It was just unexpected how efficient they were. This indicated that the higher-ups also wanted to demolish the houses in the delta as soon as possible and start the reconstruction.
"That's right. The demolition office requires those with property deeds to complete the demolition procedures and move out within a week. You're away recording a program; do you have time to come back?" Liu Kaichen asked.
"That's not a problem. I'll buy a high-speed train ticket back. It's only an hour's journey, so a same-day trip won't affect anything."
"Alright, it's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. Call me when you're back, and we'll go through the procedures together and collect the money."
Liu Yifeng nodded. "Okay!"
They chatted for about ten minutes without realizing it. Liu Yifeng no longer felt like sleeping and decided to play with Transformers with Tongtong.
It wasn't until Xia Qianqian knocked on the door that Liu Yifeng remembered their dinner plans. He was also hungry.
As the three of them came down in the elevator, they happened to run into Song Yicheng's mother, who was holding food packed for her son.
When Tongtong stepped out of the elevator, his right hand accidentally bumped into the lunchbox she was holding.
"Watch it, kid. If you knock over my food, you'll have to pay!" Song's mother said to Tongtong unhappily.
She had only arrived not long ago and had gone downstairs to buy food for her son. Because she had been traveling for a long time, she was tired and prone to temper tantrums, and she was not a person with a good temper to begin with.
"I'm sorry, my son didn't do it on purpose," Liu Yifeng said apologetically to her. However, as he spoke, he subconsciously pulled Tongtong closer to him.
Song's mother looked at Tongtong, who was only three or four years old, and couldn't help but recall what the director had said about a contestant of that age participating in the competition. Most of the guests staying at this hotel were contestants, their families, and guests. Thinking of this, she asked with a mocking expression, "What, is your son also a contestant on 'The Brain'?"
Liu Yifeng was a little surprised. "Is your son too?"
"Yes, but my son is definitely better than yours. Why is he here at such a young age? Don't cry if he loses the competition!" She looked down on the tiny Tongtong dismissively.
Liu Yifeng smiled slightly, exuding confidence from his bones. "How do you know my son will be eliminated?"
Song's mother scrutinized Liu Yifeng from head to toe and sneered. "Your son is just here to make up the numbers, isn't he? I'm telling you this so you can prepare your son mentally in advance. That way, he won't cry if he loses."
"Madam, you should mind your own son. It's not your concern whether we win or not," Xia Qianqian considered herself a good-tempered person. However, this woman's words were too much, and she lacked any manners, so Xia Qianqian felt no need to be polite.
"Whether I mind my son or not is none of your business. However, your son is so young; he probably can't even recognize all the characters. How much money did you parents give the production team to let him participate in a competition show!"
Seeing that the woman had misunderstood her relationship with Tongtong, Xia Qianqian explained, "You're mistaken; I'm a special guest, not his mother! But regardless, I think as an adult, you shouldn't deny a child like this! This child is participating in the competition based on his own merits."
"Special guest? I heard special guests are all big stars. I don't think I've ever seen you before. Are you some obscure, eighteenth-tier celebrity? The special guest for my son is a big star. The fact that she can be a special guest for my son shows that my son's ability is top-notch among the contestants. And choosing you to be a special guest for this little kid shows that this kid's ability isn't great!" After saying that, Song's mother smugly swayed her hips and walked towards the elevator.
This made Xia Qianqian furious. It was one thing to be mocked for her lack of fame, but to constantly belittle Tongtong's abilities was too much.
However, Tongtong didn't take it to heart and even comforted her. "Auntie Xia, don't be angry. Even though you're not famous now, I believe you'll become a big star in the future. Have confidence in yourself!"
"Okay, thank you, Tongtong. Let's go eat!" Xia Qianqian took Tongtong's hand and walked out of the hotel lobby.
In Liu Yifeng's mind, he was thinking about what the woman had said earlier. She mentioned that her son's special guest was a big star; could it be Yun Duo'er? However, this was just his speculation. No matter who it was, he believed that he was no worse than her when it came to his son.
Outside, looking at the bustling city, Liu Yifeng couldn't help but sigh. Although the two cities were close, he could clearly feel the difference between them. He wondered when Haicheng would become this prosperous.
"What's wrong?" Xia Qianqian asked curiously, seeing him in a daze.
Liu Yifeng quickly snapped back to reality. "Nothing. Do we need to drive?"
"No need. It's only a ten-minute walk. Driving would be more inconvenient!" Xia Qianqian said, then took Tongtong's hand and led the way.
Soon, they arrived at the most prosperous pedestrian street in City C. The street on both sides was crowded with people. Liu Yifeng held Tongtong's hand tightly, fearing he might get separated in the crowd. The three of them walked hand in hand, looking like a family of three.
"The restaurant is just ahead!" Xia Qianqian pointed towards the distance.
Liu Yifeng was genuinely shocked by the crowd. "There are too many people. If parents aren't careful with their children, they could easily get lost."
Upon hearing this, Tongtong immediately said, "If Tongtong and Daddy get separated, I'll wait for Daddy at the original spot, or ask an uncle or auntie to call you!"
"Tongtong is so smart. But besides those two methods, Tongtong can also ask the police for help. But remember, never go with strangers," Xia Qianqian added.
Liu Yifeng actually wanted to say that anyone who could kidnap Tongtong probably hadn't been born yet. What he had said earlier was just out of concern for other children. He knew his son's abilities all too well.
Soon, they arrived at the restaurant Xia Qianqian had mentioned. This restaurant primarily served stir-fried dishes, but its specialty was steamed chicken. It was said that they sold over a thousand chickens every day, and many people, not satisfied after one serving, would pack one to take home.
This restaurant also required customers to take a number before eating, but Xia Qianqian had come to get a number around five o'clock. She handed her number to the staff at the entrance. After looking at her number, the staff indicated that they were next and asked them to wait outside for a few minutes.
Liu Yifeng looked at the bustling restaurant and suddenly thought that the catering industry was also a good investment direction. He wondered if he could consider developing in this direction after his vegetable company was on the right track.
They didn't wait for long before a table of customers finished their meal and left. The staff immediately led them in. After the table was cleaned, Liu Yifeng and Tongtong sat on one side, and Xia Qianqian sat on the other.
Taking the menu, Xia Qianqian immediately ordered the steamed chicken, which was the main reason she brought them here – to let them taste the restaurant's specialty. Liu Yifeng also noticed that almost every table had a steamed chicken dish and became curious about how delicious it was to be ordered by every table.
"I've eaten the steamed chicken here twice before. It's indeed a hundred times tastier than the ones outside. I guarantee you'll praise it too!" Xia Qianqian said, her mouth already watering.