294 Storm in a Teacup (1/2)
When the crowd heard Xiao Quanren's comments, they were startled. What did the Wise One mean? Was he saying that the couplet Xiao Luo had written was even better than his own? The Wise One had been a scholar since the time of the Qing Dynasty, and what's more, he had spent most of his life practicing calligraphy. Xiao Luo was just a shade over twenty, so how could his skills in calligraphy possibly be better?
”You flatter me, Wise One,” Xiao Luo said with a smile.
”Neither haughty nor humble, neither conceited nor rash. Xiao Luo, a great future awaits you!” old man Xiao Quanren held Xiao Luo's hands tightly, giving him considerable praise.
”The Wise One is right. Xiao Luo is bound to attain great achievements in the future.”
”It is said that sharpening a chopper will not hold up the work of cutting firewood. Xiao Luo's few years in university has given him an entirely different temperament.”
”Yes, indeed. It is the reason why Miss Ji took a liking to Xiao Luo.”
Everyone heaped lavish praises on Xiao Luo.
That didn't sit well with Xiao Qiudong, who stood seething silently in the crowd, gritting his teeth and shaking in anger. He felt his sense of superiority crumble and that he had lost his position as the most outstanding youth in Luo Village. All the glory and limelight had now shifted to Xiao Luo.
All the praises he heard gradually made him lose his mind, and in a spiteful voice, he uttered, ”He just a gigolo who gained his status all because of some rich lady. Is he that worthy of your high praises?”
It was in a moment of sheer frustration that he said those words. But he said it precisely when the crowd went silent, and hence, it was audible to everyone gathered at the Seekong altar. The instant they heard that they turned and glared at him.
Old man Xiao Quanren's expression changed, and he was displeased. ”Qiudong, what are you mumbling about?” he said.
Murmurs of discontent and criticism could be heard from the crowd.
”Enough!!!”
A booming voice thundered from within the crowd, causing Xiao Qiudong to halt abruptly.
Xiao Qiudong turned his head, and he saw it came from Xiao Ping. Xiao Qiudong was puzzled, doubtful, and angry all at once. He stared at Xiao Ping coldly and yelled, ”Xiao Ping, what did you have for dinner, explosives?!”
”Xiao Qiudong, what are you saying? The three of us have been friends since we were young. We played in the mud, stole the Wise One's loquat, and even snuck out swimming in the river together. Luo is now living a great life, and I'm genuinely happy for him, but why are you not? What are you implying now? Can't you bear to see Luo doing better than you? Are you only happy when Luo is inferior to you in every single thing? Xiao Qiudong, do you have a mental problem or what?” Xiao Ping rebuked him loudly, unable to tolerate his antics any longer. Xiao Qiudong had crossed the line this time.
”I have a mental problem? Hu-huh…”
Xiao Qiudong scoffed, ”Isn't what I said true? If he hadn't gotten his hands on a rich girl, he'd just be nothing more than a fart!”
”Xiao Qiudong, what has gotten into you? What is this insanity you're showing in front of the Seekong altar?” Xiao Dizhang shouted, clearly angry and disappointed in Xiao Qiudong.
”Uncle Dizhang, I'm not insane, I'm just presenting the facts. Why does everybody think that I'm insane? Okay, so Xiao Luo can write calligraphy, he's good looking and has caught the eye of a rich girl, but these aside, he's nothing! Graduating from a university means he can only be a salaryman. I didn't attend university, but I own a house, a car, have a wife, and everything Xiao Luo doesn't have! Compared to me, what does he have to be proud of, and what can he flaunt?”
Xiao Qiudong had thoroughly lost his mind, convinced that he wasn't crazy, but everyone else was. As far as he was concerned, Xiao Luo was just the garbage who had managed to seduce a rich girl, so was he worthy of all the praise? Why didn't anyone look into his success and excellence instead? In his mind, the people here were just a bunch of fools.