After leaving Zhujiang New Town, Zhang Chunxue once again took him on a tour to survey other properties, giving off the distinct impression that these were the territories she had conquered for him.
Good Taste Duck Necks, after over five years of development, now has a headquarters park in Sanhe Town with two twelve-story buildings covering more than fifty acres.
The land was half sold and half gifted by the local government, and the money for the construction of the headquarters building was all borrowed from the bank at a low interest rate. Just as discussed during the initial visit to Chuxi Village, Good Taste Duck Necks has now become a beautiful postcard of Sanhe Town. The local tax revenue had increased nearly fivefold in five years, and the prospects were still promising for the future.
Zhong Wenqing had received a phone call in advance and was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as the Maybach entered the park, she quickly jogged over to greet them.
"Sister Qingqing," Xu Qingfan called out, leaning his head against the car window and waving at her.
"You little rascal," said Zhong Wenqing, patting his head before greeting Zhang Chunxue on the other side of the car, "Sister Zhang."
"Wenqing, why bother coming out yourself?" Zhang Chunxue smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"I just happen to have some matters concerning dealings with government departments that I’d like to discuss with Sister Zhang," she replied.
"Let’s talk about it upstairs," Xu Qingfan said, getting out of the car.
"How are you still so short? You’re almost in eighth grade," Zhong Wenqing teased, gauging the height difference between them with a laugh.
"We’re through as friends!" Xu Qingfan rolled his eyes at her and walked around to link arms with Zhang Chunxue.
Ha ha ha~ Their little antics made both women smile beautifully.
Zhang Chunxue didn’t visit the headquarters very often, so the employees who passed by only greeted Zhong Wenqing and then sneakily sized up the stylish and beautiful lady with curious eyes.
As the evening approached, both office buildings were still brightly lit. The group of four took the elevator to the eighth floor, where Zhong Wenqing’s office was located.
The main purpose of this trip was related to Good Taste Takeout; cooperation from headquarters was needed for the online platform launch.
Once Zhang Chunxue sat down, she quickly started discussing business with Zhong Wenqing, while Xu Qingfan hung around without being able to chip in at all.
Good Taste Takeout didn’t have any shares owned by Zhong Wenqing, including the platform’s commission and delivery fees for the riders—all of these needed to be negotiated. Zhang Chunxue took the documents from her secretary and explained the plans they had prepared to Zhong Wenqing.
The two talked until almost seven o’clock. Having spent the entire day with Zhang Chunxue, Xu Qingfan had learned a great deal.
He suddenly felt he understood the words once said by Zi Ru in his previous life when facing the camera, "Even if I do nothing every day, just watching her in meetings, listening to what she talks about, what she does, all of that makes me feel incredibly happy."
Following a top-notch entrepreneur, indeed, one could learn a lot.
Although Zhang Chunxue couldn’t be considered a top-notch entrepreneur just yet, she was beautiful!
Returning to Li City, it was nearly nine o’clock. Xu Qingfan massaged his buttocks, weary from sitting so long, as he made his way home. No matter the price of the car, sitting for extended periods always resulted in a sore butt.
Yao Jiping was off to play mahjong, and Xu Aiguo went fishing; the two elders would not end their nighttime activities before half-past ten. However, with the house door wide open and lights on, there was no need to guess that Xia Xiaoxiao was inside.
"Xia Xiaoxiao, come out and pour your grandpa a cup of tea!" Xu Qingfan shouted toward the living room after changing into his slippers, and sure enough, Xia Xiaoxiao emerged from his bedroom, along with her beloved boomerang slippers.
"Why were you gone so long?" The young girl snatched her slippers from his hand and slid them onto her feet.
"I’m dead tired, had to make another trip to Chuxi Village. Go get me a glass of water; I don’t want to move!" Xu Qingfan said gracelessly as he sprawled on the living room sofa.
"Lazybones!" Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him before turning to head into the kitchen.
Before long, the girl returned with a glass of water and said as she handed it to Xu Qingfan, "I spat in it!"
"Really? That’s a bonus!" His eyes lit up as he took the glass and eagerly gulped down the water.
Xia Xiaoxiao stopped herself from speaking then started again, only to halt. In the end, she could only punch Xu Qingfan on the head in annoyance, took the glass back, and returned it to the kitchen.
"Heading to Gualv Square for karaoke?" Xu Qingfan asked after Xia Xiaoxiao came out again.
"Where else would I go for karaoke if not Gualv Square?" Xia Xiaoxiao gave him a look that said, "Isn’t it obvious?" and then added, "Oh, by the way, take a look at this for me!"
With that, the girl raced back to her room and soon after returned with a registration form in hand.
"2009 Xiangnan TV Super Girl Audition Application Form?" Xu Qingfan read the title slowly, stretching out every word.
"Yeah, some strange man gave it to us after we finished singing. He even asked for my phone number, but I didn’t give it to him," Xia Xiaoxiao explained.
The application form was made of coarse paper that felt unpleasant to the touch, and Xu Qingfan’s first instinct confirmed that this man was a fraudster.
Some idlers in society specially target adolescent girls who are less wary and still harbor dreams of stardom, setting traps to swindle them for money or take advantage of them sexually.
Even worse, after signing unfair agreements, they force girls to engage in illegal activities.
"Don’t even think about it, that guy is definitely a scammer. I remember you have to be at least eighteen to sign up for Super Girl, and you two will only turn thirteen after this year’s birthdays, so why bother registering!" Xu Qingfan said without a second thought.
"I knew he was a scammer. Ruan Wen even wants to sign up behind her parents’ back. I’m going to talk to her about it!" Xia Xiaoxiao said and immediately ran back to her room to contact Xiao Ruawen on QQ.