I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping
Chapter 488 - 432 Duan Xueying

Chapter 488: 432 Duan Xueying

"No, sorry..."

Hong Xiaoyu was flustered and hurriedly bent down to pick up the chopsticks.

"They’re dirty, get a new pair. Xue Ling, go get a fresh pair."

Pang Lijuan said.

Duan Xueying stood up and fetched a new pair of chopsticks.

"Here."

"Thank you."

Hong Xiaoyu breathed rapidly, his face flushed red.

Duan Zhongxin dismissed it with a smile, considerately changing the subject to ease Hong Xiaoyu’s embarrassment.

"I just finished a call with Director Meng this morning. I heard that the expert group has discussed and developed a new round of treatment plans?"

"Yeah."

Shi Qianxi nodded, her expression revealing a hint of excitement, "The experts said there’s a high chance of success."

"Director Shi is blessed by fate."

Pang Lijuan exclaimed.

Of course, Hong Xiaoyu couldn’t understand what they were talking about, but at that moment, he didn’t seem to have the spare attention to care, just buried his head in his rice, barely picking at the dishes, trying his best to lower his presence.

"Have some fish."

Perhaps out of hospitality, or maybe because he was being too modest, Duan Xueying actually took the initiative to pick up a piece of sweet and sour fish for Hong Xiaoyu with the serving chopsticks.

Seeing him look up in astonishment, Duan Xueying smiled faintly.

"My dad made it; it’s as good as any professional chef’s. Try it."

Hong Xiaoyu, whose life experiences were rather thin, or rather simple, had never encountered such an occasion and was momentarily dumbfounded, not reacting at all, which made him appear rather foolish.

Fortunately, Jiang Chen discreetly nudged him with his leg under the table.

"Oh... Thank you, thank you."

Hong Xiaoyu quickly said.

"Don’t listen to her nonsense. I’m not quite at the level of a professional chef. If it’s not to your liking, don’t hold it against me,"

Duan Zhongxin said affably.

Although Hong Xiaoyu didn’t know his specific status, the label of a Han University professor alone was enough to make him look up in awe.

The professor personally cooking for him was something he would have never dared to imagine in the past.

"Uncle Duan, excessive modesty is pride,"

Shi Qianxi teased, also trying to smooth things over for Hong Xiaoyu.

"Heh heh, alright then, today you have to eat extra helpings,"

"Uncle Duan, I have to maintain my figure, otherwise, I might not be able to get married later on."

As soon as she said this, not just Duan Zhongxin, but even Pang Lijuan and Duan Xueying couldn’t help but laugh.

Perhaps seeking to fit in, or just not wanting to spoil the mood, Comrade Jiang Chen also cooperated and laughed along.

As a result, Shi Qianxi caught him.

She turned her head.

"What are you laughing at?"

Facing the lady’s twinkling gaze, Jiang Chen’s smile froze.

If they were alone, he would certainly have retorted sarcastically: Can’t I just laugh?

But in this setting, of course, he had to be careful with his words and considerate of her dignity.

"Director Shi sure knows how to joke. Even the most beautiful appearance will eventually fade, but the soul is eternal. With Director Shi’s personal charm, even if she gains weight, there will indeed be a Prince Charming who will rush over, braving the stars and the moon, at full speed."

Pang Lijuan, who always carried a gentle smile, momentarily stiffened her expression.

That line.

That tone.

How much did it sound like the sycophantic villains from TV dramas?

Duan Zhongxin’s eyes flickered, he picked up his glass and sipped, smiling without a word.

Even Hong Xiaoyu, who had been on pins and needles, couldn’t help but turn his head to glance at his cousin.

Duan Xueying did the same, watching the young man she had just met with a curious light in her eyes.

Women are creatures of sound, and it seemed that Shi Qianxi was no exception. She appeared to be completely charmed by the sweet talk, smiling radiantly and asking another question: "If I’m really as good as you say, then why hasn’t my Prince Charming arrived yet?"

Everyone’s attention focused on Jiang Chen.

But Jiang Chen wasn’t Hong Xiaoyu; he kept his composure, his mind was quick, and he promptly replied, "Maybe he needed to feed the horse and got held up along the way. After all, to carry two people, the horse has to be well-fed."

"Pfft..."

The moment the words landed, Duan Xueying couldn’t hold back and quickly covered her mouth.

