Chapter 138: Birthday Banquet
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Little brat, come over here!” shouted Old Master Xiao loudly, and Xiao Yang, who was in a daze, suddenly snapped out of his confusion and hurried over. “Grandpa, what’s wrong?” Xiao Yang respectfully stood by Old Master Xiao’s side.
“You rascal, stop dazing off. i just heard from Xiao Chao that you have a bottle of wine. Why didn’t 1 see you bring it to me?” Xiao Yang, realizing that Zhou Chao had betrayed him, turned to look at the two of them who were cuddling.
“What’s the matter? Why are you staring at others like that? Go back and bring me the wine. Do you hear me?”
“I understand, Grandpa,” Xiao Yang replied dejectedly.
“Dad, what kind of wine has provoked this reaction from you?” Xiao Zhong asked curiously, and even Old Master Jiang and Jiang Youdao turned their attention to the grandfather and grandson.
“It’s not anything special, just a 35-year-old Lai Mao.” Xiao Yang looked at Old Master Xiao’s extravagant reaction. He wanted to mention that it was a gift from Zhou Chao, but he kept that thought to himself.
After Old Master Xiao finished speaking, there were audible gulps from the onlookers.
“Lao Xiao, you’re being unreasonable. It’s my 70th birthday today. Why didn’t you bring the wine over to celebrate with me?” Old Master Jiang swallowed saliva and looked at Old Master Xiao resentfully.
“You’re dreaming. I won’t enjoy it if i drink it alone,” Old Master Xiao said with a playful smile.
“Dad, how about we find a time to drink it together?” Xiao Zhong’s suggestion brought a momentary calm to the situation.
“Uncle, isn’t there still a bottle with Xiao Yang? Let’s take his bottle and try the taste. What do you think, Uncle?”
“I think that’s a good idea. It’s settled then. We’ll visit your house tomorrow, Xiao Yang. Make sure you have the wine ready!” Old Master Jiang confirmed decisively, and both Xiao Zhong and Jiang Youdao concurred.
“Alright, we’ll drink at home tomorrow! Xiao Yang, get the wine ready tomorrow!”
“Yes, Grandfather!” Xiao Yang greeted everyone and walked towards Zhou Chao.
“You little rascal, you sold me out like that. I helped you before, but 1 didn’t expect you to betray me so easily!” Xiao Yang sat next to Zhou Chao, looking at him angrily.
“Brother Yang, I didn’t have a choice. If i hadn’t done that, Old Master Jiang wouldn’t have let me off so easily. I have a bottle of Domaine Romanee Conti red wine at home. It may not be as strong as Baijiu, but it’s a rare and valuable wine. I’ll give you a bottle when the time comes.”
“Fine, the next time you betray me, you’ll see how I handle it!” Xiao Yang listened to Zhou Chao’s words and recognized his sincerity. He didn’t pursue the matter any further.
On the other side, Old Master Xiao looked at the gift box Zhou Chao had given him and couldn’t help but glance at Old Master Jiang.
“Lao Jiang, take out the gift Zhou Chao gave you and see what precious thing you’ve received!” Old Master Jiang was now highly curious about the gift Zhou Chao had given, especially with a precedent already in place.
“Alright!” Old Master Jiang reached behind him and took out the gift box. He opened it, revealing an ancient scroll lying quietly in the box. Old Master Jiang carefully took it out.
“Lao Jiang, be careful. If it’s a famous painting and you accidentally damage it, you’ll be in big trouble!” Old Master Xiao, watching Old Master Jiang’s actions, couldn’t help but comment.
“Uncle, you really need to be careful. Even this box alone is worth hundreds of thousands!”
“What? This box is so expensive?” Jiang Youdao was surprised to hear the price.
“It’s made of Xiao Ziye Tan wood, and the box itself is an antique. It’s just that we’re not sure how old it is,” Old Master Xiao explained.
After hearing everyone’s words, Old Master Jiang’s movements became much lighter, and he slowly unfolded the scroll in his hand.
“In the Peach Blossom Valley, there is a Peach Blossom Temple, and within the Peach Blossom Temple, there resides a Peach Blossom Fairy.”
“The Peach Blossom Fairy plants peach trees and also plucks peach blossoms as payment for wine.”
As the scroll unfolded, the complete verses of the Peach Blossom Temple poem appeared at the end. Until the entire painting was revealed, everyone was stunned.
“Is this… is this real or fake?” Jiang Youdao pointed at the last signature in astonishment.
As everyone looked at the signature of Tang Yin and the official seal, they fell into a temporary silence.
“Old Master Jiang, this painting should be genuine!” Upon hearing Old Master Xiao’s words, Old Master Jiang looked at him puzzled.
“How can you be so sure?”
“I’m sure because it was a gift from that kid Zhou Chao!” The others didn’t quite believe it when they heard this.
“Hehe, don’t doubt it. Old Master Jiang, the matters that have kept you busy these days are all thanks to that kid. I envy you for finding such a son-in-law. Unfortunately, I don’t have a granddaughter; otherwise, it wouldn’t be your turn!” Old Master Jiang looked at Old Master Xiao with wide-open eyes, amazed by what he had just heard. Old Master Xiao nodded slightly in response.
“Dad/Uncle, what’s going on? Why are you so surprised?” Xiao Zhong and Jiang Youdao asked in unison.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t!” Old Master Xiao interrupted them directly, and the two of them wisely remained silent.
“Although this painting is a good thing, it’s a hot potato in my hands!” Old Master Jiang couldn’t help but sigh.
“This thing is worth at least several billion. Even if it’s in my house, I’d find it too hot to handle!” Old Master Xiao sighed as well.
“Dad, is this painting really that expensive?” Jiang Youdao stared at the painting in Jiang Lao’s hands without saying a word.
“Nonsense, it’s a national treasure. You tell me if it’s expensive!”
“Alright, alright, Old Master Jiang, put it away. As for how to deal with it, you can figure that out on your own. I can’t say much!” Old Master Xiao said.
“Okay, 1 understand!” Old Master Jiang carefully rolled up the painting, placed it back in the box, and then put the box beside him.
Time quickly reached 6 o’clock, and the scheduled dinner time began. Waiters from the hotel brought in one exquisite dish after another.
Looking at the exquisite dishes placed on the table, Old Master Xiao looked at Old Master Jiang and said, “Lao Jiang, you’re quite generous. You’ve used up all your assets for this, haven’t you?”
At this moment, Jiang Youxi whispered, “Dad, these dishes aren’t what 1 ordered. They’re much more upscale than what I ordered!”
“Go find the manager and see what’s going on. If someone else arranged this, have them change it back to the dishes we originally ordered!” Jiang Youdao quickly got up and walked outside. Zhou Chao and Xiao Yang looked at him in confusion.
“Brother Yang, it’s time to eat, where is Uncle going?”
“How would 1 know? Jiang Yu, what do you think?”
“You are asking me? 1 have no idea either!” The three of them exchanged glances and stopped talking.
Soon, Jiang Youdao returned, accompanied by a familiar figure.
“Dad, I’ve brought the manager!”
“Explain what happened. The meal we originally ordered wasn’t this luxurious. How did it get changed to this? Tell me, who arranged it?” Jiang Xin knew that the boss hadn’t informed the host, and now he didn’t know whether to speak up.
His gaze unintentionally fell on Zhou Chao, who was now reluctantly standing up and walking over.
“Boss!”