Chapter 29 Business in Progress
As is customary, after the family dinner, all three families would stay overnight at the old house.
Tonight was no exception. The elders accompanied the two elders to have tea and chat, while the younger generation had their own plans. As long as they could get up early the next morning to have breakfast, they were not required to follow any rules about not staying out all night.
Lian Zhongming returned to his courtyard. He was clearly being groomed as the heir. While his uncle could chat with him at the tea table, he still had many matters to attend to.
“…Okay, I’ll be right there!” Lian Zhongyu waved to Lian Suhe. The two of them had a group of friends in Yunhai who knew them well and had arranged to meet up beforehand.
Lian Suhe glanced at Lian Yi, still resentful about how Lian Yi had teased her that night. She snorted softly, picked up her bag like a proud little swan, and got up.
"Lian Yi, where are you going? I'll take you." Lian Zhongyue's calm face showed a smile as he walked up to Lian Yi.
Lian Yi glanced at her eldest sister, who had initially seemed to want to come over and talk to her. The sister stopped because of Lian Zhongyue's words. Lian Yi didn't pay much attention and nodded indifferently.
It was almost nine o'clock, and the road back was less congested than when we came.
Lian Zhongyue's car, just like his personality, is low-key and composed.
Even Lian Zhongming, the eldest son, has several sports cars parked in his garage, and Lian Zhongyue, who is only twenty-three years old, seems to have already achieved a calmness that is indifferent to external desires.
"Where are we going?" He fastened his seatbelt and asked Lian Yi in the back seat with a smile.
“Huanyue Club.” Lian Yi was a little carsick. She disliked the leather smell in the car and frowned, saying, “Open the windows, this smell is awful.”
"Feel sorry."
The two front windows slid down quickly. Lian Zhongyue, driving, said sincerely, "It's a newly replaced car, and the smell hasn't dissipated yet. We should have opened the windows to air it out first."
Lian Yi chuckled lightly, "Even Suhe is driving a Lamborghini abroad, right? You've been doing things for my dad, haven't you? What, the money he gave you isn't enough to buy a decent car?"
"Suhe is a girl, she should be raised with plenty of resources."
Lian Zhongyue smiled and said, "I'm mainly here to learn and train with my second uncle. But the Lian family's benefits are very good. You can tell by the fact that I was able to buy this car on installment after only a little over a year."
"A car is something that just needs to be drivable."
Lian Yi lowered her eyes slightly, "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just afraid that others would think that our family had mistreated you, that even though the Third Young Master worked hard for a year and a half, you still couldn't drive a luxury car."
Her condescending arrogance was too blunt.
Lian Zhongyue listened without any displeasure. Instead, he smiled helplessly and said, "Being able to learn from my second uncle is the greatest gain for me. Alright, I'll work harder and try to get a luxury car in the next few years."
His reaction and attitude were impeccable, as if he were helplessly indulging his spoiled younger sister.
As others have described him, he is mature, steady, promising at a young age, and has a bright future.
After a moment of silence in the car, seeing that Lian Yi had lost interest in commenting on his spending habits, Lian Zhongyue turned the steering wheel, and the car turned onto a route towards the suburbs.
"Your second uncle is very optimistic about your idea of starting a business. He must be very pleased to see that you are willing to take this step."
Lian Zhongyue laughed and said, "I wonder if I have the honor of knowing your business ideas before them? Don't worry, Fourth Brother is not here to spy on you, much less to tattle. Perhaps after hearing about them, I can even give you some advice."
"Heh." Lian Yi curled the corners of her mouth, her smile somewhat mysterious, her slightly round eyes seeming to gleam with smugness. "Of course not. My idea is already very mature, and it will definitely cause a great sensation. It won't let my dad's two hundred million go down the drain."
"……Yeah?"
Lian Zhongyue's expression remained unchanged, but his gaze subtly darkened. After a moment, his otherwise ordinary features softened into a smile, giving him a very approachable air.
He sighed, seemingly with some regret, "You're right to do that. A good idea is the foundation of a project's success. Don't leak it out easily. It seems you've really grown up."
"Of course."
"But this also reminds me of when I started my own business. My mom invested ten million yuan. I was just as full of vigor back then, and I was very confident in what I was going to do."
Lian Zhongyue said with a smile, "Even my grandfather asked about it. You know, when he asked, of course I couldn't hide it from him."
"The old man had a sharp eye and pointed out the flaws in my idea with just one sentence. He almost made me give up on the idea. I sat there all night and barely managed to come up with a solution, but unfortunately the final result was still unsatisfactory."
"Looking back now, I realize that my thinking was not mature enough and I was too impulsive."
