Chapter 64 - Third Uncle!

Tang Huaijin hailed a taxi and showed the driver the address on his phone. Upon arriving at the destination, he stepped out and surveyed the surroundings, double-checking the address Shen Yiqiu had sent him.

No mistake, this is the place…

Tang Huaijin looked at the residential complex in front of him, his mouth twitching slightly. This doesn’t look like a calligraphy association…

With a darkened expression, he called Shen Yiqiu. When the call connected, Teacher Shen’s calm voice came through: “Are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here… but the address is at the entrance of a residential area,” Tang Huaijin said, puzzled. “Teacher, are you sure you didn’t give me the wrong address?”

“Yes, just wait there. I’ll come to get you,” Shen Yiqiu replied, hanging up before Tang Huaijin could ask more questions.

Tang Huaijin shook his head helplessly, pocketed his phone, and waited. After a while, he saw a figure approaching from afar. Judging by the silhouette, it was likely Teacher Shen.

When Shen Yiqiu reached him, Tang Huaijin’s eyes widened in surprise.

Today, Shen Yiqiu was wearing a qipao¹. The elegant blue and white porcelain qipao accentuated her delicate and unique figure, making her look like a perfect, exquisite porcelain piece-graceful and pure.

Coming from a family steeped in literary tradition, Shen Yiqiu naturally carried an air of refined elegance, and the qipao, representing the beauty of the East, only enhanced her charm.

Her usually expressionless demeanor, which gave off a somewhat aloof vibe, now seemed gentle and serene due to her attire.

Looking at her now, Tang Huaijin couldn’t help but feel she embodied the essence of a virtuous wife and loving mother…

Noticing his gaze, Shen Yiqiu’s expression became slightly uneasy. She pursed her lips and softly asked, “Does it look good?”

“Yeah.” Tang Huaijin nodded instinctively, then quickly caught himself, awkwardly saying, “No, no…”

“Not good?” Shen Yiqiu’s tone suddenly rose, her gaze turning icy.

“I have to admit, it looks great…” Tang Huaijin wisely changed his tune, praising, “Teacher Shen, this outfit suits you perfectly. I’ve never seen anyone who fits a qipao better than you.”

At this moment, Tang Huaijin spoke sincerely, and Shen Yiqiu nodded with a neutral expression, though a subtle hint of pride flickered in her eyes. She casually said, “The occasion is quite formal, so I dressed up a bit.”

“Oh…” Tang Huaijin responded awkwardly, then asked, “So where are we headed now?”

“Follow me.” Shen Yiqiu nodded, leading the way into the residential area, her graceful figure guiding him.

As they walked, Shen Yiqiu suddenly turned around, as if unaware of his discreet glances, and softly said, “When we go inside, don’t call me Teacher.”

“Uh, what should I call you?” Tang Huaijin asked.

Shen Yiqiu bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Call me… call me Shen-Jie.”

“Shen-Jie??” Tang Huaijin’s expression was a bit awkward, asking, “Why, Teacher?”

“Calling me Teacher again?” Shen Yiqiu’s expression remained unchanged, but her tone carried a hint of embarrassed anger. She said, “Just call me that, don’t ask too many questions. Knowing too much isn’t good for you.”

Ah, this…

Tang Huaijin swallowed, nodded, and dared not ask further.

As they entered the hallway and stepped into the elevator, Shen Yiqiu stopped at a door and looked at Tang Huaijin with a serious expression. “Both presidents of the calligraphy association are inside, but they have a peculiar habit you must remember.”

“Shen-Jie, please tell me,” Tang Huaijin replied obediently.

“When you go in, if you see someone wearing glasses, call him ‘second uncle.’ If he’s not wearing glasses, call him ‘third uncle,'” Shen Yiqiu instructed.

Tang Huaijin: “…”

Seeing his increasingly bewildered expression, Shen Yiqiu cleared her throat and explained, “They’re both outstanding calligraphy masters from different schools. You know how it is with artists; they often have quirky habits.”

Quirky habits… Tang Huaijin instinctively glanced at Shen Yiqiu.

Noticing his gaze, Shen Yiqiu felt slightly offended and narrowed her eyes, saying calmly, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Remember everything I told you. Also, don’t call me ‘teacher.’ Just answer whatever they ask you and pay attention to my signals.”

Tang Huaijin felt a bit uneasy, but having come this far and accepted the system task, he couldn’t back out now. He nodded and said, “Alright, I understand, Shen-Jie.”

