Why is the system taking my request to photograph a cosplayer seriously?

Chapter 260 Oysters with Strong Liquor?

On the way back, only Ding Heng and Zhao Yanxi remained in the car.

Zhou Rongmei stayed at her parents' home to keep the elderly company, saying she wanted to stay a couple more days, and asked Ding Heng to take Zhao Yanxi back to Xingcheng.

His words were full of helplessness, probably because he already understood that this mess at home would have to be thrown away sooner or later.

In the afternoon, Zhao Yanxi started to feel sleepy and lazily slumped in the passenger seat.

"Brother Ding Heng, what are your plans for my uncle's three million?"

"The money won't disappear; we'll talk about it after the New Year."

With Zhou Rongmei gone, Ding Heng could finally act recklessly.

He reached out and gently pinched Zhao Yanxi's thigh, which was covered by thick black pantyhose.

Zhao Yanxi chuckled twice and leaned her legs over so the man could easily touch them.

"Did I help you?"

"What kind of help do you need?"

"If I hadn't exposed my uncle, would you have been able to get him to invest so easily?"

Zhao Yanxi, beaming with pride, began to boast, "So shouldn't you praise me?"

Ding Heng chuckled and patted her head.

"Okay, okay, my cat is the most capable!"

Zhao Yanxi squinted comfortably and gently rubbed her hands against Ding Heng's palm.

As the car entered the highway, the scenery outside the window rushed past.

Ding Heng withdrew his hand, looked straight ahead at the road, and suddenly realized something.

Among the girls around him now, Zhao Yanxi is probably the one who has the least concept of "money".

Lin Man, needless to say, directly liaised with the company and was fully aware of the size of Hengbai Capital.

Wenjing majored in accounting and also taught herself stock trading. She currently has a considerable amount of savings in her stock account, making her quite wealthy.

Hua Qing was in the capital and attended the Beijing Dance Academy. She was surrounded by social circles, and her classmates would often talk about which project someone had won or what business someone's family was in. Under such influence, she had a good idea of ​​how much "gold" Ding Heng had.

Only Zhao Yanxi————

It's not that Zhao Yanxi is petty.

She grew up in a wealthy family; her parents were prominent figures, and her uncle was a successful businessman who gave her plenty of red envelopes during holidays.

Her concept of money is actually much more open-minded than most of her peers.

So Ding Heng bought her all sorts of gifts and took her all over the world, and she never refused or asked any questions.

However, her understanding of Ding Heng's wealth remained merely at the level of "open-mindedness." She had almost no concept of how much money Ding Heng actually had.

Even now, she still thinks three million is a lot of money for Ding Heng.

Should we explain it to her?

Ding Heng hesitated for a long time.

Or rather, it's fine to let the kitten stay carefree forever.

Zhao Yanxi suddenly asked again, "Brother Ding Heng, do you think Uncle's three million can really make money? If he doesn't, my mom will definitely nag me to death."

"What's wrong?"

Ding Heng jokingly retorted, "You don't believe me?"

"Of course I believe it!"

Zhao Yanxi raised her voice by half an octave: "I was just—asking casually."

Ding Heng reached out and rubbed her thigh again, then patted it gently.

"Don't worry, you won't lose money. If you really do lose money, I'll make it up to your uncle."

"No need for that—"

Zhao Yanxi chuckled, it was unclear whether she truly took her uncle's three million seriously.

After getting off the highway, it was already 3 p.m. when I got home.

"I'm back!"

Wenjing was the first to greet Zhao Yanxi with a smile.

After changing her shoes, Zhao Yanxi hugged Wenjing tightly.

"Little Jingjing! I missed you so much!"

Wenjing reached out and pushed her.

"Okay, okay, relax, relax, stop being so dramatic."

Zhao Yanxi grinned as she let go of Hua Qing's hand, then turned and pounced on her.

"Happy New Year, Sister Hua Qing!"

Hua Qing was infected by Zhao Yanxi's smile.

"Happy New Year."

Zhao Yanxi finally lunged at Lin Man.

Lin Man had already opened her arms and was waiting for her. The two hugged each other tightly, and their laughter echoed in the living room.

"Sister Man! Have you missed me?"

"I've thought about it a lot, I think about it every day."

"You're lying! You didn't even call me!"

"Let's not talk about that—come on, we're just one short for three."

Lin Man shoved Zhao Yanxi and headed towards the entertainment room.

Zhao Yanxi asked curiously, "Have you guys started playing mahjong recently?"

Lin Man said with a smile, "Little Jingjing, whom I just taught, is quite talented."

Wenjing was called on and scratched her face shyly.

"It's alright — but the rules are a bit convoluted. It took me two rounds to figure them out."

"7

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get a table! Let's get a table!"

Zhao Yanxi immediately perked up, sat down, turned on the mahjong machine, and rubbed her hands together eagerly: "How much?"

Lin Man: "You decide."

"Playing with money is pointless."

Zhao Yanxi's eyes darted around, and she said with a mischievous smile, "Why don't we drag the men along and see who loses all their money first?"

Lin Man was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this.

