Grandma Liu's study.
Guzheng of various colors were neatly arranged, showing how much their owner cherished and cared for them.
Besides guzheng, the study also housed several classical musical instruments. In the center sat a large, antique desk, covered with xuan paper, ink, and brushes, confirming the owner's passion for calligraphy.
One entire wall was filled with books, while two walls displayed calligraphy and paintings, including works by members of the Calligraphy Association. The most central spot remained empty, presumably reserved for Elder Wang's calligraphy.
Huo Rou's gaze slowly swept across the calligraphy on the walls, many of which were genuine masterpieces by renowned artists, displaying diverse styles without adhering to any single one.
"Xiao Rou, what do you think? Grandma's collection of calligraphy is quite good, isn't it?" Liu Yuxiu asked, seeing Huo Rou's attention, and smilingly pointed to the artworks on the wall.
Huo Rou nodded and looked at them one by one. On another wall, in the center, she spotted a particularly unique piece of calligraphy.
It was majestic and powerful, yet lacked formal structure. It seemed slightly out of place on this wall of established works, but it exuded an imposing aura. She pointed to it, "Grandma, whose calligraphy is this?"
She could recognize the others, but this one was unfamiliar.
Grandma Liu's brows curved. Qin Ningyi stepped forward to explain, "This is Grandpa's handwriting."
Seeing the confusion in Huo Rou's eyes, he continued, "Grandma loves calligraphy. Grandpa never learned it, but seeing how engrossed she was, he decided to write a piece himself."
His explanation was subtle, yet Huo Rou seemed to understand the underlying sentiment.
Most of the calligraphy on this wall was from members of the Calligraphy Association, almost all of whom were men.
Old Master Qin must have been jealous seeing Grandma Liu surrounded by so many men's calligraphic works every day, so he wrote this piece and hung it here.
Otherwise, why would such a majestic and powerful piece of calligraphy contain the content: "Guangu Jue Jiu, Zai He Zhi Zhou" (a line from the Book of Songs)?
Grandma Liu looked at the calligraphy with a hint of amusement. Old Master Qin had written it many years ago, and she hadn't had the heart to take it down. Although it might lead to playful teasing from younger generations...
"Grandpa really loves Grandma," Huo Rou whispered into Qin Ningyi's ear.
She looked at the calligraphy on the wall, filled with envy.
In the past, her home also had walls covered with calligraphy. Unlike here, the calligraphy on her home's walls was a collaborative creation by three people: her father's bold and solid strokes, her mother's elegant and timeless style, and her own shaky characters mixed in.
During the New Year, the Spring Festival couplets on the doors were also written by them. Father wrote the upper line, Mother wrote the lower line, and the horizontal scroll was left to her.
She often regretted that as soon as the new couplets replaced the old ones, they would tear down the previous ones. Now, there was no way to recall those memories.
Qin Ningyi took in all the envy in her eyes and gently placed a kiss on her ear.
"My calligraphy isn't bad either. Shall I write one for you when we get back?"
Everything she desired, he would do his best to provide.
Hearing his words, Huo Rou pictured their home filled with calligraphy and paintings in the future, just like her original home.
She smiled at him, "Okay. We'll write them together, as a family."
"Mm," Qin Ningyi lowered his head and nuzzled her forehead affectionately.
After touring the study, Grandma Liu led her to a guzheng.
Her wrists were fair and delicate. With a gentle lift of her wrist, every movement exuded elegance.
However, the moment her fingertips touched the strings, a soul-stirring melody erupted.
When she played, a radiant light seemed to emanate from her. This was the second time Qin Ningyi had seen Huo Rou play the guzheng, but this time, her fingertips were filled with a fervent fighting spirit.
Old Master Qin, who had just entered the house with a cake, stopped in his tracks. His eyes brightened with excitement as he looked up towards the study.