"Yun Xi, family members can go with you to the award presentation, right?"
Yun Yuanfeng was thinking about how other parents would accompany their children to whatever competitions they participated in. If he could accompany her to this award presentation to meet with the president, perhaps when he returned, he would have a future of smooth sailing.
If he could meet the president, why would he need to continue his efforts to make connections?
Yun Xi could see through what he was thinking. Indeed, she was allowed to bring along members of her family to the award presentation, but she did not want to let him know this immediately.
If she had agreed right away, Yun Yuanfeng would have felt that such things came too easily. With every first comes a second. In the future, he would take her for granted and treat her simply as a money maker.
In her previous life, she had been stupid. In this life, if she allowed herself to make the same mistakes, she would be really foolish.
"I'm not sure about this. I'll have to go back and ask my teacher. If it's possible, then, sure, Dad, you can come with me."
"Good, good!" Though he did not know what the answer would be yet, Yun Yuanfeng nodded happily and had hope.
As long as he could meet the president who would see that Yun Xi had performed extremely well, better than others, knowing this, he thought that somehow the president would esteem their family and would take this into consideration when choosing who would do well in the government.
This was a good opportunity for him, and as long as there was a little hope, he would not let it go.
Yun Yuanfeng cared about his own career, and he spent his time thinking only about the elections. While Grandfather did not bother about this stuff at all and was only happy about Yun Xi receiving the award. He especially had Auntie rearrange the table beneath the family photo and placed the award in a prominent position.
"In the future, this table will be used to place Yun Xi's awards. Whoever else receives an award, Grandpa will also reward."
Grandfather looked at Yun Xi with great joy and emotion on his loving face, "Yun Xi, what do you want? Grandpa will give it to you!"
Yun Xi chuckled and shook her head, "No, Grandpa, I have yet to show filial piety toward you, how can I ask anything from you?"
Although Grandfather was not involved in the family's matters, Yun Xi knew that he personally had many assets.
In her previous life, Grandfather had taken out a million in cash to settle the fatal car accident caused by Yun Kexin. She knew that Grandfather was richer than her father.
She knew that eventually, she would rule over the Yun family. But now, since she was still underage and already had too much on her plate, it would be better to have Second Aunt take charge. As long as the family was no longer in the hands of Liang Xiuqin, it was all right with her.
"That's different. This is for the glory of our Yun family. You have set a good example for your little sisters. If Grandpa rewards you, they will follow in your footsteps and work hard. If you can't think of what you want, then Grandpa will give you 2,000 yuan as a reward. If you think of having something else later, you just tell Grandpa."
Such a good rewards system was undoubtedly very attractive to Yun Ziling, Yun Chuhan, and Liang Xinyi.
Getting a reward was not an easy thing, especially for Yun Ziling and Liang Xinyi. They could only look on with envy, jealousy, and hatred as Grandfather took a thick stack of red packets from his room and gave them to Yun Xi.
But this was not true of Yun Chuhan. Her results were quite decent, and 2,000 yuan were very attractive to her.
Grandfather gave it, and Yun Xi accepted it gracefully. After all, why not.
While they were enjoying this moment, Yun Yuanfeng received a phone call. After hearing what the other party said, he stood up with joy. "Really? That's great! Then should I be the host and invite the Young Commander to a meal?
"No. The Young Commander said that in order to thank Miss Yun for her help from before, have her accompany you when you come over. Although we have paid for the consultation, we should still like to say a word of thanks to her in person."
"Good! Good! No problem at all. Yun Xi and I will definitely be there!"
Yun Xi had already guessed who had called the moment Yun Yuanfeng had hung up the telephone.
She had just been joking, but Mu Feichi had taken it seriously. In order to promote Yun Yuanfeng, he had really kept his promise.
"Yun Xi, Mu Feichi's representative just called and invited us for a meal at the Lantern Festival tomorrow. He said it was to thank you for the help you rendered in the past. This is our first summons from the Young Commander. You have to go."
Yun Xin nodded. "The Young Commander is not someone that just any common person could meet up with. It's good that he has invited us. I will definitely go."
Not many from among the senior officers in Jingdu had had this opportunity. Yun Yuanfeng was overjoyed to have this opportunity fall in his lap.
Yun Xi really brought him much prosperity. Her return had not only made him proud but had also given him this chance to make connections with Marshal Mu. His luck was just too good.
Thinking about it, Yun Yuanfeng could not help but look at Liang Xiuqin and mock her. "You see, it is still Yun Xi who is most capable. Not only did she win this award, but now she has also gotten the opportunity for me to meet the Young Commander. What if your idea that she would bring me misfortune? She is causing me to prosper. Use your brain and think, if she was really cursed to bring us misfortune, why wouldn't she have caused me trouble when she returned? But she has never brought me any worries. Instead, she has made me proud. Your brain is stuck in the Dark Ages of superstition."
