Chapter 209: Chapter 208 For Anitaqing: Immortal Blossom Fate + Update 15
Shi Yang’s father also noticed that Zhao Meimei was a bit off that day—looking agitated and ready to explode at the slightest spark, something rarely seen, even less so with the couple being less warm with each other.
Shi Yang’s father pondered for a moment and said, "With Meimei’s grades, applying to a top university is certainly not a problem. Going a bit farther, as Shi Yang’s mother suggested, can offer more exposure; applying in the provincial capital isn’t bad either. It’s great for a girl to attend a teacher’s college, which is also a national key university, and it would be convenient for her to come home often."
After speaking, Shi Yang’s father poured a glass of wine for both Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, trying to smooth things over: "Besides, Meimei is only in sophomore year now, and there is still over a year until the college entrance exam. Isn’t it a bit too early for you to start planning this now?"
With one sentence, Mr. Shi shifted the topic, pulling Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue into eating and drinking conversation loops that never returned to Zhao Meimei.
Zhao Meimei went to the bathroom halfway through the meal, and Shi Yang followed on the pretense of adding dishes.
Shi Yang called the waiter to add a couple of random dishes, then walked over to the restroom entrance to wait, seeing Zhao Meimei come out, quickly stepped forward, grabbed her, and led her to a deserted corner of the hallway.
After growing to a height of one meter sixty-eight, Zhao Meimei’s growth paused; standing in front of the over one meter eighty Shi Yang, she still appeared delicate and reliant.
Shi Yang reached out to hold her, pulling her into his arms, softly soothing, "What’s wrong? Feeling unhappy?"
Zhao Meimei absent-mindedly said, "Nothing much."
Shi Yang gently pinched her lips, "It’s hanging low enough to hang an oil bottle."
In reality, Zhao Meimei was just feeling downhearted. She liked and cherished Shi Yang, hoping her parents would follow suit. She couldn’t bear her mother pairing Shi Yang with another woman in conversation; Shi Yang belonged to her, and only he would marry her in the future.
Zhao Meimei raised her arms and reached past Shi Yang’s strong waist, hugging him tightly, with grievance saying, "Bro, I’m much younger than you, will you mind?"
Shi Yang said self-mockingly, "Well, I’m also much older than you, will you mind if I’m old?"
Zhao Meimei rebutted without hesitation, "Who says you’re old? You’re not old; even if you were, I won’t mind. I like you no matter what, Bro; you’re the one I like most."
Shi Yang was immediately touched, the blow from not being accepted by Zhao Meimei’s parents shattered by Meimei’s earnest heart, melting the softest spot in his heart, warming it fuzzily.
Smoothing the hem of her shirt, Shi Yang’s fingers gently rubbed her beautifully curved waist, unable to resist lowering his head and kissing her.
Having kissed enough, Shi Yang moved his head away, softly comforting, "What your mom meant wasn’t disapproving of us being together—it’s just that you’re not grown up yet. Once you get into college, we’ll find a chance to come clean with your family. You don’t need to worry about it. I’m here, aren’t I?"
Zhao Meimei, sweetened by Shi Yang’s kiss, nodded obediently.
Back at the dinner table, Zhao Meimei’s previous sluggishness was swept away, her mood lifted and her appetite improved as well. As she enjoyed her meal, Shi Yang discussed his plan to represent the maternity and baby brands with the elders.
Shi Yang dissected the motivational speech Mu Guangping gave him, structuring it into a framework, quickly briefing the project.
The elders’ eyes lit up, their faces changed, moved by the future plan Shi Yang laid out.
The project was novel and indeed had substantial potential.
Shi Yang’s father carefully considered and then asked, "How much funding is needed for the provincial agency?"
If it were a few years ago, Shi Yang would likely have continued the conversation, expressing his difficulties, and his father would think of ways to help, relieving the urgent situation to some extent. But now, upon hearing this strategically laid out question, Shi Yang merely smiled faintly, "Dad, don’t worry, I can handle it." Then, he turned to discuss the upcoming rapid cash operations with Zhao Meimei’s parents.
Shi Yang said to Zhao Dazhuang, "Uncle, set the design matters aside for a few days, and go to the printing shop to focus on designing several sets of Naughty Castle member discount cards. I plan to increase our discount efforts, selling annual, seasonal, and monthly cards. Local kindergartens can directly hand them out at the facilities, with the directors and teachers helping to sell them, eventually getting a commission based on card sales amount."
With Shi Yang’s words, Zhao Dazhuang’s next few weeks were essentially designated by him.
Shi Yang also instructed Liu Xiue, "Aunt, tomorrow I’ll go to the mall to talk to the marketing department, temporarily rent the promotional space in the first-floor lobby. Then you can choose two people to go down to sell the membership cards, equip them with a bill validator machine, and put the collected money into whole amounts, which will trouble you to take downstairs directly to deposit in the bank."
Liu Xiue nodded in agreement.
Before being questioned, Shi Yang proactively explained, "I’ve calculated that this temporary promotion should at least gather some funds to invest in the provincial agency for funding turnover.
I intend first to decorate the store, thus buying two more months to gather funds. Once new goods arrive and are sold, the proceeds can directly repay the owed merchandise payments.
As for the franchise fees, I will first pay a portion, and with store operating risks as an excuse, gradually delay. Once my store ultimately starts selling, Mu Guangping won’t refuse, unless he plans to stop expanding the brand."
Shi Yang’s father asked, "Given that it’s a provincial agency, shouldn’t the store be set up in the provincial capital?"
Shi Yang nodded, "Yes, at the time, I plan to have Chaozi head over for supervision, and for the business here at home, promote two people from below for mutual control and oversight."
Shi Yang’s father further asked, "When signing the contract, did you have someone from the law firm go over it?"
Shi Yang smiled slightly, "I consulted two firms and signed only after confirming without issues. I have carefully stored my copy."
Shi Yang’s father, seeing that Shi Yang had arranged everything meticulously, felt a bittersweet revelation: ultimately, his son had grown up and no longer needed his support.
Reclining on the chairback, looking at Shi Yang sitting opposite, speaking confidently and charismatically, he seemed to be looking at his younger self, equally spirited and dazzling.
Shi Yang’s father picked up the wine glass on the table, gently sipped it, the bitter-tasting wine surprisingly revealed a trace of malt aroma, subtly bringing out a hint of light sweetness.