From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Zhen Chun wasn’t interested in staying either. After leaving the Qiao Family, she went straight back home to Nanjiang. She had a wide social circle and many classmates in Nanjiang. Xu Chunliang set three ground rules for her: no drinking, no going to bars, and no sleeping out. Zhen Chun agreed to them all. She now had quite a high regard for this younger cousin.

The only ones who ended up going to the tea house were Xu Chunliang, Mei Ru Xue, and Ye Qingya.

Ye Qingya had already adapted to a life without her husband’s company. She told Xu Chunliang that her grandfather often mentioned him and hoped he would have time to study the Five Animal Play.

Xu Chunliang agreed with a smile, promising to visit next month when he goes to the Capital City.

##

Xu Ying’s tea house remained closed until the seventh day of the new year. The small courtyard at the tea house entrance was becoming more elegant, with clusters of pale yellow winter sweet blossoms in full bloom.

Upon seeing Mei Ru Xue’s car, Xu Ying came out to greet them. She had a brief encounter with Mei Ru Xue in the past, back when she opened Hua Jian Japanese Cuisine in Dongzhou. At that time, Mei Ru Xue had only dropped Xu Chunliang at the door, and the two hadn’t gotten to know each other.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Sister Xu, have Professor Pan and the others arrived yet?"

Xu Ying replied with a smile, "Yes, yes, they have." She ushered the group into the tea house.

Pan Chengfeng and Luo Xiyun, the couple, also came out upon hearing the commotion. Pan Chengfeng immediately went over to Ye Qingya, greeting her warmly, "Miss Ye, I’ve long admired your name. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Both of them were renowned figures in the calligraphy and painting community, members of both the calligraphy association and the art association, and had heard of each other’s reputations.

However, Ye Qingya had specifically studied Pan Chengfeng’s works, while Pan Chengfeng, knowing he would meet Ye Qingya, had only recently looked up her work to gain a preliminary impression of her.

Another person in the tea house was Pan Chengfeng’s old classmate, Lu Xiangnan.

Xu Chunliang had heard of him through Pan Chengfeng’s descriptions, portraying Lu Xiangnan as a legendary figure, traveling all over the world, elusive and mysterious.

At thirty-five, Lu Xiangnan was tall, with a dark complexion and well-defined facial features, bearing a somewhat Western appearance, with curly, fluffy hair that he claimed was natural.

Mei Ru Xue paid special attention to Lu Xiangnan. The last time at the farm-to-table restaurant, when He Shouren mentioned his name, He Tiantian had coincidentally come in with dishes and accidentally shattered a plate.

While helping to clean up, Mei Ru Xue specifically observed He Tiantian’s expression, noting her sheer panic, likely due to losing composure over Lu Xiangnan’s name.

Mei Ru Xue had mentioned it to Xu Chunliang, though she was somewhat skeptical since Xiaosinan’s surname was Jiang, which didn’t match.

Pan Chengfeng introduced to everyone: "This is my old classmate, Lu Xiangnan, a renowned adventurer, photographer, and writer."

Lu Xiangnan chuckled and said, "Don’t let that embarrass me. Except for still being single, none of those labels stick to me."

Everyone laughed, and Xu Chunliang shook hands with Lu Xiangnan, saying, "Brother Lu, I’ve heard about you."

Lu Xiangnan said, "Chengfeng just told me, Mr. He is our teacher."

Xu Ying introduced Mei Ru Xue: "This is Mei Ru Xue, the former mayor of Hu Shan Town."

Mei Ru Xue smiled and said, "That’s old news. I’ve now been transferred to work in the Dongzhou High-Tech Zone."

Lu Xiangnan said, "Pleasure to meet you!"

Mei Ru Xue said, "Mr. Lu, being Teacher He’s student, you must be very familiar with He Tiantian."

Lu Xiangnan was slightly taken aback but quickly laughed and said, "Of course."

Mei Ru Xue said, "We’re good friends."

Lu Xiangnan smiled and said, "It sounds like we’re all among friends here."

