Fan Jun’s birthday gift indeed wasn’t ready-made, but to state exactly how cumbersome this “made on the spot” process was… it couldn’t really be considered that troublesome either.

The raw materials were already located inside the dorm.

It was merely awaiting his personal hands to execute the “assembly.”

The few individuals in the dorm happened to have overeaten during dinner and required some physical activity to aid their digestion. The moment they returned to the room, they immediately assisted him in tearing open all his delivery packages, subsequently lining the items up in an orderly row across the desk surface.

Brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.

The complete set.

“Yang, you’re remarkable,” Liu Wenrui propped his hands against the desk, staring at these objects that he had likely touched only a single time in his entire existence during an elementary school calligraphy extracurricular class, letting out a heavy exclamation.

“What do you mean, rams and sheep?” Zhang Chuanlong questioned.

“When you utilize this specific phrasing structure, do not address me with such intimate terms,” Zou Yang picked up the items one by one to execute a comprehensive inspection.

Zero issues.

He settled down by the edge of the desk, twisting open the bottle of liquid ink.

“Are you planning to write characters or execute a painting?” Zhang Chuanlong inquired.

“Both,” Zou Yang stated.

“How come you didn’t purchase an ink stick? Don’t traditional practitioners typically grind the stick concurrently while writing?” Zhang Chuanlong asked, “You simply purchased a bottle of black ink…”

“Then you’ll have to seek out my old man for that; he harbors a fondness for slowly grinding the stick while writing,” Zou Yang retrieved an unused disposable cup from Li Zhiyue’s desk, pouring a small volume of water into it.

“Does this ink require dilution with water?” Liu Wenrui leaned his frame closer.

“Prepping the brush,” Zou Yang reclaimed the calligraphy brush, using his fingers to repeatedly pinch the bristles, loosening up all the binding adhesive before submerging it into the water, rotating and pressing it in continuous circles.

“Such meticulous presentation?” Liu Wenrui remarked.

Zou Yang refrained from speaking, continuing to pinch the bristles with his fingers.

“Such boorish execution,” Liu Wenrui added.

“You’ve known him for over a decade,” Li Zhiyue interjected. “Have you never witnessed him executing these tasks?”

“Never,” Liu Wenrui admitted, “I’ve exclusively witnessed him engaging in street brawls.”

Zou Yang let out a tsk, extracting the brush to test its readiness, blotting the excess moisture against a tissue.

It was indeed true that Liu Wenrui had never witnessed him executing these tasks; under ordinary circumstances, he very rarely wrote or painted. Writing characters specifically was something he wouldn’t touch unless forced by his old man; executing it was purely for his old man’s visual appraisal.

Never could he have anticipated that this singular skill set could actually be utilized to “craft” a gift for Fan Jun.

Once the brush was fully prepped, he poured the ink into the inkstone reservoir, lifted the brush, and stood positioned before the low desk surface that Liu Wenrui had already assisted in blanketing with paper.

“Are you writing directly? Zero warm-ups required?” Li Zhiyue questioned.

“Currently, I’m simply practicing briefly to get a feel,” Zou Yang spoke concurrently as he raised the brush. Right as he prepared to drop the tip, Liu Wenrui whisked the paper away.

“If it’s for practice, let me locate some scrap paper for you,” Liu Wenrui insisted. “Do not let such high-quality paper go to waste.”

“I purchased such a massive volume precisely to utilize it for practice; can scrap paper possibly replicate the exact physical tactile response of this paper…” Zou Yang was somewhat speechless.

“Just utilize this paper to write,” Li Zhiyue leaned against the edge of the desk. “I’m immensely anxious to witness it.”

Liu Wenrui smoothed the paper flat across the desk surface once more, and the group gathered collectively around the perimeter, staring fixedly at the brush held within Zou Yang’s fingers.

“This setup is making even me appear a fraction nervous,” Zou Yang re-moistened the brush tip, letting out a breath.

The tip dropped.

你 (You).

“Holy crap,” Li Zhiyue bent over to inspect the character, “Zou Yang, this script of yours… is spectacularly gorgeous!”

