Chapter 1184 - 1181: The Big Figure 8

The climax of the family banquet came with Old Zhang’s final glass of wine. He personally raised his glass, in which was the homemade table wine brewed by Mrs. Zhang and his two daughters-in-law: "Tonight’s family banquet is actually held for Yan Xixi..."

Everyone was stunned: that’s some serious honor.

"Xixi has returned after completing her studies, and she’s an academic elite from Harvard, graduating with straight A’s. I heard that among all the international students in Asia in the same cohort, Xixi had the best grades. Alas, our country has no idea how much talent it holds, but once talent flows overseas, very, very few truly outstanding ones ever come back. So many people just stay abroad making money and building fame, and only when they’re old do they return to hang up a false signboard and enjoy wealth and glory. For talents like Xixi, we ought to cherish them twice as much—this is a blessing for the nation..."

Yan Xixi was secretly shocked. What a tone to set!

Wan Donglin and his mother exchanged a glance, already fully aware: Old Zhang didn’t mention the fake passport at all tonight, nor the half-year disappearance. Now with this speech, it was very clearly telling everyone: Don’t worry, Yan Xixi is completely safe.

Liu Daqing spoke from the heart: "Old Zhang, our Wan Family owes you an enormous favor, one we truly have no way to repay."

Wan Donglin also said solemnly: "Uncle, I don’t even know what words of thanks would be enough."

"That makes you sound like outsiders. Never mind that Xixi and I have the bond of uncle and younger generation; just judging from her being such a talent, we should protect her unconditionally. Society is more diversified now, and the economy is in a transitional phase, so we are even more in urgent need of high-caliber economic professionals like her... The modern world advocates equality between men and women, but in reality, women are clearly at a disadvantage in many respects. To be frank, when I learned that Xixi outperformed all the South Korean and Japanese students of the same batch, I was truly delighted..."

Old Zhang laughed heartily: "As long as Xixi can serve society, that’s more than enough. Cherishing and protecting talent is the bounden duty of every nation and every people. Didn’t Mr. Lu Xun say so? A nation that has good talent but doesn’t know how to treasure it is a nation that will never have hope. I hope that talents like Xixi can return in large numbers—only then will we truly have hope..."

Though it was polite talk, Yan Xixi was deeply grateful.

She finally understood: a big figure is indeed a big figure.

How could someone at that level possibly stoop to playing petty little schemes over trivial matters of romance and marriage?

These days, the era of "fail to marry, then we’re enemies" is long gone.

It was a spring evening, the warm breeze gentle and steady.

The three of them got out of the car at the river embankment, about a kilometer from the house.

Liu Daqing was in very good spirits: "Xixi, you two kids come take a walk with me."

She readily agreed.

This year, spring had come especially early; the willows along the embankment already showed faint new buds.

Yan Xixi looked over quietly and saw Liu Daqing walking with her hands clasped behind her back, her posture straight. But she really had aged—somehow, after just a few steps, she was slightly short of breath. Xixi found it odd and wondered silently if the Empress Dowager’s health could really be this poor.

She stepped forward, seemingly casually, but she supported her steadily and smiled with narrowed eyes: "Empress Dowager, would you like a cup of café au lait tonight?"

Liu Daqing laughed: "You’ll make it?"

She nodded: "I’m just afraid if you drink it, you’ll have trouble sleeping."

Liu Daqing was delighted: "Not at all, not at all. On the contrary, every time I have café au lait, I sleep a bit better."

She smiled charmingly: "Then I’ll just have to show off my special skill..."