Indeed, Hòu Yuèbái's face turned pale, and he angrily said, "You, dare to look down on me?"
Lín Wǎnróng responded coldly, "You despise countless skilled artisans of Huáxià, belittling their significant contributions. If I scorn you for that, what's wrong with it?"
Hòu Yuèbái retorted, "Throughout the ages, the pillars of our dynasty have all been erudite scholars, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, national strategy, and more. Have you ever seen anyone with extraordinary skills and talents in drilling and other bizarre techniques become a high-ranking official? How can these unusual skills govern a country? Talking to you, a crude person, is an insult to refinement."
Damn it, being an official is so great. I detest the faces of those who consider themselves superior everywhere. Lín Wǎnróng chuckled, "The so-called extraordinary skills and techniques in your eyes are the accumulated experiences passed down by our ancestors for thousands of years. They are valuable treasures of natural sciences, fundamental to advancing society. The rice you eat, the clothes you wear, the bench you sit on, the ink and paper you use—every bit of it is crafted with extraordinary skills. Apart from your arrogance, everything on your person is a product of extraordinary skills and techniques."
Damn it, even your thing is also created by "extraordinary techniques," isn't it?
"As for your talk of governing a country, it's even more laughable. Without countless skilled artisans and hardworking common people, how can there be a country to govern? Countless skilled artisans, with their toil and wisdom, improve production and life tools, generate tax revenue, and lay the foundation for a great nation. But so-called statesmen? With a change in the ruler, those governing the country can be replaced at any time, while the ancestors with skills have no substitutes. That's the difference between roots and leaves. In ancient times, the swallows in front of King Xie's hall flew into ordinary households. Hòu Yùebái, the young master, should be more familiar with such allusions than I am."
Hòu Yuèbái's face became even more unpleasant. He wanted to continue retorting but didn't know how to start.
"If you want to govern a country, you must first understand its fundamentals. The sages of old have taught us: 'The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the lightest.' If you think that being an official is the pillar of the country, you are utterly mistaken. Young Master Hòu, you should read more of those books on sage wisdom."
Lín Wǎnróng's last sentence was particularly arrogant. For him, a mere servant, to advise the number one talent in Jīnlíng to continue reading was truly laughable. Yet, the hall fell silent at this moment. No one laughed. The servant's words were deafening, making the self-proclaimed talented women in the hall contemplate deeply.
Hòu Yuèbái was stunned for a moment, suddenly recalling his own identity. "Today, I won't argue with you, a crude person. In the poetry competition next month in Jīnlíng, I will let you see what real talent is."
Not to mention this poetry competition, but as soon as it was mentioned, Lín Wǎnróng was furious. Damn, even that poetry competition is sponsored by me. When the time comes, you, kid, will have me pay for your eating, drinking, and playing. If I get angry, you can go compete in poetry at the bottom of the Qīnhuái River with turtles and tortoises.
Lín Wǎnróng spat in annoyance. Damn it, why am I wasting my breath on this idiot?
In this debate, it was clear to anyone that Young Master Hòu lost miserably. If his opponent were a talented individual from another province, it would be acceptable, but he was defeated by a mere servant from the Xiāo family, causing Hòu Yuèbái to lose face.
Seeing Young Master Hòu's displeased expression, Wǎnyíng, who intended to protect him, found it challenging to speak up. This Lín Sān was indeed talented, eloquent in every word, making it impossible for anyone to refute. She contemplated for a moment but didn't know how to approach the situation. Blaming Young Master Hòu for denying everyone's wisdom with just a sentence was indeed foolish.
Lín Wǎnróng looked at this group of talented men and women and felt a deep sense of fatigue. He and they were indeed people from two different worlds. He helplessly sat in the chair, unable to utter a word for a long time. The young lady was sitting beside him, witnessing his unprecedented seriousness. Gone was the playful and smiling face, and she felt that he was so desolate at this moment, so difficult to approach. Relatively speaking, she still hoped to see the Lin Sān who took advantage of her all the time.
Just now, Lín Sān quoted classics and debated, leaving the number one talent in Jīnlíng speechless, as if he had completely transformed. She could see that this Lín Sān might have more talents yet to be discovered.
