Chapter Fifty-Eight: Li Lulu's Family Affairs

Jiang Yun sent a WeChat message to Li Lulu: "Come pick me up in a bit. [Location]" He put away his phone.

Of course, the four of them weren’t about to eat at a street stall, so they headed to the Red Romance Grill House and ordered a private room. The late autumn air was already a little chilly, and the air conditioning inside was switched on. They took off their coats and settled into their seats.

"I want a bowl of eel rice!" Jiang Yun declared.

"Why are you ordering a main dish at a barbecue?" someone retorted.

"Clearly an amateur!" another chimed in.

"Exactly!" Zhou Lun and the others teased Jiang Yun.

"I’m just really hungry!" Jiang Yun explained.

"Doesn't matter. Tonight it’s only barbecue and beer—you can only have one!" Tian Zhen adopted a big-sister attitude.

"Then I’ll stick with barbecue!"

"Heh!"

"Ha ha!"

In the end, Jiang Yun still ordered the eel rice.

After eating and drinking their fill, the four began to chat.

"Jiang Yun, how much did 'The Voice of Huaxia' pay you for your appearance?" Tian Zhen asked.

"Two million per episode, twelve episodes, plus a two percent share per episode," Jiang Yun replied.

"Oh," Tian Zhen said. "Not high, not low."

"What about you guys?" Jiang Yun asked.

"Us?" Wang Feng smiled. "Mine’s a bit higher—two and a half million per episode, three percent share."

Jiang Yun nodded.

"I get three million, three percent share," Tian Zhen propped her chin on her hands. "Among the four of us, Zhou Lun probably earns the most."

"Not at all," Zhou Lun acted modest.

"Brother Zhou, what’s your rate?" Jiang Yun asked.

"Five million, plus five percent share," Zhou Lun answered triumphantly.

"Damn, Brother Zhou, you’re going to end up with no friends at this rate!"

After their meal, Li Lulu arrived in her Cadillac.

"Guys, I’ll head off first! See you in a week!"

"Alright! See you in a week!"

"Take care on the road!"

"Thanks!" Jiang Yun waved, got into the Cadillac, and Li Lulu drove away.

Once home, Jiang Yun first finished typing thirty thousand words for "A Perfect World."

Then he took out his phone. "I’ve been busy these days and haven’t called Yu Qing’s sister! Now that I have a moment, I’ll give her a call."

Ring… ring…

"Hello?"

"Who’s this?" The voice on the other end sounded like she’d just woken up.

"It’s Jiang Yun!"

Yu Xue instantly perked up. "You finally called!"

Jiang Yun chuckled. "Sorry, I’ve been busy lately."

"I know, superstar! I watched 'The Voice of Huaxia'," Yu Xue said.

"So, when are you free? Let’s set a time," Jiang Yun suggested.

"No need. I’m at my sister’s place right now! Just come over."

Jiang Yun was ecstatic—he hadn’t expected things to be settled today.

He stepped out of his room. "I’m heading out for a bit. Don’t lock the door! My keys are in the car!"

"Alright, boss!"

Jiang Yun crossed to the apartment opposite and rang the doorbell.

Click!

The door opened from within. A beautiful girl appeared, somewhat resembling Yu Qing, but without Yu Qing’s aloof aura. Like her sister, she had a striking figure.

Jiang Yun discreetly took a glance.

He entered the room—good heavens, she wasn’t even wearing that.

Ding dong!

Just as Jiang Yun was about to sit down, the doorbell rang again.

Yu Xue opened the door; Yu Qing stepped inside. "Jiang Yun? You’re here!"

"Yes," Jiang Yun nodded.

Yu Qing changed her shoes at the door, and Yu Xue helped her with them.

Jiang Yun admired the sisters, feeling he could die content—anyone who had these two sisters would surely have no regrets in life.

"Such a pair of gems," Jiang Yun sighed.

Yu Qing hung up her bag. "You two chat; I’ll cook."

"Alright!"

Jiang Yun secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Hello, I’m Yu Xue," Yu Xue extended her right hand.

"I’m Jiang Yun," he responded, shaking her hand politely.

"Jiang Yun, I know you—you’re a superstar! These days, you’re the talk of the town everywhere," Yu Xue remarked courteously.

"Hardly," Jiang Yun replied modestly.

After some small talk, they got down to business.

"Ms. Yu Xue, what conditions do you have for joining my company?" Jiang Yun asked.

"I’m interning right now. If things go well at your company, I might stay long-term."

"Alright." Jiang Yun nodded, sensing she wanted to gauge his company’s potential.

He said, "I can’t guarantee anything, but I can promise that in the future, my company will be based downtown, with its own office building."

Yu Xue pursed her lips. "Mr. Jiang Yun, you talk big!"

"Yu Xue, mind your words," Yu Qing called from the kitchen.

"Sis—what’s wrong?"

"A man should have ambition. Jiang Yun has big dreams!"

"Fine, fine, big dreams it is," Yu Xue conceded.

"Dinner’s ready; let’s eat!"

The three sat down to eat.

At the table,

"Have you prepared the contract?" Yu Xue asked.

"I have," Jiang Yun replied, taking a folder from his bag.

He handed the folder to Yu Xue. She reviewed it, found no issues, and signed her name.

Jiang Yun extended his hand. "Here’s to a pleasant partnership!"

Yu Xue shook his hand. "Pleasant partnership!"

Yu Xue officially joined Jiang Yun’s company.

After dinner, Jiang Yun took his leave.

He returned to his own door and rang the bell.

Ding dong!

Five minutes passed, and no one answered.

Jiang Yun frowned.

He rang again.

Ding dong!

Another five minutes, still no one answered.

Jiang Yun sent Li Lulu a WeChat message: "What’s going on? Where are you?"

Ping.

"Boss, I’m sorry. Something came up suddenly—I didn’t have time to tell you!"

"What happened?" Jiang Yun asked.

"My brother came to Shanghai, so I went to pick him up and arrange a place for him."

"You could have left a message…" Jiang Yun replied.

Li Lulu was silent on the other end.

Jiang Yun waited, and when no reply came, he sent a question mark.

"Boss, it’s like this: my brother brought my parents to Shanghai. The money you lent me last time was used for my dad’s surgery. Now he’s recuperating."

Li Lulu felt helpless and sent another message: "Their purpose this time is to get hospitalized in Shanghai."

Jiang Yun was speechless—how could this family be like that? Dumping all the burdens on their daughter.

Even through the screen, he could sense Li Lulu’s resignation.

"Boss, I’ll bring your keys over tomorrow morning!"

Jiang Yun replied, "Alright, no rush."

He’d intended to call the property management, but when he did, they told him it wasn’t their concern and advised him to contact a locksmith.

Jiang Yun was so frustrated he could hardly breathe—night had fallen, and where was he supposed to find a locksmith now…?