Back then, I urinated ten feet in the wind

Lin Wanrong sighed silently in his heart. The entrenched concept of hierarchy spanning a thousand years – how could he, as an individual, shatter it? Though he possessed formidable strength, he found no foothold or, one might say, lacked the will to intervene. Faced with these pampered talents, what more could he say? Should he try preaching about innate human rights and equality for all beings? Forget it. Our paths differ, and there's no common ground between me and them. Besides, even if one were to advocate equality for all beings, in this era, would anyone believe it, accept it?

The more Lin Wanrong thought about it, the more helpless he felt. Finally, unable to contain himself, he shook his head with a bitter smile. Well, he wasn't here to save humanity or guide the course of history. What do I care about these things? Having said enough, you literati and talented ladies can continue playing in your world of urine and yellow mud; I don't have the time for it.

He spoke, and he walked away without bothering to greet anyone. Taking the young master with him, Lin Wanrong intended to leave. In the heart of the young master, Lin San held a god-like status. Guo Wuchang, upon seeing Lin San's gesture, didn't ask any questions and promptly followed him.

"Lin Brother—," Luo Ning, no longer caring about her mentor's presence, caught up to him with her long skirt in hand, looking at him with teary eyes. "Lin Brother, I'm sorry; it's all my fault—"

"Luo Miss, I've already said it has nothing to do with you. It's just that there are some things I can't stand. Alas, I'm naturally a straightforward person." Lin Wanrong said with righteous determination.

Listening to his words, Luo Ning, contrary to her usual laughter, burst into tears. "Lin Brother, I know you look down on me. I can only daydream, not do anything. What's the use of being called a talented lady? It's just an empty title that causes trouble; I can't do anything."

Lin Wanrong sighed and said, "Miss Luo, please don't belittle yourself. Everyone has dreams; it's just that the ways of pursuit differ. You're right; at least you still have dreams. As for me, I've even lost the qualification to dream."

Luo Ning, with tearful eyes, gazed at him and said, "Lin Brother, I don't understand what you're saying."

Lin Wanrong smiled, shaking his head. "You don't need to understand. Alas, today has been really tiring, and I feel a bit hurt. Miss Luo, let's embrace, purely as a form of comfort."

Luo Ning was startled, her heart pounding wildly. The way this Lin Brother thought was truly unique. She didn't know how he jumped to such conclusions.

Lin Wanrong teased Luo Ning with a couple of lines. Somehow, feeling uncomfortable, he suddenly sighed, "In the past, I could pee against the wind, but now, the wind wets my shoes. Such is life—"

His sudden and coarse words shocked everyone. Moreover, the meaning behind his words was elusive, and looking at his expression, it was incredibly desolate. Nobody could understand. Luo Ning, witnessing this, felt that the distance between her and him had widened even further.

Luo Ning tugged at his sleeve and said gently, "Lin Brother, although your words are rough, I always feel that what's in your heart is like a clear spring in the sunlight."

This is what a true confidant is; Lin Wanrong was moved almost to tears by these words.

"Don't create a personal idol. I strongly dislike that. A dedication of real gold and silver is more practical." He chuckled, his thoughts shifting fast. In the blink of an eye, the desolation on his face disappeared.

Seeing Lin San's coarse language and unrestrained behavior, Mei Yanqiu couldn't tolerate it any longer. She sternly said, "Lin San, do you think you can just leave? Do you believe you're invincible just because you can match up two couplets? If you insult me, you insult the entire realm of learning, and in the future, when you reach the capital, you'll find it difficult to move an inch."

"Insulting you is insulting the entire realm of learning? Can you represent the entire realm of learning?" Lin Wanrong disdainfully said, "Mei Mister, you're overestimating yourself."

As the literati around them looked at him with awe, Lin Wanrong sneered, "To represent the entire realm of learning, one must have the ability to encompass all of it. Even Mr. Wen Chang, with his unparalleled status, dares not claim to represent the entire realm of learning. Mister Mei, your confidence is too high, but your knowledge falls far short."

Seeing Mei Yanqiu turn pale, Lin Wanrong sneered, "If you don't believe me, I'll come up with a couplet today. If Mister Mei can match it, then I'll admit defeat. I'll apologize to Mister Mei personally."

The young master, with a sense of humor, added, "And what if Mister Mei can't match it?"

Lin Wanrong smiled and said, "If Mister Mei can't match it, my request is simple. I'll ask her, in person, to play the role of an old ox, plowing several acres of fertile land. Let her experience how we, the so-called lowly people in her eyes, labor in the fields. If she still can't match it after three years, then she should refrain from insulting the term 'national learning.'"

His words were arrogant, but no one doubted him. After several rounds of exchanges, everyone understood that Lin San indeed had some talent. Defeating Shen Banshan that day was undoubtedly a genuine skill. Previously, he only responded to others' couplets, but today, he was going to produce one himself. It was needless to say that it would be extremely challenging.

Mei Yanqiu, realizing she had encountered a tough opponent, felt helpless. But being in front of so many students, she couldn't back down and could only bite the bullet. "Fine, teach me."

Just as Lin Wanrong took out his pencil and brushed a few words on a white sheet, everyone eagerly looked at it. They saw a couple of bold and unrestrained characters: "Chickens and dogs cross Frost Bridge, all the way plum blossoms and bamboo leaves."

Luo Ning, glancing at it, furrowed her brows. It was a double metaphor couplet – plum blossoms and bamboo leaves were both scenery and the marks left by chickens and dogs on frost. Though not an eternal masterpiece, it was remarkably ingenious. It wasn't as easy to match as it seemed. However, as Lin Wanrong said, the couplet wasn't intentionally crafted to make things difficult for Mei Yanqiu; it was fair.

Seeing Mei Yanqiu's thoughtful expression, everyone knew the outcome without saying anything. Mei Yanqiu, looking at the first line of the couplet, was silent for a long time. Her face alternated between red and white, and this double metaphor couplet, even if Xu Wei were present, might not be matched by him, let alone her. She gritted her

 teeth and said, "Of course, no one can match it."

Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and wrote, "Swallows and orioles pierce embroidered curtains, at half-window, jade scissors and golden shuttle."

With a cold smile, he said, "Mister Mei, this couplet you called an eternal masterpiece, I've matched it. What do you say?"