Chapter 105: What Are You So Proud Of?
Xu Youyou didn’t know the exact value of Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy, but she figured it was probably worth at least as much as the Zeng Gong family letter she had.
“Stop joking. A piece this valuable—if I accidentally damage it, I wouldn’t even know where to cry,” Xu Youyou said helplessly.
Lu Jingyao couldn’t help but laugh. “Isn’t the purpose of calligraphy to be studied and passed down? If it helps you, that alone proves its worth.”
Xu Youyou was indeed tempted, but she forced herself not to look at the piece again. “No way. I can’t accept such a precious gift for nothing. If I want to practice, my Zeng Gong letter is enough. You should put this treasure away.”
Lu Jingyao didn’t move. Instead, he insisted, “If you’re going to study, shouldn’t you use the best materials? Besides, this isn’t for nothing—you saved my life. A single calligraphy piece is nothing in comparison.”
Xu Youyou felt a pang of guilt. The Zhao Yi Star was still sitting in her safe; she definitely couldn’t accept another priceless gift.
“I’ve already been thanked once for that. There’s no reason to be thanked again.” Her tone was firm as she refused.
Lu Jingyao realized he had underestimated her. Although she loved money, she took only what she believed she had earned. She wasn’t greedy, and this made it difficult to give her such an extravagant gift.
Just as Xu Youyou thought the matter was settled, Lu Jingyao suddenly said, “Then consider it a loan—just for you to admire for a while.”
Changing the gift to a loan instantly made Xu Youyou waver. She couldn’t find a good reason to refuse. Staring at the nearly perfect calligraphy piece, she cursed herself for being weak.
Seeing her hesitation, Lu Jingyao smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, “Three years. How about that?”
Xu Youyou immediately thought that three years was basically the same as giving it to her. She shook her head. “That’s too long. One month is enough!”
She worried that the longer she had it, the harder it would be to return. After all, who could resist something worth billions?
Lu Jingyao chuckled. “A month is too short for proper study. At least three years.”
Xu Youyou was nearly in tears. This was the first time she realized just how generous Lu Jingyao was—he really dared to loan out something worth billions.
“Three months! That’s it! I won’t take it for longer. If you refuse, then I won’t borrow it at all!” She made a small concession but remained firm.
Seeing her resolve, Lu Jingyao didn’t push further.
Now that the matter was settled, Xu Youyou could finally focus on appreciating the calligraphy.
[Congratulations, Host. You have completed the hidden treasure task and received the reward: Beginner Calligraphy and Painting Appraisal Skill.]
Xu Youyou’s eyes lit up at the system reward. She had only learned basic calligraphy from her teacher before, yet even that had helped her understand a lot from this piece. Now, with an actual appraisal skill in her arsenal, she became even more engrossed in studying the calligraphy.
Feeling inspired, she calmed her mind, picked up a brush, and wrote Luoshen Fu on a fresh sheet of paper.
It was still nowhere near one percent of Zhao Mengfu’s skill, but it was noticeably better than her previous work.
Lu Jingyao praised her. “This was definitely the right decision. Your calligraphy has already improved.”
Who doesn’t love compliments? Xu Youyou couldn’t help but smile.
Lu Jingyao seized the opportunity. “Can I keep this piece?”
Xu Youyou looked at her own calligraphy, then at Zhao Mengfu’s masterpiece beside it. Although she had improved, the contrast was still painfully obvious. She blushed.
“Forget it. My writing isn’t good enough to give away…” she refused.
Lu Jingyao sighed. “You know, my apartment in this complex is completely empty—no decorations, no artwork. And I don’t really have friends who would gift me calligraphy or paintings…”
Xu Youyou couldn’t stand him acting pitiful, so she sighed and relented. “Fine, I’ll give you the best piece I write.”
Lu Jingyao’s eyes lit up. “I’m sure all of your work is great.”
Time passed quickly. By the time Song Zhibai returned, Lu Jingyao realized it was already lunchtime.
Xu Youyou had asked her housekeeper to prepare some handmade pastries as a gift for their visit, and Lu Jingyao wasn’t one to be impolite—his assistant had already sent over a well-prepared present.
The trip to Song Zhibai’s home took only seven minutes. When they arrived, Song’s mother was still busy in the kitchen. Hearing the commotion, she poked her head out and said, “One last dish, then we’ll eat.”
Even in that brief glance, Song’s mother noticed Lu Jingyao and showed a flicker of doubt, then turned to her son with a concerned look.
Song Zhibai raised his voice slightly. “This is Mr. Lu, a friend that Miss Xu recently met.”
Xu Youyou felt that introduction sounded a little strange.
But Lu Jingyao immediately, and rather proudly, added, “Not just a friend—Miss Xu is my life-saving benefactor and an important business partner.”
Xu Youyou found it even stranger. What exactly was he so proud of? Getting fished out of a trash bin?
Song’s mother looked even more worried. Relationships develop through little interactions like these. Just from Lu Jingyao’s words, she could tell that there was a deep history between him and Xu Youyou.
Song Zhibai obviously realized this too, but he refused to back down. Raising his voice slightly, he said, “Miss Xu has saved plenty of people—even Mr. Xie owes her his life.”
In other words, Lu Jingyao’s so-called special connection wasn’t all that unique.
The tension between the two men was palpable, though neither would openly admit they were competing.
Unfortunately, their silent battle affected the innocent bystanders.
The two Ye sisters, sitting on the sofa, shrank back in fear. The younger one’s lips trembled as if she was about to cry.
Xu Youyou quickly comforted them. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. The two uncles are just talking, not arguing.”
The younger Ye sister shook her head. “When Mom was still alive, whenever Dad raised his voice, Mom would get beaten…”
Xu Youyou’s heart ached. She immediately hugged the little girl and shot a disapproving look at both men. They exchanged a glance and, as if by unspoken agreement, instantly stopped their verbal sparring.
Song Zhibai grabbed a handful of snacks from the coffee table and handed them to the two girls.
Their eyes lit up, and they happily accepted.
“Thank you, big brother,” they said sweetly.
Lu Jingyao watched them clutch their treats like treasures and casually remarked, “Why are they so thin? Do they just eat snacks instead of proper meals? Song, this is on you—you need to set rules when raising kids. Spoiling them too much isn’t good.”
Mr. Lu. say less…😅