Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

"This...is this really written by him?"

Lou Xiao'e's voice was filled with shock and disbelief.

She was influenced by her family from a young age and has an extremely high appreciation for calligraphy. Her calligraphy is beyond the reach of ordinary enthusiasts!

Without profound skills and a unique temperament, one could never write with such spirit!

But how do we find out who He Yuanchao is?

He was just an ordinary worker in this steel rolling mill.

He probably only went to elementary school, maybe junior high at most, but even so, how could he possibly have this level of calligraphy skills?

It's important to understand that in this era, those who have the time and energy to practice calligraphy are definitely not ordinary people.

Could it be that Dad made up this excuse on purpose?

Knowing that you are interested in calligraphy, do you want to use it to attract yourself?

Lou Xiao'e was somewhat suspicious.

"Absolutely true! I saw him write it with my own eyes!"

Lou Zhenhua said decisively, "Secretary Zhang and the others were all present! Xiao'e, your handwriting reflects your character! How can someone who can write such beautiful handwriting doubt his character, his vision, and his perseverance?"

Moreover, he was orphaned and came from a working-class background with no historical baggage; his background was as clean as a blank sheet of paper!

This is the most precious talisman!

Lou Zhenhua's eyes gleamed with shrewdness:

"He is currently a level 5 fitter. With his ability and this attitude, it's a sure thing that he will be promoted to level 8 in the future, or even become a technical expert or leader in the factory!"

Xiao'e, think about it. If you follow him, your status will be that of a model worker's wife!

Who can still bring up your background?

This is a hundred times safer and more reliable than marrying Xu Damao, that good-for-nothing projectionist!

Lou Xiao'e's heart pounded as her father spoke.

Before the euphoria of escaping Xu Damao had subsided, the "prospect" her father had described instantly seized her like a huge, alluring mystery.

A young worker who can write such amazing calligraphy?

A 23-year-old level 5 fitter?

The background is as clean as a blank sheet of paper?

This sounds like a complete fantasy!

"But...Dad,"

Lou Xiao'e's rationality quickly calmed her down, but her doubts deepened. "You've only just met him, and you're judging him based on his handwriting alone... Is he someone you can entrust your life to? That's too much..."

She wanted to say "hasty," but seeing her father's excited expression, she swallowed the word back.

"Don't be hasty!"

Lou Zhenhua waved his hand confidently, "When have I ever misjudged people? Out of thousands of people in the factory, only a handful of young people can meet my standards!"

This He Yuanchao is definitely a hidden dragon!

He was in my office just now, neither servile nor arrogant, speaking with composure, completely unlike the awkwardness and rudeness of an ordinary worker!

That composure and poise can't be faked!

He paused, looked at his daughter's still suspicious gaze, and smiled mysteriously:

"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, Dad didn't mention anything about you to him!"

He doesn't even know whose father I am!

Wouldn't that be better? You can set aside my identity, set aside all external factors, and observe and understand him for yourself!

Let's see if Dad's judgment is accurate!

"Go and observe for yourself?"

Lou Xiao'e's heart skipped a beat.

"right!"

Lou Zhenhua nodded, his eyes shining with encouragement.

"He updates the information on the factory bulletin board in the afternoon. You can pretend to be a passing employee, or... well, you can sneak a peek."

Look at how he works, look at his attitude towards people, see if he's as consistent as his handwriting suggests!

Lou Xiao'e fell silent, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt.

The person my father described was too perfect, too unreal.

How could a lowly worker possess such amazing handwriting?

How could he possibly possess the composed and dignified demeanor that his father described? Could it be that his father was eager to get rid of Xu Damao as an option and was deliberately embellishing his image?

"snort,"

She couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Didn't you say Xu Damao was tall, handsome, and had a sweet tongue and knew how to get things done?"

His tone carried a hint of grievance and resentment.

"How can you compare that!"

Lou Zhenhua blushed, then said seriously,

"Xu Damao is all show and no substance!"

I know his background; his mother used to work as a maid in our family. How could I not know?

Slick and opportunistic, yet shallow-minded! This He Yuanchao is truly a man of inner talent!

That aura, just by standing there, he's miles ahead of Xu Damao!

"You'll see for yourself when you go take a look! Dad promises!"

Lou Zhenhua's tone was one of unwavering certainty, even bordering on urgency:

"Xiao'e, this is a rare opportunity! There are bound to be many people eyeing a young woman like her!"

We have to catch him! Dad's doing this for your own good! Go and take a look secretly, just to... just to satisfy your curiosity, okay?

