"So this is where you've been."
Just as lunch was wrapping up, a loud voice came from behind them.
Huang Yifan turned around and saw Feng Yi again, the same guy from earlier.
Suppressing a laugh, he said, "Student Feng, what is it? Still planning to treat us to a meal? That works. We've just finished eating. But we haven't paid yet. Why don't you take care of the bill for us?"
"Get lost. I'm a dignified 3-star author, and you think I'd treat you? Who do you think you are? Huh? Where's that five-pointed star badge on your chest? Haha, I knew you were lying. A 5-star author? You think I'm that easy to fool?"
Seeing Huang Yifan, Feng Yi's anger flared instantly. After shouting at him, he turned to his cousin. "Cousin, it's this guy pretending to be a 5-star author. Aren't you part of the Writers Association? You should deal with this."
Patting Feng Yi on the shoulder, his cousin gestured for him to step aside, then looked at Huang Yifan. "Oh? Is that so? This student here, Feng Yi says you're pretending to be a 5-star author. Is that true?"
"Luo Ling, what are you trying to do?"
Caught off guard, Lu Qing didn't fully understand what was going on. But bullying Fanchen right in front of her? No way.
She stood up immediately and confronted Feng Yi's cousin.
"Ah, Lu Qing, what are you doing here?"
"Hmph, Luo Ling, are you abusing your position for personal grudges? Your cousin is quite something."
She deliberately emphasized the word "cousin," making Luo Ling feel like coughing up blood. He cursed Feng Yi inwardly. Why did this idiot have to call him "cousin" here? Now, even if there was something wrong, he couldn't intervene.
"Heh, just a misunderstanding. Lu Qing, my cousin, said he saw a young 5-star genius earlier and wanted to meet him. Now that I've seen him, he truly is extraordinary."
"Oh really? Well, you've met me now. But earlier, your cousin said he'd treat me to a meal. He left before paying. What's that supposed to mean? Sigh, what's wrong with people these days? Even treating someone to a meal is full of insincerity. Lu Qing, let's go pay the bill ourselves."
"Alright."
"Feng Yi, did you say you'd treat them?"
"I… yes… but cousin "
"Cousin my ass. Say that again and don't ever come looking for me. Now go pay the bill."
"Yes, yes… I'll go right now."
"Thanks."
Watching Feng Yi go pay, Huang Yifan smiled faintly.
"No need to thank me. About earlier, my apologies. I'm Luo Ling, liaison officer of the Xijiang Provincial Writers Association. May I have your name?"
"Huang."
Luo Ling wore gold-rimmed glasses and looked refined on the surface. But that was just appearance. Earlier, when he hadn't spoken, he had been watching Huang Yifan with a sly grin, which irritated him. So despite Luo Ling's polite tone, Huang Yifan only responded coldly with a single word and didn't bother engaging further.
"Oh, so you're Mr. Huang. My apologies for earlier. I wonder if you're free this afternoon to attend a literary event organized by the association. I happen to be one of the coordinators. If you're interested, I could arrange a few extra activities for you to showcase your talents. Also, Feng Yi would love to learn a thing or two from you."
"We'll see."
As expected, refined on the outside, scheming on the inside. The words sounded polite, but it was clearly a provocation. Huang Yifan saw right through it, but since he had already planned to attend anyway, he gave a casual reply.
Even so, Luo Ling remained smiling. "Then I'll look forward to seeing you this afternoon."
By then, Feng Yi had returned after paying.
"Feng Yi, let's go."
"Ah… cousin… we're just leaving?"
"Not embarrassed enough yet?"
"But "
"But what? Move."
…
"Fanchen, I'm really sorry. This is all because of me."
After they left, Lu Qing apologized.
"It's fine. It has nothing to do with you. I had a conflict with that Feng Yi earlier. It just happened to involve you."
"Then you shouldn't go to the event this afternoon."
"Weren't you the one who wanted me to go?"
"That's not it. You don't know what Luo Ling is like. He's in charge of the event. He might take the opportunity to get back at you."
"It's fine. I'm just going to take a look. Whether he can do anything to me depends on his ability."
