Volume 1 Chapter 20: Raise an Eyebrow and Exhale

  Just saw seven reminders to update, oh dear... This is really unbearable, everyone please give more power in collection and recommendation!

  Zhang Shu's hands were shaking violently, and her lips were also trembling uncontrollably. At this moment, she was so excited that she couldn't speak, although before her son took the exam, she had a kind of inexplicable confidence in him. But when her son achieved such excellent results, she still didn't dare to believe it.

  Li Liqiang, who had been standing for half a day, finally sat down on the bench with a thud. This morning, his two brothers-in-law and eldest uncle came one after another. Although he knew that his eldest uncle was kind-hearted, his two brothers-in-law were all suspicious and intended to come and watch the joke.

  These days, I've been losing my appetite and sleeping poorly, all because I'm worried that my son won't get good grades. Last time at the family dinner, he was still thinking that kids are too young to understand things, but those two brothers-in-law talked him into making a bet with them. If this time his son really doesn't do well on the exam, then he'll be laughed at by those two little men.

  It's okay, my son is really making me proud this time, our old Li family can finally hold its head high.

  "Alright, alright! Yifan, your uncle was right about you all along. When you were young, he had the most faith in you. In recent years, your parents have been busy opening a restaurant and didn't have time to take care of your studies, but your uncle always believed that you would understand and make your parents proud once you realized their sacrifices for you. Today it has finally come true, and your uncle was right about you after all."

  Zhang Yong's eyes were filled with joy, and finally, among his younger generation, there was another outstanding one, so he didn't have to worry about having no one to inherit his legacy anymore. Well done, Yitian Fan.

  Er Yi had just turned her head around, waiting to hear a joke, but when she heard Li Yifan report his own grades, she was so shocked that she almost dropped the teacup in her hand, just like Xiao Shu.

  How is this possible? This poor kid has been growing up right before my eyes, and his academic performance is something I'm most familiar with. How could he possibly get such results on the exam?

  At this time, Er Yi's brain was like a paste, her own son was not as good as others, and she also hoped that her nephew would not be outstanding, because the two were of the same age, with only half a year difference. She naturally didn't want her own son to be surpassed by this nephew, but unexpectedly, Li Yifan still prepared such a big surprise for her.

  The usually calm and smiling face of Er Yi Fu was not so calm now, his face turned red one moment and purple the next. Originally, he wanted to vent his resentment towards Da Jie Fu by borrowing Li Yi Fan's mouth, but who would have thought that this time he wouldn't be able to laugh at others' misfortune, instead he had to pay 2000 yuan to this kid according to their bet. Just thinking about the money made Er Yi Fu's heart ache even more!

  "Where's the report card? Let me take a look at it."

  At this time, Xiao Yifu was a bit out of place, and the psychological gap was too great. It was inevitable that he would be at a loss for what to do. If Li Yifan really got such good grades, not only did he not become a laughing stock, but he himself became a joke. Moreover, as an elder, how could he bear to renege on the bet with his nephew?

  A brand new Giant? The cheapest Giant bike these days costs over 800, this poor kid, if he wants a good one, it's gotta be over 1,000.

  He is just a small section chief of the Construction Bureau, and usually, apart from his salary, there is no extra income. This year's more than 1,000 yuan is equivalent to half a month's salary for him!

  Li Yihua didn't say much, smiling as she took out her report card from her backpack and handed it to her mother first. Her mother took the thin piece of paper with trembling hands, which at that moment felt like a thousand pounds in her grasp.

  "That's right, it really is eighth place, and I actually scored 646 points! Old Li, come quick and take a look."

  When she saw her son's name appearing in the eighth position of the class ranking, followed by the grade group ranking and then the total score, Zhang Shu finally let out a sigh of relief, this happiness came a bit too suddenly.

  Li Liqiang couldn't sit still either, he stood up and took the transcript from him, looking at it again and again, with a red glow on his face, as if he was looking at a bank deposit slip worth millions.

  It wasn't easy to calm down, but he handed the transcript to his uncle, who verified it again before passing it to his pale-faced aunt and second uncle, who also took a look.

  "Tonight, nobody leaves, we'll eat here. I'll make a few of my signature dishes for everyone."

  Li Liqiang was no longer calm, his son had given him a boost today. For many years, his son's academic performance had been a source of worry for him. He had three children, but so far, not one of them had become a university student. The hope of having a university graduate in the family now rested on Li Yifan's shoulders. In this day and age, having a university graduate at home was still something to be proud of.

  If it were in the past, with Li Yihuan's grades, going to university would be unthinkable. But now, with these grades, as long as she keeps it up, attending a prestigious university might not be just a dream after all.

  "What's for dinner at home? Big sister, big brother-in-law, don't bother, I've arranged for tonight at the White Cloud Hotel. Second sister, second brother-in-law, third sister, third brother-in-law, let's get the kids to come along too, we'll have a family gathering. Yifan did well on his exams, this is something our whole family can be proud of, so let's celebrate properly tonight."

