Chapter 754: Chapter 753: Making Money to Spend on Your Partner Chapter 754: Chapter 753: Making Money to Spend on Your Partner Lu Mian felt that the object in front of her was quite a nuisance; it was tall and large, effectively blocking the entire doorway.
Only after she managed to pry it open did she see Xiao Qimo and Grandpa Xiao standing behind it.
Lu Mian noticed that the old man had changed into a fitted suit; despite being over seventy, he still stood ramrod straight, prompting her to straighten her own clothes.
Xiao Jianli put on the look of someone meeting her for the first time. “So this is Mianmian, huh?!”
“…” Lu Mian caught on and smoothly went along with it, responding gently, “You’re Grandpa Xiao?”
“Yes, it’s me, it’s me.”
“Hello, Grandpa Xiao.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Mian noticed that Xiao Qimo was standing quite far away, a full three meters from the doorway.
Only after they were done with pleasantries did Xiao Qimo step forward, his tone not particularly approving as he said, “This is the gift my grandfather brought for you.”
He was quick to distance himself from the relationship.
“Ah.” This big lump was for her?
Lu Mian had never received such a gift before; she looked at the huge and bulky stuffed bear somewhat oddly, unsure of how to get it into the house.
In her memory, it was Lu Xinnuan who liked such things.
“Mianmian, what’s wrong? Don’t you like it?” Xiao Jianli pulled the stuffed bear closer to his chest, “I couldn’t find a pink one, only this beige one.”
“Ah…” Lu Mian raised a slight smile, “No problem, beige is quite nice.”
She stepped aside to make way for the elderly man, who dragged the bear into the living room and claimed a sizable spot on the sofa.
Lu Mian turned to pour tea for the elder.
After Xiao Jianli entered, he took a quick look around the room. This apartment had the same layout as the one next door; upon reflection, it seemed like their master bedrooms were connected.
Xiao Jianli thought that if they opened a hole in the wall at the head of the bed, the two would practically be in the same room.
He approved of his grandson’s method of wooing a girl.
Lu Mian carefully brewed tea for Xiao Jianli, bringing the cup to the old man and taking the chance to study him closely for the first time.
Let’s consider this our first meeting.
Lu Mian noted the kindly and scholarly appearance of the elderly man, who bore some resemblance to Xiao Qimo around the eyes and eyebrows.
She paused slightly, “Grandpa Xiao, you seem familiar to me.”
Xiao Jianli took the cup and eagerly tasted the tea Lu Mian served, his face breaking into a hearty smile as he put the cup down.
“This girl Mianmian, she’s got a way with words.” Who said Lu Mian lacked emotional intelligence? She seemed quite smooth in conversation.
Xiao Jianli had watched Lu Mian’s show the night before and was aware of her performances and those breathtaking operations. At that time, he thought though the girl was straightforward and aloof, she was more than enough for his grandson.
Now that he saw her up close, he realized the girl had quite a high EQ, and she was good at closing the distance with others right from the start.
“Girl, I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere too.” Indeed, she looked familiar.
He was presbyopic, so he couldn’t see very clearly from the live stream, but having a closer look at Lu Mian today, he did feel a sense of familiarity in her eyes and brows.
“…” Xiao Qimo felt the two were making somewhat awkward conversation.
And he silently added in his mind, His mother, too, had been charmed and all smiles after meeting Lu Mian.
His grandfather would find out soon enough.
Showing little presence, the man pulled out his phone; nobody was paying attention to him, and bored, he texted Mo Si to give him something to do.
Xiao Jianli sat in the center of the sofa, his attention fixed on Lu Mian.
He asked some basic questions, the kind that family would ask, gaining a simple understanding of Lu Mian.
While drinking tea, his gaze had already swept over the living room, and at the most eye-catching spot, he saw a painting with a majestic presence.
Curious, he put down his cup and walked over with his hands clasped behind his back.
Lu Mian rose to her feet and followed by his side.
Xiao Jianli studied the painting for a while, his expression intriguingly thought-provoking.
If he wasn’t mistaken, wasn’t this the same painting that had hung in Meng Zhenqing’s store? Initially acquired for five yuan from Old Lu and resold for five hundred thousand.
Xiao Jianli suddenly recalled Meng Zhenqing’s son’s description of the customers: a young couple, the man was quite generous.
Due to this transaction going so smoothly, it had become the talk of the town and a notable accomplishment.
Xiao Jianli’s piercing gaze shifted from the painting to Xiao Qimo.
This unfortunate sap was his own grandson.
Lu Mian, seeing him look at the painting, asked in confusion, “Grandpa Xiao, is there a problem?”
“No, no, no, it’s not your problem!”
“Oh.” Lu Mian did not understand.
Xiao Jianli gave his grandson a look that was hard to describe. He’d decided that he wasn’t going to bring Xiao Qimo to Meng Zhenqing’s store.
“Mianmian, do you really painting?”
“The style of this painting, it’s quite good.”
“Oh?” Xiao Jianli was somewhat surprised; the pretty young girl actually liked this rough and bold style of painting, which didn’t match her youthful and beautiful age at all.
So about that stuffed bear he had gifted…
Xiao Jianli seemed to realize something and also noticed that Lu Mian’s home decor was as cold and minimalist as could compare to Xiao Qimo’s.
He cleared his throat, “Mianmian, you have very unique taste! Keep this painting well, it’s quite nice.”
“Mm.” Lu Mian pointed at Xiao Qimo, “Director Qimo gave it to me.”
“I know! If you like something in the future, just have him buy it.” Xiao Jianli was unabashedly direct and encouraged Lu Mian not to be polite with Xiao Qimo, “He earns so much money; if not to spend on his partner, then who?”
Lu Mian seemed to get something; earning money to spend on a partner, hmm.
Xiao Qimo’s gaze was deep and distant: Grandpa, your granddaughter-in-law here is actually a hidden rich lady. I want to spend money on her, but it’s just too hard.
Xiao Jianli didn’t dwell on that painting but leisurely returned to the sofa, sipping his tea, growing more and more pleased as he looked on.
Their first meeting… well, let’s just call it the first.
Lu Mian was more attractive than she appeared on TV, and she was the kind that grew on you. Standing next to his grandson, they were an absolutely perfect match.
Xiao Jianli saw his big bear being neglected off to the side, so he enthusiastically waved them over.
“Mianmian, Qimo, come here, I’ll take a photo of you two!”
Xiao Qimo was incredibly disdainful: No way? Really?
“Mianmian, sit here, Qimo sits there.”
Since the elder had spoken, Lu Mian, even though she didn’t really want to, obediently walked over and sat beside the big bear. Her slender frame made her look even more delicate.
Xiao Qimo, with a dark face and in consideration of his wife’s feelings, sat on the other side.
Xiao Jianli started to clumsily and slowly search for the phone’s camera function.