I Just Want Players to Save Money, They Insist on Giving Me!
Chapter 329 - 123: Applause Sounds, Step Up to Receive the Award! Thirty Years East of the River, Young Man!_7

Chapter 329: Chapter 123: Applause Sounds, Step Up to Receive the Award! Thirty Years East of the River, Young Man!_7

Ke’s youngest daughter, in the eyes of her older brothers and seniors, was unanimously recognized as obedient and docile, and not only lovely and beautiful but also a talented painter. Truly both intelligent and beautiful, she was the kind of daughter-in-law one could only find by the grace of a lantern’s light in the darkness.

Li really fancied this young lass.

In the past, he felt embarrassed to speak up because his own son didn’t have much to show for himself.

But now things were different!

At the young age of 25, he was already attending such grand evening events.

Give it another decade or so, who knows what he could achieve?

Wouldn’t that mean he’d be striding straight toward the New Year gala?

Liquor emboldening his courage, Li put down his chopsticks and mustered up the guts to say,

"Ke, I’m serious here, we’ve known each other for so many years, why not let your girl give it a try with my boy?"

"Get out of here, not a chance," Ke Jun dismissed outright.

Li then pulled his stool closer and persisted.

"How about this, Ke, give my son a chance and let your young lady give it a try with him, meet for a match. If it works, it works; if not, so be it. Whatever the result, as elders, we’ll still give our blessings, right? After that, I could get my relative who holds an office in the city to help your son Ke Jin find a stable job in Jianglin City?"

"Your son Ke Jin must be close to 24 this year, soon to turn 25, and he hasn’t found a partner yet, right? His job isn’t anything to speak of either, is it?"

That statement rendered Ke Jun utterly silent.

His daughter was still young, not yet 20, and not in a hurry to get married.

But that damned boy did indeed give Ke Jun a headache.

Seeing him laugh all day, without knowing what he was so happy about.

Not having a partner was a fact.

His job not amounting to much... was also a fact.

Previously, Ke Yu mentioned something about him drawing the character "Zheng" all day at the company.

As for that job... when relatives and friends asked, Ke Jun didn’t know how to explain it.

And the monthly income was just three to four thousand or so.

I heard the boss at that company fires people every now and then, jobs being as stable as a house of cards.

Nevertheless, Ke Jun still shook his head.

Although he had drunk quite a bit, his mind remained clear.

He was strict with his children’s upbringing, but when it came to their romantic relationships, Ke Jun never rushed them or brought up the subject of matchmaking on his own terms.

Son or daughter, it had to be something they wanted for themselves.

Seeing Ke Jun shake his head, the group started to clamor.

"You’re still shaking your head? Ke, have you had too much to drink?"

"Exactly, Li has laid it all out for you. If I had a daughter, I’d have given it a shot long ago. There’s no harm in trying."

"A stable job! Won’t you reconsider?"

"The trouble with Ke, this stubborn old boy, is that he’s as stubborn as an ox."

"Enough already, Ke, the Li family is really not all that bad."

Facing the persuasive words coming at him from all sides,

Ke Jun, growing somewhat impatient, waved his hand and pointed at the TV screen, saying,

"Enough, enough, don’t say I don’t give a chance. Li, if your boy can get an award here and truly distinguish himself, I’ll be the first to bring my daughter to your doorstep with a marriage proposal, how about that?"

As soon as the words were out, Ke Jun immediately regretted them.

What am I saying?

Sure enough, the other older brothers looked at him with expressions as if to say, "Are you still dreaming?"

After all, the elders gathered here were just ordinary folks.

At most, through their assorted aunts and uncles, they could claim to know a few somewhat influential people, which was already something to brag about.

In such a grand ceremony, watched by millions of viewers,

To win an award?

Win what, exactly!

With so many people in Huaxia Nation, how many could actually win?

"Well, Ke, you must be drunk to the point of confusion, just spouting whatever comes to mind."

"Hahahaha, your condition is just too far-fetched."

"Forget it, it’s pointless. Ke, you’re really no fun," Li Tianbo also waved his hand with slight annoyance, "I’m being serious with you, and here you are, spinning some impossible dream?"

