze filled with appreciation and encouragement, compelling him to take the brush with trembling hands, filled with excitement.

Liu Gaoyuan was a true calligrapher, whose casual practice pieces could be sold for money. Naturally, his study used the best pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Liu Jitong had no idea about Liu Gaoyuan’s status, but he could tell how valuable the items in this study were.

Especially the brush he held in his hand.

This was the brush Liu Gaoyuan had just used to create such an artistic piece.

For a moment, he felt as if he were holding a thousand-pound weight in his hand.

If it weren’t for his basic control, the just-inked water would have dripped onto the pristine rice paper.

"Calligraphy requires tranquility of mind; one’s mindset must be stable."

Liu Gaoyuan saw him hesitant to start writing, noticing the ink was about to drip and quickly placed the brush back onto the inkstone, reminding him.

"Don’t worry, boldly give it a try. Grandpa has plenty of paper and ink; even if the brush is ruined, there are many more."

"At your age, it’s the most uninhibited time of a man’s life. Don’t let life’s difficulties constrain your heart."

"You need to understand one thing."

"People can be defeated by difficulties, but strokes never will. Close your eyes and reflect on your dreams, think about the free and uninhibited life you wish to have, and you will know how to write."

He didn’t keep watching Liu Jitong, instead, gave him the space and turned away to leave the room.

Listening to Liu Gaoyuan heading downstairs, Liu Jitong felt as if thousands of horses were galloping within his heart.

He closed his eyes, imagining riding across vast, boundless grasslands, heading towards his long-desired future.

Wildly imaginative dreams, a free and uninhibited life, finally touching the brush to let it flow smoothly, completing his writing in one go.

"Sweep through thousands of armies!"

Liu Gaoyuan knew he wouldn’t ponder for too long, so he went downstairs, brewed another cup of tea, and returned.

When he entered the study, Liu Jitong had just put down the brush, engrossed in looking at the characters he had written on the paper.

Liu Gaoyuan approached him, but he didn’t notice.

"Well done."

He hadn’t seen Liu Jitong’s handwriting before, only heard Ye Manman mention once that a friend’s letter was written by her husband, who had quite an impressive script.

Originally, having good handwriting and good brush calligraphy were considered different, so he hadn’t paid much attention.

But now, it seemed this kid had some skill.

Although it’s evident the strokes still lack steadiness, and the first character appears a bit youthful, he became increasingly fluent, and the final character of "army" showed some depth.

If he hadn’t practiced brush calligraphy before, writing such characters the first time would undoubtedly indicate exceptional talent.

Liu Gaoyuan truly appreciates capable and perceptive young talents.

Previously, He Chen was one, and now Liu Jitong barely met his expectations.

"Your praise is too generous. This is my first time writing; the first stroke went astray, wasting such fine rice paper of yours, really sorry."

Liu Jitong remains quite humble in this regard, having admired Liu Gaoyuan’s calligraphy so much, now seeing his effort looking childish, he became even more modest.

He dared not call him "grandpa," silently lowering his head and stepping aside.

Liu Gaoyuan sipped some tea, tightened the lid, and rolled up his first piece of writing, handing it to him.

"Keep this well, your first work in life. Properly preserve it, and if you continue to learn in the future, it will constantly remind you."

With respect, Liu Jitong accepted and stood upright.

Then, he saw Liu Gaoyuan lay out another sheet of rice paper.

Realizing the elder might want to practice again, he quickly set down the paper in his hand and actively helped grind the ink.

Liu Gaoyuan glanced at him, eyes filled with admiration. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Next, watch how I handle the brush."

"Sometimes, whether the script looks good is secondary. Calligraphy emphasizes atmosphere; when writing, your heart must hold an image."

For many years, Liu Gaoyuan hadn’t considered taking on an apprentice for calligraphy.

Although he’d thought of teaching Liu Yanghua before, this ungrateful son only wanted to learn English, couldn’t quiet his heart, and consequently, he gave up on finding an apprentice.

Over time, he abandoned the idea.

But now, unexpectedly encountering such a talented young fellow, who is also a friend of his granddaughter, his heart stirred again.

However, he didn’t say much.

After all, people have their own aspirations, and Liu Jitong is not in Jing City; he couldn’t possibly take him as an apprentice.

Now, he simply leads him through the door, which is also a good thing.

"Good!"

Liu Jitong understood well, realizing Liu Gaoyuan wanted to guide him, and focused even more.

Liu Gaoyuan nodded, without further words.

He dipped the ink, thought for a moment, then his brush moved like a dragon, drawing Liu Jitong into a vast and boundless world...