"So I don't have the qualifications to meet Master Lin, but I suppose you do?" Zhang Bin rolled his eyes and said disdainfully.
"Hahaha…" The three of them let out strange laughs. Peng Yang said arrogantly, "If we don't have the qualifications to meet Master Lin, then no one here today does."
"What makes you think he can't meet Master Lin? Let me tell you, not only can he meet him today, but he can also take me along."
Yang Yiyi was growing tired of their arrogance and boisterousness. Besides, she believed in Zhang Bin's capabilities; the way he had dealt with that hooligan earlier was enough to show her how impressive he was.
"Beauty, I hate to tell you this, but you've been deceived," Peng Yang said. "He's no famous artist or genius in the world of calligraphy and painting; he's just a fraud. There's no way he can meet Master Lin. Only we can."
"You poor thing," Guan Shanyue added. "It's your lucky day. After dealing with a Li Gui, you've run into the real Li Kui. We've saved you."
"Beauty, hurry up and leave him. I'll protect you," Wu Xingxing said passionately.
"I've been deceived?" Yang Yiyi stared at the three of them as if they were idiots. Chen Junheng was just helping me out without asking for anything in return. How is that a deception?
"That's right, beauty. You've really been taken for a ride," a man in his sixties chimed in. "These three are the top talents in the world of calligraphy and painting. If anyone here can be certain of meeting Master Lin, it would only be them."
"They're the top three talents in calligraphy and painting? They're The Three Talents of Sun, Moon, and Stars?" Surprise and astonishment appeared on Yang Yiyi's face. As a student in the field, she had naturally heard of their reputation, though she had never met them in person. She never expected to run into them here.
"Indeed, that's them," the old man confirmed with a nod.
"Beauty, now do you see how you've been deceived?" Peng Yang puffed out his chest, proudly boasting about his glorious achievements before concluding, "Even Master Lin himself holds me in high regard, and Miss Lin also appreciates me greatly."
The Miss Lin he mentioned was, of course, Master Lin's granddaughter, Lin Youlan. Lin Youlan was recognized as the number one female prodigy in China's calligraphy and painting scene. Her talent was universally acknowledged, her works were exquisite, and she was already a famous artist. Moreover, Lin Youlan was a stunning beauty who had captivated countless men.
For such a gifted and beautiful woman to appreciate Peng Yang was indeed something to be immensely proud of. It was a constant source of envy and jealousy for countless talented men, including Guan Shanyue and Wu Xingxing, who were only a notch below him.
After speaking, he eagerly waited for Yang Yiyi to cast an adoring and fervent gaze upon him. But strangely, Yang Yiyi simply turned her head away and said to Zhang Bin, "So when does the assessment actually start? It's already ten o'clock. Do you think they'll serve lunch?"
It was as if she had completely ignored the three talents, showing a special preference for Zhang Bin instead.
Peng Yang was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. Guan Shanyue and Wu Xingxing were equally frustrated.
The faces of the onlookers also showed bizarre expressions. This beautiful woman clearly knew the young man was a scammer, and she was well aware that the three before her were exceptional talents in their field, yet she remained utterly indifferent. How is that possible? How? Could this woman be a fool?
The three talents were about to continue their campaign to rescue Yang Yiyi from Zhang Bin's clutches, but just then, the doors to the Hall of Talents swung open.
Everyone's faces immediately lit up with surprise and anticipation as they swarmed inside. Zhang Bin and Yang Yiyi naturally walked in as well.
The interior was a vast space, much like a school auditorium. A stage was set up at the front, with numerous tables and stools arranged below it. On the stage itself, however, there was only a Guqin on a stand and a single stool.
The many artists and calligraphers each claimed a table and stool. Zhang Bin and Yang Yiyi also found two adjacent seats and sat down. They scooted their stools closer, however, and continued to speak in hushed tones, looking for all the world like a couple lost in love.
Once everyone was seated, a young woman emerged from a door at the back of the stage. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with a tall, slender figure that was certainly model-esque. Her features were exceptionally striking, possessing a calm, serene beauty and a poised, elegant demeanor. She exuded a rich, scholarly aura.
She wore a flowing green dress and white high heels. Her cloud-like black hair was meticulously coiled into an elegant bun, revealing a swan-like neck and alluring collarbones. She was the very picture of a talented young lady.
GULP.
Many of the young men in the audience were utterly mesmerized. Their eyes, burning with intense gazes, were fixed on the beauty on stage, unable to look away. The sound of them swallowing audibly rose and fell throughout the hall, grating on the ears.
Even Zhang Bin felt the urge to swallow. Fortunately, his spiritual power was strong, which kept him from becoming completely entranced.
Nevertheless, he still watched the beauty on stage with an appreciative gaze. She gets a 95, he thought. Definitely on the same level as Liu Ruolan. The only thing she lacks in comparison is that her chest isn't as large as Liu Ruolan's, though it's by no means small. If she ate half a jin of that breast-enhancing winter melon, she'd definitely be busty.
"Keep staring and your eyeballs are going to pop out," Yang Yiyi whispered in his ear.
"I was just looking for a moment," Zhang Bin said with a wicked grin. "Unlike those guys. They've drooled enough to fill a basin."
Yang Yiyi giggled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. She then asked curiously, "Do you men really like her type of beauty?"
"Actually, you're the same type of beauty. Your looks are on par with hers, and your figure is even better," Zhang Bin said.
"Hee hee, I know I'm beautiful. Otherwise, you wouldn't have helped me," Yang Yiyi said with a coy laugh.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning," the beauty on stage said softly. "My name is Lin Youlan, and I believe most of you already know me." Her voice was sweet and pure, with a natural softness that was incredibly soothing to the ear.
"Good morning, Miss Lin!" many of the talented men and women below shouted in unison.
"The monthly selection assessment is about to begin," Lin Youlan announced. "Generally, the content of the assessment differs greatly each time. Today, the first test will be Zither Skills. In the four arts of 'Qin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting,' the zither comes first, which shows how important zither mastery once was in ancient times. There are surely reasons for this that we don't fully understand.
"However, we are not here today to study the history of the Guqin, but to test your Zither Skills. If you feel your skills are not up to par, or if you have not mastered the zither at all, please excuse yourselves. The next assessment will not focus on Zither Skills, so you will still have a chance to meet my grandfather."