“Maria, the Song of Phoenix is a gift that I carefully selected for Grandpa. You also think that it's a good book, don't you?"

Vivian decided to take the initiative.

It was her gift for Mathias. Vivian thought that Maria wouldn't dare be so rude and say that it wasn't a brilliant book to upset the old man. Maria kept silent for a while, so Vivian was satisfied.

But then after a moment, with a cold tone, Maria spoke. "I actually don't know. I haven't read it, so I don't know if it's any good."

Vivian was left red-faced and embarrassed by Maria's attitude.

“In that case, I'll advice you to do some further reading!"

That was all Vivian could come up with at the moment.

Mathias flipped through the book Vivian presented him. The first few pages of Song of the Phoenix were all he could handle before he set it aside.

“This is no good."

The comment from Mathias was succinct and to the point.

He held nothing back when he said it was not good.

Vivian's embarrassment level rose. She questioned, “You've just read a few pages so far, Grandpa. You haven't read so much as 1% of this book Why did you already say it's no good?"

Mathias shook his head and said, "The writing style is very poor." After some consideration, he scratched his head and said, "The beginning alone looked just so..." He seemed struggled to find the word to describe how he truly felt.

“Trying too hard?" Maria gently reminded him.

"You!"

Vivian shot Maria an angry look. Still, she knew better than to shout at Maria in front of their grandfather.

“Yes, yes! That's what I wanted to say.”

Mathias nodded and tapped the book cover with his finger.

“I've read the first few pages of this book. I could sense that the author was attempting to spoof Female Military Counsellor, and she failed miserably at it. To me, she is just trying too hard."

Having heard such a remark from Mathias, Vivian felt too ashamed to claim credit as the creator of Song of Phoenix.