Chapter 546: Chapter 546

"Yiyi, congratulations! I’ve just received good news from Shanghai – you’ve also passed the initial test there, and, I inquired in detail, if you make it to the finals, you’d have to wait until the end of June or the beginning of July, when you’ll be on summer vacation and won’t need to worry about school. The semi-finals in Beijing will be more meticulous than the initial test, so time might be tight, but don’t rush. I’ll confirm the details for you later, just focus on doing what you normally do."

After hanging up the phone, she still couldn’t suppress the nervousness in her heart. Reflecting on the two calligraphy competitions, although both were sponsored by Hua Country’s Federation of Literature and Art and the Hua Country Calligrapher Association, they paled in comparison to the prestigious Lanting Award and the National Exhibition in terms of status. It could only be said to be her stepping stone into the world of calligraphy. Being only thirteen years old, if she showed too much strength, she might attract undue scrutiny. After all, she was a self-taught talent from the rural areas and wouldn’t withstand rigorous investigation.

Therefore, among the four large characters she practiced daily, only one or two would showcase her true ability, and she restrained herself with the rest.

Having studied ancient characters in two lifetimes, one as a Princess and the other as an Empress, both figures of status, how could she slack in her practice? Poor handwriting would lead to criticism, so in both lives, she diligently practiced calligraphy. In this life, she must continue to improve – it was a process of gradual progress. Showing full strength all at once might give others the impression of being fake. Hence, it was perfectly reasonable for her to hold back some of her capabilities.

As for entering the Hua Country Calligraphy Association with this reserved performance, that was something she had never contemplated. Of course, she understood that her teacher said such things considering her age and potential, as a form of encouragement, which she appreciated.

But she knew it was crucial to be clear about her own level. Otherwise, what if she became complacent?

Modern calligraphy differed significantly from its ancient counterpart, the mere variety of brush techniques could fill volumes.

Ancients emphasized standards and propriety, treating the written word with solemn respect. While the criteria for beauty in ancient calligraphy might not be clearly defined, generally, a beautiful ancient character gained wide recognition.

In contrast, modern calligraphy valued "innovation" and was thus more popular, albeit with blurred standards. With the same character, some would applaud loudly while others decried it as exceedingly ugly. The influence of "interests" on modern calligraphy was ever-present, affecting people’s judgment; with a distracted heart, it became hard to produce truly beautiful work.

So, what she needed to learn was the transition from ancient to modern calligraphy. Admittedly, the ancient form was more structured, but living in contemporary times, one must follow the trends. If writing could earn her enough money for tuition and sustenance, she would not pretentiously avoid the matter of profit. Thus, she learned many valuable techniques and flexible strokes from Mr. Zheng.

Of course, during this process, she wouldn’t forget her previous penmanship; it was etched into her memory, unchangeable.

Modern calligraphy, on the other hand, was more freeform, and in training, she would be deliberately more conscientious – that was the essential difference.

In the year 2000, her classmates all used ballpoint or fountain pens, but she disliked ballpoints. Her homework was always done with a fountain pen, which made her handwriting more standard. Especially since her script was so beautiful, teachers often used it as a model for others. Although she wrote slowly, treating each homework assignment as practice led to undeniable success, both in hard and soft pen calligraphy. The source of thɪs content is novel⸺fire.net

She hadn’t participated in hard pen calligraphy contests merely due to lack of time but planned to look for opportunities after graduating from junior high.

On May 20th, Beijing called; she had passed the semi-finals, and the finals were scheduled for June 1/2/3 in Beijing. It was imperative that she participate on time.

However, with her middle school exams on June 7/8, the timing was tight, and she didn’t want to miss this opportunity. She asked her school for leave, assuring them she would return before the exams. With her grades consistently in the top ten of her class after two trial tests in May, her advancement was secure. Performing well on exam day was the only concern, and given the national recognition of the competition, the school had no reason to deny her leave.

To ensure she arrived in time, Mr. Zheng’s son personally drove them to the capital’s airport. It only took a two-hour flight to reach Beijing, plus the driving time, totaling around four to five hours – much faster than the train.

Thanks to Mr. Zheng’s connections, she was scheduled to participate on the morning of the 2nd. They could travel on the 1st, rest briefly, complete the competition on the morning of the 2nd, and return by plane or train in the afternoon. Three days were sufficient.

However, Mr. Zheng refused to accept payment for the plane tickets, saying she was still a child and could repay him once she earned money. In the year 2000, a round-trip ticket cost between three to four thousand yuan, a considerable sum. Mr. Zheng had no obligation to spend this much, and yet he did to support her. This weighed heavily on her heart, and she silently vowed to repay his kindness in the future.

She didn’t buy new clothes for the trip; she wore a shirt, jeans, and sneakers – hand-me-downs from Mr. Zheng’s granddaughter. Perhaps her mindset had changed, but she no longer cared about others’ opinions. The clothes were old but not ragged or patched. She refused to be vain just for the competition, so she boarded the airplane, which most people of her era had never experienced, in her old clothes.

Even for Mr. Zheng himself, it seemed it was only his second time flying. The level of his support made her feel uneasy and deeply moved.

From takeoff to landing, Mr. Zheng appeared extremely anxious. She comforted him, telling stories to ease his mind.

After a smooth landing, they took an airport bus and transferred to public transportation. After several connections, they finally reached the hotel chosen by the organizers. Of course, staying at the hotel was at their own expense. She calculated the cost for accommodations, plane tickets, bus fares, and meals – at least seven or eight thousand yuan between the two of them, especially since they needed separate rooms, making it even more expensive. She noted down every expense, intending to repay it later.

Everyone knows traveling is exhausting, and although this wasn’t a vacation, the level of fatigue was comparable. By Noon, after a quick meal, they each retired to their rooms for rest. They slept until three or four in the afternoon.