Chapter 118

Facing Professor Wang An’s expectant eyes, Ye Xuan looked at the pork he had just picked up with chopsticks and responded casually.

"Why not?"

As soon as the simple four characters came out, Professor Wang An immediately made a listening posture.

Writing poetry can best test a poet’s level.

Ye Xuan’s poetry level is at what level, it depends on this poem!

Seeing the expectation in the eyes of Professor Wang An and the other two, Ye Xuan curled his lips slightly.

Thinking of Su Shi’s "Ode to Pork" in his mind, he said faintly.

"Wash the pot, put a little water, the firewood smoke does not rise. Wait for it to cook itself, don't rush it, when the heat is enough, it will be beautiful."

The light voice was like a breeze, blowing into the ears of the three.

Professor Wang An’s smile froze.

Simple wording, it sounds like it is introducing how to make pork on the surface.

Wash the pot clean, add a small amount of water, then ignite the weeds and firewood.

Simmer it slowly like this, letting it cook through gradually; you must not be impatient.

After savoring the lingering aftertaste of the poem just now, Professor Wang An could not help but recite the last two lines again.

"Wait for it to cook itself, do not rush it; when the heat is sufficient, it will naturally be delicious?!"

With every word that emerged from his mouth, Professor Wang An’s eyes grew more astonished.

This was not talking about cooking meat at all; it was also talking about life.

If you are impatient, you cannot eat hot tofu; all things in the world have their own rhythm.

Do not be anxious.

Take it slow.

By the time Professor Wang An reacted to this poem with a look of shock, he saw Ye Xuan acting as if nothing had happened, pushing the pork in front of him toward the other three while smiling.

"This meat is cooked just right; everyone, have a taste."

As soon as the voice fell, it also awakened Kang Hui and Dong Qin, who had fallen into silence because of this poem.

The shock in Dong Qin’s eyes was simply impossible to suppress.

The poem just now seemed simple and plain, nothing more than an ordinary recipe for cooking meat.

But upon closer reflection, it was filled with the smoke and fire of ordinary life.

"Mr. Ye, this of yours..."

Was it prepared in advance?!

Dong Qin almost suspected that this was a poem Ye Xuan had written beforehand.

But the next moment, she suddenly realized and swallowed the words in her mouth.

Impossible.

Professor Wang An’s poem just now was an impromptu idea.

Asking Mr. Ye Xuan to compose a poem was an even more impromptu idea on top of that.

Where would there be time to prepare in advance?!

Even if it were prepared in advance, Dong Qin had already searched her memory.

If she had ever seen such a fine verse, she would definitely have an impression of it.

But right now, she could guarantee that these few simple lines of poetry were definitely something she was seeing for the first time.

In other words, this was clearly written by Ye Xuan himself!

Not only Dong Qin, but Kang Hui beside her also recovered from his daze; at this moment, his eyes were filled with admiration.

"Mr. Ye, you were clearly being modest just now."

How could this be someone with no research into poetry?!

This was clearly research that had reached a certain realm.

With just those few sentences, how could one write them without ten or eight years of research foundation?!

Not only did it describe the preparation process of this dish, but it also used deep meaning to experience another level of existence.

How many poets could reach this level?!

Facing the shock in the eyes of the three, Ye Xuan did not feel he had said anything remarkable at all; instead, he shook his head lightly.

"Because it was an impromptu creation, the length and parallelism are not precise; it was just for fun."

Just for fun?!

As soon as these four words came out, the other three subconsciously twitched their mouths.

If this is just for fun, where does that leave everyone else?!

At this moment, Professor Wang An subconsciously placed the short poem he had just composed alongside Ye Xuan’s.

Comparing them, his face immediately turned red.

There was simply no comparison.

One was in the heavens and one was on the earth; the gap was simply too large!

He could neither elevate himself nor do anything but lower Ye Xuan.

Sighing inwardly, Professor Wang An immediately let go of his previous unwillingness to accept defeat.

He had thought this was just a twenty-year-old kid who knew nothing; who knew that he was the true master?!

It was his own skills that were inferior.

Looking up again at Ye Xuan, who was eating roast duck seriously, Professor Wang An’s eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, and he couldn't help but let out an "Eh."

If he could compose such a masterpiece, he would definitely be eager to promote it and let everyone know of his ability.

But why was Ye Xuan so understated, appearing so plain and ordinary?!

As the question arose, an answer subconsciously popped into Professor Wang An’s mind.

Could it be that in their eyes, these astonishing verses were merely the tip of the iceberg for Ye Xuan?

Could it be that the peak they found difficult to reach was, in Ye Xuan’s eyes, merely easy and ordinary?

Could it be that the verses they found rare and unattainable were, for Ye Xuan, merely picked up at will?

That was why Ye Xuan’s expression was so calm.

Once this thought emerged, Professor Wang An almost bit his own tongue.

He was almost frightened by this bizarre idea.

Yet, he felt that this speculation, which seemed incredible if spoken aloud, might actually be true.

This little poem just now had not even come close to touching the ceiling of this young man before him.

It was not even worth lingering on for an extra second.

That was why Ye Xuan was so calm and composed, so free and easy.

At this time, being stared at by Professor Wang An for so long, Ye Xuan also realized something was wrong.

He looked up, glanced at Professor Wang An, and asked in confusion.

"Professor Wang, is there something stuck on my face?"

Ye Xuan thought his mouth wasn't wiped clean; otherwise, why would Professor Wang An be looking at him so much?!

As soon as the voice fell, he saw Professor Wang An shaking his head like a rattle-drum, asking with great eagerness.

"Mr. Ye, how... how do you usually accumulate your knowledge of ancient poetry?"

Professor Wang An had already secretly made a resolution.

Even if he couldn't reach Ye Xuan’s height, learning even a little bit would be something.

Although he was old, that could not affect his desire to improve.

Seeming to see the hope in Professor Wang An’s eyes, Ye Xuan pondered for a second and said slowly.

"Advance like a pawn, effort is never wasted, polish yourself to perfection, and the stream will reach the four seas."

As soon as the sixteen characters were spoken, Ye Xuan indeed saw a light flash in Professor Wang An’s eyes.

After all, Ye Xuan couldn't tell the Professor Wang An before him that the things in his mind were the crystallization of knowledge from another world.

Since that was the case, it was better to give the person a direction to move forward.

As Ye Xuan said this, not only did Professor Wang An’s eyes light up, but even Dong Qin and Kang Hui put down their chopsticks and listened carefully.

Repeating these sixteen characters in his mouth, Professor Wang An felt that they were endlessly thought-provoking.

Like a pawn moving forward, effort would never be in vain.

Like polishing raw jade, even the smallest stream could merge into the sea.

Suddenly sitting up straight and wiping his hands clean, Professor Wang An thanked him earnestly.

"Mr. Ye, I have learned much."

"I have learned much." Dong Qin and Kang Hui beside him did the same, nodding in acknowledgment.