Chapter 1854

Ye Chen could already confirm that Zhan Feier's motive for approaching him was absolutely to obtain the Rejuvenation Pill.

Therefore, under this premise, no matter how Zhan Feier tried to curry favor, Ye Chen felt no inner disturbance.

Because, in the face of the value of a single Rejuvenation Pill, her small favor was not even worth a fraction.

But Xiao Churan felt somewhat apprehensive and said: "Maybe I shouldn't take it..."

Seeing Xiao Churan seemed faintly disappointed, Ye Chen asked: "Wife, do you actually want to take this project in your heart?"

Xiao Churan hesitated repeatedly, then nodded slightly and said: "Yes..."

After saying this, she hurriedly explained to Ye Chen: "Actually, I'm not mainly doing this for money; it's just that her villa truly has an excellent structural foundation—it's two villas merged into one, and such a layout won't exist again in Jin Ling afterward. Moreover, her renovation budget is very high, and for a designer, the higher the budget, the greater the room for expression. This way, I have a chance to create a high-standard interior design work..."

Saying this, Xiao Churan looked at Ye Chen somewhat timidly and whispered: "Husband... as an interior designer, the most important thing is to produce a highly representative work. If I can win awards in interior design based on a representative work, it would greatly help both me personally and my design studio. However, I have never yet undertaken a large independent design project, so I also lack works suitable for competition..."

Ye Chen nodded understandingly and asked her: "By the way, wife, was the interior design of the Emperor Rich Group's six-star hotel done by you?"

"No..." Xiao Churan explained: "The overall design of the Emperor Rich Group's six-star hotel was done by a very famous overseas design studio. For such a large project, it must be paired with a renowned designer to be reasonable. Initially, the Xiao family only undertook part of the interior renovation construction. Later, when I established my studio, I took on some outsourced projects, and we simply followed their designs for construction."

Ye Chen smiled faintly: "I understand, wife. You also want a work entirely designed by yourself that you can proudly present."

"Yes..." Xiao Churan nodded lightly and added: "Husband, I've already looked over the villa's blueprints—it's truly perfect for a designer to fully showcase their skills. If you're worried about owing someone a favor because of this, I can waive their design fee entirely, and even not directly handle the later construction, taking on the project completely pro bono. This way, I can pour my heart into it, and next year I can use this project to enter the National Interior Design Awards..."

After saying this, she looked up at Ye Chen with pleading eyes and asked: "Husband, do you think this is acceptable?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen already understood Xiao Churan's true inner pursuit.

Xiao Churan is like a new director in the film and television industry, but she has never truly led a major production that could be presented proudly.

Therefore, she can only assist in other directors' major productions—for example, serving as an assistant director or a supervisor of costumes, makeup, and props.

The projects she herself leads are mostly like Du Haiqing's renovation of her parents' former small courtyard—overall scale is small, like a microfilm. Although it is a work, it certainly cannot qualify for various film festivals or film and television awards.

Now, Zhan Feier, with a budget of fifty million yuan, paired with Qin Gang's previous villa, is equivalent to giving Xiao Churan sufficient budget, even providing her with an excellent cast. As long as Xiao Churan agrees, she can turn it into her first major work.

Thus, its appeal to Xiao Churan is naturally very high.

Thinking this, he immediately looked at Xiao Churan and said softly: "Wife, I already said—you don't need any psychological burden. Since you feel this project is especially suitable for you to fully display your talents, then go ahead and take it boldly!"

Hearing this, Xiao Churan excitedly asked: "Really possible, husband?"

Ye Chen nodded and said seriously: "Of course! I have always believed in your ability in design. It's just that for so long in the Xiao family, you haven't been valued, burying your talent and gift. Since you want to develop deeply in this field, Zhan Feier's villa is indeed a good opportunity for you to demonstrate your personal ability. Husband believes in your ability—keep going!"

Xiao Churan excitedly clenched her pink fist and said firmly: "Husband, rest assured—I will give it my all!"

……

At this moment, Xiao Changkun had already followed Ma Lan's instructions and driven the car to the door of the neighboring villa.

After the car stopped steadily, Ma Lan pointed at the roof and said eagerly: "Xiao Changkun, open the sunroof—I want to stand outside and shout at them!"

Xiao Changkun casually replied: "This car doesn't have a sunroof."

Ma Lan widened her eyes: "What?! A car worth over ten million yuan doesn't even have a sunroof—this is too shabby! Doesn't your BMW 530 still have a panoramic sunroof?"

Xiao Changkun pointed at the car's roof full of stars inside and explained: "They chose the more expensive starlight roof. Once you choose the starlight roof, you can't open it, so there's no sunroof. Starlight roof and sunroof are mutually exclusive—you can only pick one."

Ma Lan resentfully said: "Then forget it—I'll just open the window!"

Saying this, she lowered the passenger-side window and shouted toward the direction of Old Mrs. Xiao's bedroom: "Qian Hongyan! Qian Hongyan! Are you home, Qian Hongyan?!"

Xiao Changkun was stunned and blurted out: "Didn't Qian Hongyan steal my mother's money and run away recently? Why are you shouting at her?"

Ma Lan said impatiently: "You don't understand a thing! This is hitting the vital point—if there's salt, of course you want to rub it into their wounds!"

After saying that, she continued shouting: "Is Qian Hongyan home?!"

At this moment, Old Mrs. Xiao had just finished serving Xiao Changgan and Xiao Hailong their meal.

Because Xiao Weiwei's income has been steadily rising, the family of four's life has finally improved significantly, progressing from barely being able to cook to a genuine moderately prosperous level. Moreover, Xiao Changgan and Xiao Hailong have finally had the chance to receive proper treatment, so their recovery speed is not bad—they can now slowly walk with crutches.

However, finger recovery is slower, so the two still cannot fully manage self-care, and thus still need Old Mrs. Xiao to feed them spoon by spoon during meals.

Xiao Hailong had just finished eating and let out a belch when he heard someone outside shouting his mother's name, Qian Hongyan.

He instinctively asked: "Dad, Grandma, did you hear that? It sounds like someone is calling my mother's name!"

Xiao Changgan immediately snapped: "Don't mention my mother to me! Just thinking of her makes me angry!"

While he was speaking, Ma Lan's shouting came again from outside. Old Mrs. Xiao heard it and blurted: "This voice... sounds like Ma Lan!"

"Ma Lan?!" Xiao Changgan, upon hearing this, immediately gritted his teeth in anger and cursed: "His mother dragged a bastard! Ma Lan, what wind blew you here? I still haven't settled the account of the green hat on that balcony with you, yet you dare to come provoke me! Look how I won't curse you into a bloody mess!"