Huayu Chunqiu, starting from being adopted by a fairy mother

Chapter 459 Apprenticeship Banquet

The welcome banquet started at six o'clock and was held at a restaurant in the supermarket.

It was just 5:30 when Liu Jing, along with his assistant, Zeng Li, and Xiao Dao, set off.

When they arrived at the destination, General Manager Yu was already there, along with six or seven other people.

Liu Jing was surprised to find Meng Ziyi there, sitting next to a man. After introductions, she learned that this was her father.

Mr. Meng is quite handsome and not very old. He first apologized for his daughter's rudeness, then punished himself with a drink, very readily.

As they chatted, other relationships came up.

A friend of Meng's father is a partner at Changchun Huayang Beauty Salon and knows Zhang Min.

Liu Jing sighed, realizing that Zhang Min's network of relationships, built through Huayang, was truly unfathomable.

Northeasterners are straightforward and don't have many tricks when it comes to drinking. Liu Jing really wanted Jiang Wen to learn from them.

He drank heartily, and the host was even more delighted. Amidst the mutual flattery, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Wishing you a successful roadshow tomorrow.

Wishing "The Message" box office success exceeding 400 million.

Wishing the box office to break 500 million in advance...

Every word became a reason to drink; before the chopsticks were even unpacked, three ounces of liquor had already been downed.

"Mr. Yu, I just went to the supermarket, business seems pretty good." The assistant spoke up as the wine flowed freely.

She never drinks alcohol when her boss is drinking, always remaining sober and ready to serve at any time.

"Our hypermarket is a renowned shopping center with a national reputation, its influence extending to the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia. It boasts 600,000 square meters of retail space, a 200,000 square meter parking lot, and nearly 10,000 parking spaces—few in the country can compare. It opened at the end of 2000, and in 2001, sales were less than 100 million yuan. Last year, sales reached 45 billion yuan, and this year we expect to exceed 5 billion yuan," said General Manager Yu, his face beaming with pride as he spoke of his hypermarket.

"Your store is amazing. No one in the whole country can compare to it. I've never seen anything like it before," Bai Bing praised.

"Haha, no, no, we're only third in the country. First is your Yandu's Golden Resources Mall, with a total construction area of ​​68 square meters and a commercial area of ​​55.7 square meters, the world's largest single shopping mall. Second is Dongguan South China Mall, with a total construction area of ​​89 square meters and a commercial area of ​​40 square meters, the world's largest themed shopping park. Compared to them, our Eurasia Mall is still a little behind." President Yu was modest but proud, clearly enjoying Bai Bing's praise.

This is not a slight difference; the area is about the same, but the sales volume and influence are vastly different.

Bai Bing, of course, wouldn't expose him directly. Instead, she took the opportunity to suggest, "President Yu, I heard that the Shanghai IFC is currently attracting tenants and will open early next year. They've hired Lin Chi-ling as their spokesperson, which will greatly help with their tenant recruitment. Our Eurasia Mall can't compete with Golden Resources Mall and South China Mall, maybe we're just missing a spokesperson."

Mr. Yu suddenly realized that he had been waiting here all along.

He asked with great interest, "Mr. Bai, who do you think is suitable to be the spokesperson for our Eurasia Store?"

"Don't bother with 'General Manager Bai,' just call me Xiao Bing, or Assistant Bai, Mr. Yu. What do you think of Sister Zeng Li? She has a dignified appearance and a generous personality, which matches the style of our Eurasia Mall perfectly. I believe that with her as our spokesperson, our sales will definitely reach new heights," Bai Bing said with a smile.

"Assistant Bai, as you know, our store's profit margin is very low, and we don't have the money to hire big stars," said General Manager Yu, looking troubled.

"Mr. Yu, this isn't a luxury brand endorsement; our store is different. Since you're friends with our boss, I'll give you a friendly price. Two million a year for endorsement, what do you think?"