"Why are you only talking about me? Didn't you also believe what the fortune-teller said and agree to send her to the countryside? Now that you have tasted some sweetness, it has become my fault. Good times do not last long. Now everything seems fantastic, but who knows what the future will bring?"
Liang Xiuqin simply couldn't accept that Yun Xi was better than Yun Ziling, whom she had nurtured wholeheartedly. How could this girl, who had been sent to the countryside for all these years, return and overshadow the one who she had deliberately raised to conform to the upper echelons of society?
An unfortunate person treads on the path of misfortune. She should not covet that which was not hers.
The higher someone climbed, the harder they would fall.
"Shut up! I can't wait to see the kind of daughter you have raised, judging from the way you spoil her."
Regarding Liang Xiuqin's unrepentant attitude, Yun Yuanfeng couldn't be bothered to say anything more. Among his three daughters, he only had to groom one and that would suffice.
When Yun Xi heard Yun Yuanfeng scolding Liang Xiuqin in front of everyone, she couldn't help but smirk to herself, while maintaining an unconcerned lofty look.
Liang Xiuqin was superstitious, and Yun Yuanfeng was a snob. These were her parents. Each one was like the kettle calling the pot black. One was not better than the other.
When Yun Chuhan, who was sitting on the couch on the other side of the room, heard that the Young Commander had invited them to a meal, she could not hold back anymore and said, "Dad, let me go too."
"Why do you want to go? Do you think that you can simply just go to such an occasion? If you messed up my affair, I would not forgive you."
Yun Yuanfeng would not compromise on issues that were so important.
"Sis..." Yun Chuhan looked at Yun Xi with a pleading look, hoping that she would say something to their father.
Before Yun Xi could say anything, Yun Yuanfeng interrupted Yun Chuhan's pleading, "It's no use asking your sister. I will not take you there."
Yun Chuhan saw that there was no hope and clenched her hands into fists, annoyed. She was depressed and angry, staring at Yun Xi with jealousy.
Yun Xi glanced at her and, without a word, turned with no expression and headed upstairs to bed.
Whatever she said, Yun Yuanfeng would agree to. After all, they had been invited by Mu Feichi because of her.
Unfortunately, Yun Chuhan was not a grateful person. Previously, Yun Xi had agreed to her wish to meet Mu Feichi and had taken her up the mountain. This time she had taken for granted that Yun Xi would help her again, else she would feel resentful. Since that was the case, why should Yun Xi bother?
Every year, the Lantern Festival would be held in Jingdu's West Plaza. Guessing riddles, viewing lanterns, watching firework displays..., Jingdu would be more festive than it was even at New Year's.
Mu Feichi was taking Yun Xi and her father to a meal at a place that he had picked out. He didn't pick out a centuries-old, prestigious restaurant that would reflect his status nor did he choose a lavish high-end restaurant, but rather a traditional, private family restaurant in an alley.
Cars couldn't drive into the alley. When Yun Xi and Yun Yuanfeng walked toward the restaurant, the sound of playing children could be heard faintly from behind the walls in the quiet alley.
Yun Yuanfeng was a snob, so he had nothing but disdain for this old, remotely-located restaurant. On the way, he looked stern and stayed silent.
However, at last, he burst out with, "We should have picked the restaurant. If the Young Commander is buying us a meal, he could at least have picked somewhere classier. This place is really..."
As the saying goes, take your guests to a suitable place that reflects their status and position.
Since he had taken them to this place, did this mean that he looked down on them?
Yun Yuanfeng worried that that might be the case and was feeling troubled the whole way to the restaurant. His heartfelt unsettled as he wondered what exactly the Young Commander meant by buying them this meal.
Yun Xi understood Yun Yuanfeng's thoughts. Although she hoped that Yun Yuanfeng would stop his ridiculous thinking, knowing that he was thinking so poorly of Mu Feichi, she couldn't help but defend Mu Feichi.
"Dad! Someone like Mu Feichi would have tasted every delicacy there is in the world. In his position, he has experienced enough luxury from every kind of source. He doesn't need to add to it. Since he picked this place, he must like going there. It is safe and discreet, and there will be no need to worry about some ill-intentioned person spinning this into something more than it is."
On the contrary, of course, Yun Yuanfeng wanted everyone to see and know that the Young Commander was taking him out for a meal. Having outsiders know about this would be good for his election campaign.
However, he didn't dare to make use of the Young Commander so blatantly. If it were a hotel, he could have picked somewhere to coincidentally bump into someone and pretend that it was unintentional.
