Chapter Thirty-Five: Barbecue

  The night is radiant with joy and laughter everywhere, and there are groups of people sitting around barbecue stoves.

  Ning Qing looked at others and then back at their own table, which only had two people. It was indeed a bit deserted.

  "I didn't expect so many people to like eating Jianhuai chicken, and they even have to line up. Since there's a vacant spot for barbecue on this side, let's just settle for barbecue instead." Du Hujia saw that Ning Qing was looking a bit uneasy and calmly asked: "What's wrong, are you worried about getting back too late?"

  "Uh, I was just thinking that we're not very familiar with each other, and you're so busy, it's actually not necessary to take care of my opinions." Ning Qing saw Du Huo come out for a while, his phone kept ringing nonstop, feeling like he was wasting the other person's time, and also felt a bit embarrassed.

  "The company has been working on a project these past few days, so it's busier than usual." Du Hua said calmly, "No matter how busy, I still need to eat."

  "It's my first time to have a barbecue," said Du, sitting by the grill in his suit, looking out of place with his surroundings. He clumsily speared a sausage with a fork and Ning Qing saw his actions and couldn't help but laugh quietly. It turned out that even an intelligent and powerful person could be adorable when they were occasionally clumsy.

  "Haha......" From the other side of the barbecue stove, bursts of crisp laughter came from time to time. Ning Qing turned his head to take a look and, as expected, caught sight of Li Mingna at a glance.

  Under the night, Li Mingna held a can of beer and was toasting with others, laughing frequently, her bright smile shining on everyone. Her several classmates beside her were teasing: "Even if you get drunk, don't worry, at most call your brother Shangliang to come pick you up."

  Why did I insist on dragging Du Hua's family to such a distant place to eat roast chicken? When she saw Li Mingna, Ning Qingming suddenly understood her own mind. It turned out that subconsciously, she was still remembering the past and wanted to come and stop it from happening again.

  That year, Li Mingna went out for a barbecue with her classmates. After drinking several cans of beer, she couldn't resist the teasing of her classmates and called Guo Shangliang to pick her up and take her back. Because it was already late, Guo Shangliang was afraid that the school gate would be closed, so he borrowed a motorcycle from someone and rode over. Halfway there, he collided with another person and had an accident, fracturing one of his hands. He stayed in the hospital for half a month.

  Ning Qingmeng let out a faint sigh, still not wanting Guo Shangliang to pay too much for Li Mingna, and even more so, not wanting him to get into an accident. Subconsciously, she pulled Du Hujia over here.

  "What are you looking at?" Du Huajun saw Ning Qing staring intently at the other side. Following her gaze, he took a look and nodded, saying: "Prettier than you!"

  This careless remark hurt Ning Qingming. Coldly saying: "Yes, I'm a country bumpkin. Everyone is prettier than me!"

  "You're too restrained, can't let go. Even with clear eyebrows and eyes, you lack the elegance that a beauty should have. It's hard to see your unique features." Du Huajia said objectively, ignoring Ning Qingming's sulking.

  "Looks like you're quite an expert on beauties!" Ning Qing said sarcastically.

  Du Huajia smiled. "The women in my family are all beautiful, including my late little aunt. They're all elegant and refined. After seeing so many of them, I've developed an eye for beauty. Besides, beautiful people stand out more."

  Ning Qingmian bit her lip. It's true. She still lacked confidence. Her words and actions were still timid and reserved. She must work hard to change.

  While speaking, the roasted chicken wing in Ning Qing's hand was already cooked. He took a bite and it tasted good. Seeing that Du Huo's skewer still had sausages on it, he casually said: "The most famous thing here is the grilled chicken, everyone who comes to barbecue is here for the chicken, why are you only grilling sausages?"

  "I don't like eating chicken." Du's family changed to stringing up a corn on the cob to roast.

  "But I ordered chicken floss buns for you at Canning this afternoon." Ning Qing was puzzled, could it be that she's afraid the chicken here isn't handled cleanly?

  "To be exact, I only eat processed chicken that doesn't resemble its original form." Du's family had to explain, "When I was a kid and first learned how to ride a bike, I ran over a little chick at the corner of the street. The image of that poor little chick struggling under my wheels is still etched in my memory. So if it looks like chicken, I won't eat it."

  "Hmph", Ning Qing couldn't help but laugh, and under the firelight, she took a look at Du Hua's family, finding that he looked much more pleasing to her eyes.

  "By the way, I heard from Huahua that you've signed three commercial units. What are your plans?" Du's phone rang and he answered it, then continued after hanging up: "If you want to make money, you need to be patient. At least wait for about twenty days before spreading the word that you're looking to transfer them."

  "See how much money you can make from changing names?" Ning Qing had never been involved in business before, and was a bit nervous.

  "A shopping mall is initially rented out, and the price should not be too high, but the new flagship store has six floors, and there are many storefronts. At first, everyone focuses on the first floor, which is not conducive to renting out the second and third floors. The company's senior management will definitely reserve some good storefronts on the first floor and temporarily not rent them out, while slightly allowing merchants to drive up prices on the first floor. Some merchants see that the first floor not only has no good positions left but also higher prices, so they will retreat and consider renting on the second or third floor.

  Du Hujia analyzed for a moment and said: "Why not sell two of them and use the transfer fee from those two to support the third one? Wait until the second and third floors are fully rented out, then you'll make money."

  "But I don't know how long we have to wait?" Ning Qingmin hesitated for a moment, "Even if we sell two units and the transfer fee is enough to pay the down payment for the third unit, after one month, the mall will officially start collecting management fees and utility bills. If we're not operating, there will be fines..."

  "The first floor mainly operates wool products, and according to different customers, it is divided into domestic sales and foreign sales. In your case, just go to the wool factory to get some samples suitable for foreign sales, hang them up casually, and then ask someone to take care of the storefront. If a foreign merchant takes a fancy to your sample after a month, you can at least earn management fees and utility bills. If there is no business, you can transfer the store location again when the time comes, and you won't lose money." Du Huojia solved Ning Qingmin's problem with a few words.

  Du Shuai was indeed a strong man in the business world, and Ning Qingmian looked at him with admiring eyes for the first time. Du Hujia wore a suit and bowed his head to eat corn, unaware that someone's attitude towards him had temporarily changed from fear to admiration.

  After finishing the chicken wings, Ning Qingming glanced at his watch. In a while, Li Mingna would call him. It's better to take her away now.

  Li Mingna was laughing with her classmates, looked up and saw Ning Qingming and a handsome guy coming over, asking if she wanted to hitch a ride together on the way back, couldn't help but laugh, "With a free ride, of course it's great!"

  When Du Hu's family drove over in a BMW, Li Mingna's eyes flashed with surprise, seemingly unable to believe that Ning Qingming knew such a handsome and wealthy guy.

  "You are General Du of LJE." After getting on the car, Li Mingna intentionally or unintentionally asked about Du Huajia's background and took his card. After seeing the name on the card clearly, Li Mingna couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

  Ning Qing suddenly felt a little pleased with herself, thinking that she was no worse than Guo Shangliang, someone he knew.