Chapter 188 Spring Festival Couplets

"How about using Mr. Shi Yuancheng's couplet?"

"Let's make it gold-plated, because red and gold are more festive for the New Year."

"That's Mr. Shi! His calligraphy is extremely rare! And this time, he personally delivered his work to Longxi. Do you see anyone else in the neighborhood with that? It's definitely prestigious!"

"Fine, fine, I can't argue with you. Let's go find the butler to make a decision!"

Early on, buildings 13 and 14 of Longxi were already filled with the atmosphere of celebrating the Chinese New Year.

The two servants disagreed on which Spring Festival couplets to use for the outer gate, and neither could convince the other, so they simply went to Uncle Li together to ask for an explanation.

Uncle Li is checking the New Year's Eve dinner menu with the kitchen staff. This is the final confirmation. In another hour or so, once the ingredients have come off the machine and completed their quarantine, they will start preparing the dishes.

He was extremely busy, glancing at the two Spring Festival couplets in front of him and then at the clock in the corner: "Let's wait a bit, until Mr. Xia gets up."

Xia Mian had just come downstairs: "What are you waiting for me for?"

He usually sleeps until late morning, so this sudden early rise surprised Uncle Li: "Good morning, Mr. Xia. I'd like you to decide which couplets to use for the outer gate."

“Don’t ask me, just do it the same as in previous years,” Xia Mian said. “Or, if Third Master doesn’t have any special requirements, you can decide for yourselves. I’m open to whatever you want.”

In the past, they did make their own decisions, but this year... Uncle Li smiled and said, "The gentleman specifically instructed that the decorations be arranged according to your preferences."

Who cares about his preferences? He doesn't really care about the style of the Spring Festival couplets anyway. It's so cold outside, and he can't keep going out to look at them.

But there was no need to make things difficult for the servants. Xia Mian thought for a moment and asked, "What kind of Spring Festival couplets do people usually use in the old house?"

"I've used almost everything that's festive: calligraphy works by renowned calligraphers, custom-made items from manufacturers, and gifts from business partners. Oh, and by the way, my husband used to write his own Spring Festival couplets."

"Huh?" Xia Mian asked in surprise, "He can also do calligraphy?"

"Yes, but I only wrote it once, a long, long time ago."

At that time, Zhou Pingchuan had just gone abroad. Before the Lunar New Year, he wrote a couplet and sent it back to China, intending to give it to Xue Chunling. However, Xue Chunling's mother passed away, and she had to return to her hometown for the funeral, so she couldn't give it to her. Uncle Li didn't want to waste it, so he pasted it on the inner door of Zhou's mansion.

Xia Mian had studied calligraphy and had a great fondness for people who wrote beautiful characters. She thanked the housekeeper, turned around and went back to the elevator, seemingly wanting to find Zhou Pingchuan to write Spring Festival couplets.

"Wait, Mr. Xia!" Uncle Li called to Xia Mian, but Xia Mian was walking too fast and didn't hear him.

Uncle Li entered the Zhou family mansion at the age of eighteen and has worked there for decades, practically watching Zhou Pingchuan grow up. This direct descendant of the Zhou family, the head of the household, and the person in charge should, in theory, have the deepest connection with the Zhou family, both in terms of blood ties and affection.

But for some reason, he always felt that Zhou Pingchuan and the Zhou family were distant. Or rather, Zhou Pingchuan had a weak concept of "family." Mr. Xia's trip this time was probably... fruitless.

Mr. Xia is straightforward and easily impulsive. During the Lunar New Year, he sincerely hopes the two owners can get along harmoniously and avoid arguing over such a small matter.

Uncle Li returned to the kitchen, checked the menu, and suddenly received a message on his Bluetooth headset: "Butler, the master asked me to get paper and ink. Do we have those?"

She is the maid in charge of the third floor.

Uncle Li paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Yes, it's in the warehouse. I'll have someone fetch it and send it up right away."

