Chapter 34: First Meeting with Grandfather Ji
Chapter Thirty-Four: First Meeting with Grandfather Ji
Qing Tian and Song Shishi were settled in this three-story building. Upon entering, there was a space resembling a living room, furnished with rosewood furniture. Upon closer inspection, it truly bore little difference to the furnishings of ancient houses.
Qing Tian thought that the master of the Ji Family Home was truly artistic, especially the ink wash paintings decorating the walls, which were clearly the work of a master.
Qing Tian pulled Song Shishi and pointed to an ink wash painting, saying, “See the signature on it? Ji Xiangyuan. So Ji Xiangyu is Ji Xiangyuan’s grandson.”
Song Shishi had no research or understanding of these paintings and said somewhat confusedly, “What Ji Xiangyuan? Never heard of him!”
Qing Tian looked at the painting and explained, “Ji Xiangyuan, a renowned contemporary master of Chinese painting. His courtesy names were Pu Cun, Pu Ren, also written as Pu Cheng, and Pi Qin. His art name was Bin Hong, and he also used pseudonyms like Yu Xiang, Hong Sou, and A Man in the Yellow Mountains. He is a very important painter in the modern and contemporary Chinese art scene. His painting style and rich, varied brushwork embody a profound national cultural spirit and an aesthetic orientation of inherent natural beauty. For decades, Grandfather Ji’s paintings have received widespread attention from the art community and have gradually released immense energy, influencing the current Chinese art scene.”
Song Shishi looked at Qing Tian with admiration and said, “Sister Qing, how do you know so much?”
Qing Tian’s expression was calm, with not much emotion on her face. She said lightly, “We always talked about him in art appreciation class before. Moreover, this master is now nearly ninety-six years old, yet he is still as strong as a pine tree. Due to Grandfather Ji’s outstanding contributions to art history, he was awarded the honorary title of ‘Outstanding Chinese Artist’ by the state on his 90th birthday.”
As soon as Qing Tian finished speaking, someone clapped their hands behind them. A weathered, steady voice echoed in the building, “Well said, young lady, you are truly knowledgeable!”
Qing Tian recognized the old man at a glance and felt a bit embarrassed, looking at the old grandfather and saying, “Grandfather Ji, hello. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you!”
Ji Xiangyuan walked closer to Qing Tian, his face full of a kindly smile, and said, “I never expected that Ji Mou would be recognized by a young lady. It is truly my honor!”
Qing Tian smiled awkwardly and said, “Grandfather Ji, you are so famous in the Chinese painting world, it’s only natural to be recognized! I only know a little bit!”
Ji Xiangyuan felt a very good impression of Qing Tian upon seeing her. He asked with concern, “Why is a young lady here?”
Song Shishi quickly answered, “Sister Qing and I are here to attend Ji Xiangyu’s birthday party, but it doesn’t seem to have started yet.”
Ji Xiangyuan nodded understandingly, then said to another middle-aged man beside him, “Since they are Xiao Yu’s friends, entertain them well!”
The middle-aged man respectfully said to Ji Xiangyuan, “Yes, Master!”
Qing Tian raised an eyebrow. It seemed the Ji Family Home was quite authoritarian, with terms like Master and Young Master.
Ji Xiangyuan led Qing Tian to continue looking at the paintings on the wall, and the two of them hit it off very well.
Just as they were enthusiastically discussing, Ji Xiangyu walked over. Seeing Qing Tian and his grandfather chatting and laughing, he happily approached.
“Grandfather, what are you doing here?”
Seeing his grandson arrive, Ji Xiangyuan said even more happily, “I am discussing the essence of Chinese painting with your friend, Miss Qing Tian!”
Ji Xiangyu happily leaned closer to Qing Tian and said to her, “You look so beautiful today!”
Qing Tian did not expect Ji Xiangyu to be so direct, which made her blush and unable to speak.
Song Shishi, standing nearby, found it utterly boring. Such artistic matters were truly not her cup of tea!
Grandfather Ji looked at his grandson and this girl named Qing Tian getting along so well, and he saw a hint of something. He then jokingly said, “Qing Tian’s clothes look so familiar, they seem to be designed by Xiao Yu!”
When Grandfather Ji said this, Qing Tian’s face turned even redder, and she felt a bit embarrassed.
Song Shishi seized the opportunity and said, “Grandfather Ji, you don’t know, but my sister likes it very much, right!” She then winked at Qing Tian.
At this moment, Qing Tian wished she could find a hole to hide in.
Grandfather Ji then asked with a matching tone, “Is this true, Xiao Yu?”
Ji Xiangyu saw Qing Tian’s embarrassed look and made an excuse for her, saying, “Yes, Grandfather, but this dress was a gift from me to Qing Tian. Don’t you think it looks good?”
Grandfather Ji laughed so hard he couldn’t close his mouth, saying, “It looks very good, it’s like a fairy descended from heaven…”
Qing Tian was so embarrassed by the banter between these two grandfather and grandson that she didn’t know what to do.