Luxury brand endorsements are very expensive, but also involve a lot of work. Retail endorsements are much simpler, involving print photoshoots, advertising, and some offline events, so the fees are generally not high.

"Since Assistant Bai has said so, I think this matter can be accomplished." President Yu readily agreed. Two million is not much, and it's good to establish a good relationship.

Mr. Yu had other motives for hosting Liu Jing this time.

The Chunqiu Times Square in Shanghai is under construction, and Eurasia wants to cooperate with Chunqiu. This goodwill will soon be put to use.

The relationship between Meng's father's friend and Zhang Min is definitely not as close as that between Liu Jing and Zhang Min.

"Mr. Yu, you're so generous. I'll toast you on behalf of Sister Zeng Li." Bai Bing had no idea about the intricacies of the situation. She figured she couldn't just eat this meal for nothing and would also take the opportunity to discuss some business.

"Haha, Director Liu, you have a really good assistant." President Yu exclaimed. This girl seemed to be only in her early twenties. She was poised and confident, not at all intimidated by the occasion, and had seen it all.

"Mr. Yu, you flatter me," Bai Bing said modestly.

"Director Liu, Ziyi was just pestering Lao Meng, saying she wants to become your student and learn to sing from you. Her talent is quite...unique. Why don't you take her on as your student?" President Yu, having spent two million, also wanted to make things difficult for Liu Jing. He couldn't bring himself to say Meng Ziyi's voice was excellent, so he could only use the word "unique."

"President Yu, I'm still a student. Aren't you afraid I'll mislead students?" Liu Jing quickly shook his head.

Xiao Dao whispered to Zeng Li, "Sister Zeng Li, if the Crouching Dragon were to teach the Young Phoenix, what kind of results do you think it would produce?"

"Mu Tou's knowledge of songs and operas is more than enough to make him a music academy professor. Although this girl's voice isn't great, with Mu Tou's talent, as long as he trains her diligently, she can still achieve some success." Zeng Li had talked to Liu Jing about operas before, so she understood his level of expertise.

"Big Radish is so amazing." Xiao Dao clicked his tongue in amazement. He had looked down on him with prejudice before.

"Haha, Director Liu, don't worry. With Ziyi's talent, you won't go too far astray." Mr. Meng laughed heartily. He knew his daughter's qualities all too well.

"Director Liu, Ziyi's grades are excellent, especially in math; she's even won an Olympiad prize. She's very smart, grasps things quickly, and having a student like her makes teaching much easier." President Yu had only said that casually earlier, but now he suddenly wanted to actively push things forward. If they had this connection, wouldn't it be much easier to discuss the Spring and Autumn Times Square collaboration with Zhang Min later?

"Director Liu, don't let Ziyi's seemingly foolish appearance fool you, she's actually quite intelligent. I haven't seen her study much, but she's always in the top five of her class." Mr. Meng's attitude towards this matter was neutral; he wouldn't interfere with his daughter's future choices.

Liu Jing looked at Meng Ziyi and threw out an appraisal.

[Note: With exceptional talent, the right people, and the right path, one is destined for greatness.]

Yes! There's no such thing as useless talent, only not finding the right path.

When Bai Bing and Xiao Dao were complaining about Meng Ziyi's voice, he already felt a sense of shared misery.

For a moment, Liu Jing hesitated. If I could train her to be a singer, wouldn't that make me seem more capable?

When Meng Ziyi saw Liu Jing looking over, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, "Master, please accept my bow..."

Liu Jing quickly stood up. "I didn't say anything, and you started to bow." This girl was too honest; she knelt on one knee and looked like she was about to kowtow.

"I'm notoriously bad at singing. Back in the day, Anita Mui and Andy Lau would avoid me when they heard me sing. Even national team members, Teacher Song and Teacher Tan Jing, thought I didn't have any talent in this area." Liu Jing said, laughing and crying at the same time. He was a bit far from Meng Ziyi, and by the time he got there, Meng's head was already on the ground.

"You're amazing, you know so many people." Meng Ziyi said with envy.

