“No,” Huo Jingnian replied, putting the items away. He glanced at his watch, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his lips. “Let’s go pick up Zhilan and have lunch at Aunt Wen’s place she’s already prepared lunch for you two.”
Qiao Zhiwei had wanted to refuse, but upon hearing the last sentence, she nodded in agreement.
The car drove to the Qiao residence, picked up Qiao Zhilan, and after having lunch at Huo’s marital home, the two sisters returned home.
However, just as they got back, the phone rang. Qiao Zhilan complained irritably, “It’s probably that branch of our uncle’s family again… so annoying! I’ll refuse them myself.”
She strode into her room, picked up the receiver, and said forcefully, “Hello!”
The person on the other end was clearly taken aback, then tentatively asked, “Is this Qiao Zhiwei?”
Realizing it wasn’t someone from their uncle’s side, Qiao Zhilan awkwardly softened her tone. “I’m her sister. May I ask what you need from my sister?”
“Could Miss Qiao ask her how the wedding photo sample plan is going?”
It was just two simple sample wedding certificate photos, but they had unexpectedly attracted so many customers wanting the same style. That really surprised him.
Originally, they were only going to take one wedding photo, but in the end, they took two.
For a pair of clients, the revenue doubled or even tripled.
Qiao Zhilan had heard about this from Qiao Zhiwei and immediately laughed. “Okay, I’ll make her call you right away.”
Zhou Yu left his phone number and name, then hung up.
Qiao Zhilan set the phone down and walked to Qiao Zhiwei’s room. “Sister, it’s the owner of the photo studio where you took the wedding certificate photos last time. He’s asking how the photo shoot plan is coming along.”
Qiao Zhiwei understood immediately. It seemed the two sample photos they took previously had been well received.
She had already planned the rest, but for personnel, ever since her sister voiced concerns last time, it seemed almost impossible to find another suitable candidate who was both available and free besides her and Huo Jingnian.
Thinking this through, she went to the phone room and called the Huo residence.
Huo Jingnian wasn’t home; she guessed he was still at the marital home. But since she didn’t have the marital home’s phone number, she hesitated and decided to call Zhou Yu first.
When Zhou Yu received Qiao Zhiwei’s call, he asked warmly, “Weiwei, how’s the wedding photo sample plan you mentioned last time coming along?”
“It’s all ready, but I still need to discuss it with Brother Jingnian.”
Zhou Yu was surprised. “Something like this still needs to be discussed with him?”
This guy had deliberately gone to the studio and said the photos could serve as samples wasn’t that basically announcing their marriage to the world?
“He said last time he didn’t have time,” Qiao Zhiwei explained softly.
“He’s on marital leave. How could he not have time? Why don’t you call again and ask?”
“I just did. He’s not home.”
Zhou Yu laughed. “Weren’t you two at the civil affairs bureau today?”
“Yes, but he went back to the marital home afterward.”
Hearing “marital home,” Zhou Yu perked up. “Which marital home?”
Qiao Zhiwei was a little surprised. The Zhou and Huo families were close, and it seemed Huo Jingnian and Zhou Yu also had a good relationship. How could he not know that Huo Jingnian had such an important property elsewhere?
“Songya Courtyard, No. 7, Jinjiangli.”
“What?” Zhou Yu’s voice was so shocked it almost pierced the phone.
“W-What’s wrong?” Qiao Zhiwei was startled by his tone.
“Is it the Songya Courtyard in Anhe Painting?” Zhou Yu asked again, fearing he was imagining things.
Turns out Zhou Yu knew about the property and immediately nodded. “Yes, that’s it.”
Zhou Yu wiped his forehead. This guy bringing Qiao Zhiwei there for sample wedding photos was clearly trying to show off their relationship in front of everyone.
He was planning to turn the fake act into a real one. Seems he had misjudged Xia Yin.
Qiao Zhiwei, getting no response for a while, added, “But I don’t know the number there. I’ll wait until he returns to the Huo residence and call him then.”
Zhou Yu came to his senses. “I’ll call him.”
Even now, he pretended to be busy in front of the girl. Both brothers really knew how to act.
“That works too,” Qiao Zhiwei replied.
After hanging up, Zhou Yu immediately made the call.
“Hello?” came Huo Jingnian’s deep, cool voice.
Zhou Yu laughed. “You’re really there, huh?”
“What’s the matter?” Huo Jingnian asked in return.
“You and Qiao Zhiwei are serious?” Zhou Yu asked.
Huo Jingnian was silent for a moment. “And?”
“And… can you not make it so obvious? Didn’t that rumor just die down?”
Huo Jingnian smiled. “You said it was a rumor. Why worry?”
“But you arranged the marital home at Songya Courtyard. What if Huo Bo finds out?”
“Songya Courtyard is quiet and safe. It’s where I stay most often when I return to Beijing. Once married, I’ll only return to Songya Courtyard not to where my wife normally lives. How would outsiders perceive that? Wouldn’t someone criticize our marriage again? And when I get promoted, wouldn’t the organization question me about my personal marital issues?”
Zhou Yu was stunned. That reasoning… made sense, and it was absolutely something Huo Bo would approve of.
No wonder Huo Jingnian had achieved his position in the military at such a young age—it wasn’t by coasting on Grandpa Huo.
Every time, he considered his political future.
Having resolved his doubts, Zhou Yu returned to the main topic. “By the way, Weiwei said you didn’t have time to shoot her designed sample wedding photos?”
“You asked her?”
“Yes, just called.” Zhou Yu spoke honestly.
“Seems the two versions we did earlier were good?”
“Indeed. With the same number of clients, revenue almost doubled or tripled,” Zhou Yu said happily.
Huo Jingnian nodded. “Then think about how to cooperate with her, and call me back.”
“You don’t understand business. I can discuss it directly with Weiwei.”
“I don’t have time,” Huo Jingnian refused bluntly.
“Come on, how about designing one set for fifty clients?”
Huo Jingnian smiled. “If it doesn’t turn out well, you’d lose.”
Zhou Yu chuckled. “We’re close. Losing a bit is fine.”
“I don’t like letting friends take a loss. How about this: for each set sold, she gets 20% profit, and Qiao Zhilan can help out in your shop.”
Zhou Yu was stunned. “Really?”
“Yes. If you think it’s unsuitable, forget it.”
“No, no, it works. Though I won’t make much profit.” He had only heard of Huo Jingnian’s skill in negotiations, not that he was equally strict in business deals.
“When Weiwei joins, you can expand and grow your business. Bringing in the Qiao sisters is the start of your destiny changing, so don’t be short-sighted.”