After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 295: This Ink is of the Highest Quality

Chapter 295: Chapter 295: This Ink is of the Highest Quality

Qian Yaya’s finished ink sticks had already been placed in the drying room, and she watched Jiang Lingxi still pounding at her lump of ink. She boldly reached out to touch it, her small face thoughtful: "Why do I feel like Teacher Jiang’s ink lump is smoother than mine, is that an illusion?"

"Not an illusion," answered the master who also wore a satisfied expression as he looked at the ink lump, "This means the glue has fully merged with the ink, making it smooth and fluid when writing. Also, the ink color already has a subtle blue-purple hue, the proportions are perfect, and with ample pounding, the quality of this ink will definitely rank excellent once completed."

He glanced again at Jiang Lingxi, who was still diligently pounding with a small hammer, now seriously suspecting this young lady wasn’t a novice.

After all, even as an ink-making expert himself, he was once praised as talented by his master and his first ink products were only slightly better than this young girl’s work.

But what this young Jiang has made, honestly, is already not worse than when he first mastered the craft.

If he didn’t know she could not possibly pursue this path professionally, he would have asked if she wanted to be his apprentice.

Qian Yaya thought of the master’s "barely usable" evaluation of her work and felt slightly dejected.

But she had witnessed Jiang Lingxi’s dedication, and the high praise she received was well-deserved.

So, she gave a straightforward thumbs up, "Teacher Jiang, thumbs up for you!"

She initially considered asking if Jiang Lingxi would sell the ink once it was finished, but figuring her as an actor probably wasn’t short on money, she swallowed the question back down.

Jiang Lingxi caught the sincere and pure emotions in the young girl’s eyes, and returned a smile: "Thank you."

Qian Yaya tilted her head, looking at Jiang Lingxi’s profile. Although she was a fan of Jing Huai, she didn’t know much about her fellow actor Jiang Lingxi, just vaguely aware of her existence in the entertainment world.

But after spending the day together, she realized that while her initial excitement was for meeting Jing Huai, her gaze soon found itself drawn to the person in front of her instead.

Their group of guests were all good-looking, but it seemed some people just exuded a kind of light, capturing eyes and attention even without a sound.

Could this be what her aunt often referred to as personal charisma?

"Teacher Jiang."

Jiang Lingxi turned her view slightly, looking with mild curiosity at the suddenly calling Qian Yaya.

"What artwork did you submit when you signed up for this program?"

Xu Qingmei, sitting in front of the observation desk, felt her mood lift upon hearing this.

Her eyes fixed on Jiang Lingxi in the split screen.

The previous praise from the master for Jiang Lingxi had completely contradicted her prior claim that Jiang Lingxi was just putting on a show for the sake of the program.

But, the artwork!

Did Jiang Lingxi actually submit a piece for the program?

Wasn’t it like Jing Huai, who pulled some strings?

Jing Huai went through her, while Jiang Lingxi likely went through that Mr. Shi.

Qian Yaya’s question was quite brilliant, let’s see how Jiang Lingxi responds!

Yet before she could fully prepare to enjoy the show, she heard Jiang Lingxi on the split screen start to reply: "It’s a painting, originally without a name, but a friend who saw it for me named it ’Cat Goose War’."

"’Cat Goose War,’ is it about animals? Ink-painting or meticulous style?"

"Ink painting."

"I wonder if I’ll ever have the chance to see it."

Xu Qingmei’s fingers pressing on the table turned slightly white from pressure, holding back disbelief.

Jiang Lingxi really did submit her work!

Was she chosen because of her artwork, or did the program approve that ’Cat Goose War’ just because of her?

Hopefully, it’s the latter.

It must be the latter!

"Speaking of which," a voice nearby broke in, "while our program can only choose a few guests, the artworks we’ve received this time are quite impressive. I suggest that at the end of the program, we should exhibit all the artworks so the audience can appreciate them as well, making it worth everyone’s efforts to submit them."

As soon as Li Wanxuan finished speaking, the two judges sitting to her left nodded in agreement, both saying, "I agree."

Immediately after, Xu Qingmei heard Shen Yunqing also speak up: "I agree."

Now, whether she agreed or not mattered little, she just clenched the edge of the table with a smile: "I agree too. Every piece is the heart’s work of each young artist, and if it’s been submitted to the program, it’s undoubtedly their proud creation. Those that weren’t selected will surely be thrilled to have this opportunity to be showcased on national TV."

As for Jing Huai not having a piece of artwork, Xu Qingmei found the solution quite simple. Either draw one quickly or buy one at a high price, either way, it could easily be resolved.

Even though Li Wanxuan could tell Xu Qingmei was being insincere, she had to admit those were quite reasonable words.

The suggestion wasn’t hard for the production team to accomplish and was quickly approved.

However, the guests were still unaware.

*

Jiang Lingxi looked at the small hammer smooth as new in her hand, "It’s done."

"Indeed, it’s done," the master handed her a prepared empty mold, "With no ink sticking to the hammer at all, it shows that the glue and ink are completely blended. Start molding."

Jiang Lingxi put down the hammer and picked up the ink lump, pinching a small portion and rolling it into a fine strip before placing it in the mold, then pressing down with a board matching the mold’s grooves.

When she removed the mold, a rectangular ink stick had formed.

Just the right amount, she made six pieces in total.

When preparing to make the ink, she had already planned to keep two ink sticks for herself. An’an had also learned calligraphy, so she would give her two, and the remaining two would be gifted to Shen Yunqing.

After all, he lacked for nothing, so she might as well gift him something handmade by herself.

Delivering the still-soft ink sticks to the drying room, Jiang Lingxi finally stretched her slightly sore shoulders, said a word to the master, and walked out of the ink-making area.

Upon exiting, she saw Qian Yaya standing in front of Jing Huai, holding a brush and scrutinizing it thoughtfully.

She also glanced at the brush.

As expected, the brush was probably made by Jing Huai himself. To her eyes, it seemed a bit too hastily made to be the work of the studio’s professionals.

The next moment, she heard Qian Yaya speak: "Brother Jing Huai, when my ink is done later, could you use this brush you made, along with the ink I made, to write me a signature? As we agreed before, it will be in the Yuan Zhao style, is that okay?"

Jiang Lingxi walked towards the inkstone area, and as she rounded the screen, she heard a slightly stiff voice reply from behind: "Sure, sure!"

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