Chapter 630 - 630: You Forced Me to Show Off

"What do you think you're doing?"

Seeing the crowd surge out of the study like a pack of hungry wolves and surround him, Zhao Yuan subconsciously crossed his arms over his chest.

"So you're Old Lin's grandson-in-law?" one of them asked with a frown, sizing Zhao Yuan up. It was Yan Heyun, a calligrapher of some renown in Rongcheng City.

"Er..." Zhao Yuan hadn't expected to be hit with such a question right off the bat.

Although the Lin Family knew about his relationship with Lin Xue, it was still a bit nerve-wracking to admit it aloud in front of his future mother-in-law.

Fortunately, Lin Liangzhe stepped forward to save him. "That's right, this is my grandson-in-law, Zhao Yuan. What do you think? Quite the talent, isn't he? Miles better than any of you old fossils' children and grandchildren!"

Elder Lin, in his excitement, had just insulted everyone in the room. Luckily for him, nobody was paying attention to that right now, or his old friends would have ripped him to shreds.

Yan Heyun's brow furrowed in suspicion. "Old Lin, is he really your grandson-in-law? Impossible. He's far too young."

Zhao Yuan had no reaction to this, but at Yan Heyun's words, Xue Wanyun's expression instantly darkened.

If Yan Heyun hadn't been so old and of a senior generation, she would have let him have it.

'What do you mean, "too young"? Do you think my daughter should be dating some guy in his thirties or forties? For someone your age, you sure don't know how to talk!'

Yan Heyun realized his blunder and quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just think he's too young to be the one who could write such a masterpiece of calligraphy."

Lin Liangzhe was not pleased. "Old Yan, what are you trying to say? Are you calling me a liar? Let me tell you, Zhao Yuan wrote that piece right in front of me. I saw the whole thing from start to finish."

Yan Heyun said, "Old Lin, don't get worked up. I'm not doubting you, and I'm not doubting your grandson-in-law. It's just that this whole thing is unbelievable. Calligraphy requires not only talent but also long years of practice. That masterpiece is something even us old-timers can't produce. A kid barely in his twenties can write something like that? I simply find it hard to believe."

At first glance, his words seemed meant to placate Lin Liangzhe, but upon closer inspection, it was clear he was still doubting Zhao Yuan.

"Then what will it take to make you believe?" Lin Liangzhe snapped. The doubt aimed at Zhao Yuan angered him more than if it had been aimed at himself. If Yan Heyun wasn't a friend of many years, he would have already cursed him out and kicked him out.

Yan Heyun said, "Have him write another piece in front of us. As long as he can demonstrate the same level of skill, we'll naturally believe you."

At these words, Lin Liangzhe's other old friends grew excited, all chiming in at once.

"Yes, have him write another piece in front of us!"

"As the saying goes, seeing is believing."

"That's right! If he can produce a work of the same quality in front of us, we'll stop doubting. What's more, we'll even apologize to him!"

"Fine!"

Before Zhao Yuan could even speak, Lin Liangzhe let out a furious roar, accepting the challenge on his behalf.

"Zhao Yuan, go ahead and write a few more pieces. Let these old-timers see for themselves. Show them that geniuses truly exist in this world. And that a genius is far beyond the likes of them mere mortals!"

Zhao Yuan was struck speechless for a moment, then chuckled. He hadn't expected Lin Liangzhe to be so fiery at his age.

"Since Grandpa Lin has spoken, how can I refuse? When should I write?" Zhao Yuan said. He decided that this time, he wouldn't just write well—he would write something absolutely astonishing. He would leave Yan Heyun and the others utterly shocked and win back plenty of face for Lin Liangzhe.

"Write now! Come on, to the study." Lin Liangzhe was an impatient man; he grabbed Zhao Yuan and started pulling him toward the study.

Lin Xue tried to follow, but Xue Wanyun held her back. "What are you getting mixed up in? Come and help me in the kitchen."

"I want to watch," Lin Xue said.

Xue Wanyun replied, "There are so many people, you won't be able to see anything even if you go in. Besides, you've seen Zhao Yuan's calligraphy before. What is there to worry about?"

Lin Xue thought about it and realized that made sense.

Whether it was the four words 'Vigorous in Old Age' he wrote before, or the *Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection* he wrote today, his calligraphy was stunningly brilliant! There was indeed nothing to worry about.

Still, she wanted to go. "I'm not worried about Zhao Yuan's ability. I just want to go watch him show off."

"You..." Xue Wanyun shot her a look, then turned, went back to the kitchen to turn off the stove, and came back over. "Let's go. We'll go watch Xiaozhao show off together."

Lin Xue was speechless.

By the time the mother and daughter entered the study, the desk was already surrounded so tightly you couldn't get a drop of water through.

Zhao Yuan stood before the desk. He didn't rush to pick up the brush, but instead took out his phone and started looking up information online.

Someone standing behind him peeked over his shoulder and saw he was looking up information about calligraphy. The person couldn't help but feel astonished and muttered, "What's he doing? Cramming at the last minute? But... what good will that do?"

Everyone was shaking their heads, unable to understand what Zhao Yuan was doing.

Even Lin Liangzhe was completely baffled.

No one knew that Zhao Yuan was searching for representative works from various styles of calligraphy.

'You wanted me to demonstrate my calligraphy? No problem. I won't just demonstrate it; I'll put on a real show. Running Script, Cursive Script, Large and Small Seal Script, Clerical Script, Standard Script—I'll give you a taste of them all!'

'Let me show you what you call truly spectacular!'

'I'm going to make every single one of your jaws drop!'

Zhao Yuan took quite a bit of time searching for famous works for each script style and master. Finally, a few impatient people couldn't wait any longer and started to hurry him.

"Hey kid, are you going to write or not?"

"Can't you do it?"

"We asked you to write, so what are you doing fiddling with your phone?"

Hearing this, Lin Liangzhe's face darkened. He huffed, "What's the rush? Don't you have to get in the right mood before writing? My grandson-in-law just happens to like getting in the mood by looking at calligraphy models online. Is there a problem with that?"

Just then, Zhao Yuan finished his research. He put down his phone, turned around with a smile, and said, "I'm ready now."

Yan Heyun nodded slightly. He had yet to see Zhao Yuan's writing, but his composure was already quite impressive for a young man.

Zhao Yuan turned back and activated the Thought Borrowing Technique.

Wu Peng's calligraphy skills were instantly his to command.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Yuan lifted the brush, ready to start showing off... no, that's not right. He was ready to start writing!