The Qixi Poetry Gathering arrived in the blink of an eye. 

Officially, it was a competition, but it was more of a chance for young men and women to meet and mingle. The event was held on the first floor of a restaurant, with an open space in the middle set up with paper and ink, serving as the competition area. 

Around the open space and on the second floor were the viewing areas, especially for the shy and reserved young ladies who usually stayed on the second floor. They had prepared handkerchiefs, pouches, and silk flowers early on to cheer or express their feelings.

The first round of the competition was a poetry relay, where participants had to continue a poem with the last word of the previous line. The poem had to fit the theme, and the second person had to start with a word that sounded like the last word of the previous person’s line.

The first person said, “To find someone with a true heart, never to part till old age.” The second person had to start with a word that sounded like “part,” for example, “Parting stars in the sky above, never to hold each other.” This would be considered a pass, and so on.

The thinking time was ten drumbeats. If the time ran out without a response, a gong would sound, indicating elimination, and the next person would continue until only ten were left, moving on to the second round.

The young participants stood in a circle in the center, most of them students from the academy. Yuan Hao and Wen Qing stood at opposite ends.

“Boom!”

The sound of a gong marked the start of the competition.

At first, the relay was fast, as they were all well-read. Almost as soon as one person finished, the next could continue, and the drumbeats couldn’t keep up.

By the second and third rounds, eliminations began, or some barely made it by the last drumbeat.

Since repetition wasn’t allowed, the further it went, the fewer usable lines there were.

Zou Hui had a few helpers behind him. When he couldn’t think of a line in the previous round, someone behind him whispered a reminder. But today was a joyous occasion, and either people didn’t notice or chose not to spoil the mood, especially since it was the first round, so no one exposed it.

“…Tap, tap, boom!”

“Overtime! Scholar Chen, please take a break and have some tea~”

By the fifth round, more participants were eliminated due to overtime, and the drumbeats became more urgent. Someone recited, “Longing brings no benefit, but melancholy is a noble madness.”

Most lines with the word “madness” expressed aspirations, with few about love. People couldn’t think of one, and with the drumbeats urging them, three were eliminated in a row, and it was soon Yuan Hao’s turn.

“Tap!” The timing drumbeat sounded. Yuan Hao’s eyes were unfocused, seemingly deep in thought.

“Tap!” Yuan Hao frowned, not speaking.

“Tap!” The drumbeat continued, but… it seemed to slow down.

“Tap!” The drumbeat kept sounding.

Wen Qing looked around in confusion. Everyone was holding their breath, afraid to disturb, but… it seemed the drumbeat was slow. By now, it should have sounded twice.

Was the drummer deliberately going easy because too many were eliminated?

“Tap!” The fifth sound rang out.

Yuan Hao suddenly snapped back to reality and loudly recited, “In a moment, the wildflowers’ fragrance, the evening butterflies’ lingering affection.”

This line used butterflies and flowers as a metaphor for lovers’ meetings and separations, fitting the theme. Because he answered within five drumbeats, cheers erupted from all around, and scented handkerchiefs and silk flowers were thrown from the second floor. But the ladies’ aim wasn’t great, and most fell around Yuan Hao, not hitting him directly.

“Tap, tap, tap…” The drumbeat resumed.

“Wen Qing? It’s your turn,” Yuan Hao reminded.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

“Oh, right! It’s the word ‘affection’…”

“Tap, tap, tap…”

“Affection, affection seems near yet far, as if coming and going.”

Wen Qing was momentarily distracted, and only after being reminded did he hurriedly respond, just in time for the last drumbeat.

“Repeated! Scholar Wen, please take a break and have some tea~”

Yuan Hao laughed, “Hahaha, what were you daydreaming about? This line was used in the second round.”

“In a rush, I didn’t notice. I’ll step down first, Yuan brother, continue.”

Wen Qing also laughed, cupped his hands, and stepped down, choosing a nearby seat to watch the competition.

“Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap…”

The drumbeat continued, relentlessly eliminating many. But whenever it was Yuan Hao’s turn, it seemed to slow down?

Wen Qing scanned the arena, but no one pointed it out. Was it just his perception that was off?

Yuan Hao continued to answer within five drumbeats, and when it was the next person’s turn, they couldn’t come up with a word even after ten drumbeats.

“Overtime! Scholar Li, please take a break and have some tea~”

“You! You were drumming too fast, I couldn’t think in time.” With few people left, Scholar Li was clearly dissatisfied and tried to argue.

The host of the venue could handle it, smiling broadly, “Everyone here heard it, how could we dare drum fast? The previous ones all answered like this. Scholar, you’ve been standing for a while, sit down and have a cup of tea. The ladies upstairs are waiting to see more~”

This was actually a hint not to act shamelessly, as the ladies upstairs would lose even more interest if they saw.

The clever waiter quickly ran to Scholar Li’s side, helpfully guiding him, “Scholar, we just got some good tea, have a taste. I’ll take you to a private seat.”

