Transmigration: Flirted with My Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 703 - 702: Aspiring Youth

Chapter 703: Chapter 702: Aspiring Youth

Ji Mingyi didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

He hadn’t laid a hand on anyone, nor had he forced any girl.

All he did was formally and appropriately make... a few friends. Why then was he fed a "cane stewed in meat"?

Elder Ji gently stroked the pattern on his cane and after a moment of silence, he said: "Xiao He, please help me for a few days—I plan to invite some friends over to gather at the house."

"Okay, no problem."

Lin Nianhe agreed, secretly admiring that indeed the older, the wiser.

Why did Ji Mingyi, who wasn’t invited, appear at the social gathering? He came for Lin Nianhe.

Why was Ji Mingyi more active than anyone else? He was preparing for Elder Ji’s invitation.

Why did Ji Mingyi only joke with women comrades? He... He feared the girls might be shy, and a direct invitation might seem too abrupt and rude.

Without Elder Ji specifying, Lin Nianhe came up with a string of excuses.

Lin Nianhe stayed to help write the invitations. She and Ji Mingyi were responsible for writing some of them, and Elder Ji personally phoned those who were more significant.

It wasn’t that Elder Ji treated them differently; it was really because their schedules were packed, and he needed to explain clearly.

These people were mostly old students of Elder Ji; upon hearing his invitation, except for those who were not in Beijing or who really couldn’t get away, the rest happily came.

While Elder Ji was busy making calls, Ji Mingyi asked Lin Nianhe in a low voice: "Nianhe, I still can’t figure out, where exactly did I go wrong?"

It was only this morning, after being reminded by Mr. Lin and Aunt Lin, that Lin Nianhe realized the issue, but she wouldn’t admit it.

She lowered her eyes, and while writing, she said: "Grandpa has retired now, but many eyes are still watching him. All his brothers are away, and Grandpa leads a secluded life, aren’t they left to watch only you?"

"You were so high-profile at the social gathering yesterday, who knows how many people’s marriage prospects you’ve ruined? What if someone petty or someone who has a grudge against Grandpa heard about it..."

Lin Nianhe hinted at it and didn’t continue.

Ji Mingyi felt a chill running down his spine.

He pursed his lips and said: "I really didn’t think that much about it, there were social gatherings when I was studying abroad too, and it wasn’t a big deal..."

"This is Beijing."

Ji Mingyi was at a loss for words.

He indeed had forgotten his place.

Since Elder Ji returned to the country, everyone who came into contact with the Ji Family treated Elder Ji respectfully, and he also started feeling proud, almost forgetting how to be "cautious and prudent."

He unconsciously tightened his grip around the pen, and said softly: "I’m sorry, I’ve also caused trouble for you."

"It’s nothing." Lin Nianhe changed the subject, "I’ve seen your paintings; ten of them can be used."

Ji Mingyi quickly said: "I’ll revise the rest."

"No need, ten is enough," Lin Nianhe said. "Not so many are needed for the booth arrangement, the rest are also good. I chose the ten best ones."

Lin Nianhe didn’t deceive him; Ji Mingyi’s paintings were indeed excellent, embodying the youthful and bold strokes, fitting well with Lan County Textile Factory’s demands and brand positioning.

The twenty-eight paintings were carefully polished and selected by him, naturally there was no major issue.

Ji Mingyi visibly brightened up.

He rubbed his hands together, his smile a bit silly.

"That’s great, that’s great, I didn’t expect my paintings could actually be exhibited at the Spring Trade Fair..."

After letting him be excited for a bit, Lin Nianhe asked: "Are you interested in turning your paintings into Head Flower, selling them all over the world?"

Ji Mingyi’s eyes shone like the North Star.

He swallowed and his voice trembled with excitement, "Really? Can this work?"

Lin Nianhe nodded lightly, "The main reason we’re using your paintings for the exhibition setup this time is that we have some headpieces with traditional Huaxia elements that need to be complemented with ink paintings. This is an attempt by the Lan County Textile Factory, and if the market feedback for this batch of headpieces is good, the series will continue."

"By then, we’ll need many original traditional designs, and if you’re interested, we can collaborate."

Since the first participation of "Lan" brand headpieces in the Spring Trade Fair, Lin Nianhe had in front of all the foreign merchants mentioned their rich historical heritage.

Besides adding value to their headpieces, there was a bit of a probing intent.

She slowly and discretely tested and deepened the foreign market’s acceptance of Huaxia culture.

The market feedback was very good, evident from the transaction volumes which were plainly doubling.

"Yes, definitely!"

Ji Mingyi agreed without even thinking.

He didn’t even ask about the money.

He excitedly chuckled, rubbing his hands in anticipation, "Using my paintings on fabric? Or directly replicating my paintings to wear on the head? Both ideas sound great..."

Lin Nianhe watched this youth full of creative zeal, pursing her lips tightly.

She was a kind person; she couldn’t corrupt a young man’s beautiful soul with the wickedness of money.

Lin Nianhe shook her sore hand and continued to bury her head in writing invitations, her smile uncontrollable.

Elder Ji made a round of calls and came back to the table to say, "Call the kids from yesterday, I’ve also invited some people, from various sectors, their fate is in their own hands now."

He also reminded Lin Nianhe, "Don’t forget to come, Old Ren from the Physics Department will be there too, you should have things to talk about."

"Alright, thank you Grandpa." Lin Nianhe smiled, her eyes curling, suddenly not feeling the soreness in her hand.

...

Lin Nianhe was quite busy these days; after helping Elder Ji finish the invitations, she was busy preparing ingredients and snacks.

Luckily she didn’t have to prepare for her own engagement party; otherwise, she would have to split herself in half.

Elder Ji’s banquet was three days before the engagement party, on the early noon of the ninth, Elder Ji’s courtyard house opened its doors to welcome the guests.

Perhaps everyone had been instructed by their parents, nobody brought up the matchmaking event again, nor did they grit their teeth upon seeing Ji Mingyi.

"Xiao He, come here."

In the crowd, Elder Ji waved at Lin Nianhe.

"Grandpa."

Lin Nianhe approached him, smiling very sweetly.

"Come quick, meet your future teacher," Elder Ji beamed, "this is Ren Jiqi, my old buddy; from now on, he’ll be in charge of your entire Physics Department."

Mr. Ren, over sixty years old, was thin but spirited with a straight back, his white hair meticulously groomed, his discipline badge fastened impeccably tight, looking rather stern.

Lin Nianhe immediately stood straight and bowed first, "Hello Grandpa Ren, my name is Lin Nianhe."

Mr. Ren looked at her with interest, "I know, the national number one."

"Ha ha ha," Elder Ji laughed, pointing at Lin Nianhe to Mr. Ren, "Binghui’s daughter, she’s been to the countryside, attended the Trade Fair, and even worked at the Foreign Trade Department with Xiao Huang for a while. If it weren’t for her not being keen on diplomacy, I’d have taken her under my wing to teach personally."

Mr. Ren nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, I’ve heard some of this child’s experiences before, very good."

He said "good" three times, but then turned the conversation:

"However, scientific research is arduous and very different from your previous experiences. Nianhe, can you adapt?"