Wang Qingchen arrived at the private room of the agreed-upon tavern to find Boss Xue and Steward Xu already waiting, having been there for some time.

“Ah, Qingchen, quickly, quickly! Come here and let me get a good look at you. It’s been so long since we last met, and now you return as a Juren Master!” Boss Xue exclaimed, rising with a smile as Wang Qingchen entered.

Steward Xu on the other side also stood up, a grin on his face. “Indeed, it has been ages. Now that you’ve finally returned, we absolutely must celebrate properly tonight.”

Looking at Boss Xue, whom he hadn't seen in ages, and Steward Xu, who had delivered the invitation just last night, Wang Qingchen laughed too. “It’s been too long; we certainly deserve a good long chat. Let’s all enjoy ourselves thoroughly tonight!”

After an initial exchange of pleasantries, the three resumed their seats. Boss Xue and Steward Xu had intended for Wang Qingchen to take the seat of honor, as the entire evening was meant to celebrate his success in passing the Juren examination. After all, he was now a Juren Master, a social rank significantly higher than theirs.

However, Wang Qingchen was unwilling to accept this. He did not want his recent achievement to alter the foundation of their working relationship. Therefore, Wang Qingchen insisted on refusing the main seat, instead ushering Boss Xue into it. His justification was that Boss Xue was the elder, and moreover, their family’s previous prosperity had been greatly aided by Boss Xue’s support.

Hearing Wang Qingchen’s reasons, Boss Xue felt a mix of emotions—gratitude for Wang Qingchen’s loyalty and recognition of past kindness, but also a touch of shame. His initial willingness to collaborate with Wang Qingchen was primarily due to Qingchen’s exceptional skill in horticulture, not any benevolent intent on his own part. Although he had tried to clarify matters when Wang Qingchen mentioned his past assistance, Qingchen always held fast to his own conviction that his family’s rise was solely due to him. After so many repeated assertions, Boss Xue had grown accustomed to it and stopped arguing. But now, for Qingchen to use that very point to insist he take the main seat, Boss Xue felt deeply undeserving.

Finally, under Wang Qingchen’s persistent urging, Boss Xue did take the seat of honor. Watching him settle in, Steward Xu felt a surge of quiet satisfaction. It seemed his efforts to build a good relationship with Wang Qingchen had truly paid off. Look how considerate he is, the steward thought. Even after achieving the rank of Juren, his demeanor hasn't changed; he remains just as respectful to us.

Neither Wang Qingchen nor Boss Xue were aware of Steward Xu’s internal musings. Once all three were seated, they called for the waiter to begin serving the food, which Boss Xue had pre-ordered and the tavern had long prepared, ensuring a swift arrival of the dishes.

As the waiter brought out dish after dish, Boss Xue turned to Wang Qingchen. “I ordered these dishes in advance, just in case the tavern was crowded tonight and service was slow. I’m not entirely sure if they suit your palate, so take a look. If there’s anything else you’d like, we can ask them to add it now.”

Wang Qingchen surveyed the feast spread before him—dishes both meat and vegetable, those with four legs, two legs, and even those with none. The table was already laden, more than enough for three men. Yet, Boss Xue invited him to order more. We can barely finish what’s already here, Wang Qingchen thought, and adding more would just lead to waste. This isn't the previous world, after all; provisions aren't inexhaustible. This is ancient times! Very few people could afford to enjoy such a spread for a single meal. So many common folk are still going hungry right now! Considering this, Wang Qingchen felt that ordering more would surely draw condemnation.

So, upon hearing Boss Xue’s offer, Wang Qingchen quickly shook his head. “No, no need. This is already wonderfully generous. If we add more, the three of us won't be able to finish it. In fact, we’ll struggle with what’s already on the table. There’s no point in ordering more. Besides, everything they’ve brought out looks excellent; many are my favorites!”

Seeing Wang Qingchen’s visible satisfaction with the current spread, Boss Xue said no more, but when the dishes were almost all served, he asked the waiter to prepare a small jar of wine.

“This is a celebration of you becoming a Juren, so how can we be without wine? We absolutely must drink until we can’t drink anymore tonight—what do you say?” Boss Xue was visibly excited.