Ten minutes later, a complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study was brought into the study.

Zhou Pingchuan doesn't usually use bottled ink, but rather the most traditional ink and inkstone, which he grinds himself. Xia Mian examined it for a few seconds, then clicked her tongue: "This ink is an old thing, isn't it? It's a blend of pine oil and soot ink, is it from the batch ordered from Hu Kaiwen? The inkstone is also quite good, smooth and delicate. Duan inkstones come in different grades, but yours is top-grade."

In reality, Xia Mian's calligraphy was just average. She started practicing it to show off and stand out from the rich kids who only knew how to play games and chase girls. That's why she persisted in learning calligraphy from a young age until she graduated from high school.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Pingchuan glanced at him, his expression slightly surprised. Before the marriage, he had sent Yu Heng to investigate Xia Mian, who knew everything about his background and naturally knew what kind of life he led.

In that kind of environment, even basic necessities like food, clothing, and daily necessities were a problem; how could anyone possibly afford to send their child to learn calligraphy?

Even if he devoted all his resources to learning, his family could only afford the most basic stationery. Where would he get the experience to distinguish the quality of Duan inkstones?

Xia Mian, unaware of Zhou Pingchuan's thoughts, couldn't help but reveal a hint of smugness. "How about that? You got fooled by me, didn't you?"

However, the protagonist today is Zhou Pingchuan. Xia Mian didn't say much. She rolled up her sleeves and took the initiative to act as a little page, starting to grind ink for Zhou Pingchuan.

As the top of China's ten famous inkstones, Duan inkstones grind ink very quickly. Zhou Pingchuan unfolded Xuan paper and dipped it in ink.

Xia Mian observed from the side and found that the saying "calligraphy reflects the person" indeed had a theoretical basis. Zhou Pingchuan's brushstrokes were very decisive, and his brush tip was extremely restrained, only revealing a slight sharpness at the end of the stroke.

That mere glimpse of brilliance is enough to make this couplet a masterpiece. He's the kind of person who usually keeps a low profile, but if you provoke him, he only needs to use a tenth of his power to make you wish you were dead.

Xia Mian exclaimed, "Wow, you really pulled off a big stunt!"

Zhou Pingchuan set aside his half-praise, half-teasing words and subtly probed, "Why don't you give it a try?"

"Let's try! Who's afraid of who! You can't back down at crucial moments, or you might be suppressed for life." Xia Mian rolled up her sleeves and took the pen from Zhou Pingchuan.

His style is completely different from Zhou Pingchuan's. His brushstrokes are agile and quick, his characters are strong and slender, and his brushwork is exposed. It is a very beautiful and distinctive style of the Slender Gold script.

To write at this level requires eight to ten years of dedicated practice, and one must have studied under a renowned master.

When they first met, Zhou Pingchuan had some doubts about Xia Mian. Despite his willful and spoiled nature, he was very polite and refined when dining, adhering to proper table manners. He had his own unique perspective on fashion and was incredibly generous with his credit card.

Most importantly, she's never stage-frightened. When dealing with people she dislikes, the superior air she exudes is something that children from impoverished families simply can't possess.

As for table manners, Xia's parents will definitely teach me when I return to Xia Garden. As for dressing, it can be attributed to talent. Spending money is even easier to explain; who wouldn't spend money if they had it?

But that last point is really hard to explain.

Today, he once again showcased his Slender Gold calligraphy style.

"Isn't it good?" Xia Mian snorted when Zhou Pingchuan remained silent. "You don't need to be too shocked. I haven't written in a long time, and I only performed at half my level today. With more practice, I'll surpass you in no time."

As he spoke, the boy raised his eyebrows and eyes with pride, like a proud and beautiful little swan with its chest puffed out.

Suddenly, Zhou Pingchuan grabbed the boy's waist and pulled him into his lap.

It always makes you want to explore it, and you can't help but kiss it again and again; it's so adorable.