…
At 1:30 PM, a literary event themed 'Patriotism' was held at the Xijiang Federation of Literary and Art Circles Plaza.
Attendees included leaders from the federation, as well as renowned figures like writer Tan Ren, poet Xi Bai, and famous musician and producer Meng Ke.
Since Lu Qing still had work, she initially couldn't accompany him. Huang Yifan didn't mind and entered the plaza alone.
But just as he stepped in, a voice called from behind.
"Fanchen, wait for me!"
"Didn't you say you had work this afternoon?"
Seeing it was Lu Qing, Huang Yifan smiled.
"I did, but I swapped shifts with a colleague. I figured you'd be alone, and I was worried Luo Ling might cause trouble. If I'm with you, I can at least help."
"Thanks."
He nodded in appreciation.
…
"Cousin, cousin, that guy's here."
From a distance, Feng Yi had been watching closely. The moment Huang Yifan entered, he alerted Luo Ling.
"I see."
"Cousin, let me handle him."
"What's your plan?"
"I want to challenge him in an idiom contest."
"Pfft…"
Luo Ling nearly choked. "Feng Yi, can you come up with something more sophisticated? An idiom contest? What is this, a middle school idiom chain game?"
"Don't underestimate it. I've memorized nearly ten thousand idioms recently. Most people aren't a match for me. It might not seem impressive, but it's enough to humiliate him. I'm sure he's just a poser with no real knowledge."
Seeing how serious he was, Luo Ling nodded. "Fine, I'll arrange it."
…
"Lu Qing, don't you think these 'patriotism'-themed events organized by the federation and Writers Association are a bit too political?"
As they walked around, Huang Yifan casually commented.
"I wouldn't say that. Patriotism has been a virtue passed down for thousands of years in Huaguo. Even aside from politics, promoting patriotic culture is important. At the same time, without national support, the arts wouldn't flourish like this. I think literature and politics, literature and the nation, actually reinforce each other."
"Haha, I was just saying. Patriotism is definitely worth promoting. It's not really about politics. But your answer was quite eye-opening… just a bit official."
"Fanchen, don't make fun of me."
They hadn't walked far when Luo Ling approached.
"What a coincidence, Mr. Huang. Running into you again so soon."
Though he had clearly come looking for him, Luo Ling acted as if it were by chance.
"Lu Qing, weren't you working this afternoon?"
"And I can't come just because you're here?"
"No, no, of course you can. By the way, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to coffee."
"Sorry, I'm not."
"Alright then."
After being rejected, Luo Ling got to the point. "Mr. Huang, there's an idiom contest ahead. Feng Yi claims he's some kind of idiom master, but I think he's just bragging. Since you're a young talent, you must know a thing or two about idioms. Why not come along and put him in his place?"
"Luo Ling, Huang is just here to look around. He has other things to do."
"Lu Qing, that's not right. Mr. Huang hasn't refused. I'm sure he's interested."
"Haha, Mr. Luo, it seems we think alike. I am indeed interested. Let's go teach your cousin a lesson."
"Teach him a lesson… pfft…"
Lu Qing nearly burst out laughing.
…
Following Luo Ling, they arrived at the idiom contest area in the northwest corner.
Feng Yi was already competing with several literary youths.
And to his credit, he really did have some skill. Idioms flowed out of him effortlessly.
In no time, he had defeated all his opponents.
"Damn…"
Seeing this, Luo Ling almost wanted to smack him.
You've already crushed everyone. How am I supposed to lure this guy into competing now?
Still, being the seasoned one, Luo Ling quickly said, "Wow, Feng Yi actually has some skill. Impressive. Mr. Huang, you probably wouldn't stand a chance either. Let's skip this match."
"Alright, then I won't compete."
"…Huh?"
Luo Ling froze.
What the hell? I was trying to provoke you into competing!
And you just agreed not to?
Do you have any pride at all?
"Yeah, yeah, let's not compete."
Lu Qing laughed so hard she doubled over.
"Mr. Huang… you really won't compete?"
"You just said not to."
"Well… I was just worried you might lose."