“He was forced by his old man to practice for so many years after all; although I never witnessed it personally,” Liu Wenrui suddenly manifested a wave of pride, “I always knew he continuously practiced writing.”

“You,” Zhang Chuanlong read aloud, “You what?”

“Your appearance,” Liu Wenrui supplied.

Immediately following this, the group simultaneously burst into song.

“The way you look when you’re tense and cramped…”

“Let the dust and wind etch your appearance…”

The tracks they were singing weren’t even the identical song. Liu Wenrui and Li Zhiyue directed their gazes toward Zhang Chuanlong, whose version diverged entirely from theirs.

“I don’t know how to sing oldies,” Zhang Chuanlong stated.

“Correct, because you are young after all,” Liu Wenrui nodded.

Zou Yang dropped his brush tip once more, and the group collectively stared fixedly at the action again.

大 (Big).

“This script of yours is written spectacularly well, Zou Yang,” Zhang Chuanlong marveled. “Ordinarily, we merely knew your fountain pen handwriting was excellent…”

“Your big…” When Liu Wenrui read it aloud, the phrasing flowed effortlessly, yet he executed a timely halt, likely reflecting that it was a birthday gift after all.

“Your big eyes staring at tiny eyes…” Li Zhiyue let out a tsk.

爺 (Grandpa/Uncle).

Concluding the character, Zou Yang propped the brush onto a nearby rest, stepping back a pace to appreciate his work with immense satisfaction.

“Damn,” Li Zhiyue burst into a laugh.

“Your uncle! (Ni da ye / Screw you!)” Liu Wenrui couldn’t hold it back, reading the phrase aloud with standard, precise emphasis. “You actually wrote this specific piece of crap to present to Fan Jun!”

“I explicitly stated this was simply a warm-up to locate the tactile response,” Zou Yang countered.

“Ordinarily, don’t normal human entities practice the exact characters they intend to write for the final piece?” Liu Wenrui noted.

“Since you have demanded it…” Zou Yang loosened his wrists.

“I made zero demands!” Liu Wenrui barked, “Just present this exact piece to him!”

Zou Yang let out a smile, reclaiming the brush once more.

The group fell utterly silent, staring collectively at the brush within his hand again.

我 (I).

“I he…” Liu Wenrui stared at him, “Are you playing us for fools?”

愛 (Love).

“Oh my,” Li Zhiyue offered a comment with a laugh.

你 (You).

Zou Yang deposited the brush down; the tactile response felt decent, not overly unpracticed.

“We love you too,” Li Zhiyue blew him a dramatic kiss, “Mua~”

“Mua~” Zhang Chuanlong immediately echoed the action.

“Mua~” After completing his mua, Liu Wenrui tilted his head away, “Tui~ you ungrateful wretch.”

Zou Yang laughed, lifting the paper to inspect it.

“Such a lengthy strip of paper can’t possibly feature a mere three characters, right?” Li Zhiyue inquired. “When you execute the formal writing, do you still require clearing us out of the room? On that day, we will completely vacate the premises.”

“No need,” Zou Yang stated. “It’s simply that I haven’t fully finalized my thoughts… won’t a single piece of script paired with a minor painting appear a fraction unsubstantial?”

“Then purchase an additional blanket to gift him,” Zhang Chuanlong suggested.

The group collectively collapsed into their chairs with laughter.

“I perceive it as already spectacular,” Zhang Chuanlong remarked with absolute seriousness. “On the surface, it appears as a mere sheet of paper, but the characters and painting featured upon it represent the accumulation of over a decade of your continuous practice. It carries immense weight.”

“Holy crap, Longlong,” Zou Yang stared at him, and at this exact fleeting instant, he actually felt the rims of his eyes grow a fraction stinging.

“Zhang Chuanlong!” Liu Wenrui froze for a substantial duration before stepping over to hook his arm around Zhang Chuanlong’s shoulder, shaking him back and forth. “Today, I officially acknowledge you as a true member of our dorm.”

