Chapter 148: Lifting the brush, shocking the world!

In the Golden Sand Hall, the guests had all arrived and were seated.

The birthday banquet officially began.

First, the host came forward to give congratulatory remarks, then they cut the birthday cake.

This peach-shaped birthday cake is a full 100 inches tall; one cake is comparable to a small hill as high as a person.

The waiters divided the cake and served it to all the seated guests.

Then, the guests at the scene began to come forward voluntarily to present gifts.

"Old Yuan, this is a little specialty from our hometown in Gansu, a modest gift, not meant as much."

"Chairman Yuan, may you have blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain. This is a small token of my heart; I hope you like it..."

The guests at the scene began to come forward to present gifts.

All kinds of valuable gifts were present.

However, whenever someone at the scene presented an especially expensive gift, they would invariably be politely refused by Chairman Yuan.

Yuan Zhenbang, after all, still held a public office; accepting gifts was merely a token gesture, just to share in the festive spirit.

If someone really gave something too valuable, he would politely decline.

At that moment, Du Haotian was holding a piece of Hotan jade respectfully and came forward to present the gift, saying, "Chairman Yuan, this is Hotan jade from Xinjiang, of mutton-fat jade grade; I hope you like it."

Du Haotian was extremely respectful.

This piece of Hotan jade had cost him over two million.

In order to curry favor with Chairman Yuan's high branch, Du Haotian went all out, spending lavishly on gifts, determined to win Chairman Yuan's favor.

But when Yuan Zhenbang saw this valuable piece of jade, he shook his head and said, "This jade is too valuable; I, Yuan, cannot accept it. Please take it back. I appreciate the good intention."

Yuan Zhenbang's attitude was very indifferent.

He conducts himself with principle and will never accept overly valuable gifts.

Du Haotian still wanted to insist, but was sharply rebuked by Yuan Zhenbang.

Initially refusing politely was already giving Du Haotian face.

But Du Haotian insisted on giving it anyway; that was not knowing when to stop.

Yuan Zhenbang is a public official; for Du Haotian to give such a valuable gift is either scheming or malicious.

This is both an attempt to draw Yuan Zhenbang into their circle and to harm him.

Being an honest official is not easy.

But being a corrupt official is very easy.

As long as one casually accepts a valuable gift, that is the starting point of the path to corruption.

Therefore, Yuan Zhenbang will not violate the principle.

When Du Haotian was scolded and stepped down, his face looked somewhat unpleasant.

He never expected that today's flattery would not land; instead, he inexplicably received a scolding.

At that moment, Nie Zhuo also presented a landscape painting done by a renowned artist.

Yuan Zhenbang liked it very much.

Yuan Zhenbang usually enjoys painting traditional Chinese paintings and practicing calligraphy.

Therefore, he is very fond of the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Nie Zhuo's gift, while not especially valuable, also reached Yuan Zhenbang's heart.

Yuan Hongli also presented a piece of calligraphy written by a renowned artist.

Yuan Zhenbang also liked it very much.

Lin Yuan also presented the gift he had prepared, a set of the Four Treasures of the Study and a brush set. Moreover, there was also the medicinal rice wine he himself brewed.

"Uncle Yuan, these two bottles of rice wine are brewed by me using our family's traditional Chinese medicine formula; after drinking it, you can dispel cold, dispel dampness, and invigorate the tendons and bones." Lin Yuan said.

Seeing the rice wine, Nie Zhuo sneered coldly, "Hah, can a broken jar of wine even be a gift? Are you sure this wine is drinkable? Your homemade wine won't have excessive bacteria, will it?"

Nie Zhuo was deliberately trying to make things difficult for Lin Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Hongli said coldly, "Of course this wine is drinkable; I've had it many times. Lin Yuan's homemade wine is very tasty."

Seeing Yuan Hongli speak up for him,

Nie Zhuo became even more furious and jealous.

"What the hell gives that damned loser the right?"

"How can he let Yuan Hongli help him like that?"

Nie Zhuo was unwilling; he glanced at the brush set Lin Yuan had sent.

He suddenly said, "Is this brush set from the Xiling Seal Society? It looks fake to me."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Hongli became quite angry.

"This brush set was bought by her personally from the Xiling Seal Society, costing over five thousand dollars!"

"How could it be fake!"

Nie Zhuo was doing this to frame Lin Yuan, resorting to any means.

Yuan Hongli spoke up to refute.

But Nie Zhuo insisted, saying the brush set was fake.

"Why don't I write a few characters to test it? True or false will be known at once. By the way, I'll also write a few characters to present to Uncle Yuan." Nie Zhuo said.

At that moment, Yuan Zhenbang also slightly furrowed his brow.

Actually, whether the brush set is genuine or not doesn't matter, but Nie Zhuo deliberately stirring up trouble is a bit hard to justify.

