Chapter 5

A dark horse had emerged from Beijing No. 1 High School this year. The title of national college entrance examination top scorer had gone to Wen Ruan, a student from the school. The entire campus immediately erupted in celebration. Gongs and drums sounded, colorful banners were hung all over the school buildings, and curious neighbors from all over the city flocked to the school gates to join in the excitement. The usually stern and unsmiling principal of No. 1 High School was now standing at the school entrance, accepting interviews from various media outlets. The delight on his face was impossible to conceal. When reporters asked about the top scorer, the principal rattled off every complimentary phrase he could think of: outstanding talent, diligent and thoughtful, friendly toward classmates, respectful and courteous to teachers. But when the reporters asked to interview Wen Ruan in person, his voice suddenly faltered. He stammered several times. “Student Wen… might not be available… She might not be in Beijing… Perhaps she went traveling…” As the principal of the school, he had never actually met the student who had produced the national top score with his own eyes. He secretly sighed before turning around and waving Teacher Sun, Wen Ruan’s homeroom teacher, over. Lowering his voice, he asked, “Is Wen Ruan really not in Beijing?” Teacher Sun shook his head. “She didn't respond to my messages before. I only just received a message from her saying that she’s at her grandfather’s place in Nancheng.” A calculating gleam flashed through the principal’s eyes. “Can you coordinate with her and have her record a short video message? She could share her study experience with the younger students. We can use the attention surrounding the top scorer to raise the school’s profile.” “For all these years, we’ve been consistently overshadowed by Experimental High School. We finally have a chance to hold our heads high. We absolutely cannot let this opportunity go to waste.” Teacher Sun looked troubled but could only agree. “I’ll do my best to communicate with her.” After sending Teacher Sun away, the principal called over the director of moral education and enthusiastically gave him instructions. “Put an external speaker on the school bus and have it play celebratory music on a loop. Hang a banner on the bus that says: ‘Congratulations to Wen Ruan of No. 1 High School for becoming the National College Entrance Examination Top Scorer!’” “Have the bus make several rounds along the busiest roads near Experimental High School. Let’s knock down some of their arrogance from all these years.” After speaking, he smoothed down his hair and strode toward the administrative building with light, brisk steps. The director of moral education watched his retreating figure and could only shake his head helplessly. Meanwhile, the Wen family’s old residence had been crowded with visitors for several days. People from all walks of life came bearing congratulations, filling the courtyard with a festive atmosphere. Mrs. Wen sat with her reading glasses perched on her nose, running her fingers over an old almanac as she settled on a date for the celebration banquet. “According to the almanac, next Tuesday is the most suitable day for a banquet. We’ll hold a family dinner in the courtyard here at the old residence. No restaurant, and no outside guests. We’ll only have a small gathering with our own family.” “Chongyue is at a critical point in his career promotion, so we must avoid drawing too much attention. Your father thinks the same way.” The old lady handed the almanac to Wen Chongyue and looked up at her son. “Is Ruanruan still in Nancheng?” “Yes. She’s still at her grandfather’s place.” “It’s good for her to spend more time with her grandfather.” “Oh, right. Which university is Ruanruan planning to attend? How about Peking University? It’s practically right at our doorstep, so it would be convenient. She could come back and stay at the old residence whenever she wanted instead of living at school. She’s never been used to dorm life anyway.” Whenever the old lady talked about Wen Ruan, she became especially animated. “She was only this big when she was little, and now she’s suddenly going to college. Oh my, time really does fly.” Wen Chongyue listened quietly without saying a word. Ever since their conflict, Wen Ruan had deliberately cut off contact with him. After taking annual leave, his wife, Su Qing, had gone straight to Nancheng. Now, the enormous family home was occupied by him alone. His phone suddenly vibrated. