Qingyun's Love: Tiger Boy Falls in Love with a Pretty Lawyer

"The scholar was dazzled by the sight of all the flowers and beautiful things, and even more so by his heart. He had apparently forgotten the promise he had made to the woman.

The woman saw that the time for posting the results had long passed, but there was still no news from the scholar. She thought that the scholar had failed to pass the exam and was unwilling to come to see her. But deep down, she didn't care whether he passed or not; as long as they were together, it was enough.

After many twists and turns, the woman arrived in the capital, searching for the scholar. To make a living, she opened a small tofu shop on the street with the help of an acquaintance introduced by someone else. At the same time, she sought out news about the scholar.

But instead of the scholar, she was met with a killer. It turned out to be the cruel scholar, who, knowing she was looking for him, feared that his career and his chances of wealth and marriage would be ruined. So, he hired a killer to kill her, deceiving her by claiming she was an enemy.

Fortunately, before he attacked her, the woman recounted the entire situation. This killer was not cold-blooded. He was deeply disgusted by the scholar's treachery. He was willing to spare the woman's life and let her go to the government office to beat the drum and appeal for justice.

The woman smiled bitterly. She thought the love between men and women in this world was as soft and fragile as tofu. Now that she knew the truth, she no longer wanted to stay here. She also didn't want to be entangled with that man anymore. She decided to return home.

The killer also felt remorseful. He escorted the girl back to her hometown and settled there. This story is called "Tofu Love."

Everyone was surprised by this outcome. They applauded and encouraged. The discussion then turned to the woman's devotion, the scholar's shamelessness, and the killer's loyalty. Then, a new focus emerged: setting aside the subsequent evil deeds, the question was whether the scholar's choice to climb the social ladder was right or wrong.

Most people, out of caution, condemned this behavior. The shower bag, seemingly wanting to stand out, made a poignant comment:

"As the saying goes, water flows to the lowest places, and people strive for higher ground. The scholar's desire to avoid twenty years of struggle and make a choice more beneficial to his future wasn't a big mistake. He just should have explained it to the woman."

Xin'er stared at him with wide eyes and said, "Isn't this a big mistake? At least that's not how the sages' books teach people to behave, right? Can the promise we made be simply brushed aside with a few words of explanation?" Xin'er was quite good at talking.

Huashao said unyieldingly, "Are there not enough vows made by lovers in this world? And how many are kept? There are also those who say they will remain faithful forever, do you believe that?"

"I believe it! Only a cunning person wouldn't believe it! If someone doesn't even keep his word, how could you believe he'd become a good official who cares about the people in the future?"

"Let's put this aside. Wasn't there a man named Zhu in history who married three wives and four concubines and yet still advocated for the suppression of human desires and left a lasting legacy? You're so young, you don't know anything, and yet you're still talking about love. I really admire you."

"You're asking for a beating! You're so young, but your thoughts are so impure. I feel so sorry for your parents!"

Everyone watched with great interest as the two of them debated and bickered. Seeing the argument intensify, they hurried to try to stop them. The two men glared at each other angrily.

Ran Mo smiled inwardly. He comforted Xin Er and asked Hua Shao, "Your name was chosen by your parents. What does it mean?"

Huashe said in a relaxed tone, "When my mother gave birth to me, it happened to be rainy after a long drought. She said that raindrops sprinkled all over the courtyard, the petals were crystal clear, and the leaves were emerald green. So she named me Huashe. What do you think? It sounds very meaningful, right?"

Ran Mo smiled and said, "If you name it Hua Yu, it would also be very nice."

"That's not possible. My cousin has already taken that name." Huashao touched his head and said.

Wu Shao looked around the table and invited the last speaker, Azan, to come on stage. Azan also stood up and bowed to everyone, then sat down and began his speech.

"This is a folk tale my mother told me. It's widely circulated in her hometown. It's called 'The Three Lives Stone'.

There was a beautiful little village. Surrounded by picturesque scenery and a winding river, the people had lived by the water for generations. There were two hardworking and courageous brothers: one fished, the other rowed a boat. Their lives were not rich, but comfortable nonetheless.

There was a beautiful and lovely girl next door. They had played together since childhood. The two brothers took good care of her. When wading through the river, the older brother would carry her across from one side; when returning, the younger brother would carry her back from the other side. She would also share a portion of the snacks she made with each of the brothers.

When they grew up, both brothers fell in love with the girl. The girl also liked them. They kept their feelings to themselves because no one wanted to upset the balance. No matter which one the girl was with, the other would be sad.

Azan's story was simple and unadorned. It was like a beautiful and moving scene slowly unfolding before everyone. The love between the boy and the girl drifted like a faint sadness over the river.

"That summer, torrential rains brought flash floods. They destroyed many houses and swept away livestock. They squeezed the small village into an increasingly tight circle. There was no escape. The villagers were about to be eaten by fish.

The village elders sighed and lamented, saying that what was to come had finally come. For centuries, a prophecy had been circulating in this village. It said that a great flood would one day strike. Only a man and a woman who truly loved each other could throw themselves into the torrent together to avert the flood.

The villagers pondered this prophecy, feeling a mixture of fear and hope. Many couples in love withdrew, but at this moment, they too were reluctant to risk the raging floodwaters together. Some felt their love wasn't genuine enough, while others were stopped by their parents.

