Xu Lin took a picture of the cover of "Old Tang History" for her, then put his phone aside.
On Tuesday afternoon, Xu Lin and Ning Yuhuan went to the city library again. This time, he read "Old Tang History."
Xia Xiyao said Xu Lin was steady and insisted on Xu Lin answering. Xu Lin could only say that reading these historical books made it hard not to be steady.
In history books, there are countless ups and downs of great figures.
Of course, anyone whose name is recorded in a history book is a great person. How many of them are truly unknown?
When Xu Lin was in the first year of high school, there was a history class where the history teacher mentioned a notorious historical figure, and many classmates laughed.
The history teacher then posed a question: "Don't laugh, no matter how bad you are, can you become infamous for thousands of years by committing murder and arson?"
At the time, no students understood this concept.
The young boys and girls wouldn't understand that being infamous for thousands of years is as difficult as being celebrated through the ages.
Up to today, Xu Lin reads history books and sees the great figures in them, not judging their goodness or badness. Which one is a simple character?
Xu Lin contemplated a question: Yuan Shikai is called a half-saint in history, meaning he was almost a saint. But he entertained the idea of becoming an emperor in the wrong era. If he hadn't made the mistake of proclaiming himself emperor, he wouldn't be infamous today, but instead would be remembered in history with countless people praising him and even erecting monuments in his honor.
Lu Xiufu carried the young emperor and leaped, bringing a conclusion to the Great Song.
Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself, erasing all his mistakes in life, solidifying his noble sacrifice for his nation, which adds layers to his evaluation by later generations.
And as for the Qing Dynasty, it is eternally nailed to the pillar of shame, destined to be infamous for millennia.
Xu Lin watched the countless rises and falls of people in history. These people, some gained great achievements and fame in life, but in the books, they are only mentioned in a few strokes, and after closing the coffin, it is just so.
Reading history makes one wise.
"Old Tang History" consists of 3,090,000 words, even as classical literature, it comprises several volumes in total, quite hefty.
If you look at the annotated version, the weight will multiply several times over.
But Xu Lin finished flipping through it in one afternoon, yet he didn't remember everything and planned to read it again next time.
Today was just a skim-read.
Xu Lin felt he learned something again today; actually, reading one or two books isn't very useful. Only by reading many books can a subtle effect gradually occur, but this effect is neither quantifiable nor palpable.
"Honey, have you finished reading?"
Beside him, Ning Yuhuan saw Xu Lin close the last volume of "Old Tang History."
"No, I just skimmed through it."
Xu Lin asked her, "Where do you want to go out tonight?"
"No, it's too cold outside, let's go grocery shopping, and I'll cook a meal for you."
"Okay, I also want to taste the senior's cooking skills."
At 5 o'clock, the two left the city library and soon set off for the nearest market to Xu Lin's rented apartment complex.
Eggs, tomatoes, beef, lean pork, napa cabbage, green peppers, chili peppers, garlic.
Just these few items.
Ning Yuhuan said she would make three dishes: tomato eggs, beef with green peppers, stir-fried napa cabbage with lean pork, and both meat dishes had chili peppers. Additionally, the stir-fried napa cabbage with pork had a little garlic for seasoning.
These are all very common home-cooked dishes.
Ning Yuhuan tied her hair in a high ponytail upon returning home and put on an apron, starting to work in the kitchen.
Xu Lin's place had an open kitchen, connected to the living room.
Ning Yuhuan didn't let Xu Lin help, even saying, "A gentleman stays away from the kitchen," just not letting Xu Lin assist, busying herself to make a delicious meal for Xu Lin.
Xu Lin waited in the living room.
Speaking of which, among the girls he knows, Chi Linyue and Shang Wanjun aside,
Ning Yuhuan, Yu Xinyan, Rong Xiyi, and Xia Xiyao are four.
Only Ning Yuhuan and Xia Xiyao could cook; Yu Xinyan knew a little, but not much. Xu Lin had known her for six years and knew she could only make tomato eggs and egg fried rice, so she couldn't be regarded as knowing how to cook.
Xia Xiyao showed her skills on Saturday, and Xu Lin found her cooking okay.
He just didn't know how Ning Yuhuan's skills would be. She had made steak before.
Soon, the three home-cooked dishes were freshly made, the room filled with a fragrant aroma, though the range hood was working furiously.
It was cold outside, and the heater was on in the room, with windows closed. Naturally, the range hood had to be on while cooking.
Finally, Xu Lin got to experience Ning Yuhuan's cooking skills.
"Senior, you cook as well as my mom."
Ms. Ren's cooking was delicious.
"So, what I made is delicious, right?"
"Otherwise, my mom's cooking is really good!"
"Then eat more!"
Ning Yuhuan smiled happily.
After Xu Lin ate and drank his fill, Ning Yuhuan went to wash the dishes. Since Xu Lin had finished every bit, only a little bit of soup was left, making the washing easy and not needing much tidying.
Later, the two went to take a bath together.
Xu Lin was mischievous, playing around with Ning Yuhuan in the bathroom for over half an hour. He made her hair dirty, so Ning Yuhuan had to wash her hair. They came out of the bathroom over an hour later.
Ning Yuhuan was annoyed, and Xu Lin laughed, "Are you mad?"
"You're too bad!"
"Let me dry your hair."
Xu Lin picked up the hairdryer, having the senior sit on the stool, while Xu Lin was responsible for drying her hair.
"Don't be so naughty next time, you got it on my hair again, it's dirty."
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