Miss Xiao carries herself with modesty, while Miss Xiao II is of a tender age. Matters that require one to step into the limelight naturally fall upon Madam Xiao. Pondering upon the responsibilities befitting a woman of virtue, one cannot help but acknowledge the challenges.
Upon hearing Madam Xiao's words, everyone formed orderly queues, and even the shameless quartet had reverted to their more refined demeanor.
Realizing that there would be no dramatic events today, Lin Wanrong glanced at Madam Xiao once more, imprinting her countenance in his memory, and discreetly withdrew.
Upon returning to the Dong residence, he found Mr. Dong Rende and his daughter diligently transcribing something.
Lin Wanrong cast a glance and noticed the elegant and graceful handwriting on the manuscript. It was remarkably pleasing to the eye. It seemed to be the gossip and information Mr. Dong Rende had collected about Miss Xiao, dictated by him and recorded by Dong Qiaoqiao.
Dong Qiaoqiao's handwriting was truly exquisite. Lin Wanrong nodded repeatedly after reading it several times.
Father and daughter only noticed Lin Wanrong standing beside them at this moment. Seeing Lin Wanrong nodding approvingly, Dong Qiaoqiao, blushing, couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and embarrassment. It seemed that Lin Wanrong's expression of approval brought her genuine joy.
"Mr. Lin, you've returned," Dong Qiaoqiao, with a delicate sweat bead glistening on her charming nose, looked beautiful. Lin Wanrong couldn't help but be reminded of his sister back when she was in college.
Lin Wanrong smiled and said, "Yes, I took a stroll and conducted a market survey."
The term "market survey" was surely unfamiliar to them, but Lin Wanrong couldn't be bothered to explain. He took the manuscript they were working on and said, "Let me take a look."
Upon inspection, he was truly astonished. The duo not only meticulously divided the small book into functional modules but also arranged various styles of formatting. It had already taken on the preliminary structure of an exquisite manuscript. Such talents should not be wasted, and it was a pity they didn't join a prestigious publication like Taiyang Bao.
Seeing Lin Wanrong's surprised expression, Dong Qiaoqiao panicked and hastily said, "Mr. Lin, did I make a mistake? Oh no, what should I do? I've ruined your big project."
She was on the verge of tears. Understandably, in this era, it was believed that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent. After finally getting an opportunity to showcase her abilities, she feared that she had ruined Lin Wanrong's plans. How could she not be nervous?
Lin Wanrong, feeling somewhat sorry for teasing her, couldn't bear to play with her emotions further. He smiled and reassured her, "Miss Qiaoqiao, you didn't make a mistake. In fact, you did exceptionally well."
Dong Qiaoqiao was initially surprised, then delighted. She eagerly asked, "Is it true, Mr. Lin?"
Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile, and Dong Qiaoqiao happily said, "I followed your instructions. Before you left, I still had some questions I couldn't understand, so I added my own interpretations."
Not only was this girl skillful, but she also had ideas and the courage to implement them. She was indeed a talented individual. Both father and daughter were commendable.
Mr. Dong Rende, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in, "Ah, Mr. Lin, as long as you are satisfied. Qiaoqiao and I were worried that you might find our clumsy hands and feet disagreeable."
Seeing the sincere and simple appearance of the father and daughter, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but sigh. He spoke seriously, "Uncle Dong, Miss Qiaoqiao, I hope you remember that one can lack power, lack wealth, but one must have confidence. If you don't respect yourself, no one in this world will respect you. Your face is given to you by others, but your dignity is earned by yourself."
Dong Qiaoqiao's eyes revealed a sense of admiration. She nodded gently and said, "Mr. Lin, I understand."
Lin Wanrong looked at Mr. Dong Rende and asked, "Do you understand, Uncle Dong?"
Mr. Dong Rende chuckled, "If our Qiaoqiao understands, then I understand. I listen to everything Qiaoqiao says."
Observing this sincere father-daughter pair, Lin Wanrong suddenly thought of his parents, whom he could never see again. A pang of sorrow struck his heart. He quickly turned his head and continued to examine the small book, asking, "Have you finished transcribing everything?"
Dong Qiaoqiao replied, "Yes, Mr. Lin, please take a look."
Lin Wanrong picked up the small book and casually said, "Qiaoqiao, not only are you skilled in needlework, but you're also a female scholar. I wonder who taught you these skills?"
Dong Qiaoqiao answered, "Miss Luo recommended me and asked me to learn with her. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the opportunity."
"Miss Luo?" That name sounded familiar.
Seeing Lin Wanrong furrowing his brows in thought, Dong Qiaoqiao exclaimed, "Could it be that you don't know Miss Luo? She is the number one talented lady in Jinling!"
The number one talented lady? Lin Wanrong suddenly recalled the Phoenix Seeking Phoenix event held on Xuanwu Lake that afternoon. The target of the spectacle was none other than Miss Luo, the number one talented lady in Jinling.
Seeing Dong Qiaoqiao's surprised expression, Lin Wanrong found it amusing. He said, "I'm not interested in scholars and talented ladies. It's just that I'm slightly intrigued by beauties, especially beauties like you."
Dong Qiaoqiao's face turned crimson, and she dared not speak. Mr. Dong Rende cleared his throat a few times. Lin Wanrong, blushing, apologized, feeling caught red-handed by the old man.
Lin Wanrong's thick-skinned face needed no questioning. He quickly adjusted his mindset and, pretending nothing happened, asked, "Miss Qiaoqiao, why did Miss Luo ask you to study with her?"
After Lin Wanrong's unrestrained teasing, Dong Qiaoqiao became much shyer. She spoke in a low voice, "The first time I went to make clothes for Miss Luo, she saw that we were about the same age and chatted with me a bit more. She is truly a good person. However, it seems she doesn't have many friends. So, she asked me to visit her often and study with her. After spending time together, she suggested that I learn from Mr. Luo."
Lin Wanrong nodded and said, "Miss Luo is indeed a good person. May heaven bless her, and may she find the best husband in the world. Well, I guess I can reluctantly claim to be the best."
Finding his words amusing, Dong Qiaoqiao couldn't help but laugh softly. "You shouldn't talk like that. If Miss Luo knew, even if she had a good temper, she wouldn't let it slide."
However, what she thought in her heart was quite different. Lin Wanrong spoke whimsically, carefree and