Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Seeing the old man’s sorrowful expression and dazed eyes, Su Hua asked in a gentle voice, “Grandpa, who do you think I look like?”

The old man seemed to snap back to his senses. He paused for a moment and then shook his head very slightly.

Seeing that he didn’t want to answer, Su Hua didn’t press him further.

She and Chu Suosuo already shared some facial similarities. It wasn’t particularly strange that she might resemble someone else he knew.

Qi Baisong, the ancient painting restoration expert who had greeted Su Hua earlier, saw the situation and walked over.

He introduced the old man to Su Hua. “Xiao Su, this is the titan of our country’s ancient ceramics restoration, Elder Hua-Hua Tianshou.”

Su Hua had heard of Hua Tianshou’s great name. In the world of cultural relic restoration, his reputation was no less than her grandfather’s.

Su Hua greeted him respectfully. “Hello, Elder Hua.”

“Hello,” Hua Tianshou nodded, the corners of his eyes still tinged with red.

Qi Baisong then introduced her to him. “Elder Hua, this is Su Wenmai’s little granddaughter, Su Hua. She’s a genius at restoring ancient calligraphy and paintings.”

Hua Tianshou’s eyes lit up, and he studied Su Hua with great interest.

Seeing this, Qi Baisong continued, “Not long ago, the museum acquired that Seclusion Painting by Wang Meng-she was the one who did the infilling. Don’t be fooled by her youth; her infilling technique is top-notch. A bunch of us old fogies spent half a day hunched over it with magnifying glasses and couldn’t find a single flaw.”

He clicked his tongue in admiration. “When you and I were her age, we were still apprentices. She’s already reached the pinnacle of ancient painting and calligraphy restoration. The new generation truly surpasses the old; heroes have always come from the youth.”

Hearing this, a different light sparked in Hua Tianshou’s eyes as he looked at Su Hua again.

How to describe that look? It was like a master carver encountering a piece of fine jade, or a talent scout finding a prize stallion. It was the look of someone desperate for talent.

Su Hua often saw this look in the eyes of these veteran experts. At first, it had made her uncomfortable, but over time, she had gradually grown used to it.

Hua Tianshou stroked his beard, scrutinizing her for a long while before asking, “Xiao Su, are you interested in ancient ceramics restoration?”

Su Hua smiled and said, “I’m quite interested.”

Hua Tianshou pondered for a moment and asked, “Then, would you like to learn?”

Su Hua answered honestly, “I would.”

Hua Tianshou twisted his beard. “How about learning from me? I just happen to be looking for a final disciple.”

Su Hua was stunned. She hadn’t expected such a grandmaster to be so casual about taking an apprentice-offering to teach her the very first time they met.

In her experience, the craft of relic restoration was usually passed down through families. It was kept within the clan rather than shared with outsiders, and passed to sons rather than daughters. Her grandfather had only taught her because there were no male heirs in the family.

Seeing Su Hua’s silence, Qi Baisong quickly shot her a look and said, “Xiao Su, hurry up and agree! Elder Hua doesn’t take disciples easily. Many people have tried every possible way to study under him, only to be rejected.”

Naturally, this was exactly what Su Hua wanted. One can never have too many skills. Being able to study under Hua Tianshou and learn ancient ceramics restoration would be like adding wings to a tiger for her.

Su Hua’s eyes crinkled into a smile, and she said with total sincerity, “Elder Hua, I am willing to learn ancient ceramics restoration from you.”

Hua Tianshou nodded approvingly. “You’re good material. However, learning ceramics restoration requires hard work, endurance, and the ability to withstand loneliness. Once you start learning from me, you must see it through to the end. You can’t quit halfway, nor can you be inconsistent with your efforts. Can you do that?”

Su Hua smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ve had that foundation built into me since I was a child. It is my good fortune to be able to learn from you, Elder Hua.”

Hua Tianshou’s earlier sadness vanished, replaced by two hearty laughs. He turned to Qi Baisong and said, “Look at this girl-she’s sharp as a tack. I like her more the more I look at her. By the way, girl, where are you from? If you want to learn from me, you’ll have to go to Jingdu. Is that convenient for you?”

Su Hua’s eyes brightened. “What a coincidence, I’m also from Jingdu.”

“Then that’s perfect. When we return to Jingdu, we’ll hold the formal apprenticeship ceremony, and I will officially take you as my disciple.”

Su Hua gave a sweet smile. “Alright. I’ll come to visit you then.”

The two of them exchanged contact information and parted ways happily.

Su Hua was happy to have the chance to learn another craft. Hua Tianshou, meanwhile, was gratified that his life’s work would finally have a successor.

