Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1302: Chapter 1298: Director Huang Is Not Polite

Not long after, the entire surface of the brush washer was covered with dripping oil.

Huo Sining extinguished the candle, then picked up the clean water and gauze beside her, gently wiping them until all the remaining oil on the brush washer was thoroughly cleaned.

The thin layer of oil was peeled away, revealing a brush washer as blue and white as jade to everyone present.

Seeing the true appearance of the celadon-glazed brush washer, not only was Su Anning stunned, even Su Zhongqing was left speechless.

Previously, the brush washer didn’t seem particularly beautiful, but now that it’s fully exposed, everyone was mesmerized.

Ru Kiln’s color is as blue as jade, thin like paper, with a glaze like coagulated fat on the body that has no flaws. Plus, the brush washer employs raised carving techniques to illustrate a scene of a child fishing with every detail considered, even capturing the child distractedly trying to catch a butterfly with vivid precision. The exquisite craftsmanship making it seem naturally brilliant, giving a dazzling aesthetic.

Most importantly, on the underside of the brush washer, a piece of cursive script was revealed:

The brush moves from within the painting, like a formation cloud meeting the wind, advancing and retreating.

Signed as “Valley Taoist”.

Seeing the four words “Valley Taoist”, Zhou Shitao’s eyes widened in shock, even Huo Sining was taken aback.

Because she had always intended to gift this brush washer to Su Zhongqing, Huo Sining had never really scrutinized it, only knowing it was Ru Kiln, never expecting such a twist.

The Valley Taoist is none other than the calligraphy saint Huang Tingjian!

“Huo girl, let me have a look!”

In the quiet room where everyone was stunned and fixated on the brush washer, Huang Zhenlong suddenly shouted, eagerly extending his hand to take the brush washer from Huo Sining’s hand.

No sooner said than done, Su Anning’s reaction was quicker than Huang Zhenlong’s.

Huo Sining only saw a blur in front of her, and the brush washer disappeared from her hand. Looking back, it was already in Su Anning’s hand.

The girl eyed Huang Zhenlong warily, as if guarding against a thief, she hid the brush washer in her arms: “Grandpa Huang, this brush washer is Huo Sining’s gift for my grandpa!”

Huang Zhenlong had just asked Huo Sining to give him the brush washer, indeed intending to keep it for himself, but he was a step too late.

Seeing Su Anning’s action, Huang Zhenlong was so angry he almost blew his beard and stared: “Su girl, what are you snatching for? This is porcelain, you kids don’t know how to handle it gently. If you’re not careful and it gets chipped or damaged, the loss will be big! Quickly, let grandpa Huang have a look!”

“No, I won’t!” Su Anning didn’t fall for Huang Zhenlong’s tricks, clearly aware of what kind of person he was, “Grandpa Huang, you’re already so old, how can you compete with a child like me! Moreover, this is a congratulatory gift from Huo Sining for my grandpa. You can stop thinking about moving this brush washer to the Forbidden City!”

Seeing her grandpa’s eyes shining, Su Anning knew that he must really like this brush washer. Hence, for Huang Zhenlong’s childish antics, she wasn’t willing to back down at all, leading to an intense staring match between the old and young, nearly escalating into a fight.

After several seconds of deadlock, Huang Zhenlong knew he couldn’t win against her, turned to glare at Huo Sining with some resentment: “Huo girl, we’ve known each other for so long, you have this marvelous item and only think about old man Su and elder Su, completely forgetting about this old fool!”

As he spoke, Huang Zhenlong actually gazed at Huo Sining with a resentful look, like a wronged little wife.

Huo Sining felt speechless, a bit creeped out.

But it’s understandable for Huang Zhenlong to lose composure; if the brush washer were just a regular Ru Kiln, it would be one thing, but the Valley Taoist seal on the bottom greatly boosts the brush washer’s value.

It’s not just Huang Zhenlong; even Huo Sining felt a twinge of regret, but since she had already given this item away, there was no reason to take it back.

Su Zhongqing felt somewhat embarrassed; he was surprised at first seeing this brush washer, but as a man indifferent to fame and fortune, he indeed desires it but remains rational.

After Su Anning handed the brush washer to him, Su Zhongqing looked at it a few times, then resolutely put the congratulatory gift back into the gift box, closed the lid, and pushed it back to Huo Sining, adamantly refusing: “Huo girl, this item is too precious; I can’t take it!”

Seeing Master Su’s struggling expression, Huo Sining couldn’t help but persuade: “Master Su, it’s customary not to return a congratulatory gift. They say a precious sword is gifted to a hero; this delicate brush washer should shine in your hands instead of gathering dust with us.”

Seeing Su Zhongqing unexpectedly refusing, Huang Zhenlong was immediately delighted: “Elder Su, you said it yourself; if you really don’t want this item, I won’t be polite then!”

Upon hearing Huang Zhenlong’s words, Su Zhongqing instinctively snatched the box back, glaring at Huang Zhenlong angrily: “Shoo, shoo, shoo, doesn’t your museum have enough items? How dare you come to snatch my stuff too!”

Although his words were politely spoken, he still accepted the item; Su Zhongqing, being a master of calligraphy, couldn’t easily part with a brush washer of such provenance.

After reclaiming the brush washer, Su Zhongqing couldn’t bear to let go, leaving the other old men in the room aside, ignoring Huang Zhenlong’s envious and jealous eyes, focusing on admiring the Sky-blue Glazed Brush Washer in his hands.

It was apparent that Master Su was very satisfied with the congratulatory gift from Huo Sining.

Following this incident, Su Anning no longer opposed Huo Sining, looked at her with curiosity and gratitude, with hints of admiration, while prior jealousy and hostility had vanished.

“Director Huang, antiques, such as these, adhere to a principle of fate; forcibly twisted fruits lose their sweetness. A gentleman’s promise is not easily altered, since I’ve said this brush washer is gifted to Master Su as a congratulatory gift, I won’t change my mind.”

It was evident that Su Zhongqing very much cherished the brush washer, so Huo Sining could only apologize to Huang Zhenlong.

Huang Zhenlong naturally understood Huo Sining’s predicament, knowing the matter was settled, he could only sigh in silent regret, unwillingly gazing at the brush washer one last time before turning his head to smile at Huo Sining:

“The brush washer is Su old man’s gain, but since you said so, I must make a reservation with you for the future. I know well that your knack for spotting treasures is top-class, so I won’t be polite. Next time you come across any good items, do inform me first. This old man is not as picky as Master Su or your teacher; I welcome any antiques with historical research value!”

“Uh…”

At this, even Huo Sining was at a loss for words.