  At this time, Zhang Yong seemed to be even more excited than Li Liqiang. With a big wave of his hand, he said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "I'm the official now, and I've got a strong presence when I speak." Li Liqiang couldn't refuse him either, so it was settled that they would gather for dinner at the White Cloud Hotel that evening.

  The second uncle and his family left in a state of disarray, the younger uncle's face was not looking good when he left, only the eldest uncle left with a happy face. It wasn't until everyone had left that Li Yifan finally felt relieved.

  "Good job, son."

  Li Liqiang walked over and patted Li Yifan's shoulder, while his mother also came over with tears in her eyes and held her son's hand. At this moment, the hearts of all family members were gathered together, even Li Yifan, who was used to seeing big waves, was excited at this time. Finally, he had done something that made his parents feel proud.

  At night, the whole family got dressed up and took a taxi to the White Cloud Hotel. Li Lisheng even went for a haircut and bath before coming back to change into new clothes that he usually wouldn't wear. His mother also went downstairs to get her hair done, while only Li Yihao made some slight adjustments to his appearance. Only then did the whole family leave the house.

  When they arrived at the White Cloud Hotel, Ol' Uncle and some other relatives were already there. After everyone sat down, Ol' Uncle directly ordered the waiter to bring out the dishes. This time he even specially asked the waiter to bring over two bottles of Maotai. It seems that Ol' Uncle was truly happy this time. Although he never spent his own money when eating here, he rarely drank Maotai when treating family members.

  "How about it? Yifan, can you drink? If you can drink, then keep me company and have one with your uncle?"

  The elder uncle was in high spirits and even teased Li Yifan, asking him if he drank or not.

  "Don't corrupt the child, how old is he? You're letting him drink?"

  The elder aunt scolded her husband on the side.

  "It's okay, I couldn't drink the white one, but I can still have some beer."

  Li Yifan said calmly, which made all the adults present stunned.

  "Haha, okay, waiter bring a bottle of beer, Budweiser."

  My big uncle laughed and said, Mom still wants to say a few more words, but Dad is very happy today.

  "What's the big deal? I think at his age, he can already drink baijiu with my dad, so today we'll make an exception and let him have a little."

  Dad has spoken, and Mom didn't say anything else. The waiter brought a bottle of Budweiser beer, Li Yifan poured himself a full glass, then picked up the wine glass, stood up, and clinked glasses with his elder uncle, saying...

  "Uncle, let me first offer a toast with my dad and mom."

  Li Liqiang and Zhang Shu also raised their wine cups.

  "Dad, Mom, I know that no matter what you do, it's all for my own good. In the past, I didn't understand things and only knew how to have fun, but from now on, I won't be like that anymore. You can rest assured, you don't need to worry about my studies anymore."

  Li Liqiang's lips were trembling, and Zhang Shu's eyes were red again. It seemed that his son had finally become sensible. In the past, his son's academic performance was not something to be proud of in front of relatives and friends, and every time they attended parent-teacher conferences, they would slouch their shoulders. Now, there was nothing more to say. His son had made them proud, not only giving them a great reputation in front of relatives and friends but also eliminating the worry that after the conference, the teacher would scold them, telling them to discipline their son more strictly. Let's just drink now.

  A glass of wine down, Li Yifan didn't feel much, but the affection that had accumulated between this family made his heart warm and even a little dazed.

  "Good job, Yifan. Uncle was right about you. Here, this is a thousand yuan from your uncle, take it and buy some stationery or something." The usually quiet uncle suddenly pulled out a thousand yuan, which really did surprise Li Yifan, but he still calmly accepted the money.

  "This is for you, from your elder uncle."

  The elder uncle also handed over 1,000 yuan. The second aunt's husband saw that both the younger and elder uncles had given some money, so he couldn't pretend to be deaf and dumb anymore.

  "Yi Fan, your aunt's husband made a bet with you that day and lost. Here are 2,000 yuan, don't waste it, use it for studying."

  With a smile on his face and words that sound nice, but in his heart he is bleeding.

  But Li Yifan couldn't help but admire Er Yi Fu, who was able to save face so well, this one point was indeed better than her own father's straightforward and honest nature.

  "Yi Fan, this is one thousand yuan from your uncle. I promised to buy you a Giant bike before, here's the money, go choose one yourself."

  When my brother-in-law went back in the afternoon, he went to Giant's specialty store in the city and took a look around. He was shocked at first sight. The most basic starting price is over 800 yuan. That day, I made a bet with Li Yifan without saying what style it would be. If this kid comes to choose later, if he opens his mouth wide like a lion, he will directly want the top-of-the-line model, which costs over 1,400 yuan!

  So Xiao Yi's husband went home and thought about it, gritted his teeth and directly gave 1,000 yuan, letting him choose whatever he wanted.