"Are you single?"
Yin was stunned for a few seconds, slapped Earring Boy on the head with her racket and bluntly said, "None of your business!"
Earring Boy rubbed his head dissatisfiedly and said, "I'm just curious, I heard you celebrities who signed with the company are not allowed to date."
Yin gave him a "you're so gossipy" look and didn't bother answering.
Old Man Li walked in wearing sportswear, his white hair and brows and unyielding physique making him look out of place in the tennis court. "Oh, you two are quite early."
Yin immediately went up to greet him and diligently took his sports bag from him.
Earring Boy was not to be outdone and enthusiastically said hello too, "Old Man Li, you're early today!"
Old Man Li had a benevolent smile as he regarded the two young people. "You two have been accompanying me to practice for some time now. Tell me, what is it that you're really after?"
Earring Boy laughed and said, "Old Man Li, I sincerely want to learn tennis from you. I don't have any other motives these days. Whether others have ulterior motives or not, I wouldn't know."
He glanced meaningfully at Yin after he finished speaking.
Of course Old Man Li knew Yin's intentions weren't that simple either.
At first, he ignored her for several days, thinking the girl wouldn't last long before leaving.
He didn't expect her to really show up every day, enduring the cold weather, and accompanying him to practice for over half a month.
If he didn't say something now, forget half a month, even if it was half a year... he reckoned she would still accompany him to practice.
Old Man Li took out a silk wrapped scroll from his bag and handed it to Yin, "If it's for this, take it."
"This is..." Yin was a bit confused as she blankly accepted the scroll.
It felt quite heavy and she had to hold it with both hands.
"I specially painted this for you and inscribed some words," Old Man Li slowly said. "Consider it payment for picking up balls for me these past two weeks."
Yin didn't understand and was about to unfurl the scroll when Earring Boy hurriedly stopped her, "Be careful! Old Master Li JingSong's calligraphy and painting are priceless treasures, don't open it here!"
"Li... Li JingSong... You're Li JingSong!"
Yin was completely dumbfounded.
Of course she knew of the famous Li JingSong, the country's most prestigious calligrapher and painter!
Even just one of his works could be auctioned for tens of millions. They were genuine top-tier artworks.
More importantly, Old Man Li had great integrity and wasn't lacking money either, so he wouldn't easily sell off his works. Therefore, his calligraphy and paintings were truly priceless rarities on the market.
"You're not Li Chunfeng!"
The calligrapher Li JingSong certainly wasn't the gold medal songwriter and producer Li Chunfeng.
So it turns out, she had wasted half a month... mistaking the wrong person?
The old gentleman examined Yin's dumbstruck expression and guessed her thoughts. He suddenly laughed, "So you weren't looking for me for calligraphy or painting?"
"Old gentleman, I'm truly very sorry. I...I mistook you for someone else!" Yin awkwardly bowed to apologize to him and returned the painting, "I shouldn't have accepted this."
Old Man Li really liked Yin's frank and straightforward personality. She wouldn't hide or take undeserved advantage.
"It was just a misunderstanding, it's fine. I gave it to you so keep it. Let's just say we had an affinity. If you're lacking money in the future, you can sell it. Consider it payment for accompanying me these two weeks."
Yin held the painting gratefully yet apologetically, "Thank you Old Man Li."
"Alright, since you mistook me for someone else, go find the person you were looking for then," Old Man Li waved his hand and looked towards Earring Boy beside him, "What about you, will you keep accompanying me to practice?"
Earring Boy smiled cheerfully, "I'll go with her to find the person first, then come back to accompany you Old Man Li! I still have a lot to learn from you."
Old Man Li saw through this young man's intentions and stroked his beard merrily, "Go on then, you young people should spend more time together."
...
Yin strolled around the tennis center with her hands in her pockets, feeling a bit glum.
Earring Boy followed behind, looking at her dejected back. He said, "It can't be. Old Master Li JingSong gave you a priceless painting! If he gave me a painting, I wouldn't just accompany him for half a month. I'd do it for half my life!"
"It's not because of that." Yin sighed and complained at him, "Old Man Li is very nice. Accompanying him to play tennis is no problem. I'm just..."
She paused for a moment, then vigorously knocked her own head, "I'm so stupid I could cry. How could I have thought a white-haired old man in his seventies was Li Chunfeng!"
