"Is there anything inconvenient?"
"Well... a little..." Bai Xiaoqian smiled bitterly. "If it's just about selling flowers, Mom and Dad, plus the machinery, and I lend a hand after school, we can still manage it. But if we use this place as a party venue, then we might have to hire other people - our family doesn't want to increase that kind of expenses, and there's no need to say it, and Mom's eyes and body are not in good condition -"
Although the suspicious Chu Shangli didn't think that what Bai Xiaoqian said was the whole truth, her statement was still within the acceptable range, so she nodded.
"That's true—after all, even after rigorous screening, we don't know everyone's character. They might bring unexpected trouble to the family..."
"If..." Tan Xing began timidly and cautiously, "If classmate Bai Xiaoqian doesn't mind—no, although I know what you said is very reasonable and all your concerns are within a limited range, but—if one day you suddenly change your mind, I would be willing to accept your employment—compared to those messy part-time jobs out there, I think this is much better. I think my brothers and sisters think so too."
"Can I regard this as your consideration, classmate Tan Xing?" Bai Xiaoqian asked in a low voice.
"Of course." Tan Xing blurted out, then immediately denied it: "No, that's not the case. This is just what I think is a more reasonable method - I haven't thought about being considerate or anything like that at all. In fact, I just want to be able to make money in a place that is convenient for me and that I like -"
"Tan Xing, you really like to talk about money." Chu Shangli complained.
"No... I can't help it." Tan Xing curled his lips. "I can't be like you, Luo Dongxia, who can use any talent to make money. I'm timid, and even if I try my best to study, I can't sit in the first seat. So, I pay special attention to the value of money. When you reach a level like Luo Dongxia, you won't care about material things at all."
"No, I'm very materialistic—in fact, I care a lot about money. However, I might be luckier than you in that I've never lacked money since I was a child—"
"That's too Versailles." Tan Xing took a deep breath and then said seriously, "But I'm serious—I've never been envious—"
"Really?" Chu Shangli glanced at his face: "Not even a little bit?"
“…”
If he were a truly slick and stubborn person, Tan Xing would have simply answered "yes" here.
However, unexpectedly, when Tan Xing actually answered, he hesitated.
"like……"
"Hey, hey, since it's just a conversation, there's no need for you to be so hesitant. You seem so spineless—"
"No, I've thought about it carefully. I think I should answer this question honestly." Tan Xing whispered, "Well, yes, I should answer here. Actually, there is a little bit, but it's just a little bit. I don't want to take over Luo Dongxia's life, nor have I ever thought of using any means to obtain it. But, if I can get it through legitimate means, I think... I should still be willing to do so."
"Do I need to be this honest?" Chu Shangli tilted his head.
"Honestly, I don't know either." Tan Xing adjusted his temples. "But - my mother taught us to follow our desires, so I think this is not bad..."
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