"Who knows? Anyway, we'll sit however they arrange it!"
Madam Yan's answer was very much in line with her usual straightforward personality.
Since the old lady had said that, Zhu Qianying didn't dare to ask any more questions. She simply thought that she was too inexperienced and hadn't yet learned the composure and demeanor that a young mistress of the Yan family should have.
Thinking about it, Zhu Qianying was actually glad that during the time she was with Yan Shao, he never asked her to accompany him to any activities she didn't want to participate in. She guessed that he understood that she didn't like those kinds of social engagements.
However, since she has decided to get back together with him, it means she has accepted the identity of the young mistress of the Yan family. She will still cooperate well on occasions that she cannot refuse to attend, just like now.
Before the dragon boat race even started, Zizai couldn't sit still. Taking advantage of a moment when the elders were chatting, he jumped up and ran to the edge of the stands, wanting to peek out and watch the excitement.
Zhu Qianying saw his small figure running away and called out anxiously.
"Baby, don't run around!"
Fortunately, the Yan family's bodyguards were always dedicated and had already followed the little guy after he jumped to the ground.
Now, three bodyguards stood guard around Zai Zai, protecting him from left, right, and back, ensuring his safety.
It's no wonder Zhu Qianying is so nervous. Right now, whether it's her and Yan Shao or the Yan Bo couple, they're all like frightened birds when it comes to Zizai's safety.
After Zhu Qianying finished speaking hastily, she got up and ran over.
"Baby, what are you looking at?" Even with bodyguards around, Zhu Qianying still put her arm around her son's shoulder with concern.
"Mommy, look, so many wooden boats!"
The wooden boat that "Zizai" refers to is actually a dragon boat used for racing.
"Honey, those are the dragon boats for the race."
"Then why are they drumming so much?" The little guy, who had never seen a dragon boat race in person before, turned into a walking encyclopedia of questions.
"Once the competition starts, the team members will control the rhythm and speed of their rowing based on the drumbeat. Moreover, the drumbeat also boosts morale," Zhu Qianying patiently explained to the little guy.
The little one stood on tiptoe, leaning on the railing, resting his chin on his little hand, and peering longingly down.
"So, is it starting now?"
This wasn't Zhu Qianying's first time watching a dragon boat race, so she naturally knew that this was near the finish line, not at the beginning of the river.
"No, they're just training right now, getting a feel for the real environment."
However, although it wasn't Zhu Qianying's first time watching a dragon boat race, it was the first time she had stood so close to the finish line and had such a good view of the dragon boats.
In the past, even when she came with Xing Bailun and the others, she could only find a good spot on the riverbank to stand. Then they would surround her from all sides to prevent her from being pushed and shoved by the crowd, and that was all.
Now, standing on the high platform and looking down, she realized that it was just a different angle, and the dragon boat seemed much more interesting to watch.
"Brother Wang, how many teams are participating this year?"
"There are a total of 36 teams. The preliminary round was held this morning, and the top 12 teams have advanced to the semi-finals."
Generally speaking, men are often much more enthusiastic about dragon boat racing, a sport that involves sweating and passion, than women.
Zizai overheard his mother's conversation with the bodyguard and then pestered the bodyguard, asking, "Uncle Wang, do these older brothers who row dragon boats take on apprentices?"
The bodyguard glanced at Zhu Qianying; he couldn't make that decision.
Zhu Qianying patted the little guy's head, "Zizai, do you want to learn?"
This kind of sport, where just listening to the drumbeats and roars can get your blood pumping, is definitely the type of sport that Zai Zai would like.
"Yeah, it looks like a lot of fun."
Zhu Qianying thought for a moment, but couldn't recall where these dragon boat teams had come from.
"Brother Wang, do you know?"
Young Master, that's a really tricky question. It's really stumped Brother Wang.
"I don't know either. Should I go and ask around now?"
Zizai immediately clapped his hands happily, "Okay, okay, thank you, Uncle Wang!"
Zhu Qianying looked around at the surroundings. It seemed that the stands were only for specific guests, and at this moment, apart from her family, there seemed to be no one else among the people being led up to the stands.
Meeting Wang Ge's questioning gaze, Zhu Qianying nodded.
"Well, then I'll trouble you, Brother Wang, to go and inquire about it."
Zhu Qianying and Zizai leaned on the railing for a while longer until they heard Yanbo calling from the podium. Only then did the mother and son turn around and go over.
"Ying'er, this is District Chief Luo."
L City is divided into southeast, northwest and south districts. If Zhu Qianying didn't guess correctly, this person should be the district head of the south district, where this section of the river is located.
"Hello, District Chief Luo!"
“Ah Luo, you should also know my daughter-in-law, Zhu Qianying.”
Yan Bo addressed the district head, who looked to be in his early fifties, in a very casual manner, which showed that the Yan family was indeed the most powerful in L City.
"Hello, Mrs. Yan, I've heard so much about you!"
Zhu Qianying inwardly complained about the charming attitude of District Chief Luo towards her, but on the surface, she shook hands with him very politely and exchanged a few pleasantries.
"Then I won't disturb you all watching the dragon boat races any longer. I need to go down and see how the arrangements for the semi-finals are going."
After he left with his assistant, Zhu Qianying couldn't help but ask Yan Bo, "Dad, aren't District Chief Luo and the others watching the game here?"
Yanbo pointed to the stands across the river. "No, he just told us that they were watching from the stands across the river."
"So, it's just our family here?"
Although Zhu Qianying found the conjecture somewhat absurd, it made perfect sense given the current situation.
Moreover, many things that might seem unbelievable to ordinary people are nothing that seems impossible to the Yan family.
“Judging from what Aro is saying, that should be correct!” Yanbo said, pointing to the banners and signs on the opposite stands. “Look, there are all kinds of banners over there, but not a single one here.”
Zhu Qianying looked up and saw that it was indeed so.
Tsk, now she was even more convinced that the dragon boat race was probably sponsored by the Yanhuang Group. Otherwise, why would they be so generous as to set up a grandstand for their family to watch the race?
Zhu Qianying did guess a small part correctly, but she had never even thought about most of the things.
What followed was far beyond her imagination.
"Mommy, look! The dragon boat has turned around. Is it about to start?"
Zhu Qianying followed Zizai's finger and saw that the dragon boats that had been training just moments before had indeed all turned around and rowed back to the direction they had started from.
"Yes, they will return to the starting point first, and when they hear the referee's gunshot, they will start paddling towards us. You see, the place where those colorful flags are floating is the finish line."
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