However, Nie Zhuo, after all, has a good relationship with the Yuan family. He said all that, saying he would write characters to give to Yuan Zhenbang.

Yuan Zhenbang also found it hard to refuse, so he could only nod.

The waiter brought over the ink and paper.

Nie Zhuo tore open the wolf-howling small brush Lin Yuan had sent, dipped it in ink, and flung it onto the paper, writing several large calligraphic characters: blessings, longevity, peace, and health!

"Good characters." Yuan Zhenbang looked at these four characters, couldn't help but nod in praise.

Although Nie Zhuo's behavior just now was somewhat improper, Yuan Zhenbang still couldn't help but nod when he saw the characters he wrote.

Nie Zhuo wore a confident smile; his calligraphy had been trained by masters of the National Calligraphy Association.

Nie Zhuo has studied under calligraphy masters since childhood, learning calligraphy from a young age, so his characters are of high quality.

These four characters are written neatly and look good; the force is even, the brush tip is orderly — they can be called excellent characters.

"This brush is still no good; it must be fake. The brush tip won't hold pressure. The bristles are a bit sparse—I think it's a counterfeit." After finishing writing, Nie Zhuo continued speaking.

He kept fixating on the problem with this brush.

This is clearly intended to make Lin Yuan lose face.

"The brush is fine; the tip not holding is due to your unsteady grip, not the brush." Lin Yuan replied seriously.

While Nie Zhuo was writing just now, he also watched. He saw clearly the problem in Nie Zhuo's movements.

Nie Zhuo snorted coldly, "This loser, still giving him face?"

He's just an outsider—does he even dare to critique his calligraphy??

"Oh? You mean you also know calligraphy? Then why don't you try writing a piece yourself? See how your brush holds up. By the way, give Uncle Yuan a few characters as a blessing." Nie Zhuo retorted with a cold laugh.

He handed the brush to Lin Yuan.

"Let me write." Yuan Hongli suddenly stepped forward and said.

Yuan Hongli feared Lin Yuan would embarrass himself.

Yuan Hongli didn't know Lin Yuan's calligraphy level, so she stepped forward hoping to help him out of the predicament.

Because learning calligraphy actually costs a lot of money.

As a child, calligraphy interest classes cost over 500 yuan per session. Moreover, buying a good brush, good xuan paper, and ink is also expensive.

Yuan Hongli knew Lin Yuan's family circumstances were poor, so she assumed he couldn't write calligraphy.

She wanted to step forward to defuse the situation.

Nie Zhuo, however, said, "Hongli, it's rare to let your boyfriend write a few characters; besides giving Uncle Yuan a blessing, isn't that great?"

Nie Zhuo was trying to make things difficult for Lin Yuan.

Yuan Hongli was about to retort.

Lin Yuan, however, said, "Hongli, it's fine; I can write. Then I'll write a few characters to give to Uncle."

Lin Yuan said, taking the brush.

Yuan Hongli was somewhat surprised, "You sure??"

"Hmm." Lin Yuan nodded, picked up the brush, dipped it in a little ink, then slowly walked to the desk.

Nie Zhuo looked at him with a cold sneer.

He wanted to see just how ugly this loser's handwriting could be.

Calligraphy, however, is a refined art; poor people simply don't have the money to study it.

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, then put brush to paper.

On the xuan paper, the ink soaked in… the wolf-howling small brush darted across swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, after ten or so seconds, Lin Yuan's brush stopped.

On the xuan paper appeared four vigorous, domineering characters before everyone's eyes: longevity as enduring as heaven!

When he saw these four domineering characters, the sneer on Nie Zhuo's face… instantly stiffened.

His pupils widened, staring in disbelief at the four characters on the xuan paper.

Yuan Zhenbang beside him also changed expression: "This… this is… Wang Xizhi's Number One Running Script?!"

Yuan Zhenbang rose from his chair, shocked, staring at the four large characters before him!

Longevity equals heaven!

The four characters—brush strokes like dragons and snakes dancing, force penetrating the back of the paper; the script is domineering, the momentum grand!

Just these four characters stunned everyone present.

These four characters have no flaws whatsoever.

They could be called supernatural craftsmanship! The four characters are entirely a top‑level calligraphic work!

Onlookers also stepped forward curiously to watch, and then everyone's expression was moved, shocked.

Yuan Hongli also widened her beautiful eyes, unable to believe she was looking at the four characters Lin Yuan had written.

It seemed… almost identical to Wang Xizhi's running script…

Yuan Zhenbang asked in shock, "Xiao Lin, have you practiced calligraphy before? Where did you learn this Number One Running Script?"

Lin Yuan scratched his head and said, "When I was little, my grandfather taught me."

Yuan Zhenbang was astonished, "Can you write another section so I can take a look?"

