Chapter 369 Wan Ziyan's Farewell Banquet
Wan Ziyan was planning to leave, so Tao Ran hosted a farewell banquet for him at Xinglong Restaurant.
However, they did not invite anyone else or hold a special banquet; they simply had a meal during their lunch break.
Besides them, Duan Shuhong, who would later take Wan Ziyan's place in class, also arrived!
This was his first time visiting Xinglong Restaurant, and he was full of praise for the private room's decor, having completely forgotten why he had come.
He only sat down after Wan Qiqi had served all the dishes.
"Manager Wan is very clever, but what books have you read?" Only a woman who is well-read and knowledgeable could come up with such a design as Duan Shuhong's.
Wan Qiqi shook her head and said, "I only know a few words and read some idle books and novels."
Duan Shuhong shook his head and said, "Manager Wan's ideas are ingenious; none of us can match them."
Chen Yongnian moved forward a few feet to block the other person's intense gaze.
His wife is his; no one else is allowed to covet her.
Wan Qiqi wasn't paying attention to the two of them. She turned to look at Wan Ziyan and asked, "How long will you be gone, Second Brother?"
Wan Ziyan took a sip of tea and said, "The provincial examination is in February, the results will be announced in March, and the palace examination will be in April. If you pass the provincial examination, you can only return after the palace examination is over."
Tao Ran replied, "You don't need to worry too much. You're more than qualified for the provincial examination. The top three in the palace examination will be retained as officials in the capital. Even if you're not in the top three, you'll still be assigned to various prefectures as officials..."
Wan Qiqi probably understands these things too.
But she knew that the officials in the capital would definitely stay in the city, and their future was bright.
If one serves as an official in a local area, one can rise through the ranks based on merit.
However, they all had one thing in common: without an imperial edict, they were not allowed to leave their post without permission.
Wan Ziyan's return date is now uncertain and far off.
Wan Ziyan noticed the worry in Wan Qiqi's expression and said calmly, "I dare not dream of becoming a high-ranking official in the capital. If I can become an official in the capital, I will definitely bring my family to the capital."
"If he were a local official, he might be able to return to Liangzhou and visit his relatives in Hefeng Town without any major problems."
That sounds nice, but everyone knows it's unlikely.
Some officials returned to their home prefectures or counties to take up their posts, but very few did.
To prevent officials from abusing their power for personal gain and becoming too influential, most cities would assign officials to other prefectures or counties rather than their own.
What was supposed to be a send-off meal for students taking exams turned into a conversation that made it seem like we'd never see each other again.
Upon seeing this, Wan Qiqi immediately said, "No matter where Second Brother is, I am free. If I miss Second Brother, I will go to find him."
Tao Ran agreed, "I'm waiting for someone's victory celebration. If I don't get to drink it, I'll naturally have to go and ask for a drink myself."
Duan Shuhong replied, "Brother Wan, please rest assured. I will certainly live up to your trust and teach you well. I look forward to your return when you have achieved success."
Chen Yongnian then said, "Second Brother, I will protect Qiqi better."
Wan Ziyan burst out laughing.
Where do these people get the confidence that they can directly pass the provincial examination and participate in the palace examination?
However, he doesn't fight unprepared battles.
Having chosen to go, he certainly wouldn't let himself get stuck at the provincial examination!
Upstairs, everyone was eating and drinking, while downstairs, things were already bustling with activity.
Although there weren't many guests today, everyone was still busy.
Only Erpang was assigned by Wan Qiqi to keep an eye on An'an and prevent her from wandering around.
This wasn't An'an's first time at the restaurant; she knew it inside and out. Before long, she left Erpang behind and, with her candied hawthorn in hand, prepared to run out.
"Ouch!" She bumped into a fleshy wall and fell to the ground with a thud.
"An'an, I told you not to run around." Erpang rushed over, helped An'an up from the ground, and said repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, sir, the child was careless..."
She showed him the auspicious ruyi pattern on the other person's brightly colored robe, and then her words abruptly stopped.
It’s over!
here we go again!
Erpang was inwardly raging, his smile more painful than a grimace. He reached up to brush the sugar stains off his robe, stammering, "Young Master Feng... I... I..."
Before Erpang could finish speaking, Feng Gan kicked him away and scolded, "What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'do you know how much silver this satin robe of mine costs? You couldn't afford to pay for it even if you worked for ten years!'"
"Where is he? Where is the shopkeeper?" He felt a surge of excitement, ready to vent his anger.
Although he can't do anything to Wan Qiqi, he'll just let her bully him, right?
An'an stared wide-eyed at the fierce-looking person in front of her, her lips trembling, and said with a hint of tears in her voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Only then did Feng Gan notice the child at his feet.
He squatted down and tilted his head to look, feeling that the child looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.
Meeting the child's teary eyes, he felt a mischievous urge and said, "Do you know how expensive my clothes are?"
An'an innocently said, "Mother said that if it gets dirty, just wash it clean."
"Fine, you wash me, and I won't hold it against you if you get me clean!" Feng Gan looked at the girl in front of him and found it extremely amusing.
In the past, the children I encountered either cried loudly or couldn't speak.
It's amazing that this little girl could answer so fluently even though she was scared. I wonder whose child she is.
Erpang got up, wanting to pull An'an back, but dared not get close.
"Then take it off." An'an, unaware of how terrifying the person in front of her was, blinked her eyes.
Some restaurant staff wanted to come and help, but Feng Gan dismissed them with a single look.
Today is not busy, Zhu Chengye is resting, and Wan Qiqi is the only manager in the shop.
As Xiao Liuzi sent someone upstairs to inform Wan Qiqi, he greeted her with a smile, "Oh, Young Master Feng is here! Why are you standing at the door? Please come in..."
Feng Gan's interest was interrupted. He glanced coldly at Xiao Liuzi and said in a cold voice, "What's it to you? Get lost!"
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