Chapter 597: Calligraphy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Gu Zi shook her head with a smile, reassuring her father, “Dad, you don’t need to say such things. The villagers caused the commotion, not you. Besides, it’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up again. Look, this is the couplet that Su Bing, Su Li, and I wrote. The first line reads ‘Birdsong and fragrant flowers fill the spring hall,’ and the second line is ‘Happiness and good health bring fortune to the home.’ The horizontal scroll reads ‘Great luck in the New Year.’ What do you think?”

She stepped forward, pointing out the characters as she read them aloud, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at her father. It was clear she was seeking his praise. Lin Lao’er, seeing his outstanding and adorable daughter, felt a sense of comfort. He momentarily forgot about the unpleasant matters and decided to enjoy the moment. “Good, very good. Su Bing must have written the horizontal scroll, right? It’s well written. All of it is well written.”

Su Li was surprised. He glanced at his brother. Indeed, the four characters were written by him and his brother under their mother’s guidance. He had written ‘New Year,’ and his brother had written ‘Great Luck.’ He ran up and asked, “Grandpa, how did you know we wrote these four characters? Our names aren’t written on it.”

Lin Lao’er held Su Li back, smiling kindly at him. “Your handwriting is lively and spirited. The characters you write are slightly rounded, and the brush strokes are somewhat blunt. It’s clear that they were written by children. But you both did very well. Of course, your mother’s writing is even better. Her strokes are a perfect balance of firm and gentle, her characters are graceful and elongated, and her brush strokes are warm and lively. You both still have a lot to learn.”

At this, both Su Bing and Gu Zi looked surprised. Along with the already surprised Su Li, three faces turned to Lin Lao’er in astonishment. Gu Zi voiced the question in her heart, “Dad, you understand calligraphy? When did you learn?”

For the first time, Lin Lao’er found himself the center of attention and was unsure how to respond. He rubbed the back of his neck modestly, “I can probably understand it, but I wouldn’t say I know calligraphy. Actually, I learned to write with a brush after I met your mother. She taught me. By the way, you probably don’t know this, but your mother’s calligraphy is very beautiful.

“Before your brother was born, she wrote quite a few character practice books. I’ve kept them all, and they’re still in good condition. Would you like to see them?”

As Lin Lao’er spoke, a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes. Before their marriage, An Yun could afford to write character practice books. But after their marriage, he gradually couldn’t even afford to buy the paper for her. Especially after An Yun gave birth to Lin Cheng, she never wrote with a brush again. She said she didn’t like it anymore, but he knew the truth. She didn’t want to see him struggling to save money for the paper.

Gu Zi noticed the complex emotions in her father’s eyes. There was guilt, but also anticipation for a response. He seemed very eager to show off her mother’s calligraphy. Gu Zi was also curious. She had no idea her mother could write with a brush, let alone that she was good at it. “Let’s take a look. We would like to appreciate Mrs. An Yun’s masterpiece. Dad, where is it? Su Bing, go get it.”

At that moment, An Yun brought out some fruit for them. Hearing them discussing her calligraphy, her face turned slightly red, and a hint of regret flashed in her eyes, but she quickly hid it. She laughed shyly, “Gu Zi, don’t listen to your father’s nonsense. I was just scribbling.”

Su Bing already knew where the character practice books were kept. He ran into the house, and on his way, he asked his grandmother for permission, “Grandma, brother, mother, and I all want to see it. Can I get it?”

An Yun handed Su Bing an orange she was holding. She couldn’t bear to refuse him. Su Bing quickly brought out an old wooden box. The paint on the box was severely chipped, but it was still sturdy and usable.

Seeing the wooden box, Lin Lao’er’s eyes flashed with worry. He reminded Su Bing, “Be careful with it. Give it to me, and I’ll take out the books for you to see.”

Su Bing obediently handed the box to his grandfather. Lin Cheng and Li Hua also came out at this time. Hearing Su Li say that they were going to appreciate Mrs. An Yun’s calligraphy, they didn’t want to miss out, so they came out first.

Lin Lao’er looked at the box on his lap, then looked again. He said to his wife, “An Yun, come and take a look. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen these characters. Don’t be shy. You really write very well.”

An Yun walked over to Lin Lao’er. Her shy demeanor was gone, replaced by a calm and composed expression. She saw Su Le and Su Shen come out. She walked over, picked up the little girl, and said, “Let’s take a look. You’re free all day. Le Le, come here. Let grandma hold you. Let’s look at grandma’s writing together. Grandma is really going to embarrass herself.”

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