Chapter 44: Sincerity

“Brother Zheng, what do you like to eat? I can order for you, or you can order yourself.” Sister Xiao didn’t forget that the main purpose of today was to treat Zheng Yan to dinner. She asked enthusiastically, a sincere smile blooming on her face.

“No need, just order whatever you like, I can eat anything.” Zheng Yan responded with a smile, his eyes filled with gentleness and kindness.

He poured a cup of tea for Xiao Miaomiao and handed it to her, showcasing his thoughtful and considerate side.

“Ah.” Xiao Miaomiao felt a little surprised and embarrassed after hearing Zheng Yan’s reply.

She couldn’t help but look at Jiang Chen beside her, as if hoping to get some instructions or suggestions from him. Jiang Chen smiled and nodded at her, agreeing with Zheng Yan’s opinion.

“Just order according to your preferences, his taste is similar to yours.” Jiang Chen explained, his voice calm and gentle, making people feel at ease.

“Oh, then I’ll order.” Xiao Miaomiao felt reassured after hearing Jiang Chen’s words. She began to carefully study the menu, selecting dishes she liked.

Jiang Chen sat aside, quietly observing Xiao Miaomiao’s ordering. Suddenly, he couldn’t help but speak: “You’re not going to ask me what I like to eat?” His tone carried a hint of teasing, but more of expectation.

Xiao Miaomiao continued to stare at the menu without looking up, a faint smile on her lips: “I know what you like to eat, no need to ask, I’ll order more of what you like.” Her voice was clear and melodious, revealing her understanding and care for Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen’s heart warmed upon hearing her reply, and he couldn’t help but laugh: “Well, I haven’t spoiled you for nothing.” His gaze flickered with happiness.

“It’s fine, just remember to pay, I’m treating you today, you pay.” Xiao Miaomiao looked up, mischievously towards Jiang Chen, a hint of slyness in her eyes.

Xiao Miaomiao handed the marked menu to the waiter standing nearby.

“Now that you’re the young mistress of the Li Group, you’re not lacking this little money.” Jiang Chen teased with a smile, his eyes revealing his fondness and indulgence for Xiao Miaomiao.

Xiao Miaomiao: “I’m not lacking money, when have I ever been lacking money? I’m just giving you, the big CEO, a chance to pay. You earn so much money every day, you don’t have anywhere to spend it.”

Jiang Chen: “Alright, then you can pay this time. But speaking of which, how much do you earn from selling paintings now?”

Xiao Miaomiao: “I only earn about fifteen thousand yuan a month from selling paintings, this money is for buying gifts to give away, next month for your birthday I’ll buy you a gift with my own money.” After finishing, Xiao Miaomiao looked at Jiang Chen, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and joy.

Jiang Chen smiled, thinking it was interesting.

However, he didn’t care whether she could really buy him any expensive gifts, as long as she had the intention, that was enough. So, he responded gently: “Okay, I’ll be waiting for your gift then.”

Jiang Chen nodded happily, then suddenly remembered something and continued: “Right, it’s not just fifteen thousand! Zhou Yi bought a painting from you, ten thousand yuan for a painting.”

Xiao Miaomiao was slightly taken aback, Jiang Chen hadn’t expected Zhou Yi to buy paintings from Xiao Miaomiao.

She curiously asked: “How do you know?”

Jiang Chen winked and explained: “I saw it myself, and Zhou Yi even hung your painting in his office.”

Recently, the Jiang Group and the Li Group have been collaborating frequently, and Zhou’s, as one of the Li Group’s partners, naturally had to interact with the Jiang Group.

Two days ago, he met with Zhou Yi, and he accidentally saw a painting in Zhou Yi’s office, that painting was from Xiao Miaomiao’s hand.

The painting used a mountain as the background, and the main subject was a majestic wolf. The painting was not only realistic but also perfectly matched Zhou Yi’s personality.

At this moment, Jiang Chen picked up his teacup, took a sip gently, a faint smile on his lips, his gaze gently falling on Xiao Miaomiao: “Your painting skills haven’t declined at all. My office is empty now, why don’t you paint a few for me to hang up? After all, he has your painting, if I don’t, wouldn’t that be too embarrassing?”

After finishing, he smiled and stared at Xiao Miaomiao, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Xiao Miaomiao couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking that Jiang Chen was indeed like a child. She readily replied: “Okay, I’ll paint for you when I have time, but do you have any special requirements? Like what kind of theme or style of painting do you want?” As she spoke, her gaze turned to Jiang Chen, waiting for his response.

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, his tone light: “Just do whatever you want, as long as it’s painted by you, I’ll like it. Of course, if it can be better than Zhou Yi’s, then that would be even better!”

Xiao Miaomiao couldn’t help but laugh, secretly muttering to herself that Jiang Chen was like a child. She nodded, indicating she understood, and promised to try her best to paint a piece that would satisfy him.

At this time, Xiao Miaomiao’s gaze fell on Zheng Yan sitting across from her. Recalling the past, a wave of gratitude surged through her heart.

If it hadn’t been for Zheng Yan’s careful teaching and patient guidance in her studies back then, she probably wouldn’t have been able to get into her dream university. Thinking about it, her eyes softened, filled with gratitude for Zheng Yan.

“Brother Zheng, do you like oil painting, or sketching, or Chinese painting. I’ll give you a painting, as a way of repaying you for tutoring me back then. Why didn’t you say it was you who tutored me, I thought it was my cousin who found another teacher for me.” Xiao Miaomiao looked at him and said.

Zheng Yan heard and looked at Jiang Chen, “Did you say it?”

He hadn’t mentioned it before.

Jiang Chen nodded, “Yeah, I said it, how could I know you didn’t even mention it, this girl’s paintings are good, do you want one.”

“Originally, I was the one who offered to help you, if I said it was me who taught you, Miaomiao wouldn’t dare to ask.” Zheng Yan knew a little about Xiao Miaomiao, she didn’t like to trouble others, if he said it, she might end up changing teachers.

“However, Miaomiao, if you’re willing to paint, it’s also my honor, any painting style is fine, just paint whatever you’re good at and like.” Zheng Yan didn’t refuse.

Xiao Miaomiao felt a little embarrassed listening, but also felt happy, she could use her own abilities to repay the other party.

Her face was filled with a happy smile, her eyes sparkling with gratitude and anticipation. For her, painting was not only an artistic expression but also a way of conveying emotions.

“Okay, then I’ll paint it and send it to you.” Xiao Miaomiao listened and was also touched, suddenly feeling that being able to paint was really good, repaying favors was just sending a painting.

“Brother Zheng is so nice.” Xiao Miaomiao looked at him and said.