Chapter 280

Next, everyone appreciated each other's works, pointing out each other's strengths and weaknesses. Qu Ziqing and the others also gave some comments on Su Xinghui's two pieces of calligraphy, which benefited Su Xinghui greatly.

After about an hour and a half, everyone was a bit tired, as they were all elderly people over fifty. So, they sat down and drank hot tea.

Lu Xiaoya went to pour tea for Su Xinghui. Qu Ziqing sat down next to Su Xinghui and asked in a low voice, "Young Su, do you know Lu Zhenghong?"

Su Xinghui knew it was because he said he had seen Qu Ziqing's calligraphy at Lu Zhenghong's house that he was asking this. He nodded, "Yes, Xiaoya took me to her house, and that's how I met Uncle Lu."

Qu Ziqing lowered his voice, "Are you and Xiaoya dating?"

Su Xinghui was a bit embarrassed, "No."

Qu Ziqing laughed, "I can see that Xiaoya is interested in you."

Su Xinghui didn't know how to respond. Just then, Lu Xiaoya came over with two cups of tea. She placed one next to Qu Ziqing and said, "Uncle Qu, have some tea."

She placed the other cup of tea next to Su Xinghui and said, "Xinghui, have some tea."

After saying that, she went to pour tea for herself.

Qu Ziqing asked again, "By the way, who did you learn your calligraphy from?"

Su Xinghui said, "I learned my calligraphy from my aunt's husband. His calligraphy is much better than mine."

Qu Ziqing said, "Then which famous calligrapher is your aunt's husband? I'm very familiar with the works of calligraphers in our province, and your calligraphy doesn't look like any of their styles."

Su Xinghui said, "My aunt's husband isn't a famous calligrapher; he's an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor living in Green Jade Township. He never participates in calligraphy competitions and never publishes calligraphy works, but his calligraphy is truly very good."

Qu Ziqing said, "Now that you say that, I'm even more interested. When I have the chance, I'll go visit him."

Su Xinghui nodded, "Sure. If a famous calligrapher like you goes to visit my aunt's husband, he will definitely be very happy."

After resting for a while, everyone looked at the works for a bit longer, and then they dispersed, satisfied. They had no intention of eating together. Their gathering was a "friendship between gentlemen, pure as water." They rarely ate together; most of the time, a cup of clear tea was enough.

However, before leaving, Qu Ziqing and the others all told Su Xinghui that they would go to Meng Hu Ling when they had the chance.

Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya each took one of Professor Qin's arms to support him. Professor Qin was nearly sixty and quite heavy, and he was a bit tired after standing for a long time in the morning, so he didn't refuse the kindness of his two students.

The three hailed a taxi and returned to Jiangcheng University. When they arrived at Professor Qin's house, his wife had indeed prepared the lettuce and cooked the rice, waiting for Su Xinghui and the others to return.

Su Xinghui washed his hands and started cooking. He made a few home-style dishes. Considering that Professor Qin and his wife were elderly, he made them relatively light. Soon, he had finished five or six dishes, brought them to the table, and called out, "Time to eat!"

Professor Qin and his wife sat at the table happily. Lu Xiaoya served the rice, giving one bowl each to Professor Qin and his wife first, saying, "Teacher, Professor's wife, time to eat!"

Then, she served a bowl each for Su Xinghui and herself.

After tasting the dishes Su Xinghui made, Professor Qin and his wife nodded and praised, "Xinghui, you have this skill too? These dishes are really well stir-fried."

Su Xinghui said, "Teacher, Professor's wife, you should eat more of this stir-fried yam with wood ear mushrooms, and this stir-fried cucumber. Elderly people should eat more of these dishes to lower blood lipids; it's good for your health."

The two elderly people nodded happily, "Good, good, good."

While eating, his wife suddenly stopped her chopsticks, and tears fell from her eyes. Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya asked in a panic, "Professor's wife, what's wrong?"

His wife said, "Sigh, I was thinking of our children. Usually, I want them to come back for a meal, but they are always busy and rarely come back for a meal. Seeing you two reminds me of them."

Professor Qin said, "You, the children have to be busy with work. Don't blame them. I told you to cultivate some hobbies so you wouldn't be lonely, but you just wouldn't listen."

His wife wiped her tears and said, "I'm not blaming the children, I just miss them."

Su Xinghui couldn't help but feel emotional. This truly is the pitiful heart of parents everywhere!

They hurriedly comforted his wife. She was just feeling emotional for a moment, and under their comfort, she soon calmed down.

After the meal, Lu Xiaoya took the initiative to clear the table and wash the dishes, which made his wife anxious, saying it shouldn't be that way. But Lu Xiaoya laughed, "Professor's wife, I'm a student; isn't it right for me to help you wash the dishes?"

This made Professor Qin and his wife very happy.

Su Xinghui said goodbye to Professor Qin and his wife. The two elderly people told him that whenever he came to Jiangcheng in the future, he should come here, and Su Xinghui agreed.