"Sigh, Mr. Luo, if you want me to compete, just say it. Why go in circles?"
At this point, Huang Yifan couldn't hold back anymore. "I'll take the challenge."
"Good, I like straightforward people like you."
Luo Ling was overjoyed.
So this guy really is just a poser. Thought you wouldn't bite? And yet here you are.
"Fanchen, why did you?"
Lu Qing grew anxious.
"It's fine. It's just an idiom contest. Losing is no big deal."
Unbothered, Huang Yifan stepped forward.
Seeing him approach, Luo Ling said to Feng Yi, "Feng Yi, don't get cocky. Your next opponent is Mr. Huang. Let's see if you can still win."
"Haha, easy."
Feng Yi was delighted. "Finally, I can get my revenge."
"How should I humiliate him after I win?"
"Scolding him seems uncultured…"
"But if I don't, I'll feel awful…"
Before the match even started, he was already lost in thought.
"How are we competing?"
Seeing Feng Yi grinning to himself, Huang Yifan was speechless.
"You choose. Idiom chain or guessing riddles."
"You decide. Otherwise, people might say I'm bullying you."
"I decide?"
Feng Yi was stunned. "Fine, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"This event is themed around patriotism. We'll take turns saying idioms related to patriotism. Whoever can't continue loses."
"Alright."
"I'll start. 'Sacrifice oneself for the country.'"
"'Serve the country with utmost loyalty.'"
"'Die for the country.'"
"'Give one's life for the nation.'"
"'Fight to the death on the battlefield.'"
"'Worry for the country and its people.'"
…
"'The widow's concern over her weaving.'"
"'Endure for the sake of the nation.'"
At this point, Feng Yi was already struggling. A few more rounds and he'd likely lose. But then he suddenly realized he had never heard of the idiom Huang Yifan just used.
"Is 'the widow's concern over her weaving' even a real idiom?"
"…."
Huang Yifan wiped some sweat.
He had almost mixed up cultures from two different worlds. That idiom didn't exist here.
But even so, he didn't admit it. "What do you mean it doesn't exist? Just because you haven't heard of it?"
"What a joke. I've memorized over ten thousand idioms. I've never seen that one. If it's real, explain its origin."
"Fine, since you asked."
After a moment, Huang Yifan said, "In this idiom, 'widow' refers to a woman without a husband, and 'weaving' refers to the threads of cloth. Originally, it described a widow worrying about her livelihood. Later, Wen Tianxiang used it in a memorial to the emperor, expressing concern for the nation. Thus, it came to symbolize worrying about the country."
"…Alright, we'll count that one."
Though still doubtful, Feng Yi didn't want to appear ignorant.
"Continue. I'll say… 'Grain growing in the imperial palace.'"
After thinking for several minutes, Feng Yi finally came up with a rare idiom.
He felt victory was certain.
But just as he thought he had won, Huang Yifan replied again:
"'Fragrant herbs and beauty.'"
"Pfft…"
"What? 'Fragrant herbs and beauty'?"
Feng Yi burst out laughing. "Can't think of anything, so you just made something up? How is that patriotic?"
Huang Yifan shook his head. "Student Feng, don't embarrass yourself. 'Fragrant herbs and beauty' comes from sacred poetry. Beauty and fragrant herbs symbolize the ruler, representing loyalty and patriotism…"
"…Really?"
Feng Yi hesitated. "Then why haven't I heard of it?"
"Let me ask you, how many of the 1.970 poems in 'Sacred Poetry' have you read?"
"Maybe… a dozen."
The moment he said it, Feng Yi realized his mistake.
Huang Yifan glanced at Luo Ling. "Exactly. You've only read a dozen out of over a thousand, and you say you haven't heard of it? Mr. Luo here must have heard of it, being from the Writers Association. Right, Mr. Luo?"
"…Uh…"
Luo Ling felt a headache coming on.
He hadn't read much either.
But could he admit that?
He cleared his throat. "Yes… I vaguely remember it. Probably around poem 900-something. I just can't recall exactly. Feng Yi, your turn. If you can't continue, admit defeat."
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