Scholar Li wasn’t that stubborn, and with a way out, he left with the waiter.

Soon, only ten were left on stage, moving to the second round of the competition.

Wen Qing recognized that seven were academy students. This year’s top five only included Yuan Hao and Zou Hui. He was eliminated for repetition, and the third and fourth… seemed not to participate. Were those two really into Long Yang?

Wen Qing shook his head, thinking not to judge others, and continued watching the competition.

The second round was a “Flying Flower Order.” The restaurant owner drew two words from a box, “willow” and “song,” requiring the recited lines to include these words. The number of words was unlimited, and the position could change, but repetition wasn’t allowed. The time was still ten drumbeats, and five would move to the third round finals.

“Tap, tap, tap…”

One after another, it was Zou Hui’s turn. He was clearly lacking in reserves, and others wanted to tell him, but with so few people on stage, it was too obvious. Whispering, Zou Hui couldn’t hear clearly, and by the time he wanted to hear again, time was up, and he was the first eliminated in this round.

When it was Yuan Hao’s turn, the drumbeat slowed again. Wen Qing no longer doubted his perception and planned to confirm with someone, but he was worried his baseless suspicion might lead to Yuan Hao’s elimination.

At this point, Zou Hui wandered over, standing beside Wen Qing, and asked in an unhappy tone, “Aren’t you two close? What’s he showing off for? That pair didn’t even come.”

Wen Qing was afraid that directly denying would cause trouble, so he vaguely replied, “Just joining the fun.”

“Tch, joining the fun, the ladies upstairs are all watching. They might turn around and kick you…”

Before Zou Hui could finish his sour remark, he heard Yuan Hao on stage recite, “The willows are green, the river is calm, I hear my love singing by the river.”

With “willow” and “song,” cheers erupted from both floors.

And with “hear” and “Qing,” Zou Hui immediately understood, his features scrunched together, losing any mood to be sarcastic, and he walked away, afraid of being rumored to be into Long Yang.

Soon, only five were left on stage, including Yuan Hao, smoothly entering the finals.

The third round finals required the five to compose a poem on the theme “Banquet at Jade Tower on Qixi Night” within the time of one incense stick. The audience would then vote for the winner. Banquet at Jade Tower was the name of the restaurant, so they had to leave some fame for the venue. No one minded.

Soon, the five completed their poems, and some of the eliminated enthusiastic scholars came forward to copy them, passing them around for everyone to see.

“Boom, boom, boom…”

The gong sounded.

The restaurant owner stood in the center, “Ladies and gentlemen, I will now call names one by one. When a scholar is called, they will come to the center and recite their poem. If you think the poem is wonderful, cheer loudly, and if you wish to reward, throw it to the center. The scholar with the loudest cheers and most rewards will be the winner!!!”

“Yes!!!” The crowd’s enthusiasm was stirred, and they were eager to participate.

“First, Scholar Han~”

Scholar Han came to the center, a cheerful baby-faced young man. He recited his poem with a grin and then looked up to the second floor, asking for votes, “I’m young, if my poem isn’t good, I hope the sisters will pity me~”

“Hahahahaha…” This was the sound of the ladies upstairs giggling.

“Yoo~~~” This was the sound of the scholars downstairs booing.

“Sister pities you!” A voice came from somewhere, and a bracelet fell onto Scholar Han’s chest. He quickly caught it with both hands, a smile still on his face, and the next moment, a boot landed at his feet, scaring him into taking two steps back.

“Brother pities you too! Hahahahaha…” The men on the first floor laughed, not hiding their jealousy.

In the end, Scholar Han was driven off the stage by a mix of cheers and jeers.

“Second, Scholar Ma~”

Scholar Ma looked a bit reserved, stammering through his poem, bowing up, down, left, and right, flustered but very polite, earning him some kind-hearted applause.

“Third, Scholar Wang~”

Scholar Wang was burly, more like a warrior. He recited his poem in a monotone, expressionless, and then left the stage directly. Everyone was left bewildered, and the owner had to smooth things over, “Scholar Wang came down too quickly, no one had time to cheer~”

But there was no chance to give him more, as the owner called the next one directly.

“Fourth, Scholar Kang~”

Scholar Kang had the typical scholar look, gracefully taking the stage, greeting everyone, and then reciting his poem with emotion. He even shared his creative thoughts and inspiration.

Both floors had a good impression of him, giving him the loudest cheers so far.

“Fifth, and the last one, this year’s top scholar, Scholar Yuan~”

Being the top in the academy exam, the owner took extra care in introducing him. But there was no need for him to ask for votes. With fewer people now, everyone stood closer, and Yuan Hao’s handsome face was fully on display.

Not to mention the sulking scholars on the first floor, the ladies on the second floor were already in a frenzy. One led, and the others followed, throwing away their reserve, showering him with items. The enthusiasm was so overwhelming that Yuan Hao had to shield his head with his hands, smiling, “Thank you, thank you, ladies, but please let me recite my poem first.”