Earring Boy laughed merrily, "You're right, there are many people with rose gold rackets in this tennis center. I have one that color too."
"Yeah, I really am too stupid," Yin sighed. "Forget it, let's go back."
Earring Boy chased after her, "Don't give up so quickly? Weren't you full of determination these past few days?"
"I also realized it's probably inappropriate for me to randomly look for Li Chunfeng like this," Yin waved her hand. "I'm going home, bye."
Earring Boy stared at Yin's back and asked, "Miss, will you not come again in the future?"
"No more."
"No more?" Earring Boy anxiously caught up to her, "If you don't come, who will I play tennis with?"
"Didn't you want to apprentice under Old Man Li? With me gone, you'll have one less competitor."
Earring Boy hesitated for a moment, scratched the back of his head awkwardly, and clumsily explained, "Because... I'm already familiar with everyone here. He wouldn't come to such a social place if he was socially anxious. This is a place for socializing!"
"Alright then." Yin compromised and decided to give it one last try. It'd be best if she could find Li Chunfeng, but she wouldn't force it if unsuccessful.
"By the way, what's your name?" Yin asked him, "We've known each other for some time now and I still just call you 'hey'."
"My name... Just call me hey."
"That won't do."
Earring Boy thought for a moment, "Call me Li Chunhong."
"Your surname is Li too?"
"There are tons of people surnamed Li. I dare say there are at least ten in this tennis center."
"Li Chunhong? That name..." Yin couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds girly."
"Hong as in grand, not red."
"Okay." Yin carefully enunciated his name, "Li Chunhong, hello, I'm Yin."
"I know, Yin the celebrity. You acted in Splendid Mist and exploded in popularity on variety shows. You haven't released a single yet. This time you want to ask Li Chunfeng to write a song for your debut single, right?"
Yin revealed a faint smile, "You sharp little brat, you remembered everything just from hearing it once."
"I'm not a little brat." Li Chunhong rubbed his nose, "I just look young. I'm twenty-seven."
"What! I thought you were a student!" Yin said in surprise, "You really do look young."
Li Chunhong was a little embarrassed and didn't continue the small talk. He pulled her along to wander the various courts.
Just then, Yin caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in one of the halls.
It was her opponent's father, Su Yecheng.
Su Yecheng was dressed in a black suit. Several other men in suits were following him, completely clashing with the sports center's atmosphere.
Li Chunhong wanted to keep walking forward but Yin immediately pulled him back to hide behind a pillar. She carefully peeked out to see Su Yecheng passing right in front of them.
"Who's that?"
"My opponent's father."
"Your opponent's father?" Li Chunhong asked in confusion, "What are you afraid of? Afraid he'll hit you?"
"My opponent is also my half-sister from my father's previous marriage."
Li Chunhong counted on his fingers as he pondered, "Relationships in your circle really are complicated."
Yin was too lazy to explain it to him. Seeing Su Yecheng dressed like that, it was obvious he wasn't here for sports. She decided to follow him and take a look.
They followed him to the innermost court where he had entered Old Man Li's practice area and seemed to be saying something to him.
They were too far away for Yin to hear clearly, but she could tell from their expressions that Su Yecheng was clearly asking Old Man Li for something with an obsequious smile plastered on his face.
Old Man Li's face was impatient as he waved his hand signaling for Su Yecheng to leave.
Li Chunhong casually said while hugging his arms, "People seeking Old Man Li's calligraphy and paintings are too numerous to count. I guess he's here for that too. These types of people will spare no expense to get Old Man Li's works. Old Man Li rarely agrees, so now you know how valuable the painting he gave you is, right?"
After thinking for a bit, Yin said to Li Chunhong, "I have something to do, I'm leaving first."
"Hey, give me your contact info! How else can I contact you?"
"Why do you need to contact me?"
"I... What if I find Li Chunfeng? I'll need to inform you right?"
Considering her marital status, Yin naturally couldn't just give her contact info to a young male stranger. She said, "Message me privately on Weibo. My username is NeverDrinkingOrangeJuiceAgain."
Li Chunhong reluctantly watched her leave, "You have to remember to message me."
Yin casually waved her hand and walked out of the tennis center. She called Sun Lili, "Super agent, help me investigate whether Su Yecheng has been trying to get calligraphy or paintings from Old Man Li JingSong recently."
Sun Lili curiously asked, "Haven't you been busy chasing after Li Chunfeng? Why are you checking on your dad's matters again?"
