A hush fell over the assembled crowd as all eyes turned to Gu Luotang and Wan Yunting, clad in matching couple Hanfu. Their relationship was already clear to everyone present.
However, when Su Jingchu spoke, he referred to Wan Yunting as a "friend," prompting Gu Luotang to introduce him. It was evident that he did not acknowledge Gu Luotang and Wan Yunting as a couple.
"This is going to be good..."
This remark sparked hushed whispers and anticipatory murmurs among many onlookers, who adopted a spectator's stance.
Gu Luotang glanced at the man beside her. Wan Yunting offered a polite smile, as he knew none of the people present. He had come simply to accompany Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, intending to return home afterwards to pack and move in that very night.
"Luotang, neither Brother Su nor I have met your friend yet," Wang Jiawen said, his expression arrogant and his gesture rude as he pointed at Wan Yunting, demanding an introduction.
"Didn't everyone just say it?" Qi Miaomiao, clearly sensing Wang Jiawen's deliberate attempt to humiliate Wan Yunting, glared and stated, "His name is Wan Yunting. Not long ago, he received the honor of being a national anti-drug hero. He also studies traditional Chinese medicine with my senior sister, and his medical skills are formidable."
Su Jingwen smiled and extended his hand to Wan Yunting. "I've seen you on the news. It's a pleasure."
"Hello..." Wan Yunting politely shook hands with the stranger, recognizing him as a friend of Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao.
"Heh, 'national anti-drug hero.' Can that put food on the table!" Wang Jiawen sneered sarcastically, fanning himself with a silk fan, causing Wan Yunting's eyes to narrow.
"Hey, Wang Jiawen, what are you saying? Looking down on people?" Qi Miaomiao immediately bristled, pointing at Wang Jiawen and angrily retorting, "If you have the guts, go win one and show us!"
Xu Wenhao and others also felt Wang Jiawen's remark was inappropriate, as Wan Yunting was a celebrity in their city.
However, Wang Jiawen remained arrogant, dismissively chuckling, "I don't have that capability. But doesn't he seem like he's not part of our Hanfu community?"
"So what if he isn't? Can't he come?" Qi Miaomiao truly couldn't stand Wang Jiawen, knowing his arrogance and habitually overbearing nature.
"That's enough, Jiawen. Say less. After all, he's our national anti-drug hero," Su Jingchu said, turning to Wang Jiawen, before addressing Wan Yunting with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, my friend speaks without thinking. Please don't take offense."
"Heh." Wan Yunting merely chuckled twice and remained silent. He could tell that the man before him was not a good person. He then met Wang Jiawen's gaze, and sensing the mocking look, Wang Jiawen became displeased. "What are you looking at?"
Wan Yunting curved his lips into a smile and said, "Are you suffering from kidney deficiency!"
The remark stunned everyone present, their expressions bewildered. Even Wang Jiawen was frozen, not quite understanding what was happening. Wan Yunting then pointed to the tip of Wang Jiawen's left boot. "Weak stream when you urinate, and it splits. You've likely had kidney deficiency for years."
"Pfft..." Xu Wenhao, reacting to this, couldn't help but burst into laughter, quickly covering his mouth with a clenched fist. He exchanged furtive smiles with his friends, glancing at the wet tip of Wang Jiawen's left boot. Indeed, it was damp.
The young men present understood the situation, but some of the young ladies looked on in confusion. Yang Jinghan and Chen Shuyu exchanged glances, their eyes curiously fixed on the amiable Wan Yunting. They were surprised he would publicly declare Wang Jiawen to have kidney deficiency, finding it rather audacious.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Who has kidney deficiency?" Wang Jiawen finally reacted, his eyes wide with fury as he pointed at Wan Yunting and shouted, "You're the one with kidney deficiency, damn it!"
Qi Miaomiao found it amusing. "We all study medicine. We can tell if you have kidney deficiency!"
Wang Jiawen's face darkened with anger, but Wan Yunting's words seemed to strike a nerve. The tip of his left shoe was indeed damp from urine. How could he possibly admit to having kidney deficiency in public? How would he save face?