That's you—
A girl's slightly raised voice came from the back seat, carrying a confident disdain and a hint of urgency.
Lian Zhongyue smiled slightly.
"Compared to my ideas, what you were doing with that software back then was just child's play." Lian Yi narrowed her eyes, concealing the impatience in them; she really didn't like dealing with these people.
What they think, what they say, and what they actually do are completely different.
Those schemes and calculations were laid bare in her eyes.
However, Lian Yi naturally had to cooperate fully in the performance.
She knew that her father intended to groom Lian Zhongyue as his successor.
With no sons and his only daughter being so useless, it seems he only has this one option left: to choose a reliable descendant from among his blood relatives to inherit the family business.
The other party was clearly aware of this as well. What kind of person he was was not important; what mattered was what kind of junior his father and other elders in the family wanted to see.
It was clear that even though the other party knew she posed almost no threat, they remained vigilant.
Lian Yi felt somewhat helpless about this. They were both in the same boat, and in the future, Your Excellency would just be a stumbling block on the path to the pinnacle of life for the real heiress.
Why bother staring at her while she's being so hypocritical?
But the plays that need to be performed still need to be performed.
“I went to Hecheng a couple of days ago and saw a glass greenhouse at Jingyun Middle School there.”
The back seat was quiet for a while, then the girl's somewhat reluctant but slightly hurried voice rang out again.
It was as if he was trying to hold back, but when the person in the driver's seat really didn't ask any more questions, he couldn't help but blurt out the words.
"The glass room with a room full of fresh flowers is quite beautiful, especially when the sunlight shines in and the light changes, the whole scene is very dreamy, I quite like it." She smiled slightly.
"I see." Lian Zhongyue's expression was calm, and his tone seemed somewhat indifferent.
"So, I was thinking that Yunhai is economically developed, but it doesn't seem to have any special features." Lian Yi raised her eyebrows slightly. "I plan to build a glass greenhouse in Yunhai, the kind that everyone who comes to Yunhai must visit."
"..."
Lian Zhongyue was speechless for a moment. He looked up at the rearview mirror, his doubts mixed with the smug confidence he felt when he saw the girl's delicate face, and his anticipation for her reaction.
"A very bold idea." He paused, then chuckled to himself.
It seems that these two hundred million are destined to go down the drain.
There was some regret, but more than that, there was amusement at the fact that I actually wanted to be wary of myself.
“Right? The glass house standing in the city center can be seen from the outside as a variety of beautiful flowers. When the lights are turned on at night, it is a different kind of beauty.” Lian Yi smiled and said, “The flower pots should be made of crystal handicrafts, and the lighting should be designed so that the light is visible but the source is not visible. Various artificial crystals should be used for decoration.”
"It's a pity that there wasn't much money left after buying the land, otherwise I would have really liked to use natural crystals."
The regret in her words left no room for doubt; one could believe that this was truly what she thought.
Lian Zhongyue nodded and suggested, "Actually, I have a small suggestion."
Despite Lian Yi's displeased frown, his expression remained sincere.
"Instead of spending money on bidding for land, why not choose to lease it? And your idea is quite unique. I think we can go beyond Yunhai city and try looking at first-tier cities across the country?"
"The initial funding may only be enough for you to select two or three cities as a pilot project. If the idea receives positive feedback, you can then continue to expand it."
“By then, your glass greenhouse will surely be admired throughout the country, and even the world.” He paused, a smile spreading across his composed face.
Even Lian Yi, who was playing the role of a foolish and ignorant rich girl, almost lost her composure. She pretended to be thoughtful and surprised, concealing the brilliance in her eyes.
I didn't realize that; dogs that bite don't bark much, as expected.
After a moment, Lian Yi smiled slightly and said with some restraint, "Hmm, this suggestion is alright."
"By the way, have you thought about a profit model?" Lian Zhongyue looked up and saw the brightly lit scene halfway up the mountain. He drove up the mountain road and was overtaken by speeding sports cars.
"..."
Seeing the girl in the back seat deep in thought, she looked up at him with a hint of impatience, as if he had asked her a troublesome question at such a perfect moment.
Lian Zhongyue suppressed the urge to smile.
Even if his second uncle changed his mind, it didn't matter. He believed that after Lian Yi's extremely foolish actions, even if his second uncle was influenced by blood relations, he would still want to hand over the Lian family to Lian Yi.
The board of directors would not agree, and the shareholders, big and small, would certainly not want such an aircraft carrier to fall into the hands of a rich heiress who has huge sums of money but has built a toy.
What a naive and ignorant idea! Lian Zhongyue almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Hmm... charge an entrance fee, then. It's so beautiful, how could we let them in for free?"
