Lin Wanrong composed seven characters: "Mist dances around the towering house; mist envelops my abode." Matching this couplet was already quite challenging, but even more difficult was to have the next line perfectly rhymed with the female libationer's and surpass its artistic conception.
Luo Ning sighed, "Lin Big Brother, with just this couplet, no one in the world can compare to you." Qiaoqiao clung tightly to Lin Wanrong, her small hand gripping his arm, her eyes shimmering with a glow of happiness.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Miss Luo, please present this couplet to your mentor. I don't desire anything lofty like hanging it in some lofty attic. I only wish her to refrain from casually speculating about people's hearts."
Luo Ning nodded, "Lin Big Brother, truly a remarkable individual. Younger sister deeply admires you, and I will convey your words."
After some casual conversation, Luo Ning and Qiaoqiao were amazed by his experiences in Hangzhou. Lin Wanrong then recounted his encounters along the way, especially the confrontation with Tao Dongcheng on the Qinyu Lou. This story had already spread widely in the business community of Jinling, and hearing it firsthand made it even more thrilling.
The lesson of washing hands with an oil pan left Luo Ning in awe. "All things have their physics; this is true. However, understanding and mastering this physics is no easy task. Lin Big Brother is truly knowledgeable and well-versed. Tao Dongcheng, cunning and deceitful, is completely ignorant of this physics, so it's only natural he suffered. By the way, Lin Big Brother, are the gemstones brought by the Westerner really so enchanting?"
Lin Wanrong smiled faintly and took out the agate diamond Tavoni had given him. Both Qiaoqiao and Luo Ning exclaimed, even Qing Shan and Lao Dong, who had been closing their eyes to rest, were wide-eyed.
The diamond was transparent, radiant, and exuded a colorful brilliance in the light. It was undoubtedly a woman's killer, even attracting Qiaoqiao, a modest girl. Although Luo Ning, being Jinling's top female scholar, maintained her composure, her eyes revealed a hint of admiration.
"Big Brother, where did you get this stone? I want to collect some," Dong Qingshan, with drool almost dripping, said.
"Go to South Africa for that." Lin Wanrong sweated on his forehead, not expecting the diamond to be so attractive to Qing Shan. Taking out the diamond so early was a bit of a misjudgment. Currently, he only had one of these diamonds, but he already had three or four reserved for future wives. The allure of diamonds to women was evident. If Qing Xuan, Second Miss, and Qiaoqiao all asked him for diamonds, wouldn't they end up fighting?
"Big Brother, is this a diamond? It's truly exquisite," Qiaoqiao said in amazement.
"That's correct. This gem is called the agate diamond. It's extremely rare in the West, and I only have this one," Lin Wanrong affirmed.
Luo Ning sighed, "Indeed, it's crystal clear and exceptionally noble. Big Brother's words, 'Diamonds are forever, a timeless legacy,' are truly apt."
Seeing Qiaoqiao's extreme fondness, Lin Wanrong handed the diamond to her and said, "Little darling, this diamond is for you."
Qiaoqiao was stunned for a moment, forgetting his teasing earlier, and exclaimed in surprise and joy, "Big Brother, what did you say? Are you really giving it to me?"
Luo Ning heard his words clearly, looked at the glittering diamond, and a hint of envy flashed in her eyes.
Lin Wanrong nodded and smiled, "Yes, it's a gift for you." Qiaoqiao was the first girl he liked in this world, so giving her this diamond also had a special meaning.
Qiaoqiao's eyes flickered with intense joy. After holding the diamond in her hand and gently rubbing it, her eyes showed a few traces of reluctance. However, she then handed the diamond back to Lin Wanrong, saying firmly, "Big Brother, I can't accept this diamond."
Lin Wanrong was surprised, "Why?"
Qiaoqiao looked at him shyly and said, "Big Brother, as you said, this diamond is unique. I can't be so selfish. This diamond should be given to Sister Qing Xuan; she has a noble background, and this diamond will complement her perfectly."
Touching! Where else can I find such a lovely and considerate girl? Even before becoming a family, she's already thinking about her sisters. She's truly a big treasure.
Seeing Qiaoqiao declining in this way, Luo Ning was puzzled and asked, "Qiaoqiao, who is this Sister Qing Xuan you mentioned?"
Qiaoqiao glanced at Lin Wanrong shyly and whispered, "She is Big Brother's confidante."
Luo Ning looked at Lin Wanrong, made a faint 'oh,' and didn't say anything more.
Lin Wanrong held Qiaoqiao's small hand tightly and whispered in her ear, "Little obedient one, don't worry. When the next batch of diamonds arrives, I will give one to Sister Qing Xuan, and one to Sister Yu Shuang. I promise they won't be inferior to this one. This one I'm giving you has a special meaning; you must accept it."
Tavoni, under Xu Wei's arrangement, had already taken some craftsmen back to Hai'an to repair his ironclad ship. Lin Wanrong had discussed with Tavoni. Using Hai'an as a port, they would exchange silk, fabrics, perfumes, and soaps for diamonds. The diamonds currently in Tavoni's hands were all small and far inferior in color and hardness. If he wanted to find diamonds comparable to this agate diamond, he would have to wait until Tavoni returned.
