Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 681 Gift of Painting
"Why won't you sell it?"

The man, speaking in extremely awkward Mandarin, argued with Manager Hou with a flushed face, "Last time I wanted to buy the Immortal Lotus Painting, you said it was not for sale. Today I took a liking to this painting, and you said it's not for sale again. How can there be so many non-sale items?"

You own a shop, not a collector. Even collectors use their collections to support their own collections. Are you a glutton, only taking in and never giving out?!

After a burst of talking, he turned to look at the painting, suddenly froze, leaned closer, and a fine sheen of sweat visibly appeared on his forehead. He quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it, then covered his mouth and whispered, "I wasn't talking to the painting, so how did I get it all wet?"

After saying that, he sniffed the air and said, "Hmm, it smells strongly of ink. Could it have gotten damp?"

Looking at the painting again, there are actually a few damp spots.

Then he turned to look outside and thought, "It's not a southerly windy day."

His eyes darted around, meeting the gaze of the nervous Manager Hou. Suddenly realizing something, his pupils dilated instantly. "This was just painted? Is the Azure Lotus Daoist right here?"

The characteristics of this painting are too obvious. It is exactly the same as the painting of the lotus flower. The steep mountain pass and the overlapping peaks seem to be right in front of you. It turns a traditional ink painting on paper into a three-dimensional mountain landscape.

Apart from that painting of lotus flowers, he had never seen it in any other paintings.

Furthermore, the inscription in the upper right corner is clearly identical to the inscription on the painting of the Immortal Lotus.

Even though he wasn't a famous calligrapher or painter and only had a superficial understanding of art authentication, it didn't stop him from confirming that the painting was indeed by the Daoist Qinglian.

Heaven help me, ever since I came to Beijing in the summer and saw that painting of blue lotus, I immediately offered to buy it. But Manager Hou held firm and refused to budge, even when he offered the sky-high price of HK$20, I still couldn't get what I wanted.

Unable to buy a painting, he could only pin his hopes on the painter, earnestly asking Manager Hou for an introduction, only to receive the answer of Qinglian Daoren.

Due to his special status, he couldn't easily ask around for information. Left with no other choice, he could only come and check whenever he had free time.

I've been to the capital three times in just six months, something I've never experienced before.

It's a pity that I've never been able to meet the Green Lotus Taoist every time I come.

This is the third time. He was admiring the paintings in the lobby just now, and then, as usual, he came to find Manager Hou to see if he could find out the identity of Qinglian Daoist.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the door, they heard Manager Hou shout "Good!"

It's obvious that they've acquired a rare treasure.

He couldn't resist and pushed the door open without waiting for the staff to announce his arrival.

What was even more unexpected was that there was an unframed calligraphy and painting on the table. Judging from the style of the calligraphy and painting, it was clearly the work of Qinglian Daoren.

Before he could even speak, Manager Hou shouted that he wouldn't sell, which immediately made him panic.

That one isn't for sale, and this one isn't for sale either. Don't you run a business?!

After the spraying was finished, I realized that the painting had just been made.

So, who is the Green Lotus Daoist?

He straightened up and looked left and right. One was Manager Hou, and the other was a young man in his twenties.

There are only the two of them, no one else, so who is Qinglian?
Could it be that young man? Or perhaps it's Manager Hou himself?

Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Manager Hou had no choice but to turn to Chen Fan and say with a wry smile, "Comrade Chen, it's not that I didn't want to keep it a secret from you, it's just a coincidence that we happened to be here."

The last time many literati gathered here, Chen Fan and his three masters happened to be there and left behind a painting of a blue lotus. They also asked everyone to keep it a secret and not to spread it.

Unlike writers, there are countless people seeking works from calligraphers and painters. He certainly doesn't want to spend his days writing and painting for others.

This is something to enjoy and cultivate one's character; if it becomes a profession, it becomes a burden.

For example, there were times when Zhang Daqian and Qi Baishi felt like smashing their brushes while painting.

Chen Fan now feels completely stress-free except for occasionally writing a few words for acquaintances; he really enjoys this carefree lifestyle.

But it is precisely for this reason that something that is almost universally known within the art and calligraphy circles remains completely unknown to outsiders.

This is one of the reasons why that gentleman was unable to find out who the Qinglian Daoist was.

As for the other reason, it is that this gentleman was too cautious. He simply asked the people around him and did not make a big fuss about it. Otherwise, he would have known the answer long ago.

Chen Fan, though outwardly calm, was inwardly astonished.

What a coincidence, I actually ran into this person at Rongbaozhai!