Lian Yi casually made up a plan, which also served as a last-minute arrangement for the project: "Let's set the ticket price at 999. We'll also specially commission a batch of crystal handicrafts. People who buy tickets can choose a flower in the glass greenhouse and then select their favorite handicrafts to have them made into preserved flowers."
"It can be made into essential oil or perfume or something. If you choose extra flowers, one hundred per flower will do."
She squinted as she pondered. The cost of making these things is actually very high, and this pricing is even aimed at losing money, but the general public will not weigh whether the two are reasonable.
A flashy but impractical product, coupled with an exorbitant price tag, is bound to attract a barrage of ridicule.
She couldn't see any way to turn things around in this plan, so she nodded reassuredly, "So, isn't this a great idea?"
As for any profits that result in losses, she'll just donate 20% somewhere random, and when they ask, she'll feign ignorance and say it's not a deliberate attempt to evade taxes.
The main selling point is that there's no way to lose money.
After pulling off this job, and then making a move at the real Qianjin Fishpond, she only needs to wait until the plot unfolds on her twentieth birthday, and then she can retire happily.
Lian Zhongyue suppressed the urge to laugh and thought about it seriously for a moment. "Well, this price really can't be lowered."
There was no possibility of profit, and he didn't care about fame either. In that instant, he realized that his thoughts were completely aligned with Lian Yi's, and he really couldn't think of any possibility of gaining anything from this project.
This perfectly matches his perception of a naive young lady who is spoiled by her family and has no business acumen.
Two hundred million.
Even though he was born into the Lian family and his mother had a considerable business empire overseas, Lian Zhongyue couldn't help but feel a slight sneer in his heart.
Being born into the right family is truly a blessing.
"Since you offered some helpful advice."
Compared to the luxury cars parked in the open space, this sedan looked rather ordinary and drab when it drove in. Lian Yi got out of the car, held onto the top of the door, and said to him, "Want to come in and have some fun?"
"No, thank you." Lian Zhongyue shook his head and smiled, "The company actually has a meeting waiting for me to chair. I've been very busy lately and really don't have time. Maybe next time."
Lian Yi cooperated by showing a sympathetic expression, "How pitiful... Alright, be careful on the road."
"Okay, don't stay out too late, go home early."
Lian Zhongyue smiled with concern, "Don't worry, Fourth Brother will definitely keep what you said tonight a secret."
"Okay, go ahead."
Lian Yi closed the car door, turned around, and a slightly mocking smile appeared on her lips.
With such support, there's no need to worry about not retiring soon.
…
…
Li Ming didn't realize that he had been holding the coffee cup for a long time without taking a sip.
When he finally met this 'sugar daddy', he couldn't help but feel disappointed, even though the other party did indeed own a company that was somewhat related to the Chen family.
However, the fact that she didn't get out of the luxury car or have a group of people surrounding her attracted a lot of attention as the aloof young woman pushed open the door.
But Li Ming wasn't some amateur interviewing for a job and about to sign a contract with a company. When he saw the plastic-looking, somewhat childish watch on the girl's wrist, his heart sank.
Her simple clothes, with no discernible brand, could be explained away by her low-key personality.
But what rich kid would wear a watch that's not even sold at night market stalls anymore?
But as soon as Meng Er sat down, his straightforward remark left Li Ming no time to overthink.
"If I invest money in you, what value can you bring to me?"
The eighteen-year-old girl looked at him coldly. Although it was an equal gaze, Li Ming, who considered himself experienced in the industry, felt a strange pressure.
In that instant, he felt as if he had entered a large company and finally met the investor he had been waiting for so long to spare a few minutes to listen to his anxiously explaining plans and seeking investment.
"I'm sorry, I'm not interested in your company's past accolades."
"If it's just this kind of outdated thinking, I think your company's ideas will be submerged in the waves and become sand at the bottom in the future market."
"Even with investment secured, you're only now putting your efforts into this field. Mr. Li, who do you think will stagnate and wait to be surpassed?"
"Your company's market share has been squeezed in the past two years, and your artists have started to rely on selling nostalgia to gain popularity. There are even voices online that are tired of this."
"So what do you think is the value that makes my investment worthwhile?"
Meng Er calmly watched Li Ming, who was deep in thought, and kindly gave him time to think.
The world has excellent copyright protection, which, when applied to the music industry, means that even if every song is available on a music platform, listeners who want to download or listen to the full track after listening to a preview must purchase it according to the platform's pricing.
Therefore, there are almost no individual musicians.
If you can't sign with a company and get publicity resources, then even if your personal creations are amazing, you still won't be able to appear in the public eye.