Qiaoqiao looked at him, finally gave a soft 'en,' her face blushing, and lowered her head to tightly grip the diamond.
Lin Wanrong turned to Dong Rende and said, "Uncle Dong, I have a request. I wonder if you can agree?"
Dong Rende smiled, "Wanrong, just say it. Why be so polite?" Since Qiaoqiao and Lin Wanrong's ambiguous relationship was exposed, he had downgraded Lin Wanrong's status from 'Young Master Lin' to just 'Wanrong.'
Lin Wanrong shouted loudly, "I want to propose marriage to Uncle Dong, please arrange for Qiaoqiao to be betrothed to me, using this diamond as a betrothal gift."
Qiaoqiao let out a soft cry, her face like burning flames, embarrassed and shy. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at him, tightly clutching the diamond in her hand, obediently leaning against Lin Wanrong.
His daughter had already run away, and Old Dong had nothing more to say. He nodded and smiled, "It should have been done earlier. Qiaoqiao has already accepted this betrothal gift. Is there a need for me to say more?"
Everyone burst into laughter. Qiaoqiao's heart had long been surrounded by immense surprise and sweetness. Hearing
everyone's laughter, she ran upstairs to her boudoir like a startled little rabbit.
Lin Wanrong looked at Qiaoqiao's charming figure, feeling a great joy in his heart. He turned to Old Dong and said, "Uncle, after the New Year, I will be heading to the capital. Let's consider today as an early engagement. When I return from the capital next year, I will marry Qiaoqiao."
A slight sound came from upstairs. It seemed that something had fallen to the ground. Lin Wanrong hurried upstairs and saw Qiaoqiao busily cleaning up a broken teacup.
Seeing him coming up, Qiaoqiao, unable to contain her emotions, pounced into his arms and softly said, "Big Brother, are you leaving?"
Lin Wanrong knew that she must have heard what he said downstairs just now and was startled, so she accidentally broke the teacup. Feeling guilty and tender, he hugged her soft body tightly and whispered, "Silly girl, I won't leave until after the New Year. Why are you so worried?"
Qiaoqiao's nose tingled, and tears flowed down her cheeks. She said, "Big Brother, I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what?" Lin Wanrong asked in surprise.
"I'm afraid that when you come back from the capital, you won't want me anymore..." Qiaoqiao choked up, and tears filled her face.
"You, this young lady, always have wild thoughts." Lin Wanrong kissed her on the face and whispered, "You are my little darling, so gentle and obedient. I cherish you so much, how could I not want you?"
Qiaoqiao raised her head, looking at him, and said, "There are many beautiful young ladies in the capital. Big brother, you are so talented, I'm afraid you won't want to come back."
"Silly girl, why worry about that? I've already proposed to your father today. You are now my wife. When I return from the capital, we will get married." Lin Wanrong wiped away the tears on her face, smiling, "My trip to the capital is to find Qing Xuan. Once I find her, I'll bring her back and marry both of you."
Blushing, Qiaoqiao nestled in his arms and softly agreed, "Big brother, whether you come back or not, Qiaoqiao will always be yours. I am of the Lin family in life and in death. I will always be waiting for you."
Lin Wanrong was moved and amused, gently patting her small buttocks, saying, "You silly girl, why say such things? Who talks about being a ghost? Does big brother seem so heartless? Although big brother is somewhat affectionate, my principle has always been, new brides enter the room, old ones wait in bed, and I will never let you down."
Qiaoqiao shyly agreed, burying her head in his embrace, "Big brother, I know I was wrong. Big brother treats Qiaoqiao the best. Qiaoqiao will always belong to big brother."
Although Qiaoqiao was clever, due to her humble background in society, compared to Miss Xiao Er, Xiao Qing Xuan, she had a strong sense of inferiority. Moreover, she had deep feelings for Lin Wanrong, making her worry that big brother might not return.
Lin Wanrong, feeling the fire in his heart, gently lifted Qiaoqiao's chin and kissed her rosy lips. Qiaoqiao was excited, bashfully responding. The two embraced tightly. Lin Wanrong's large hand slipped into her clothing, caressing her waist, gradually moving down, directly onto her soft and plump buttocks. Qiaoqiao's body trembled slightly, allowing him to act as he pleased.
Fortunately, it was approaching afternoon, and Old Dong, Luo Ning, and others were still outside. Lin Wanrong reluctantly stopped his mischievous actions and comforted Qiaoqiao. He felt a mix of emotions, thinking that if he hadn't explained the situation to Qiaoqiao, she might have been upset and jumped into the Qin Tan River if he had gone to the capital without notice.
When Lin Wanrong and Qiaoqiao came out, the little girl's face was still red. Luo Ning looked at the two and smiled, "Congratulations, Brother Lin, congratulations, little sister Qiaoqiao."
Qiaoqiao blushed and said, "Sister Ning is also teasing me."
Luo Ning smiled charmingly, looking at Lin Wanrong, "Brother Lin, tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday celebration. Please make sure to come early."