Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 18

“The so-called Three Zhongshan Artifacts refer to the Bronze Tripod with Iron Feet of King Cuo of Zhongshan, the Bronze Square Hu Vessel with Kui-Dragon Ornamentation of King Ku of Zhongshan, and the Bronze Round Hu Vessel for the Successor of King Zhongshan. Generally, they are referred to collectively as the Three Artifacts.

The reason they became representative cultural relics of the history of the Zhongshan State is that all three artifacts are inscribed with neat, uniform, and contextually varied inscriptions, totaling 1101 characters.

These inscriptions record the historical facts of the Zhongshan State during the Warring States period more than 2,000 years ago, filling in historical gaps for archaeological research. As such, they possess extremely important research and cultural value.

These inscriptions were named by archaeologists as the Zhongshan King Seal Script.

It’s hard to imagine that such mysterious and beautiful script already existed during that era.”

Ling Xi held back a little, finding the lesson PPT she had made on her cloud drive and constantly switching slides to prevent the class from becoming too boring.

After explaining the historical background, she picked up the chalk again and began to analyze and annotate the characters on the blackboard: “Zhongshan King Seal Script belongs to the most outstanding work in the art of bronze inscription calligraphy.

The biggest difference between it and other ancient scripts is that most early scripts were largely pictographic, conveying information by imitating the form of objects. Their strokes were often complex and thus lacked aesthetic appeal.

Zhongshan Seal Script is an exception; it is more like a timeless piece of art. Any character taken out and viewed in a modern context looks like a uniquely designed, exquisite logo.

As you can see, the Zhongshan script is slender and elongated in form, and its lines are flexible and ever-changing. A single stroke can curve like a gentle stream, and a single line can be square or round.

If we were to personify it, it would be an agile, swaying girl with an graceful figure. Yet, the starting and finishing strokes of the writing are as sharp as awns or needles, relying on skillful wrist force. Therefore, in the calligraphy world, it is also known as the Suspended Needle Seal Script.”

Ling Xi’s explanation grew smoother, and Qiao Bo’er listened intently, even developing a small sense of admiration for the profound knowledge of this “lazybones.”

This version of her was charming, the very image Qiao Bo’er had hoped for in countless dreams.

Suddenly raising her hand to ask a question, Qiao Bo’er pointed to the blackboard: “Then, what do the two lines of characters you wrote mean?”

Ling Xi did not look back at the blackboard, but instead stared seriously and sternly into Qiao Bo’er’s eyes.

As if to match the artistic conception of those eight characters, her reply carried a lingering, ethereal quality: “Spring does not tarry, our meeting will come in time.”

What a wonderful phrase, “our meeting will come in time.” Qiao Bo’er was stunned and speechless.

But she quickly recovered her composure and applauded without reservation: “Vice Professor Ling writes so beautifully. Will you teach me to write such beautiful characters?”

Ling Xi smiled and lowered her gaze, taking the box she had brought earlier and placing it in front of Qiao Bo’er. She then moved past the rows of desks and sat beside her.

Opening the box, it contained a delicate, miniature set of the four treasures of the study.

“I brought these for you; they are specially for writing Zhongshan Seal Script.” Ling Xi took out the items one by one, smoothing the cicada-wing paper on the desk and weighting it down with the small inkstone made of ice-jade.

“You’re teaching me now?” Qiao Bo’er was surprised that the teaching pace was too fast. Ling Xi turned to her: “Do you want to learn?”

The two who were usually at odds reached a historical moment of harmony. Qiao Bo’er smiled sweetly: “If you’re willing to teach, I’m willing to learn.”

“Well, ancient scripts are not just characters. Through their long and complex evolution, they symbolize the progress of the sun and moon’s cycle and human wisdom, yet they quietly fade away within the vast universe.

In the long river of history, humans are like the oysters that nurture pearls, and ancient scripts are the forgotten treasures. I plan to only teach you what you are interested in. After all, textbooks are dry, and there’s no need for a systematic curriculum.

Besides, even if I spend a day and a night continuously explaining the Zhongshan Seal Script to you, it wouldn’t be as effective as you picking up the brush and writing it once yourself. Only by experiencing it will you discover its mystery and joy.”

Ling Xi’s patient and detailed explanation nearly made Qiao Bo’er tear off her “lazybones” label.

During their conversation, their shoulders brushed against each other faintly.

“Alright, I’ll follow Vice Professor Ling’s arrangement.”

“Very well, I’ll start by explaining how to use the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”

“Ding—”

The class bell suddenly rang, interrupting Ling Xi’s speech. The slender-gold wolf-hair lining brush she had just picked up was smacked back onto the desk with a pop.

The speed and force were very much like the time she slapped Qiao Bo’er.

The seal on the “lazybones” was instantly broken. One moment she was rock-steady, the next she was chirping incessantly: “Aiya, class is finally over!”

