A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

Not long after, the food was delivered.

The table was piled high with food.

A plate of glossy, reddish-brown shredded pork with sweet bean sauce.

A plate of deep-fried meatballs with a fragrant aroma.

There was also a serving of crystal-clear wasabi rolls.

Add a plate of perfectly cooked braised sea cucumber with scallions.

The two moved to the restaurant and began to eat.

Su Fan picked up a piece of shredded pork with sweet bean sauce, rolled it up with bean curd skin, took a bite, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Uncle Lin, I must say, this food is truly authentic. I've been in Beijing for so long, and this is the first time I've ever had such genuine Beijing cuisine."

"It's delicious, so eat more. I'll take you to the restaurant another day."

"That's great! Just based on this skill, I've made the right choice moving to this alley."

Just then, as if remembering something, Grandpa Lin asked, "Oh right, I forgot to ask you, how did you move here?"

"That's my house, it's perfectly reasonable for me to move in," Su Fan replied matter-of-factly.

Grandpa Lin glanced at him sideways: "You're talking more and more out of line. That house isn't something you can just buy with money."

Su Fan put a meatball in his mouth and mumbled, "It was a gift from my fans."

"You're talking nonsense! What kind of fan would be so brainless as to give you that whole yard?"

"Look at you, how old are you? Why are you getting so worked up over a meal?"

"You little brat, you never tell the truth. Fine, if you don't want to talk, I'm too lazy to ask."

"Uncle Lin, this house matter is a long story."

"How long? Longer than your eunuch joke?"

"You're wrong about me. That joke, though short, has depth."

"Something profound?" Old Man Lin scoffed. "I think you're just here to amuse old men."

"Isn't it good to make you happy? Think about it, my new neighbor had the pleasure of playing chess with you all morning on his first day here, and also enjoyed a delicious meal of authentic Beijing cuisine from you. Anyone would reciprocate such kindness and try their best to make you happy, wouldn't they?"

"Are you a monkey? Give you a pole and you'll climb it."

"To climb up, you need a pole. If you don't hand me this pole, I won't have anywhere to climb."

……

The two ate and chatted.

After dinner, Grandpa Lin brewed a pot of tea, and the two moved to the study.

As soon as Su Fan entered, he was drawn to the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall.

He put his hands behind his back and looked at the paintings one by one.

"Uncle Lin, your study is truly a hidden gem."

Su Fan pointed to a piece of running script calligraphy on the wall and said, "Take this piece for example. The brushstrokes are like dragons and snakes, with a continuous flow of energy. The beginning strokes are concealed, and the ending strokes are revealed. The pauses and breaks between lifting and pressing are distinct. Without decades of accumulation, one cannot write with such composure."

Grandpa Lin's eyes lit up, and he pointed to a painting next to him, saying, "Then take a look at this painting."

"The rocks in the foreground of this painting are rendered with axe-cut strokes, which are vigorous and crisp, while the distant mountains are shaded with light ink. The interplay of near and far, solid and illusory, creates the artistic conception. The blank spaces are well-placed; without a single stroke, the entire paper is filled with mist and clouds."

Listening from the side, Old Man Lin's surprise gradually deepened: "I didn't expect you to know this, buddy?"

"I thought, 'It's always good to have more skills,' and I was thinking, what if I meet an old man in the alley someday? I could use this to get to know him better?"

"Get lost!" Old Lin laughed and cursed, but as he laughed, he suddenly became interested, stood up and said, "Come, let me show you a treasure."

As he spoke, he walked to the bookshelf, rummaged through the drawers and cabinets, and carefully took out a scroll.

The scroll was wrapped tightly in layers of soft cloth.

Su Fan joked, "Uncle Lin, what kind of martial arts manual are you hiding? It's wrapped up so tightly."

Grandpa Lin rolled his eyes at him: "I only showed you this because you know a little about calligraphy. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't even have a chance to see it."

"Then I've really come to the right place."

Grandpa Lin gently unrolled the scroll on the desk.

Su Fan leaned closer, his gaze falling on the calligraphy. He first examined it carefully from beginning to end, then looked down at the signature.

When he saw the name on the signature, his breath hitched slightly.

"This is... Mi Fu's calligraphy?"

"How was it?" Grandpa Lin asked with a smug look on his face.

Su Fan did not answer immediately, but instead bent down again and began to examine it carefully, inch by inch.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "Mi Fu's calligraphy is known as 'brush calligraphy,' which emphasizes the swiftness of the brushstrokes, with sharp edges in all directions, like a whirlwind of ships and horses, both calm and exhilarating. Look at these characters; the brushstrokes are slanted, yet they achieve stability amidst danger. Within each character, the center of gravity is off-center but not tilted. This is precisely Mi Nangong's signature skill."

"Then tell me, from what period of his life was this calligraphy piece created?"

"I think this calligraphy should be the work of Mi Fu in his middle and later years."

"Oh? How do you know?" Old Master Lin also became interested.

Su Fan said, "Mi Fu studied calligraphy in his early years, copying the works of various masters. He was known as a collector of ancient characters. At that time, his calligraphy still showed some deliberate imitation. However, in his middle and later years, he developed his own style. Only then did his brushstrokes achieve such a free and unrestrained charm. Look at these flying white strokes, with their alternating dryness and wetness, completely natural. This is clearly the realm that can only be reached when the person and his calligraphy have both matured and reached a state of perfection."

As Grandpa Lin listened, his eyes widened, and finally, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Good heavens, you really know your stuff!"

"Didn't I tell you before? It's always good to have more skills. What if I run into an old man in the alley someday..."

Grandpa Lin immediately interrupted, "Alright, alright, shut up. You've been repeating this line eight hundred times today."

After admiring this painting, Grandpa Lin got excited, turned around, and plunged into the bookcase. After rummaging through it, he brought out another scroll.

"Take a look at this one too."

Su Fan unfolded it and his eyes lit up again.

This time, it is a piece of regular script with a powerful and vigorous style.

Su Fan stared intently for a moment, then slowly commented, "This is Yan style calligraphy. Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy emphasizes the character 'sinew' the most. The horizontal strokes are thin but not weak, and the vertical strokes are thick but not bulky. The turns are rounded and heavy, as if all the power is hidden in this square structure."

"It is said that one's character is reflected in one's handwriting, and that is absolutely true. This calligraphy does not rely on technique, but on its spirit, which is what gives it its dignified and majestic appearance," said Grandpa Lin.

Su Fan continued, "Yan Zhenqing was loyal, righteous, and resolute throughout his life. His calligraphy reflects his character. This piece of calligraphy has a broad and magnificent structure. Every stroke exudes a dignified and upright spirit. This kind of thing cannot be faked. To write such calligraphy, the writer must first have a firm and upright heart."

After hearing what he said, Grandpa Lin was completely convinced.

He stared at Su Fan in a daze for a long time before giving him a thumbs up and sincerely praising him: "I'm impressed, this old man is truly impressed. Where did you get all this knowledge from? In calligraphy, ordinary people are already good enough if they can recognize the regular script, cursive script, official script, and seal script. But you're amazing, you can even tell which period and what state of mind someone is in."

"I thought, 'It's always good to have more skills,' and I was thinking, what if I meet an old man in the alley someday? I could use this to get to know him better?"

"Shut up!"