Fox Song

Chapter 41 Sitting and talking

Back then, when they were on Fallen Street, Zixuan heard very clearly that the stall owner got the paintings through JJ Lin’s students, and "Flaming Red Lips" was one of the works.

Since JJ Lin is not the reincarnation of Lu Wei, then Lu Wei can only be someone around him - either a colleague or a student...

Thinking of this, Zixuan licked her lips gently and felt her mouth becoming even drier.

The water dispenser in the office was working normally, with the light on and providing both cold and hot drinking water. But JJ Lin wanted to boil cold water for tea, so she had to wait patiently.

Zixuan guessed that there should be both teachers majoring in Chinese painting and teachers majoring in oil painting in this office.

Looking around, there are two paintings hanging on the walls on both sides of the entrance to the office.

There is an oil painting hanging in the middle of the right wall. It is the masterpiece of the famous Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci, "Mona Lisa's Smile". This painting is not a print, but a replica. If Zixuan were asked to distinguish the authenticity, she would feel that she could not tell the difference. The work looks very similar to the original, and the mysterious smile is enough to make people confused, gentle, serious, sad, or teasing... However, "Mona Lisa's Smile" is one of the three treasures of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France - Zixuan has seen Leonardo da Vinci's original work in the museum, so this one is naturally not the real thing.

In fact, there is a tiny signature in the lower left corner of the painting. The signature is as thin as a mosquito and cleverly hidden in the dim shadow, but with Zixuan's eyesight, she can see it clearly. The signature is not in English, but in cursive script. Zixuan is not sure, but vaguely guessed that it seems to be the two words "Haoran".

On the left wall hangs an ink landscape painting titled "Spring". The painting is a combination of line drawing and detailed brushwork, using a unique and poetic brushstroke to present a vibrant and energetic picture of spring.

The mountains and rivers are misty, the river is like a spring water, sparkling; orioles compete for warm trees, willow branches sway in the wind, and new buds sprout; tourists travel together, hunched over and supporting each other, which seems to be very lively. The painting combines many scenes into a group of shots, condensed in a small space, the natural scenery and the activities of the people complement each other, making people feel as if they are there.

In addition, on the other two walls of the office are two couplets, the upper and lower parts of which are the famous sayings of Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period of China: Without indifference, one cannot clarify his ambition; without tranquility, one cannot achieve far-reaching goals. Written by Ma Zhiyuan.

These characters are written in a graceful and domineering manner, and their presence is in no way inferior to the previous two.

Judging from the signatures and seals on the paintings and calligraphy works, these are not the works of JJ Lin. It seems that they are most likely the works of the other three teachers.

Zi Xuan smiled secretly in her heart. Most artists have unique preferences. Judging from the layout of this office, these three people might be as wonderful as JJ Lin.

JJ Lin is clearly an expert in the tea ceremony. Before long, he has reached the stage of pouring from the cup.

Zixuan had not studied the tea ceremony in depth. But she had been socializing a lot in the business world, so she naturally knew that the traditional Chinese tea ceremony process was roughly divided into 13 steps, namely warming the pot, scalding the cups, filling the teapot, high pouring, covering the foam, pouring on the top, washing the tea, washing the cups, dividing the cups, low pouring, serving the tea, smelling the fragrance, and tasting the tea.

JJ Lin poured the tea into the scented cup, filling it 70% full. Then, he picked up the cup with both hands and handed it to Zixuan.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"

"Teacher Lin, you're too polite!" Zixuan took the tea, poured it into the teacup, sniffed the tea fragrance, and an intoxicated expression appeared on her face.

"Good tea!" she praised.

Zixuan's mouth had actually been dry for a long time, but she still held it back and sipped the red tea slowly.

"Darjeeling?" Zixuan couldn't help but ask.

JJ Lin was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "Miss Bai is an expert, she tasted it right away." He had not said it was Darjeeling before, but he had some thoughts in his mind, but he did not expect her to taste it right away. Darjeeling belongs to the category of black tea, and many people regard it as the best of black teas. It is said to be grown in the Himalayas, and is probably the highest altitude tea in the world.

"Where? I'm sorry to make you laugh, Teacher Lin!" Zi Xuan smiled, "Actually, a friend gave me some some time ago. I've been drinking this kind of tea recently, so I'm familiar with it! To Teacher Lin, I'm a layman."

“Miss Bai, you are too modest.” JJ Lin said with a smile, “It’s just that when I was studying in the UK, I was influenced by a classmate and got used to making tea with him. Even after returning to China, I didn’t change…”

"Oh, it's really rare to be able to persist in making tea like this in a foreign country."

"Yes!" JJ Lin seemed to be full of emotion, holding up the small teacup in his hand and said, "Maybe it's a cultural difference. The British see tea as a beverage to be drunk, so perfect tea soup is the most important. We Chinese value the process of brewing tea. Every procedure is a kind of creation and foil for the final taste of the tea. Without these processes, this little tea soup will be tasteless."

"That's right. Different thoughts lead to different attitudes towards tea."

Zixuan thought about it, nodded, and then said with interest, "Your friend should have the same hobby as you, right?"

"Him? He's more interested than me!" JJ Lin laughed, "His family has been dealing with tea for generations, and now he's a tea dealer himself. This Darjeeling tea was given to me by him."

"Oh, no wonder!" Zixuan smiled.

The two of them drank tea and talked about tea, and their relationship became much closer.

After chatting for a long time, JJ Lin finally remembered the purpose of Zixuan's trip, so he took the initiative to bring it up.

The topic of their conversation finally turned to painting.

"In September this year, our Qianqiu Group Jinling Branch will be 9 years old. I would like to take this opportunity to hold an anniversary celebration. We will need a huge oil painting and a commemorative album." Zixuan said slowly.

"Oh, that's no problem. I've done similar business before."

"Of course, there may be a lot of things to do. If Teacher Lin is too busy, you can ask friends for help." Zixuan said with a smile.

"Of course." JJ Lin nodded and continued, "However, there should be someone in charge of this matter in your company. I am flattered that you came to tell me about this little thing in person!"

Zixuan sighed inwardly, JJ Lin's words were so direct, it seemed that he still had doubts.

But she remained calm and said with a smile, "Of course there is someone in charge, but Manager Wen of the branch is on sick leave. I happened to be in Jinling these days and visited some old friends, so I stepped in and came here to talk."

"Oh, I see." JJ Lin suddenly realized, "If that's the case, then let's talk about cooperation next?"

"Of course." Zi Xuan smiled, "However, I would like to ask first, how much do you know about the culture of our Qianqiu Group?"

……

(End of this chapter)