This sudden change in demeanor caused Qiao Bo’er to be momentarily dumbfounded. She began to suspect Ling Xi had multiple personalities: “I bet you’ve studied face-changing opera.”

Ling Xi squeezed the ice cream cone; it was perfectly melted. She tore open the wrapper, licked the chocolate off the lid, and stupidly replied, “Huh?”

“Just eat your ice cream cone,” Qiao Bo’er rolled her eyes at her, then stared at the characters on the blackboard, lost in thought.

The taste of the ice cream cone caught Ling Xi’s attention. She tasted it and smacked her lips, a sense of familiarity returning. But she didn’t think much of it, only nodding in praise: “Imported goods are indeed different, it’s delicious!”

“Then you can have them all.”

Qiao Bo’er put the other ice cream cone in front of her. Ling Xi looked like she was hoarding food to infuriate others: “Really? You’re not having it? That’s great!”

Saying that, she laboriously untied the dead knot on the insulated bag and placed the cone inside, thinking she would have another one when she got off work. She couldn’t be happier.

After the “lazybones” happily finished her ice cream cone, she looked confusedly at the motionless Qiao Bo’er: “Why aren’t you leaving? Class is over, you’re dismissed!”

“Waiting for you.”

Qiao Bo’er had been quietly enjoying the sight of Ling Xi’s satisfaction with the ice cream cone. As the words slipped out, she picked up a prepared tissue and naturally wiped the corner of Ling Xi’s mouth.

Sure enough, the end of the harmonious relationship between the “crazy woman” and the “silly lazybones” was still mutual antagonism.

The moment Qiao Bo’er’s hand touched Ling Xi, it was like a ten thousand volt electric shock ran through her. She sprang up and jumped away.

Ling Xi raised her hand to cover her mouth, shouting in panic: “You’re always being hands-on when I’m not paying attention! What are you doing!”

Qiao Bo’er pursed her lips and said nothing, only slightly raising her head and staring at her with sharp eyes.

Suddenly feeling that she was being too sensitive to someone else’s good intentions, Ling Xi waved her hand casually: “Alas… I overreacted, but don’t do that again! Also… why… why are you waiting for me?”

“To have dinner together when you get off work.”

“Dinner? Your treat?”

“Mhm…”

Hearing that she could get a free meal and that dinner was settled for the night, Ling Xi’s guard against Qiao Bo’er instantly plummeted into the negative: “Great, I’m free tonight.”

“You agreed quickly, didn’t you? Aren’t you going to politely decline?”

Qiao Bo’er hadn’t expected Ling Xi to agree immediately without even pretending to hold back. It seemed the little glutton had absolutely no defense against the temptation of food.

“If you invite me sincerely, I’ll graciously accept. It’s not my wallet getting hurt anyway, so why not, haha!”

Ling Xi let out a cunning laugh, as if she had scored a huge bargain.

Qiao Bo’er looked at her provoking expression and scoffed derisively: “Hmph, look at your lack of character… Go tidy up your office, I’ll wait for you here in the classroom.”

“Come on, there are still over two hours until closing time. If I leave early, Director Chen will hang me up and break my legs.”

The mention of Director Chen made Qiao Bo’er’s smile become sinister: “Then perfect. I’ll go to Director Chen’s office, have some tea, chat a little, and give him feedback on my impressions of Vice Professor Ling’s first class…”

Ling Xi’s eyes widened, trying to change the “crazy woman’s” mind: “No… it’ll be boring for you there! Just wait for me in the classroom for a little while, okay? Use the free time to practice your calligraphy! Oh, right! I’m giving you homework: practice the eight characters on the blackboard. I’ll check tomorrow.”

“Homework is homework, but right now I just want to sit in his office.” Qiao Bo’er had thousands of ways to overpower Ling Xi, and simply bringing up her identity as the big boss was enough to make her completely compliant.

Ling Xi couldn’t defy her, so she had to quickly pack her things, resigning herself to the situation.

After leaving the classroom, Ling Xi deliberately dragged her feet, wondering what trouble Qiao Bo’er was planning to stir up now. But then she thought it shouldn’t be the case. Today, she had been a role model teacher, exercising self-restraint, being serious and patient. Their interaction had been so harmonious, surely she wouldn’t file a complaint!

As they neared Director Chen’s office, Qiao Bo’er didn’t wait for Ling Xi, but walked straight up, knocked on the door, and entered.

Seeing Qiao Bo’er disappear from sight, Ling Xi immediately pressed against the wall to eavesdrop, but bang, the door was closed by Director Chen.

Ling Xi was on the verge of trying to literally stick her head through the cement wall, but she could still faintly hear a few fragmented sentences of their conversation.

Ling Xi wrinkled her nose and muttered under her breath, “Hmph, crazy woman, I advise you not to play with fire!”

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