“Hahahahaha…” The ladies laughed and stopped.

Yuan Hao recited his poem, and as expected of the top scholar, his level and rhythm were clearly a notch above the others. Even the jealous scholars on the first floor had to admit that purely from the poem, Yuan Hao was the best.

In the end, Yuan Hao stood in the center, drowned in cheers and rewards, silk flowers, scented handkerchiefs, pouches, earrings, all showering him, embodying both literary elegance and personal charm.

This Qixi Poetry Gathering’s undisputed first place was Yuan Hao, earning 1000 coins. Scholar Yuan stood on stage, smiling brightly, clearly genuinely happy, enchanting the ladies into throwing another wave of items.

Second place was the courteous Scholar Kang, earning 500 coins.

Third place was the baby-faced Scholar Han, earning 200 coins. Though only third, Scholar Han didn’t mind, still sweetly calling up to the second floor, “Thank you, sisters~”

The poetry gathering ended successfully, with mutual attraction between men and women exchanging glances. Wen Qing was a bit tired and was about to leave when someone pulled him into a secluded corner.

“Shh~ It’s me.” Yuan Hao pulled Wen Qing, lowering his voice, acting all mysterious.

He took out a pouch from his chest and shook it vigorously by Wen Qing’s ear. The sound of coins clinking together was unmistakable. Yuan Hao’s voice couldn’t hide his excitement, “1000 coins!” Gone was the poised, worldly figure from the stage, now a complete money-grubber.

Wen Qing chuckled, raising his hand in congratulations, his voice also soft, “Congratulations, congratulations, Yuan brother, with such wealth, don’t forget to lift your little brother in the future.”

“Hahaha…” Yuan Hao was so pleased he was about to burst, puffing out his chest like a big brother, “No need to wait for the future, today I’ll treat you to something good, let’s go!”

Yuan Hao, like a thief, looked around, seeing no one noticed, and pulled Wen Qing towards the back door. His long legs and big strides, coupled with his usual mountain herb digging, gave him great stamina. Wen Qing struggled to keep up, panting as he ran, “Do we really have to run?”

“I don’t want to exchange pleasantries with them, we’re almost there.”

Yuan Hao led Wen Qing to the snack street, rolling up his sleeves and buying everything, rice wine balls, spring noodles, braised duck, osmanthus wine…

They walked and bought, and when they couldn’t carry anymore, they handed it to Wen Qing. Finally, the two of them, arms full of food, found a place to sit.

Initially, the shopkeeper was reluctant, disliking them bringing their own food. But Yuan Hao’s one sentence, “Bring a Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,” made the shopkeeper beam with joy, hopping off to serve them.

A single serving of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall cost 300 coins, equivalent to a day’s income for the shop.

Wen Qing looked at the table full of food, calculating in his mind, at least 500 coins, half the prize money gone. He knew Yuan Hao’s family wasn’t well-off and felt a bit heartache for him.

“Usually passing by, there’s no time to try, today we have time, might as well eat everything, don’t mind they’re street stalls.”

“No, no,” Wen Qing quickly waved his hand, “Mother doesn’t allow me to eat outside food, it’s my first time trying, quite novel.”

Yuan Hao smiled, pushing the food towards him, “Rice wine balls, try them?”

Wen Qing picked up a spoon, ate one, the wine flavor was light, the balls soft and chewy, sweet and delicious. He couldn’t help but eat two more, feeling the day’s fatigue melt away.

Yuan Hao rummaged in his chest again, taking out a white Wei Zi from his medicine pouch, “Just dug up, I forgot to give it to you earlier.”

“This…” Wen Qing took it, feeling it burn in his hands. Yuan Hao was too good to him, and he felt a bit overwhelmed, immediately reaching for his coin pouch.

Yuan Hao pressed his hand down, “No rush, between us, there’s no need for that. What was that saying?”

Yuan Hao poured himself a cup of osmanthus wine, poured one for Wen Qing, clinked their cups, and drank it all in one go before finally remembering, “You give me a peach, I return you a jade.”

Wen Qing immediately followed, “It’s not about repayment, but…”

Forever being good to each other.

We exchange gifts not for repayment or formality, but to express deep feelings.

He didn’t finish, having read since childhood, how could he not know this line? It’s just… not quite right. The timing and atmosphere were off, two people rumored to be into Long Yang, on the night of Qixi, and he received a gift, to recite this poem?

Wen Qing was a bit flustered, also raising his cup and drinking it all.

Seeing him not finish, Yuan Hao naturally continued, “It’s not about repayment, but forever being good to each other. Between us, there’s no need to count too much.”

Wen Qing stared blankly at Yuan Hao, only returning to his senses after a few moments, hurriedly lowering his head to refill their cups, clinking, and drinking again.

It’s not about repayment, but forever being good to each other.

He recited this line in his heart, the osmanthus wine sweet and silky, sweet to the heart.

On this day, the moon was full, the wine was fine, and people were paired.