And just like that, the old man happened to be a member of the National Calligraphy and Painting Association.
He was even the chairman.
After snatching the landscape painting from his own grandson and personally mounting it, he hung it up in his study like a treasure, becoming one among the many in his collection.
"Master Bai is right, such a painting cannot be created without a decade or more of experience."
Within the study, several painters and calligraphers who had initially been dissatisfied with the selection of judges now shut their mouths, their attitudes doing a complete one-eighty.
A single painting to decide fate and fortune.
"Indeed, a rare talent. You say this Tang Shu is in the capital?"
Master Bai nodded, "Indeed, in the capital."
The last time the painting was sent, it came via local express delivery, this he remembered clearly.
"But... how come such a figure hasn’t joined our Calligraphy and Painting Association?"
"Exactly, look at this style, creating its own school—full of charm and with a very distinctive style. He should have been famous by now."
The several were puzzled, Master Bai was also puzzled, but his focus was clearly elsewhere.
"Perhaps he prefers to keep a low profile. Haven’t I mentioned? He is an old Chinese medicine doctor; calligraphy and painting must be just personal interests."
Old Chinese medicine doctor...
The corners of the mouths of the elders all twitched simultaneously.
Renowned figures are called master healers, so why does this title sound so different when it comes out of your mouth?
Almost like a charlatan.
"Master Bai, has he agreed to be a judge for this calligraphy and painting competition?"
"Yes, this competition is nationwide, with ten judges in total, who will grade a hundred promising participants selected from various provinces. We cannot afford to be careless."
What if we don’t settle on someone, and then we’re short a judge when the time comes?
If we just randomly pick someone to fill in, that person has to be willing, right? Everyone in our association cares a lot about face."
Master Bai’s gaze remained on the landscape painting, and as he heard this, he glanced at everyone. His curved screen smartphone began to ring at his side.
[Tang Shu]: "Thank you for the invitation, but I fear I cannot appear personally."
Old Master Bai’s hand trembled, and he retracted his phone slightly, squinting at the screen through his high prescription reading glasses, and started to tap out Chinese characters one pinyin at a time.
[National Calligraphy and Painting Association VIP]: "It won’t take up much of your time. Most of the preliminary judging is done online, and only the final ten contestants are assessed live. We’ll decide the top three within two days."
[National Calligraphy and Painting Association VIP]: "Every era has its talents, and the younger generation’s skills are indeed worth seeing."
It’s nothing like those so-called online Kitty paintings—embarrassing to present.
Outside of an ancient tomb in West Market,
Tang Shu raised her eyebrows.
But indeed, it wouldn’t conflict. "Corridor Pavilion" was about to start filming, and things were quite busy at the Medical University lab. She really didn’t have much time.
However, since the other party had put it that way, it would be rather difficult for her to refuse.
"Then let’s see just how much calligraphy and painting of this era have progressed."
With technology advancing so much, every aspect should have far surpassed Damo, and in the realm of calligraphy and painting, that would certainly be the case even more so.
Suddenly intrigued, Tang Shu quickly typed out a message.
And back in a quadrangle house in the capital,
Master Bai broke out into a smile like a child.
"We’ve got our judge, secured."
"Xiao Shu, we’re heading down into the tomb!"
Here, Tang Shu put away her phone, slung her backpack over her shoulders, and followed Director Yang’s steps.