Chapter 156: Accepting the Bet

“What beautiful calligraphy! The characters flow like clouds and water, the strokes are like wisps of smoke, truly a rare sight!”

“Yes, such exquisite calligraphy skills, you wouldn’t be able to write it without years of practice.”

Old Master Lu, Old Master Ji, and several other old masters were chatting when they heard the commotion and praise coming from this direction.

They couldn’t help but feel curious and got up to walk towards the source of the sound.

When they got closer, they were immediately drawn to the two pieces of calligraphy on the table, their eyes revealing undisguised appreciation.

They had naturally seen the calligraphy competition between the Zhu family girl and the girl adopted by the Ji family.

They knew about the Zhu family girl. She was a disciple of calligraphy master Wang Zhiqian and had a certain reputation in the calligraphy world.

They weren’t surprised that she could write such beautiful characters.

But the fact that the girl adopted by the Ji family could also write such beautiful calligraphy was truly remarkable.

And the piano piece she played earlier had also deeply impressed them. This girl was a hidden gem.

Several old masters looked enviously at Old Master Ji and Old Master Lu. If only they could have such granddaughters and granddaughters-in-law.

“Gentlemen, guess which of these two pieces of calligraphy was written by Miss Ling Yao?” Someone asked the old masters with a smile.

Several old masters examined the two pieces of calligraphy carefully.

“This piece of calligraphy has flowing and natural strokes, and the characters are elegant and lively, faintly revealing a grandmaster’s style.”

“This piece of calligraphy has smooth and natural strokes, without any hesitation, flowing like clouds and water, either strong and powerful or graceful and elegant, echoing each other, forming a unique rhythm and tempo.

Compared to this one, this one is even better. This one should be the Zhu family girl’s, right?”

“I think this one is the Zhu family girl’s too.”

“Old Master Yang! Old Master He! You guessed wrong

. This one is the Zhu family girl’s, and this one is written by Old Master Ji’s granddaughter.”

Hearing this, the old masters were all in disbelief.

“Old Master Ji, your granddaughter is truly a hidden gem. I didn’t expect her to have such talent!”

“She really grew up in the countryside?”

“Just this calligraphy alone is something that countless young ladies from prestigious families can’t achieve.

And I heard she’s also this year’s top scorer in the college entrance exam.”

“Old Master Ji, you’re truly fortunate to have such a granddaughter.”

For a while, praise filled the air. Old Master Ji’s face blossomed as he listened to the old masters’ compliments.

He looked at Ling Yao, his eyes filled with pride and relief. But when he thought about how Ling Yao still hadn’t called him “Grandpa,” he sighed inwardly.

His intention was to protect them, but he did hope that his son would stay away from them and marry someone from a suitable background.

After all, the Ji family had a prominent position in the capital. If they married a wife without a background or education, she wouldn’t be able to survive in a family like the Ji family.

The Ji family seemed peaceful, but there were undercurrents and constant power struggles.

Especially after Yanting was injured, everyone in the Ji family was eager to seize power, especially his eldest son.

He had repeatedly hinted to him, both directly and indirectly, to give up the position of head of the Ji family to him.

Fortunately, his body was still strong, and the three children Yanting adopted were also promising.

Otherwise, the position of head of the Ji family would have been taken by his eldest son.

He didn’t dislike his eldest son, but his eldest son was too indecisive and easily influenced.

 If he became the head of the Ji family, the family’s foundation would definitely be ruined in his hands.

So, after Yanting recovered, he planned to pass the position of head of the family to him.

 But at that time, Yanting was only focused on finding Ling Xuemei and their daughter, and he had no interest in the position of head of the family.

Over the years, he had secretly protected them. He knew their personalities very well.

Ling Xuemei was kind, but too weak.

Ling Yao dropped out of high school after graduating. She had poured all her heart into one man.

No matter how that family treated her, she remained devoted to him.

He couldn’t possibly let them return to the Ji family. That’s why he let Zhou Yu into the Ji family, even though he knew she was a fake.

Yanting had promised him that he would agree to take over the position of head of the Ji family as long as he found his wife and daughter.

 But Zhou Yu was also a fool.

 She came to claim kinship with a fake jade pendant, thinking that the Ji family were all fools.

Such a person was naturally of no use. So, when he saw Yanting being nice to Zhou Yu, he revealed her identity.

But Ling Yao was truly a surprise. He had misjudged her. Fortunately, Yanting insisted, and he didn’t miss out on such a good granddaughter.

 He just wondered when she would forgive him and call him Grandpa.

Seeing everyone praising Ling Yao, Zhu Xueya’s face turned red, her heart filled with shame and anger.

She had thought that Ling Yao knew nothing about calligraphy, that she was completely an amateur. But she didn’t expect her to be so skilled.

Ling Yao turned to Zhu Xueya and Ji Youran, looking at them with a playful smile, “You lose.”

Ji Youran’s face changed slightly, “I didn’t bet with you.”

With that, she turned and ran away. She clearly didn’t intend to give the jade pendant to Ling Yao.

Ling Yao’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest because of Ji Youran’s departure. Her gaze remained fixed on the jade bracelet on Zhu Xueya’s wrist,

“Miss Zhu, are you going to renege on the bet?” Her words carried a hint of playfulness and provocation.

Zhu Xueya’s face flushed red when Ling Yao asked that. She did have this intention.

After all, this bracelet was a family heirloom of the Zhu family. How could she possibly give it to Ling Yao?

“Can you change the condition?”

Ling Yao raised her eyebrows, “Miss Zhu, are you really trying to cheat?”

“Xueya, what happened?” Old Master Zhu saw this scene and walked over.

“Grandpa… I…” Zhu Xueya blushed, stammering and unable to utter a complete sentence.

“Old Master Zhu! It’s like this. Earlier, Miss Zhu bet with me. If my calligraphy was better than hers, she would give me the jade bracelet on her wrist.

 Otherwise, I would give her the jade bracelet on my wrist.” Ling Yao briefly explained the situation.

Old Master Zhu frowned, his gaze stern as he looked at Zhu Xueya. His eyes revealed clear dissatisfaction and reproach,

“Since you’ve lost, you must admit defeat. Our Zhu family doesn’t tolerate those who go back on their word or betray their trust!”

Hearing this, Zhu Xueya’s eyes welled up with tears.

She bit her lip and nodded aggrievedly. Then, she slowly stretched out her hand, gently stroking the bracelet on her wrist.

Her movements were filled with reluctance, but she had to take it off.

Just then, Ling Yao suddenly interrupted Zhu Xueya’s movements, “Wait!”