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen. He walked to a secluded corner of the courtyard before answering. A gentle, timid female voice came through the receiver. It was his first love, Liang Xi. “Chongyue, have you been busy lately?” “Not particularly.” “I’ve always wanted to thank you in person for helping me before, but I was worried about disturbing your work, so… I decided to call today. Are you free this weekend? I’d like to thank you in person.” “I’m not sure.” Wen Chongyue replied quickly. To Liang Xi, those ambiguous words meant there was still room for possibility. She tightened her grip around her phone, her voice becoming increasingly tender. “We haven’t seen each other in so many years. How have you been all these years?” “Everything has gone smoothly.” “I heard your daughter was the top scorer in this year’s college entrance examination. Congratulations. You must be so proud to have such an outstanding daughter.” Liang Xi kept using the top scorer as an excuse to continue the conversation. The regret of having been forced to end their relationship years ago because of reality had never truly left her heart. Her longing for the Wen family’s privileged life had already taken root deep within her. She was unwilling to let Wen Chongyue slip away again. She desperately wanted to get close to him once more. After the call ended, a confident smile curved Liang Xi’s lips. He hadn’t rejected her, but he hadn’t accepted either. That meant there was still a chance. Su Qian’s grandfather had originally wanted to throw Wen Ruan a grand celebration banquet in Nancheng. He planned to host a lavish feast that would last three days and three nights. Fresh Norwegian king salmon, Icelandic black-gold abalone, live-caught Alaskan king crab, and New Zealand Bluff oysters would all be transported on exclusive private refrigerated cargo flights, flown to Nancheng Airport in batches every day and delivered fresh to the kitchen. The delicacies would also include Australian giant lobsters, Hokkaido botan shrimp, and South African black-gold abalone. Ordinary seafood wouldn't even make it onto the edge of the dining table. After thinking it over, her grandfather even planned to hire a production team to film a documentary about the national top scorer. Wen Ruan’s temples throbbed repeatedly just hearing about all this, and her brow tightened with a dull ache. This wasn't a simple university entrance celebration at all. It was clearly a grand city-wide spectacle, with her grandfather pouring every available resource into it. Only after Wen Ruan repeatedly refused did her grandfather reluctantly agree to hold a small family banquet instead. Everyone attending was an immediate member of the Su family. Su Qing was the eldest daughter of the Su family. Beneath her were her second uncle, who managed the family’s industrial enterprises, and her younger aunt, who had inherited her grandmother’s artistic legacy and was both the principal violinist of the Nancheng Symphony Orchestra and an inheritor of the Southern School of pipa. Among the pavilions and terraces of the garden, relatives and close family members sat together, with congratulations and laughter filling the air. The butler respectfully entered and reported, “Master, there is a visitor outside. He says he is a younger member of the eldest son-in-law’s family. His name is Wen Xu.” Su Qing looked over. “Wen Xu is here?” Wen Ruan stood up, looking somewhat surprised. “Why is he here?” She lifted the hem of her dress and walked toward the entrance, muttering, “Why didn't he let us know beforehand?” The setting sun seemed to melt into gold, casting the evening glow across the black car parked outside and coating its body in a warm sheen. Wen Xu was the first to step out of the driver's seat. He smiled and waved at her. “Ruanruan.” With an easy grin, he quickly walked around the car and opened the rear door. Wen Ruan tilted her head. A man dressed in a simple hoodie and casual trousers slowly stepped out. He wore a baseball cap, its brim lowered just enough to conceal his eyes and brows. His figure was tall and upright, exuding an air of restrained nobility. He merely stood beside the car, yet his overwhelming presence was impossible to ignore. He raised his head slightly. His sharp gaze swept toward her. Wen Ruan froze in place, her heart jolting. Qi Yuchuan! She couldn't believe it. How had Wen Xu managed to bring this formidable man along with him? Wen Xu opened the trunk. It was packed with gifts, and he began taking them out one by one, his mouth still running the entire time. “Of course, I couldn't show up empty-handed. I'm one of the younger members of the family, after all. It would've been embarrassing to come unprepared.” Wen Xu's arms quickly filled with gifts. Qi Yuchuan leaned against the car door. Even standing there silently, his commanding presence remained impossible to conceal. The butler's gaze shifted between the two young men. He immediately stepped forward to help. “I didn't know