Chapter 149: Chapter 148: Intimacy and Estrangement (Part 2)
Shi Yang’s father always approached problems by looking at the big picture. He frowned in deep thought for a while before saying, "The price of renting a stall in the mall is set based on the location’s advantages and disadvantages. The larger the area you rent, the greater the loss for the mall."
Shi Yang suddenly widened his eyes. He had always thought that the mall was reluctant to give in because the handbag section’s rental stalls were all regular customers, and both the clientele and profits were stable. The project he wanted to pursue was, after all, a new venture, and no one could say for sure how successful it would be once it got going. If he failed, the time from renovation to removal would mean a huge loss for the mall, not only greatly reducing turnover but also directly affecting the sales of other surrounding brands.
Shi Yang’s father continued, "Moreover, the project you’re starting is an indoor playground for children, which involves safety issues. You must understand that shopping centers are most wary of projects with high-risk factors. If any child has an accident within your playground, the mall would also bear some of the risk and responsibility."
Shi Yang fell silent after listening to his father. Only then did he realize just how important the things he had overlooked were.
His father was right. As a mall manager, one must pay attention not only to the rental price but also to potential safety hazards and the mall’s interests.
After finishing his thoughts, Shi Yang’s father consoled him, "Didn’t the shopping mall manager mention that the women’s wear adjustments won’t start until the second half of the year? It’s just the beginning of April now, so there’s no need to rush."
After chatting with Shi Yang for a while, his father changed the subject. He had done his best to help with what he could, and now it was up to Shi Yang to figure out the rest.
After dinner, Shi Yang helped his mom tidy up the dining table. Zhao Meimei followed him like a little tail, but as soon as she reached out, Shi Yang blocked her and sent her back to her room to do her homework.
Shi Yang’s mom sighed, "Oh dear, you’re spoiling Meimei too much. When she gets married and can’t do anything, you’ll realize you were holding her back."
Shi Yang said softly, "It’s fine; once she’s married, we’ll keep spoiling her the same way."
Shi Yang’s mom laughed, "You think it’s that easy? How many men can actually do that!"
Shi Yang said nothing, helped finish cleaning the kitchen, and then sliced a plate of fruit, saving one portion separately to bring to Zhao Meimei’s room.
Seeing his attentive demeanor, Shi Yang’s mom suddenly felt a surge of indescribable emotion within her.
"What are you still doing? Your show is about to start!" Shi Yang’s father called from the living room.
Shi Yang’s mom quickly responded and shook off the earlier strange feelings she had.
Shi Yang brought the fruit to Zhao Meimei. As soon as he entered the room, he saw her with her feet up on the chair, the chair swaying, and holding a thick stack of papers. She wasn’t writing, just staring at the questions under the lamplight.
Shi Yang cut an apple and a dragon fruit, divided them into halves, piled them in a bowl with a point sticking up, and inserted toothpicks on top.
Handing the bowl to Zhao Meimei, Shi Yang started to scold her, "How many times have I told you, don’t keep tipping the chair back. What if you fall?"
Zhao Meimei quickly admitted fault, "I forgot, I’ll definitely be more careful next time!"
Shi Yang pointed a finger at Zhao Meimei, his eyes threatening, "You’re just playing me here! You promised, so act on it!"
Zhao Meimei reached out and hugged his waist, rubbing up against him adorably, "Okay, okay! I was wrong, isn’t that enough? I won’t do it again, brother! Forgive me, please!"
Shi Yang suppressed a laugh, "Alright, just eat your fruit."
Zhao Meimei, giggling, casually tossed the papers onto her study desk, took the small bowl, and started grabbing the fruit inside to eat.
Shi Yang shook his head and didn’t rush to leave. He sat on the edge of the bed; he’d been busy with work and hadn’t had a proper chat with Zhao Meimei. Now that he had a rare moment of leisure, he wanted to understand the psychological dynamics of a teenage girl.
When Zhao Meimei turned her head and saw Shi Yang sitting on her bed, she quickly moved over, holding the small bowl. The two of them shared the fruit bite by bite and soon finished it.
After eating the fruit, Zhao Meimei placed the small bowl on the chair and turned to report to Shi Yang that the school wanted her to attend extra classes and pay tuition fees.
She hadn’t mentioned this to Shi Yang’s parents since returning from school, ultimately because the emotional bond wasn’t strong enough. The money her parents left her was with Shi Yang’s mom, who usually gave Zhao Meimei pocket money daily, often slipping an extra ten or twenty yuan beyond what Liu Xiue requested, for fear that Zhao Meimei would be short on food and drink at school. Shi Yang’s mom truly treated her like her child.
When she received pocket money, Zhao Meimei was generous about it, but when it came to tuition fees, she felt reluctant. She feared that the money her mom left wouldn’t last long and worried that emptying it out would shame her parents and make Shi Yang’s mom think badly of her, seeing that she was living and eating there for free while still needing extra money.
Though she didn’t say it outright, Zhao Meimei had been cautiously trying to please Shi Yang’s parents since moving in, hoping they would like her and wanting to earn face for Shi Yang. Zhao Meimei was in a particularly awkward phase of her teenage years, emotionally sensitive and delicate, paying extra attention to everything outside. She loved Shi Yang and hoped everyone around him would accept and love her.
After hearing all this, Shi Yang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Class doesn’t end until 8:30 at night?"
Zhao Meimei nodded, "Yeah, but on weekends, we get out earlier."
Shi Yang turned his face to confirm the location for the classes, "When do the classes start?"
Zhao Meimei thought for a moment, "They said next Monday, but it’s not set yet."
Shi Yang said, "Alright then, once the classes start, I’ll pick you up at night."
Zhao Meimei pretended to be modest, "You don’t have to, you’re so busy. Do you really have time to deal with me?"
Shi Yang squinted his eyes, "No matter how busy, I can’t let you walk the night roads alone. What if something happens?"
Zhao Meimei laughed, "Brother, are you worried that I’m too pretty and someone might want to steal me away?"
Shi Yang nodded in agreement, "Yes."
Zhao Meimei’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, "Brother, you’re so good to me."
Shi Yang smiled and pointed to his own face, "Just a verbal thank you?"
Zhao Meimei quickly reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Just as she was about to speak, Shi Yang pulled her head forward, accurately kissing her on the lips.
The bedroom door wasn’t locked, so Shi Yang didn’t dare kiss her too passionately. He just kissed her lips lightly a few times before letting go.
Zhao Meimei, still wanting more, feeling a bit stirred up, nestled around Shi Yang, rubbing everywhere.