"Calligraphy, I want to see your calligraphy, which shouldn't be difficult for you, right?" Han Xue quickly regained her confidence.
She decided not to compete with Xu Ran anymore.
In games like Go, the outcome can be clearly expressed. Xu Ran winning meant that Xu Ran's Go skills far surpassed hers.
But it wasn't necessarily the same in other areas.
Unless Xu Ran truly possessed extraordinary talent, she would subjectively criticize him.
That is to say, she was nitpicking.
Han Xue tidied up the table, then eagerly began to grind ink for Xu Ran.
"All right, begin."
Han Xue got ready and took a deep breath.
She no longer dared to underestimate Xu Ran and couldn't afford to talk big.
Xu Ran picked up the brush, and instantly his aura transformed, his strokes flying across the paper. Even without looking at Xu Ran's characters, his graceful, soaring movements and demeanor alone were mesmerizing to countless people.
Even with many prejudices against Xu Ran, Han Xue had to admit his excellence at that moment.
Had there been no obstacles, she had no doubt that she would have fallen deeply in love with Xu Ran.
She was beginning to understand why her sister, such a proud person, could become so anxious over Xu Ran.
Han Xue watched intently until Xu Ran stopped writing.
At that moment, Han Xue felt a faint sense of loss and reluctance. Watching Xu Ran write was a joy. Just observing him seemed to be an aesthetic delight of elegant beauty.
And then there was Xu Ran's calligraphy.
At that moment, Han Xue looked down.
Han Xue was astonished.
How ethereal were these characters, what style was this? Why were they so boldly unrestrained, and the artistic conception shocked her deeply.
"On such a day, the sky clear and the air fresh, the gentle breeze brings comfort. Looking up at the vastness of the universe, bending down to see the abundance of species, one's gaze wanders far and wide, enough to reach the ultimate enjoyment of sight and sound, truly pleasurable.
Human interactions span a lifetime. Some draw from their hearts and understand words within a single room; others trust in what they entrust and wander beyond their physical form. Though interests and habitats vary, and stillness and restlessness are not the same, when one delights in what they find, momentarily content with oneself, they know not that old age is approaching; and when where they go tires them, emotions shift with circumstances, attachment takes hold. What once delighted, in the span of a glance, becomes a relic of the past, yet one cannot help but be moved by it. Furthermore, with life's brevity following change, the end is inevitable! The ancients said, 'Life and death are of supreme importance,' could this not be poignant!"
Han Xue watched in amazement, feeling more shocked the more she looked.
Even someone who knows nothing of calligraphy, at this moment, could likely recognize the exceptional nature of this piece of calligraphy.
Some things reach an artistic level where even the uninitiated can experience spiritual elevation simply by using their eyes to see.
And at this moment, that was exactly how Han Xue felt.
She had never imagined that calligraphy could be so spectacular, that it could reach such a realm.
And Xu Ran's graceful posture, his serene mindset, that majestic presence melding seamlessly with his calligraphy, left Han Xue unable to find a single fault.
Han Xue had wanted to find faults where there were none.
But now.
How could Han Xue have the nerve to call such a timeless work trash? Wouldn't that mean she was blind? It would be more than an insult to the artwork; it was an insult to her own level of appreciation.
It turns out, there truly are works of art that can unify everyone's aesthetic.
If it were just a piece of calligraphy, there would be a thousand opinions for a thousand people, but when many elements are combined, the mood and the floating style of the calligraphy come together to create something so enchanting that one only wishes to be intoxicated by it.
"What do you think? Are you satisfied?"
Seeing Han Xue's expression, Xu Ran knew he had achieved his goal. Regardless of the era, those works could stand the test of time.
"What style of calligraphy is this? I've never seen such a script before," Han Xue said, biting her lip. At this moment, she did not know what she was feeling. Gazing upon Xu Ran's handsome face, she found herself unable to utter another harsh word.
Too excellent, so excellent it made one lose all confidence.
Her own delicate and beautiful handwriting seemed so inferior compared to this heavenly script. Just on the level of execution alone, they were not even on the same plane.
"Running script."
"Oh," replied Han Xue, her expression complex. She felt utterly deflated now.
Xu Ran's calligraphy was so strong that she could find no fault to be dissatisfied with.
Even if she wanted to challenge it, she would have to find some flaw. But...
Moreover, the literary quality of Xu Ran's calligraphy was breathtakingly beautiful. She knew she certainly couldn't produce anything like it.
"Poetry."
"I want you to compose a poem."
Xu Ran's performance had already won over her approval, even if Xu Ran might perform poorly next, she would definitely not ridicule him again. How could she mock such a talented person? That would be mocking herself, wouldn't it? She had thought she was not too bad, at least a well-bred young lady. But compared with Xu Ran, she felt as if she knew nothing.
To tell the truth, she was a bit confused.
Was she really that outstanding?
Were all the people fawning over her creating an illusion?
Han Xue now just wanted to see to what extent Xu Ran was defying the heavens. Whether he truly excelled in every aspect to the pinnacle.
"The east wind unfurled a thousand trees' worth of flowers. Stars shed like rain in the stronger gusts. The scented carriage and jeweled steeds filled the streets. Resounding flute melodies, the rotating light of the jade pot, a night where fish and dragons danced. Moths to the snowy willows, fine threads of gold. Laughter filled with hidden fragrance went by. I searched for him ceaselessly amongst the crowd. But turning my head at sudden, he was there, where the lamplight grew sparse."
This poem by Xin Qiji is a masterpiece with high popularity in later times. The poem uses a contrasting technique; the first part vividly describes the dazzling festival of Lantern Festival, while the second part focuses on the poet's search for a noble lady amidst a crowd of fine ladies, a stunning concept with delicate language and infinite subtlety and depth.
Han Xue hadn't expected Xu Ran to recite poetry offhand, which left her stunned. Could there really be someone so eloquent at the drop of a hat?
As Xu Ran finished reciting slowly, Han Xue savoured the poem, and for a moment, she was enchanted.
I searched for him ceaselessly amongst the crowd, but turning my head at sudden, he was there, where the lamplight grew sparse.
Could it be that Xu Ran wrote this for her, as a way to express his love? But clearly, he had so many women around him. From her sister's account, she knew Xu Ran was not just a playboy but... outrageous. He seemed to collect beautiful women as if driven by a desire to collect. This was also a point that greatly irritated her.
However, when she understood the poem, her heart became a mess. It became so muddled that she even thought of surrendering against all reason.
If anyone else, even an ugly misfit without any talent for cultivation, had used this poem to express their love for her, she would have agreed without any hesitation.
Gradually, she no longer understood her own heart. What was it that she truly wanted?
She finally understood why her sister was so in love with Xu Ran. Xu Ran had a kind of magic; even if you did not plan to be with him, by the time you began to understand him, you had already lost.