"Nonsense. My kidneys are perfectly fine. This is just water I got on my shoe when washing my hands; it's not urine," Wang Jiawen retorted angrily, but his voice sounded somewhat guilty, causing everyone around to chuckle. This further infuriated Wang Jiawen. "What are you laughing at? I..."
"Jiawen." Su Jingchu's voice cut through the air. "He was just joking with you. Why take it seriously?"
Wan Yunting smiled and said no more. He wasn't sure of Su Jingchu's relationship with Gu Luotang and decided to give Gu Luotang face by not pursuing the matter.
Su Jingchu smiled. "Luotang, we haven't heard you play the zither in a long time. Would you grace us with a performance?"
"Yes, Luotang, I'd love to hear 'Guang Ling San,'" Yang Jinghan chimed in.
"Alright." Gu Luotang nodded slightly. She glanced at Wan Yunting, wanting to play for him.
"Brother Yunting, let's sit over here..." Qi Miaomiao pulled Wan Yunting to a seat. Gu Luotang then approached the zither, gracefully adjusted her skirt, and sat down. She raised her head slightly, cast a shy glance at Wan Yunting, and began to play.
Su Jingchu naturally noticed this subtle gesture. He narrowed his eyes, watching Wan Yunting sitting with Qi Miaomiao and appreciating Gu Luotang's performance. His heart grew cold.
"That sounds beautiful..." Wan Yunting munched on sunflower seeds, listening to Gu Luotang's enchanting melody. Although he didn't fully understand it, the music was exquisite. Combined with Gu Luotang's traditional attire, she appeared like a fairy from a painting, truly captivating.
Su Jingchu smiled and then asked Wang Jiawen to fetch his pipa. He immediately began playing in accompaniment to Gu Luotang's zither music.
"Wow, Master Su is playing the pipa! It sounds so lovely..." The young ladies around, watching Su Jingchu pluck the pipa strings, emitting beautiful sounds, began to swoon.
Gu Luotang, seeing Su Jingchu accompany her on the pipa, raised an eyebrow. She had intended to play a piece solely for Wan Yunting.
"This guy's not bad," Qi Miaomiao commented. Wan Yunting glanced at her. "He's quite talented, but compared to you, Brother Yunting, he's insignificant."
"Whoa, did you eat candy tonight?" Wan Yunting quirked his head at Qi Miaomiao. She nodded proudly, spitting out a sunflower seed shell, and said with a smile, "Anyone my senior sister fancies would naturally be outstanding."
Wan Yunting rolled his eyes at this. "So, you're saying Luotang doesn't fancy him?"
"Of course not." Qi Miaomiao glanced at Su Jingchu. "Last year in Suzhou, he confessed to my senior sister, but she politely declined."
"Is that so?" Wan Yunting was unaware of these events. He looked at Su Jingchu and then whispered to Qi Miaomiao with a smile, "He's quite calculating. He's probably not simple."
"Really?" Qi Miaomiao was surprised. She didn't dislike Su Jingchu, but she found him a bit pretentious, and Wang Jiawen beside him very annoying.
"Yes, at least he also has kidney deficiency!" Wan Yunting laughed.
"Pfft..." Qi Miaomiao burst out laughing, then gave Wan Yunting a playful glare. "Brother Yunting, you're so wicked."
"Seriously," Wan Yunting said with genuine earnestness. "His steps were unsteady earlier, a clear sign of excessive nocturnal emissions. He definitely has kidney deficiency."
"Really? I didn't notice." Qi Miaomiao thought he was joking with her.
Wan Yunting smiled. "So, you should focus more on medicine and learn from your senior sister."
Qi Miaomiao pouted. "My medical skills are just like this. As long as you guys are good, that's all that matters." Wan Yunting shook his head and smiled, deciding not to press the issue.
At that moment, Gu Luotang finished her performance. Wan Yunting and everyone present applauded. "Bravo..."