Wen Jingyu and Tang Miao inhaled the rich aroma as they came downstairs for breakfast, only to discover with pleasant surprise that today’s meal consisted of an all-fish feast.
Although it was a bit strange that the kitchen had moved up the schedule for Wen Niao’s monthly all-fish feast, the two of them sat down anyway.
Because of Wen Niao’s unyielding addiction to fish, Tang Miao had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare an all-fish spread on the twenty-ninth of every month.
Wen Yu had also loved eating fish. If he were still here…
Tang Miao pulled herself back from her memories and picked up a piece of fish to taste.
Since it was an all-fish feast, the cooking techniques varied widely, including braised, steamed, and pan-roasted methods.
The most eye-catching dish of all was the centerpiece: a gorgeous creation named Peacock Opening Its Tail Wuchang Fish.
True to its name, it was exquisite in both color, shape, and presentation.
Green ingredients were scattered across the dish like starlight, resembling the feathers of a green peacock slowly fanning open.
The Wuchang fish meat was smooth, tender, fresh, and fragrant.
Though Wen Jingyu found the delicacies before him vaguely familiar, he ate with great relish and satisfaction.
Poor Yuanyuan was forbidden from eating fish and could only sniff the air to satisfy its cravings. A truly miserable doggy life!
After finishing his satisfying meal, Wen Niao welcomed his personal doom in the form of the extinction-level grandmaster teacher.
Li Yunqian maintained a facade of absolute calm beneath Xi Muyuan’s scorching gaze, leading him straight over to Wen Niao’s study nook.
Li Yunqian thought: Stay calm, stay calm! As long as I am not embarrassed, the embarrassed ones are everyone else. I see nothing, I hear nothing…
Watching the man stride toward him against the light, Wen Niao thought only one thing:
I cannot see his face clearly, but I know he is lunging at me with a gaping, bloody maw, and he is even wielding an evil copy of the English 3500 Vocabulary along with the Complete Junior High Politics and History Guide!
The enemy is simply too formidable! Wuwu…
Xi Muyuan sat down in a chair, pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, and handed the reference books he was carrying directly to Wen Niao.
Wen Niao thought: You cultured scoundrel, do not come any closer!
Accepting the reference materials, Wen Niao put on an earnest expression and began flipping through them.
Xi Muyuan explained in a professional, official tone:
“Student Wen, I have reviewed your academic performance. Your humanities scores are quite lackluster, while your science scores are remarkably strong.
Therefore, given your academic situation, I believe we must focus heavily on conquering your weak subjects, which is why I have brought these two books for you.
For the next month, I will be in charge of improving the grades for both you and Luo Jin. Please take good care of me!”
Xi Muyuan added: “Oh, and your brother Luo Jin’s situation happens to be the exact opposite of yours. The two of you can learn from each other, complement each other’s strengths, and progress together!”
“Understood, Teacher. I hope I can also receive your utmost assistance.”
“Naturally. If for no other reason, I will certainly do my absolute best simply because of the bond between Yunqian and myself.”
As Xi Muyuan spoke, he cast a sideways glance toward Li Yunqian, who had been dispatched by Wen Jingyu to act as a study monitor.
“Very well, Student Wen, allow me to first outline the customized study plan I have tailored for both you and Student Luo.
Your academic standing is relatively straightforward to address. You simply need to conquer your weak subjects.
However, your brother’s situation is somewhat more complex. His foundation is rather weak and requires a significant amount of time to make up for lost ground, so I will be placing my primary focus on tutoring him.
Consequently, I plan to help you improve through a combination of lectures, memorization, and problem-solving practice. As for the lessons, I will pre-record them as online video courses and send them to you. How does that sound?”
Since Xi Muyuan won’t be staring directly at me, does that mean I can slack off three days out of every two? Woohoo, this is going to be amazing!
“However, Young Master, do not get too smug just yet. Every single week, I will be testing your academic progress. If you fail to meet the passing standard…”
Before Wen Niao could finish celebrating, Xi Muyuan shattered his wonderful dream, ending his sentence with a subtle hint of threat.
Wen Niao thought: Fine, fine, say no more. I am already terrified…
When it came to the role of a teacher, Wen Niao harbored an inexplicable sense of dread regardless of his age. Perhaps this was simply the overwhelming aura of pressure naturally emitted by educators!
