Chapter Fifty-Seven Encounter

  Finally achieved my wish and rushed onto the recommended list, this is the first time in my life, after having the first time, is the second time still far? The third one will be delivered.

  Today is Mo Sanniang's birthday, so Chen Jianchen went home for dinner - the gift was already bought, a silver hairpin, well-made, although not a masterpiece, but also delicate.

  Now Chen Jianchen's brush and ink are in vogue, he has gradually made a name for himself among the authors of Xueni Zhai's consignment, and each piece of his work is highly sought after.

  Among them, his "Twilight" was particularly impressive and brought him a considerable reputation.

  Fame and fortune, fame comes before fortune. Especially under the political system of the Tianyun dynasty, reputation is particularly important. With a good reputation, things can often be done with half the effort. Therefore, for the sake of their reputation, many scholars and officials do not hesitate to spend thousands of dollars.

  Of course, the brush and ink are also closely related to Chen Jianchen's own level. His characters, after long-term practice, have gradually entered a state of excellence and reached a certain level of attainment.

  He is willing to learn and dare to innovate, gradually forming his own style.

  In addition, Chen Jianchen writes a piece of calligraphy with content that is either a famous saying or a poem. Unlike ordinary people who write pen and ink, he follows the Four Books and the writings of saints and sages, copying their words.

  This is quite different.

  It can be said that half of what he sells is his own brushwork, and the other half is the talent of his predecessors.

  The two complement each other perfectly, with a style that is dignified and elegant. ~ As a result, even if the price is higher, people still like to buy them, rather than choosing mediocre pens and inks.

  The market for calligraphy and painting is actually very large, many families will occasionally collect calligraphy works to decorate their homes, either as a symbol of elegance, or as gifts to others; or because they believe it has collection value, keep it, and wait until the author becomes famous, then sell it at a high price.

  Chen Jianchen's brushwork was excellent, so Li Zhuang treated him with distinction, receiving him very warmly and flattering him nonstop, urging him to write more, hoping he could produce a dozen or so pieces in one day, which would bring in a handsome profit.

  But Chen Jianchen would never listen to such nonsense.

  Calligraphy and ink art belong to the realm of art, not copying or writing in silence, cannot be mass-produced. If it is for short-term gain, rough and shoddy work, then it is equivalent to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, ruining one's own future.

  So he still acts according to his own rhythm and is even more strict with himself, tearing up and throwing away anything he writes that he's not satisfied with.

  You should be strict with yourself!

  He could write a satisfactory calligraphy piece every three days, which he would then send to Xue Ni Zhai to sell. Over time, he sold quite a few and earned a considerable amount of silver. Most of it was used to repay his debts. Although Wang Fu said there was no hurry to repay the debt, and even hinted that he didn't need to repay it at all, Chen Jianchen refused to accept this. He believed that while their friendship was important, the amount borrowed should be clearly accounted for, with a clear record of what had been lent and what had been repaid.

  After selling the characters to pay off debts, Chen Jianchen now has very little money left on him. In order to buy this hairpin for his mother's birthday, he almost spent all that he had. But he didn't mind at all; compared to what he had given up for Mo San Niang, this small hairpin was nothing.

  Not worth mentioning at all.

  An inch of grass in the heart, repays with three spring sunrises.

  It's roughly like this.

  The sun was setting in the west, Chen Jianchen walked lightly on the street, heading towards his new home at the east end of the street.

  As I passed through a ten-character intersection, I looked up and saw a carved flower sedan chair stopped in front of a fabric store.

  Chen Jianchen inadvertently glanced over and happened to see a young girl walking out of the store.

  The girl's slender figure, her clothes fluttering in the wind, her face without a speck of powder or rouge, a clean and smooth complexion, her eyebrows like distant hills, her eyes shining with a soft light, not exactly autumn waves, but surpassing them, delicate and clever, with a subtle charm, unreservedly displaying a beauty that takes one's breath away.

  Chen Jian felt a sense of déjà vu, but the girl saw him and suddenly opened her mouth to shout: "Chen Jian, how are you here?"

  This form of address is completely divorced from normal colloquialisms, leaving one stunned and utterly unable to believe that it would come out of the mouth of a beautiful young lady who appears to be a refined and elegant maiden.

  It's simply astonishing and unconventional!

  There were quite a few people on the street, and they had all turned around at the sound.

  "Nie Xiaoqian, so you're here!"

  Only after speaking out did I feel somewhat inappropriate.

  On the other side, Nie Xiaoqian smiled slightly, and for a moment, her charm was so captivating that even the sunset in the sky lost its color. The girl didn't say another word, got into the sedan chair, and was carried away by two bearers, creaking and swaying as they walked in another direction.

  Chen Jianchen watched the sedan chair disappear into the distance, his heart filled with a mix of emotions: time and space had changed, people and things were no longer the same, but in the midst of it all, something seemed to have remained unchanged. A chance encounter, a simple greeting, yet in an instant, it felt as if time and space had converged into one, without any cracks or fissures.

  What brings you here?

  So you're here too...

  Was it always in search of such an encounter at the bottom of one's heart?

  Chen Jianchen suddenly let out a sigh:

  He came into this world, and in fact, it had changed a lot, the past and present lives had already blurred together, no longer distinguishing each other.

  It's all the same, whether it's Zhuangzi's butterfly dream or Meng Po's yellow millet dream. They are both a kind of life that lies between fantasy and reality. People live in them just to seek some real meaning of existence.

  The afterglow of the sunset shone on Chen Jianchen's body, with a warm feeling. He was standing there in a daze when suddenly a maid ran up to him from the front. He recognized her as the one who followed Nie Xiaoqian.

  The maid ran all the way, panting slightly, and rushed to Chen Jianchen's side. Her face was flushed, and after catching her breath, she hastily curtsied and said: "Mr. Chen, my young mistress wants you to write a calligraphy piece."

  Chen Jianchen asked: "Writing? What are you writing?"

  The maid said: "Miss didn't say anything, she just asked you to write a character, whatever you like to write, just write it."

  Is that so?

  Chen Jianchen seemed to have an epiphany.

  The maid said: "Mr. Chen, I'll take my leave now and go back to serve the young lady." She bowed again and ran back. After all, she was a maid from a wealthy family, with clear etiquette and not a single mistake. On the other hand, her mistress seemed like a wonderful person who viewed etiquette as shackles, always trying to break free whenever possible.

  Chen Jianchen was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing and strode towards home, ignoring the bewildered gazes around him.

  At home, Abao was busy opening up early.

  Today is Dry Mother's birthday, she doesn't allow Mo San Niang to cook, everything inside and out is handled by one person. At a young age, she can burst out with great energy.

  Na Mo San Niang was also restless, weaving in the house. Although she had moved into the city, she had not given up her weaving skills, which could both kill time and earn some money to supplement her family's expenses, a double benefit. Moreover, she was a person who was used to doing things and couldn't stay idle.

  "Mom, I'm back!"

  Chen Jianchen pushed open the door of his home, his mood already calm and peaceful.

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