Mei Ru Xue then introduced Ye Qingya to everyone.

Xu Ying said, "I invited everyone today mainly for a small New Year gathering, where we can all showcase our talents, indulge in literature and art, and have lively discussions."

Luo Xiyun said, "I’ll state upfront that I have no special talents; I’ll just be in charge of tending the fire and making tea."

Xu Ying smiled and said, "How could I let you do the work as a guest in my tea house?"

Lu Xiangnan said, "Writing and painting aren’t my strengths. I mostly wield weapons outside, but when it comes to photography or cooking, I’m good."

Xu Ying said, "Master Pan, with so many friends gathered, shouldn’t you paint something to honor the occasion?"

Pan Chengfeng replied, "Then, I shall gladly do so." He turned to Ye Qingya, "Miss Ye, how about we collaborate on a piece?"

Ye Qingya smiled and said, "That would be my pleasure."

Xu Ying had already prepared the painting table and the necessary four treasures of the study. Pan Chengfeng let Ye Qingya start first. In collaborative painting, starting first is generally easier, displaying Pan Chengfeng’s gentlemanly demeanor.

Ye Qingya picked up a wolf-hair brush and pondered briefly before quickly drawing on the rice paper a pair of magpies, with the left one bowing and chirping, and the right one turning to gaze at the sky, beak slightly open, heralding joy in spring. The birds were vividly depicted.

Ye Qingya’s ink painting of flowers and birds was unique, drawing on the essence of traditional flower-and-bird painting while introducing original ideas. She used realistic techniques for the birds’ heads and feet, and an expressive style for their bodies and feathers, perfectly balancing realism and abstraction, creating an engaging contrast, with a technique that was both free and flowing yet meticulous.

Pan Chengfeng had just browsed some of Ye Qingya’s works online, but seeing them in person is the only way to truly assess someone’s skill. Pan Chengfeng hadn’t expected that such a delicate and quiet woman like Ye Qingya possessed such a graceful and freewheeling brushwork.

Traditional Chinese painting emphasizes fundamental skills, and the most reflective of these skills is the strength of the brushwork. After finishing painting two magpies, Ye Qingya went on to depict rocks beneath their feet with powerful strokes, combining light and heavy, wet and dry techniques in a seamless manner. She then applied a light ink wash in the concave areas.

Pan Chengfeng’s eyes lit up; he noticed that Ye Qingya’s technique for painting mountain rocks was inspired by Shi Tao, with a distinct style of combining outlines and washes.

Ye Qingya could have completed only the two magpies, leaving the rest for Pan Chengfeng, but out of politeness, she finished the main subject of the painting. This way, Pan Chengfeng wouldn’t need to fill in the rocks under the magpies’ feet, and the empty space left beside them gave him ample room to showcase his talents.

The courtesy among literati is reflected in the details, without the need for words.

Ye Qingya placed the brush on the rack, smiled softly, and said, "I apologize for my humble display!"

Xu Chunliang said, "In my opinion, this painting is already quite perfect."

Pan Chengfeng said, "I think so too. With Miss Ye’s brilliant work in front, I’m worried I might ruin it with unnecessary additions."

Xu Ying laughed and said, "Master Pan, no need to be humble. You’re only allowed to complement the painting, not spoil it."

Pan Chengfeng said, "In that case, I’ll add some finishing touches."

He picked up the brush and painted an old plum tree on the left side of the rock. The plum blossoms under his brush varied in posture—some looking up, some bowing, some budding, some in full bloom—with a balance of density and sparseness, every aspect perfectly placed. The branches of the plum tree skillfully wound around the back of the rock and emerged from the other side, linking the two elements together.

The composition was simple yet well-matched with the ink, and the thickness of the branches was precisely balanced, creating a palpable sense of vitality.

Ye Qingya silently praised, no wonder Pan Chengfeng’s reputation has been on the rise in recent years. He’s different from those seeking fame and fortune; he truly has talent. A closer look reveals that each plum blossom on the tree is different. This level of detail and liveliness can only be achieved through meticulous observation of life.