"Looks like you've been cooped up for days."

"You are full-fed people who don't know the hunger of starving people."

Zhao Yanxi, without blushing at all, boldly asked, "So, do you dare?"

Hua Qing and Wen Jing then sat down without raising any objections.

The clatter of mahjong tiles rang out.

in the afternoon.

-

The recreation room was quiet.

A light gray JK skirt was draped over the doorknob, its hem wrinkled and crumpled.

On the sofa, a pink and white Hanfu cross-collar shirt lay open, its ties hanging crookedly to the ground.

Several bottles of mineral water were lying on their sides, with the bottles overturned and water stains spreading on the table.

Take a couple of steps inside, and you'll see stockings scattered all over the floor.

The black stockings were torn in several places, from the top of the thigh all the way to the knee—the lace trim on the white stockings was torn and deformed—there were at least seven or eight pairs of them in pieces.

In the living room, Wenjing had already finished showering, her long hair was half wet, and she had changed into a light pink down jacket and was ready to go out.

Hua Qing sat to the side, wearing a down jacket of the same style but a different color. Her long hair was loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin, and her plain face showed no expression.

Lin Man was sprawled on another sofa, also wearing a down jacket and a plain face.

Ding Heng will take them to Xie Baoyang's house for barbecue later, so there's absolutely no need for them to dress up.

"Yan hope isn't ready yet?"

Wenjing put down the towel and glanced towards the stairs.

Lin Man yawned lazily: "Still being punished in the bathroom. Judging from the boss's usual routine, it'll probably be a while longer."

Hua Qing looked down at her phone, expressionless, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Ding Heng had originally intended to let them go, but someone had a loose tongue and insisted on provoking them, so he was left behind to be punished.

Finally, footsteps came from the stairs.

Zhao Yanxi walked much slower than usual, holding onto the stairs with one hand and supporting her waist with the other, her face still flushed.

"Oh, you're out?"

Lin Man gloated: "You said you brought this on yourself, you deserve it."

"What sin? You're enjoying it!"

Zhao Yanxi stubbornly insisted, "I feel completely refreshed!"

Hua Qing finally couldn't stand their inappropriate remarks any longer and put down her phone to urge them on.

"Let's go, let's go out."

At 7 p.m., the entrance to Xie Baoyang's barbecue restaurant was brightly lit.

Despite it being the Lunar New Year period, business at the store was still good.

All the lights in the shop, big and small, were on, and the plastic tables and chairs at the entrance were full of people. White smoke billowed out of the chimney of the charcoal stove.

Ding Heng pushed open the door and went in, and Xie Baoyang immediately came out to greet him.

"Old Ding! We've reserved a private room for you upstairs."

95

The private room wasn't large; the round table could seat just five people.

Xie Baoyang poured them tea and served them several plates of cold dishes.

"Um—Old Ding, please sit down with your siblings for a while. The food will be ready soon."

Xie Baoyang's attitude was much more attentive than usual: "Old Ding, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"No, no, just order whatever looks good."

Zhao Yanxi answered for everyone, picking up a peanut and popping it into her mouth: "Brother Xie, you go ahead and do your work, don't worry about us."

Xie Baoyang nodded, then winked at Ding Heng before turning and leaving the private room.

The dishes were served one after another.

Green pepper turtle, grilled skewers, grilled fish, grilled eggplant, grilled chives — and a big bowl of spicy crayfish, bright red, with an aroma that wafts straight into your nose.

After serving the last dish, Xie Baoyang poured himself a glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

"Old Ding, brothers and sisters-in-law, I'd like to raise a glass to you all, Happy New Year!"

He downed the liquor in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "You guys enjoy your meal. I have something to do downstairs, so I won't keep you company any longer."

Xie Baoyang left the private room, and Ding Heng got up and followed him out.

"Old Ding, why didn't you come along with your younger siblings?"

"Come on, let's sit in my car."

Ding Heng gestured with his chin towards the doorway.

Xie Baoyang was taken aback, put down the order book, and got into the Mercedes with Ding Heng.

Ding Heng pulled a document out of the car and handed it over.

"Take a look."

Xie Baoyang took it and looked down at it.

The cover reads: "Chain Brand Expansion Plan".

He paused for a moment, then turned to the first page.

Brand positioning, target customer group, site selection strategy, supply chain plan, marketing promotion, investment budget — the table of contents is clearly listed. Flip a few pages down, and most of the content has already been written. Although some parts are still rough, the framework is complete and the logic is clear.

"You—"

Xie Baoyang looked up at Ding Heng, his expression complicated: "Didn't I say yesterday that my dad—"

"Are you really planning to let your dad make barbecue for the rest of his life?"

Ding Heng remained calm and continued, "Your dad is in his fifties this year. How many more years can he work? If you don't pave the way for him now, will you be able to take over when he can't work anymore?"

"I am not—"

"Xie Baoyang, calm down first."

Ding Heng interrupted, "Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts. I'm just looking for a way to make money, so you don't need to feel embarrassed."

