Chapter 81: Presenting a Birthday Gift

In Ms. Song's astonished gaze, Pei Muyin neither avoided nor yielded; the girl's soft, tender voice spoke, each word crystal clear:

"Just now, Grandma praised that grandma's granddaughter for her good grades, because she can keep her academic ranking steady in the top ten of her grade."

"I have never once hired a private tutor for after-school tutoring, but since I entered school, no matter the size of the exam, I have always been able to rank first in my grade, and my total score far exceeds that of the second-place student."

"Yet Grandma still says I'm no good, that I'm stupid and my grades aren't excellent enough; then, according to your words, are you also saying that this grandma's granddaughter, who works hard, studies diligently, attends extra lessons, and ranks in the top ten, is actually even worse than me?"

"Grandma, may I ask, is that what you mean?" Pei Muyin voiced a question from the depths of her soul.

As soon as her words fell, the old lady's and her granddaughter's faces turned unpleasant; indeed, it was exactly as Pei Muyin said, so they all looked toward Ms. Song.

"I..." Ms. Song choked, glaring at Pei Muyin: "What nonsense are you spouting here?!"

Then she immediately turned to the old lady and her granddaughter, explaining: "Madam Zhen, I truly had no such intention; I sincerely believe your granddaughter is excellent."

Pei Muyin, not yet prepared to let this topic drop, said: "If that's the case, then Grandma, you are admitting that I am excellent; all those unpleasant things you once said to me were actually your deliberate opposite talk, not the truth."

Ms. Song nearly couldn't catch her breath.

She wanted to immediately deny Pei Muyin's words, but doing so would amount to still belittling the old lady's granddaughter opposite her!

This blockhead! When did her mouth become so sharp!

Pei Muyin's voice just now wasn't loud, but neither was it soft; her earnest tone already drew the attention of those around, with occasional glances cast this way.

Madam Zhen protectively held her granddaughter's hand, her expression no longer the familiar ease from before, her gaze scrutinizing, and she was still waiting for Ms. Song to speak.

What's the difference between this and being roasted over a fire? The composure on Ms. Song's face almost slipped; she nearly gritted her teeth, giving a stiff smile, and answered Pei Muyin's words:

"Yes, of course they are, all opposite talk."

…

Madam Zhen took her granddaughter and left; Ms. Song, fuming, turned away and lowered her voice to mutter a rebuke.

"Pei Muyin!"

Pei Muyin asked concernedly: "Grandma, are you… angry? Is it because I said something wrong?"

The girl's eyes were clear and lucid; she spoke politely: "That grandma probably hasn't gone far; otherwise, I'll go apologize to her."

Saying that, she was about to go look for someone.

"You, you stop right there." Ms. Song's chest rose and fell a few times; even the jade necklace around her neck was heated by her angry skin temperature.

Why does it feel like Pei Muyin has changed somewhere? Clearly, before, no matter how I scolded or rebuked her, she meekly endured it; this is the first time she has retorted my words.

Where on earth did she learn this?!

Just then, the banquet officially began.

The lights overhead all gradually dimmed, leaving a single bright beam that stayed on the man standing atop the uppermost spiral staircase.

That was the eldest son of Old Master Xu, namely the current controller of the Gang Cheng Xu Clan Group.

Everyone's gaze automatically focused on him, and the commotion gradually quieted down.

The man, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, of extraordinary bearing, gave a speech with a loud yet humble voice, the gist being thanks to everyone present for honoring his father's ninetieth birthday with their presence.

Moments later, an old man in red traditional Chinese-style attire appeared before everyone's eyes; although Old Master Xu is already ninety years old, his hair is white, yet his back shows no sign of bending, and he still appears vigorous and spirited.

He possesses not only the composed sharpness of a former merchant, but also the refined, elegant, and tranquil bearing of a scholar.

He walked out accompanied by his younger son and daughter, took the microphone from his eldest son, and spoke a few brief words.

After a round of thunderous applause came the guests presenting their birthday gifts.

It was truly a cascade of pearls, ceramics, and jade ware, stacked up with each utterance of congratulations like a flowing banquet, overwhelming and dazzling.

However, as the birthday celebrant, Old Master Xu, aside from slightly nodding his head in thanks after the servants received the gifts, actually showed little moved expression on his face.

One can easily guess why: the Xu Family is a renowned super-wealthy clan in Gang Cheng, their ancestors were aristocracy, and they have seen all sorts of rare curiosities.

For such a family, it's not about how expensive the gift is, but whether the gift is appropriate.

"Old Master Xu, I wish you blessings as vast as the sea and sky, and health and safety year after year."

Ms. Song stepped forward slowly, speaking her congratulatory words, while also taking a rectangular box from a servant beside her.

It was a picture box containing a scroll painting, a birthday gift Ms. Song had personally prepared to give; Old Master Xu loves painting and ancient poetry, so Ms. Song had someone find a calligraphic inscription by the literatus Jiang Chao.

Old Master Xu sat in the cloud-dragon armchair, gestured for his eldest son to accept it, and gave Ms. Song a faint nod: "You meant well."

After presenting the gift, Ms. Song did not immediately step down.

"Old Master Xu, today I brought my granddaughter along, and my little granddaughter has also prepared a birthday gift for you."

Saying that, Ms. Song pulled Pei Muyin, who was holding the painting, over and introduced: "This child is thoughtful; having heard that you have a beloved little disciple, she spent some time and specifically found an ink-wash painting made by your little disciple's own hand for you."

As soon as her words fell, the surroundings grew quiet.

Old Master Xu's little disciple is not a famous literatus, and the painting he made has little collectible value, but to Old Master Xu, it is something extraordinarily special.

What a thoughtful gift.

However, upon hearing Ms. Song say that, Old Master Xu did not, as everyone expected, show an interested, concerned expression; instead, compared to before, he seemed to sink even further.

Old Master Xu's face gave nothing away, but in his heart he sneered.

This wasn't the first time someone had sent a painting by his little disciple as a birthday gift; before the banquet, there had already been seven or eight such pieces, all of which he had refused.

These people fundamentally weren't appreciating those paintings, the painter's skill or artistic conception; they were purely trying to curry favor with him, to cozy up to the Xu Family.

It's simply desecration, defilement.

If that girl knew, she'd surely be angry.

But upon reflection, Old Master Xu recalled that girl once saying enthusiastically: "You know, lately lots of people want to buy my paintings, just because I'm your disciple."

"I plan to paint several hundred at once, then hold a unified charity auction; if they want to buy, the highest bidder gets it—if I have too much money and nowhere to use it, I'll donate it to charitable organizations to do some good; what do you think?"

…

Oh, that girl wouldn't just not be angry; she might even set off firecrackers and could hold a charity auction.

Thinking back on past events, Old Master Xu couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, his expression easing somewhat; he waved his hand, did not refuse, and accepted the painting.

Ms. Song froze: "You won't personally open it to take a look?"

She laughed as she pushed Pei Muyin in front of Old Master Xu: "This child has been searching for this painting for a long time—"