"It's hard to explain in just a few words. Help me investigate first."
"Got it, leave it to me."
...
That night, Yin returned home and spread open the painting Li JingSong had given her on Chen Huaixiao's desk.
It was a very antique looking painting titled "Goddess of the Luo River". The feminine figure in the painting had supple yet powerful strokes. With just a few simple strokes lacking complexity, each stroke contained an archaic texture. With Old Man Li's consummate artistic skills, he didn't need elaborate embellishments to vividly bring the image to life.
In addition, the top part of the painting was matched with Cao Zhi's entire "Rhapsody of the Luo Goddess". Every character was vigorous and forceful, full of spirit.
Yin had seen calligraphy and paintings by Old Man Li in the past. Even when he composed poems, they were either just a few lines or a seven-character regulated verse that went along with the brushstrokes...very complete works in his handwriting!
A painting and calligraphy treasure like this was truly...priceless!
...
That night, Chen Huaixiao returned home. Yin excitedly pulled him into the study—
"I have a nice thing for you."
She unveiled the silk cloth, revealing The Goddess of the Luo River to Chen Huaixiao: "Ta-da!"
Chen Huaixiao walked over to the desk, carefully caressing the painting and the accompanying calligraphy: "An ink treasure by Li JingSong."
"Impressive, right? This is an authentic work."
Chen Huaixiao's expression was as calm as ever, not showing the astonishment and disbelief Yin had anticipated: "It's not easy to get such a lengthy ink treasure from Old Man Li."
Yin was a little disappointed by his reaction: "Don't you think I'm amazing?"
Chen Huaixiao smiled faintly, tapping his forehead with his fingertip: "No matter who I compliment, it won't make its way to you for obtaining this ink treasure of Li's."
"But I worked hard to get this!"
"Come with me."
Chen Huaixiao thought for a moment, then led Yin by the hand downstairs to an enclosed, vault-like space in the basement. He entered a passcode to open the lock, then pulled her inside.
Yin looked all around. The layout of this space and the passcode lock made it seem like a bank vault.
"Is this...where you keep your savings?"
"You could say that."
"I always thought the Water Pavilion residence was your only property. I didn't expect you to keep your savings here."
"This is indeed one of my properties." Chen Huaixiao glanced back at her: "This is also my home, otherwise how could I have housed Madam Chen here."
Hearing this, Yin pressed her lips together. It was a long time before she uttered a faint "Oh~"
The corners of her mouth curved into an involuntary smile.
Yin followed Chen Huaixiao through the passages and two passcode locks until they finally entered the interior of the vault. Indeed, there were some impressive things inside that you wouldn't see every day.
There were antiques and collectibles he had won at various auctions, bars of shiny gold, and when Yin looked up, she saw three framed calligraphy scrolls mounted on the wall that looked extremely similar to The Goddess of the Luo River.
"These are also Old Man Li's works!" Yin inspected the three paintings in surprise: "You actually have three!"
No wonder he hadn't been excited at all about The Goddess of the Luo River.
"Chen Huaixiao, did you bid for these?"
Chen Huaixiao shook his head: "Old Man Li was an old friend of my grandfather's. I've known him since I was very little. He was the one who taught me to play tennis."
"I see! So Old Man Li was also a tennis enthusiast."
Yin saw that the third, smaller scroll had a painting of an awe-inspiring dragon emerging from the water. Next to it were a few characters—
Thirty years of fame and fortune are but dust and dirt; The eight thousand mile path is clouds and moon.
Huaixiao, do your best on the college entrance exam!
Yin couldn't believe it. Calligraphy treasures from Old Man Li were so rare, yet Chen Huaixiao had even gotten a custom motivational painting for his college exams.
Old Man Li must have liked him so much.
"I've lost."
Yin conceded defeat for once, shrugging her shoulders: "So no matter how hard I try, I still can't compare with you young masters. Some things in life...you're born with them readily available."
Chen Huaixiao glanced at the sullen young auntie: "There's no need for comparisons like this."
"Who's comparing with you?"
"You're my wife. What's mine is yours."
"Really?"
"Mm."
Yin thought for a moment before asking, "Then tell me the password to the basement."
"You first put your Goddess of the Luo River painting in here."
Yin and Chen Huaixiao looked at each other, both revealing an expression that said "You wish."