But no one would notice him in an alley that was out of the way like this. All his plans had gone up in smoke.
They had walked quite a way down the alley before they found the correct house number. Two waiters were at the door to escort them to their table.
"Hello, we are from the Yun family." Yun Xi looked toward the waiters and informed them of her identity.
"Please, come this way, the Young Commander is already here." When they heard who she was, the waiter smiled and respectfully took them inside.
The restaurant was furnished like a Qing dynasty private garden with three halls. The restaurant looked plain from the outside but was actually beautiful and elegant on the inside.
Winding corridors decorated with wood engravings stretched inside from the entrance. A few persimmon trees littered with small, unripe persimmons hanging on their branches had been planted in the middle of the courtyard.
The waiter led them through a few winding corridors and knocked respectfully on the door of a private room.
After a noise from the inside, the waiter pushed open the door and led them inside.
"Young Commander, your guests are here."
Stepping into the private room, Yun Xi glanced around its interior. The room was also decorated in the simple, classic, elegant style of the Qing dynasty. Traditional windows, wooden tables, porcelain, everything emanated a refined Chinese style.
In the spacious private room, Mu Feichi sat at a big round table. A tea set was placed on top of the mahogany table.
The proud, refined man was not in a military uniform today, but a casual, dark-green outfit. He sat gracefully in an old-fashioned wooden armchair as he made tea. The fragrance of the tea permeated the whole room.
When he saw Mu Feichi, Yun Yuanfeng's stern face immediately changed as he broke out into a glib smile. He walked forward tentatively and respectfully.
"Young Commander!" As if it were his first time meeting a big shot, at that moment, Yun Yuanfeng suddenly didn't know how to act.
Mu Feichi didn't put him on the spot and made a gesture for him to sit. "Please take a seat!"
He then turned around and said in a low voice to the waiter who was standing on the sidelines, "Tell the kitchen they can start preparing the meal."
"Yes, certainly, Young Commander!"
Although Mu Feichi was Yun Yuanfeng's junior by quite a few years, Yun Yuanfeng was still extremely courteous toward this Goliath because of Mu Feichi's status and position.
He sat stiffly in his chair and was even more nervous than when he met his bosses.
Mu Feichi wasn't talking either. After the water had boiled, he took out some top-quality Longjing to make tea.
His noble upbringing made his every move look exceptionally pleasing to the eye. In addition, his proud demeanour as a soldier made his normally ordinary motions look graceful and beautiful.
Yun Xi watched him, captivated. She relaxed her guard for a moment. Looking at handsome men really lifted a person's spirits.
Mu Feichi was not saying anything, and Yun Yuanfeng was too nervous to think of anything to say. He kept glancing over at Yun Xi and giving the looks that asked her to diffuse the situation.
Yun Xi lowered her eyes for a long while before looking up again. She asked nonchalantly, "Young Marshal, how are your injuries? Are you feeling better?"
Last time, his injury had been fake, but this time he had really been injured, so there didn't seem to be anything wrong with her question.
"I'm much better. Thank you, Miss Yun, for your care."
"I'm happy as long as you are fine. I have only fulfilled my duties as a doctor."
"I heard that Miss Yun has won an international accolade. I have yet to congratulate you. The president has told me that the award ceremony which Jun Country is holding for you is scheduled for next week. I'll be hosting the event, so there is a good chance that I will be the one to present you with your trophy."
"Is that so?" Yun Yuanfeng saw that they were chatting amicably and couldn't help interjecting, "To be able to receive an award from the Young Commander personally is Yun Xi's great honour!"
With just one topic, Mu Feichi had already successfully lured Yun Yuanfeng in. With a half-smile, he poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Yun Yuanfeng, as he said nonchalantly, "That's why, Deputy Director Yun, this daughter of yours should be raised properly so as to not hinder her bright prospects. Don't the men work hard so that the girls can lead a better life?"
Mu Feichi hinted so obviously that there was no way Yun Yuanfeng couldn't understand.
He was telling Yun Yuanfeng in a roundabout way that he would covertly lend Yun Yuanfeng support. This made Yun Yuanfeng so happy that he didn't know what to say.
"Yes, you are right. Naturally, the men work hard in order for the girls to have a comfortable life. Yun Xi is my pride and joy. It is a given that I will raise her properly."
"I also hope that Jun Country will have more female scientists like Miss Yun in the future."
Yun Yuanfeng nodded in agreement, then looked toward Yun Xi, "Do you hear that? Study well and bring honour to the Yun family and Jun Country."
"..." Yun Xi rolled her eyes at Mu Feichi, then she put on a smile and nodded demurely.
