What a refined hobby, Chairman Xu!

The moment he stepped through the door, Ye Chen saw Xu Jia practicing calligraphy.

"Mr. Ye, give me a moment," Xu Jia said without turning his head.

Ye Chen smiled and approached. On the xuan paper, Xu Jia had just written the phrase: The day my lofty ambitions are fulfilled.

By the time Ye Chen stood beside him, Xu Jia had just completed the final character.

"Mr. Ye, how is my brushwork?" Xu Jia asked, lifting his gaze.

"Impressive, grand and majestic!" Ye Chen nodded with a smile.

At Xu Jia's level, anyone bold enough to display xuan paper and a calligraphy brush in their office was bound to have commendable skill.

Cultivating an air of refinement is a favorite pastime among wealthy and influential figures. For someone of Xu Jia's stature, delving deeply into calligraphy was almost inevitable.

Well, except for Zhao Qian, the coal magnate from Shanxi, who lacked formal education and never completed middle school. Otherwise, even he would have likely pursued calligraphy. But his limited education kept him from attempting it, lest he make a fool of himself.

Xu Jia, however, was no ordinary businessman—he was a top-tier scholar. His refined sensibilities and literary prowess were undeniable. Thus, Ye Chen's praise was no mere flattery; Xu Jia's calligraphy genuinely carried weight.

"Grand and majestic, you say?"

Xu Jia exhaled, shaking his head lightly. "Mr. Ye, why don't you finish the next line?" He handed the brush to Ye Chen.

"Me?!" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Xu Jia smiled and nodded.

"Alright, I'll give it a try in front of you, Chairman Xu!"

Without pretension, Ye Chen accepted the brush.

Naturally, he stepped to the desk, placed his left hand behind his back, and dipped the brush in ink with his right.

Seeing this, Xu Jia's eyes widened slightly.

Few dare assume such a poised stance without decades of calligraphy practice.

But what happened next left him even more astonished.

Ye Chen's brush glided effortlessly across the paper—each stroke fluid and decisive.

Vertical lines, horizontal strokes, sweeping hooks—executed in one continuous motion!

I dare to laugh at Huang Chao, for he is no true hero.

The seven characters, perfectly aligned with Xu Jia's initial phrase, radiated even more commanding energy.

In terms of grandeur, Ye Chen's calligraphy completely overshadowed Xu Jia's work.

Moreover, the balance and tension within each character were impeccable—no flaws to be found.

Every stroke felt natural and harmonious, as though each character was meant to be.

By comparison, Xu Jia's earlier phrase, while admirable, paled next to Ye Chen's work. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they didn't even belong on the same page.

This...

Was this the calligraphy of a man barely in his twenties?

Even the most esteemed members of the Calligraphers' Association might struggle to match this level of mastery!

"Chairman Xu, pardon my humble effort."

Ye Chen set down the brush and smiled.

"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe such calligraphy could come from someone so young. I've practiced for decades, but this... This is beyond comparison!" Xu Jia shook his head in disbelief. "Even among the greats, this level could be considered exceptional. This isn't just skill—it's artistry at its peak."

"You flatter me, Chairman Xu," Ye Chen replied modestly.

Despite his capabilities, Ye Chen maintained humility, understanding that modesty was essential, even if he had no reason to conceal his talent.

"This isn't flattery. With such skill, if you pursued calligraphy professionally, your works could one day become the most prized pieces in contemporary art circles." Xu Jia's admiration was genuine. "It would be a shame not to pursue this!"

"Chairman Xu, there's no shame in it. Selling calligraphy won't earn as much as selling flawless ointments, right? It's just a hobby. Taking it too seriously isn't necessary," Ye Chen replied.

Xu Jia laughed helplessly.

Indeed, selling flawless ointments was far more lucrative than selling calligraphy.

With a faint smile, Xu Jia gazed at the two lines on the paper.

"Mr. Ye, do you know why I chose to write this phrase?"

"I'm all ears," Ye Chen replied softly.

"Back in the 90s, I was just a worker. I spearheaded my company's first real estate project, which eventually netted two billion yuan in profit. The second year after launching the project, I requested a raise—my salary was only 2,000 yuan at the time. Unfortunately, I was denied. Out of frustration, I resigned. I remember, as I walked out of the company's headquarters, I looked back at the top floor where the CEO's office was and thought: The day my lofty ambitions are fulfilled, I will laugh at Huang Chao for being no true hero."

Xu Jia's tone shifted from nostalgia to resentment, ending with hearty laughter.

Ye Chen listened quietly, unfazed.

Compared to his past life, Xu Jia's experiences seemed trivial.

"So, Chairman Xu, you should thank your former boss. Had he given you the raise and position you wanted, there wouldn't be the Henda Group today, nor the accolades that now accompany your name." Ye Chen smiled.

"Perhaps it's fate," Xu Jia mused. "I believe in destiny—firmly. I'm convinced that every opportunity and hardship in life arrives unbidden."

As he spoke, Xu Jia walked toward the massive bookshelf behind his desk.

The "bookshelf" resembled more of a large honor display, filled with certificates, medals, and trophies—including football awards.

Clearly, Xu Jia was not just a businessman but a legend among modern entrepreneurs.

"Whenever I see this shelf, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. It's a pride that money can't buy. But I also know that while pride isn't bought with money, it's built on financial success. If I hadn't left back then, my life would've taken a different path. I might have been successful, but not like this."

Staring at the shelf, Xu Jia exuded a commanding presence.

Yet, Ye Chen noticed the gray in his hair and the exhaustion on his face—a stark contrast to the vibrant Xu Jia he had first met.

The accolades on that shelf... soon they might merely be relics of a fading legend.

But Ye Chen kept this thought to himself.

"As you said, Chairman Xu, everything is predestined. You were meant to write this legend. Today, you have every reason to be proud."

"A household legend, huh?" Xu Jia chuckled, though a flicker of weariness flashed in his eyes.

"Come, Mr. Ye. Let's sit down and get to business," Xu Jia said, motioning toward the seating area.