“Will this script require professional framing when the time arrives?” Li Zhiyue asked.

“Mm,” Zou Yang nodded his head. “I can execute the framing myself; it’s simply that my skill level is a bit subpar.”

“Badass,” Li Zhiyue praised. “Will you require assistants to lend a hand when that time arrives?”

“Listen to those words,” Zou Yang let out a tsk. “Just stand beside me and chant some cheers or something.”

“Zero issues,” Liu Wenrui complied.

As the hammer descended, the chisel tip somehow executed an unexpected skip. Fan Jun merely felt a sharp, piercing spike of pain shoot through his fingertip, followed immediately by the rapid welling of a bead of blood.

He gave his hand a firm flick, staring fixedly at his fingertip.

“Your mind drifted, right!” Xiao Long offered him a sanitizing wet wipe. “Concentrate your attention, your grip needs to be completely solid…”

“Mm,” Fan Jun responded, utilizing the wipe to clean across his fingertip, discerning the minute cut clearly; it wasn’t excessively deep.

“For areas where you need to chisel deep like this, you can’t simply deliver a direct strike; you must utilize blunt force,” Xiao Long unearthed an adhesive bandage and extended it over.

“Mm,” Fan Jun accepted the bandage, yet refrained from immediately applying it over his finger.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Long leaned closer to inspect the injury.

“I can register the physical pain,” Fan Jun stated.

“Eh?” Xiao Long froze, lifting his gaze to glance at him as comprehension dawned, “Previously, there was zero sensory perception, correct?”

“Yes,” Fan Jun nodded his head, delivering another brief squeeze to his fingertip. The blood welled up once more; it wasn’t as intensely painful as the initial moment of impact, yet it still carried a faint, rhythmic stinging sensation.

“Then that indicates it is currently in the process of recovering,” Xiao Long mused with his arms crossed. “This injury has persisted for nearly a full year already; it’s high time it commenced its recovery.”

“Mm,” Fan Jun let out a smile, giving it another squeeze before finally wrapping the bandage tightly around his fingertip.

Unsure whether it stemmed from the stimulation brought forth by this minor spike of physical pain, his operational efficiency throughout the evening proved spectacularly high, successfully completing the entire inner ring of chiseled patterns.

Although the remaining volume of workload persisted with substantial scale, assuming he maintained today’s precise pace, he could definitively achieve completion ahead of schedule.

When he emerged from the blacksmith workshop, the entirety of the commercial trade city had already turned completely devoid of a single human soul.

Fan Jun guided Xiao Bai along the outer perimeter of the trade city to complete its bathroom routine, subsequently unhooking the leash on the specific street fronting He Chuan’s shop, permitting the dog to sprint wildly back and forth for two full round trips.

“Once Brother Xiao Yang’s matters are fully processed, I’ll take you out to the countryside to run around,” Fan Jun rubbed Xiao Bai’s head.

The moment Xiao Bai processed the terms “out” and “run around,” it immediately let out a delighted whine, rubbing its frame enthusiastically against his legs.

“Not currently; a short duration of time needs to elapse first,” Fan Jun gripped its muzzle, shaking it gently.

Xiao Bai let out a very low bark.

“Good boy,” Fan Jun patted its head.

Saturday constituted a rest day. Zou Yang refrained from directing him to explicitly commute over to the campus to pick them up, opting instead to transmit the precise location coordinates of the law firm to his device.

[Zou yang]: Head straight over there; coming to pick us up forces too massive a detour.

[Fan]: Sounds good.

He Chuan tossed a brand-new set of car keys before his frame: “Drive this one.”

“Eh?” Fan Jun caught the keys, “I can simply drive that pickup truck.”

“Drive this new vehicle; after all, you are heading over to contest an estate. You need to present a certain degree of status and aura,” He Chuan asserted.

“The relatives on his father’s side are all quite… what if they end up scratching your vehicle when that time arrives?” Fan Jun noted.

“Let them scratch it! Let them scratch it completely!” He Chuan countered, “Watch exactly how I will deal with them if they dare scratch it. How many years have I navigated the streets? I possess a massive arsenal of underhanded tactics!”

