Jiang Xiao'e was indeed at the shop.
She was showing her parents around the establishment.
Jiang Xiao'e's family wasn't well-off; both her parents were farmers.
After she became a singer and started earning money, she had wanted to bring her parents to the city. However, they were unwilling and preferred to stay in their rural home.
Jiang Xiao'e couldn't do anything about it, so she let them stay put, sending them money every month.
This time, with no upcoming announcements, Jiang Xiao'e finally had some free time to bring her parents to the city for a couple of days.
She also wanted them to see her restaurant. Da Feng Novel Network.
"Xiao'e, your mom and I aren't very educated, but we understand the importance of repaying kindness. That Tingyu helped you so much; you must show gratitude," her father, Jiang Pingchang, said for what felt like the hundredth time.
While happy that his daughter had found a benefactor, Jiang Pingchang constantly reminded her to be thankful.
"Dad, don't worry. I know I need to repay Teacher Tingyu properly." No matter how many times he said it, Jiang Xiao'e listened with great patience.
Jiang Xiao'e was the only child in the family.
Her father had doted on her since she was little. Although their financial situation wasn't great, the family lived happily.
Jiang Pingchang always told her to tell him if she wanted anything, ensuring that she had whatever other girls had.
She kept all these memories in her heart.
"Waiter, get me two private rooms."
Suddenly, a group of stylish young men and women entered the shop.
"Hey, isn't that Jiang Xiao'e? I told you she'd be at the main store."
"Haha, given our status, it's only right that the boss serves us personally, right?"
"Boss, give us two private rooms."
After entering, the group walked directly towards Jiang Xiao'e.
Upon recognizing them, Jiang Xiao'e's brow furrowed.
The leader of the group was Lü Jinbai, a top-tier female singer.
Jiang Xiao'e had an announcement in two days, scheduled to be a guest on a very popular singing show.
While called a guest, it was essentially a challenge competition, and competitions naturally involved winning and losing.
Jiang Xiao'e wasn't particularly concerned about winning or losing; being a guest on the show was a resource arranged by Xinghui.
However, it was different for Lü Jinbai. She was already a top-tier singer but was the weakest performer in the competition. If she lost, she would be out of the show for good.
Therefore, Lü Jinbai had privately approached Jiang Xiao'e, offering money for Jiang Xiao'e to deliberately falter and lose to her during the competition, allowing her to stay on for another episode.
Jiang Xiao'e had naturally refused.
She hadn't expected them to show up at her shop.
"What are you standing around for? Not looking for business?" Lü Jinbai stepped forward, glanced at Jiang Xiao'e's plainly dressed father, and then gave a disdainful smile.
"I'm sorry, all our private rooms are occupied," Jiang Xiao'e said softly.
The entertainment industry was complicated. She just wanted to sing well and avoid further entanglement with Lü Jinbai.
"There aren't that many people in the shop, and yet the private rooms are full?" Lü Jinbai smiled again, her gaze sweeping over the not-yet-full tables in the shop.
As Jiang Xiao'e was about to say something more, Lü Jinbai suddenly looked at Jiang Xiao'e's father, Jiang Pingchang. "Are you Jiang Xiao'e's father?"
"That's right," Jiang Pingchang nodded, a hint of confusion about the other person's identity on his face.
"Your daughter has money and isn't taking it. Is that the right thing to do?" Lü Jinbai asked with a half-smile.
Hearing her double meaning, Jiang Xiao'e's pretty face flushed with anger. On the surface, the woman was criticizing her for not serving customers, but implicitly, she was also accusing her of refusing to take money for deliberately losing.
Just as she was about to tell them to leave, her father's calloused hand reached out and stopped her. Then, his not-so-broad back appeared before her.
"My daughter, I know her. If she doesn't earn money, it's because it's money she shouldn't be earning." Jiang Pingchang wasn't usually assertive, but at this moment, his voice was filled with the unwavering resolve of a father protecting his daughter.
His words warmed Jiang Xiao'e's heart.
No matter what, parents would always stand in front of their children without hesitation.
However, Lü Jinbai let out a scoff. "Heh, how laughable. Do you know how much it was? It was five million. All she had to do was hit a wrong note, and she could have gotten five million, but she refused. Do you think your daughter is foolish?"
In this world, there was no one who disliked money.
Jiang Pingchang clearly faltered for a moment upon hearing five million, but he quickly recovered. He smiled and shook his head at Lü Jinbai. "Never mind five million; even fifty million or five hundred million wouldn't matter if my daughter didn't want it!"
Lü Jinbai was stunned.
This person looked unsophisticated, yet his words were so bold. Fifty million, five hundred million – had he ever seen so much money?
Just as she was about to say something else.
A lazy chuckle echoed from the shop's entrance. "Xiao'e, five million is quite a sum. If someone is offering it, we should accept it. It's just hitting a wrong note; it's very simple."
Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Xiao'e looked up abruptly.
"Teacher Tingyu!"
Indeed, the speaker was Su Yu.
Even if he wore a mask, even if she closed her eyes, Jiang Xiao'e would recognize his voice.
Hearing Jiang Xiao'e's exclamation.
Lü Jinbai was dumbfounded.
The young people behind her were also stunned.
Tingyu?
Which Tingyu?
Was it that Tingyu?