Hearing Tang Huaijin’s response, Shen Yiqiu nodded. She was about to knock on the door but paused, turning to adjust Tang Huaijin’s collar gently. Her eyes showed a hint of satisfaction before she knocked on the door.

Within seconds, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit. He scrutinized Tang Huaijin with a strong presence, his features sharp and his hair slightly graying, yet his posture was straight and commanding. His gaze was assessing.

This man wore glasses. Tang Huaijin caught Shen Yiqiu’s hinting look and confidently greeted, “Second uncle.”

The man with glasses was taken aback, looking at Tang Huaijin with surprise but said nothing.

Tang Huaijin stood naturally, allowing the man to scrutinize him for a few seconds. Just as Tang Huaijin wondered if his teacher had set him up, the second uncle’s lips twitched slightly in what seemed like a smile. He patted Tang Huaijin’s shoulder twice, his tone carrying a hint of approval, “Not bad.”

After that, the second uncle turned and led them into the living room.

On the sofa sat another middle-aged man, resembling the second uncle but without glasses. Seeing the smile on the second uncle’s face, he glanced at Tang Huaijin with surprise and said, “You’re here?”

This one wasn’t wearing glasses, so without needing Shen Yiqiu’s prompt, Tang Huaijin smiled and called, “Third uncle.”

The third uncle was also momentarily surprised, then his face broke into a broad smile. He laughed warmly, “Ah, young man, you’re quite good. Have a seat. Yiqiu, go make some tea.”

Shen Yiqiu nodded and promptly went to prepare tea.

Tang Huaijin sat down confidently on the sofa. Thanks to having a strict father, his posture was excellent, his back straight and upright.

Third uncle took a good look at Tang Huaijin, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and said with a smile, “A fine young man indeed. What’s your name?”

“My name is Tang Huaijin,” Tang Huaijin replied with a smile.

“Good name. How old are you?” Third uncle asked, still smiling.

Before Tang Huaijin could answer, Shen Yiqiu came over with freshly brewed tea and replied, “He’s twenty this year, in college.” She glanced at Tang Huaijin as she spoke.

Tang Huaijin wasn’t sure if there was an age limit for the membership application, and noticing Shen Yiqiu’s gaze, he didn’t dare say more, just nodded shyly with a smile.

“Oh, very good, very good. I heard from Yiqiu that your running script was taught by your father?” Third uncle continued to ask, still smiling.

Hearing about calligraphy, second uncle’s attention shifted to them.

“Yes, my father was very fond of calligraphy during his lifetime.” As Shen Yiqiu handed him the tea, Tang Huaijin made a gesture of gratitude, about to clench his fist, but Shen Yiqiu’s sharp look stopped him. Instead, he awkwardly tapped the table three times with two fingers and said, “Thank you, Shen-Jie.”

“…During his lifetime?” Third uncle hadn’t noticed the exchange of looks between them and was a bit taken aback.

Tang Huaijin sighed and said, “Yes, my parents passed away due to an accident.”

Shen Yiqiu’s expression remained unchanged; she had known about this for a long time. Hearing him mention it, there was a shared sense of melancholy in her eyes.

After a moment of silence, third uncle patted Tang Huaijin’s shoulder in a comforting manner, his gaze softening, and said, “The dead cannot come back to life. My condolences.”

“Thank you, I understand. People must look forward,” Tang Huaijin smiled. He didn’t feel particularly pitiful and wasn’t interested in dwelling on sorrow.

After serving tea to everyone, Shen Yiqiu took a sip herself and said softly, “Let Tang Huaijin write, second uncle, third uncle.”

“Alright.” Before third uncle could speak, second uncle stood up eagerly, leading everyone to the study.

Third uncle chuckled helplessly and explained, “He’s a calligraphy enthusiast, don’t mind him.”

“Of course not,” Tang Huaijin replied with a smile.

As they entered the study, Tang Huaijin was surprised to see a framed piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall above the writing desk.

Wasn’t this the piece he had written?

You said you were going to have it framed… Tang Huaijin looked at Shen Yiqiu with a peculiar expression.

Shen Yiqiu seemed oblivious, walking over to the writing desk and naturally preparing the Xuan paper for him, starting to grind the ink.

In a family of scholars, especially women from such calligraphy masters, there was a unique elegance in the way they ground ink.