You can either stick to your own beliefs, give up, or learn to go with the flow.
This has resulted in industry companies monopolizing musicians. What kind of works will become popular depends on the company's judgment of current trends and then the allocation of resources.
Occasionally, some unique musical works that deviate from the mainstream will emerge and create a new trend, while the style remains within a few categories.
Li Ming had long since abandoned his disdain for Meng Er. After a long while, he was about to launch into a long, eloquent speech, recounting the theories he had shared with every investor and fund manager during this period.
But at this moment, he knew very well that such formulaic words would not move the person on the other end.
"Meng..." Li Ming hesitated for a moment before speaking. Looking at such a young face, he really couldn't bring himself to call him President Meng.
"Miss Meng."
Li Ming took a deep breath and said seriously, "If, and I mean if, you are willing to invest, may I ask how much capital you can provide?"
"Fifty million."
Meng Er had no intention of keeping him in suspense and calmly stated the amount she couldn't afford at the moment.
The money Xu Yitong left with her was for next week's plans and couldn't be touched. She didn't even consider using it. Of course, an investment isn't something you just decide on and then transfer all at once.
Besides, we're still in the negotiation stage, so let's make a promise first and then implement it in stages.
Li Ming fell silent. Fifty million, but Meng Er wanted 35% of the shares.
Two years ago, if someone had offered him this, even just five percent of the shares, he would have smiled, taken out two hundred yuan, and told them to buy a pillow and get a good night's sleep.
Isn't dreaming more realistic than this?
But now he and Guguji are forced to retreat to Hecheng, barely clinging to this small piece of land and barely surviving.
The company's mainstay terminated its contract at the end of last year, and the new owner readily paid a penalty, while also using the Gugu machine to create hype, causing the Gugu machine's stock to slump for several days.
This triggered a series of negative chain reactions.
Li Ming nodded, his expression serious. "Miss Meng, capable people are not judged by age. I can tell that you have ideas for the future of the Gugu Machine."
"I think this investment amount, and your requirements, are acceptable."
He sat up straight, staring at Meng Er, "But I'd like to hear your thoughts on the future of the Gugu Machine."
"From the establishment of Gugu Machine to its ups and downs over the years, to be honest, I have always regarded it as my own child. Please forgive me for this mentality, but I would like to know your suggestions on the Gugu Machine operation plan if you disagree with it."
Meng Er glanced at him calmly, somewhat surprised that Li Ming could say such a thing.
The other party's attitude clearly leans towards being willing to accept this investment.
She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, "The specific ideas are not clear enough at the moment."
Both Li Ming and she knew very well that this was just a pretext. Before it was officially settled, the core concept was thrown out, and neither of them was that stupid.
"I can only tell you that, according to my vision, the next development direction for the Gugu machine is—"
Meng Er remained calm. "Free music, membership system."
Li Ming almost jumped to his feet, not because the two words contained any groundbreaking or brilliant ideas, but because he found them absurd and felt he had wasted the entire night.
However, based on the calm demeanor displayed by the other party, Li Ming suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, calmed down, and raised his questions.
"Free music... let's leave that aside for now."
It's not that no one has ever done it before, but they're all dead beyond repair.
For a music platform to have users, the prerequisite is that users can hear the songs they want to listen to on your platform. Purchasing copyrights costs money, and usually, the platform and the company adopt a revenue-sharing system.
Without substantial copyright support, failure is inevitable from the start. And even if copyrights are acquired, who will compensate for the lost revenue?
Those who attempt to disrupt the established profit rules of an industry will only be crushed by collective forces.
Li Ming took a deep breath and said, "The membership systems of major platforms now offer discounts when purchasing songs, as well as a number of free listens per day. These listens also incentivize songs to appear on the member recommendation charts."
"What kind of membership system does Miss Meng want to implement?"
"What you really want to know, but feel is that it's unnecessary to waste time learning about free music, is that right?"
Meng Er calmly pointed out his thoughts, "The difficulty in making music free lies in the sanctions imposed by major music companies, making it impossible to obtain copyrights. The only copyrights that can be bought are those works that are already unknown."
“...Yes.” Li Ming did not deny it.
"I will provide you with detailed plans regarding these concepts after the contract is signed."
Meng Er had no intention of adding credibility to her words. She was waiting for investment with the money in hand, and what she valued was the relatively mature framework of the Gugu Machine and its current precarious situation.
Of course he could refuse, as long as he had the backbone.
Otherwise, why would she, who holds the reins of power right now, rush to explain?
"The only thing I can tell you right now is that if you want to solve the copyright problem, instead of contacting outsiders, you should create it yourself."
Meng Er leaned forward slightly, her clear, cold eyes fixed on him, and calmly said, "For example, talent shows."
