Chapter 9

Just as small pets often bring him joy nowadays, he is quite willing to spend some money

The registration threshold for this competition is higher than usual. Ordinary participants are required to submit their works for review, and only those who pass will receive a participation permit, while some more accomplished young artists will be invited by the organizers of the competition.

Fan Hui: What is your situation?

Chang Li checked her email and indeed found the competition invitation letter from ten days ago

She is pressed for time, and coincidentally, it is the holiday season, causing ticket prices to rise significantly

Chang Li was momentarily taken aback, then bit into the fruit in his hand. The overflowing juice soaked the man's fingertips.

Sweet Pear: I really want to eat a meal JPG

Is your grandfather stopping?

Xu Ningqing flicked the ash from his cigarette, the corners of his lips curling into a subtle arc, savoring the moment: "Then I must thank you."

Before he could respond, another emoji was sent in succession.

As soon as the morning self-study session on Monday ended, she informed Meng Qingju and Fan Hui about this matter.

Yes, "Common Pear" nodded seriously

The child stretched out his jade-like fingers, the palms a pure white, with clear fingerprints. He carefully counted: "We need to buy paint and brushes, as well as food and drinks, and also a bag and clothes, among other things."

Unable to understand, she obediently played with her phone while eating beside me. After she came for the interview in the afternoon, people have gradually arrived for dinner. It has been a while now, and I haven't even had the chance to eat.

The little girl quickly replied: How to coax! Starry eyes JPG

However, the prize money for such international competitions has always been very objective, counted in US dollars

... ...

Fan Hui: However, the Western restaurant opened by my uncle is considered a high-end consumption area, frequented by people from the upper class. If one were to encounter a brainless and arrogant person, it could indeed be a bit troublesome. But what should you do if your bank card is suspended

Fang Ling reluctantly withdrew her hand

The night breeze was slightly cool, and Chang Li wore a dress that reached the middle of her thighs, so Xu Ningqing asked her to go to the car first

Sweet Pear: Starry Eyes JPG

Chang Li, relying on her youth and the status of the Chang family, became increasingly unrestrained. When Fang Ling once again called out "General Xu," she immediately grabbed Xu Ningqing's sleeve.

Meng Qingju bit into the soy milk and asked, "How much longer until the competition?"

She did not reach out to take it, feeling both strange and somewhat embarrassed, so she whispered, "I still have money now; when I run out, I will borrow from you again"

Chang Li could not help but stare at him, and the more she looked, the more she felt that it was incredible how handsome the man was

The Chinese language teacher is discussing the essay from the last exam, which is on the topic of independence

The recently "bankrupt" Chang Li still maintained an air of confidence, slightly nodding to the woman with a cool and distant demeanor, without extending a handshake: "Hello"

I heard that Li Huan also received an invitation letter," Fan Hui said, "She was talking to Li Mi yesterday, probably didn't expect you to participate as well, and she said that this time she is definitely going to win the gold cup

Xu Ningqing lazily leaned back in his chair, fully aware of the girl's thoughts, yet he had no intention of exposing them. With a compliant smile, he leaned forward and placed the dish of ketchup in front of her

Fang Ling had been holding in her anger all night, and she was about to explode

The man raised his eyebrows playfully, deliberately teasing her: "What can you tell?"

When Chang Li arrived, the driver was standing by the car. She had met him once before and greeted him with a cheerful smile and a wave.

Exit the Western restaurant

I thought you were quite well-behaved. Xu Ningqing looked at her and said, How could you treat that sister like this

During the first period of the Chinese language class, Chang Li secretly took out her phone to book a flight ticket

Chang Li calmly said, "I still have a little money."

The man had just drunk red wine, his suit draped over his arm, his shirt rolled up, and the collar undone with two buttons, revealing his beautifully contoured collarbone. As he relaxed, the air of aloofness and charm about him became even more pronounced.

Chang Li was well aware that as a student, with her grandfather backing her, no one would take a child's impoliteness seriously

Chang Li quickly chewed the orange a couple of times and swallowed it, then whispered, "Are you going to call my grandfather to say that I have no money?"

