Okay, here is the translation following your instructions: The First and Second Strange Events that Shocked the Table

Author: Ling Mengchu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-02
Features: This series is titled "Classics Must-Read Library," with three meanings:
First, classics. In ancient and modern times, the number of literary works is immense, too numerous to count. This series selects only those recognized classic masterpieces.
Second, must-read. To cultivate character and enhance literacy, young people and general readers have too many books to read. This series selects only those classic masterpieces that are both desirable and necessary for young people and general readers to read.
Third, library. This series includes classic literary works from China and abroad. For the convenience of readers' collection, the series adopts an open-ended structure, maintains a unified style, and will be released continuously, gradually forming a comprehensive and high-quality classic library. The publishers of this series aim to make the books affordable and accessible to young people and general readers. They also hope that the readers will care for and nurture the series, allowing it to grow healthily and progress alongside the public.
Together, "The Two Pairs" (Shuo Yuan and Er Shuo Yuan), also known as "Stories That Make You Gasp," is a widely circulated collection of ancient short stories with significant cultural historical research value. The author of this book, Ling Mengchu (1550-1644), styled Xuanfang, styled Chucheng, and also known as the Master of the Void-Viewing Pavilion, was from Wuqin (now Jixing City). His literary views were greatly influenced by Feng Menglong, the author of "San Yan." He devoted his life to the research, creation, and study of folk literature, novels, and drama, with his most influential works being "The Two Pairs."
"The Two Pairs" includes eighty short stories; however, since one of them, "The Elder Sister's Soul Journey Fulfills Her Deeds, the Younger Sister's Recovery Continues the Former Connection," is repeated in both the "First Pair" and "Second Pair," and the fortieth volume of the "Second Pair," "Song Gongming's Carnival," is a (a type of opera), the actual number of short stories in "The Two Pairs" is seventy-eight, plus one (a type of opera). It presents many engaging stories in the popular "imitated storytelling" () style, such as merchants rising to wealth through adversity, scholars achieving fame from poverty, fair officials judging cases with wisdom, corrupt officials acting with injustice, rascals engaging in debauchery and lawsuits, swindlers deceiving one another, young people pursuing unwavering love, and how feudal rites create marriage tragedies. The language is simple and concise; the plots are intricate and suspenseful yet logical, with vivid characters and lifelike artistic portrayals. It is highly worth reading.