"Lín Sān, are you okay?" The young lady gently asked. She felt a bit uneasy, and for some reason, the current Lin Sān lacked the friendliness that made her slightly fearful. She still hoped to see that Lin Sān who lacked seriousness.
"I'm fine." Lín Wǎnróng sighed. He thought, why bother arguing with that talentless guy? Besides recognizing a few more traditional characters than me, what use is he?
"Well, what do you think about having 40% of the profit from the soap business?" The young lady, seeing his desolate expression, suddenly had a mischievous thought and held back her laughter as she spoke.
"Uh, good—"
Before the word "good" could be spoken, Lín Wǎnróng realized it. Oh, this young lady is trying to take advantage of me when I'm not paying attention. He quickly changed his words, "No, you can only have 30%."
The young lady lightly covered her lips and smiled. She glanced at him, indicating that she knew he would react this way.
Lín Wǎnróng, seeing her expression, understood that she deliberately used this matter to stimulate him, preventing him from sinking into depression. Unexpectedly, this young lady had such a thoughtful side. His impression of this young lady changed quite a bit. For the first time, he earnestly said, "Miss, thank you. I'm fine."
The young lady turned her head and said, "What are you thanking me for? I'm taking advantage of you."
Lín Wǎnróng chuckled, "The matter of the money is not acceptable. You can take advantage of anything else."
The young lady blushed and snorted, "You rascal. Three percent it is, and three percent only. Hmph, my Xiāo family owes you a favor."
Lín
Wǎnróng was dumbfounded. This young lady was too cunning, clearly taking advantage of him, yet she said it with such a grievance. In fact, this business was originally a mutually beneficial arrangement. Lín Wǎnróng had the technical expertise, and the young lady had the sales channels. The combination was like setting the straw on fire.
Lín Wǎnróng felt a bit dizzy. Suddenly, a girl from an unknown family ran over with her head down and a blush on her face. She glanced at him, lowered her head again, and said softly, "Lín, Lín Sān, Sān Gē. You—" She stammered for a while but didn't complete a sentence.
Lín Wǎnróng's mind was a bit short-circuited. Could this girl be asking for my autograph? Damn, where did she get the courage to break through the shackles of feudal patriarchy! Admirable. Ah, charm is powerful; it can really kill people.
"Sān Gē, where is the Chí Pool? Is it really the legendary Yáochí? Can I go and find it?" After a long chatter, this girl finally gathered the courage to say it all at once.
"Sān Gē, is there really the End of the Earth on Hǎinán Island?" Another girl from another family, encouraged by the example before her, also found the courage to ask.
"Sān Gē, is there truly Penglai Immortal Island on the shores of the East China Sea..."
"Sān Gē..."
For a while, these usually reserved young ladies, fascinated by this mysterious servant, became interested. Taking advantage of the numbers, no one laughed at each other, and they surrounded Lín Sān in the middle.
When a woman goes mad, it is truly immeasurable. Even those usually reserved young ladies, in their hearts, harbor an extraordinary passion. After the third brother finished talking about the Tianshan Mountains and Hainan, and the tales of Hainan led to discussions of the Fairy Island, it seemed as if thousands of flies were buzzing around him, causing dizziness and confusion.
The young lady, unable to tolerate this, stood up and said, "Sisters, if you are interested, tomorrow I will arrange for our family's Lin San to narrate a travelogue, satisfying everyone's wishes."
The talented women cast a glance at the third brother and blushed before leaving. Lin Wanrong, facing Xiao Yuruo, bowed and said, "Miss, you are truly the Guanyin Bodhisattva who saves the suffering and rescues those in distress."
The young lady blushed; it seemed that seeking attention had led to this chaotic situation. Now she regretted her actions.
Following this, the young lady proceeded to promote perfumes and soaps. With Lin San's eloquent speech preceding, these wealthy young ladies dared not underestimate the Xiao family any longer. Just imagine, a talented person like Lin San could only serve as a servant in the Xiao family; this showed the formidable strength of the Xiao family.