Wang Qingchen had certainly shared drinks before in the provincial capital when socializing with others who had also passed the exams. Therefore, he didn’t refuse Boss Xue’s suggestion. He felt that Boss Xue and Steward Xu had accompanied him along this journey; without them, he wouldn’t be enjoying such a relaxed life now. Sharing a hearty drink with them would indeed be a pleasure.

When the wine was brought over, Steward Xu immediately snatched the jar and poured generous amounts into the cups before the three of them.

“Come, come! A toast first, to Qingchen passing the Juren examination!” Boss Xue stood up, raising his cup.

Wang Qingchen and Steward Xu rose in unison. “Cheers! Ganbei!”

After finishing the first cup, Steward Xu snatched the jar again and personally refilled all three glasses.

“This second cup,” Boss Xue announced, “is for our long-standing partnership! Come, Ganbei!”

After the second toast, Boss Xue didn't stop, beckoning Steward Xu to fill their cups once more. “This third cup is one I raise specifically to you, Qingchen. Even after achieving the Juren rank, you treat me exactly as you did before. For that alone, I must toast you properly. In the future, if there is anything at all I can do to assist you, just ask. Don't be polite with me, understood?”

Wang Qingchen smiled and nodded. “Naturally. When have I ever been polite with you? I wasn’t before, and I certainly won’t start now. I’m only afraid you’ll eventually find me too much trouble!”

“Hey, how could that be? Our door is always open for you,” Boss Xue assured him.

Afterward, the three men sat down and began to talk in earnest. They had so much catching up to do after being apart for so long.

And so, the three continued, alternating between conversation and drinking, showing signs of winding down only late into the night.

“My, it’s getting late now. Let’s call it a night here. We’ll meet again soon, Qingchen, what do you think?” Boss Xue glanced at the sky outside before speaking to Wang Qingchen.

Wang Qingchen nodded readily. He had noticed the late hour himself and knew it was time to wrap up, but seeing that Boss Xue and Steward Xu still seemed energized, he held his tongue, waiting for them to signal their own contentment.

“That’s fine. Since it’s already so late, we’ll find another opportunity to gather next time,” Wang Qingchen agreed.

They tidied up briefly and left the private room. Outside the tavern entrance, Boss Xue and Steward Xu’s waiting carriage was ready, while Wang Qingchen was planning to walk home.

Boss Xue frowned upon realizing this. “Qingchen, don’t leave yet. Come with us; we’ll drop you off first.”

Wang Qingchen shook his head. “That’s not necessary. We aren’t going the same way anyway. You two should go rest. I had a bit to drink, so walking back now and getting some fresh air will help me sober up, won't it?”

“Fresh air? You’ll give yourself a headache tomorrow. Besides, you’re already a little fuzzy from the wine; you might not even recognize the way home! Listen to me, ride with us. We’ll take you back first. It’s just a carriage ride within the county seat; it won’t take much longer.” Boss Xue insisted.

Seeing he couldn't refuse, Wang Qingchen dropped his protest. After all, he worried about catching a chill tonight and suffering a fever or headache tomorrow, especially since they were scheduled to visit the County School the next day—a trip they had postponed from today, deciding to rest upon his return first.

So, Wang Qingchen boarded Boss Xue’s carriage. Boss Xue escorted him all the way back to his residence before the others departed in their carriage.

Upon returning, Wang Qingchen found the main hall lit by a kerosene lamp, with Madam Huang seated there, mending a piece of fabric.

Hearing the movement at the courtyard gate, Madam Huang quickly set down her work and came over to the returning Wang Qingchen. “You were drinking tonight, I see. I brewed some hangover soup for you; drink it later, or you’ll have a headache tomorrow. I remember you’re meant to go to the County School, aren’t you?”

Wang Qingchen was momentarily stunned by her thoughtful preparations. “You waited up for me this long?”

Madam Huang laughed softly upon hearing this. “Not entirely. I needed to mend these clothes anyway, and since you hadn’t returned yet, I brought the work out here. I could keep busy while waiting for you, couldn't I?”

Wang Qingchen didn’t quite believe her words. Who needed to mend clothes this late, risking eye strain? Madam Huang must have been worried sick about him! Thinking this, Wang Qingchen felt a complicated, indefinable emotion stirring towards her.