Chapter 49: Childish and Ridiculous!

As the car drove past, Ling Qiu had intended to greet them. But at that moment, the gates of the villa swung open and out came a bespectacled, overweight young man, his face brimming with pride. “Well, well! Shen Meng, Auntie, you’re here! Come in, come in, have a seat! Didn’t you say Shen Meng was planning to apply to Jiangnan University? How perfect! There’s a professor from Jiangnan University visiting us today! Auntie, I’ll introduce you when the time comes!”

Hearing this, Shen Meng’s mother beamed. “Really? That’s wonderful.”

Shen Meng herself frowned slightly, clearly disliking this bespectacled youth, Qiu Biaolian.

But... after all, there was always a risk with university applications and the uncertainty of cut-off scores. Her mother’s anxiety and hope were understandable.

Mother and daughter entered the lavish mansion.

Ling Qiu watched the scene unfold, shaking his head in resignation. As he suspected, this dinner hosted by the Qiu family was likely a celebration of their son’s successful exam results—a chance to show off. It was commonplace, if rather vulgar, in society.

...

Arriving at Song Ningxue’s home, they found it empty.

Song Ningxue was puzzled. “Strange, where did my parents go? Didn’t they say we’d eat at home today?”

She pulled out her phone, made a call, exchanged a few words, and hung up.

“Uh…” Song Ningxue turned to Ling Qiu, a little embarrassed. “Ling Qiu, looks like you won’t be getting dinner at my place tonight.”

“What happened?”

“Did you see the house Shen Meng went into just now?”

“Yes, I saw.”

“The owner of that house is Qiu Yaofan, a deputy director in one of the departments at the Jiang’an City Education Bureau. His son apparently did well on the exams and applied to Jinghua University. They’re throwing a party today—a lot of people have been invited, and my parents went over too. They just called and told me to come as well, since, well, we’re neighbors.”

“Alright then, let’s go together.” Ling Qiu took the lead and stepped out.

Song Ningxue smiled. “You’re really not shy at all. Well, this saves me money and counts as treating you to a meal.”

...

When they arrived at Qiu Yaofan’s house, the place was packed. Several large tables were covered with food and drink, and in the grand living room, a podium and red carpet had even been set up.

Ling Qiu exchanged a few words with Song Ningxue, then headed straight for Shen Meng.

“Huh? Ling Qiu, how come you’re here?” Shen Meng was delighted to see him and hurried over.

Ling Qiu explained the situation, and Shen Meng suddenly understood. “Oh! So Director Song’s family lives here too! That’s great—I was worried I’d be bored. Let’s sit at the same table for dinner, okay?”

Just then, at the podium, Qiu Yaofan stood in a sharp suit, his balding head shining, his fleshy face creased into a broad grin. “Hahaha! Welcome, welcome! Thank you, old neighbors and new friends, for coming to my son’s exam celebration! Many of you I don’t know well, but a guest is a guest—please, eat and drink your fill! Everyone, take your seats!”

Amid a round of applause, everyone found their places.

Ling Qiu, Song Ningxue and her parents, as well as Shen Meng and her mother, all sat at the same table.

When Song Ningxue’s parents recognized Ling Qiu, they paused, then offered a somewhat awkward smile as a greeting, but said little. After all, Ling Qiu had once “educated” them a bit in the past.

Once everyone was seated, Qiu Yaofan announced, “Now, let my son say a few words to everyone.”

With applause, Qiu Biaolian strode to the stage, arrogance in every step.

“Ahem, ahem!” Adjusting his collar, Qiu Biaolian cleared his throat into the microphone, his tone full of pride. “Uncles, aunties, brothers, sisters, everyone—hello! To you, today may seem like a joyous occasion, but... sigh…”

Suddenly, Qiu Biaolian’s expression turned mournful, his acting painfully unconvincing as he sighed. “But... I feel that I’ve let my father down!”

There was a collective pause of surprise.

Let him down? Wasn’t his score supposed to be excellent? He’d easily made it into Jinghua University!

How could he be disappointed?

Qiu Biaolian shook his head and sighed, “Because… my score is only the second highest in all of Jiang’an City… sigh, I’m just not good enough! I’ve disappointed my father!”

What?

The crowd was dumbstruck.

Second in the city... and he’s disappointed??

At this moment, Qiu Yaofan smiled, stepped forward, and gently patted his son’s shoulder. “Son, it’s my fault for being too strict with you before. It’s alright—even if you’re only second in the city, your father doesn’t blame you.”

“Really?” Qiu Biaolian looked at his father with puppy-dog eyes.

Qiu Yaofan nodded. “Yes.”

The two then shared a heartfelt embrace.

Ling Qiu: …

Song Ningxue: …

Shen Meng: …

Honestly, could they be any more nauseating?

It was obvious that this father and son were colluding in this ridiculous act!

All this talk about being second in the city, about letting his father down... it was just a blatant display of false modesty!

While the father and son reveled in their performance, naturally there were supporters to egg them on.

As a minor leader in the Education Bureau, Qiu Yaofan was sure to attract flatterers.

A middle-aged man rose to his feet, clapping and praising, “Truly, a tiger father begets no dog son! No wonder the boy belongs to Director Qiu! Second in the entire city—anyone else would be over the moon, but your son always maintains a humble and ambitious heart, never content with the present. With such a mindset, he’s sure to go far in the future!”

“Indeed!” Another middle-aged man stood up. “Director Qiu, I’m Ma Pijing, a teacher from Jiangnan University. I can say with confidence, with such a mentality, your son will achieve great things in any field he chooses!”

“Oh, Teacher Ma, you flatter us, you really do!” Qiu Yaofan waved his hand with false modesty. “To recognize one’s shortcomings is the first step to courage. That’s always been my philosophy of education. As a leader in the Education Bureau, I must lead by example—for the good of the people!”

“Well said!”

“Director Qiu! A true leader, devoted to the country and the people!”

“A toast to Director Qiu!”

One bootlicking comment begat a chorus of flattery.

People rose one after another, raising their glasses. Qiu Yaofan and Qiu Biaolian exchanged a smug glance, then drained their cups with the others.

After wiping his mouth, Qiu Biaolian suddenly turned to Ma Pijing. “By the way, Teacher Ma, you’re a senior faculty member at Jiangnan University, aren’t you?”

Ma Pijing smiled. “Senior might be a stretch, but yes, I do teach there. Why do you ask, Young Master Qiu? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of turning down Jinghua University for us? Let me tell you, with your score, Jiangnan University is beneath you! You scored a whopping 669—our university could hardly contain such a genius! Hahaha!”

His joking compliment drew laughter from the crowd.

Basking in the praise, Qiu Biaolian waved his hand grandly. “Teacher Ma, it’s like this: I have an old neighbor named Shen Meng who scored 615 this year. Do you think she’d meet the admission cutoff for Jiangnan University?”

Suddenly hearing her name, Shen Meng froze.

She didn’t feel honored at all—rather, she felt embarrassed and extremely uncomfortable.

Ma Pijing’s eyes lit up. “From the name, it sounds like a girl. Young Master Qiu, you care so much—could she be your girlfriend?”

Qiu Biaolian chuckled shamelessly, “Almost! Actually… I was hoping to use this occasion today to confess to her!”