"If any of our sons were that capable, would we be worried about them finding partners?"

Seeing the conversation turn a bit tense, someone quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over,

"Let’s all calm down, why get so heated over a little drink?"

"And Ke, you also need to face reality. We’ve played together since we were kids, and I know your family used to be quite the sight back in the day. But times have changed, it’s been thirty years after all,"

"If you’re still measuring your kids against the achievements of your dad and my Uncle Ke, that’s just unrealistic."

"Exactly," someone else chimed in: "For us ordinary folks, it’s enough to be modestly wealthy. Everyone who wins an award here, isn’t each one a nationally acclaimed superstar?"

"We shouldn’t even dream of becoming stars."

Though they were ostensibly trying to mediate, the group was clearly, whether intentionally or not, leaning toward Li Tianbo— all criticizing Ke Jun for setting his sights too high.

After all, Li Tianbo’s son was truly making something of himself.

But what about your son? What’s he doing now?

As everyone continued to take sides with their comments.

At that moment, the excited and high-pitched voice of the female TV host could be heard.

"The winner of this year’s Annual Best Art Award goes to the chief designer of Number One Player Company, Mr. Ke Jin!"

"With an overwhelming number of votes, leading the entire field! He has become the best of Huaxia Nation’s art for this year!"

"Let’s congratulate Number One Player Company and its chairman, Mr. Ke Jin!"

No sooner had the TV set echoed these words.

The previously noisy banquet fell abruptly silent.

Everyone was dead silent, staring blankly at the TV.

In the frame.

The Ke family’s young man was wearing a crisp and neat navy-blue suit, looking mature and restrained.

With a handsome and confident face, he strode onto the stage and, amidst warm and affectionate handshakes from a venerable and esteemed elder, accepted the heavy golden trophy.

Throughout the entire interview segment, the room remained quiet, everyone looking completely dumbstruck at the screen.

After the interview concluded, the audience erupted in excitement, applause thundering through the venue!

Down below, a swarm of young and beautiful girls rushed up, each eagerly presenting flowers to the Ke family lad, taking photos with him, some even seeming eager to plant kisses on his face.

And among them.

They saw a familiar figure.

It was Li’s son!

Carrying a bouquet of flowers, he appeared quite emotional as he presented them to Ke Jin, then red-faced, only asking for an autograph.

Once he got what he wanted, he happily bounded down from the stage like a kid, jumping for joy.

The atmosphere in the room grew so quiet it was almost eerie.

The silence persisted until the camera moved away from Ke Jin.

People then exchanged glances before they all looked in Ke Jun’s direction.

But now, their eyes weren’t filled with the same jeering condescension as before.

It was an unbelievable astonishment!

What they had just deemed impossible.

Not only had it happened to the Ke family...

But the prize wasn’t just any prize!

It was the nation’s top honor of the year, the most prestigious of the nine major arts, brimming with merit!

They swallowed hard, wanting to say something but found themselves speechless.

Even Li Tianbo, who’d been rather displeased earlier, upon seeing his son acting like a little fanboy, nearly fainting with joy at getting Ke Jin’s autographed photo, could understand the weight of the award.

Thinking back to the not too distant past, when he actually thought of matchmaking Ke’s daughter with his own son.

Even suggesting helping the Ke lad find a secure government job in the city.

Li Tianbo felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, wishing he could just crawl into a hole.

Meanwhile.

Ke Jun remained silent for a good while.

His gaze shifted back from the television screen.

His face alternated between shades of doubt and deep furrows on his brow.

Then, he lifted his cup from the table and downed it in one go.

After issuing a long, drawn-out click of his tongue.

He took in the shocked, astonished, and incredulous expressions of his old friends, their eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.

His expression evolved from initial bewilderment and thoughtfulness to becoming cheerful, and the furrows on his brow relaxed into a broad, self-assured smile as he laughingly said.

"Thirty years have passed on this side of the river—that speaks of my dad, Ke Xiangyang."

"Old pals, now my son is the one reigning on this side of the river for thirty years! Hahaha!"

"Thinking of matchmaking my precious daughter? Sure, but first, you’ll have to ask her brother if he agrees!"