Although he couldn't quite figure out the reason immediately, for Manager Gao, in the current market climate, selling even one car was a win.
He immediately smiled and said to Xu Yanxia, "Understood. Your consideration is actually very wise."
As he spoke, he led her to another area of the showroom and introduced, "These models are our brand's classic mid-size sedans and SUVs. Their handling and comfort performance have always been very stable. The current all-inclusive price is between 250,000 and 400,000, offering a very high cost-performance ratio."
Well, compared to the cars costing over a million or eight to nine hundred thousand just moments ago, this price was indeed much more affordable.
Xu Yanxia learned about the details of several cars, and after considering Lu Jingming's opinion and taking a test drive, she finally selected a car priced at three hundred thousand.
After signing the contract and making the payment, they still needed to handle various procedures. The earliest they could get the car was the next day.
The two of them left the 4S dealership first.
When they arrived, the city was still bathed in the afterglow of the sunset, but now it was already dark.
Once in the car, Lu Jingming asked Xu Yanxia, "It's getting late. Shall we get something to eat first? What would you like for dinner tonight?"
Xu Yanxia said, "If you're not very hungry, we could eat at home. Today, you, Madam, and the Chairman weren't home. A lot of very good ingredients were delivered this morning, and I'm afraid they'll go to waste again."
"Then let Aunt Zhang and the others have them."
Lu Jingming took out his phone and sent a message to Aunt Zhang, then said to Xu Yanxia, "You've already been busy all day at Jiu Shan. Don't go home and cook again. Whatever you want to eat, it's my treat."
"No, no, no,"
Xu Yanxia immediately said, "If you'd like to eat out tonight, this meal must be on me."
Her face still wore an expression of deep gratitude as she said, "Last night, Chairman Lu just gave me such a large bonus, and today Madam bought me a car... I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Alright then."
Lu Jingming smiled and said, "It seems that to ensure you get a good night's sleep, I must let you spend some money on behalf of my parents. So, where shall we go?"
Xu Yanxia smiled at him, "It's up to you. Whatever you want to eat is fine."
Lu Jingming said with a sincere expression, "No, you decide. Your recommendations are safer. I'm fine with anything."
Then he remembered something and quickly asked her, "When I called you earlier, you'd even lost track of time. Don't tell me you didn't have lunch either?"
"How could that be,"
Xu Yanxia said with a smile, "I was testing dishes in the kitchen all day today. My stomach was never empty."
But then again, after a day of eating abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw, she did feel like changing her palate.
She looked at Lu Jingming, "Would you mind eating something high-calorie for dinner?"
Hmm?
Lu Jingming was taken aback, "Like..."
Xu Yanxia gave a gentle smile, "Like... a happy meal for homebodies?"
A happy meal for homebodies?
"Sure!"
Lu Jingming smiled, immediately started the car, and left the parking lot.
About ten minutes later, the two arrived at the nearest branch of a famous Western-style fast-food chain, located on the first floor of a shopping mall.
Fortunately, it was a weekday. Most orders during the after-work hours were for takeout, so there were still empty seats in the restaurant.
Xu Yanxia found a relatively quiet spot and led Lu Jingming to sit down.
Opening the mobile app, she browsed while asking him, "Is there anything you particularly want?"
"Not really,"
Lu Jingming said with a relaxed expression, "Just order what you think is good. I'll leave it all to you."
"Alrighty."
Xu Yanxia then operated on her phone. "Their popcorn chicken is still pretty good, the egg tarts are okay, we definitely need fries, two portions of chicken wings... oh right,"
She looked up at him again, "I won't have a burger. Do you want one?"
"Then I won't have one either."
Lu Jingming said.
"Okay."
Xu Yanxia nodded and quickly placed and paid for the order.
Not long after, they received the pickup notification.
The two carried the tray to the table together. The various golden-brown fried foods, with their enticing aroma, immediately occupied their sight and sense of smell.
"So fragrant!"
Xu Yanxia ate a piece of popcorn chicken first. The crispy coating and the savory, juicy chicken inside immediately brought a smile to her face.
"High-calorie food really does trigger dopamine more easily. But we mustn't let Queen Xixi know, or she'll be angry again that we ate something good without her."
Lu Jingming smiled and said, "Then let's not post anything on social media."
"Deal."
Xu Yanxia ate the delicious fries and took a sip of the sweet cola, feeling even happier!
Suddenly, she heard Lu Jingming say, "I have a request."
"What request?"
She immediately looked up at him.
She saw Lu Jingming looking at her with a serious expression, saying, "From now on, don't use the word 'you' (formal) to address me. That word creates a sense of distance."
Xu Yanxia paused, "But it's more polite. Using 'you' (informal) seems somewhat impolite."
