Rebirth at the Start: This Fate is Too Explosive!

Chapter 93 Hosting a Celebration Banquet

The next morning, as dawn broke.

The Ye family courtyard was already bustling with activity.

Today is a grand graduation banquet held especially for Ye Fan, the "top scholar"!

Gu Ruoning once again counted the gifts that filled the trunk and car seats: in addition to the tonics for her grandparents, there were also gifts for her great-uncle Ye Rongshan (Ye Linzhang's great-uncle, the most senior and respected member of the clan), her second uncle Ye Linhe (who helped with the household affairs in their hometown), and gifts for her three aunts.

Of course, gifts for Gu Ruoning's family are also essential, and they must be plentiful.

"Is everyone here? Let's go!"

Ye Linzhang started the well-worn Nissan Sylphy, his voice filled with the joy of returning to his hometown and a hint of pride as the "father of the top scholar".

The car once again drove onto the familiar winding mountain road.

Ye Fan looked out the window, his mood different from when he returned to his hometown in the past.

This time, it carries a sense of ritual of "returning home in glory," a subtle anticipation of the upcoming grand occasion, and a solemnity towards ancestral worship at the ancestral hall.

As the car entered the familiar alleyway of Luxi Town, the scene before us was even more bustling than last time.

Grandpa Ye Dechang and Grandma Lin Xiuying stood at the entrance of the old house, surrounded by: their great-uncle Ye Rongshan, who was white-bearded and sprightly; their second uncle Ye Linhe; their three aunts and their families; their maternal grandmother Zhou Guifang; their eldest aunt Gu Ruofang; and many neighbors who had come after hearing the news!

A large group of people, all with smiles on their faces.

"Grandpa! Grandma! Great-uncle! Second Uncle! Aunts! Maternal Grandma! Uncle! Eldest Aunt! Youngest Aunt!"

As soon as Ye Fan got out of the car, he immediately put on a bright smile, spoke loudly, and greeted everyone in turn with impeccable manners.

He knew that he was the protagonist today, and he had to show the proper etiquette of the Ye family descendants, especially to be respectful in front of his great-uncle, who was of a very high seniority.

Upon seeing his cousin Ye Qingwan, his smile widened even further.

"Xiao Fan! Congratulations! Top scholar!"

Ye Qingwan stepped forward with a smile and gave Ye Fan a gentle hug in a graceful manner.

She inherited her second uncle's gentleness and her second aunt's delicate features. She had an elegant demeanor, wore thin-rimmed glasses, and exuded the scholarly air of a student from a prestigious university.

"Qingwan! You're back too!"

Ye Fan responded happily.

"Excellent! Excellent! The top scholar is back! What a blessing for the Ye family!"

Great-uncle Ye Rongshan's voice was loud and clear, full of energy. Although he was leaning on a cane, he stood up straight. He looked at Ye Fan with a smile, his eyes full of approval and satisfaction, and nodded slightly.

"Xiao Fan! You've really made our family proud!"

Grandpa Ye Dechang followed closely behind, grabbed Ye Fan's arm, patted it hard, and his face was filled with undisguised pride.

But in front of his great-uncle, he naturally took a half step back.

"Fanzi, you've made something of yourself!"

Second Uncle Ye Linhe chuckled and punched Ye Fan on the shoulder.

"Xiao Fan is awesome!"

The aunts gathered around, praising her in unison.

Grandma Zhou Guifang held Gu Ruoning's hand, then looked at Ye Fan, her eyes moist.

"Great, wonderful! Ruoning, you've raised a wonderful son!"

Ye Zhuyan quietly followed her parents and younger brother out of the car.

She didn't immediately squeeze into the center of the crowd, but first walked up to her great-uncle Ye Rongshan, bowed slightly, and spoke in a clear and respectful voice:

"Greetings, Great-Uncle. I hope you are in good health."

Then he turned to his grandparents and greeted them gently.

"Grandpa, Grandma, we're back."

Next came my second uncle and aunts, who greeted me politely one by one.

Finally, she walked up to her grandmother, uncles, and aunts, her voice gentle:

"Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Auntie, you must be tired from your journey. Grandma, are you tired?"

She naturally reached out and gently helped her grandmother up.

Her greetings were unhurried, graceful, and well-mannered. Her special respect for her great-uncle earned her nods of approval from the elders, who praised her as "knowledgeable and reasonable," "having the demeanor of a great family," and "truly worthy of being the eldest granddaughter of the Ye family."

