First on the List

Old Madam Cui said:

"Well, you'll have to ask them yourself!"

Even someone like Cui Wenyuan, who only studied sporadically, managed to pass the preliminary examination. Why couldn't they?

The woman said:

"You haven't had an easy life either. Do you really think Cui Wenyuan would willingly call you 'mother'?"

From now on, he'll be the head of the Cui Family. You'll have a good life, and so will your two sons."

Old Madam Cui was trembling with anger; she never expected her own family to betray her.

Sun Tai said with a smile:

"Zhou Wanwan, are you all better now?"

If there's any good news, it should have been reported by now. When are you going to hand over your money exchange and security escort agency?

Zhou Wanwan calmly said, "Oh dear! Why are you in such a hurry? It's not the end yet!"

Sun Tai snorted coldly and said, "To tell you the truth, nothing will change. I already knew the rankings on that list."

Then came the sound of gongs and drums, and Zhou Wanwan said with a delighted expression, "Isn't this it?"

"Even if it comes, it won't be yours." Sun Tai was quite certain.

This time, it was Shen Tao who came. Old Master Cui looked at Shen Tao and said, "Imperial Uncle Shen, what brings you to my house?"

Shen Tao smiled slightly and said, "Congratulations, young friend Zhou, on passing the imperial examination."

"Young friend Zhou? There's no one in our family with the surname Zhou!"

Zhou Wanwan asked with a grin, "Shen Tao, did I win? What place did I get?"

Shen Tao laughed heartily, "You've topped the list, young friend Zhou! Congratulations!"

Sun Tai's face turned pale. "Bullshit! How could he possibly be number one? The number one spot clearly belongs to Zhou Shengsun! Zhou Shengsun?"

Someone nearby said, "Isn't it just that Zhou won against the Sun Family?"

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "That's right, I didn't expect to get first place so easily! I'm so embarrassed!"

Old Master Sun, standing to the side, said, "She didn't use her real name, so this doesn't count."

Zhou Wanwan took out the contract she had signed earlier and said, "This contract clearly states that as long as the person who passed the exam is the one in question, even if it's under a pseudonym, it's fine."

Old Master Sun's hands were trembling violently; if he really lost the money exchange and the security escort agency, it would be a huge disgrace.

Sure enough, there was a line of small print in the lower right corner of the contract.

He said, trembling, "The writing was so small, I didn't see it."

Shen Tao leaned closer and said, "The characters aren't small, are they? Old Master Sun, you're a man of your word, so the escort agency and the money exchange in Xin'an Prefecture are all hers now."

Old Master Sun was speechless.

Old Master Cui was overjoyed and immediately had several tables booked for a banquet, saying, "Son! You've really made the Cui Family proud. Let's celebrate properly tonight."

Shen Tao smiled and said, "I also brought a gift today, so we can stay for dinner together."

He didn't prepare any gifts; he just heard that the banquet was booked by Drunken Immortal Restaurant and wanted to get a free meal.

Old Master Cui quickly waved his hand and said, "How could we let you spend money? Your staying is already a great honor for the Cui Family."

Old Madam Cui kept a straight face; it must have been tough on her.

Her sister-in-law pulled her aside and said, "Wang Cuizhi, if Cui Wenyuan really does take over the family business in the future, you're in big trouble!"

Wang Cuizhi's expression changed, and she said, "With me here, it's not his place to be in charge."

The elder sister-in-law laughed and said:

"That's not necessarily true, but I think you should still think carefully about your own situation to avoid being caught off guard."

Our Wang Baochuan is beautiful and gentle, a perfect match for Cui Wenyuan!

"Little sister, what do you think?"

This is about matchmaking!

Wang Cuizhi nodded and said, "This is indeed a good marriage proposal. Why didn't I think of this?"

Someone nearby remarked, "Isn't Baochai five years younger than Wenyuan?"

The older sister-in-law quickly said, "What does it matter if they're 5 years old? As long as the couple has a good relationship, that's all that matters!"

Zhou Wanwan nodded and said:

"Five years is really no big deal. 'A daughter three years older is like a gold brick, a daughter five years older is like an old mother!'"