Xie Baoyang opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"But have you ever thought about it? Your dad's skills and reputation have been built up over 20 years. Isn't it a pity that he's just keeping this small shop?"

""

Ding Heng muttered, "I'll invest the money, your family will provide the technology, and we'll be partners. Once the branch opens, we'll split the profits 50/50, and if we lose money, your family will definitely bear the risk."

"Old Ding————"

"Let me finish speaking first."

Ding Heng analyzed: "You know better than I do what the late-night snack market in Xingcheng has been like these past two years. One after another, internet celebrity brands have sprung up, and capital is pouring money into them. Packaging, marketing, traffic—a whole set of combined punches—and the old shops are being squeezed out of business."

Your dad's shop has survived this long thanks to its loyal customers, but those customers will eventually age and be replaced by younger people. If you don't move forward, you'll be overtaken sooner or later.

Xie Baoyang clenched the project proposal in his hand, utterly speechless.

"Just consider it a favor. I have some money on hand but nowhere to spend it. I don't trust anyone else, but at least I know you."

Ding Heng softened his tone: "I genuinely believe your flavor has potential. Think about it, X-Bao Brothers, Juwei X-Ji, Liangxia X-Ge—weren't they all built from small shops? If they can do it, why can't you?"

Xie Baoyang lowered his head and stared quietly at the cover of the project proposal.

The matter was mentioned just yesterday, and Ding Heng has already arranged for a plan to be prepared today.

Although one day was a tight schedule, it showed our sincerity!

The carriage was silent for several seconds before Xie Baoyang let out a long sigh: "I'll take it back to my dad first and get back to you as soon as possible."

.

"No rush, I'll have someone come and discuss the specifics with your uncle after the New Year."

"Thanks, Lao Ding!"

"Stop being so dramatic, go back to work."

"————"

Xie Baoyang sniffed and turned to walk into the store.

Ding Heng went upstairs again. The door to the private room was ajar, and the girls' conversation could be faintly heard from inside.

"Let me tell you, back in the afternoon, I really felt he had reached his limit."

It was Zhao Yanxi's voice, sounding very serious.

"How dare you say that?"

Lin Man teased, "Who was the first to cry this afternoon?"

"I was just acting."

Zhao Yanxi stubbornly replied, "Let him feel a sense of accomplishment."

"play?"

Wenjing was both amused and exasperated: "You seem to be crying quite genuinely."

"That's called creating the right atmosphere! Little Jingjing, you don't understand, men have their pride!"

"Is it really not because Ding Heng took pity on you that he let you go?"

"At worst, it's a lose-lose situation!"

Zhao Yanxi raised her voice by half an octave, but her voice sounded a little weak.

"Let's eat!"

Wenjing sighed softly, "When we were playing in a five-player team, everyone knew what each other looked like."

"How can that be the same! Xiaojing, whose side are you on?"

Lin Man chuckled and suddenly made a suggestion.

"How about we think of something? I'd really like to see what it's like when the boss raises the white flag and surrenders."

"Add one."

Zhao Yanxi immediately echoed.

Hua Qing didn't speak, and Wen Jing didn't respond either.

They had already come to terms with reality and would not provoke Ding Heng excessively, lest they suffer the consequences.

Ding Heng reached out and pushed open the door, and the private room instantly fell silent.

Four pairs of eyes turned to look at us simultaneously.

Zhao Yanxi lowered her head to peel shrimp.

Lin Man picked up a piece of roasted eggplant and chewed it slowly.

Hua Qing remained expressionless, picked up her water glass, and took a sip.

Wen Jing smiled at him and asked naturally, "Ding Heng, do you want to drink? We'll be driving later, right?"

Ding Heng didn't say anything, walked to the table and sat down, then reached out and placed a dozen grilled oysters from the table in front of him.

Zhao Yanxi's hand, which was peeling shrimp, froze in mid-air.

Lin Man stopped chewing the eggplant.

Hua Qing put down her teacup, her eyes subtly revealing her emotions.

Wenjing blinked, looked at the oysters, and then at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng picked up an oyster—dipped it in sauce, slurped it up, and swallowed it.

A dull mouth.

Then pick up the second one.

Lin Man was the first to react and quickly surrendered: "Boss, I didn't say anything. It was all Zhao Yanxi who started this up and gave me these crazy ideas!"

""

"Hey! Lin Man, you—"

Before Zhao Yanxi could finish speaking, Hua Qing immediately followed suit and raised the white flag.

I'll be sleeping alone tonight.

"No!"

Zhao Yanxi grabbed Hua Qing's wrist and said urgently, "Sister Hua Qing, if we're going to die, we'll die together."

Wenjing didn't say anything, but silently picked up the drink on the table, poured a glass for Ding Heng, and placed it next to him.

"Ding Heng, don't choke."

The little white rabbit was as well-behaved and sensible as ever, hoping that Ding Heng would be lenient with it that night.

Ding Heng didn't look at her, swallowed the third oyster whole, and then opened a bottle of strong liquor and gulped down half of it in one go.

He wiped his mouth, giving a forced smile.

"Hmph! Trying to escape?"