He said, "You and I don't need to be that polite. We agreed to treat each other as friends."
His gaze was somewhat intense.
Xu Yanxia couldn't help but lower her eyelashes to avoid it, saying, "But Aunt Zhang, Sister Wang, Sister Sun, and Uncle Li also use 'you' (formal). If I don't, it would seem too impolite and might make people dislike me."
Lu Jingming had to compromise, "Then when we're not at home, don't call me 'you' (formal), okay?"
"Otherwise, it makes me feel discouraged, like the goal is still far out of reach."
Xu Yanxia paused.
What goal he was referring to was self-evident.
Her face felt a little warm.
But seeing him looking at her with such a pitiful expression made it impossible for her to refuse.
So she nodded and said, "Okay."
He indeed became happy, smiling as he ate several chicken wings in a row and picked up a couple of fries.
"Honestly, I hated this stuff the most when I was in the UK. Haven't had it for years, but having it again now, it's actually acceptable."
Hearing this, Xu Yanxia became curious and hurriedly asked, "When you were in..."
She had just started when, seeing him raise an eyebrow, she quickly corrected herself, "When you were in the UK, did you eat out more or cook for yourself more?"
"About half and half,"
Lu Jingming recalled, "At first, I still had the energy to cook, but later the coursework was just too intense, and then I started getting involved with the group's business. I didn't have much time, so back then, I often preferred to go hungry rather than eat."
He even told her, "After staying there for over a year, I lost more than twenty pounds."
Really?
Xu Yanxia was so shocked she laughed, "Was the food there that bad?"
Lu Jingming wore an expression of speechless exasperation, "Those who've tried it know."
"In that case,"
Xu Yanxia's business mind sparked, "Would opening a Chinese restaurant there be profitable?"
"It's worth considering,"
Lu Jingming said with a smile, "Maybe we could open our Jiu Shan or teppanyaki restaurant there, but the ingredient and labor costs would be much higher."
Xu Yanxia also nodded, "The flavors would probably need some appropriate adaptation too."
As soon as she finished speaking, her phone suddenly vibrated.
She picked it up and saw it was a video call from Lu Jingxi.
Xu Yanxia, "..."
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Of course, Queen Xixi calling from afar must have a reason, so she quickly answered.
On the screen, Queen Xixi, who had just removed her makeup, was eating a salad and asked, "Xiao Xia, are you free right now? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Xu Yanxia nodded, "Perfectly free, go ahead."
Lu Jingxi said, "Our show is almost finished recording. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up, the production team wants to add a Mid-Autumn themed event, mainly inviting family and friends to cook a reunion meal together. I immediately thought of you! It's practically tailor-made for you! You should come and show off your skills!"
Before Xu Yanxia could say anything, Lu Jingming immediately reminded her, "It depends on when they're recording. Aren't you going home for the holiday?"
His voice carried over to the video call. Lu Jingxi immediately frowned, "Why do I hear my brother's voice?"
Xu Yanxia smiled and turned the camera towards her brother, Lu Jingming.
Lu Jingming waved at his sister on the screen, then picked up a french fry and ate it, with a somewhat provocative air.
Queen Xixi indeed puffed up with anger right away, "That's too much! You two went out for delicious food behind my back again!"
Xu Yanxia turned the camera back to herself and said with a laugh, "Sorry, I just suddenly felt like having some today. I really didn't expect your video call, I didn't mean to tease you."
Only then did Lu Jingxi continue, "Alright, considering how delicious the meal you made yesterday was, I'll forgive you for now. Anyway, Xiao Xia, what do you think of my suggestion?"
"If you can come, you'll absolutely blow everyone else away! It would also boost the show's popularity in an instant."
Xu Yanxia asked, "So when exactly is the recording scheduled?"
Lu Jingxi said, "It should be scheduled for the day after tomorrow, or maybe a day or two after that. In any case, it's before the National Day holiday."
Xu Yanxia replied, "I have no problem with it, I just need to inform Madam."
The second young miss of the Lu family immediately said, "I'll talk to my mom about it, don't worry."
Just as Xu Yanxia was about to nod, she saw Lu Jingming take her phone and ask his sister, "So, is this recording troublesome? Will it take a long, exhausting time again?"
Lu Jingxi's voice came through, "This kind of thing is at most a one-day commitment, don't worry. Ever since that green tea left, the efficiency here has improved a lot."
"That sounds good then."
Xu Yanxia said to Lu Jingming, "It's perfect timing since Jiushan also needs marketing. This is a great opportunity to advertise."
As she spoke, she took back the phone and told Lu Jingxi, "As long as Madam has no objections, I'm completely fine with it."
"Great,"
Queen Xixi on the other end was about to say goodbye.
But her brother took the phone again and asked, "By the way, which male artists are participating this time?"
