The examinations were finally over on the third day of the lunar month!
The candidates exited the examination hall and hugged each other while rejoicing and jumping for joy. They were finally done with the hell year and they were extremely excited to finally be rid of misery.
Even Wen Xinya could not help but be influenced by them. She began smiling radiantly.
As soon as she exited from the institute, she was greeted with the sight of hopeful parents waiting for their children, some of whom questioned them worriedly. Some were extremely proud of their children for doing well, despite telling their children not to get too proud or complacent. However, there were also some who were dejected and comforted their children who did not do well.
“Missy, here!” chauffeur Tao exclaimed. Due to the fact that there were too many people at the entrance of the examination hall, Tao’s car could not enter at all.
Upon sight of Tao, Wen Xinya frantically got inside the car.
Tao said, “Old Sir has made a reservation at ‘Han Palace’ and invited Old Mr. Mo. He told me to come and pick you up.”
Wen Xinyaw was greatly taken aback by Old Mr. Wen’s decision to invite Old Mr. Mo. Ever since her mother passed away, Old Mr. Mo and Old Mr. Wen had never dined together before.
They soon arrived at Han Palace.
It was the best restaurant in the city which was prestigious and served the most delicious and top-grade Chinese delicacies which were prepared according to imperial recipes. Han Palace was much more luxurious, posh and extravagant compared to Ninth-Heaven.
Wen Xinya alighted from the car and stood by the entrance of Han Palace.
There was a large signboard that read “Han Palace” as well as two stone pillars, on which there were engravings of dragons and phoenixes. It had an ancient-themed decor.
As soon as Wen Xinya entered the restaurant, a waitress dressed in a pink harem outfit welcomed her. “Hello, do you have a reservation?”
Patrons would have to make advance reservations in order to dine at Han Palace.
Wen Xinya said calmly, “I do. Old Mr. Wen has booked Room No. 8.”
The waitress retreated and bent forward. She reached her right hand out and gestured politely for Wen Xinya to proceed. “Miss Wen, please come with me.”
Han Palace truly resembled ancient palaces with its posh and grand gilded decor. The waitress led Wen Xinya through several turns around the corners and finally stopped in front of a room. “Miss Wen, we’ve arrived!”
Wen Xinya thanked the waitress before pushing the floral carving door to enter.
Old Mr. Mo and Old Mr. Wen were seated on the main seats in the room while Wen Haowen sat beside Old Mr. Wen like a polite child. Old Mrs. Wen was not around, perhaps because of Old Mr. Mo’s presence. Old Mr. Wen was afraid that she would cause unnecessary trouble. There was someone else besides Old Mr. Mo…
Wen Xinya stared at Si Yiyan in disbelief with her eyes wide open.
It was obviously a Wen Family banquet, what is Si Yiyan doing here? The strangest and most shocking thing is… Grampy actually agreed to let Si Yiyan come along. Wen Xinya thought to herself, wondering if she had gone to the wrong room.
Old Mr. Mo was seated by the side with a calm and sullen expression on his face. Si Yiyan and Old Mr. Wen were in the midst of a joyous conversation. Upon sight of Wen Xinya, Si Yiyan stared at her smilingly with raised brows.
Old Mr. Wen waved at her and said, “Xinya, why are you standing at the door foolishly? Hurry and come take a seat.”
“Oh, alright!” Wen Xinya snapped out of her trance and frantically proceeded to sit beside Wen Haowen, with Si Yiyan on her right.
Appearing much more benevolent, Old Mr. Mo exclaimed, “Xinya, you’re done with your exams!”
Wen Xinya smiled and said gleefully, “Yes, yes! I’m done with all my papers. I’m just waiting for the results to be released on the 24th.”
Wen Haowen quickly asked, “How did your papers go? Were the questions difficult this time?”
Wen Xinya knew that Wen Haowen was just trying to act like a kind and caring father in front of Old Mr. Wen and Old Mr. Mo. Hence, she said smilingly, “I thought the questions were not too difficult. I completed all of them and should have done well!”
Her answer was rather reserved!
Old Mr. Wen smiled and said, “Good to hear! It’s been hard on you lately. You’ve put in so much effort and you’re finally free from the woes of studying. It’s time you enjoy your summer break.”
Wen Xinya smiled and said, “It’s much worse than that! Year 3 is practically hell. All I did was study and go for supplementary lessons. Now that I’m finally free, I feel much more relaxed.”
At this moment, Old Mr. Mo exclaimed, “Yeah! You’ve delayed your progress in the four arts because of the final examinations. You ought to catch up during the summer break.”
As soon as Old Mr. Mo said this, everyone burst into laughter and stared at Wen Xinya who was pouting and glaring at her grandfather. “Grampy… c’mon! I’ve always made great achievements in chess, music, and literature. As for painting… I’m very talented in it. Look… I’m so hardworking. If I can… I’d like to go on a summer vacation.”
Old Mr. Mo smiled. He was about to give Wen Xinya some lessons about politics and history, as well as some strategy development techniques. However, he decided to take his time.
Wen Xinya finally realized that Old Mr. Mo was just teasing her.
While talking to her elders, Si Yiyan meticulously poured her some tea and helped her to some of her favorite snacks which he placed on her plate.
Wen Xinya winked at him sneakily.
Si Yiyan glanced at her smilingly and sat on the chair while listening to their conversation with elegant poise. He looked classy and stern, making Old Mr. Wen, who had never seen him before, begin to take notice and scan him from head to toe.
This young chap is not a simple man!
I’ve never seen someone like him before, in the decades of my involvement in the business world!
Indeed, none of Old Mr. Mo’s students are simple.
He then shifted his gaze onto the teacup in front of Wen Xinya. Having noticed the concern that Si Yiyan had been showing Wen Xinya, he knew that they had a special relationship.
The dishes were then served one by one. Wen Xinya’s eyes almost fell out of her sockets upon sight of the sumptuous spread. She had never eaten it before, not even in her previous lifetime.
Old Mr. Wen burst into laughter and said, “This meal is a reward from me to you. I only ordered 38 dishes because there are only a few of us. Once your results are released, I’ll book ten tables and reserve the entire Han Palace for your celebratory meal.”
They would definitely invite closer family friends instead of business associates.
One table would cost more than 500,000 yuan, and ten tables would amount to more than 5 million yuan, excluding alcohol and tea. What a lavish and exorbitant meal!
Wen Haowen smiled and said, “Father, Xinya has just finished sitting for her exams. She must be famished. Let’s tuck in!”
A menacing look formed in Wen Haowen’s eyes as he thought to himself. It’s just a celebratory dinner for her examination results and yet, the old man is willing to spend such a huge amount of money. The old man really does value Wen Xinya greatly. Upon sight of Old Mr. Mo, his pupils constricted and he hurriedly hid his emotions.
Old Mr. Wen said, “Yes, yes, let’s eat. Look at me… I actually forgot about the food because of how happy I was.” He then scooped some vegetables for Wen Xinya and instructed. “Xinya, eat more.”
Wen Xinya frantically exclaimed, “Thank you, Grandpa!”
After helping Old Mr. Wen to the food, she did the same for Old Mr. Mo. “Grampy, have some too!”
Since she had already helped both her grandfathers to the dishes, she had to do the same for Wen Haowen and of course, Si Yiyan!
