Chapter 371 - Old Wus Birthday Gift (1/2)

The atmosphere turned quiet.

Everyone was looking at the couplet.

Zhang Ye was afraid people in the distance could not see it, so he recited it once, ”寂寞寒窗空守寡 (jì mò hán chuāng kōng shǒu guǎ, in this lonely and tiny unit as a widow).”

Father Su was filled with despair! He had came forward full of confidence, thinking he was bound to win. Who knew the couplet awaiting him would forcefully smothered him. Master Zhou and a few truly knowledgeable people were also stunned the moment Zhang Ye put down his brus.h.!.+

This...

This first half...

Zhang Ye's couplet's first half had a very simple meaning and was even straightforward. It was how a lonely widow stayed alone. It was not like other couplets which were quite a mouthful or textually intricate. There was no need to even explain the couplet. Everyone could understand it, but this first half's only trick was that one of its radicals were the same. On the surface, it looked like an ordinary miraculous couplet. There were plenty of such couplets in this world, so it was nothing surprising.  Of course, this was a layman's point of view. True experts, who had deeply researched couplets, would feel like vomiting blood the moment they saw it!

How could it be matched?

There was no way of matching it!

However, there were a few calligraphers who did not realize this. They began suggesting ideas.

”Teacher Su, why aren't you writing anything?”

”I think trying with 'disconsolate sorrow'...Eh, it won't work.”

”Try using 'a beautiful fair'...Oh it won't do too. The correspondence doesn't match.”

The more they ruminated, the more of a headache they experienced. The more they thought, the more alarmed they became. The first half of the couplet seemed like anyone could match it as long as enough time was given. However, the more they thought through it carefully and researched it thoroughly, they felt even more powerless. Their hearts slowly turned cold!

It could not be matched!

This couplet could not be matched!

The collective wisdom of everyone failed to match the couplet!

Master Zhou reminded everyone. ”Since someone has come forward, for this round, there should not be any suggestions from the crowd, alright? Little Wu's team only has two people and the numbers are quite few to begin with.”

However, Zhang Ye said, ”Master Zhou, it's fine. This couplet of mine has no time limit nor is  it restricted to anyone. Even if someone can match it a few decades later, you can consider it as me losing this round.”

Master Zhou looked at him and gave a pleased smile and nod. ”Alright, then let's leave the outcome of this round on hold. Who knows, this might become a story decades later. Haha.”

Zhang Ye suggested, ”Then let's end it here today.”

Master Zhou agreed and began to become fond of Zhang Ye. ”Alright, the auspicious item now has an honor, so it's of little significance to carry the compet.i.tion. It's already past 1 PM, so let's have our meal!”

Not mentioning the winner or loser?

Taking this round as a tie? Leaving it for the future?

Everyone knew this youth in shades was leaving them face. According to the rules of the compet.i.tion, he would definitely win. However, by him offering to put this on hold showed he had some bearing. It seemed like this youth had a sense of propriety. He did not incessantly chase after them to smack their faces.

Zhang Ye had compromised, but he actually did not plan on doing so. Chen Mo's words had provoked him. He had planned on wiping them out, but there was no other way. His opponent this round was Su Na's father. Su Na was his colleague, and they always had a cordial relations.h.i.+p. Zhang Ye could treat others however he wanted, but he naturally could not hunt down the father of his friend. Hence, he initiated this ”peaceful draw”. It was not because Zhang Ye had a sense of propriety. It was just wishful thinking of the others. It was just Zhang Ye giving Su Na and her father some face.

Others did not know that Zhang Ye never backed down?

But Su Na definitely knew. She was very familiar with Zhang Ye and knew of his temper. He was a person who didn't care who he faced. Had he ever been afraid of anyone? How high a status did Professor Yan have? Zhang Ye scolded him the moment he was given the chance. Su Na knew Zhang Ye was not a person who would back down because of hierarchy. The reason why Teacher Zhang did not care about the outcome was because of Su Na herself. Upon realizing this, Su Na felt warmth spread through her heart. He had disregarded so many calligraphers and artists to the point of not even bothering about them, much less currying favor. Yet, Zhang Ye had given Su Na, his friend, face. From Su Na's point of view, such a friend was worth having. This was a true friend!

Su Na looked over and winked.

Zhang Ye nodded and exchanged looks with her.

At this moment, Master Wei finally laughed. ”A young person's abilities must be respected!”

Zhang Ye said a few humble words, but it was just a few. ”All of you went easy on me. If everyone really got serious, I wouldn't be your match.”

Wu Zeqing also smiled and said, ”Master Wei, so I'll be keeping this auspicious item?”

Master Wei gave an expression as if he seemed unwilling to part with it. It was unknown if it was really what he was feeling. ”Let me take another look at it. If I don't look at it, I might never have another chance to do so.”

Master Wei's disciple, Chen Mo had an ugly expression. So many of them failed to get an item his teacher wanted. It was too shameful!

Master Zhou's disciples had already brought out the the auspicious item out.

Wu Zeqing said elegantly. ”Why don't I lend it to you for a period of time? You can return it to me when the time comes.”

”Alright.” Master Wei asked her, ”How long are you going to lend it to me for?”

Wu Zeqing gave a faint chuckle. ”A hundred years.”

Master Wei glanced at her and was humored. ”Alright, it's decided then!”