The CEO's Substitute Wife Is A Genius-Chapter 365: Realized I’m Chow and Don’t Want to Admit It?

Chapter 365: Chapter 365: Realized I’m Chow and Don’t Want to Admit It?

This couplet wasn’t invented by Jiang Man, but is an absolute classic through the ages.

Even if one could match the antithetical structure perfectly, it would be hard to find the correct corresponding line without understanding the context of the dialogue at that time.

She thought she could stump Lu Xingzhou, but she underestimated his vast knowledge of both ancient and modern times.

"This couplet was posed by Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, to Liu Bowen, incorporating allusions to the rivalry between Wu and Yue, and Gou Jian’s endurance of hardship to regain his kingdom, reflecting Emperor Taizu’s determination to unify the land."

"And Liu Bowen’s reply was, ’King among men, sovereign at the border, aspiring to take on all,’ praising Emperor Taizu and the officials around him for their commitment to support him wholeheartedly."

"The ruler and his minister used couplets and the breaking down of characters to express their thoughts, which was subtle and clever."

Jiang Man hadn’t expected that instead of being stumped, her brother had put one over on her.

Citing classics left and right, he was utterly convincing.

"How many points did you score for Chinese and history in the college entrance exam?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I never took it, I was recommended for admission," said Lu Xingzhou indifferently, his expression as calm as ever.

Damn it, she’d been played again!

Jiang Man kept her composure, "Don’t use Liu Bowen’s line, think of one yourself."

She poked her head.

Lu Xingzhou smiled, "What’s so difficult about that?"

Having said that, he picked up the brush.

After dipping it in ink, he intended to write down his line with flourish.

But after thinking it over, he pulled Jiang Man over instead.

He put the brush in her hand and held her from behind, grabbing the hand that held the brush.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing the corresponding line together, of course."

The warm breath of the man on her ear was tingling and numbing.

Jiang Man gave him a look.

Lu Xingzhou was focused, gripping her hand and starting to write under the street light and moonlight.

The first character was ’丘’ (hill).

The back of her hand could feel the warmth of his palm and his strong grip.

Then, his other hand circled around her waist.

The two were almost pressed together, their clothes feeling superfluous.

Turn left at the hill, turn right at the hill, looking to play table tennis.

Until Lu Xingzhou completed writing the line with her, she glanced at it and gave him a look, "Is that a bit too straightforward?"

"It’s well matched, no problem," Lu Xingzhou smiled with a smirk, "You said it, if I matched it, tonight..."

"Did I say that?" Jiang Man lifted her chin, a sly look in her eyes, mischievous and a little wicked.

"Words to the left, words to the right, sincere and trustworthy. Jiang Man, one must be as good as one’s word," Lu Xingzhou smiled gently.

"You..." Jiang Man gritted her teeth.

Lu Xingzhou’s smile grew even brighter: "Mouth full, mouth round, swallowing dates whole. What’s the matter? Speechless?"

Jiang Man was truly speechless and wholeheartedly convinced.

She had deliberately chosen a classic couplet to challenge him, but she didn’t expect him to integrate the context and come up with three different replies.

Impressive!

Truly impressive!

For a moment, her admiration for Lu Xingzhou was beyond words.

Both talented with the pen and the sword, he didn’t seem human!

"Lu Xingzhou, are you a monster?"

"Hm?" Lu Xingzhou was puzzled by her sudden question.

Instead of responding, Jiang Man just stared at him with burning intensity, which reminded her of how Lu Xingzhou had once looked at her, though she hadn’t cared at the time.

"Do you still approve of this idol of yours? Will you admire me for a lifetime?"

Lu Xingzhou turned Jiang Man’s body around.

Her hand loosened, and the brush [plop]fell onto the stone table.

The black ink spread wantonly, giving the stone table a sudden, messy beauty.

Jiang Man’s lower back pressed against the table, her body leaning back, her hands bracing on the edge.

Lu Xingzhou drew even closer, one arm around her lower back.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere teemed with an ambiguous charge.

"Who said anything about admiring you?" Jiang Man didn’t want to admit it.

Lu Xingzhou smiled softly, his eyes full of tenderness, "You sent people to invite me several times, sincerely, and I heard what your subordinate said, claiming you’ve admired chow for years. Now that you’ve discovered I’m chow, don’t want to admit it anymore?"

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to admit it, it was just a bit embarrassing.

"Don’t play coy after taking advantage," Jiang Man glared at him.

Lu Xingzhou leaned in closer: "I shall..."

His voice was deep and magnetic.

Just hearing his voice was enough to make one’s ears pregnant.

"Where on earth has Sister Man gone? The Consul General himself invited her to write a couplet. And brother-in-law is missing too."

"Master Wu, I think we better not look for them anymore, I guess the young mistress and her husband must have left already."

"Then so be it, I’ll reluctantly take their place and go write the couplet for Sister Man and brother-in-law!"

Voices of Wu Yingfan and the Vermilion Bird came from the back courtyard.

Jiang Man didn’t dare move, for fear that the two men would discover them.

Only when their voices faded did she attempt to take control, trying to switch positions and press Lu Xingzhou against the stone table.

"Fair is fair, we agreed I’d make the move."

After saying that, she lifted Jiang Man in his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"Going home, to continue."

...

The New Year’s Day in Baiguo was very lively; the Burj Khalifa was contracted by people from all over the world for the entire night, and the light show shone all night long.

Fireworks and salute sounds boomed everywhere, and the new year was welcomed amid such bustle.

Jiang Man and Lu Xingzhou made several video calls throughout the night, wishing their grandmother and others a happy new year and paying their respects to King as well.

Several good friends back and forth couldn’t be overlooked; they wished each other a happy new year and sent red packets.

There was a thicker atmosphere of family in Harbour City.

When Jiang Man video called her grandfather, all four of her uncles and their families were in the hospital room.

All were in harmony, sharing the joy of kinship.

"Manman, Chen Anna and Ming’s wedding has been set for the second day of the first lunar month; I will tell you the schedule in advance."

Chen Anna barged into the frame and told Jiang Man.

Jiang Man gave an OK sign, indicating she’d be on call.

"Xianyun is rarely back this year; why don’t we also invite the fifth sister and the others over and have a family reunion? Let’s take a family photo," suggested Auntie from the video.

Hu Guanghua was clearly opposed to this idea: "She’s long stopped being a member of the Hu family, why invite her?"

"After all, we are family, and after so many years, all grievances should be left behind. Since Manman has forgiven them, what can’t we forgive?"

"Father, what do you think?"

Old Master Hu looked into the camera, seeing Jiang Man and Lu Xingzhou happy together, and was in a great mood.

"Xiaoming’s wedding, Xianyun’s rare visit home, let it go, the family’s reunion is an added joy amidst the festivities."

After speaking, the old man asked Jiang Man, "Manman, what do you think?"

"I have no objection, let them come."

After all, grandfather had been bedridden for so many years and finally saw the light of day.

To enjoy a full family reunion was the only filial piety she could offer.

Besides, Jiang Yueping and Hu Fangqin couldn’t cause much trouble; blood was thicker than water, and since grandfather wanted them to come, let them come.