Chapter 127: The Scheming Daughter Kingdom King

"We currently have this plan. Whether we can achieve cooperation depends on your company's sincerity."

When Pang Xianjian took the initiative to propose, Xu Yuexin no longer held back, "If your leaders think it necessary, we can meet and discuss."

"Alright, are you heading back to Jingcheng immediately, or staying in Hu Hai for a while?"

"Look, I haven't bought a ticket back yet."

Xu Yuexin said.

After leaving Shang Renmei, Xu Yuexin and Zhou Jieren looked for a restaurant outside and ate two steamers of xiaolongbao.

Then, Xu Yuexin said goodbye to Zhou Jieren and looked for a hotel on the street to stay.

Since the beginning of this year, accommodation policies in major cities have been relaxed, and some hotels have started to accept out‑of‑town guests without an Introduction Letter.

This is one of the supporting policies of the reform and opening: since business is encouraged, merchants naturally need a place to stay.

Xu Yuexin found a guesthouse near Jing An Si, paid, and checked in.

The daily room rate was two yuan, with a fan and hot water for bathing, which was a pretty good condition at the time.

Xu Yuexin stayed at the guesthouse for a few days; besides waiting for news, he spent the time strolling outside.

Imitating the format of printing numbers and manuscript payment to split profits from the comic strips is a pioneering approach, so it's normal that Shang Renmei can't focus on it in a short time.

Just wait.

As for the final result, Xu Yuexin thinks a 3% share is already pretty good.

Comic prices are much higher than books, so a 3% share also means a rather substantial income.

During his leisure, Xu Yuexin bought a lot of things on the market, planning to take them back to Jing for his family and the women around him.

One day, Xu Yuexin wandered to Sichuan Beilu and ate at a Cantonese restaurant.

In later years, Sichuan Beilu's status in Wuhai City declined, but at present it remains the city's top‑tier commercial district.

Because many Guangdong people in Hu gather here, it hosts the most authentic Cantonese restaurants and Cantonese tea houses in Hu.

After finishing his meal, Xu Yuexin returned to the street, intending to find a tea house to sit in.

At that moment, he saw a familiar figure.

Zhu Chen arrived.

Zhu Chen also saw Xu Yuexin, and surprise showed in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

Zhu Chen hurried over, waved at him, and said.

"I came here on business, and had some free time to wander."

"And you, why did you come as well?"

"The Health Research Institute has a schistosomiasis and hepatitis A prevention study; I usually conduct household visits with comrades in the suburbs, and today I'm in the city for leisure."

Zhu Chen smiled faintly, looked at Xu Yuexin and said, "By the way, the talisman you gave me really works; I'm not afraid when I wear it at night."

"I originally wanted to go to your place to return it, but you weren't there. I didn't bring it with me on this business trip either."

"No need to return it; it's yours."

Xu Yuexin said, walking side by side with Zhu Chen down the street, "Let's find a place to sit down."

"Alright."

Zhu Chen nodded, feeling especially cheerful.

The staff participating in the research come from all over the country, and they're not familiar with each other.

Originally, Zhu Chen walking alone on the bustling Sichuan Beilu felt a bit lonely and melancholy.

Now that Zhu Chen met Xu Yuexin, her mood completely reversed.

No wonder the ancients said meeting an old friend in a foreign land is a marvelous experience.

Xu Yuexin led Zhu Chen along Sichuan Beilu, eventually entering a Cantonese tea house.

After going upstairs, Xu Yuexin ordered two cups of tea, and heard that Zhu Chen hadn't had lunch and added a lot of dim sum.

The tea house's location was excellent, offering a view over the bustling street.

Perhaps being away from familiar surroundings, Zhu Chen became more willing to share inner thoughts while chatting with Xu Yuexin, including things she had never told anyone else, not even her parents.

"My parents have been pushing me to go on blind dates again recently."

Zhu Chen's eyes looked at the bustling crowd below the tea house, and in a flat tone said, "So when the unit sent me on a business trip, I didn't refuse."

"It's nice to have a clear mind."

Xu Yuexin listened quietly, his mind pondering a question.

Given the Daughter Kingdom King's appearance and family background, it's surprising that she can remain unmarried until 27 in this era.

That itself is somewhat abnormal.

Today the Daughter Kingdom King is confiding; could he seize this chance to ask the underlying reason, tailor his approach, and further develop his relationship with her? Xu Yuexin mused.

"Oh? Sounds like you don't want blind dates, don't want to marry?"

Xu Yuexin pretended to be casual and asked, "Is there a reason behind it?"

"I…"

When asked about it, Zhu Chen hesitated briefly, then mustered courage, met Xu Yuexin's gaze, and said, "I don't want to have children."

I see…

The puzzle in Xu Yuexin's mind was answered.

"Whether to have children or not is a personal freedom of life."

"Not wanting children is perfectly normal."

Xu Yuexin expressed his support to Zhu Chen.

At that moment, he vaguely recalled that the Daughter Kingdom King truly has never had children in her life.

Zhu Chen felt very surprised at Xu Yuexin's response.

She kept her desire not to have children buried deep, not even telling her family, because she feared that speaking it would bring no understanding and even criticism.

She did not expect that she could receive approval from Xu Yuexin.

"Really? Is that truly what you think?"

Zhu Chen asked in disbelief, "So you also don't want children?"

"I never said I don't want them; I just think everyone's choices should be respected."

"Because each person's experiences, education, and beliefs differ; we shouldn't force uniformity on the issue of childbearing."

Xu Yuexin spoke calmly and steadily, maintaining eye contact with Zhu Chen throughout.

Zhu Chen's idea seemed shocking and unconventional at the moment, yet would be quite normal in later times.

