Third brother's absolute

"Someone has matched up?" Lin Wanrong looked at Luo Ning with curiosity and said, "Miss Luo, could it be that you're the one who has matched up? But I wonder which line you've matched up with. Please don't say you've matched up with all four; that would drive me insane."

Luo Ning found his remark amusing, covering her lips with a smile, "Brother Lin, are you teasing me intentionally? If I could match up, would I have waited until today? Someone has indeed matched up with one of the lines."

So, it turns out only one out of the four lines has been matched. That's a relief. I was taken aback; if all four had been matched, what would be left for me? Lin Wanrong knew that though these four lines were considered absolute masterpieces, the more absolute they were, the more likely someone would match them. In this vast world, there were many extraordinary individuals, and it was only a matter of time.

Anyway, since these couplets weren't written by him, it was good that someone had matched them. He could turn it into a grand opportunity for publicity. By inviting this talented individual to the restaurant, organizing a seminar with numerous literary figures, not only would it create a memorable story, but the 'Food as Immortal' chain of hotels would undoubtedly gain widespread recognition, becoming a revered place for poets and scholars.

Exploit, it must be exploited, the hotter, the better. Lin Wanrong thought, "Matched up? That's excellent. Since the opening of 'Food as Immortal,' we haven't invited literary figures of wealth and talent. If this person truly matched up, we will declare to the world. Not only will we frame and hang the couplet, but we'll also invite the literati and beauties of Jinling to gather at the splendid 'Food as Immortal,' contributing to this grand poetry event."

Luo Ning nodded and said, "The second line has been matched, but whether it's good or not, I dare not casually say. Since you, Brother Lin, came up with the first line, it's only fitting that you judge the second."

She took out a letter from her sleeve, pulled out a sheet of pristine parchment, and handed it to Lin Wanrong, saying, "Brother Lin, please have a look."

As Lin Wanrong took the parchment, a faint, musky fragrance wafted through the air. The paper bore two lines of elegant and delicate characters: "Smoke trails along the charming eaves, smoke sways in the dark room; Mist envelops the black house, mist shrouds the unseen."

These two lines had a well-matched structure, clear rhythm, and Lin Wanrong, after reading for a while, nodded in approval, "Excellent, truly excellent."

Qiao Qiao, a clever young lady herself, looked up at the lines and nodded, "Well-matched and coherent in meaning, Sister Ning. Who is the talented person behind these lines?"

Lin Wanrong, eager to capitalize on the opportunity, exclaimed, "Exactly, Miss Luo. These lines are superb. I wonder who this literatus is? 'Food as Immortal' will live up to its promise; we must invite this great talent to our establishment."

Luo Ning replied, "Brother Lin, it's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but this literatus who matched up with the lines is from the capital. She is a teacher and friend from my school days in the capital. As she's not in Jinling, I can't invite her here."

Lin Wanrong felt somewhat disappointed. Money, this loss is indeed a loss of money. Since this literatus is in the capital, how did she learn about these four lines? Lin Wanrong felt disappointed for a while and then a bit puzzled.

Luo Ning, as if reading his thoughts, smiled and said, "Brother Lin, there's no need to doubt. These four couplets have long been renowned throughout the world. They are not only celebrated among the literati in Jiangsu and Zhejiang but also known among scholars in the capital. They are competing to match them, thinking it's a delightful challenge, but until now, none have come up with fitting lines."

I never expected my fame to reach the capital. Lin Wanrong let out a long "oh" and said, "Miss Luo, can you tell me the name of this literatus, so I can have her name framed and displayed to the world?"

Luo Ning shook her head, "Brother Lin, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that my friend is modest and low-key. She doesn't want to take advantage of this opportunity. She specifically instructed me. After matching up with these lines, she sent a letter through someone, and I only found out when I received it."

"Modest and low-key?" Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Did this literatus send a letter from a thousand miles away just for this?" Thinking about this person who matched up with the renowned first line, yet claimed to be modest and low-key, was quite amusing.

Luo Ning shook her head and explained, "No, my friend matched up with these lines not to boast intentionally. According to her, it's to boost the morale of scholars worldwide."

"Boost the morale of scholars worldwide?" Lin Wanrong was puzzled, "How does that work?"

"My friend says, Brother Lin, that your hanging of these four couplets is challenging the literary world. Although it's a wonderful story, it seems somewhat contrived and purposeful. She's afraid of hidden motives, afraid you might indulge in seeking fame and reputation through this."

Luo Ning sneaked a glance at Lin Wanrong's expression and continued to explain, "Brother Lin, my friend is upright and straightforward in character. She's like this in all matters. Her words may sound a bit harsh, but please don't take offense."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "What offense could I take? Your friend is right. My actions are indeed purposeful; I'm using it as a means to attract customers. This guy sees through it accurately. Well, what else did your friend say?"

