Zhao Meimei said with a smile, "Peng Hui, do you remember? She’s the sister of Brother Chao’s ex-girlfriend!"
Shi Yang thought for a moment and frowned, "Oh, was she the little chubby girl who took you to the high school to find me late at night?"
Zhao Meimei considered it; although the description was a bit different, it was indeed the same person. She didn’t bother to correct Shi Yang and rambled on about how Peng Hui had helped out the previous night.
Shi Yang was somewhat surprised, "Really!"
Zhao Meimei said regretfully, "I was so flustered at the time that I forgot to ask her for her contact information."
Shi Yang hugged Zhao Meimei, "If you didn’t ask, you didn’t ask. If we’re destined, we’ll meet again."
Zhao Meimei nodded, turned her head, and soon forgot about it.
In the days that followed, Shi Yang got completely busy—partnering with Mu Guangping to study how to attract franchisees. After agreeing on the details, he handed over the operations to Zhao Wendada. During this time, they hired five waitstaff and two company coordinators. Qu Chaozong focussed on the pedestrian street shops, and the remaining West District stores only needed some finishing touches. Wang Tianyu occasionally dropped by to check things out, which was pretty much it.
Shi Yang arranged everything in the provincial city, then drove Zhao Meimei home to handle the payment for the Naughty Castle and completely handed over the installation business to Third Brother; he also started to plan on selling the house.
After a hectic week, he finally squeezed out some time and called Qian Jinqiu to arrange a meeting.
Qian Jinqiu was at home that time, in a cold war with her dad.
Qian Yonggui, a dignified bureau chief, regardless of how mighty he was outside, ranked third at home—never even second—with Qian Jinqiu being the top dog.
Ever since that meal with Shi Yang’s family, after Shi Yang’s teasing, Qian Jinqiu made quite a fuss upon returning home. After learning the truth, she got enraged, yelled, and argued vehemently with her dad, leading to a total cold war.
Qian Yonggui bottled up frustration, secretly cursing Shi Yang as a little rascal, extremely audacious.
Qian Yonggui didn’t dare to provoke Qian Jinqiu face-to-face, seeing as his daughter fancied Shi Yang. His grievances remained unspoken, vented only occasionally to ease his anger.
Qian Yonggui tried handing her a shopping card: "Dear, since the season is changing, why not go to the mall and buy yourself a new outfit?"
Qian Jinqiu wouldn’t even glance his way, "Not going."
Qian Yonggui said, "There’s 5000 in the card, enough for you to buy that purse you mentioned you wanted before."
Qian Jinqiu quickly sealed her lips, "Not buying!"
As Qian Yonggui attempted another persuasion, Qian Jinqiu’s phone rang. Lazily, she reached out, glancing at the caller ID, showing her surprise at once before quickly answering the call, masking her excitement with a cough, and replying calmly, "Hello?"
"Hey, it’s me, Shi Yang."
Qian Jinqiu couldn’t stop the uncontrollable curl at the corner of her mouth, feigning a stern voice, "What’s up?"
"Got time to grab a meal together?"
Qian Jinqiu’s expression broke completely, "Sure, what time, and where?"
"How about now? Sichuan cuisine, is that okay?"
Qian Jinqiu responded promptly, "Sure!"
Qian Yonggui watched as his previously lifeless daughter suddenly became invigorated from a phone call, jumping out of the sofa like she was on stimulant, dashing to the bathroom, showering, applying makeup, and specifically wearing a recently purchased branded dress.
Nervous, Qian Yonggui asked, "Who called you just now?"
Feeling cheerful, Qian Jinqiu replied, "Shi Yang."
Now even more anxious, Qian Yonggui asked, "What did he want from you?"
While packing her bag, Qian Jinqiu casually answered, "Asked me to dinner."
Qian Yonggui puzzled momentarily, unsure what Shi Yang was up to.
Uncertain herself, Qian Jinqiu soon found clarity across a fiery Sichuan meal table, realizing Shi Yang’s intentions. Astonished, she asked, "You’re recruiting me as a city agent?"
Shi Yang nodded earnestly, recounting the pitch Mu Guangping initially gave him, ensuring transparency with his business progress and earnings details.
Stunned, Qian Jinqiu asked, "Why choose me? I thought you hated me."
Shi Yang smiled slightly, "You’ve got the capability, plus your major in college was marketing, wasn’t it?"
Shi Yang’s vernacular impactful—idle since leaving the Trade Bureau, bored and swayed by Shi Yang’s promising prospects.
Recognizing Shi Yang’s business achievements, rumors had reached her. Hesitantly, she asked, "But aren’t you bothered by how my dad treated you?"
Shi Yang calmly smiled, "Business is business. If I were in your dad’s shoes, I might do the same. The key is I’m interested in you, not concerned about who your dad is."
Enchanted by Shi Yang’s words, she finally agreed, "Alright, I’ll discuss with my family and promptly get back to you if everything’s good."
After concluding the formalities, Qian Jinqiu’s gaze fell on the ring on Shi Yang’s left hand middle finger. She had noticed it upon arrival and finally asked, notwithstanding curiosity, "Nice ring; got engaged to your lady?"
Shi Yang smiled brightly, "Yes, just got engaged a few days ago." The most update n0vels are published on novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Awkwardly, Qian Jinqiu said, "Congratulations. When might you introduce her to me?"
Shi Yang readily agreed, "Sure, next chance I get."
As they neared meal’s end, Shi Yang called a waiter to package two nice Sichuan dishes.
Watching Shi Yang, Qian Jinqiu asked jealously, "Bringing it home to your lady?"
Shi Yang chuckled, "She woke up late; she’ll likely be hungry when I get back."
She thought—no wonder they picked a Sichuan place—his lady must love spicy food.
Qian Jinqiu pursed her lips numbed by pepper, took her cup, and consumed more cold tea—too spicy, too unbearable!
The next afternoon, Qian Jinqiu phoned Shi Yang, arranging to visit the provincial store, asking his help to survey local shop locations, essentially cementing the deal.
Decisively, Qian Jinqiu paid Shi Yang a franchise fee, assuring his direct commission for future headquarters purchases.
While Shi Yang bustled, Zhao Meimei’s school approached the start of term.