"select……"
This concept wasn't difficult for Li Ming to understand—the imperial concubines of ancient times, the various beauty pageants of today—but this thing…
As Li Ming frowned and pondered, he suddenly realized the connection between the talent show format and music. He looked up in surprise and asked, "You want to start with those individual musicians?"
“This industry needs a change.” Meng Er lowered his eyes and glanced at the melting ice in his glass of water. “A comfortable environment will lead people to choose more conservative and error-free models, and the direction driven by ambition will only collide within a specific range.”
"If no company is willing to break the pattern that everyone is happy to follow, why can't Gugu Machine be the first?"
"Mr. Li, I believe you also yearn for such an opportunity to become a pioneer of change."
I don't know why, but it was a very flat tone, and I couldn't hear much coldness in his voice.
But Li Ming inexplicably felt a sense of affirmation and appreciation.
While ignoring the strange feeling of the other person's mature demeanor despite his young age, he repeatedly thought of the word "pioneer" in his mind.
Although Li Ming still doesn't have a clear idea of what Meng Er is thinking, he is not just a businessman who was lifted up by opportunity because he was able to create the Gugu Machine and make it occupy a certain position in the past.
The failure of the Gugu Machine has actually made him lose the arrogance that came with his success.
"President Meng."
Li Ming took a deep breath and reached out his hand.
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
"It's a pleasure to work with you."
Meng Er slightly curved the corners of her mouth, revealing a sincere smile that, though small, contained genuine agreement, and warmly shook his hand.
…
…
The investment agreement has been finalized with Meng Er.
Lian Yi smiled more. She didn't have much ambition; she was just making plans for the future. She had no attachment to her current life.
After all, everything she has now is based on her status as the daughter of the Lian family.
The struggle for power and profit is common in any family, let alone a behemoth like the Lian family, whose wealth and name alone are enough to make people fight tooth and nail for it.
She actually admired the real heiress in the outline, who, despite lacking resources like money to raise her, was still able to compete with, and even crush, a large number of people after returning to a wealthy family.
If it weren't for this hilarious plot, which destined her and the real heiress to be on opposite sides, it would be a different story.
Lian Yi really wanted to get to know this protagonist, but unfortunately she could only do so as a villain.
The Huanyue Club is located halfway up Qingwu Mountain. Its main recreational activities are racing. Whether they are second-generation rich kids or successful people, they all like to come here for leisure.
Racing was merely a bridge to make connections.
The group of friends who invited Lian Yi over tonight were a group of acquaintances she was on fairly good terms with. Most of them rushed back after hearing that Lian Yi had returned to Yunhai.
At first, I wanted to hear her talk about Jingyun in Hecheng, and we could also chat a bit. After all, they were both spoiled brats who lived off their families' money and did nothing. If they had such an experience, they could really pretend to be calm and boast about it.
"Oh, that's right. I helped out a little out of friendship."
Later, news came from Li Xilai and the others that the famous widow, the one who was immune to ambiguity, Lian Yi, who didn't even talk about love, was actually pursuing a poor student.
This made a group of people who have nothing better to do all day excitedly shout with joy.
Their group of more than a dozen people refused to sit in a private room and instead reserved booths in the lobby on the first floor. A group of young people in their teens and twenties, dressed in bright colors, chatted and laughed freely.
It stands out even in the bustling hall.
As Lian Yi walked past, a group of people entered through the main door behind her and headed towards the stairs on the right. She was drawn to the slightly unfamiliar accents of those people and glanced at them.
Then his slightly rounded eyes widened in surprise.
This group of people had an outstanding presence, and most of them were over twenty years old. They were very composed in their conversation and demeanor. Lian Yi had no impression of them at all. It was not surprising that she had never seen them before, given how vast Yunhai was.
What surprised her most was that her eldest sister, Lian Suning, seemed to be standing quite close to the young man at the head of the group.
Except for the Lian family banquet and her childhood, Lian Suning has basically lived in Gangcheng. This group of people doesn't seem to be from there.
Lian Yi glanced at it and then looked away without caring. No wonder her eldest sister had been restless all night. Her uncle was very strict about controlling his children's relationships. This was probably someone she was secretly dating behind his back, and they rarely even had the chance to meet.
The two looked like they knew each other but weren't really close.
Without thinking too much, Lian Yi walked to the booth where her friends were gathered. As soon as they saw her, they stopped talking and burst into great enthusiasm within a second or two.
"Yo—"
"Isn't this our number one sister? Please have a seat."
"Yi-yi, you've really gone too far this time. You caused trouble without involving your sister. Do you remember the time we bid against each other at the auction?"
