Wang Wanrou's calligraphy still possessed a certain skill. Although she appeared somewhat immature among the older new members, her writing carried the distinct influence of Wang Ximo, earning her widespread praise.
"Master Wang's daughter is remarkable! To achieve such calligraphy at this age, her future is limitless!"
"She's almost developed her own style, but to write this well overall is already very good." Someone spoke with more measured sincerity, refraining from excessive flattery.
"Come, come, the ink tokens have arrived. Everyone can begin casting their votes." A staff member approached with dark ink-colored stiff paper, distributing one to each person present.
Holding their ink tokens, everyone began selecting the superior calligrapher.
As Wang Rong's daughter, Wang Wanrou was still so young. When people voted, they considered these objective factors to some extent, so by the end, Wang Wanrou's votes surprisingly surpassed the second-place finisher by three.
Wang Rong, with a beaming smile, walked towards the second-place contestant holding a specially marked ink token. With a magnanimous air, he declared, "Although Wanrou is my daughter, this calligraphy duel judges only the writing, not the person. This vote of mine still goes to you."
The recipient of Wang Rong's vote was deeply moved. Although Wang Rong's vote carried double points, the three-vote difference could not overcome Wang Wanrou's score.
Defeated by a single vote, this battle was destined to make Wang Wanrou famous.
"You are too kind," Wang Wanrou said, pursing her lips and smiling as she moved forward to thank everyone.
Wang Rong was also beaming with pride and proposed, "Since my daughter has won the calligraphy duel, she can directly enter the Calligraphy Association as per tradition."
"Then in the future, I will trouble you more..." Wang Rong's words were cut short by a deep voice.
"I haven't cast my vote yet," Elder Wang stepped forward. "As a past champion, I should also be able to vote, shouldn't I?"
Wang Ximo had not appeared for a long time, and the staff did not recognize him. When distributing the ink tokens earlier, they had only given him a standard one, as per custom.
Most people recognized Wang Ximo. Seeing him emerge at the forefront after waiting for so many years, they were greatly excited.
Wang Ximo, holding his ordinary ink token, cast his vote for the second-place contestant. Although his token was ordinary, Wang Ximo's past championship in the calligraphy duel was an undeniable fact.
Still just one vote shy, the situation had now completely reversed.
Wang Rong's expression soured the moment he saw Wang Ximo emerge from the crowd. Now with Wang Ximo's intervention, Wang Wanrou's championship was lost. If he wanted to get his daughter into the association, he would have to find another way next year.
Damn that old man, always ruining his plans.
Wang Rong glanced at his expression and noticed it seemed unwell.
Perhaps today was the day.
He suddenly broke into a smile, "Master, you've come at the perfect time. I wish to challenge you."
An advanced form of the calligraphy duel was to challenge the president of the Calligraphy Association.
The winner would directly replace the incumbent president.
This rule was initially established to spur everyone to improve their calligraphy, but over time, it had fallen out of common practice.
Such duels often carried personal emotions, making objective evaluation difficult, which usually resulted in the president's victory.
Up to this point, only the youthful and spirited Wang Ximo, with his superior calligraphy, had managed to set aside all interfering factors and successfully win the duel to become the president.
Everyone believed this was impossible. After all, Wang Rong's calligraphy had always been mere form without spirit.
Elder Wang pinched his hand, which trembled slightly today, feeling immense disdain internally. However, according to tradition, a new challenger must be accepted.
This was for the best, as he was already worried about how Huo Rou would inherit his legacy.
Both men picked up their brushes and began writing on paper, their strokes like dragons and snakes. Huo Rou clearly noticed the tremor in Elder Wang's fingers, and her brow furrowed involuntarily.
Watching their writing, everyone else also noticed the unnatural weakness in Elder Wang's hands.
How could his shaky and feeble strokes compare to Wang Rong's steady and powerful ones?
"Isn't Wang Rong Wang Ximo's disciple? How can he take advantage of his master's weakness?"
"You've hit the nail on the head. Others may not know the inside story, but I do."
"There's an inside story?"
"Elder Wang had no children. Wang Rong fawned over him daily and finally won over Elder Wang's wife, which led to Elder Wang accepting him as a disciple."
"But that sounds perfectly fine, doesn't it?" The newcomer didn't understand. Wasn't this a good master-disciple relationship?
The person spoke mysteriously, "Wang Rong didn't diligently study, resorting to crooked paths and developing no personal style. His ideology went astray, and Elder Wang reprimanded him during an association event. Since then, they've had little contact."
The other person was confused, "That's not right. Doesn't he mention his master on many occasions?"
"Elder Wang is too lazy to respond. They haven't had contact for a long time. Otherwise, how would he not know Elder Wang was here today?"
Someone in the crowd revealed the truth. Wang Rong's actions today had finally torn down all pretense, bringing everything out into the open.
Wang Rong no longer cared about these matters. Being publicly reprimanded was one thing, but now his own daughter, Wang Wanrou, was also being denied an opportunity.
He couldn't blame him. Even if everyone knew he was despicable, the association president would eventually be his!
Although everyone respected Wang Ximo, faced with such a significant disparity, they could not cast their votes against their conscience. Wang Rong won the calligraphy duel with an overwhelming advantage.
"Thank you for yielding, Master," he said insincerely, cupping his fists towards Wang Ximo, forcing a sheepish smile.
Wang Ximo disdained wasting more words on him. He had warned him long ago, but Wang Rong not only failed to change but escalated his behavior.
With Wang Rong's talent, if he had been willing to diligently practice, he would have achieved something within three to five years, but he refused to do so.
"Then congratulations to Master Wang Rong for successfully taking over the presidency from his master!" the host announced awkwardly.
Wang Rong smiled at Wang Wanrou. As long as he was the president of the Calligraphy Association, many people would eagerly seek to curry favor with his daughter, thus securing a future for her.
"From now on, I will certainly inherit my master's aspirations and bring the Calligraphy Association to greater heights!" Wang Rong declared his ambitions haughtily.
Today was an unexpected bonus. In recent years, Wang Ximo had not attended their events, and through his intentional and unintentional guidance, everyone had come to believe that Wang Ximo had passed away.
According to the rules, if Wang Ximo did not appear for five consecutive years, the position of president would be re-elected.
He had expected to wait much longer, but unexpectedly, he obtained the position today, ahead of schedule.
"Dad, since you are now the president of the Calligraphy Association, shouldn't those unrelated to the association be cleared out?" Wang Wanrou asked with a kind and sensible smile, as if merely considering everyone's interests.
Wang Rong followed her gaze. Huo Rou was looking at them with a detached expression.
"Indeed. Our association's annual event has always been for internal participation. External personnel wishing to attend should come to other events."
Wang Rong, exercising his presidential authority, gestured for someone to escort Huo Rou out.
"This is the Ren family's territory, and you expect a Ren family member to leave?" Ren Zhen pushed Madam Ren through the main entrance.