Inside the restaurant, Qian Qianyi and Ruan Dacheng were busy showering each other with sycophantic praise.
"I have already studied your poetry, Brother Ruan; the literary talent is truly brilliant! I have also listened to your plays several times; they are masterworks of the highest order," Qian Qianyi said, bowing with folded hands, his face a mask of fawning admiration.
"Brother Qian, you are too kind! They are merely stale, tired old cliches, quite unworthy of the stage," Ruan Dacheng replied, his face flushing. After accepting the flattery, he began to return the favor. "I have also read your writings several times, Brother Qian. I found them impossible to put down!"
Chapter 743