"Can't you guys say something useful? Can't you at least show some concern for Lian Xiaoyi's love life?!"
Of the dozen or so people, only two or three were truly familiar with Lian Yi; the rest simply smiled at her after exchanging greetings.
Only a few people with whom he usually gets along speak in a sarcastic and obnoxious tone.
Lian Yi calmly walked to the seat they had deliberately reserved in the middle and sat down, raising her eyebrows. "Li Xilai just can't keep her mouth shut, and you still hang out with her? Aren't you afraid she'll spill everything?"
"Hahaha, hey! Xi Lai! Lian Yi is trying to divide us, why don't you come and fight back?"
A guy with spiky hair tilted his head back and shouted into the hall.
Li Xilai, who had just gone to the restroom, came over. Although she hadn't heard what they had said earlier, she guessed what it was about and said with a smile, "Forget it. If I don't tell you, and you all find out and ask me one by one, Lian Yi will definitely give me a good scolding."
"I've shouldered everything all by myself, and you don't even know how to be grateful?"
The atmosphere in the booth quickly became lively.
"Just playing around?" As they were chatting enthusiastically, a young man two people away from Lian Yi suddenly leaned out and asked.
Lian Yi narrowed her eyes slightly, her smile nonchalant as she said, "Otherwise what?"
"Why……"
The man picked up his glass, downed it in one gulp, and said in a low voice, "Okay, just have fun, don't take it seriously."
After he finished speaking, he leaned back, his handsome face under the bright light showing a mixture of brightness and sadness.
Lian Yi glanced to the side, somewhat speechless.
Soon, someone was eager to reopen old wounds, and came up with a grin, saying, "Didn't this kid have a girlfriend a while ago? The girl's family situation is quite ordinary, and his parents don't approve. They want him to get to know the youngest daughter of the Wang family."
“He refused, insisting on being with his true love. He was locked up for more than a month, but he still didn’t give in.”
Lian Yi's impression of this person wasn't too bad. Although he changed girlfriends frequently, they all ended amicably, and she hadn't heard of any bad reputations against him.
But I've never heard of this relationship of his.
"Well, back when he was pursuing that girl, cough..." The gossipmonger coughed lightly, "We were just saying that he definitely wouldn't be able to win her over. She looked like the studious type, how could she possibly be interested in a spoiled brat like him?"
"Hmm, and then?" Lian Yi glanced at him indifferently, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Later, he actually won her over, and then he started insisting on getting married, even though she hadn't graduated yet!" Seeing that she wasn't angry, the man's smile became somewhat irritating again. "In the end, he simply went on a hunger strike, and his dad was so heartbroken that he had no choice but to let him have his way."
"As a result, when he went to the university to find a girl, he was dumped immediately."
"He passed the postgraduate entrance exam, is preparing to study abroad, and plans to pursue a research career. He has no immediate plans to get married, and I also feel he's not mature enough in relationships, hahaha—"
Lian Yi paused for a moment, then her smile widened. She glanced at the man who was still half bright and half melancholy, and, unusually, took a moment of kindness and refrained from adding insult to injury.
"Alright, let's give them some face."
"okok!"
As soon as one person stepped aside, another would quickly approach and strike up a conversation.
"To be honest, I'm still curious, did that kid offend you to do this to him?"
They weren't surprised by this kind of betting and chasing trick, but it was really novel when it involved Lian Yi.
Lian Yi smiled and said, "Do I need a reason to do things? Let's just say he was unlucky to have caught my eye at this time."
"Hey, what you're saying..."
"I wish I had that good fortune."
Different positions lead to different attitudes toward things. At least the people present lived up to their reputation as Lian Yi's cronies. None of them expressed any dislike, and they even offered various suggestions.
After all, in their eyes, even someone with Yi's personality would be lucky if she didn't offend people to death, let alone pursue them.
After a while of laughter and chatter, the deep, resonant chime of the antique clock rang out, and the lively hall fell silent for a moment.
As soon as the bells stopped ringing, the atmosphere in the hall became noticeably more lively.
The Huanyue Club built a special mountain track in Qingwu Mountain, which is considered to be of top-notch quality in China even for professionals, let alone this group of enthusiasts.
Every Friday night at 11 p.m., the club will host an invitation-only match.
Individuals can participate, or they can invite others to participate. The main purpose is entertainment and viewing. The prizes are small cash prizes and medals, which are better than nothing. The winner of the grand prize will have their car displayed in a specially customized booth in the middle of the hall.
This gimmick is what really interests them.
Lian Yi had never participated; at most, she would come with her group of cronies to watch the competition and, incidentally, mock those who participated but didn't place.
