Chen Tianhua held Chen Fan's hand, receiving no reaction.
Unable to get a response, Chen Tianhua was inwardly surprised and continued to exert more force.
However, no matter how hard he tried, Chen Fan seemed completely unfazed.
"Tianjiao, I was surprised to hear you were back!"
Chen Tianyang said from the side, "Tell us, what's going on?"
"Cousin Tianjiao has retired!"
Dong Changhe said from the side.
"Retired?" Chen Tianyang frowned and said, "Things didn't go well in the army? Or did you make a mistake? Couldn't even save face for Great Grandfather?"
"Aren't you disgracing Great Grandfather?"
Chen Tianyang's tone was already accusatory.
Chen Fan felt a bit helpless and explained, "I didn't make any mistakes!"
"So it's not where your ambitions lie?" Chen Tianyang exclaimed, "You've been in the army for over ten years, only to retire like this?"
"The military is a furnace; only those forged into steel remain. The rough ore is either shaped or ultimately discarded!"
Chen Tianhua sneered, his tone dismissive, "Great Grandfather started his career in the military with brilliant achievements. In the end, Tianjiao, you've lost the spirit of the Chen family!"
"I suspect Great Grandfather isn't very happy with this family banquet!"
In his eyes, a hint of joy was already evident.
The reason the two brothers joined the army was, in the final analysis, to leverage Old Master Chen's connections in the military.
In fact, they had benefited greatly, their promotions far exceeding those of their peers.
Therefore, when they came to see Old Master Chen, they always wore their military uniforms to please him.
With Old Master Chen's influence, a casual word or a favor could pave the way for their bright futures.
However, they were ultimately only collateral branches of the Chen family, their origins far inferior to Chen Fan's.
Because of this, they couldn't help but feel envious and jealous of Chen Fan.
With Chen Fan's return to the Chen family and his background, he was undoubtedly destined to be the future head of the family.
This was something that caused them jealousy and resentment.
Chen Fan merely smiled at Chen Tianhua's taunt and said, "I think Grandpa is quite happy!"
"That's right, Brother Tianhua, Grandpa was very happy when my brother came back!" Chen Xing'er said from the side.
Chen Tianhua sneered again, with a hint of sarcasm, "Tianjiao hasn't been back for years; Great Grandfather wouldn't let him leave disappointed, would he?"
"No matter how poorly things are going outside, it's not good to expose old wounds at home, is it?"
Chen Xing'er was displeased.
This was also why she disliked living at the old family residence.
Although the Old Master governed strictly, the younger generation of the Chen family all had their eyes on their own brothers inheriting the position of heir.
Weren't they inadvertently stepping on their own brothers?
As they were talking, the old butler walked in and said, "The Master has woken up. Young Master, Miss Rui, Miss Xing'er, and everyone else, please come to the backyard!"
Chen Tianyang and his brother quickly agreed and invited Chen Wenrui to go ahead to the backyard to see Old Master Chen.
In the backyard, the Old Master stood before a desk, concentrating, his brush flowing like a dragon as he wrote calligraphy.
Despite his advanced age, the Old Master, having just woken from his nap, was in excellent spirits.
The group slowed their pace and approached quietly, not daring to disturb him.
Involuntarily, everyone's gaze was drawn to the Old Master's calligraphy.
On the white Xuan paper, the brush moved like a dragon and snake, having just written two square, regular script characters: Chen Jia...
The two characters were vigorous and upright, with strong bones, fully displaying his skill and brushwork.
As the powerful brushstrokes flowed, one character slowly took shape, a character for "Tian."
Together, they formed "Chen Family Tian." There was still space on the Xuan paper, clearly indicating that another character was to be written.
The many juniors held their breath as they watched.
The last character also took shape, forming the character "Jiao."
Chen Family Tianjiao!
The character "Jiao," with its dragon head and phoenix tail, leaped off the paper, displaying a vigorous momentum and an unyielding spirit.