Lu Xiangnan glanced at it and said, "It’s good, but the picture still feels a bit empty."

Pan Chengfeng said, "Your turn."

Lu Xiangnan said, "Are you trying to challenge me? Fine, I’ll do it!" Without hesitation, he took the brush and drew a cluster of orchids above the plum blossoms. Despite his rugged appearance, his strokes balanced strength and gentleness.

It’s said that mastering bamboo painting takes ten years, while mastering orchid painting takes a hundred. This highlights the difficulty of painting orchids, which requires attention to the hierarchy, reality, density, concealment, and correspondence.

Lu Xiangnan demonstrated agile use of water and ink. The ink needed to be fresh, the water clear. He painted by dipping the brush in water first, then ink, manipulating the brush to create varied effects. The orchids he painted had long and flowing leaves, with lively and delicate blossoms.

Xu Chunliang and Mei Ruxue exchanged a look, both realizing that Lu Xiangnan, despite his unassuming demeanor, was remarkably skilled in painting.

Luo Xiyun, having brewed the tea, also came over to join the fun. She smiled and said, "Old Lu, I thought you had long stopped painting Chinese paintings, but you’re still this impressive."

Lu Xiangnan said, "The kingly fragrance of orchids takes root in the secluded valley. I have always loved painting orchids, it’s one of my lifelong pursuits. During my travels abroad, I often relied on this skill to earn money when I was short of funds."

Everyone laughed.

Pan Chengfeng said, "The orchids are well painted, but your addition has thrown off the overall composition, disrupting the balance."

Ye Qingya commented, "The top of the painting feels too empty."

Pan Chengfeng said, "Boss Xu, it’s your turn."

Xu Ying said, "My insignificant skills are hardly worthy of formal presentation."

Lu Xiangnan said, "Shared joy is better than solitary enjoyment. It’s not like we’re demanding a masterpiece from you; we’re just here to have fun."

Xu Ying said, "Alright then." She added a pine tree in the upper left corner of the painting. Only part of the trunk was visible, with the bark resembling dragon scales. The hanging branches were painted in dense ink, with the needles looking like dragon claws. Xu Ying’s painting was guided by Pan Chengfeng’s teachings, and with her solid foundation and diligent practice, she had recently improved significantly.

Luo Xiyun said, "The pine tree is painted better than Chengfeng’s."

Xu Ying said, "Xiyun, you’re exaggerating! I learned to paint pines from Master Pan and haven’t even grasped the basics yet."

Pan Chengfeng said, "This pine tree is excellent, particularly in its composition. With its addition, the entire painting suddenly became harmonious and regained its balance."

Ye Qingya said, "It seems like the Four Gentlemen are still missing one. Xiaoxue, why don’t you draw a few strokes of bamboo?"

Mei Ru Xue laughed and said, "I’ll join in for fun, just hope you masters won’t mock me."

Typically, when painting ink bamboo, one starts with the stalk, but this work already had many elements, so the bamboo leaves were meant to embellish, not steal the spotlight. Mei Ru Xue painted bamboo accompanying the pine branches, using saturated ink, drawing bamboo leaves in one stroke, fluidly without any pause. The tips were sharp, looking left and right, with distinct nodes, connecting the leaves to the branches in accordance with natural principles.

The collaborative painting effort by these five was completed, leaving the task of inscribing the title to Xu Chunliang.

Lu Xiangnan spontaneously recited a poem—Magpies cheerfully herald happiness, plum blossoms attract myriad flowers. Gentle winds sweep the cold winds away, the world is filled with blessings and joy.

Xu Chunliang, writing with a swift and vigorous hand, completed the inscription in one go. Thus, the six of them successfully finished the joint creation of "Spring Herald". Despite their varying skill levels, the overall quality of the piece was high. Xu Ying planned to get the painting framed and hang it in the tea house to commemorate their elegant gathering.

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