She had been involved in racing in her past life, but she never liked being controlled or influenced by things that involved pursuing speed, control, and the thrill of competition.
I've seen it, played with it, and then lost interest and tossed it aside.
"We're off first, guys. Get ready to see our moves later!"
"Lian Yi, next time you should bring your little academic star to meet us."
"Hurry up and leave, or Lian Yi will take your tires off."
Half the people in the booth got up and left with smiles on their faces.
The remaining people also greeted each other and got up, saying they would meet up on the platform later.
Although no one was smoking in Lian Yi's booth, it was still in the main hall, and she couldn't control others. She frowned slightly in disgust, walked out without saying goodbye, and the remaining people smiled and glanced at her, knowingly continuing their conversation without asking any questions.
Asking questions only leads to being rebuked, and those who don't want to take the blame have long been accustomed to this.
Outside the Huanyue Club, one side has been transformed into an open-air rest and entertainment area. Through the planning of green plants, the privacy of these small seats has been preserved to the greatest extent.
Lian Yi casually found a seat and sat down. At this time, everyone's attention was focused on the upcoming match, and there was almost no one here.
As she sat down, a well-trained waiter came over to ask if she needed anything. After receiving a shake of the head, the waiter tactfully withdrew.
Lian Yi, feeling a bit bored, took out her phone, wondering if she should bother Xie Ling at this hour. Meanwhile, Meng Er, unable to contain her excitement, went to the Gugu Machine Company with Li Ming.
After a brief inspection, Li Ming called his lawyer and immediately drafted the investment contract.
Their eagerness and speed were so great that even the lawyer couldn't help but want to offer some advice.
Mr. Li, who usually seems quite shrewd, reacted in a way that made him look like he'd been scammed and was about to happily send money to the fraudsters.
Li Ming was already a major shareholder. Due to various upheavals, he gritted his teeth and bought back all the shares that had been sold off, all for a reason that seemed inexplicable to others.
Even he himself couldn't explain what he was insisting on.
After finalizing the contract and the details of the installment payments, Li Ming, despite having dark circles under his eyes, stared intently at Meng Er.
"Mr. Meng, now that everything's decided, please tell me your thoughts!"
He pointed to three men and women around the conference table who were trying hard to suppress their yawns. "Don't worry, they're all on our side. They've signed confidentiality agreements. The future flights of the Gugu machine will also need them, so please feel free to speak your mind!"
"Even if we have to talk all night, I, Lao Li, will risk my life to accompany President Meng!"
"..."
Has he completely forgotten that she was still a student?
Meng Er paused for a moment, then spoke in a cold voice under Li Ming's gleaming gaze.
Watching the brain race on the other end of the line like watching a movie, Lian Yi leaned back leisurely in her chair, her posture languid, letting her mind wander freely.
"Lian Yi—"
The woman's soft voice was very gentle, accompanied by the faint thud of her high heels on the soft grass.
Without even looking up, Lian Yi lazily replied, "Big sister, what a coincidence, I can't believe I ran into you here."
She still had that familiar attitude, whether she was young or now, it seemed like nothing had changed. She still had that mischievous nature that was a little annoying. Even with a slightly helpless expression on her gentle face, Lian Ning walked over and sat down next to Lian Yi.
"You..." She knew that Lian Yi had seen her just now, but after starting to say what she wanted to say, she didn't know how to continue.
"Big sister, don't worry about me snitching. I'm not Lian Suhe." Lian Yi's lips curled up slightly. "Dating is normal. I won't tell them about this."
"What do you mean by dating?"
Lian Suning blushed slightly and looked at her reproachfully, but her expression quickly faded. "You misunderstood. He... it was Dad who wanted me to get to know him. This is the first time I've met him since I came back."
“Oh, arranged marriage.” Lian Yi nodded.
She had a bad impression of her uncle. In her memory, his face, whether dignified or smiling, seemed hypocritical to her. Even Yi didn't care how chaotic his personal emotional situation was.
But she still tried to act like a matriarch in front of her, something Lian Yi had always disdained to do with the so-called respect one would show to elders.
As for the eldest sister, she's good in every way, except that she's too gentle.
If there's anyone in the Lian family who doesn't dislike Lian Yi, besides her parents, it's only her eldest sister, Lian Suning.
Even though she was so angry that her eyes were red, she still remembered her status as the older sister and stubbornly stayed by the pond, worried that Lianyi, who was playing with catching fish, would fall into the pond. She gently and patiently persuaded her that it was dangerous to do so.
Looking at her younger sister's face, which always seemed carefree and adored with a spoiled and innocent smile, Lian Suning felt the worries that had been weighing on her heart recently ease with the ease in her smile.