But you're no good at being a daughter!

The older sister-in-law glared at Zhou Wanwan and said, "What do you mean 'no'? Explain yourself clearly!"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said, "Do you really want me to explain? Isn't it inappropriate to do this in front of so many people?"

The eldest sister-in-law pointed at Zhou Wanwan and said, "You're not leaving today unless you explain yourself clearly. What do you mean my daughter isn't good enough?"

Several relatives nearby also said:

"Whose child is this? How can they be so ill-mannered?"

He's got a really foul mouth; I think we should slap his mouth until it's crooked.

"This child has absolutely no manners! I don't know who raised him like that. Where are the adults in his family? Why don't they discipline him properly?"

"I think he should be beaten up, slapped across the face. Does he really think he's so great just because he has money now?"

"He's the top scorer in the county exam! You can't afford to mess with him."

"What's so great about getting first place in the county examination? What does it mean here?"

Old Madam Cui's sister-in-law said:

"My daughter is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Is she not good enough for Cui Wenyuan? He's just a student who has only completed the preliminary examinations."

My daughter is more than a match for a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations. If it weren't for the fact that he's the young master of the Cui Family, I wouldn't even consider him!

Wang Baochuan stood to the side, her face full of sarcasm. "Indeed, he's nothing special. Mother, I don't want to marry someone like him."

The older sister-in-law patted her hand and said:

"Silly girl, your marriage is a major life event that your parents should decide, so don't worry about it."

Wang Cuizhi, what are you really thinking?

Wang Cuizhi smiled and said, "Of course I'm willing. I'll definitely treat my niece well if she marries into my family."

Old Master Cui looked at Wang Baochuan with considerable satisfaction.

After all, Wang Baochuan often visited their home when she was a child.

Zhou Wanwan said calmly:

She's about three months pregnant.

Cui Wenyuan, you're so lucky! She just married into the family, and you're already going to be a father.

Everyone was stunned.

The sister-in-law trembled in fright and said, "What nonsense are you talking about! My daughter is a virgin."

Zhou Wanwan scoffed, "A virgin? You say so, then so be it!"

Cui Wenyuan, standing to the side, said, "I do not wish to marry her."

Wang Cuizhi glared at him and said, "What did you say? Do you even have a place to speak here?"

Old Master Cui said, "Everyone's saying she's heavily pregnant! Our Cui Family isn't going to be taken advantage of."

Wang Cuizhi angrily said:

"You brat, do you believe I'll tear your mouth off?"

How dare you say my niece is pregnant? Aren't you ruining her reputation?

"What's wrong with this child? He's just spouting nonsense, isn't he making people feel embarrassed?"

"Wang Baochuan will never be able to get married in her lifetime, right? A woman's reputation is the most important thing."

Wang Baochuan burst into tears:

"Waaaaah... Why did you do this?"

Why did you spout nonsense in front of so many people?

How am I supposed to face anyone after this? I might as well be dead.

Sun Tai quickly added:

"Everyone saw it! She deliberately tried to harm Wang Baochuan and ruin her reputation, so the previous bet is null and void."

She's a wicked person; don't trust her.

Zhou Wanwan glared at Sun Tai and said:

"Let's keep this separate! I admit I said Wang Baochuan was pregnant, but that's not even confirmed yet, and you're already trying to break the bet?"

You're dreaming! We signed a contract, and we had witnesses, and the witnesses are right here!

Sun Tai sneered:

"You're treacherous and cunning; who knows what tricks you've played?"

You actually became number one in the county? Who would believe that? You must have cheated.

"Wasn't it Lord Shen who helped you cheat?"

Shen Tao quit:

"You just spout nonsense? Sun Tai, why do you enjoy spewing filth from your mouth so much? Does she need me to cheat? What a joke."

Their article is just so well-written; it's already posted as the best in the county. Why don't you go take a look?

Also, he said that Wang Baochuan had a problem with her belly.

Since no one believes it, then let's hire ten or eight doctors; it's not like I can't afford it.

Let's all take a look and see if she's really pregnant.