He was obviously just giving Yun Yuanfeng some hope so that Yun Yuanfeng would pour all his resources into raising her, but at the same time, he would not be able to use her as a chess piece.
When it came to talking to people, Mu Feichi really knew how to grab hold of their soft spots. In this area, Yun Xi was willing to admit defeat.
Mu Feichi steered their talk away from this topic, and the two of them started conversing about other things. Most of the time, Yun Yuanfeng spoke and Mu Feichi listened, while occasionally supplying some comments here and there.
They spoke about current affairs, politics, and the military. Yun Xi didn't know much about these topics, nor did she dare to speak too much in case she made a mistake.
After all, she was still only a student. She knew that she had to be careful when speaking to someone in Mu Feichi's position.
Like an audience, Mu Feichi watched Yun Yuanfeng carry on his solo act, while occasionally glancing over at Yun Xi.
The waiter served the dishes very quickly. Yun Xi stared at the bowl of glutinous rice balls that had been set in front of her, and she glared at Mu Feichi in frustration.
Of all the delicacies on the table, she was first served a bowl of sweet glutinous rice balls.
He was really treating her like a child.
Throughout the meal, Yun Xi listened to Yun Yuanfeng's ambitious speeches on a diverse range of issues. He acted as if he was afraid that Mu Feichi didn't know how much he wanted to be elected.
A lot of people want to be elected because humans naturally gravitate toward higher ground, but Yun Yuanfeng really only wanted to be elected because a director could pocket more money.
If anyone had really known how tiny his ambitions actually were, they would have laughed at him.
Mu Feichi maintained a cool composure throughout. He neither expressed his thoughts nor did he give any promises. This made Yun Yuanfeng uneasy since he couldn't tell what Mu Feichi was thinking about.
After the meal, they each got into their own cars and went home. Before they left, the owner of the private family restaurant gave them a box of pastries and Mu Feichi passed it on to Yun Xi.
Yun Yuanfeng was distracted as he drove Yun Xi back to her school. "Say, Yun Xi, do you think that Mu Feichi's attitude told us anything about how he was thinking?"
Yun Xi really had no interest in this. "The Young Commander is very kind and quite cordial even to common people like us. Dad, is there anything else you wanted?"
"That's not it, I just think that..." He thought that the Young Commander had been too ambiguous. There was no way he could confirm what the Young Commander had meant.
He'd originally wanted to probe or confirm whether the Young Commander intended to support him in this election during this meal. However, Mu Feichi had not explicitly expressed his intentions at all, so Yun Yuanfeng felt as if he'd practically made a wasted trip.
"What are you thinking about?" Yun Xi asked as if she didn't already know.
"Ugh, you can't understand. Of course, I hoped that the Young Commander would give me a hand during the election. He has a deciding vote in his hands after all."
If the Young Commander voted for him, wouldn't the rest follow suit?
"Dad, haven't you spent a lot of money on public relations recently? Since you've spent money, it will definitely have an effect."
"Say...do you think that money will improve relations with the Young Commander?"
From Yun Yuanfeng's perspective, all the relationships between people in his circle were entirely supported by money and power. Nobody was an exception.
"I don't know whether that would be a good idea. The Young Commander probably doesn't lack money. Don't go insulting him with money."
"That's true!" He had spent a lot on improving public relations recently, but nothing is free. He would earn back this money when he became a director.
...
Yun Xi went back on the second day of school. She had missed the enrollment ceremony, and classes had already started. She'd also wasted another afternoon having a meal with her father and Mu Feichi.
The moment she reached school, Yun Xi was called in by her form teacher to the office. The spacious office was filled with Year Three teachers, the vice-principal, and the principal. It seemed they all wanted to meet the student who had won an international award. This made Yun Xi feel very awkward.
"Yun Xi, we have already sent the photo of you receiving the award to be printed and displayed in the school heritage room. The Ministry of Education has sent a notice that the president will present you with another award. You have really done our school proud!"
Jingdu High School was already famous, but now it had a student who had won an international accolade. She was a great advertisement for Jingdu High School. All the students entering high school would be fighting over getting into Jingdu High School now.
Such a great honour was akin to plating Jingdu High School with a layer of gold. It gave the school an extraordinary position in the students' minds.
Since Yun Xi had brought such a great honour to the school, the school wanted to give her a fitting reward.
After a short speech, the principal asked her form teacher to bring an envelope containing prize money to be given to Yun Xi.
"Keep up the good work, and aim to be the top scorer in the university entrance exams this year!"
"Thank you for your encouragement, I will work hard."
After leaving the office, Yun Xi turned to her form teacher and asked, "Mr Xu, how has the school dealt with Zhou Chengzhe?"