In Xu Yuexin's view, this is completely understandable.

Hearing Xu Yuexin's words, Zhu Chen smiled approvingly, nodding with delight.

To her, Xu Yuexin's remarks were expressed with great poise.

"Ah, if everyone could think like you, that would be wonderful."

Zhu Chen sighed.

"Then if you stay with me, the problem is solved; I support you even if you don't want children."

Xu Yuexin raised an eyebrow slightly at Zhu Chen, lifting the corner of his mouth as he said.

Zhu Chen's cheeks flushed red from his words and actions, and she quickly averted her gaze.

"Stop messing around, or I'll go back and tell Qiao Qiao," Zhu Chen tried to adopt an imposing expression, warning Xu Yuexin, "Besides, how old are you, and how old am I?"

"You're 27, I'm 21; isn't that just right?"

"Don't speak nonsense; where is it appropriate?"

Zhu Chen deliberately used a stiff, formal tone, trying to scare Xu Yuexin away.

However, her actions betrayed everything.

At this moment, she didn't even dare to meet Xu Yuexin's gaze.

Only when tea and pastries were served did Zhu Chen's embarrassment ease a little.

The dim sum at this tea house was delicious. Especially the Cantonese mooncakes, which featured innovative fillings—some with red bean paste, others with winter melon paste.

"You should try the mooncake; the flavor is really good."

Zhu Chen took a few bites of the mooncake, saw Xu Yuexin remain still, and urged.

"I've already had some; you can eat it yourself."

Xu Yuexin shook his head, saying, while mentally plotting how to handle the Daughter Kingdom King later.

When leaving the tea house, Xu Yuexin paid five yuan for the tea and pastries.

"So expensive."

Zhu Chen expressed slight surprise, noting that this cost equaled two meals at an ordinary restaurant.

At the same time she felt embarrassed, because she made Xu Yuexin open his wallet.

After stepping onto the street, Zhu Chen took out a five‑yuan note from her pocket, intending Xu Yuexin to keep it.

"No need, that's too formal."

Seeing the Daughter Kingdom King's gesture, Xu Yuexin suddenly got an idea, "You're really shy; later just buy me something."

"Alright, tell me what you have your eye on."

Zhu Chen, without hesitation, readily agreed.

Seeing the Daughter Kingdom King gladly agree, Xu Yuexin felt pleased.

He chose to fall into his own scheme…

Then don't even think about it.

The two strolled along Sichuan Beilu, and after a short while Xu Yuexin stopped in front of a state‑owned clothing store.

"What, want to buy clothes?"

"Hmm, let's go in and look."

Xu Yuexin led Zhu Chen into the shop and set his eyes on a belt.

After asking the clerk, the price was six yuan, roughly the same as the earlier tea bill.

Xu Yuexin picked up the belt, and Zhu Chen immediately paid for it.

"If anyone asks me later, I'll say you gave it to me."

When they walked out of the shop, Xu Yuexin tapped the brand‑new belt at his waist and, half‑jokingly, said.

Zhu Chen's mind went blank.

She had been eager to repay Xu Yuexin and forgot the rule that a woman shouldn't easily give a man a belt.

Because generally only couples or spouses may exchange such gifts.

"Just don't tell anyone else."

Zhu Chen assumed Xu Yuexin truly didn't understand, quickly reminding him, "Otherwise it could cause a misunderstanding."

"Oh? Misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?"

"You…"

Zhu Chen felt her face flush from the question, not knowing how to reply.

Does he really not get it?

Zhu Chen wondered, the doubt lingering with her until they finished browsing Sichuan Beilu and returned to the lobby downstairs of the guesthouse where Xu Yuexin was staying.

"I have something; I originally intended to give it to you when I return to Jingcheng."

"It seems we don't need it after all; I'll give it to you directly today."

"Thank you. Give the gift to your daughter‑in‑law."

"Only you can use this."

"If you don't take it, it'll be wasted."

"……"

Zhu Chen fell silent, feeling very strange inside.

What exactly is something that only she can use, yet Chen Qiaoqiao doesn't need?

After following Xu Yuexin upstairs into the room, Zhu Chen saw him open a suitcase and take out a large gift box from inside.

"This is…"

Zhu Chen stared at the exquisite satin box, realizing the gift was quite valuable.

"Open it and take a look."

Xu Yuexin encouraged.

Zhu Chen, guessing, took the box and opened it with a "Kada" sound.

Inside the box glittered a framed oil painting, its border a dazzling silvery white.

Van Gogh's "Sunflowers".

"So beautiful."

Zhu Chen gasped in admiration, "It must have cost a lot, right?"

As a young woman who loves the arts, nothing moves her more than a delicate oil painting.

"Since you like it, there's no need to ask the price."

Xu Yuexin gently stroked Zhu Chen's slender jade‑like hand and said, "Take it home and hang it up; remember to care for it, otherwise the silver will tarnish over time."

The frame is actually made of silver? Zhu Chen was at a loss for words upon hearing that.

Xu Yuexin's gift was indeed too precious.

"Then just tell me how much it cost."

Despite the surprise, Zhu Chen still held to her bottom line.

"I found it."

Xu Yuexin smiled faintly, took the large gift box containing the painting from Zhu Chen's hands, spread his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

Zhu Chen dared not meet Xu Yuexin's gaze; she turned her face away and pushed him with her hand, "No, this really isn't appropriate for us."

"If it's not appropriate, why did you give me a belt?"

Xu Yuexin leaned close to Zhu Chen's ear and asked in a magnetic voice.

Zhu Chen's expression froze: so he understood after all…

"It was you… whimper…"

Before Zhu Chen could finish speaking, Xu Yuexin had already kissed her.

(End of chapter)