Chapter 2147: Why Did I Pick This Weirdo in the First Place

Qingkong truly fell silent.

But he did not remain silent for long before he saw a properly dressed middle-aged man walking over.

The man was neither fat nor thin, his back held very straight, and every move he made seemed constrained by some sort of regulation.

His gaze was somewhat sharp.

Yet, after meeting eyes with Qingkong and Su Kexuan, a hint of a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

It was very clear that the other party had come looking for the two of them.

Qingkong did not recognize this person.

Su Kexuan, however, recognized him: "Are you the butler of the Li Family?"

"Indeed. Mrs. Li asked me to come and invite the two of you to a family banquet. I wonder if you have the time."

"This..."

Seeing that Su Kexuan was about to refuse, Qingkong promised first: "Of course we have time!"

Hearing this, Su Kexuan cast a meaningful glance at Qingkong and gave the opposite answer: "Please convey my thanks to Mrs. Li, but I really cannot spare the time."

Her words drew a "tsk" from Qingkong.

Then he said: "Don't refuse. They invited us to a family banquet, so there must be a reason."

The butler added with a smile: "There is indeed a reason. Mrs. Li knows that the photos of Master Mobai are very popular, and she is very grateful to the two of you."

"Our cooperation with Jiang Mobai is just standard business; there is no need for special thanks."

"Understood, which is why I said it is a family banquet—it is informal, just a token of appreciation. Moreover, it is being held in the restaurant right next door, so it will not take up too much of your time."

Upon hearing this, Qingkong hurriedly interjected: "This is clearly being considerate of us both. If we refuse again, it would be too disrespectful to them."

Seeing Qingkong so enthusiastic, Su Kexuan asked: "Don't you dislike socializing?"

"I only dislike ordinary socializing, but socializing with the Li Family is not ordinary!"

Qingkong's words were half-true and half-false.

Su Kexuan couldn't be bothered to distinguish.

And even less bothered to play along.

Her indifference made Qingkong a little anxious.

With no other options, Qingkong simply said: "You must go! Just treat it as paving the way for my future!"

The butler was amused: "Mr. Qingkong is truly straightforward."

"Where is he being straightforward? He's clearly a weirdo!"

Su Kexuan felt very helpless inside.

She didn't even know how she, who usually had a good eye for people, had picked this weirdo in the first place...

In the end, the two of them still went to the restaurant next door.

Since it was a family banquet, Jiang Mobai was certainly there too.

He saw Qingkong and Su Kexuan and just gave a light greeting.

Qingkong, however, acted as if he didn't see the aloofness in Jiang Mobai's eyes and took the initiative to sit beside him.

He even started chatting with him warmly.

Jiang Mobai, however, was indifferent.

His behavior made the Li Family members feel strange.

However, everyone's attention did not remain on those two for long.

Another significance of today's family banquet was to welcome Li Xingyan and Wei Yangyang back from their travels.

The two had returned from their honeymoon, still carrying a sense of ease.

Su Kexuan looked Wei Yangyang up and down, then commented: "You've filled out."

Wei Yangyang smiled sweetly.

Then, she complained to Jiang Motian and Li Moning: "Look at how well Kexuan speaks, unlike you two, who said I was fat the moment we met."

Jiang Motian looked up and asked: "What's the difference?"

"Of course there is. 'Filled out' means getting fat in the places where one should be fat."

"Fine, fine, we will learn from Kexuan in the future on how to tell the truth tactfully."

This girl...

Wei Yangyang poked Jiang Motian's waist with her finger.

Jiang Motian was ticklish and hurriedly hid in Xie Wanyi's arms.

Su Kexuan was curious about how Wei Yangyang's honeymoon went, so she asked her to tell them about it.

Wei Yangyang really did have a few fun things to share with everyone.

Wei Yangyang began to describe them vividly.

Everyone was also drawn in by her description.

Only, when she reached the end, Wei Yangyang suddenly sighed with melancholy.

Seeing this, Su Kexuan asked in confusion: "Why are you sighing?"

"Because I was so happy that I didn't want to come back. If it weren't for Xingyan's work piling up too much, we might have stayed carefree for a while longer."

Hearing this, Qingkong said a few polite pleasantries: "The Li Family members are all dragons and phoenixes among men; I presume the young masters and ladies will all be pillars of the company in the future."

Hmm...

It is true that they are dragons and phoenixes among men.

But as for joining the company...

Jiang Motian and the others either remained as quiet as chickens, looked up at the sky, or looked down at their fingernails.

In any case, they just wouldn't take the bait.

Jiang Baobao was already used to each and every one of them being like this.

But thinking that Qingkong was meeting them for the first time, she explained, "You might not be very familiar with them, but none of them are willing to take over the family business. If it weren't for Xingyan stepping up, my husband wouldn't have been able to retire."

"Ah... so that's how it is. That is quite novel."

Qingkong pretended not to be awkward, then smiled to smooth things over.

He shifted his gaze to Li Xingyan and asked, "I only heard the Young Mistress talk about her honeymoon experience just now; I wonder how you feel about it, Mr. Li?"

"My feelings? I want to retire early."

Li Xingyan was speaking the truth.

Yet his answer almost made Qingkong lose the expression on his face.

He had realized that although the Li Family were very amiable,

their ways of thinking were more eccentric than the last.

Communicating with them was such a waste of brain cells...

As soon as Jiang Baobao saw Qingkong's state, she knew he had been left speechless by Li Xingyan's bluntness.

She had organized this family banquet today, and not wanting the guest to feel uncomfortable, she spoke up to ease the atmosphere: "Xingyan wants to retire early so he can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers with Yangyang."

After finishing, she said to Li Xingyan, "You can just keep such dreams in your heart; why must you bring them out and say them so seriously?"

"This isn't just a dream; I plan to raise my and Yangyang's child well, so that..."

"That's enough, Xingyan!"

Jiang Baobao stopped Li Xingyan, then said quite helplessly to Qingkong, "Pardon the embarrassment."

Qingkong saw that Jiang Baobao was easing the awkwardness for him.

He first gave a grateful smile, then politely said, "Not at all. Mr. Li is also a man of true feelings and nature, very different from what I imagined."

"Mr. Qingkong is the same; you are very different from the style of your works."

"Heh, I'm just a person who gets a bit more enthusiastic with people I know well."

Jiang Baobao could see it.

Qingkong was very enthusiastic toward Jiang Mobai.

But Jiang Mobai...

Jiang Baobao was somewhat dissatisfied with him.

Regardless, they were the hosts today; how could he put on such a long face?

Jiang Baobao looked at Jiang Mobai and reminded him, "You usually love to talk at length, so why have you become so profound today? Could it be that you have a burden because your photography works are too popular?"

Jiang Baobao's words were very clever.

They wouldn't make everyone feel pressured.

And they also gave Jiang Mobai a hint.

Jiang Mobai understood what his mother meant.

To respond to his mother, he raised his glass to Qingkong and said earnestly, "Congratulations on the successful completion of your second exhibition!"

After speaking, Jiang Mobai tilted his head back and finished the wine in his glass.