"Make a collection for the boy. It would be beneficial for you."

 Douglas’ indication was clear to the chief designer. The brand had to find a new direction the following year. His promotion of Qin Guan had attracted attention from the senior executives of the company.

 Meanwhile, Qin Guan's phone was packed with messages. Most of them were from old Columbia professors, a.s.signing more homework to him.

 However, among them was also a strange text from Xu Xiaoxiao: "Call me back".

 Qin Guan called him immediately.

 "Qin Guan, my grandpa’s birthday banquet is tomorrow. Come watch my performance!"

 "No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow. What should I wear? Should I bring a present?"

 "Us young guys will have a c.o.c.ktail party after the banquet. Formal attire is mandatory. And you are the best present for my grandpa!"

 What a silly boy! No one can go to a birthday party without a present.

 Qin Guan was not worried about that though. He was good at dealing with old people.

 Cong Nianwei had been invited by Wendy to join an architecture club at Columbia, so she couldn't attend the banquet with him.

 Standing before an ancient style mansion, Qin Guan fixed his black bow tie and called Xu.

 "Let him in! He is my friend!" The honest gatekeeper saw Xu shouting from the second-floor balcony and let Qin Guan in without a word.

 A shrine with joss-sticks was placed before the Guan Emperor [1], looking striking in the broad, elegant hall.

 It was surprising to see such a traditional idol in a modern house.

 Qin Guan followed Xu to a small hall on the second floor. There was a stage inside set up for a small-scale martial arts play.

 "Look at me!" Xu pulled Qin Guan to the backstage area to show off.

 Can I tell you the truth? You look like Pigsy [2] when you’re playing the Monkey King. 

 Qin Guan noticed that Xu Xiaoxiao had a lingering charm thanks to his makeup and costume. He just reminded him, "Stand still on the stage and watch your posture."

 It was better for Xu to stand still while he was singing.

 "Okay!"

 Qin Guan took his present out. "According to your description of him, I think your grandpa will like this."

 It was a delicate snuff bottle, half a finger tall. It was made of transparent glaze, and the bottle cap was red coral. Red fancy carps were painted on the bottle.

 It was an elegant bottle with an auspicious implied meaning.

 "Good snuff is hard to find in China. I took only a little abroad for fear of the custom check."

 Qin Guan took out a small antique case. It was snuff from a store at Tianhuizhai, which could be dated back to the Qin Dynasty.

 Cigarettes had replaced snuff for the time being. White people of the last generation preferred to play with the bottles.

 As a banana boy [3], Xu had never seen such a unique thing. He fondled the two items admiringly.

 "I’ll deliver them for you."

 By that time, people were already heading upstairs one after the other.

 The guests were all polite. They found their seats by looking at the numbers on their cards. Qin Guan peered out from the gap between the curtains. He felt a solemn vide in the room.

 There were similar Asian faces all around. Everyone was talking to each other happily. Qin Guan got a faint idea of what Xu's family was like.

 A thin old man in a Tang suit sat down at the seat of honor. He seemed hale and hearty. Xu's father announced the beginning of the banquet.

 "Where is Xiaoxiao?" Strict Grandpa Xu liked his eldest grandson the most.

 Xu's father knew about his plan. He smiled awkwardly. "Dad, everyone is here. We should just begin. Xiaoxiao will get here soon."

 Grandpa Xu looked around and waved his hands at random. "Okay."

 The opera troupe began its performance. Since this was a birthday banquet, the opera "Ma Gu Offers Birthday Felicitations" was a must.

 The curtain rose and a plump lady walked on the stage. She sang along to the rhythm.

 The chatting audience was shocked.

 At the beginning, they didn't recognize Xu Xiaoxiao because of the thick makeup on his face, but his voice betrayed him.

 "Ha ha ha..."

 "Good!"

 Grandpa Xu spit his water out. Xu's father grinned at him awkwardly. "Slow down, grampa."