Manager Hou first explained, and then introduced them, "Comrade Chen, this is Mr. Huo, a patriotic businessman from Hong Kong who has made great contributions. He has come to Beijing every year in recent years and is a regular customer of our shop."

Then, he introduced Mr. Huo, "This is the Qinglian Daoist you have been talking about, Chen Fan. He is also a well-known writer in my country and the vice chairman of the Jiangnan Provincial Writers Association."

After listening attentively to the introduction, Mr. Huo looked at Chen Fan with shining eyes and quickly extended his hands, saying, "So you are Writer Chen. Hello, hello! I have read your works, and they are very well written."

Chen Fan also revealed a little of his true nature, extending his hands to grasp the object tightly, and said seriously, "So it's Mr. Huo in person. I've heard so much about you."

Mr. Huo rose from humble beginnings, from a Tanka family to a prominent Hong Kong family. His manners and way of dealing with people were naturally beyond the reach of ordinary people. Looking at Chen Fan's expression, which seemed more than just polite, he couldn't help but be somewhat surprised, "You know me?"

These days are different from later generations. In fact, it wasn't until the 90s that stories of patriotic overseas entrepreneurs were widely publicized. And now, very few people know about them.

Chen Fan smiled and said seriously, "I know quite a few people and have heard of Mr. Huo's heroic deeds. Back then, many Hong Kong businessmen supported the mainland, but due to fear of hegemony and in order to protect themselves, they all concealed their actions to some extent."

Only Mr. Huo openly and without concealment purchased embargoed goods and sent them to the mainland; his sincere heart is truly admirable!

Upon hearing this, Mr. Huo knew that the person truly recognized him, and he couldn't help but smile broadly, saying, "I'm flattered, I'm flattered."

Although he made a lot of money smuggling goods, it was all earned by risking his life under the gunfire of the British Hong Kong authorities. Even if he didn't take that sea route and instead did transshipment business in Southeast Asia, transporting goods to Hong Kong and Macau, he might not have earned as much, but the risks would have been much lower, and he might even have made more money if he focused on volume.

Not to mention that even after time has passed, it still faces both overt and covert crackdowns from the authorities, resulting in the loss of the best opportunity for development.

Although he never regretted it, he was still overjoyed to hear Chen Fan's praise, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

Chen Fan then turned to Manager Hou and said seriously, "If any patriots like Mr. Huo request a painting in the future, Manager Hou, please feel free to tell me. It would be my honor." Hearing this, Manager Hou was pleased. "Comrade Chen is so generous!"

Chen Fan smiled, turned to look at the painting on the table, and said with a smile, "This painting is still a little short. I'll finish it first."

After speaking, he released his grip on her hand, walked to the drawing table, picked up another brush, but instead of dipping it in ink, he dipped it twice in the red inkpad, leaving a deep red mark on the tip.

Under the watchful eyes of Manager Hou, Mr. Huo, and the staff member who followed him in, Chen Fan picked up his pen and gently placed it on the setting sun.

As soon as the brush left the paper, the setting sun, which had just been a mere outline, instantly transformed into a half-circle of purplish-red light. It illuminated the earth without being glaring, and did not affect the overall mood of the painting at all; on the contrary, it added a touch of crimson.

With another stroke, the pen tip landed on the flag at the front of the procession. Lifting it up, the ink-wash flag instantly became clear, its red hue fluttering in the wind, perfectly embodying the spirit of "starting afresh."

Putting down his pen, Chen Fan picked up the brush he had just used to write, moved it to the end of the poem, and wrote a few lines of small characters as a signature: "A poem by Mr. Li, 'Remembering Qin'e: Loushan Pass,' written in Qinglian, Beijing, on the day of Renzi in the month of Jiazi in the year of Wuwu, respectfully presented to Mr. Huo for his safekeeping."

Finally, he rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a stamp.

It wasn't the top-grade Tianhuang stone that Master Lu had given him, but rather another top-grade bloodstone that he had bought at Rongbaozhai, which he had carved with the character "Qinglian".

This was a seal he specially carved after hearing He Qingsheng say that he had been given the title "Qinglian Daoren".

Well, since Master Zhang has even given him a Taoist name, he can only accept it.

He pressed the seal onto the inkpad, then pressed it firmly next to his signature.

Looking at the freshly printed signature and the bright red seal, Mr. Huo was overjoyed and leaned closer to admire it carefully.

After a moment, he raised his head and sighed, "The calligraphy, painting, and seal are all superb! The poem is good, the calligraphy is good, the painting is good, and even this seal, although it only has the two characters 'Qinglian,' is carved with the strokes of a brush, showing the elegance of calligraphy while retaining the strength of seal carving. Good, good, good!"

