"Captain Liu, since we're going to eat, it wouldn't be polite to arrive empty-handed, so I brought a bottle of wine."
After Li Jing got into the car, he showed the wine box in his hand to the other party for a moment, and then placed it on the back seat.
"President Li, you're too kind."
Seeing the wine box in Li Jing's hand, a trace of surprise flashed through Liu Huaming's heart, then he nodded and said, "My older brother doesn't have many interests, but he does love drinking. However, he probably won't drink today; this wine isn't cheap, but it's suitable as a first meeting gift."
Upon learning during the day that he would meet the person behind Liu Huaming in the evening, Li Jing contacted Zhou Shun, who informed him that the person liked drinking, so Zhou Shun helped him get a bottle of Red Moutai.
As Red Moutai has ceased production and is difficult to purchase through regular channels, even though Zhou Shun sourced it for him, Li Jing spent over ten thousand yuan.
Seeing Liu Huaming's reaction now, Li Jing knows the money was well spent.
Although Li Jing himself does not want to get too deeply involved in the other party's circle, he understands that as his value increases, he will inevitably come into contact with power and status.
Rather than spending money later to find people when troubles arise, it's better to make connections now, which can also give him more confidence in thriving in Tianhai.
He can avoid causing trouble for others but must have the ability to deal with trouble. For example, the issue with the film crew's venue this time is a good illustration.
In Hua Country, having money certainly allows one to enjoy a life most ordinary people cannot touch.
But power can turn a wealthy person's life into ashes overnight.
So, given this opportunity, Li Jing does not object to meeting them.
After all, his goal is to enjoy life, and engaging with circles at this level is part of his experiencing the world.
The car quickly entered a community with a seemingly low-profile exterior.
As the sky was already dark, Li Jing didn't have time to see the appearance of the community clearly, but noticed the security personnel were exceptionally strict.
Driving, Liu Huaming explained, "If you were driving your car, you wouldn't be able to enter this community at all."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing turned his head to glance at the high-spec security kiosk and nodded.
He thought that was everything; however, upon getting off and walking to the floor's unit entrance, he discovered there was even someone specifically standing outside on duty.
Upon seeing Liu Huaming, the staff seemed to recognize him and immediately straightened up.
Without saying a word, Liu Huaming directly walked in.
Taking the situation in, Li Jing said nothing more and followed the other inside the building.
After getting on the elevator, Liu Huaming remained silent, while Li Jing calmly stood aside.
When the elevator door opened, Liu Huaming nodded at Li Jing and was the first to step out.
Upon arriving at the house, the door was already open.
Liu Huaming now had a smile emerging, seeing the dignified middle-aged woman inside, he warmly exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, I'm here."
"Oh, Hua Ming is here."
The middle-aged woman wore a perfectly tailored, plain-colored qipao. Her gestures were full of grace and poise.
Though she was not young and wore no makeup, her delicate facial features were still apparent, especially the slight upward curve of her lips was just right, combined with holding a string of Buddhist beads, exhibiting a composure and elegance ordinary people lack.
Liu Huaming turned to introduce Li Jing: "President Li, this is my elder brother's wife, also a well-known professor in the Chinese department at Tianhai University."
Saying this, he then faced the middle-aged woman with a respectful smile: "Sister-in-law, this is President Li."
Li Jing, at first glance, recognized her as not simple. As Liu Huaming had mentioned her name prior, he nodded and smiled, saying, "Hello, Professor Xu."
Seeing Li Jing's modest demeanor, Xu Yingning slightly nodded and then smiled, "President Li is even younger than I expected, truly promising."
"Professor Xu praises too much, I'm just a bit luckier than others."
Li Jing chuckled. As he changed his shoes and was about to enter the room, a woman looking like a nanny walked over with a tray, respectfully saying, "Mr. Li, may I keep your mobile phone for you?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jing raised an eyebrow and glanced at Liu Huaming.