The old house was instantly filled with laughter and warm family affection.

In the courtyard, the red banner proclaiming "Top Scholar in the Imperial Examination" gleamed in the sunlight.

Time flies, and it's almost noon.

The banquet was held on the spacious threshing ground in front of the Ye Clan Ancestral Hall.

Dozens of round tables were packed with people, including members of the Ye clan, relatives from near and far, town leaders, the principal and teachers of their alma mater, and relatives from the Gu family who had come especially for the occasion.

The air was filled with the aroma of food and wine, the smoke of firecrackers, and the festive noise.

The protagonist, Ye Fan, accompanied by his father Ye Linzhang and mother Gu Ruoning, embarks on a grand toasting journey.

The toasting route strictly follows the seniority: first, toast the great-uncle and several elders of the clan at the same table; then toast the grandfather and grandmother; then the maternal grandmother, uncles, aunts and other elders of the clan; next, the second uncles and aunts; then the town leaders, principals and teachers; and finally the cousins ​​of the same generation.

The elderly man at the same table congratulated the great-uncle:

"Uncle Rongshan! Congratulations! The Ye family has produced a worthy son, bringing glory to the family!"

Great-uncle Ye Rongshan smiled broadly and pointed at Ye Fan:

"It's all thanks to our ancestors' blessings; our children are so promising!"

Grandma held Ye Fan's hand, beaming from ear to ear:

"Xiao Fan! You've made Grandma proud! Grandma is so happy!"

The principal was beaming.

"Congratulations, Ye! Your alma mater is proud of you!"

My cousin Gu Haoyu (my uncle's son) shouted excitedly:

"Brother Fan! You're awesome! You'll protect us from now on!"

Ye Fan maintained a humble smile throughout, responding appropriately:

"Thank you, Great-Uncle! Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thank you, Grandma! Thank you, Principal! Thank you everyone! It's all thanks to the good teaching of our elders and the hard work of our parents in raising us."

His performance earned frequent nods of approval from the elders, especially his great-uncle, who stroked his beard and smiled continuously.

Gu Ruoning and Ye Zhuyan were responsible for taking care of the large group of female relatives.

Gu Ruoning was busy making arrangements, while Ye Zhuyan displayed a composure and attentiveness beyond her years.

She chatted with her grandmother, aunt, and other aunts; she talked with her other aunts about everyday things, and when responding to their praise of Ye Fan, she didn't forget to mention how well her aunts took care of the family; she also helped look after her younger cousins, speaking softly and gently.

When she saw that her great-uncle's teacup was empty, she walked over quietly and respectfully refilled it with hot tea.

She didn't talk much, but she was well-mannered and had a gentle smile. She always knew when to respond or offer help, making the atmosphere in the women's section warm and harmonious.

Grand Uncle observed this and whispered a compliment to Ye Dechang beside him:

"Zhu Yan is such a calm and composed child, she has the demeanor of an elder sister, very good!"

Zhao Mingzhe's family also arrived. Zhao Mingzhe's dark face stood out in the crowd, and he was mingling with Ye Fan's cousins.

At the height of the banquet's festivities, Grand Uncle Ye Rongshan slowly rose from the head table. Although he needed Ye Linzhang's slight assistance, his voice remained loud and authoritative, instantly drowning out the clamor of the entire room.

"Distinguished relatives! Dear in-laws of the Gu family! Honored guests!"

He surveyed the entire room, his gaze filled with deep affection and satisfaction:

"Today is a joyous day for Ye Fan, a descendant of the Ye family, who has achieved the highest honor in the imperial examinations! On behalf of our ancestors, I thank you all for gracing us with this honor!"

He paused, looked at Ye Fan, his eyes filled with pride:

"The Ye family has always valued farming and scholarship, and cherished education! Ye Fan has lived up to the family's teachings, his teachers' expectations, and his own years of diligent study! This is a glory for the Ye family, a blessing for our hometown of Luxi, and a joyous occasion for the Ye and Gu families who share the same bloodline! Come! Let us raise our glasses to celebrate the top scholar! To celebrate the Ye family! Cheers!"

"Cheers——!!!"

The great-uncle's prestige and words were highly infectious, and the cheers were deafening, pushing the celebration to its climax, with the clinking of cups and glasses never ceasing.

The banquet lasted until after 2 p.m.