The car stopped at the entrance of Furong Manor.
The students of Class 20 were stunned.
“Wait, I thought we were going to Ji Zhouye’s villa. What is this place?”
“Such a huge lawn and garden—it looks like one of those private estates you see on TV.”
“There are so many servants here…”
Ji Zhouye waved at everyone. “Come on, let’s head to the lawn. There’s a barbecue set up there.”
The group hesitated.
The decorations and setup looked way too high-end, making them—a bunch of broke students—feel completely out of place.
Just then, Old Master Ji stepped out from inside.
The barbecue party tonight was specially arranged by him for one reason: he wanted to meet his grandson’s classmates and thank them for supporting Ji Zhouye during the stressful final year of high school. Plus, he was curious to hear some fun stories about Ji Zhouye’s school life…
Accompanying him were Old Master Hai and Old Master Si. The two had caught wind of the Ji family’s evening gathering and shamelessly invited themselves to stay.
When you’re old, you just want to be around young people—soaking up their energy to feel decades younger.
“Kids, come on in!” Old Master Ji greeted them warmly. “Sit wherever you like, eat and drink as much as you want. Make yourselves at home—no need to be formal.”
Fifty pairs of eyes locked onto Old Master Ji.
They had watched every episode of that show, and the recent incident involving He Qiqi’s false accusation was still fresh in their minds.
Without his mask, the old man looked exactly like the chairman of the Ji Group featured on the program…
The class monitor couldn’t help but ask, “Uh… Old Master Ji?”
“Heh, you’re not the first to call me that. Must be a case of mistaken identity,” Old Master Ji played dumb. “Old Master Ji is a wise, knowledgeable, kind, and exceptionally handsome business tycoon. If I look even a little like him, it’s an honor.”
Old Master Hai: “…”
Old Master Si: “…”
Does this old man have no shame left?
Rong Yu muttered under her breath, calling him an “old show-off,” then introduced, “This is Ji Zhouye’s grandfather. Since Ji Zhouye is one of us, by extension, his grandpa is too. Let’s go have fun.”
Ji Zhouye shouted, “Alright, enough standing around—let’s move!”
Still bewildered, the students followed.
The spread was incredible—grilled skewers, scallops, oysters, shrimp, even a whole roasted lamb. The aroma alone was intoxicating.
A bonfire blazed at the center, setting the perfect mood.
Ji Zhouye turned on the speakers, holding a skewer in one hand and a mic in the other. “Thanks for coming! I’ll kick things off with a song!”
He chose Lone Warrior.
“Love how you walk alone in the dark alley…”
“Love how you never kneel…”
Chen Nian covered his ears. “Oh god, Zhouye, your screechy voice is a crime against music.”
“I know this one!” Old Master Ji kicked Ji Zhouye aside and took over. “Go! Worthy? This tattered cape…”
Old Master Si nearly choked on his champagne. “No wonder this old coot’s been looking decades younger—he’s been partying like this at home!”
Old Master Hai, inexplicably swept up in the energy, grabbed the mic next. “Who says only those in the light are heroes…?”
But it was the last line.
“Play it again!” he bellowed.
Old Master Si rushed forward, refusing to be outdone.
The three old men belted out the song, completely off-key, while flailing their limbs in a chaotic dance.
The students of Class 20 stood frozen, jaws slack.
How are these seniors more energetic than us? We can’t compete…
Exhausted from singing, the trio plopped down next to Rong Yu for drinks.
Somehow, the conversation shifted to stocks and global economic trends—and they sounded impressively well-informed.
Rong Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
Old Master Hai side-eyed her. “What’s so funny?”
He figured it was best to keep some distance from his idol. Up close, her presence was oddly unnerving.
Rong Yu just smiled.
How could she explain that she was imagining these three as little kids roughhousing?
The brats grew up into serious adults. No one would get that joke.
Around 9 p.m., Hai Chang’an and Si Lin arrived to pick up their grandfathers.
The moment they stepped in, they were met with blaring pop music and a crowd of teenagers dancing wildly on the lawn.
But what truly shocked them was seeing their dignified elders sitting with Rong Yu, listening to her like obedient schoolchildren.
Hai Chang’an strained to hear what she was saying.
“Reading modern history, I realized how unnaturally fast China developed. It defies logic.”
“Seventy years ago, even porridge was a luxury. If anyone back then had claimed China would be this prosperous today, no one would’ve believed them.”
“Just think—back when producing bicycles was a struggle, and now, our astronauts are touching the stars in space stations…”
Rong Yu’s voice brimmed with emotion as she spoke.
Hai Chang’an’s eyes widened.
A high school girl lecturing like a retired official? This is surreal.
“Damn right,” Old Master Hai agreed. “Only we Chinese could’ve built such miracles on this land.”
Old Master Si scowled. “And yet, some people still complain—always praising Japan or America. You!” He jabbed a finger at his grandson. “Spent a few years abroad and now you nitpick everything at home. Spoiled brat—sit down and listen to Miss Rong!”
Old Master Hai yanked Hai Chang’an down too. “You’re staying.”
Si Lin: “…”
Hai Chang’an: “…”
Why are we taking life advice from a teenage girl?
Hai Chang’an quickly changed the subject. “Ahem. Miss Rong, Hai Corporation is collaborating with Star Dream Project to select a brand ambassador. Would you be interested?”
Old Master Ji beamed. “Smart choice.”
“No, I don’t have time,” Rong Yu declined flatly. “Find someone else.”
She’d joined the show to fulfill a youthful dream—not to chase fame or endorsements.
Those things meant little to her and would only waste her time.
Hai Chang’an was floored.
Does she not know how many people would kill for this opportunity? And she just turned it down?
But seeing the three patriarchs hanging on her every word, he reconsidered.
Maybe she really is that untouchable…
The party wrapped up past 10 p.m.
As everyone left, Old Master Ji reminded them, “Don’t forget to vote for Rong Yu! She has to win first place!”
The class monitor thumped his chest. “I’ll rally my entire family. First place is guaranteed!”