Is this the point of focus? Liu Jing was speechless.

“Master, I really think you sing really well, it’s like your voice is soulful. At Jackie Chan’s concert this year, even Emil Chau and Jonathan Lee couldn’t outshine you. And when you sang Wujiapo on Happy Camp, even Zeng Li didn’t sing it as well as you…” Meng Ziyi’s mouth was babbling away, and everyone in the room was watching her, without the slightest bit nervousness.

"..." Zeng Li sighed. "I'm right behind you, I can hear you. Everyone on the internet says I sing the best, but it's different with you."

"Don't call me Master, just call me Teacher from now on." Liu Jing chuckled, suddenly feeling like he had met a kindred spirit.

Now it's confirmed: this girl isn't stupid at all, she's just a little slow-witted.

“Master… I also read books and watch TV, but I don’t learn as much as you do from teachers,” Meng Ziyi retorted.

“I’m not much older than you, but in terms of singing, I’m definitely not your teacher. Just call me teacher.” Liu Jing insisted, “I have two apprentices, and it’s a long story.”

"Ziyi, hurry up and serve tea," President Yu joked.

"Teacher, please have some tea!" Meng Ziyi picked up Liu Jing's wine cup, her secret delight evident. To her, "master" and "teacher" were all the same.

"This is wine..."

"Haha, the welcome banquet has turned into an apprenticeship banquet, let's drink together!" President Yu laughed heartily. Liu Jing lost his appetite for drinking after that, having inexplicably taken on a student.

Mr. Yu is a clever man. “Ziyi, I heard from your father that you’ve wanted to be an actor since you were little. Don’t underestimate your mentor just because he’s young. There are so many directors in China, but there aren’t many who are really as good as him. After you graduate from university, with your mentor’s help, you’ll be a big star sooner or later. Now that you mention it, I have to curry favor with him in advance. Otherwise, one day our little Meng will become an international superstar and won’t recognize me as his uncle.”

"No need, no need, I'll definitely accept it," Meng Ziyi quickly waved his hand.

Mr. Meng was too lazy to correct his daughter's mistake, so he punished himself with a drink.

"Haha, Xiao Meng, you've been learning to sing from your master. Sing a proper song and let Director Liu give you some pointers." Someone in the audience egged them on.

Meng Ziyi was in a dilemma and looked at his father.

Everyone assumed that Meng Ziyi was only becoming an apprentice under the guise of singing in order to become a star. Only Meng's father knew that his daughter genuinely wanted to learn to sing.

He didn't see anything good about Liu Jing's singing; it was even worse than his performance at karaoke.

But the daughter was serious; she wasn't trying to take shortcuts or find a powerful backer, but genuinely thought Liu Jing sang well.

"Sing one of your best songs," Mr. Meng nodded in agreement.

Meng Ziyi is in a dilemma? What am I good at?
She was indeed very clever. After a dozen seconds, she saw the young mistress pouring tea for her master and an idea came to her mind.

"Cough cough, umm..."

"Let love be the flower that blooms eternally in our hearts, a dream that never bows down, never gives up, and transcends time..."

She only sang four lines, and that was all she knew.

After he finished singing, he looked at Bai Bing expectantly, which puzzled Bai Bing. "What song is this? The lyrics are pretty good."

puff……

Meng Ziyi seemed to see a knife fly out of Bai Bing's mouth and pierce his chest. "This is 'Myth,' the song you sang at Cheng Long's concert. What song do you think I sang? Don't you even know that?"
“Myth,” Liu Jing responded, nodding in approval. “You remember the lyrics well. I’ll keep the beat for you, and you can sing it.”

After clapping twice, Meng Ziyi's face was full of confusion. "Teacher, I've already sung."

Liu Jing was speechless. If you hadn't told me, I really wouldn't have known. This student was handled carelessly; should I return them quickly?
Mr. Meng covered his forehead and said, "Ziyi, when you go out in the future, don't say that you are Director Liu's student."

"Why?"

