The Jinling Library, located next to the Da Jin National Academy, is said to be the largest repository of paper books in the entire world.
For paper book enthusiasts like Miss Wang Wanrou, it is undoubtedly a perfect place to pass the time.
After wandering among the shelves of books, Cheng Jinyang finally found Miss Wang in a room piled with books, sitting quietly in a chair, looking at a thick book, her profile illuminated perfectly by the light.
And the thick book in her hand... or more precisely, bamboo slips.
Cheng Jinyang: ???
Wow, the mysterious Miss Wang is actually reading bamboo slips, when will she move on to turtle shells to read oracle bone inscriptions?
"When Sima Qian was writing 'Records of the Grand Historian', paper had not yet been invented," as if anticipating what he was thinking, Wang Wanrou calmly explained, "So what I'm reading is bamboo slips."
"Are you reading the original 'Records of the Grand Historian'?" Cheng Jinyang was greatly surprised.
"Yes, what else would I be reading?"
When reading ancient books, one should read the originals. When it comes to showing off one's knowledge, I hereby dub you, Miss Wang, the ultimate master!
"Take a look at this." Miss Wang placed a bamboo slip in front of him.
Cheng Jinyang glanced at it, and wow, it was written in ancient seal script, carved with a knife.
"I can't understand it," he admitted honestly.
"The translation is written on the paper next to it," Wang Wanrou said.
Then why not just read the translation directly?
Cheng Jinyang picked up the nearby piece of paper, only to see five big characters written on it:
The Annals of Emperor Gaozu of Han.
"For what?" Cheng Jinyang asked in confusion, "Are you testing me on classical Chinese? I have to tell you, my history skills are actually pretty bad."
"What do you think of Emperor Gaozu of Han?" Wang Wanrou asked with profound meaning.
"I remember he was from a humble background, what else could he be?" Cheng Jinyang replied.
"Not all commoners can become emperors," Wang Wanrou said.
Cheng Jinyang instinctively wanted to add, "Not all milk is called..." but then thought Wang Wanrou probably wouldn't understand the reference to the advertisement, so he restrained himself.
"That's true," he said, "Except for Emperor Guangwu of Han, the great druid Liu Xiu, who was also born a peasant."
Wang Wanrou: ?
Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, did indeed start as a peasant, but what does "the great druid" mean?
She snorted coldly and said, "Smooth talker, finish reading this passage first."
Cheng Jinyang patiently read through the translation for a few minutes, then heard Wang Wanrou ask, "Any reflections after reading?"
"I feel like this person, to succeed, really had to be shameless," Cheng Jinyang honestly replied.
As for Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, his dark history is countless, such as bribing his father-in-law with empty promises, sharing power with Xiang Yu, not taking the initiative in battle at Huaiyin, and feeding his father dumplings every day, and so on and so forth, making him the scum of humanity, the king among scum.
On the other hand, Xiang Yu was very upright, the most typical example being his reluctance to kill Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet, letting the tiger go back to the mountains against the advice of his strategist Fan Zeng, almost driving Fan Zeng to death from anger.
In the end, the heroic and upright Hegemon was defeated by the scum king. Although Cheng Jinyang understands that history is written by the victors, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Who do you think you're more like, Liu Bang or Xiang Yu?" Wang Wanrou smiled slightly.
With her charming smile, it was as if flowers were blooming throughout the room, and all the beauty in the world was concentrated in that moment... From these incoherent metaphors, it's evident that Cheng Jinyang was completely stunned, unable to even think straight.
Then, the corners of Wang Wanrou's mouth curled up, her gentle and perfect smile turning into a Dragon King-style sneer, which mercilessly woke Cheng Jinyang from his reverie.
Although not perfect, Miss Wang's crooked smile was also quite charming!
"Ah, my unparalleled beauty is really troublesome." She took out a small mirror, brushed the hair beside her cheek to the front, then behind her ear, carefully examining herself, intoxicated, saying, "Even I, often can't help but be enchanted by my own appearance. Ah, people often say 'heaven envies beauty,' but why can beauty and intelligence coexist perfectly in me?"
"It's not perfect though." Cheng Jinyang sighed, saying, "If your personality were a bit gentler and more humble, then I would admit you're the most perfect girl in the world."
"Huh." Wang Wanrou snorted disdainfully, "Humble? As a woman of my level of perfection, if I were to pretend to be humble, how would the other girls in the world live?"
Cheng Jinyang: ...
"Indeed." He had to admit, if Miss Wang could get rid of her arrogance, she would truly be invincible.
"Ah." Wang Wanrou pushed all the bamboo slips aside, then boredly leaned on the table, saying, "The world is getting more and more boring."
Cheng Jinyang understood what she meant.
Miss Wang is actually a ultimate fun seeker, she sees through many things at a glance: she can guess the ending of a TV series after watching the beginning, and she can breeze through puzzle games right after starting.
Anything that requires brainpower is like a solved crossword puzzle in front of her, unable to pique her interest.
Last Sunday, a few days after the Princess Sister's training ended, she complained that staying at home during the day was too boring and wanted to join the "Tianluo Attendance" with everyone else.
However, after a few missions, she quickly grew tired and restless, often commanding absentmindedly. She even neglected to notify everyone in advance about "testing the new model of bombs," almost causing an accident.
"How about you take a few days off first?" Cheng Jinyang tentatively suggested, "Tianluo Attendance is actually like this most of the time, mostly just fighting, not very interesting."
"Okay," Wang Wanrou yawned, "this boring world, just destroy it quickly."
"You casually said something anti-human unintentionally!" Cheng Jinyang said helplessly, and suddenly his phone rang.
He took out his phone and saw that it was Miss Qingqing calling.
"Hello?"
"Jinyang! Is Wanrou with you?!!" came Chu Qingqing's anxious and panicked voice from the phone.
"Oh, we're together," Cheng Jinyang explained, "she actually doesn't know about your situation, don't worry. I just lied to you before..."
"No!" Chu Qingqing interrupted him urgently, "You guys quickly prepare to hide nearby! There's a serious internal conflict in Jiankang City just now, with a large number of supernaturals defecting from major families!"
Cheng Jinyang frowned, only then realizing what had happened.
Beside him, Wang Wanrou slowly sat up straight, her eyes brightened.
The next moment, the piercing air raid siren sounded from outside, as eerie as a horn from the depths of hell.