Fan Jun let out a smile, depositing the keys inside his pocket: “Thanks, Boss He.”

“Don’t mention it,” He Chuan waved a hand. “We’re family.”

This law firm of Lawyer Cao’s wasn’t exceptionally distant, yet it was situated within a newly developed district that Fan Jun had never previously traversed.

Activating his navigation system, a renewed sensation of exploration surfaced within him once more as he commuted along the route.

Thoroughly unfamiliar streets, every single one of them immensely new and exceptionally wide. Even the vegetation planted within the green belts had sprouted fresh shoots, rendering the distinct patterns compiled by different plant varieties clearly visible. Because they consisted entirely of fresh shoots, the designs appeared spectacularly pristine.

The law firm was nestled inside an office building located within an equally pristine commercial zone. Although it was the weekend, the parking garage still housed a substantial volume of vehicles.

Right as Fan Jun concluded parking his vehicle and stepped down, his eyes locked onto Zou Yang’s eldest aunt standing inside the first-floor lobby of the office building, presumably awaiting someone.

This eldest aunt constituted the most intensely reactive individual among all the relatives; the second aunt shared an exceptionally close bond with her, consistently executing actions as a single unit. He had caught wind of an existing uncle as well, but during the raucous clamor of the funeral day, he had failed to distinguish exactly who was who.

Spotting his entrance, the eldest aunt swept a glance over his frame without uttering a syllable.

Fan Jun similarly paid her zero mind, stepping over to complete a visitor registration log according to the security guard’s requirements before entering the elevator, ascending to the third floor.

“He has arrived,” Zou Yang glanced at the message transmitted by Fan Jun surfacing across his phone.

Seated right beside him, Liu Wenrui visibly let out a heavy breath of relief. The moment they arrived just prior, the eldest aunt was already positioned downstairs engaging in a phone call. Zou Yang had caught a passing earful, and it sounded exactly as though she were verifying whether the other entities had achieved arrival.

If the entire contingent of relatives achieved full arrival, their side’s numbers would prove thoroughly insufficient. They required the presence of someone like Fan Jun—who could single-handedly take on ten adversaries—to feel fully grounded.

“He’s here,” Zhang Chuanlong cast a glance toward the entrance, immediately rising to his feet. “Brother Fan.”

Fan Jun exchanged low-toned greetings with the group: “How are things looking?”

“Zou Tianrui and her maternal aunt have arrived as well, currently situated inside the interior room,” Zou Yang rose to his feet, speaking to him in a low murmur. “Today, the law firm appears to have arranged personnel as well…”

The second he entered the premises, he had discerned the development; several individuals whose gazes didn’t closely resemble legal professionals were positioned along the exterior corridor.

“Those few individuals along the exterior corridor?” Fan Jun inquired.

“Mm,” Zou Yang nodded his head.

“When does it commence?” Fan Jun asked further.

“Ten minutes remaining; the interior is currently executing preparations. They even need to record a video track or something, setting up camera rigs,” Zou Yang stated. “Your task in a bit is simply to ensure they do not breach the room to cause a scene.”

“Am I permitted to initiate physical force?” Fan Jun asked.

“Do your absolute best to refrain,” Zou Yang smiled, casting a glance toward the surveillance camera. “If they initiate physical force first, then retaliate.”

“Understood,” Fan Jun complied.

“Zou Yang,” Li Zhiyue leaned closer. “In a bit, the items requiring your signature might potentially exceed a single document. Scrutinize everything clearly before signing—things like the will confirmation or the legal inheritance declaration need to be read clearly.”

“Mm,” Zou Yang nodded. “Your words are creating a fraction of nervousness within me.”

“It’s fine, your brain operates excellently,” Li Zhiyue patted his shoulder.

When the law firm staff member approached to notify them that they could proceed to the conference room to commence the reading of the will, Zou Yang felt his emotional state instantly spike with tension.

