Capítulo 136: Yingying's Papa
(A/N)
This title is pretty good. Just some classic alliteration.
Oh, why am I not making any jokes about it?
Well...
THE JOKE POLICE GOT MEE!!!
I'm off on parole right now.
And you better believe my parole officer is watching my every move.
But hey, I got another dedicated reader out of it, so wheeeeeee!!!!
:)
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Time appeared to whisk away at an accelerated pace. After coordinating with Qiuying's father and catching some much-needed rest, it was Qiuying who eventually roused Miaoyi from her slumber, priming her for an imminent dinner with An Du Lian.
The present time was 8:00 PM. This meant that Miaoyi and Qiuying had virtually snoozed through the entire day. This span illustrated how skillfully they balanced the demands of academia and their burgeoning careers, both of which were quite taxing.
Nevertheless, regardless of fatigue, emerging from a peaceful nap was indeed rejuvenating.
As for the dinner arrangement, it was a fairly straightforward affair. An Du Lian had opted to dine at the Yuwei Hotel, having secured a private dining room. Rumour had it that he had even postponed a business engagement in order to share a meal with his daughter and her friend.
In essence, Miaoyi and Qiuying could exit their room, descend one floor, and find themselves within the hotel's dining precinct.
"Hey, Yingying, just to confirm, which private room did he reserve?"
In an elevator on their way to the restaurant, Miaoyi turned to Qiuying, who stood beside her, seeking clarification before they reached their destination.
"It's the 'Peony Pavilion.' When we get there, we can simply ask the staff to guide us," Qiuying reassured.
"Oh, and one more time – what's your dad's personality like? I'm afraid I might end up blurting out something silly…"
Qiuying couldn't help but chuckle at Miaoyi's sudden wave of concern. "Don't worry, he's not going to bite. Just be yourself."
Miaoyi decided to drop the subject, and before they knew it, the elevator arrived on the second floor where the restaurant was located. This was the place where they would enjoy their dinner tonight.
It must be acknowledged that the Yuwei Hotel had indeed earned its esteemed reputation in the Imperial Capital. Their impeccable service left Miaoyi with no room to complain. From the moment they stepped out of the elevator to the entrance of the private room, attentive staff members were at their disposal, guiding them every step of the way.
Finally, they stood in front of the 'Peony Pavilion' private room, where a service attendant swung open the door. Miaoyi's gaze fell upon Qiuying's father for the first time.
It was none other than the illustrious heavyweight of their world – a figure so influential that they could probably eclipse a hundred bundled-up Miaoyis.
Seated at the head of the table were just two individuals. One was a middle-aged man in his early forties, deeply engrossed in examining the menu. He hummed a tune playfully, circling and underlining items with a pen, his jovial mood evident. Beside him stood a young waiter, eyes wide with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
The man sported a crisply tailored suit, devoid of any unnecessary frills. His only accessory was an understated wristwatch, and he casually set his phone aside.
The air he gave off was an unquestionable confidence. When at a restaurant with a group, this was the person who would say, "Pass me the menu, I'll handle the ordering."
Miaoyi's heart raced.
"Hey, Dad~" Qiuying greeted directly, advancing to embrace him in a tight hug.
"Ah? The youngsters have arrived?" An Du Lian was temporarily taken aback, placing the menu aside before pulling An Qiuying into a hug, sporting a cheerful grin.
Then, her focus shifted to Miaoyi, who had tagged along with Qiuying. An Du Lian chuckled, "Well, Miaoyi, take a seat, no need to be shy."
Upon her maiden encounter with Miaoyi, An Du Lian couldn't resist a nod of approval.
Her initial impression was quite positive—a pleasant young girl.
Up till now, An Du Lian had solely learned about Miaoyi through her daughter and online resources. Now, encountering her face-to-face, it was clear the rumours were accurate. Miaoyi was indeed as magnetic and charming as advertised, even more so upon closer inspection.
"Hello, Uncle An," Miaoyi greeted, a touch of bashfulness evident.
Despite her status as a world-hopper, it was undeniable that Miaoyi, including her two lifetimes, was both younger and less experienced than the other party. This intangible aura held a definite presence.
"Haha, your Uncle An has heard plenty about you from Qiuying. In her phone conversations, your name pops up in at least two out of three sentences. I've been wanting to share a meal for a while," An Du Lian chuckled naturally, displaying the kind benevolence that most elders exude in front of youngsters. "Unfortunately, I've been swamped, but luckily, this time slot worked out. Thanks for looking out for Yinyin. I am sincerely grateful to have a friend like you by her side."
An Du Lian was speaking from the heart.
"Oh, no, no, it's typically Yingying who looks out for me more," Miaoyi responded, wearing a slightly guilty smile, not daring to fully accept the praise.
Truth be told, Qiuying had always been the one caring for her. Among the trio of residents at home—Yun Jie, herself, and An Qiuying—Yun Jie was often occupied outside due to his busy schedule (no thanks to TMY). Miaoyi herself was engrossed in either her electronic music career or gaming. Consequently, An Qiuying managed all the various household tasks.
Qiuying held vast authority within Miaoyi's miniature realm, and was the only thing keeping Miaoyi from staying home permanently.
"No need to decline; this gratitude is well-earned," An Du Lian replied without delving into specifics, maintaining a smile. Then he produced two additional menus. "Before you arrived, I ordered a few dishes. If you see anything else on here you like, feel free to order it."
Miaoyi's unease began to dissipate. After a brief interaction, she realized An Du Lian was easygoing. His personality wasn't markedly distinct from Qiuying's—both possessed a natural knack for setting people at ease through subtle gestures, exuding a gentle and unsaid warmth. Perhaps, this was what they called the 'like father, like daughter' phenomenon...
It was a small gathering, offering Miaoyi the opportunity to meet Qiuying's elder. The conversation at the dining table steered clear of business and work affairs, adhering to the customary pattern of interaction between elders and young adults. They discussed everyday matters and exchanged anecdotes from Miaoyi and Qiuying's school days, cultivating a harmonious and pleasant ambiance.
During the meal, An Du Lian inquired about the purpose of their visit to the capital this time. Qiuying succinctly explained they were attending a new single-release event and coincidentally, there were East Records-related matters that necessitated their attendance for discussion.
However, what occurred next caught both Miaoyi and An Qiuying utterly off guard. An Du Lian voiced a statement that nearly prompted Miaoyi to spit out her drink.
"In truth... My's primary intent for this visit revolves around exploring the prospect of acquiring the media firm Tianheng Media. If my information is correct, this is the company you'll be collaborating with for the conference. In simpler terms, if all goes as planned, the company behind your event invitation might potentially join our fold. I'd give it an 80% chance."
"..."
"..."
"Why don't we make it a date two days from now? I'll accompany you. Coincidentally, I've recently developed an affinity for electronic music," An Du Lian's words resonated with sincerity, her eyes radiating genuine enthusiasm.
For some reason, Miaoyi didn't think his sudden fascination was in any way coincidental...
In fact, Miaoyi could almost read a message in the glint of his eye: "How is it? Don't you think I'm the best guardian ever? Are you touched?"
Miaoyi desperately wanted to retort with: "Please don't touch me." But she was well aware that uttering that would essentially amount to social self-destruction—a tad extreme.
As expected, the internet rumours held true. This "coincidentally wealthy family man" actually harboured quite an eccentric and whimsical side...
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