More than an hour after Gu Fan's family arrived, a young man of about thirty years old walked in carrying all sorts of groceries.
Upon seeing the other person, Gu Fan's eyes lit up: "Senior Brother Zhang."
Zhang Linfeng is his grandfather's last disciple and a native of this small town. Due to family reasons, he did not go to university after finishing high school. Later, he was appreciated by his grandfather and followed him to learn calligraphy. Now he has transformed into a successful person.
Zhang Linfeng smiled slightly: "Long time no see, Xiao Fan, hello uncle and aunt."
His gaze fell on Jiang Yumeng, whose beauty surprised him slightly, but he still smiled politely and asked, "Is this Xiao Fan's girlfriend?"
Jiang Yumeng learned about the other person's identity from their conversation and greeted him, "Hello, Senior Brother Zhang, my name is Jiang Yumeng."
Zhang Linfeng smiled and nodded: "Welcome to visit."
He looked at Grandpa Gu and said, "Master, I'll go cook now."
Grandpa Gu smiled and nodded.
"I'll go help," Gu Fan said, standing up.
Jiang Yumeng was about to get up as well, but Gu Fan pressed her down and said with a smile, "You can rest here."
"Yes, Mengmeng, let the men do the cooking and stuff. You can chat with us." Gu's mother said with a smile.
Jiang Yumeng had no choice but to nod upon hearing this.
She was just in an unfamiliar place and was clinging to Gu Fan, feeling insecure without him by her side.
However, Gu's mother seemed to have anticipated this and kept bringing up topics, which made the atmosphere a little better.
In the kitchen, Zhang Linfeng and Gu Fan were busy; the former was chopping vegetables, while Gu Fan was washing them.
"How's your studies going lately?" Zhang Linfeng asked with a smile.
Gu Fan smiled and nodded: "It's alright. University courses are relatively easy, and not as difficult as high school courses."
Zhang Linfeng nodded slightly: "I have indeed heard about it."
Although he never attended university, he taught at several prestigious universities, which gave him a taste of life.
"By the way, Senior Brother Zhang, how is Grandpa's health?" Gu Fan suddenly asked.
He didn't ask his grandfather directly, since asking an old man wouldn't change his answer and he certainly wouldn't worry the younger generation. So he could only ask Zhang Linfeng, who had spent more time with his grandfather than anyone else.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Linfeng sighed slightly: "Although I really want to keep it from you, I have to say that my master's health has been getting worse and worse in recent years. He has been to the hospital twice this year alone."
Gu Fan's expression changed: "Why didn't we know?"
Zhang Linfeng sighed slightly: "Don't you know what kind of personality your master has?"
Gu Fan was silent for a moment, then asked, "What is the illness?"
Zhang Linfeng said, "It's not a serious illness. People get like this when they get old. Kidney failure is common. I even took away his alcohol and cigarettes because of this."
Gu Fan nodded: "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang."
He was genuinely grateful to Zhang Linfeng, because without him, his grandfather would probably have been in a lot of trouble.
Zhang Linfeng smiled and said, "This is all I should do. My master has been kind to me by teaching me, so I have this obligation."
Without Grandpa Gu, there would be no Zhang Linfeng as we know him today.
Gu Fan was already thinking about bringing his grandfather home to live with him after the New Year.
Soon, with the combined efforts of the two men, a meal was prepared.
Lunch ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.
After lunch, Grandpa Gu called Zhang Linfeng and Gu Fan to his study.
This house is very retro, and it has everything you'd expect.
"Make me some food to help with digestion, and you two each write a piece of calligraphy for me," Old Master Gu casually instructed.
Gu Fan said with a wry smile, "Grandpa, aren't you making things difficult for me? How can I compare to Senior Brother Zhang?"
Zhang Linfeng, however, had a different perspective. He smiled and said, "Xiao Fan must have misunderstood. Master is probably testing the two of us."
Grandpa Gu didn't say anything, but instead started grinding ink for them.
Before long, the brush and ink were ready.
"Let's begin," said Grandpa Gu.
Zhang Linfeng and Gu Fan exchanged a glance, then began to write.
Both of them looked very serious. In front of Grandpa Gu, they dared not hold back in the slightest and went all out from the start.
Before long, both pieces of calligraphy were finished.
Grandpa Gu put on his glasses and examined the writing carefully. He first looked at Zhang Linfeng's handwriting, nodded, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Then, he looked at Gu Fan's handwriting, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, along with regret.
He put down the two calligraphy pieces, looked at Gu Fan, and slowly said, "Xiao Fan, your calligraphy has improved a lot compared to last year. However, the only shortcoming is that your technique has been rusty for too long, which caused you to lose the charm when you traced the first character."
Gu Fan scratched his head a little embarrassedly, "Grandpa, I didn't have much time to write anyway, so it's normal that my writing isn't as good as Senior Brother Zhang's."
He was busy studying, working at the flower shop, and dating Jiang Yumeng, so he had no free time.
"Ah, what a waste of such good talent." Old Master Gu waved his hand. "Well, you all have your own paths. Lin Feng's calligraphy is becoming more and more mature and steady. In another year or two, he will be able to graduate."
Zhang Linfeng chuckled from the side, "This is all thanks to my master's meticulous guidance."
Grandpa Gu smiled faintly, then suddenly remembered something and said to Gu Fan, "Go and call that girl over."
Upon hearing this, Gu Fan, though puzzled, obediently went out to call for help.
Grandpa Gu then looked at Zhang Linfeng and laughed, "You lad, you're over thirty already, when are you going to find a partner?"
Zhang Linfeng didn't expect the old man to bring this up. He smiled wryly and said, "Master, I don't have such thoughts right now."
Grandpa Gu glared and said, "What do you mean you have no ideas? Do you want to be alone for the rest of your life?"
This apprentice is good in every way, except that he is too rigid in his thinking. He can't think of anything else but calligraphy.
He has a handsome face, but he insists on making himself look sloppy.
Zhang Linfeng smiled and said, "Let's talk about that later. My current goal is the annual calligraphy competition. My master also taught me that I should finish what I start and concentrate on what I do."
Grandpa Gu: ...
Oh well, I'm too old. He doesn't understand the world of young people. Let him be.
A short while later, Gu Fan and Jiang Yumeng entered the study.
"Grandpa, you were looking for me?" Jiang Yumeng asked curiously.
Grandpa Gu smiled slightly and beckoned to Jiang Yumeng: "Girl, come here."
Jiang Yumeng obediently walked over.
Grandpa Gu held her small hand kindly and said with a smile, "I don't have anything good to give you since you've come to my house. But since you and Xiaofan are together now, I'll give you a gift."
Hearing this, I was somewhat surprised.
Zhang Linfeng, standing to the side, seemed to have thought of something, a look of understanding appearing in his eyes.
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