Chapter 150: Winning
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At the hotel.
Zhou Mei looked at the message and shouted excitedly, “I think 1 won a prize!”
Wen Xing leaned over curiously and took a look. “Tickets to the Forbidden City? A family trip of four?”
Zhou Mei nodded with excitement. “A few days ago, 1 received a registration link that mentioned a lucky draw taking place at the Forbidden City. 1 decided to sign up for it, never expecting to actually win! Today is the day we need to go according to the notification. Coincidentally, Wen Nian doesn’t have any filming scheduled for today. Let’s pack up and head out quickly!”
Wen Yu had also never been to the Forbidden City. It was particularly challenging to secure tickets during the New Year period. Numerous families visiting the capital for the holiday season would opt for the Forbidden City as one of their destinations.
Initially, the Wen family was unaware that advance booking was necessary. By the time they intended to purchase tickets, it was already too late. They had assumed they wouldn’t have the opportunity to visit this renowned attraction on this occasion. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the turn of events.
Wen Yu rushed into Wen Nian’s room, brimming with excitement, to share the good news. When the family finally arrived at the Forbidden City, it was already close to noon. Zhou Mei promptly headed towards the designated location mentioned in the message to obtain the tickets.
In a small room adjacent to the Forbidden City, a middle-aged woman could be found. She was breathing heavily and stomping her feet to ward off the cold. “When did the Forbidden City organize a lucky draw? There wasn’t any news at all. And they chose this place that doesn’t have a heater as the prize exchange venue. I’m freezing. When will that family arrive?”
“Hello, do we redeem our prize here?”
Upon hearing the word “prize,” the woman’s reaction was akin to hearing the call of nature. She hurriedly approached the window, clutching the ticket. “Yes, this is the location. Please present me with the details of the winning information!”
Zhou Mei swiftly retrieved her phone and, upon verifying that the information matched what the organizer had presented, the woman eagerly handed over the tickets. “Please proceed inside quickly. There’s a tour guide room at the main entrance. Once you show them the winning information, the organizer will assign you a tour guide for the Forbidden City. It’s one of the prizes for this event.”
Zhou Mei did not expect it to be so simple. She happily took the tickets and confirmed again worriedly, “It doesn’t cost anything to be a tour guide, right?”
The woman replied affirmatively, “Don’t worry, it’s free.” With that, she closed the door and windows and ran back to the office.
Initially, Wen Nian had thought it was a scam. However, when she witnessed Zhou Mei actually holding the tickets, she couldn’t help but remark on her mother’s rare stroke of good luck.
The family entered from the front and successfully received their assigned tour guide.
The tour guide was a young girl in her twenties. She had a Bluetooth earpiece in her ear and a small microphone at her collar. It was obvious that she was a professional tour guide.
The little girl revealed a sweet smile. “Welcome to the Forbidden City. My surname is Li, and I’m your tour guide this time.”
Every door and wall within the Forbidden City bore the weight of history. From the moment their tickets were checked and they stepped inside, it felt as though everything before them became a scenic attraction.
After Tour Guide Li introduced herself, she began the explanation, starting from the front door, with the Wen family.
The Forbidden City spanned an expansive area of 720,000 square meters. Despite numerous restricted sections, it was impossible to explore the entire open area in a single day. Typically, tour guides would lead tourists to the most renowned and classic destinations.
After two hours, Tour Guide Li led the Wen family to the imperial garden. “This area was exclusively designated for the Emperor and his concubines to relax and enjoy themselves. The prominent feature here is the Panxiu Mountain, a 14-meter-tall rockery. During the annual Double Yang Festival, the Empress would ascend this rockery pavilion to admire the picturesque views of the imperial garden.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Nian playfully teased her parents. “Come on, Dad and Mom, let’s hurry up and climb to the top to experience what it feels like to be treated as the emperor and empress.”
Zhou Mei smiled when she heard that. She held her husband’s hand and said, “Let’s all climb up and enjoy being the rulers of a feudal society.”
As Wen Nian walked towards the back, she eventually reached the top. To her surprise, she heard Wen Xing’s astonished voice coming from the front. “Little Shen? 1 never expected to encounter you here in the Forbidden City. What a remarkable coincidence!”
Shen Jun was also dumbfounded when he saw the Wen couple. “Uncle, Auntie?!”
Just as Shen Jun was feeling fortunate that he had only encountered these two individuals…
Wen Nian rushed to the front with a smile. “Shen Jun.”
When Jin Ting saw Wen Nian, she took a step forward and held Shen Jun’s arm. She looked at Shen Jun and asked curiously, “Brother Shen Jun, is this your friend?”
Shen Jun swiftly withdrew his arm and cast a glance at Wen Xing and Zhou Mei. He could only respond, “This is my classmate, Wen Nian.”
Upon witnessing this, Jin Ting promptly wrapped her arms around Shen Jun’s arm. Shen Jun attempted to pull away once more, but Jin Ting persistently held on and embraced his arm again.
As Shen Jun noticed the teasing expression in Wen Xing’s eyes, he began to feel that his and Jin Ting’s actions resembled those of a couple having a playful argument. The more he tried to explain, the more awkward the situation seemed to become.
Shen Jun paused his actions and proceeded to explain verbally, “Uncle, Auntie, what a coincidence to run into you here today. My mother’s best friend’s daughter has recently returned to the country, and she wanted to visit the Forbidden City. So, I brought her here.”
Shen Jun explained to Wen Xing and his wife, but his eyes drifted to Wen Nian from time to time..