Lin Wanrong perceived a hint of loneliness in her expression. He thought that this girl had it quite tough—her standards were high, making it challenging to find a suitable partner. At this moment, she must be troubled in her heart, genuinely deserving of sympathy.
Having failed to meet Luo Min, there was no need to linger. Lin Wanrong withdrew and departed. Luo Ning escorted him to the door and suddenly asked, "Brother Lin, do you have any free time tomorrow?"
"Free time?" Lin Wanrong was puzzled. If the young lady didn't drag him into some task tomorrow, then he would indeed be free.
"Lady Luo, what do you want me to do in my free time? Are you inviting me for tea, drinks, or entertainment?" Lin Wanrong teased.
Luo Ning smiled gracefully, "Brother Lin, you always make jokes with me. If I were inviting you for tea, I'm afraid you'd decline again. Recently, I've been working with the brothers and sisters from the literary society to prepare for the poetry competition. It's quite exhausting, and I thought of taking advantage of the sunny day tomorrow to go on an outing with everyone. They all want to witness the prowess of the master who defeated Shen Banshan that day, so I'm here to invite you on their behalf."
An outing? The programs of these literary men and women are indeed colorful. It instantly reminded Lin Wanrong of his university days. Interesting, interesting, he smiled and said deliberately, "Miss Luo, you're not asking for my sponsorship again, are you?"
Luo Ning gave him a glance and couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Lin, you're going too far. This outing is purely for everyone to relax, and it has nothing to do with money."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "My apologies, it's just a professional habit, a professional habit."
Luo Ning whispered, "So, Brother Lin, is that a yes?"
"Well, with free food and drinks, I really can't think of a reason to refuse." Lin Wanrong chuckled. These days, dealing with matters of the Xiao family kept him busy. Going out for some fun, especially without spending money, was worth it. Who wouldn't play if it's free?
Seeing his agreement, Luo Ning felt delighted and said softly, "Brother Lin, in that case, I'll wait for you at the gate of the Xiao residence early tomorrow morning. Oh, I forgot to tell you, our poetry society has recently expanded, and Young Master Guo Wuchang has also joined the society."
Even the young master can join the poetry society? This indicates a rapid decline in the quality of these literati. The literary society runs its business very shrewdly, recruiting people and collecting money; expanding does bring great benefits.
Back at the mansion, the young lady saw him and hastily asked, "Lin San, are you okay?"
"With a clear conscience, I have nothing to worry about." Lin Wanrong smirked.
The young lady glared at him, "You call this a clear conscience? Let me tell you, Miss Wanying came looking for you today. She lingered outside the mansion for a long time but didn't come in. I had San De look for you. Be careful in the future."
"Young lady, don't you understand? This is a set-up. I was afraid she wouldn't come looking for me." Lin Wanrong chuckled.
Indeed, for Tao Wanying, this was a calculated move. Originally suspicious that Lin San had tarnished her purity, she came aggressively to confront him. However, with Lin Wanrong's eloquence, he skillfully cleared the matter, leaving Tao Wanying unable to pinpoint who had "defiled" her, causing her great distress.
This was a series of consecutive strategic strikes. If he had been firm today, insisting that he knew nothing about future events, given Tao Wanying's confusion, she might have gone mad without knowing who "defiled" her.
After he explained the situation, the young lady blushed at the discussion of personal hygiene. Glaring at him, she said, "You, how can you say anything like that? A naturally mischievous scoundrel."
Lin Wanrong said seriously, "I am spreading scientific knowledge. Miss Tao should be grateful in the future."
The young lady snorted, "You come up with these bad ideas from who knows where. Wanying, a good girl, was scared by you into that state. If someone offends you, it's seeking a dead end."
"Miss, I'm completely defending your justice without any selfish motives. You must understand. Besides, I've already warned her today. I believe she has realized the truth of the matter by now. This is a test of her character, a virtuous deed." Lin Wanrong didn't want to discuss this matter further with her and smiled, "Tomorrow, I'll request a day off."
"You've only been handling matters for a few days, and you're already thinking of slacking off. Learn well during these days; our Xiao family will rely on you in the future." The young lady said gently.
Lin Wanrong was shocked by these words. Rely on me? What does that mean? Although I like Miss Second, I never thought of becoming a son-in-law. Don't put everything on me. He chuckled nervously, "These days, the affairs in the house and the workshop aren't as busy as before. I also want to go out for some fresh air. Young Master's knowledge has increased recently. He has been accepted as a member by the Jinling Literary Society. Tomorrow, they have an outing activity, and reluctantly, I agreed to go with him. So, I've come to inform the young lady that I'll take a day off tomorrow."
