CHAPTER 1114: CHAPTER 226: PLAYING THE FOOL TO OUTSMART OTHERS, ANNOUNCING THE ENGAGEMENT (PART 3)

Yan Xing snorted coldly: "It’s just the University of Washington, I’m going to apply to Harvard University in the future."

Yan Hua gave her a side-eye: "You’re really boastful, do you know how tough it is to get into the University of Washington School of Medicine? Its program ranks ahead of Harvard University. With your grades, you’re far from it."

Yan Xing glared hatefully at Yun Ya, suppressing a mouthful of air in her chest.

Moments ago, those young ladies who were belittling her were quiet as mice now, not daring to speak. Who would’ve thought Ji Yunya was so impressive? There’s not even a whisper about him online, truly low-key. This completely overshadowed Dongfang Yi; you could say, Dongfang Yi is nothing compared to Ji Yunya. To think they were talking about looking after Ji Yunya not long ago, do they feel embarrassed now?

The two tables weren’t far apart, and the voices weren’t concealed, so the main table heard everything clearly. Yan Guosong laughed: "This girl is remarkable, achieving such feats at a young age; it’s clear she’s extremely smart."

Yan Guobai curled his lips: "What’s the use of women being so smart? They only cause trouble."

Yan Nanmo glanced at Yan Guobai with a smile: "Fourth Uncle, those words have a hint of misogyny. Nowadays we advocate gender equality, Fourth Uncle, your awareness isn’t there yet."

Yan Guobai waved his hand: "Don’t start flattering me."

Yan Ke glanced at Yan Sheng with pride: "Boy, convinced now?"

For a dunce, Ji Yunya is at the pinnacle of the pyramid. Yan Sheng curled his lips: "So what, it’s not you, stop giving yourself credit."

"Hey, you little rascal." Yan Ke gave him a slap on the head, "You’re getting cheeky now..."

Yan Guosong stood up with a laugh and said to Old Master Yan: "Dad, today’s your grand birthday. Suhua and I prepared a birthday gift for you, hope you’ll like it." With that, he gestured to the door, and someone came in holding a wooden box, handed it to Yan Guosong, and left.

Yan Guosong opened the box; inside was a Shouxing Gong Peach Wood Carving, exquisitely carved and with a waft of sandalwood, calming the mind and spirit.

Old Master Yan glanced at it with a smile, neither saying he liked it nor disliked it.

Every year, the birthday gifts are much the same, lacking novelty, mostly gold, silver, jade, or wood carvings.

"Great-grandfather, I got a Diamond Sutra from Master Deming, hand-copied with prayers for you, to bless Great-grandfather with eternal youth and the Yan Family with a prosperous century," Yan Hua said quietly, her expression tranquil and serene.

Old Master Yan held her hand: "You are thoughtful, Great-grandfather really likes this gift."

Many guests praised Yan Hua’s commendable filial piety.

Yan Nanmo and Zhuang Xiyue presented a Prosperity in Old Age Painting, featuring peonies, saucers, cats—’cat’ sounds like ’aged’, and ’saucer’ sounds like ’elder’, implying prosperity and longevity.

Yan Song and Yun Ya walked up together, Yun Ya holding a box. Yan Song presented his birthday gift: "I know Great-grandfather loves Mi Fu’s works, this is Bao Zhao’s Dance of the Cranes, copied by Master Zhang Guoyuan. I hope Great-grandfather will like it."

Mi Fu’s works have long been lost, especially the pinnacle of his artistic career, Dance of the Cranes, Bao Zhao’s timeless masterpiece from the Five Dynasties period. It’s the best-ever depiction of cranes, and in Chinese culture, cranes symbolize prosperity, health, and longevity, and embody freedom and nobility. Old Master Yan fondly appreciates Mi Fu’s works, making this birthday gift especially thoughtful.

Old Master Yan cherished it dearly.

Yun Ya stepped forward with a smile, offering his birthday gift: "The eternal youth of Nanshan signifies spring’s timelessness at Nanshan, I, with my North Sea aspirations, hope for a longevity as deep as the North Sea, wishing Great-grandfather divine longevity, health, happiness, and esteemed reverence."

The crisp, clear voice melted hearts.

Old Master Yan smiled as he opened the box: "Let’s see what it is."

Inside the box was an inkstone, humble in appearance. Yan Xing glanced at it, chuckling: "This looks like something off the street, gifting such a low-grade thing to Great-grandfather."

Old Master Yan’s fingers trembled slightly as he picked it up for a closer look.

Meng Shujing pulled her aside: "Don’t speak nonsense."

Yan Guobai raised an eyebrow: "Though Grandfather likes to collect inkstones, little girl, you can’t fool people with a fake, can you? It’s such a junk piece, no one would pick it up if tossed on the street."

"Exactly, the inkstone’s material is so coarse, was it made of concrete? It doesn’t even have an inscription, it’s a joke." A guest knowledgeable about antiques said, looking at Yun Ya with some disdain. With such a wealthy background, he’s really stingy, gifting Old Master Yan something so trivial.