Mrs. Ren looked at Huo Rou with a loving gaze. As Huo Rou approached, she gently took her hand and whispered, "Good child, no one will dare to drive you out while I'm here. You can stay wherever you like."
Mrs. Ren had been feeling well today, so she had allowed Ren Zhen to bring her to see the calligraphy association's event. They were originally watching a live video feed in the adjacent lounge when she spotted Huo Rou.
She had been planning to meet Huo Rou after the event for a meal, but then she witnessed Wang Rong's despicable power grab. And now he wanted to drive Huo Rou out?
Ren Zhen was about to intervene, but Mrs. Ren stopped him and asked to be taken along.
"Her surname is Huo. When did she become a member of the Ren family?"
Wang Wanrou was so enraged that her teeth nearly ground to dust. Huo Rou was truly lucky. She had a child with the Qin family, gained influence from Xiao Yuda, and now she was entangled with the Ren family. Was this how one openly juggled two lovers?
"Could it be that she's going to abandon the Qin family and choose your Ren family? She's quite sought after, even with a burden."
She then exclaimed, "Could it be she possesses some special skill?"
"She is my goddaughter. How could she not be considered a member of the Ren family?"
Mrs. Ren rarely spoke with such vehemence. Hearing Wang Wanrou casually speculate about Huo Rou made her cough in anger.
Huo Rou gently patted her back to help her breathe, "Auntie, please don't get angry. I don't mind."
"You may not mind, but I do. How can anyone speak about you like that?" Mrs. Ren, like a protective mother hen, pulled Huo Rou behind her.
Ren Zhen watched his usually placid mother. Apart from when she was coaxing his father, he had never seen her display such strong emotions.
Huo Rou felt a surge of emotion as she was defended so resolutely by Mrs. Ren's frail body.
Seeing someone protecting Huo Rou so fiercely, Old Master Wang was genuinely happy for her and made up his mind. He walked back onto the stage.
"Since you father and daughter claim that Xiao Rou is not a member of the association and wish to expel her, then let us have a calligraphy contest."
He spoke casually, "If she wins, won't she be a member of the calligraphy association?"
No one had ever heard of a person named Huo Rou in the calligraphy world, nor had they heard that Old Master Wang had taken on another disciple.
Wang Rong saw Old Master Wang's calm demeanor and figured that during the years he had been estranged from Old Master Wang, his master might have found a new promising student. With Old Master Wang's skill, someone he had taught for only a few years shouldn't be too formidable.
He had only started practicing on his own because he found what Old Master Wang taught too slow.
With this thought, he felt that Old Master Wang's actions were merely a last-ditch effort. The calligraphy association did have a few members who had joined through his connections, and their skills were not particularly strong. Perhaps Old Master Wang intended to select them to compete against Huo Rou.
"Since you say you want a calligraphy contest, here is some content. Let her write another piece, and everyone can vote again."
The person who had won the previous contest was the most skilled among the new members. He had secretly been wary of that person and had even caused trouble for his family, making him unable to focus on his studies.
"A stone from another mountain can polish the jade." Now it seemed like a perfect opportunity to use it against Huo Rou.
Old Master Wang showed no fear and looked at Huo Rou with anticipation.
In Old Master Wang's gaze, Huo Rou finally understood the true reason for his outing today. It turned out he wanted her to undertake this arduous task.
She didn't want to.
She walked to Old Master Wang's side. "Let's go, old man. Your wishful thinking will come to nothing. Since you've shed your burdens, it's time to go back and recuperate in peace."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Old Master Wang's eyes. He had thought that after so many years, Huo Rou would have changed her mind. Wang Rong had coveted his position as president for many years, but Huo Rou had been unwilling to take it.
Never mind, he wouldn't force her.
He followed Huo Rou towards the exit. Seeing that Huo Rou didn't even dare to participate in the calligraphy contest, Wang Rong became even more convinced that Huo Rou was incompetent.
"Master, in the end, I was right. After all these years, is there anyone under you who can surpass me?"
"I've told you long ago, you are wrong! Utterly wrong!" Wang Rong finally said these words with a triumphant air.
Back then, Wang Ximo had made him lose all face. Now, it was finally his turn to leave Wang Ximo speechless.
Old Master Wang's back gradually stooped. Effort was the foundation; shortcuts were never the right path.
However, he only had one disciple who had taken shortcuts and wasted all his talent. Now that Wang Rong had become the president, the future of the calligraphy world truly seemed bleak.
Huo Rou knew that Old Master Wang's greatest regret was not correcting Wang Rong's erroneous ways. Now, Wang Rong had found an opening and was piercing Old Master Wang's heart word by word.
Flames gathered in her eyes. This Wang Rong was truly taking advantage of the situation and was obstinate.
With such a person in charge of the calligraphy association, Old Master Wang must be feeling distressed. His health was already failing, and she didn't want him to worry about these matters until the very end.
She stopped in her tracks.
Turned around.
"I will have a calligraphy contest with you."
Let her be the one to deal with this ungrateful disciple for Old Master Wang.
Wang Rong acted as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world, laughing heartily.
"Child, challenging me to a calligraphy contest is far too overestimating your abilities." Wang Rong said with a laugh, pointing at the previous contest winner. "I allowed you to participate in the regular contest to save face for my master. Seeing how highly he regards you, you must also be his disciple."
"We are from the same sect. I am doing this for your own good."
He spoke with great magnanimity, not only elevating himself but also belittling the previous contest winner.
"Aren't you the current president? I'll compete with you. If you lose, you'll hand over the presidency."
Huo Rou's words were calm, yet they stirred up discussion among the crowd.
"Isn't this just talking nonsense? How can such a young girl defeat Wang Rong?"
"That's not necessarily true. Wang Rong isn't on the right path. What if this young girl was well-taught by Old Master Wang?"
"No matter how well she's taught, age is a factor. Calligraphy also requires depth and experience. Does she have that? Even if she writes well, it'll just be Wang Rong's style, copying him."
No one was very optimistic.
Neither was Wang Rong.
"There has never been an outsider to the association directly challenging the president to a calligraphy contest," Wang Rong declared loudly.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure."
"Then what happens if you lose?" Wang Wanrou asked from the side.
"If I lose, you decide." Huo Rou did not wish to say more and walked steadily onto the stage.
"Very well, I accept your challenge."
Wang Rong walked to the table where the previous contest had taken place, assuming an elder's demeanor. "What content are you most skilled at? I can let you choose."
"Anything is fine." Huo Rou also walked to the table, picked up the brush that Old Master Wang had used, and dipped it in ink.
"Then let's do Wang Changling's 'Song of Military Campaigns'."
It was a poem Wang Rong was most skilled at. Let him properly teach Huo Rou a lesson!
From below the stage, Mrs. Ren watched with worry, her head poking out to try and see. Ren Zhen gently comforted her.
Wang Wanrou, on the other hand, watched them with excitement. This time, Huo Rou was asking for trouble herself. If Huo Rou came crawling to her, she couldn't blame her father for embarrassing her.
Wang Rong cast a contemptuous glance at Huo Rou, thinking of her as an ignorant young girl. His daughter was already exceptional among her peers. Wang Wanrou didn't have many like that, so he would let her see a real master.
He calmly picked up his brush, poised it, and began to write, his movements slow and meticulous. Every stroke was carefully considered before being placed.
In contrast, Huo Rou's writing flowed like water, without any hesitation or thought.