When Qin Ningyi introduced An An’s name, Liu Yuxiu had already matched some information on the file. She could guess the general situation, and at the same time, she understood Qin Ningyi’s regard and affection for Huo Rou.
“Great-Grandma, Happy Birthday!” An An said cheerfully.
Liu Yuxiu quickly came back to her senses. She bent down and rubbed An An’s head, “Hello, An An.”
Seeing the expression on her face, An An knew he had gained his great-grandmother’s favor. He smiled even more adorably.
After everyone was seated, Qin Ningyi had the gifts he brought unpacked one by one for Liu Yuxiu to examine.
“These are gifts from my eldest uncle. He had something come up and couldn’t make it back.”
Although Liu Yuxiu felt a bit regretful, she was aware of her son’s profession and understood that his inability to return was unavoidable.
She adjusted her mindset and looked through the gifts, and then it was time for the large item Qin Ningyi had brought.
“Is this a guzheng?” Liu Yuxiu guessed with a smile, “For an old woman like me, this size can only be a guzheng, right…”
Qin Ningyi pursed his lips and smiled, “Yes, guess what kind of guzheng it is this time.”
Even though Liu Yuxiu guessed the type of item correctly, he could still keep her in suspense.
Sister Zhou chimed in teasingly, “It can’t be another one from the museum, right?”
Liu Yuxiu laughed, “You mischievous person!”
Sister Zhou feigned innocence, “Old Madam, that one the Master got back then took a lot of effort. How am I being mischievous?”
Liu Yuxiu stopped joking with her and looked at Qin Ningyi’s expression.
She thought for a moment and deduced, “There are many famous guqin makers in the market now, but one that would make my grandson so proud should be one of the very rare ones that still exist.”
“Zhao Shi,” Liu Yuxiu stated decisively, then asked with a smile, “Is that right?”
Qin Ningyi’s inscrutable expression piqued Liu Yuxiu’s curiosity further. “Even rarer?”
“One of a kind,” Qin Ningyi said with a smile.
This was high praise. As the packaging was opened, the entire living room seemed to brighten a degree.
The exquisite carving was rendered with natural artistry.
There were inscriptions on the guqin, especially the character “Shou” (longevity), which was incredibly masterful.
Liu Yuxiu, leaning on her cane, approached the guqin. She plucked just one string and then smiled.
“If not Zhao Shi, then who could it be?”
To use such exquisite carving on a large area of the instrument, and to have such a wonderful tone, she couldn’t think of anyone other than Zhao Shi.
“Yes and no,” Qin Ningyi said with a smile, looking at her and then at Huo Rou.
A more surprising guess popped into Liu Yuxiu’s mind.
She turned to look at the inscription on the guqin again, “These characters were carved by Xiao Rou, weren’t they?!”
“Yes,” Huo Rou nodded. She hadn’t expected Liu Yuxiu to recognize her handwriting.
Seeing the surprise in Huo Rou’s eyes, Liu Yuxiu smiled kindly, “Child, you’re the president of the Calligraphy Association. How could I not know what her handwriting looks like?”
She admired Wang Ximo’s calligraphy and naturally paid attention to the movements of the Calligraphy Association. Huo Rou’s handwriting was no longer unfamiliar to her.
“It was all carved by A Rou,” Qin Ningyi added, clarifying at this moment.
Liu Yuxiu looked at Huo Rou with a smile. She affectionately took her hand and caressed it, “Zhao Shi Guzheng?”
Since it was all carved by Huo Rou, the origin of this Zhao Shi Guzheng could only be Huo Rou. The affection in Liu Yuxiu’s eyes enveloped Huo Rou, “Child, your hands are truly skillful!”
She loved the guzheng, but Zhao Shi guzhengs were extremely rare in the market, and she hadn’t managed to collect one. Today, she not only saw one and received one, but she had also brought the person who made the Zhao Shi guzhengs into her home!
This was simply the best gift she had ever received.
“I’m glad you like it,” Huo Rou’s good impression of Grandma Liu was also growing.
Qin Ningyi’s grandmother was so insightful. She wondered what his highly respected grandfather was like.
“Grandma, there’s more,” Qin Ningyi said with a smile, taking a scroll from someone. “This is from Old Master Wang Ximo for you.”
Upon hearing about Old Master Wang, Huo Rou’s breath hitched.
Grandma Liu’s warm hand soothed her, her eyes gentle and loving.
“Please open it and take a look!” Huo Rou took a breath and said with a smile, “That old rascal told me not to open it, so none of us know what he wrote.”
The scroll was unfurled and slowly opened before them. Seeing Old Master Wang’s familiar handwriting, Huo Rou blinked.
Liu Yuxiu also held her breath. This was the first time she owned a piece of Old Master Wang’s calligraphy.
She glanced at Huo Rou; she knew that all of this was because of Huo Rou.
The scroll began with a few lines of congratulatory poems. As it opened towards the end, a line of content, inconsistent with the preceding text, appeared.