Xi Muyuan thought: Bow down in submission before my feet, you scums!
Wen Jingyu’s post-meal routine was always to take a stroll down to his fishpond and feed the fish. With his hands clasped behind his back, he meandered leisurely and contentedly toward the pond.
Enjoying the fresh air, he felt completely at peace as he pinched a handful of fish feed and scattered it into the water, waiting for the fish to come forage.
The moment the feed hit the surface, a school of fish swarmed over, scrambling frantically for the food.
As he fed them, he suddenly realized something was terribly wrong. Nearly half of the fish in the pond were gone.
Belatedly, a realization hit him as he recalled the vaguely familiar dishes served at the breakfast table just moments ago!
Wen Niao!
You unfilial brat! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?!
Wen Niao thought: You rebellious rascal, prepare to meet your maker! Roar-ha!
Wen Niao thought: There is a murderous aura in the air!
Seeing the fierce and menacing expression on Wen Jingyu’s face, Wen Niao knew instantly that his plot had been exposed.
Noticing Wen Niao hide behind Tang Miao, Wen Jingyu’s full-throttle imposing momentum instantly collapsed…
“Niao Niao, what are you two father and son up to? Playing hawk catching the chicks?”
“Wife, look at your son! I raised a total of ten rare and precious Changjiang Wuchang fish, but Niao Niao went ahead and caught four of them just to eat them!
Those were all my pride and joy! My heart aches so much right now!”
Fiercely accusing Wen Niao of his crimes, the one-meter-eighty-five Wen Jingyu immediately transformed back into a pitiful, oversized puppy the moment he stood before Tang Miao.
Tang Miao felt utterly helpless. The battle between this pair of dramatic father and son was about to begin once again.
“Alright, alright. Since Niao Niao already ate them, so be it. There are still six left, so you can just raise those properly from now on.”
“But raising them—”
“But what? Didn’t you eat them with great relish at the breakfast table? And didn’t you just shower the chef with praise for today’s culinary skills?
Oh my, regretting it now? You sent your favorite fish off with a grand funeral of your own saliva, and I am certain they will be forever grateful to you in the netherworld.”
Tang Miao thought: Do not try to reason with this lady, for this lady is the absolute law!
“I simply didn’t react in time…” Unceremoniously exposed by Tang Miao, Wen Jingyu’s voice dropped to a whisper.
He tried to salvage his image in Tang Miao’s eyes, but before he could even finish his sentence, Tang Miao cut him off and ended the topic entirely.
“Stop right there! Put a pin in it. Resolve your father-son issues yourselves. I am going out shopping now. Bye-bye!”
Wen Jingyu felt somewhat aggrieved, but in the end, he let the little troublemaker Wen Niao off the hook.
“Aiyou, my great and selfless father! Calm down, please calm down! Anger is bad for your health!”
Wen Jingyu let out a cold huff, put on an aloof expression, and stalked off toward the study.
Wen Niao thought: Nyah nyah nyah, I am completely untouchable! After all, I hold the highest family status in the Wen household!
Smug and gleeful, Wen Niao returned to his bedroom, only to bump right into Xi Muyuan, who had just finished tutoring Luo Jin.
Terrified that the extinction-level grandmaster would assign him extra homework, Wen Niao hurriedly slammed his door shut to prevent Xi Muyuan from catching him.
This time, however, his calculation failed.
Just as the door was about to click shut, a well-articulated hand reached in and blocked his path.
Xi Muyuan pushed the door open, leaning halfway against the wall while looking at Wen Niao with a half-smile.
“Student Wen seems somewhat unwelcoming toward me. Is it because your teacher has been far too strict with you? Hmm?”
“Hahaha, of course not! Teacher Xi teaches me with such dedication, how could I possibly blame you? I adore and respect you far too much!”
“Is that so? Then I certainly hope Student Wen maintains that attitude. Oh right, Student Wen, would you mind having Assistant Li drive me to the Jinning Bookstore? I would like to pick up some reference books targeted at improving Student Luo’s academic standing.”
“Of course no problem at all! I will have Assistant Li drive you right away.”
“Then I thank the Young Master for his understanding.”
Wen Niao thought: Phew, I finally managed to ship this plague god away!