Chapter 121: Xie Anyi Suffers a Severe Blow

“Have you settled everything?” While the rest of the Wen family was engrossed in the lantern festival, Wen Xiuyi quietly pulled Wen Yao aside to whisper.

Wen Yao made an “OK” gesture. “Relax. With your daughter handling things, there’s nothing that can’t be done.”

Wen Xiuyi looked at his daughter, who was more than ten years younger than him, and smiled faintly. “Our Yao Yao is truly capable, unlike your father, who can only farm these days.”

Wen Yao burst out laughing. “You used to be an expert that money couldn’t buy! Here, you have much more room to show your skills than we did back then. Don’t belittle yourself, Father. I’m just a cook; you’re the truly talented one.”

Praised like this, Wen Xiuyi felt a bit embarrassed and glared at her. “You just like making fun of your old dad.”

Remembering the seeds she’d acquired from her special space, Wen Yao leaned close and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, Wen Xiuyi frowned. “Will it work?”

“Just plant them. We’ll say the seeds came from Sister Qiu to Grandpa and the others—they won’t really ask. As for Sister Qiu, we’ll say we came by them by chance. If she wants to buy, she won’t press further. Don’t worry.”

What Wen Yao was proposing was to grow chili peppers.

Wen Xiuyi thought for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, but let’s take it slow. Try a small patch behind our house first. After the New Year, once the house is built, I’ll set aside a section in the backyard just for these.”

“Thank you, Professor Wen.”

Wen Xiuyi chuckled. “You little rascal.”

Just then, the family decided to go downstairs to stroll through the lantern festival, so father and daughter ended their conversation and joined the others.

It had to be said, the ancient lantern festival was far more enjoyable than those in the modern world, with much less commercialization.

As fate would have it, halfway through their stroll, they ran into the Xie family trio again. Coincidentally, they too were trying to solve lantern riddles, but clearly found themselves stumped.

The Wen family had intended to avoid them, but couldn’t resist stopping to watch the spectacle.

It was mainly because Xie Anyi was frowning so hard his brows could have knotted. Even Xie Yushan seemed at a loss, his face darkening as he tried to drag Xie Anyi away, but the boy refused to budge.

No one knew when Big Head had slipped away, but he now stood beside Xie Anyi, tilting his head to look at him. “Can’t solve it?”

Xie Anyi was startled.

He was taller than Big Head, so he looked down at him, remembering that this younger, shorter child had even tried to have him call him master. His competitive spirit flared up. He stiffened his neck and said, “I can’t solve it, but you can’t either.”

Big Head tilted his head, studied him for a while, then looked at the stall owner. “Uncle, can I see the lantern riddle he’s working on?”

The stall owner, seeing it was just two children, pointed out the lantern to Big Head. Hanging beneath it was a bamboo slip with the riddle.

“Shall I read it for you?” the stall owner asked.

“No need, thank you. I can read myself.” Big Head shook his head and tiptoed to get a good look. On the bamboo slip were just two words: “Nirvana.”

No wonder Xie Anyi and Xie Yushan couldn’t guess the answer—there were no hints at all.

The rest of the Wen family edged closer as Big Head moved forward.

Wen Yao and Wen Jun guessed the answer instantly, but since Big Head wanted to show off, they left the opportunity for their little brother. Even if he didn’t get it in the end, he was only four, after all.

Big Head seemed stumped, his little brows knitting in concentration. Seeing this, Xie Anyi felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Good, if he can’t solve it, neither can this kid—let’s see how he dares to ask me to call him master again.

But before he could savor his satisfaction, Big Head suddenly exclaimed, “Uncle, is the answer ‘waiting for death while sitting’?”

The lantern vendor was visibly taken aback, eyeing Big Head in amazement. Xie Anyi’s heart leapt to his throat.

The owner didn’t reply immediately, and Big Head frowned. Had he guessed wrong?

The Wen family was anxious, and Mrs. Luo couldn’t help raising her voice. “Boss, did my grandson get it right or not? Say something!”

This shout drew everyone’s attention.

Finally, the vendor snapped out of his surprise, took down the lantern, and handed it to Big Head. “Congratulations, young man, you got it right.”

Xie Anyi was dumbfounded. “Why?”

Big Head, holding the lantern, looked up at him. “Nirvana means sitting and waiting for death, doesn’t it? And ‘waiting for death while sitting’ literally means that.”

Xie Anyi was at a loss for words. Why hadn’t he thought of that?

Big Head, looking every inch the victorious general, puffed out his chest and handed the prize to Wen Ying. “Third Sister, this is for you.”

Delighted, Wen Ying accepted the elegant lantern, unable to put it down.

Wen Xiuyi gave the vendor five coins.

Xie Anyi could only watch as the lantern he’d had his eye on was taken by Wen Ying. He bit his lip hard, unwilling to admit Big Head was smarter than him.

When Big Head turned and saw his aggrieved expression, he remembered what his sister had said about Xie Anyi being pitiful. Compassion welled up in him, and he suddenly felt magnanimous.

“Which one do you like? I’ll win another for you.” Big Head patted his little chest.

“I don’t want it. I want to win it myself.” Xie Anyi was determined not to admit defeat.

“Oh.” Big Head didn’t insist, simply turned away. “Dad, let’s go.”

Xie Anyi, holding back tears, stood there fuming as he watched the Wen family, along with Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu, walk away.

His eyes rimmed red, he turned on his heel and left.

“Yi’er!” Xie Yushan and the servants hurried after him.

Qiao Yan, who had been uncharacteristically silent, finally couldn’t help but speak. “Madam? Aren’t you going to interfere?”

Qiu Rongrong let out a long sigh. She didn’t know why, but even though it was her own son, seeing him humbled like this made her feel a strange sense of satisfaction and relief—Big Head had done well.

It was time for Xie Anyi to experience a setback.

Besides, she suspected her husband, Xie Yushan, might be even more shaken. He prided himself on his teaching and erudition, yet now his son had been bested by a four-year-old.

Ha! So much for her husband’s self-proclaimed talent.

Reflecting on Big Head’s cleverness, she thought that if Yi’er could spend more time with him, it might not be a bad thing after all.

“Come on, let’s keep enjoying the festival.” Now that she’d cleared her mind, the lanterns seemed more beautiful than before.

Did she love Yi’er? Of course—he was her flesh and blood, dearer to her than anyone. But she didn’t want him to become another self-important, selfish man like Xie Yushan.

“I remember there’s an estate outside the city, isn’t there?” Qiu Rongrong suddenly asked.

Qiao Yan nodded. “There is.”

Qiu Rongrong adjusted her hair and said, “Tomorrow, let’s go have a look.”

Qiao Yan immediately understood—she was probably planning to meet the Wen family miss there.

Seeing Qiu Rongrong like this made Qiao Yan happy. This was how her mistress should be—not cooped up every day in that oppressive mansion, bullied by those people.