In this situation, only the brother and the girl stood up bravely, and their parents looked at their children with tears in their eyes.

The two brothers were now vying to claim that they were the one most in love with the girl. They had never argued like this before. This wasn't just a dispute; it was a fight over the chance to save the people and preserve the chance of survival for their brother.

The flood was becoming increasingly turbulent and dangerous. It was too late to make a decision. The brother resolutely pushed his brother toward his father, then took the girl's hand and gazed at her with tears in his eyes.

After taking a last look back at their fellow villagers, they both jumped into the flood hand in hand.

At that moment, as if the sky were collapsing and the earth were splitting, two huge black rocks suddenly rose from the floodwaters, like pillars in the middle of the stream, diverting the floodwaters into another channel. The water level on the village side slowly began to drop.

Just when everyone thought everything was safe, a terrifying green-eyed python suddenly emerged from the flood, spitting out blood-red tongues and attacking the villagers. Many villagers were so frightened that they could not move.

In a flash, the younger brother grabbed the hard, shining harpoon from behind him and leaped onto the boulder. As the giant python opened its bloody mouth to attack him, he leaped into the python's mouth, harpoon in hand, and with all his might, plunged the sharp harpoon into the python's throat.

The python roared and fell into the water. Then, another huge rock rose from the flood, standing side by side with the previous two rocks, looking down at the surging flood flowing into the distance.

The villagers watched this earth-shattering scene with tears in their eyes. Those three huge rocks were the three good children raised by this land. As if possessed of spirits, they gazed at the villagers and their homeland.

They are together forever! Depend on each other, protect all living things! Three lives and three worlds, forever and ever! "

Azan's story flowed seamlessly, leaving everyone agitated for a long time. Many shed tears, moved and amazed by this moving legend and the heroic spirit that moved us so deeply.

Everyone burst into applause, believing this story to be the most shocking and moving one of the day.

Ranmo looked at Azan approvingly. It looked like he'd done his homework for this poetry gathering. Who doesn't like a serious boy?

Ajan humbly stood up and bowed to everyone. He had never felt so moved and happy as he did today.

After everyone calmed down a bit, Ran Mo asked Hu Ling if she had any new work coming out recently. Hu Ling said she was working on a novel about the intertwined worlds of love and family. The subject matter was a bit heavy, as everyone had discussed, touching on issues like family rapport, career paths, and love, as well as depicting the relationships between mother and son, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Ranmo said he looked forward to the publication of his masterpiece. Hu Ling suggested that Ranmo choose a typical case from his legal work and adapt it into a novel, which would be quite engaging. Ranmo nodded in agreement.

Wu Shao concluded that today's poetry gathering had been a complete success. Everyone had impressed him greatly. He and Hu Ling intended to polish and revise everyone's stories and compile them into an anthology, noting the names of the authors or narrators. This would serve as a keepsake for everyone.

Xin'er and the others cheered with joy. This was like being a little author themselves. Ranmo inwardly praised Wu Shao and Hu Ling for their thorough and thoughtful approach. They were quite a good match.

Someone's image flashed before my eyes again. I wondered if I'd write about their story someday. But right now, it seems like I'm at a plateau. Let's see how things develop.

Young Master Wu invited everyone to sit or walk around the courtyard and have dinner together later. Xin'er looked at the sky and said that she had been out all day and had to hurry home, fearing her mother would look for her. Ranmo had other things to do back home, so they both said goodbye. He could also see Xin'er off.

Azan hesitated, looking at Ranmo and then at Qingsheng. Ranmo thought that since it was a rare visit and he was in high spirits today, he should let him stay a while. Azan happily agreed to stay.

Before Ranmo left, she couldn't help but glance at Qingsheng. Qingsheng also watched her leave silently.

Ranmo and Xin'er walked out of the courtyard. Xin'er was very happy. She had learned a lot today. The only thing that made her feel a little unhappy was the quarrel with Hua Shao. She even said that this guy was annoying.

Ranmo smiled and said, "I think he has a good impression of you." Xin'er opened her eyes wide. "Do you mean that?" Ranmo said, "You are just not careful. After you quarreled, he still secretly looked at you from time to time."

Xin'er was a bit surprised, but then a smile appeared on her lips. Of all the people here, Ranmo and Hu Ling were the best to her. She would have to learn more about poetry and literature from them in the future.

As they were talking, they arrived at Xin'er's house. Xin'er invited her in to sit for a while, but Ranmo said that was not necessary and asked her to go in early. Xin'er hesitated and wanted to say something to Ranmo.

At that moment, a young man emerged from the house and spotted them. Seeing Ranmo, he immediately yelled, "Why are you with my sister? Get away from her!" It was Xin'er's brother, Hongmao. He'd suffered at Ranmo's hands the previous time, and he still held a grudge.

Xin'er stamped her foot and complained, "Brother!" Then she looked at Ranmo apologetically. Ranmo smiled and said it was okay. He said goodbye to her.

He turned around and said to the red-haired guy, "Your sister is more capable than you now! Learn more from her."

Then he walked away with his head held high. Red Hair was jumping up and down behind him.

Ranmo reflected on the grand occasion of today's poetry gathering as he walked. He felt that such a day was truly beautiful and tasteful. With such a comfortable life, why would he need those noisy and impetuous pastimes?