Seeing the other party slightly nod, Li Jing then placed his mobile phone on the tray and conveniently handed over the wine as well.
After taking the phone, the nanny then bowed, smiling as she invited Li Jing into the room.
The rules in this circle are even more numerous than imagined.
Li Jing squinted slightly, after walking inside with Liu Huaming, he did not see his elder brother's figure.
At this moment, Xu Yingning smiled as she explained to Liu Huaming, "Huaming, your elder brother is busy with his flowers and plants in the backyard; why don't you go help him?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Huaming seemed to realize and immediately rolled up his sleeves, smiling, "Elder brother's plants are growing better and better, I've learned a lot following him."
"Ah, you guys just can't stop, still busy even at home."
Xu Yingning shook her head helplessly, then beckoned and smiled at Li Jing, "President Li, we've just received some good tea at home, would you like to try it?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jing speculated that Liu Huaming and his elder brother needed to chat alone for a while, so he smiled and nodded, "Sure, I don't know much about tea, so I'll learn from Professor Xu."
Seeing the other party directly admitting his ignorance, Xu Yingning's smile became slightly more sincere: "Haha, no worries, I don't know much either, all these are gifted."
After the two took their seats, Xu Yingning and Li Jing started to chat casually.
Li Jing didn't understand the ways of the officialdom nor was he part of this circle, so he couldn't pretend to be mature and sophisticated.
Thinking that the other party probably wouldn't like people who pretend too much, he straightforwardly said what he meant, focusing on being genuine and sincere. Which was better than feigning understanding or being overly tense.
Sure enough, after a few exchanges, Xu Yingning noticed Li Jing's difference.
Others coming to the house were either like Liu Huaming—steady and watertight—or overly humble and restrained, trembling with fear, making them seem overly submissive and lacking character.
Li Jing, on the other hand, spoke directly, if he understood, he said so; if he didn't, he admitted it. Basically, what his heart thought, his mouth spoke—just using polite and appropriate words.
Obviously, Li Jing's way of talking and personality exceeded Xu Yingning's expectations.
Perhaps due to Li Jing's age similarity with Xu Yingning's son, or his modest yet frank attitude, after ten minutes, Xu Yingning's gaze towards Li Jing became slightly more closeness.
Li Jing naturally sensed the change in demeanor towards him, feeling relaxed as it seems he didn't bet wrong.
Previously, Liu Huaming mentioned that the couple didn't favor overly slick people, now Li Jing's way of expressing was exactly to their liking, allowing him to breathe easier as well.
Otherwise, being tense all the time would be uncomfortable.
At this moment, Liu Huaming walked over from the direction of the backyard, upon seeing Li Jing and Xu Yingning drinking tea, smiled and said, "President Li, my sister-in-law's tea isn't something everyone gets to taste; you are fortunate today."
"This tea isn't much. Having chatted with a young person like President Li, I feel much younger myself." Read complete version only at NoveI(F)ire.net
Just as Xu Yingning smiled and answered, Li Jing quickly followed up with, "Professor Xu always looks young and beautiful; one might mistake you as my elder sister by only a few years."
Li Jing's words weren't exaggerating. Though Xu Yingning was already fifty, she was well-maintained, dressed young and elegant, and spoke gently, appearing indeed like a woman in her thirties.
Praising a woman's appearance is never wrong.
Upon hearing Li Jing's compliment, Xu Yingning indeed broke into a broad smile, shaking her head but with a face full of joy: "I'm not a sister; age-wise, I could actually be your aunt."
Seeing Xu Yingning's pleased expression, Liu Huaming was internally surprised, not having expected Li Jing to gain his sister-in-law's favorable impression so quickly.
Shortly thereafter, he heard a sound behind him and immediately gestured to Li Jing with his eyes, before turning and respectfully addressing the approaching figure:
"Elder brother, this is Li Jing, President Li, I've mentioned to you."