Miss Shi’s mood visibly turned from sunny to overcast, her teeth grinding: "Are you implying that I’m fat?"

"Of course not."

Jiang Chen shook his head promptly, with righteous indignation.

Under the table, Shi Qianxi lifted her foot and stomped down hard.

Fortunately, she wasn’t wearing high heels today.

"Xiao Jiang, have a drink."

Duan Zhongxin offered a toast with a smile.

The meal ended in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

The task of clearing the dishes was left to a mother-daughter duo.

"Mr. Duan, these characters, you wrote them yourself, didn’t you?"

Jiang Chen looked at the characters hanging on the side wall.

Su Shi.

Controlling the Winds and Waves.

Don’t listen to the sound of leaves battering the forest, why not chant loudly and proceed slowly...

The entire poem conveyed the poet’s open-minded attitude toward life, but the characters framed on the wall had defined edges and corners, with forceful and energetic strokes. Among the elegance was also a current of a killing aura uncharacteristic of literati.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

The so-called ’words reflect the writer’ implies that one can discern a person’s inner character from their writing; so far, Duan Zhongxin had given him the impression of a refined scholar rather than a business magnate racing across the marketplaces, yet these characters made him start to reconsider.

"Hmm, just a casual piece,"

Duan Zhongxin, standing beside Jiang Chen, said with an amiable smile.

"Mr. Duan’s casual work surpasses that of many masters. I reckon it would do well even at an auction."

Jiang Chen looked askance.

Indeed.

As Jin Hai’s "local lord", overseeing all business within the Central China region and managing it in an orderly fashion, how could he really be just a nice guy?

"Do you study calligraphy?"

Duan Zhongxin asked.

Jiang Chen didn’t blindly boast and honestly shook his head, "No, just a simple feeling. Mr. Duan’s characters are extraordinary and carry a unique momentum."

Duan Zhongxin’s smile broadened as if he had met a kindred spirit.

"If you like it, this piece is yours."

He had come empty-handed, and to accept someone else’s property on top of that would be too much.

Jiang Chen quickly refused and looked at the piece titled "Controlling the Winds and Waves."

"Such fine writing, falling into my hands now, would be a disservice. If you’re still willing to offer it ten years from now, I’ll certainly accept."

Duan Zhongxin was taken aback, then stared at Jiang Chen for a long time before nodding slowly with a smile.

"Then I’ll keep it safe for you for ten years."

After chatting with Duan Zhongxin for a while, Jiang Chen caught sight of his cousin coaxing Shi Qianxi into exchanging WeChat contact with Duan Xueying under her encouragement.

"Let’s go."

He approached.

Hong Xiaoyu looked at him, bewildered.

"What’s wrong? Can’t bear to leave?"

Jiang Chen laughed.

"No."

Hong Xiaoyu quickly shook his head, whispering, "Bro, let’s hurry and leave."

Jiang Chen then moved towards Shi Qianxi, who was still chatting with Duan Xueying.

The lady was even arranging to watch a movie together later that evening.

It’s true,

considering the current young people’s views on love and marriage, matchmaking indeed could be seen as a blue ocean market. If Jin Hai moved into it, there certainly would be great potential.

"Director Shi, it’s getting late."

He reminded her gently.

"Qian Qian sister, it’s so rare for you to visit, stay a little longer,"

Duan Xueying politely insisted.

"Next time."

Although Shi Qianxi had not successfully convinced the other party to leave with her, she did not insist further and proposed to say goodbye to Duan Zhongxin’s family.

The family of three personally accompanied them to the elevator.

"Uncle Duan, Aunt Pang, Xue Ling, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Sister Qian Qian."

The elevator doors slowly closed.

"Xue Ling, how do you feel about that boy?"

Duan Zhongxin turned his head.

"Dad, are you talking about Hong Xiaoyu?"

"Hmm."

Duan Xueying smiled, "It’s rare to see a guy with such a thin face. He’s nothing like his brother."

"That Jiang... and Miss Shi, they really are..."

Pang Lijuan hesitated, looking at her husband.

Duan Zhongxin didn’t speak, only nodded his head.

Pang Lijuan fell silent for a moment, "So Miss Shi’s intention is to match Xue Ling with..."

"Let’s go back to the room."

Duan Zhongxin did not answer but turned around and said to his daughter, "Just treat him as a normal friend in the future, don’t feel any pressure."

Duan Xueying nodded.

"Don’t worry, Dad, I know how to handle this,"