Considering the young lady's attitude towards Luo Ning, he couldn't say it was an invitation from Miss Luo. Otherwise, it would be like mud falling into one's trousers; even if it's not excrement, it's still unpleasant. Dumping the responsibility onto the young master, everything had nothing to do with him.
"Jinling Literary Society?" The young lady frowned slightly and said softly, "Is Miss Luo also going?"
"Well, I haven't heard that she's going." Lin Wanrong said without blinking. In his mind, he added, "Nor have I heard that she's not going."
"In that case," the young lady nodded gently, "you may go. Remember to take care of our cousin. Don't let him be bullied by others." Guo Wuchang must have spent quite a bit of money to join that renowned literary society. Mixing with those literati, he would only be bullied. With Lin San by his side, he wouldn't suffer losses.
Lin Wanrong gladly said, "Miss, rest assured. It is precisely considering these factors that I took the time out of my busy schedule to stay close to the young master. Hehe, I want to see who dares to bully him. Even when beating a dog—oh, beating the young master—we must consider Miss's wishes, right?"
The young lady glanced at him and laughed, "You, always fond of talking nonsense." She sighed quietly and said, "If my cousin had half your talent and courage, Mother wouldn't worry about him all the time."
Early the next day, Luo Ning indeed waited in front of the mansion as promised. It's a sin to make a girl wait for a date, especially so early in the morning.
After Lin Wanrong washed his face and dressed in his standard outfit of a blue robe and small hat, he walked confidently towards the gate. The blue robe and small hat were currently in vogue in Jinling. The Xiao family's servants walked on the streets with great pride, and Lin San's name resonated in Jinling like thunder. If he didn't swagger on the streets, it would be a disservice to this attire.
The young master was dressed quite decently today—white robe, gently swaying fan, and a scholar's hat adorned with a red flower, a perfect appearance of a literary dandy. Having spent money to enter a second-rate university, he indeed became quite flamboyant. Lin Wanrong approached with a smile, "Young Master, I'm here."
Guo Wuchang and Lin San had a long-standing relationship; he was the old leader and had received many benefits from this old subordinate. He immediately grabbed Lin San's sleeve and said, "Lin San, I heard from Miss Luo that you've also been invited. This is great; we can look out for each other."
Lin Wanrong naturally understood the meaning in the old leader's words, nodded, and said, "Exactly, exactly. Today, I will definitely take good care of the young master."
Luo Ning leaned out of her sedan chair and said, "Brother Lin, are you ready? Let's go."
Seeing that the sky was just getting light, Lin Wanrong was surprised and said, "Miss Luo, is it necessary to go on an outing so early? Let's find a place to have breakfast first."
Luo Ning shook her head and smiled, "Today, we have an appointment with a distinguished person. As juniors, how can we be late? We must go early and wait for that gentleman; that's the proper way."
A distinguished person? Lin Wanrong glanced at Luo Ning strangely. Why didn't this little girl mention anything about a distinguished person yesterday? Damn, I, a small character, am most afraid of encountering distinguished people.
Seeing him wearing a bitter expression, Luo Ning couldn't help but laugh. She waved to him, and when he approached, she took out a basket of pastries from her sedan chair and handed it to him, saying, "Brother Lin, these are the Eight Treasures Flower Paste I made this morning. Please make do with them."
There were seven or eight pastries scattered in the box, and more than half of them were leftovers that Luo Ning had bitten. Luo Ning's face turned slightly red, and she quickly took back the half piece in her hand.
Lin Wanrong wondered, "Miss Luo, did you really make these?"
Shyly, Luo Ning said, "Since I lost my mother at a young age, and my father was busy with official matters, I secretly learned some skills. Please don't laugh at me, Brother Lin."
Lin Wanrong picked up a pastry, took a bite, and exclaimed, "Not only do they look good, but they also taste exceptionally delicious. Miss Luo, I never expected you to be so skilled not only in poetry but also in making pastries. Truly a refined lady, adept both in the hall and the kitchen—" he added in his mind, "and in the bedroom—"
Thinking of the criteria she mentioned for choosing a spouse, being scholarly and brave, he knew he was joking. Unable to hold back her laughter, Luo Ning said softly, "Brother Lin, you're making fun of me again."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, wolfing down the pastries. Luo Ning watched with a smile, waved her hand, and the sedan chair moved forward.
As it was an outing organized by the literary society, the meeting point with the scholars and ladies was at the gate of Jinling Academy. When the three arrived, about thirty people had already gathered, both men and women.
As soon as the crowd saw Luo Ning's sedan chair accompanied by a young master with a green-clothed hat and a servant's cap, they immediately began to whisper. Some of the women who had met him before cheered and waved, "Brother Lin, Brother Lin—"