Wang Chen, nephew of the renowned Eastern Jin Confucian scholar Fan Ning, was a prodigy whose brilliance earned praise from all who knew him. Whenever distinguished literati visited Fan Ning's home, he would always summon Wang Chen to join them as a companion.
Once, Wang Chen met the renowned scholar Zhang Xuan at his uncle's home. Zhang Xuan was older and more famous, so Wang Chen's uncle Fan Ning urged, "You should have a good talk with Zhang Xuan."
Zhang Xuan had long heard of Wang Chen's extraordinary talent and unique aspirations, and was eager to make his acquaintance. Yet, feeling both older and more renowned than Wang Chen, Zhang Xuan sat with deliberate formality, hoping Wang Chen would be the one to approach and greet him first.
Wang Chen found Zhang Xuan's overly serious demeanor off-putting, so he sat in silence without uttering a word. Zhang Xuan, sensing the awkwardness, felt it was pointless to stay and left in disappointment.
Fan Ning, seeing the situation, scolded Wang Chen, saying, "Zhang Xuan is an outstanding talent from Wuzhong—why won't you have a proper conversation with him? Especially since he's eager to get to know you." Wang Chen replied nonchalantly, "If he truly wants to befriend me, why doesn't he speak up and greet me first? He stays silent, so I stay silent—isn't that only natural?" Fan Ning, impressed, praised him, "Your unrestrained and unconventional spirit is truly elegant and free—you are a rising star!" Wang Chen smiled and said, "I learned it all from you, Uncle! Without an uncle like you, how could there be a nephew like me?"
A few days later, Fan Ning met Zhang Xuan and relayed what Wang Chen had said. Zhang Xuan found Wang Chen's personality unique and distinctive, so he made a special visit to call on Wang Chen. Wang Chen received him with courtesy and warm hospitality, and the two became close friends.
After Wang Chen reached adulthood, he was summoned to court and appointed as the governor of Jingzhou. During his tenure, he performed exceptionally well, governing Jingzhou effectively and earning the praise of the people, who called him "Wang of Jingzhou." Later, the idiom "Rising Star" came to describe outstanding individuals among the younger generation.
Source: *A New Account of the Tales of the World*, Chapter "Appreciation and Praise"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "后起之秀" came to describe outstanding individuals among the younger generation.