He possessed zero prior experience navigating such events; the moment he stepped into the conference room, he felt a wave of physical heat.

“Please be seated,” Lawyer Cao was already awaiting their arrival within the room.

Zou Yang cast a glance toward Zou Tianrui seated directly opposite his position; she sat with her head firmly lowered beside her maternal aunt.

Throughout these two recent encounters, she had remained thoroughly wooden, completely devoid of her past arrogant and domineering demeanor.

The process commenced, tracking first with verifying their identities, followed by informing the maternal aunt—whose current status was merely a temporary guardian—that she could exclusively participate in the reading in her capacity as an authorized guardian, possessing zero rights to dispose of the estate’s assets.

Subsequently, Lawyer Cao cleared his throat: “Reading of the will.”

Zou Yang directed his gaze toward him.

“I, Zou Yanqing, identification card number…” Lawyer Cao swept a glance across the seated individuals. “Being of sound and disposing mind, hereby execute this last will and testament. Article One, Distribution of Immovable Property…”

Zou Yang propped his hand against his temple; he truly harbored zero functional awareness regarding exactly what immovable property his old man possessed.

“The villa situated at No. 18 Linhu Road, property certificate number… shall be inherited solely by Ms. Liu Qiao. The villa situated at No. 600 Jinchuan Road, Jinchuan One, property certificate number… shall be inherited solely by Mr. Zou Yang…”

Zou Yang arched an eyebrow; he had never even heard whispers regarding the existence of these two detached villas. His old man had consistently resided exclusively inside the apartment building located within their prior residential estate.

Hearing this point, the maternal aunt opposite them instantly grew frantic: “Neither of the two villas belongs to Tianrui?!”

“Please refrain from disrupting the reading,” a staff member reminded her in a low tone.

It appeared Zou Tianrui and the maternal aunt were fully aware of the existence of these two villas, and furthermore, these two should constitute the entirety of such assets, otherwise the maternal aunt wouldn’t manifest such intense panic.

Back then, his old man likely never anticipated that Liu Qiao would murder him… allocating the assets to Liu Qiao was functionally equivalent to allocating them to Zou Tianrui as well.

“The apartment at 28-3 Qinghe Court, property certificate number… shall be inherited solely by Ms. Liu Qiao…” Lawyer Cao continued the reading. “The Jiangye Court Calligraphy and Painting Academy, property rights number… shall be inherited and operated by Mr. Zou Yang, and shall not be liquidated…”

“Eh?” Zou Yang froze briefly.

“Distribution of Movable Property…” Lawyer Cao cast a glance toward his position. “All porcelain and jewelry contained within bank safe deposit boxes No. 00182 and No. 00183, the comprehensive inventory of which is attached as Appendix One, shall belong to Liu Qiao. All calligraphy, paintings, and books personally collected by myself within the study and tea room, the comprehensive inventory of which is attached as Appendix Two, shall belong to Zou Yang…”

“This isn’t correct! Tianrui receives absolutely nothing…” The maternal aunt once again failed to restrain her outburst.

“Please maintain silence. If another instance of disrupting the reading transpires, we will have no alternative but to request your departure,” Lawyer Cao asserted.

The maternal aunt furrowed her brows tightly, pulling Zou Tianrui into a closer embrace while simultaneously casting another glance toward Zou Yang.

Zou Yang manifested zero facial expression, refraining from returning her gaze.

The subsequent sections detailed miscellaneous items and collectibles that possessed zero connection to Zou Yang, basically all inherited by Liu Qiao.

It appeared this specific will had been executed by his old man prior to his exit from the entertainment industry, and furthermore, before he had entangled himself with his assistant…

“Moving forward… regarding the revocation…” As Lawyer Cao spoke, Zou Tianrui suddenly erupted into a violent fit of weeping, yet he executed zero pause. “Pursuant to Criminal Judgment No. 03, it has been adjudicated that Ms. Liu Qiao, due to intentional homicide of the testator Zou Yanqing, has forfeited all inheritance rights…”

Zou Yang leaned his back against the chair, letting out a soft sigh.