She looked at Lian Yi with a hint of envy, but instead enjoyed the quiet moment when no one spoke.
The two sat there surrounded by greenery, the distant noise seeming to come from a great distance, inexplicably reminding Lian Suning of many past memories.
At that time, Lian Yi was mischievous, spoiled, and unruly. Even though she had always been taught to be a lady and to maintain proper etiquette, she was led astray and did a lot of bad things.
But those memories, when recalled now, remain incredibly vivid, forming a stark contrast to her increasingly silent and lifeless state of mind.
Enjoy this rare moment of peace. Lian Suning followed Lian Yi's example, keeping her back straight but leaning back against the chair in an unnatural posture, her eyes slightly closed as she emptied her mind.
This tranquility was suddenly broken by a pulling sound and heavy breathing.
"...I've told you many times, even...they won't agree to me...I need the Lian family...What can I do?"
"Then what do you want me to do? I admit that my family is not as wealthy as the Lian family, but in your heart, is money more important than our years of relationship?!"
During the conversation, the man was clearly hesitant, suppressing his emotions and speaking in a low voice. His words were muffled by several seats and bushes, but the woman seemed to have an impulse to disregard everything.
"Don't get so agitated, okay? This won't solve anything." The man's voice rose a little, then quickly lowered again, as if he were trying to persuade him.
Then, a woman began to sob softly, as if she were being held in someone's arms.
Lian Yi wasn't interested in eavesdropping, but—
She glanced to the side and saw that Lian Suning had already opened her eyes, her expression strangely calm.
Even though the man who was holding another woman in his arms and coaxing her was her father's arranged fiancé.
But even on Su Ning's face, there was neither anger nor surprise, as if she had long understood but was powerless to do anything about it.
Lian Yi looked away, feeling utterly bored. Her eldest sister, who had lived a docile and obedient life for over twenty years, seemed unable to offer her any surprises.
"all."
When Lian Suning spoke, her voice was hoarse and no longer gentle. She paused, and the smile on her face was as gentle as ever. Even the curve of the corners of her mouth seemed to have never changed at all.
“He will take care of these things before the wedding; it’s a matter of respect that both our families should have.”
“His family is in the shipping and trading business. They are a large-scale leader in the industry. My father is very satisfied with him. This marriage will be of great help to both of our businesses.”
Lian Suning spoke to Lian Yi in a low voice, as if afraid that the person on the other end might hear her.
Even if people find out, as long as the matter isn't brought to the public eye, everyone can still pretend everything is fine.
As a daughter of a wealthy family and a future rich wife, this is a skill she must learn and get used to.
Lian Yi said "Oh," and added, "There's no need to tell me about this kind of thing. Just do what makes you happy."
She didn't hide the mocking smile on her lips. It wasn't directed at Lian Suning; with such a father and in such an environment, she had no reason to mock someone who was powerless to help herself.
"..."
It seemed that he was stung by the smile on Lian Yi's lips.
Lian Suning suddenly covered her eyes, biting her lip tightly, until the commotion on the other side dissipated and everyone went far away, before she finally couldn't help but choke out a sob.
"But... I'm really not happy."
No one had ever said those words to her. How could she not be happy to be born into such a family? How could she not be happy to marry the son of a wealthy man? She enjoyed the privileged life her family provided, so she had no right to rebel, did she?
Perhaps it was at this moment of emotional breakdown that made Lian Suning murmur helplessly, even though she knew the person next to her was Lian Yi.
"Yiyi, what should I do?"
Um?
Lian Yi became interested, her eyes sparkling as if a kitten had been attracted by something interesting, and her slightly round eyes widened even more.
She sat up slightly and moved closer to her older sister.
"Big sister, if it's this difficult, why don't we just not do it?" She suppressed her urge to cause trouble, her voice barely concealing its wicked seductiveness. "I'm very experienced in this area."
Lian Suning gradually lowered her hand, her moist almond-shaped eyes slightly red, just like when the two little girls, one big and one small, stared at each other, and she was so angry with Lian Yi that she didn't know what to do.
As she watched Lian Yi quickly conceal her innocent and harmless expression, she inexplicably realized what Lian Yi hadn't said.
Her heart was beating faster and faster, and Lian Su Ning felt a little scared. She subconsciously wanted to persuade him.
He advised Lian Yi not to act recklessly.
She tried to convince herself that she should contribute to her family, especially since her father had arranged a marriage for her with a handsome and promising young man…
But as she looked at Lian Yi's eyes in the dimly lit environment, they seemed to be sparkling, bright and clear.
"Yiyi, what should I do..."
Lian Suning's heart had never beat so inappropriately before.
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