Perfumes had gained fame in Jinling, known to these young ladies, but due to limited supply, they were difficult to obtain. Today, with the young lady's arrival, it sparked strong interest among them. Just a slight sniff left them reluctant to part with it. Xiao Yuruo opportunistically introduced the soap, a product personally experienced by these young ladies. Not only did it cleanse thoroughly, but it also exuded a faint fragrance, which these ladies found extraordinary.
Seeing the immense popularity of the perfume and soap, Lin Wanrong sighed deeply. "I create a couple of small inventions to earn a bit of money. Is it really that easy for me? If I can't make money, how can I justify my hard work?"
Luo Ning walked to his side and asked, "Brother Lin, what are you thinking?"
"Oh, I'm thinking, Miss Luo has really attracted many admirers." Lin Wanrong smiled and glanced at Hòu Yuèbái in the distance, pursing his lips.
Luo Ning's expression turned faint, "So Brother Lin is such a bored person. In that case, I won't disturb you." With that, she turned and walked away.
Lin Wanrong helplessly shook his head. This girl had a unique personality, quite interesting, although not the type he liked.
After walking a few steps, Luo Ning suddenly stopped, turned around, and smiled, "Brother Lin, why didn't you call out to me?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head and smiled, "If I had called out to you, it would have revealed your thoughts, but it might have made you look down on me."
Luo Ning sighed lightly, "Brother Lin, you are indeed a special person. It seems like you can see through my thoughts."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Miss Luo, you've got it wrong. I have always noticed your thoughts. You can be considered my friend, but only a friend." This young lady had a strong personality; I am even more formidable.
Luo Ning didn't mind at all and said with a smile, "So, in Brother Lin's heart, I have long been considered a friend. When we did business that day, I didn't feel that way."
Lin Wanrong knew she was referring to the incident where he pressured her to advertise for Food and Immortality. However, he had no regrets about it; business was conducted this way. If you care about face, you won't make money.
Seeing Lin Wanrong silent, Luo Ning looked at him and said softly, "Brother Lin, my words have made you angry?"
Lin Wanrong laughed, "I'm not angry. I just want to tell you that if there's another chance, I will quote an even higher price."
Luo Ning chuckled, "Brother Lin, you speak in a way that really frightens people."
As for Luo Ning, she was Luo Yuan's sister, a talented woman. Lin Wanrong had no interest in talented women and thought it best to avoid any entanglements, lest little Luo would persuade him to give up on Xiao Yixian. Thinking of the advice little Luo gave that day, Lin Wanrong secretly laughed and gave Luo Ning a glance without saying a word.
Seeing that Lin Wanrong seemed to have no intention of talking to her actively, Luo Ning said, "Brother Lin, you talked about Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Where exactly are they? Can you draw a map for me to see? I'm really curious."
"Miss Luo, why are you suddenly interested in these things? Do you want to become a navigator?" Lin Wanrong smiled, but he was marveling at Luo Ning. Despite being a woman, she was more knowledgeable than many men. Not only did she possess a strong curiosity, but also a profound desire for knowledge. She was a student who could be taught well.
He took out a pencil he carried with him, found a piece of paper, and drew a large circle. "The place we are currently in is called Earth. Earth is round and divided into two hemispheres, north and south."
Lin Wanrong held the pen and explained carefully to Luo Ning. As she received this novel information, she couldn't help but ask numerous questions. Lin Wanrong answered the ones he knew, and when he didn't, he brushed them aside.
Luo Ning was dumbfounded and sighed, "Brother Lin, if it weren't for you enlightening me today, I'm afraid I would have been a frog at the bottom of the well for the rest of my life. This world is truly amazing. I really want to see Europe, Africa, and the Americas that you mentioned."
Hearing this, Lin Wanrong remembered Xiao Qingxuan. When he told her about these things, didn't she also express similar sentiments? The Seventh of July was still far away, and he didn't know where she was now. This girl had caused him a lot of worry. When the time came, he would have to give her a good spanking.
"Brother Lin, Brother Lin—" Luo Ning's shout brought Lin Wanrong back from his reverie. He responded with an "Oh" and said to Luo Ning, "What did you say, Miss Luo?"
Luo Ning bit her jade lips lightly and said, "I mean, can you take me away—"
Clatter! The pencil in Lin Wanrong's hand fell to the ground.