Manager Hou chuckled from the side, “Mr. Huo, you may not know this, but this seal was also made by Comrade Chen himself, without the help of anyone else.”

"Oh?"

Mr. Huo turned around and sighed, "Wouldn't that be mastery of calligraphy, painting, and seal carving? No, wait..."

He suddenly raised his hand and waved it, "I have read Writer Chen's articles. His writing style is unique, distinctive, and has the air of a master. Therefore, he should be considered a master of all four arts: calligraphy, painting, and seal carving!"

Chen Fan smiled and said politely, "Not at all."

He can't very well claim to be an expert in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, can he? And to occasionally slaughter a pig or butcher a sheep would be too embarrassing.

After exchanging a few more words, Mr. Huo turned to Manager Hou, looking rather arrogant, and said, "Manager Hou, this painting is mine now!"

Manager Hou then realized that the painting he had requested had somehow been taken away.
He immediately grabbed Chen Fan and said, "Comrade Chen, you can't be biased. This painting was clearly meant for our shop. Since it's inscribed as a gift for Mr. Huo, I won't hold it against you. But you have to leave another one for our shop, otherwise, otherwise..."

He looked around, then grabbed Chen Fan's arm tightly, "Otherwise, you're not leaving."

Chen Fan had no choice but to write another one.

However, no paintings were painted this time, only a poem by Mr. Li, which left Manager Hou quite disappointed.

But seeing the elegant calligraphy on the drawing paper, he couldn't help but beam with delight and admire it, so he reluctantly accepted it.

Mr. Huo was overjoyed to have received the painting and met the "Qinglian Daoist" whom he had long admired. He took Chen Fan's hand and said, "Please give me the opportunity today. I'll treat you to a simple meal."

Chen Fan didn't refuse, but just smiled and said, "If you want to eat, I'll take you somewhere and introduce you to a few people. I guarantee you won't be disappointed."

He had originally planned to buy a batch of antiques today, but due to an unexpected surprise, he put the matter aside and decided to deal with it later.

Mr. Huo was slightly taken aback. "Oh?"

However, he had some concerns. His identity was not ordinary, and if he made friends with people casually, would there be any taboos?
But it's hard to say these words out loud.

Chen Fan, being a shrewd man, immediately saw through his concerns and smiled, "You must have someone accompanying you here, right?"

Mr. Huo nodded immediately, "Yes, it's right outside the store."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Just tell them that you're coming with me, and there won't be any problems when they report it."

Hearing this, Mr. Huo was quite surprised. He had met several well-known writers from the mainland, but none of them dared to say such a thing. Yet Chen Fan dared to say it. Could it be that he was special?
At this moment, Manager Hou chimed in, "Others may not be able to do it, but Comrade Chen should be fine."

The painting of blue lotus is still hanging in the main hall. It's not that no one has questioned it, but after they did, no one said a word. What other problem could there be?
Mr. Huo turned to look at him, pondered for two seconds, then made a decision, looked up at Chen Fan and smiled, "Then I'll trouble you."

That said, Mr. Huo's audacity is known to almost the entire world.

Few people know that he also has moments of "timidity," and this "timidity" mostly occurs in mainland China.

The first time he came to the mainland for a meeting at the joint invitation of Mr. Li and President Zhou, his staff asked him if he wanted to go out and take a look. So he sat in the car and drove around the city.

According to those who accompanied him at the time, Mr. Huo couldn't help but burst into tears at every stop, but he never got out of the car. He would just drive around in the car and then return to his residence.

When his companions asked him why he didn't get out of the car and walk around, he said he was afraid of causing trouble for everyone.

Later, he would come to the capital at least once a year. Over time, he would visit a few fixed places and treat everyone with great courtesy.

Especially when visiting public places like Rongbaozhai, they would ask their companions to wait outside while they browsed around alone for a short time, bought a few items they liked, and then quickly left.

Even after many years, it remains the same.

This "timidity" is not about being afraid, but rather about worrying about causing trouble for others.

That's how it is right now. When faced with Chen Fan's invitation, his first thought was whether it was appropriate and whether it would put his companions in a difficult position.
At Manager Hou's suggestion, he mentioned it to the person accompanying him, who immediately made a phone call to his superior and received permission.

Even the accompanying staff were withdrawn; they simply arranged a time to pick them up at the location.

Seeing that they actually left like that, Mr. Huo was even more surprised.

Who is this person? Is he really just a writer?
(End of this chapter)