“Your journey will surely bring trouble. But no matter what trouble you cause, you are not allowed to utter my name, or I will skin you alive, grind your bones to dust, and banish your soul to the deepest hell, where you will never be able to rise again.” Father Meng mimicked the voice of the Bodhi Patriarch.

"Dad, you and Mom always think I'll cause trouble if I go out," Meng Ziyi said angrily.

The interaction between the father and daughter made everyone laugh, and Liu Jing began to understand who the little girl's personality came from.

The meal didn't last long; it started at six o'clock and ended before nine.

Liu Jing never expected that a meal would lead to the discovery of a student.

After the first round, President Yu wanted to invite Liu Jing to a second round, but Liu Jing declined, worried that he might find something wrong with the food again.

Each person went back to their own room; with so many people around, it was impossible for them to enter the room together.

Liu Jing brewed a pot of tea, took a shower, wrapped himself in a bath towel, lay on the bed reading, and waited for his assistant to report for duty.

There was another knock on the door, and the doorbell rang.

"Why is it you?" Liu Jing asked in surprise. There was only Qin Lan outside the door, not Taro.

"No need to look anymore, he's not lurking in the shadows." Qin Lan went straight inside.

Men and women are treated differently. If it were Taro, Liu Jing would have thrown him out.

"I only need three o'clock. I said it was inconvenient at the door. Do you mind if I come inside?"

Seeing Liu Jing's unfriendly expression, Qin Lan explained calmly, "First, I know who released the recording. Second, I'm not here to apologize. Third, he didn't know I was here."

Liu Jing's eyes were subtle; each of his three sentences was more interesting than the last.

Taro didn't know who was behind it all, but Qin Lan, his girlfriend, knew perfectly well.

If they're not here to apologize, then they're here to cooperate.

The last sentence, in particular, is quite intriguing.

What's even more intriguing is yet to come. Qin Lan suddenly sighed, her expression wistful, "Fourth, if he knew I was coming, he would probably be secretly pleased."

"..." Wasn't it supposed to be three points? This is four points.

Then Qin Lan unzipped her dress, and it fell to the floor with a silky smooth motion, revealing her breasts.

What they said was correct; Liu Jing miscounted.

Qin Lan approached Liu Jing, placing her hand on his chest, secretly amazed by his muscles.

Liu Jing placed his hand on Qin Lan's shoulder to stop her, "Miss Qin, please leave, I..."

drop!
The door opened, and Bai Bing entered the room.

Qin Lan turned around and met the eyes of her assistant. The room was quiet, except for Liu Jing's thunderous sighs.

"Oh dear, I forgot to wear my contact lenses." Bai Bing reacted quickly, leaving behind a sentence before closing the door and leaving.

She never expected to see such a scene.

The boss, wearing a bathrobe, stood in front of the bed, facing the door, with his hand on Qin Lan's shoulder.

Qin Lan stood in front of the boss, revealing her smooth, beautiful back, with her skirt falling behind her.

After the welcome banquet ended, Bai Bing returned to her room. Without even taking a shower, she immediately called the company to tell her employees about Zeng Li's endorsement. She was flying to Nanchang the next day and didn't have time to finalize the matter.

Things discussed over drinks can sometimes be decided in the heat of the moment. She planned to sign the contract first thing the next morning and then hand it over to her employees.

After she finished explaining her work, she went to the hotel front desk to get some water and delivered it to the members of the roadshow team before returning to her boss's room to report for duty.

"Sigh! How could this happen?" Bai Bing leaned against her door, her expression melancholy.

If I don't go in, given our position, she can predict what will happen next.

It must have been Qin Lan who slowly knelt down following the boss's hand pressure, and then... and then... until the very end.

Bai Bing felt that her sudden entry had ruined the boss's plans.

She wasn't troubled by it, but rather suddenly felt a void in her heart.

She may have no bottom line, but she really hopes her boss does, because that makes her feel safer.

"Alas! Food and sex are human nature, as Confucius said."

(End of this chapter)