Luo Ning replied, "She said that she matched up with these lines not for any ulterior motive, nor is it to gain the prosperity and talent of your restaurant. It's merely to humble your arrogance and make you stop underestimating scholars worldwide."

Lin Wanrong broke into a sweat. I created these couplets to earn attention and money, essentially a promotional strategy. I never expected it would trigger the indignation of this literatus and label me with a title of contempt for scholars worldwide. Damn, a toad wants to eat swan meat. Can he, with his arrogance, represent scholars worldwide?

"Oh, Miss Luo, if I may ask, what does this friend of yours do in the capital?" Lin Wanrong asked modestly. Why does she want to educate me if she doesn't like my attitude? It feels like I'm dealing with a political teacher.

She is an instructor at the Jinghua Academy in the capital, also the youngest libationer at the National University, with a renowned reputation throughout Beijing. In my youth, while studying in the capital, she was both my mentor and friend. We lived together, and this sister provided significant assistance to me." Luo Ning spoke of this teacher with a face full of admiration.

No wonder, she is a professor in the university, a prominent educational scholar. Seeing my arrogance, she must have been displeased. Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly, suddenly recalling Luo Ning's words earlier. He thought to himself, "Miss Luo, what did you say just now? You lived together with her?"

Luo Ning replied, "Indeed. What's strange about that? Seeing Lin Big Brother, have you thought of something strange?" Seeing Lin Wanrong's peculiar expression, she knew he had misunderstood. Feeling both embarrassed and angry, she said, "Brother Lin, where did your thoughts wander? This friend of mine is a lady."

So, she is a lady. I misunderstood. Sorry, sorry. Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, wondering which lady is so arrogant. I haven't offended her; why is she looking down on me like this? If it were Xu Wenchang who matched up, that wouldn't be surprising. However, the one who matched up now is a woman, and a female professor at that. Quite interesting.

Dong Qiaoqiao, having listened to their conversation for a while, didn't expect the talented person to turn out to be a woman. She was suddenly amazed and exclaimed, "Sister Ning, did this lady really come up with it? That's incredible."

Luo Ning nodded, "Absolutely. My friend is exceptionally knowledgeable, well-known throughout Beijing. Lin Big Brother, if you ever go to the capital, you might consider visiting her at the Jinghua Academy."

Visit her? What would I talk to her about? Discuss her contempt for me and express my admiration for her? No way. Regardless of her title as a libationer or female professor, I've never been fond of such things. I am a wolf, not a literary figure. Making money honestly is what matters.

Luo Ning smiled gracefully, "Lin Big Brother, my friend also mentioned that if you are interested, she has another couplet for you to match. She guarantees it to be equally challenging as the one you wrote. If you match it, she will also hang this couplet high in the attic of Jinghua Academy, complementing the northern and southern brilliance with your couplet."

This condition is quite tempting. Hanging in a university's attic would be a lasting achievement. Lin Wanrong felt stirred inside, with a strong desire to give it a try. However, considering the woman's extraordinary talent, the lines she comes up with will undoubtedly be challenging. He hesitated a bit.

"Big Brother—" Qiaoqiao gently held his hand, saying, "Let's not try this couplet. Having 'Food as Immortal' is already satisfying; we don't need the northern and southern brilliance."

Lin Wanrong understood Qiaoqiao was secretly considering his well-being. He tightly held Qiaoqiao's small hand and smiled, "Miss Luo, what's the upper couplet about? Tell me about it."

Luo Ning took out a scroll from her sleeve and nodded, "My sister-in-learning instructed that Lin Big Brother must agree before I reveal this upper couplet. Therefore, I am also unaware of the topic."

What's this mysterious thing? This female professor is quite good at creating a spectacle. Luo Ning unfolded the scroll, and upon reading the seven characters on the snowy-white parchment, she froze.

Qiaoqiao hurriedly looked at the paper and saw the same seven characters written on it - "Smoke trails along the charming eaves, smoke sways in the dark room."

Lin Wanrong also stood still. This was the upper couplet he came up with, and surprisingly, it was the same as the one the woman came up with. No wonder that female professor insisted it would be absolutely fair; it wasn't an exaggeration.

This couplet was already considered an absolute masterpiece throughout the ages. For that woman to match it was already remarkable. Now, she was forcing Lin Wanrong to come up with another one, making it exceptionally challenging.

Walking back and forth for about a cup of tea, both Qiaoqiao and Luo Ning anxiously watched him. They didn't dare to say a word.

"Heh—" Lin Wanrong suddenly laughed lightly, took a pencil, and wrote seven large characters behind the upper couplet. Luo Ning and Qiaoqiao looked at it and exclaimed together, "Extraordinary."