If you really don't like it, Dad won't force you! We'll think of another way!

Her father's almost pleading tone softened Lou Xiao'e's heart and made her waver.

The joy of getting rid of Xu Damao was still lingering in her heart.

The image of the mysterious and outstanding young worker described by my father was like a pebble thrown into a lake, stirring up ripples.

Go and take a look... it doesn't seem like a bad idea?

Let's just consider this... a way to see if Father has misjudged us again?

"……All right."

Lou Xiao'e finally relented, her voice barely audible, though her cheeks were slightly flushed. "I...I'll go take a look."

She stood up and walked quickly towards the door as if trying to escape. "Dad, I'm leaving now."

"Okay, go ahead, go ahead, make the most of it, don't miss out on a good man like him, Xiao'e!"

"Okay, Dad! Don't worry about it anymore!!"

……

Watching his daughter leave with a hint of panic and curiosity, Lou Zhenhua finally breathed a long sigh of relief, sat back down in his chair wearily, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and worry.

Time is running out for him; it won't be long before he's stripped of his position at the factory.

All he can do now is pave the way for his daughter as much as possible.

At least it will give her a place to stay in the future, so she won't end up like me.

This risky move was his only option!

I can only hope that He Yuanchao can truly become Xiao'e and the Lou family's only hope in this storm, just as he predicted.

……

The afternoon sun, with its lazy warmth, shone on the brand-new bulletin board next to the main road of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

The old content has been removed and replaced with large propaganda slogans and several important factory notices that He Yuanchao has just written and posted.

"Grasp revolution, boost production!"

The six large characters in the "Slender Gold" style still occupy the most eye-catching position.

Shining brightly in the sunlight, they resemble six unsheathed swords, exuding an aura of inviolable power.

The workday bell had long since rung, but the bulletin board was busier than ever before.

The huge crowd formed several layers, almost blocking half of the road.

The workers, forgetting about going home, craned their necks, marveling at the powerful strokes of the calligraphy.

"My God! This...this really was written by He Yuanchao? Isn't he a fitter?"

"A level-five fitter! Now we have to add a calligrapher to that list! Wow, impressive!"

"Who says we workers are uneducated? Look! This handwriting is even better than what's printed in the newspaper!"

"You've got the skills to support Korea! You've been keeping a low profile! How come I never knew you were capable before?"

An experienced worker from the same workshop patted He Yuanchao on the shoulder, his tone full of amazement and pride.

"Yeah, Yuanchao, you're amazing! Can you teach us?"

Several young apprentices crowded around He Yuanchao, their faces filled with admiration.

"You're a hidden talent! Yuan Chao, your calligraphy, back in the day, would have been at the level of a top scholar!"

"What 'top scholar'? These days they're called 'cultural pacesetters'! Comrade Yuanchao, you've brought honor to our working class!"

Praises flooded around He Yuanchao like a tidal wave.

He stood in the center of the crowd, a gentle and humble smile on his face.

He was still holding a kraft paper package that the factory had given him as a reward; inside was a set of calligraphy brushes, ink sticks, and a small stone inkstone of quite good quality.

In an era of scarcity, this was a luxury item that only cultured people could afford, and it was extremely valuable.

"Thank you for your kind words, fellow workers and colleagues."

He Yuanchao's voice was clear and resonant, carrying a convincing calmness.

"I was just practicing randomly when I was a kid. My family was poor, and I didn't have any other entertainment."

If I can't sleep at night, I'll just scribble on old newspapers and calligraphy practice books that I've picked up. After a while, I just get used to it.

Practice makes perfect, just like practicing skills in the factory.

He once again downplayed his achievements, attributing them to "hard work" and "practice makes perfect".

Qin Huairu also squeezed to the outer edge of the crowd, standing on tiptoe, her gaze complex as she watched He Yuanchao being fawned over like a star.

Looking at the valuable set of writing brushes and ink in his hand, and then at the calm and composed smile on his face.

An indescribable bitterness and intense regret instantly entwined her heart like a poisonous vine, suffocating her.

That set of writing materials... that unanimous praise...

That tall and confident figure... all of this should have belonged to Qin Huairu!

If only... if only she had married He Yuanchao instead of that short-lived Jia Dongxu...

She is now the wife of a respected technical expert and a member of the family of a cultured person!

How could things have turned out like this, with the stigma of being a "slut" and losing sleep every night worrying about her son's meager medical bills?

She also had to endure the insults from her wicked mother-in-law and the resentful gaze of her paralyzed husband.

The immense psychological shock turned Qin Huairu's face deathly pale, and her nails dug deeply into her palms.