“The villa at No. 18 Linhu Road and all porcelain and jewelry within bank safe deposit boxes No. 00182 and No. 00183 originally allocated to her shall return to the estate pool, to be divided equally between Zou Yang and Zou Tianrui according to statutory inheritance,” Lawyer Cao swept a glance across them upon concluding. “Furthermore, pursuant to Articles 1159 and 1161 of the Civil Code, the civil compensation damages that Liu Qiao is required to bear, including the claim filed by Li Wei, shall be executed with priority from the assets under Liu Qiao’s individual name. Should the aforementioned assets prove insufficient for liquidation, the remaining debt shall be deducted from the inherited assets forfeited by Liu Qiao…”

“What?” The maternal aunt stood up once more, yet rapidly sank back down, her countenance turning spectacularly unsightly. “She still possesses the face to advance a claim for compensation?”

In order to guarantee Zou Tianrui’s livelihood, Lawyer Cao indicated that a sum of money had already been allocated from the total estate to cover her educational, living, and medical expenses prior to reaching twenty-two years of age.

“Finally, regarding the executor of the will, Cao Zhong is designated as the sole executor, possessing the right to deduct execution expenses from the estate…” Lawyer Cao concluded the reading of all testamentary contents, placing the documents requiring signatures before Zou Yang and Zou Tianrui.

The will confirmation document, the statutory inheritance declaration, the debt liquidation commitment…

These items posed zero difficulty for Zou Yang. He harbored zero fixation regarding exactly how much of these assets would ultimately land within his palms. Concluding his perusal of these items, he merely advanced a single query: “The compensation damages must be liquidated first, correct?”

“Yes, the estate’s liquidation of debts takes absolute priority over inheritance distribution,” Lawyer Cao answered.

Zou Yang lifted the pen, scrawling his name across several documents.

“You cannot sign,” the maternal aunt opposite pressed her hand against Zou Tianrui’s fingers with immense urgency. “This… this isn’t correct…”

“What exactly isn’t correct?” Zou Tianrui demanded. Abruptly, she forcefully yanked her hand free from her aunt’s grip, screaming out almost hysterically, “What isn’t correct! What isn’t correct! What isn’t correct—”

Zou Yang deposited the pen, rose to his feet, and inquired of the staff member in a low tone: “Am I permitted to depart?”

The staff member nodded in confirmation.

He turned and stepped out of the conference room.

The exact second he rounded the corner into the exterior office zone, his eyes locked onto three police officers standing positioned there, alongside Fan Jun and the rest of his roommates.

Zou Yang was caught off guard: “What happened? Why did the officers show up?”

“It’s handled, it’s all handled,” Liu Wenrui hurriedly waved his hands. “The matter has already been fully processed. Just a moment ago, they attempted to charge inside…”

He dropped his volume to a whisper: “Demanding to know how Zou Yanqing’s assets could possibly possess zero connection to the members of the Zou family.”

“Both Zou Tianrui and I carry the surname Zou,” Zou Yang remarked.

“Ignore them, they don’t mean jack crap.” Liu Wenrui’s tone actually carried a trace of excitement.

Zou Yang cast a glance toward him: “What, did my old man allocate a share to you as well?”

“No,” Liu Wenrui laughed. “Damn, that mouth of yours… you have zero awareness of how spectacular Fan Jun looked just now, holy crap, he was too badass…”

Zou Yang directed his gaze toward Fan Jun.

Fan Jun was leaning against the edge of an office desk, hooking the corner of his lips into a slight smile toward his position.

“Did you sustain any injuries?” Zou Yang walked over toward his frame.

“No, how could that possibly happen?” Liu Wenrui followed closely behind him.

“I wasn’t asking you,” Zou Yang stated.

“Screw you, Zou Yang,” Liu Wenrui cursed back.

“No,” Fan Jun let out a soft laugh.

Zou Yang stepped up to him, completely oblivious to the crowd of individuals flanking them, extending his arms to forcefully pull the man into a tight embrace. Closing his eyes, he let out a long, sweeping breath of relief.