Chang Li leaned against the back of the seat, slightly furrowing her brows; in fact, it was not entirely without a solution

The man raised his eyebrow: "Don't?"

Xu Ningqing smiled, picked up her phone, and replied leisurely

That evening, Chang Li went to check on the oil painting competition organized by Japan.

Ah," Xu Ningqing elongated her tone and nodded, "How expensive is it? Let me see if I can afford it.

Uncle: Sing a song

The matters of cooperation have been discussed to a considerable extent in a relaxed atmosphere. This collaboration is inherently beneficial for both parties, and the signing of the agreement is unlikely to encounter any issues; it primarily concerns the negotiation of specific details and the distribution of benefits.

Zhang Shuo immediately called the servant to add a few more dishes, and reminded her, "Little friend, please eat a bit more, don't be shy."

As soon as he raised his eyes, he met Zhang Shuo's gaze, which was filled with ambiguous scrutiny

Chang Li was being influenced while simultaneously opening the chat window with Xu Ningqing

Chang Li's heart raced violently twice due to his series of actions just now

In the past, when she booked tickets for travel or competitions, she would merely glance at the ticket prices and never bothered to remember those numbers. It was only this time, upon checking again, that she realized how expensive the airfare actually was

If you listen more carefully, you will notice that the young girl has a sticky and soft voice, for instance, the way she calls "Mr. Xu" is even more delicate and full of twists and turns

Moments later, Zhang Shuo returned

Yet she still has to serve this ancestor with good food and drink, and even if she is angry, she must swallow her feelings

Chang Li Man shrugged nonchalantly

Five days, precisely during the National Day period

Zhang Shuo watched the little girl skip towards the garage with her bag, unable to suppress a smile. He turned his head and teased, "Still impressive, President Xu. This wife has been raised since childhood, and she is still the most favored granddaughter of Old Master Chang."

Xu Ningqing is in the conference room, raising a hand to pause the meeting. She looks at a meme sent by a child, featuring Crayon Shin-chan holding a bowl and crying, with the caption "I really want to eat"

In mid-October, there will be an oil painting competition held in Japan. Chang Li participated in this competition two years ago and won the gold cup, so she originally did not plan to compete again

Uncle

What?

People in the business circle are well aware of the interpersonal relationships, and can discern the situation with just a glance

Chang Li was quite afraid of the man continuing to ask questions, as further discussion would lead to those things she found difficult to mention, regarding Chang Shilin's illegitimate child, and about her parents' laughable and nominally existent marital relationship.

Fan Hui immediately sent a string of "ah ah ah ah ah" over

Xu Ningqing no longer teased her, took out his wallet, opened it, and handed her a card, saying: "This card should still have some money in it, you can take it and use it for now"

Chang Li inexplicably discerned another layer of meaning from his words, so she blinked and said earnestly: "I am very expensive"

Just as she hesitated to reply to Fan Hui, Xu Ningqing returned

Perhaps Ning Qing did not ask again

Uncle: Let's talk about "Falling in Love with Someone Who Doesn't Come Home"

Isn't the plate just within reach with a simple stretch of the hand? Why bat your eyes and act cute to ask others for help in getting it?

Xu Ningqing looked at the child who was tilting his little head back, with soft black hair cascading down his chest. His pair of eyes was pure and beautiful, yet his voice was like a little hook, scratching at the heartstrings and causing a delightful itch.

Chang Li hurriedly averted her gaze, and as she attempted to cover up her embarrassment with a cough, she heard the man chuckle softly and leisurely ask: "Are you happy now?"

Chang Li was displeased and clung to his arm, accusing him: "But you just quit on my behalf!"

This dog of a man has indeed not forgotten

She opened the English email and read it carefully

Chang Li said in a drawn-out voice: "Did I not tell you? The card has been suspended."

Sweet Pear: Uncle.

Fan Hui: Your little uncle doesn't seem like a good person! Why is he so nice to you! I'm about to start shipping this couple!