He had taken several disciples in the past. The most talented one had used the craft as a stepping stone to climb the political ladder after finishing his studies. The others worked diligently in the field but were of average talent, never quite achieving greatness.
Hua Tianshou wanted to take Su Hua as his apprentice. She had great talent, could endure solitude, and was dedicated to the craft.

In time, when she became famous in the world of ancient ceramics restoration, everyone would know she was his student.

Of course, those reasons were secondary.

The main reason was that she looked too much like his daughter when she was young. Her personality was similar too-gentle, calm, and elegant.

Su Hua returned to her room.

The ancient silk painting had already been cleaned; the next step was to repair the holes. Since the materials she had asked Shen Yuan to find hadn’t arrived yet, Su Hua wasn’t busy tonight.

After eating, she gave Gu Beixian a call and went to bed early.

She slept until past nine o’clock before being startled awake again by that nightmare from thirteen years ago.

Once awake, she couldn’t fall back asleep. She tossed and turned in bed until she felt like she was about to dig a hole in the mattress.

Suddenly, the sound of a xiao flute drifted through the window like flowing water.

Su Hua was slightly surprised.

These days, there weren’t many people who played the xiao, especially in a remote mountain village like this. It was a rare occurrence.

The flute music was melodious and haunting, like a soft sob or a quiet confession.

As Su Hua listened, ripples began to stir in her heart like autumn water.

In her memory, Ay Yao was an excellent xiao player.

When she was very young, she had learned to play from him and recognized some of the tunes.

She pricked up her ears and listened carefully for a moment.

The person was playing “Bright Moon Sends Longing from Afar.”

She vaguely remembered the lyrics:

“Separated by a thousand miles, the road is long; before I can ask, the stars have grown thin. Please, bright moon, bring my greetings; the one I miss sheds constant tears.

The moonlight is hazy, the night is not yet over, and all around is lonely and still. The cold lamp on the table is dim, keeping me company as I sit in bitter solitude.

Separated by a thousand miles with no news, I wait to ask but have no proof. Please, bright moon, deliver my message; send a scrap of paper to comfort this parting sorrow.”

They were beautiful, tragic lyrics.

A xiao has seven holes; each hole represents a different mood. When strung together, the melody is exceptionally beautiful and deeply melancholic.

A player must possess both of these emotions, or they cannot play the tune well.

She wondered: was the player a man or a woman?

What kind of story did they carry to play such a plaintive melody?

Driven by curiosity, she put on her clothes and got out of bed.

When she opened the door, the two bodyguards stationed outside immediately asked, “Young Mistress, where are you going?”

Su Hua said softly, “I can’t sleep. I want to go for a walk. Would you mind coming with me?”

“Of course.”

After what happened the previous night, the bodyguards didn’t dare be negligent. They followed her closely, protecting her like shadows.

Following the sound of the flute, Su Hua walked out of the guesthouse gates.

A hundred meters to the west of the entrance stood an old arched bridge.

A tall, sturdy figure stood on the bridge with his back to her, playing a long xiao.

The man had short-cropped hair and wore a stylish black jacket. His long legs were straight and powerful.

Su Hua found the silhouette very familiar. It looked like Gu Jinyao’s, but she wasn’t entirely sure.

A large, silent moon hung above him.

It cast down a pale, white glow.

The moonlight softened the man’s sharp silhouette.

From this close, the melodious and mournful flute music soaked clearly into Su Hua’s ears.

Like a soft sob or a quiet confession.

Translated into words, the melody said: “Separated by a thousand miles, the road is long; before I can ask, the stars have grown thin. Please, bright moon, bring my greetings; the one I miss sheds constant tears…”

Su Hua listened blankly.

The music was too sorrowful, every note steeped in longing.

She couldn’t help but think of her late grandfather and grandmother.

She thought of Ay Yao, who had perished in the fire to save her.

It felt as if her heart were being carved by a blunt instrument, a stinging, lingering pain.

Even after all these years.

She still clearly remembered those nights over a decade ago.

Two quiet children, each holding a xiao, sitting under the pear blossoms in the courtyard, playing silently.

The moonlight was cool, the pear blossoms were like snow, and the flute music was winding.

That image was frozen in her mind forever.

She could never forget it.

If Ay Yao hadn’t died and was still alive today, she wondered what he would look like.

Su Hua’s gaze drifted aimlessly ahead.

A single tear hung on her face, glinting quietly in the moonlight.

The moonlight was as clear as if it had been washed, and the night breeze was light.

In this moment, Su Hua was silent and fragile, the crystal tear on her face like shattered jade or cold ice.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Suddenly, the surprised voice of a bodyguard came from behind her: “Look, isn’t that President Gu?”