Lin Yuan nodded, so he changed to another sheet of paper and wrote a couplet.

【May your blessings flow like the endless waters of the Eastern Sea】

【May your longevity surpass the evergreen pines of the Southern Mountain】

"Uncle, I present this couplet to you, wishing your blessings flow like the Eastern Sea and your longevity rival the Southern Mountain's pines." Lin Yuan said.

But at this moment, Yuan Zhenbang had no mind to listen to his blessings.

At this moment, Yuan Zhenbang's eyes narrowed, shocked as he stared at the two lines on the paper.

This script is practically identical to Wang Xizhi's Number One Running Script!

It's as if it were a perfect copy!

"So similar! How can the imitation be this alike?! It's practically divine!" Yuan Zhenbang exclaimed in shock.

Lin Yuan's handwriting is absolutely master-level!

"Xiao Lin, is your grandfather a famous calligrapher? May I meet him?" Yuan Zhenbang couldn't help but ask.

To be able to teach such an outstanding calligraphy disciple, Lin Yuan's grandfather is certainly no nobody!

Lin Yuan's eyes dimmed as he said, "No, my grandfather was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner; he has already passed away."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhenbang sighed, "Sorry."

At this moment, some members of the Calligraphy Association present were also shocked.

Among Yuan Zhenbang's guests, there were many old-timers from the Calligraphy Association.

These old-timers were also extremely shocked, and they all expressed their desire to invite Lin Yuan to join the Calligraphy Association.

Lin Yuan Lin Yuan directly refused. His grandfather had instructed him before his death to certainly hide his sharpness; do not let it be too prominent.

Therefore he will not join any association.

Not far away, his ex-girlfriend Zhou Xinyi and Du Haotian were even more shocked and unable to believe it!

Zhou Xinyi never imagined, even in her dreams, that her worthless boyfriend Lin Yuan could actually write such top-tier calligraphy? She had never noticed before!

"Xiao Lin, thank you for the calligraphy, I really like it!" Yuan Zhenbang vigorously patted Lin Yuan's shoulder and nodded satisfactorily.

At this moment, Yuan Zhenbang's attitude toward Lin Yuan also changed for the better.

Being poor is not a problem, but one must certainly have ability and value.

Lin Yuan's calligraphy just now demonstrated his ability.

Therefore Yuan Zhenbang's opinion of Lin Yuan has changed.

He is very pleased with this future son-in-law.

Nie Zhuo stood aside, his face already completely dark.

This?!

How could this loser Lin Yuan's writing possibly be better than Nie Zhuo's?!

This is impossible!

And just then, the hotel staff suddenly brought over several cases of precious Dragon Year Vintage Moutai liquor.

Yuan Zhenbang was stunned; he hadn't ordered these liquors.

Moreover, what was sent over were all precious Dragon Year Vintage Moutai; a single bottle of Dragon Year Moutai is worth 28,888 yuan! The price is extremely high.

The hotel actually sent over this many cases??

The hotel staff then explained, "Mr. Yuan, these liquors were sent by our hotel's Chairman. The Chairman learned that today is your 60th birthday, so he specially had us send these liquors to celebrate your birthday."

"Ah? Your hotel's Chairman?" Yuan Zhenbang was startled upon hearing this, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the honor.

The Chairman of the Four Seasons Hotel, Yuan Zhenbang had heard of.

The Chairman of this ultra-five-star hotel has an extremely mysterious background.

It is said that even some important officials in the province who wish to see him may not necessarily manage to do so.

The backing behind this Four Seasons Hotel is even more formidable and frightening.

It is said that they have connections from Yan Capital.

Therefore, upon hearing that the Chairman sent liquor, Yuan Zhenbang felt somewhat overwhelmed by the honor.

"Where is your Chairman? I would like to thank him." Yuan Zhenbang asked respectfully.

"Our Chairman will be here shortly; she will personally come to offer you a glass of wine and wish you longevity." The hotel lobby manager said.

Swish~ Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhenbang was even more startled?

At this point he could no longer be described as merely feeling overwhelmed by honor.

At this point his facial expression showed some excitement.

The mysterious boss of the Four Seasons Hotel is an existence with far-reaching influence.

It is said that he has backing in Yan Capital, and both official and business circles give him great face.

Moreover, he rarely takes the initiative to offer someone a drink.

Even when the governor of Zhejiang Province came to the hotel for a meal, they never saw the boss come to offer a drink.

But today, at Yuan Zhenbang's birthday banquet, the boss actually intends to come and offer a drink?

Just then, suddenly the private room door of the Gold Sand Hall was pushed open.

The sound of high-heeled footsteps gradually approached.

"Our boss has arrived." The hotel lobby manager said respectfully.

Only a graceful figure was seen, slowly stepping into the banquet hall……