The Old Master put down his brush.
Chen Fan smiled as he looked at the four characters.
The others, except for Chen Xing'er, were stunned with shock.
The words "Tianjiao" were originally a compliment.
But in the Chen family, these two words were a name!
Chen Wenrui turned to look at Chen Fan and said, "Dad, is this calligraphy for Tianjiao?"
"No!"
Looking at his own calligraphy, the Old Master was very satisfied and said, "I wrote it for myself. Tianjiao doesn't need me to write this to give to him."
The Chen Tianyang brothers breathed a sigh of relief.
Dong Changhe also felt a lot more relaxed, but at the same time, he was somewhat confused, as if the Old Master's words held a deeper meaning.
"I'm just happy. Our Chen family's Tianjiao is back, so I just wrote something casually. Old Fu!"
"Yes, Master!" The old butler stepped forward, moved the calligraphy aside, and put it to dry.
"Get this framed and hang it in my study..."
"Certainly!" the old butler quickly agreed.
"Wait a moment!" To everyone's surprise, the Old Master suddenly changed his mind and looked at Chen Fan, saying, "Tianjiao, you write a few characters for me to see, just these four characters!"
Chen Fan smiled upon hearing this, "Grandpa, perhaps it's best not to?"
"Why not?" the Old Master asked.
"I'm afraid I'll overshadow your calligraphy," Chen Fan chuckled.
His words drew everyone's attention.
The Old Master had devoted himself to calligraphy in his later years, and the spirit of his lifetime of military service was fully embodied in his writing.
As a result, the Old Master's calligraphy works in recent years had become renowned.
Chen Fan's words, though spoken casually, made them feel that he was being overly boastful.
"A person's calligraphy reflects their character, embodying their spirit. If you can surpass my calligraphy, I will only be happy!" the Old Master said.
"Grandpa, let me give it a try. I've been practicing calligraphy diligently recently!"
Dong Changhe said at this moment.
The Old Master smiled, cast a playful glance at Dong Changhe, and nodded, "Good!"
Dong Changhe stepped forward without hesitation, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and completed it in one go.
It was still the same four characters: Chen Family Tianjiao.
He truly possessed remarkable skill; the four characters were neat and round, worthy of being called pleasing to the eye.
After finishing, Dong Changhe smiled and said, "Grandpa, how is it? It can't compare to yours, but there's been progress, right?"
"Mmm, much improved from last time!"
Old Master Chen nodded with a smile and looked at the others, "Who else wants to try?"
"Great Grandfather, I will!"
Chen Tianhua said, taking the brush.
He still wrote the same four characters.
His calligraphy skills were not exceptional, but they were still round and smooth.
"I apologize if it's not good, Great Grandfather, this is my level!"
The Old Master nodded and his gaze fell on Chen Fan.
"I'll try too!"
Chen Tianyang spoke up.
He picked up the brush, took a deep breath, and with a suspended wrist, his movements were skillful.
The four characters were completed in one smooth flow.
"Oh?" After looking at it, the Old Master expressed surprise, "Tianyang, your calligraphy is quite interesting!"
"Although these characters might not be considered the work of a master, they have structure and substance, are dignified and powerful, with full strokes and hidden sharpness. Tianyang, I didn't realize your calligraphy skills were so impressive!"
"In front of Great Grandfather, I dare not boast." Chen Tianyang replied with a smile.
He was secretly delighted, having practiced calligraphy for a considerable time without revealing his skills, all to catch Old Master Chen's eye.
"This piece is already worthy of being framed and hung in the living room!"
The Old Master praised with a smile, then looked at Chen Fan.
Chen Tianyang also said, "Tianjiao, this is your name written here. It wouldn't be right if you didn't show us your skills!"
Chen Fan smiled, "Alright, Grandpa, if I overshadow your calligraphy, don't blame me!"
"I'll be happy, how could I possibly blame you?" the Old Master said, his eyes filled with anticipation.