In the study, Professor Su unfolded Liu Man’s calligraphy on his desk. “As long as one keeps a pure mind, they would feel free and flexible.”

The fourteen large characters were like a fresh wind. The expression was Liu Man’s state of mind at the moment: framed, dismissed, and annoyed by everyone’s gossips. At last, she learned to reflect. Now, she was clean, free, and extraordinary.

“Excellent thoughts, ” Su Juan could not help but say, shocked.

On the white rice paper, the girl’s smooth handwriting were elegant, and her master-like temperament could be seen.

Professor Su said to Fang Huaiyuan, who had fallen into meditation: “Do you believe that such words were written by a girl who has only been studying the clerical script for less than four months?”

Fang Huaiyuan replied, “I don’t, but it seems like I have to.”

“If you have seen her seal characters, you would understand why I value her so much. Calligraphy fonts are connected to each other. After mastering one, learning another would be easy. But to write as subtly and casually like her? That’s not easy. Her high understanding of Chinese principles allow her to create this saying. Her realm is not something ordinary students can explore.”

Fang Huayuan, at this moment, fell silent from being completely impressed. He gave Liu Man the prerogative to transfer, and he wasn’t losing anything but earning!

This is real. This is her talent.

Su Yi liked Liu Man’s calligraphy even more now, “I will send these words to the calligraphy exhibition.”

“Didn’t you say she wrote better in ‘seal characters’?” said Su Juan. “Sending one of her pieces in seal characters is more likely to win a prize.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Professor Su said with a smile. “She is a treasure. We need to let the outsiders dig her talents out only a little at a time.”

The trio came out of the study, smiling. Even Fang Huayuan eyes, when he looked at Liu Man, were softer.

“Why are you two still standing!” Su Wei said, seeing that Liu Man and Zhang Pei never sat down, “Sit! There’s no need to be polite with me.”

Liu Man and her mother finally sat down.

Su Yi said to Liu Man: “I like your calligraphy gift a lot. We discussed for a while and would like to send this to the calligraphy exhibition to join a contest. Is that okay with you?”

“I don’t have an opinion,” Liu Man remembered that Professor Su wanted to send her “seal characters”. Why did he suddenly change his mind?

However, she did not disagree.

“In order to strengthen your basic skills, I want to increase the length of our classes! You have more free time since it’s summer vacation in addition to Saturdays. After Thursday and Friday, you also have to come to my class here. Do not go to my office; you can directly come to my home. The ‘Four Treasures’ in my study are better!”

TL’s Note: The four treasures in calligraphy are: Inkstone, paper, brush, and ink.

Liu Man did not dare to disagree.

“Oh, yes,” said Professor Su, pointing at Fang Huaiyuan while smiling as he told Liu Man, ”Huaiyuan is my first disciple, and he is your Shixiong.”

TL’s Note: Shixiong = Senpai/Senior. (Basically a male upperclassman)

Fang Huaiyuan’s identity gained even more respect from Liu Man.

Fang Huaiyuan laughed, “I’ll give you your transfer documents— they’re my greetings gift to my Shimei.”

TL’s Note: Shimei = female lowerclassman.

“Thank you, Principal Fang, ” Liu Man said gratefully.

Su Yi felt displeased. “Don’t call him principal! Calling him Shixiong is fine.”

Liu Man was a little afraid, but after seeing Fang Huaiyuan’s friendly eyes, she conjured up her bravery and said: “Shixiong, thank you.”

Su Yi laughed. “That’s more like it!”

Zhang Pei watched this scene from the side, pleased that her daughter and such a family became friends. This was her daughter’s blessing. Studying in the Capital University will now be much more smoother for Liu Man.

Su Juan then asked Zhang Pei: “Your family really has a good way of teaching your daughter! Who did Xiao Man learn from before knowing my father?”

That question stunned Zhang Pei.

Liu Man hastened to retell her made-up nonsense about Madam Xu again. Zhang Pei understood her daughter after Liu Man winked at her. “Right, it was Madam Xu.”

“I really don’t know what kind of curious woman Mrs. Xu was, ” sighed Professor Su.

He then added, “If we had known Liu Man earlier, maybe we would have met Madam Xu.”

“Yes. What a pity,” Zhang Pei pretended to feel helpless about such a master calligraphist passing away.

Inside, she thought: How early can it be? Unless you guys knew her two thousand years ago.

“Since you are here, we can discuss the issue about Liu Man’s major,” Professor Su told Zhang Pei, “The school has received her past academics and put her as a student of the literature. However, there was no specific course mentioned. Here are the ones you can choose from.” Professor Su took out a chart.

All courses fitting for Liu Man were listed on the professor’s chart. Chinese, Han Literature, Chinese History Literature, Chinese Ancient Literature, Archaeology, Chinese Teaching… There were almost ten courses to choose from.

Zhang Pei felt like she traveled back to when Liu Man was still in twelfth grade, applying for colleges. Her family spent a lot of energy selecting an art course.

“Liu Man should decide. I won’t interfere,” Zhang Pei handed Liu Man the chart and said, “Choose the one you like; don’t mind me.”

Su Juan and Fang Huaiyuan approved silently in their heads. Zhang Pei was a great mother. She gave her child enough independence, unlike other parents who decided for their children.

Liu Man’s support from her mother was obviously why she was able to argue fearlessly against her school.

Liu Man checked the whole chart and eliminated Chinese first. He Qisi and Zhang Jiaojiao were both from Chinese. If she became their classmate, she would feel weird, and Sun Weiwei would feel uncomfortable.

Afterwards, she eliminated all the courses related to language. English was already boggling her head. If she spent time studying another language, she was going to be distracted even more.

She pondered for a long time and struggled to decide between Classical Literature, Chinese History and Archaeology. After contemplation, she decided: “I choose Chinese Ancient Literature.”

This decision surprised the three present educators.

Chinese Ancient Literature was the least selected out of the literature department. The second was Archaeology. The students from these two courses added up to no more than 30 students each year.

From a utilitarian point of view, taking Chinese Ancient Literature would make it hard for the student to find a job. The studies of this course were also boring to most people other than the students with great enthusiasm for this course.

Su Yi believed that Liu Man was such a person, and he asked her, “Are you sure?”

Liu Man nodded firmly, “Yes.”

Translated by: Valerie

Edited by: Sydney

Proofread by: DoraiO