No

Xu Ningqing did not insist and directly put the bank card back into the wallet

The man chuckled, bringing the topic to a close. He leaned forward to take a hand-peeled orange from the fruit box in the front seat and, looking down, asked: "Now, let us discuss why there is a lack of money"

This time it is a photo of a little girl crying, with the caption "I'm sorry, I'm here to ask for money again"

The young girl had just finished her bath, draped in a soft, fluffy towel over her shoulders, her wet hair cascading down, and the light from the computer screen reflecting on the tip of her pert nose

The little fox blinked and held a French fry in its left hand: "I want a plate of ketchup"

The driver could not help but shake his head; this young master Xu was indeed just as the outside world described him, a scoundrel

He drank alcohol in the evening and had already called for a driver in advance

She only interjects occasionally

Chang Li suddenly felt her ears flush in the classroom

"It's so expensive," Xu Ningqing said, "Uncle can't afford it."

Xu Ningqing remained unperturbed by the eight winds, his expression unchanged as he returned a smile, offering no further explanation

Chang Li stared blankly at the bank card

Fang Lingjue is indeed the new wave pushing the previous wave aside, what she has is nothing, this is truly high-level green tea

"She is interested in you," the young girl said unhappily. "Do you think I didn't see? She was secretly rubbing your leg under the table!"

"Chang Li, the granddaughter of Old Master Chang." Xu Ningqing introduced in a very official manner

He paused for a moment, unsure of what scheme the little devil was concocting.

Meng Qingju asked: "But what about the airfare? It seems that the organizer only provides accommodation and meals"

Xu Ningqing let out a light scoff, raising her chin in a superior arc: "Is your little uncle really unable to even support a child?"

As soon as she sat in the car, Fan Hui sent a message asking how her first day at work felt

Money cannot be obtained in this manner; one must first please the person in order to receive the money

My mother

When Fang Ling was trying to find a way to talk to Xu Ningqing

As expected, Zhang Shuo's smile remained unchanged, and he praised her: "Little sister has a lot of personality."

The child slightly puffed out his cheeks, widened his eyes, and displayed an expression that was hard to describe: "Can't you see it?"

She stared blankly, and as a result, the man turned his head and locked eyes with her directly.

He stopped just short of elaborating, nodded slightly, and placed the peeled orange segments near the person's mouth

The driver couldn't help but glance through the rearview mirror; the man had a pair of peach blossom eyes filled with laughter, and his voice was equally nonchalant, a bit mischievous yet somewhat roguish, like playfully teasing a small pet.

Indeed, after a moment of being taken aback with a cold expression, Fang Ling once again raised her smile and said, "So it is Miss Chang."

I day

Today is the final deadline for responding to the invitation. Chang Li was initially somewhat hesitant, but upon seeing this deadline, she immediately replied that she would participate in the competition

Xu Ningqing smiled nonchalantly and patted his shoulder, saying, "Mr. Zhang, please refrain from meddling in matters of romance."

Chang Li succinctly recounted the earlier events to her

After a pause, the child still did not forget to take credit for himself, saying, "If it weren't for me being here today, you would definitely be bothered to death by that person right now"

The man withdrew his hand and naturally tore off a piece of paper to wipe the juice from his fingertips: "Why didn't you tell me you were short on money?"

"It is quite lively here," he casually teased, his gaze falling on the girl next to Xu Ningqing. He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "General Manager Xu, who is this?"

Later, Xu Ningqing and Zhang Shuo discussed professional content related to business. Chang Li was somewhat familiar with certain terms, but she completely did not understand them; she had a head that would get dizzy at the mere mention of numbers and logic

The little girl pinched his shirt sleeve with her two slender fingers, softly calling out "Uncle" in a voice that sounded both cautious and somewhat pitiful at first hearing

The child bit into a segment of orange, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster, looking somewhat dazed. Xu Ningqing raised her hand and snapped her fingers in front of her eyes: "Are you daydreaming, little rascal"

Chang Li was uncertain whether the money in her account was sufficient, and after pressing the payment button, she indeed received a response indicating insufficient balance