Especially today, with Shen Yiqiu in her elegant and graceful qipao, assisting him with such grace, Tang Huaijin took a deep breath, dipped the writing brush in the perfectly mixed ink, glanced at Shen Yiqiu’s expressionless face, and began to write.

She turned her head and smiled; a hundred charms were born. The six palaces’ painted ladies lost their colour.²

As soon as Tang Huaijin finished writing and put down the brush, second uncle’s eyes widened in surprise. He rudely pushed Tang Huaijin aside, staring intently at the calligraphy.

Third uncle gave second uncle a slightly reproachful look but was also full of admiration as he gazed at the work.

Graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon, utterly free and unrestrained.

Shen Yiqiu glanced at the calligraphy, her lips curling slightly before she quickly composed herself, maintaining a neutral expression. However, the joy in her eyes was unmistakable.

Seeing that neither the second uncle nor the third uncle spoke, Shen Yiqiu softly asked, “Second uncle, third uncle, is it acceptable?”

Without taking his eyes off the writing, the second uncle opened his mouth, “It is.”

The third uncle’s gaze shifted between Shen Yiqiu and Tang Huaijin a few times before he sighed, “Not bad.”

Does this mean I’ve passed their assessment?

Tang Huaijin relaxed, responding appropriately, “Thank you, second uncle. Thank you, third uncle.”

The third uncle shook his head with a smile, speaking warmly, “No need to thank me. This is Yiqiu’s own choice. As long as you…”

Shen Yiqiu’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Fortunately, before the third uncle could finish, the front door was knocked on. He paused, then seemed to realize something and smiled, “You all chat, we have a guest.”

With that, the third uncle left the room.

The second uncle wasn’t much of a talker, and neither was Shen Yiqiu. Tang Huaijin found himself at a loss for words, so he stood quietly by.

After a while, the second uncle finished admiring the calligraphy and murmured, “Excellent.”

He was about to put the piece away when Shen Yiqiu pressed it down, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him, her tone carrying a faint threat, “Second uncle?”

The stern and traditional second uncle froze at her words, awkwardly withdrawing his hand. He glanced at Tang Huaijin, forced a reluctant smile, and left the study with his hands behind his back.

Once they were alone, Tang Huaijin finally exhaled in relief. He looked at Shen Yiqiu and asked with a smile, “Teacher, how did I do?”

“Call me Shen-Jie,” Shen Yiqiu replied coolly. After another glance at the calligraphy, she nodded with some satisfaction, “Not bad.”

After carefully putting away the calligraphy, Shen Yiqiu turned to Tang Huaijin and said calmly, “Let’s go, it’s done.”

Tang Huaijin instinctively waited for Shen Yiqiu to lead the way, but she stopped beside him and softly said, “This time, you go first…”

“Huh? Oh…” Tang Huaijin didn’t quite understand, but he complied. Wasn’t this just another thing he didn’t get today? Following her lead seemed to be the best course of action; Teacher Shen was serious when it came to important matters.

When they reached the living room, Tang Huaijin saw three people on the sofa. Besides the second and third uncles, there was another middle-aged man, chatting amiably with them.

Could this be the main examiner for the assessment?

Hmm… no glasses.

After discreetly observing the man for a moment, Tang Huaijin noticed Shen Yiqiu’s gaze from the side. They exchanged a look, her eyes reassuring him, as if to say, “Don’t worry.”

Tang Huaijin felt a bit dismissive inside. Did he really need her reassurance?

He approached the man respectfully and called out, “Third uncle!”

All three men were momentarily stunned.

Shen Yiqiu looked at Tang Huaijin, who seemed quite pleased with himself, frowning as she clenched her fist tightly, unable to stop the twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Footnote:

1. Qipao(旗袍):The qipao (旗袍), also known as cheongsam, is a traditional Chinese dress characterized by its high neck, fitted silhouette, and intricate designs. It became popular in the early 20th century and is often associated with elegance and femininity.
2. She Turned Her Head and Smiled; A Hundred Charms Were Born. The Six Palaces’ Painted Ladies Lost Their Colour.(回眸一笑百媚生，六宫粉黛无颜色):This famous line describes a woman whose captivating smile instantly creates immense charm, so overwhelming that it makes all other beauties, even those in the imperial harem, appear dull and insignificant by comparison. It’s from Bai Juyi’s “Song of Everlasting Sorrow,” describing Yang Guifei.