Her gaze as she looked at He Yuanchao was filled with complex and indescribable emotions—

There was regret, jealousy, longing, and even a hint of resentment:

He Yuanchao, you're clearly so capable, so why... why didn't you come to my house to propose marriage back then?!

He Yuanchao felt Qin Huairu's piercing gaze, but he only glanced at it out of the corner of his eye and then ignored it.

He knew all too well the complexities in this woman's mind.

He politely greeted the enthusiastic workers around him, but his gaze was fixed on the factory gate—it was time for him to leave.

"Everyone, it's getting late, you should all go home soon."

I need to go to the supply and marketing cooperative on Qianmen Street to buy some paper, otherwise I'll have pens and ink but nowhere to write.

He Yuanchao waved the package in his hand, smiled and said goodbye, pushed through the crowd and walked towards the brand-new Forever 28-inch motorcycle parked by the wall.

His actions once again drew envious comments.

"Look at how they fought in the Korean War! What awareness! They just received an award and they're already thinking about buying paper to practice calligraphy!"

"Tsk tsk, that set of writing brushes and ink looks so precious! Even the supply and marketing cooperative might not sell them!"

"Comparison is the thief of joy! We're thinking about going home and having some porridge after get off work, while others are thinking about practicing calligraphy..."

Amidst the murmurs, He Yuanchao mounted his bicycle, pushed off with his long legs, and the gleaming bicycle nimbly rode out of the steel mill gate, merging into the flow of people and vehicles heading home from get off work.

Sunlight shone on his upright back and onto the parchment package containing pens and ink in his hand, reflecting a unique and symbolic quality of "culture."

The light.

Instead of going straight back to the courtyard house, he turned his bike around and rode towards Qianmen Street.

Buying paper to practice calligraphy was one thing, but more importantly, an idea began to sprout in his mind:

With this masterful skill in the Slender Gold style of calligraphy, perhaps... I could try my luck in Liulichang?

Write some timely slogans or couplets, or even imitate the handwriting of "ancient people"? These days, cultural products are scarce, and although there are few people who appreciate them, they are not necessarily nonexistent.

Even if you can't sell it for a high price, it's still good to exchange it for some useful tickets or rare items.

While the system-based fishing is amazing, you still have to manage your daily consumables and visible resources yourself.

The wheels rolled and rolled over the potholes in the road.

He Yuanchao didn't notice that a man dressed in a light blue "blouse" was standing dozens of meters behind him.

A slender figure in a dress was pushing a slightly worn women's bicycle, following somewhat clumsily from a distance.

It was Lou Xiao'e.

She followed her father's advice and quietly followed He Yuanchao after he left the bulletin board.

The scene in front of the bulletin board had a significant impact on her.

She witnessed firsthand how breathtaking those six large, elegant characters in the slender gold script looked under the sunlight.

I also saw the workers' heartfelt amazement and He Yuanchao's calm and composed demeanor.

"Practicing blindly? Practice makes perfect?"

Lou Xiao'e recalled He Yuanchao's simple and unadorned explanation, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly.

This explanation seems reasonable, and it might fool those uninformed workers, but to her, who grew up surrounded by the fragrance of ink, it's simply a fantasy!

The Slender Gold style of calligraphy was created by Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, and is praised for its "natural and elegant beauty, and refined and graceful charm."

The requirements for brushstrokes, wrist strength, and artistic style are extremely demanding!

Without the guidance of a renowned teacher, without a vast collection of authentic works to copy, and without unimaginable comprehension, relying solely on "blind practice" and "practice makes perfect,"

It's simply impossible to reach that level of power that penetrates the paper and whose spirit arises spontaneously!

"It's an act! It's definitely an act!"

Lou Xiao'e snorted inwardly, becoming even more determined to expose the true face of this "hypocrite".

Father must have been intimidated by the other person's words and sweet talk!

How could a lowly worker possibly possess that kind of cultural depth ingrained in his bones?

Who knows what he's like in private!

She followed cautiously, watching He Yuanchao ride his brand-new Forever 28 bicycle, which stood out prominently in the crowd.

The kraft paper wrapping on the handlebars contained the calligraphy and ink that Lou Zhenhua had awarded him.

Thinking about how highly her father regarded this person, even to the point of breaking off the engagement with Xu Damao, Lou Xiao'e felt inexplicably irritable and resentful.

~~~~~~~~

It's not easy for female authors to write, sob sob ┭┮﹏┭┮

I'm looking for some free gifts and bookshelves for my new book.

Thank you everyone.